Much as Americans admire George Washington, the greatest of all American heroes is certainly Abraham Lincoln. Why? Basic to the American philosophy is the idea that an individual with ability, perseverance (韧劲), and human goodness can achieve success no matter how simple and poor his beginnings. Lincoln is a perfect example of the self-made man.
Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a small house in Kentucky. His parents were uneducated and poor. Although Lincoln eventually became a lawyer, he had very little formal schooling. But he did possess a clever mind and great understanding of right and wrong. He had the courage to do what he felt was right, no mater what the cost. In 1860, shortly before the Civil War began, he said, "Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us fight to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."
In 1858, Lincoln had said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently (长久地) half slave and half free." In keeping with his belief Lincoln created the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring all slaves in the Southern states to be free. After the Civil War, the Thirteenth Amendment (修改) to the Constitution was adopted. This amendment freed all slaves throughout the nation.
Because he was a masterful writer who could express his beliefs clearly and with great emotional force, Lincoln was able to make Northerners understand why they were fighting a difficult civil war.
In 1863, in dedicating land to be set aside for the burial of the dead in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he finished his shortest and most famous address with the following wish: "...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."
6. One of the special reasons that the American people regard Lincoln as a hero is that Lincoln was a ______ man.
A. self-made
B. successful
C. capable
D. able
7. Which one of the following statements is true?
A. Lincoln was well educated.
B. Lincoln's parents were very poor but they received much schooling.
C. Lincoln was of humble beginnings.
D. Lincoln always thought he was right and held true to his beliefs.
8. What does the word "endure" mean in the third paragraph? It means ________.
A. last
B. put up with
C. obey
D. suffer
9. According to the passage, Lincoln won the Northern people in the Civil War because ________.
A. he had the courage to do what was right
B. he could control people's feelings
C. he could appeal to people's feelings
D. he talked very much
What does the word "address" in the last paragraph mean?
A. place
B. lecture
C. speech
D. dedication