文化课迷思——英语试题

(Ⅰ) Old English Passage Reading

Blostme of the Þorn

When þe blostme breketh on þe þorn,
And smale foules singen at þe morne,
Þenne is my herte, þat er was forlorn,
With swete hope al newe reborn.

The sonne him sheweth in þe skye,
Deawes silveren grene feld nye;
Al þis blisse sone may forwrye,
Wan winter comes with còlde crie.

Tak þis day, þis litel space,
Loke up, and see Godes grace
In ilche lef of þis faire place—
For tyme, he fleeteth at þe chase.

Notes:

• er = earlier, before
• at þe chase = as if hunted / in pursuit
• 可能还需要添加……

全文翻译：

荆棘之花
当花朵在荆棘上绽放，
清晨时分小鸟欢快歌唱，
那时我的心灵，那曾经的孤寂，
便带着甜蜜的希望重新焕发生机。
太阳在天空中闪耀着光芒，
一片翠绿的草地近在眼前；
这一切的欢乐或许终会消逝，
凛冽的冬天将带着寒意来临。
在这美好的一天，这片小小的天地里，
抬头望去，便可领略上帝的恩赐
在这美丽之地的每一处角落——
因为时间，它在追逐中匆匆流逝。

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Questions

1. Read the following two lines aloud, marking the natural pause in each line with a slash.
   Line 1: When [A] þe [B] blostme [C] breketh [D] on þe þorn,
   Line 2: And [A] smale foules [B] singen [C] at þe [D] morne,

2. Match the Middle English word from the poem with its best Modern English meaning.

Word	Meaning
1. forlorn	a. spoil / wither
2. forwrye	b. sad / lost
3. fleeteth	c. runs swiftly

3. The letter "þ" used in words like þe and þorn represents which sound in Modern English?

   A. /b/
   B. /p/
   C. /w/
   D. /θ/

4. Which best describes the rhyme scheme of each stanza?
   A. aabb
   B. abab
   C. abcb
   D. aaba

5. What is the main advice given in the final stanza?
   A. Prepare for winter’s cold
   B. Remember past sadness
   C. Observe and appreciate present beauty
   D. Hunt for game while you can

6. The phrase “For tyme, he fleeteth at þe chase” primarily uses which poetic device to convey its meaning?
   A. Personification
   B. Simile
   C. Hyperbole
   D. Onomatopoeia

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Answer Key

1. Line 1: D
   Line 2: C
   (Accept reasonable alternatives, e.g., after breketh and singen.)
2. 1 -- b
   2 -- a
   3 -- c
3. D
4. B
   (þorn/morne; forlorn/reborn; skye/nye; forwrye/crie; space/grace; place/chase)
5. C
6. A

(Ⅱ) Old English Passage Reading

Of Kingship and Common Weal

In days of yore, when kingdoms were not by laws but by man’s will alone governed, much strife did arise. For a king who heedeth not the counsel of his wise men, nor taketh account of the common weal, buildeth his reign upon sand. Verily, though he may for a season prosper, yet in the end shall his kingdom fall into ruin. For sovereignty is not a possession to be used at one’s own pleasure, but a stewardship granted by Heaven and the people. Whoso holdeth the sceptre beareth a burden heavier than any crown of gold.

Many there be that think a ruler’s might lieth in the fear he inspireth, and in the number of his conquests. But I say unto you: true strength is in justice tempered with mercy, in foresight joined with humility. A king who defendeth the weak, who fostereth learning and craft, who keepeth faith with both high and low—such a one earneth loyalty that no army can buy. His reign becometh a tapestry woven not of threads of fear, but of bonds of mutual duty.

Let no man deceive himself: power unchecked doth corrupt even the noblest heart. Therefore, let laws be established that bind the ruler as well as the ruled. For freedom under law is the very essence of a prosperous realm. Where law is sovereign, there liberty flourisheth; where will alone ruleth, there tyranny beginneth.

Notes:
common weal – public good
sovereignty – supreme power
sceptre – royal staff symbolizing authority
tempereth – moderates
fostereth – encourages

全文翻译：

在往昔的时代，当王国并非由法律而是完全由人的意志来治理的时候，纷争便层出不穷。倘若一位国王不听从智者的建议，也不考虑民众的整体利益，那么他的统治就会建立在虚无之上。诚然，尽管他或许能在一段时间内繁荣昌盛，但最终他的王国还是会走向衰败。因为主权并非可以随心所欲使用的私有财产，而是由上天和人民授予的管理职责。谁握有王权，谁就肩负着比任何黄金皇冠都要沉重的重担。
许多人认为统治者的权力在于其所能激起的恐惧以及其所取得的征服成果的数量。但我要告诉你们：真正的力量在于正义与仁慈的结合，在于预见与谦逊的融合。一位保护弱者、促进教育与技艺发展、对高下阶层都坚守诚信的君主——这样的君主能够赢得无法用军队所能获取的忠诚。他的统治将成为一幅并非由恐惧之线编织而成，而是由相互责任之链所构成的织锦。
切莫让任何人自欺欺人：不受约束的权力会腐蚀哪怕是最高尚的心灵。因此，应当制定法律，既约束统治者，也约束被统治者。因为依法而享有的自由才是繁荣社会的真正核心。在法律至上的地方，自由得以蓬勃发展；而在唯意志统治的地方，专制便由此产生。

1. In the sentence “For sovereignty is not a possession to be used at one’s own pleasure, but a stewardship granted by Heaven and the people,” the word “stewardship” most nearly means
   A. Ownership
   B. Temporary gift
   C. Responsible management
   D. Heavy burden

2. Which grammatical structure in the passage best illustrates the subjunctive mood?
   A. “buildeth his reign upon sand”
   B. “Whoso holdeth the sceptre beareth a burden…”
   C. “Let laws be established that bind the ruler…”
   D. “Where law is sovereign, there liberty flourisheth”

3. According to the author, what is the main danger for a kingdom?
   A. Lack of military conquests
   B. Rule based solely on personal will
   C. Excessive mercy in justice
   D. Too much reliance on wise men

4. The metaphor “buildeth his reign upon sand” primarily serves to
   A. Emphasize the importance of coastal defenses
   B. Contrast with building on stone
   C. Suggest instability and eventual collapse
   D. Highlight the need for natural resources

5. The following pairs show how certain Old English words or forms evolved into Modern English equivalents in the passage.

Old English form in passage	Modern English equivalent
heedeth	heeds
flourisheth	flourishes
beareth	bears
ruleth	rules

​ What systematic change does the “‑eth” → “‑s” shift represent in the history of English verb conjugation?
​ A. A change from plural to singular marking.
​ B. A simplification of verb endings, where the third‑person singular present tense ending standardized to “‑s” in most dialects.
​ C. A shift from present tense to past tense marking.
​ D. A move from active to passive voice formation.

6. Translate the following sentences into Modern English:
   a) Whoso holdeth the sceptre beareth a burden heavier than any crown of gold.
   b) Where law is sovereign, there liberty flourisheth; where will alone ruleth, there tyranny beginneth.
7. In your own words, explain the author’s view on the relationship between law and liberty. Use two details from the text to support your answer.

Answer

1. C

2. C (“Let laws be established” – jussive subjunctive)

3. B

4. C

5. B

6. a) Whoever holds the sceptre carries a burden heavier than any golden crown.
   b) Where law is supreme, there liberty thrives; where mere personal will rules, there tyranny begins.

7. The author believes liberty can only flourish under the rule of law. He states that “freedom under law is the very essence of a prosperous realm” and contrasts it with tyranny, which arises “where will alone ruleth.”