Robert Spring, a 19th century forger(伪造者), did well in his job that he was able to make his living for 15 years by selling false signatures of famous Americans. Spring was born in England in 1813 and arrived in Philadelphia in 1858 to open a bookstore. At first he made some money by selling his small but real collection of early US autographs(亲笔签名). Discovering his ability at copying handwriting, he began to learn the signatures of George Washington and Ben Franklin and write them on the title pages of old books. To reduce the chance of being discovered, he sent his works to England and Canada for sale.

　　Forgers have a difficult time selling their products. A forger can' t go to a respectable buyer but must deal with people who don' t have much knowledge in the field. Forgers have many ways to make their works look real. For example, they buy old books to use the aged paper of the title page, and they treat paper and ink with chemicals.

　　After the Civil War, Britain was still fond of the southern states, so, Spring invented a re- spectable lady known as Miss Fanny Jackson, the only daughter of General "Stone Wall" Jackson. For several years Miss Fanny' s money problems forced her to sell a great number of letters belong- ing to her famous father. Spring had to work very hard to satisfy the demand. All this activity did not prevent Spring dying in poverty.

　　1. Why did Spring sell his false autographs in England and Canada?

　　A.There was a greater demand there than in America.

　　B.There was less chance of being discovered there.

　　C.Britain was Spring' s birthplace.

　　D.The prices were higher in England and Canada.

　　参考答案：B

　　参考解析：

　　B【解析】事实细节题。从文章第一段最后一句，To reduce thechance of being discovered，he sent his works to England and Cana—da for sale.可知，为了防止被发现，他只有将伪造的签名卖往外地。所以正确的答案为B。

　　2.Robert Spring spent 15 years

　　A.running a bookstore in Philadelphia

　　B.writing letters to Miss Fanny Jackson

　　C.as a forger

　　D.as a respectable seller

　　参考答案：C

　　参考解析：C【解析】事实细节题。从文章第一段第一句，Robert Spring….make his living for l5 years by selling false signatures of famousAmericans.可知，他l5年来一直是靠模仿名人签名来维生的。

　　3.According to the passage, forgers are usually sold to_________

　　A.experts

　　B.persons who aren' t experts

　　C.book sellers

　　D.owners of old books

　　参考答案：B

　　参考解析：B【解析】事实细节题。从文章第二段A forger call’t go to a respect—able buyer but must deal with people who don’t have much know—ledge in the field.可知，那些伪造者只有将伪造的东西卖给那些外行的人。所以正确的答案为8。

　　4.Who was Miss Fanny Jackson?

　　A.The only daughter of General "Stone Wall" Jackson.

　　B.A little known girl who sold her father' s letters to Robert Spring.

　　C.Robert Spring' s daughter.

　　D.An imaginary person created by Spring.

　　参考答案：D

　　参考解析：D【解析】推理判断题。从文章第三段，Spring invented a respectablelady known as Miss Fanny Jackson...可知，这个人物是他虚构出来的，并不是真实的。所以正确的答案为D。

（编辑：何莹莹）