Elizabeth I was born nearly 500 years ago, in 1533. Her father, England’s King Henry VIII, had six wives. When Elizabeth was two, her father ordered her mother’s execution (处决). “Off with her head!” Elizabeth was very clever, but she had a difficult childhood with her bad-tempered father and so many stepmothers. She was put in prison in the Tower of London for two months when she was twenty.

    Elizabeth became queen of England in 1558 after her elder sister Mary died. The English people liked Elizabeth and called her “Good Queen Bess”. But Elizabeth was often bad-tempered and bossy (专横跋扈的). 

    Elizabeth sent explorers sailing around the world. In 1577, Sir Francis Drake set sail in his ship, the Pelican. “Goodbye, Francis. Discover some new countries and bring me back some Spanish treasure!” In 1588, the Spanish king sent a huge fleet (舰队) of ships to attack England. It was called “the Spanish Armada”. Elizabeth gave a famous speech to inspire her army. “My loving people! I know I have the body of a weak woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king. I will live or die among you all, but I know we shall have a famous victory!” Spain lost the battle.

    Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary, was Queen of Scotland. Mary had to run away from Scotland and she asked Elizabeth to protect her. “Please protect me, Elizabeth!” Elizabeth was afraid that Mary wanted to become Queen of England. She locked Mary up. Nineteen years later she ordered Mary’s execution. “Off with her head!”

    Elizabeth was queen for 45 years. It was a golden age for England. She died in 1603, and James I, Mary’s son, became king. 

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1.1.What can we know about young Elizabeth I from the first paragraph?

A She had six stepmothers.

B She lost her mother at age 5.

C She led a hard life as a child.

D She lived in the Tower of London until 20.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第一段内容可知，伊丽莎白一世的父亲亨利八世取了六个妻子，因此她最多只有5个继母；她两岁的时候母亲被处死；她20岁的时候被关押在伦敦塔的监狱里两个月；根据“she had a difficult childhood”可知她的童年过得很艰难。故选C。

2.2.What did Francis do?

A He was an explorer.

B He was a gardener.

C He was a soldier.

D He was the Spanish king.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第三段的“Elizabeth sent explorers sailing around the world. In 1577, Sir Francis Drake set sail in his ship, the Pelican.”伊丽莎白派遣探险家环游世界。1577年，弗朗西斯·德雷克爵士驾着他的鹈鹕号启航。由此可知，弗朗西斯是一名探险家。故选A。

3.3.Which word has the closest meaning to the underlined word “inspire”?

A Consider.

B Encourage.

C Discover.

D Admire.

解析：选B。词义猜测题。根据后文伊丽莎白一世的演讲内容“My loving people! I know I have the body of a weak woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king. I will live or die among you all, but I know we shall have a famous victory!”我亲爱的人们！我知道我只有一个柔弱女子的躯体，但我有一个王者的心和胃。我将与你们生死与共，但我知道我们将取得一场著名的胜利！由此可知，她发表演讲是为了激励她的军队。故选B。

4.4.What did Elizabeth do to her cousin Mary?

A She protected her.

B She killed her.

C She let her run away.

D She made her queen.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的“Nineteen years later she ordered Mary’s execution. ‘Off with her head!’”可知，伊丽莎白一世杀了她的表妹玛丽。故选B。

5.5.Elizabeth I died at the age of ________.

A 55

B 59

C 65

D 70

解析：选D。数字计算题。根据第一段第一句“Elizabeth I was born nearly 500 years ago, in 1533.”以及最后一段的“She died in 1603”可知，伊丽莎白一世生于1533年，死于1603年，活了70岁。故选D。