Questions 6 to 16 are based on the following passage.

Suddenly Lady Windermere looked eagerly round the room, and said, in her clear contralto voice, "where is my chiromantist?"

"Your what, Gladys?" exclaimed the Duchess, trying to remember what a chiromantist really was, and hoping it was not the same as a chiropodist.

"my chiromantist, Duchess; I can't live without him at present. I must certainly introduce him to you.”

"Introduce him!" cried the Duchess. “You don't mean to say he is here?" She began looking about for a small tortoiseshell fan and a very tattered lace shawl so as to be ready to go at a moment's notice.

"Of course he is here; 1 would not dream of giving a party without him. He tells me I have a pure psychic hand."

"Oh, 1 see!" said the Duchess, feeling very much relieved. "He tells fortunes, I suppose?"

"And misfortunes, too" answered Lady Windermere. "Any amount of them. Next year, for instance, I am in great danger, both by land and sea, so J am going to live in a balloon, and draw up my dinner in a basket every evening. It is all written down on my little finger, or on the palm of my hand. I forgot which." "But surely that is tempting Providence, Gladys." "My dear Duchess, surely Providence can resist temptation by this time. Everyone should have their hands told once a month, so as to know what not to do. Of course, one does it all the same, but it is so pleasant to be warned. Ah, here is Mr. Podgers! Now, Mr. Podgers, I want you to tell the Duchess of Paisley's hand."

"Dear Gladys, I really don't think it is quite right," said the Duchess, feebly unbuttoning a rather soiled kid glove.

"Nothing interesting ever is," said Lady Windmere. "But 1 must introduce you. Duchess, this is Mr. Podgers, my pet chiromantist. Mr. Podgers, this is the Duchess of Paisley, and if you say that she has a larger mountain of the moon than I have, I will never believe you again."

"1 am sure, Gladys, there is nothing of the kind in my hand," said the Duchess gravely.

"Your grace is quite right," said Mr. Podgers, glancing at the little fat hand.

"The mountain of the moon is not developed. The line of life, however, is excellent You will live to a great age, Duchess, and be extremely happy. Ambition—very moderate, line of intellect not exaggerated, line of heart——”

"Now. do be indiscreet, Mr. Podgers," cried Lady Windermere.

"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," said Mr. Podgers, bowing, "if the Duchess ever had been, but I am sorry to say that I see great permanence of affection, combined with a strong sense of duty."

"Pray go on, Mr. Podgers," said the Duchess, looking quite pleased.

"Economy is not the least of your Grace's virtues," continued Mr. Podgers, and lady Windermere went off into fits of laughter.

“Economy is a very good thing, remarked the Duchess complacently. When I married Paisley he had eleven castles, and not a single house fit to live in."

"And now he has twelve houses, and not a single castle," cried

Lady Windmere." "you have told the Duchess's character admirably, Mr. Podgers, and now you must tell Lady Flora's." In answer to a nod, a tall girl stepped awkwardly from behind the sofa and held out a long, bony hand.

"Ah, a pianist!" said Mr. Podgers. “Very reserved, very honest, and with a great love of animals.”

"Quite true!" exclaimed the Duchess, turning to Lady Windermere. "Flora keeps two dozen collie dogs at Macloskie, and would turn our town house into a menagerie if her father would let her."

"Well, that is just what I do with my house every Thursday evening," cried Lady Windermere, laughing. "Only I like lions better than collie dogs, But Mr. Podgers must read some more hands for us. Come, Lady Marvel, show him yours."

But Lady Marvel entirely declined to have her past or her future exposed. In fact, many people seemed afraid to face the odd little man with his stereotyped smile and his bright, beady eyes; and when he told poor Lady Fermor right out before everyone that she did not care a bit for music, but was extremely fond of musicians, it was generally felt that chiromancy was a most dangerous science, and one that ought not to be encouraged, except in private.

Lord Arthur Savile, however, who did not know anything about Lady Fermor's unfortunate story, was filled with curiosity to have his own hand read, and feeling somewhat shy about putting himself forward, crossed to where Lady Windermere was sitting and asked her if she thought Mr. Podgers would mind.

"Of course he won't mind," said Lady Windermere. "That is what he is here for. All my lions, Lord Arthur, are performing lions, and jump through hoops whenever I ask them."

6. Lady Windermere's statement that she "can't live without" (line 5) her chiromantist is an example of .

A. wit B. satire C. exaggeration D. generalization

7 The Duchess wants to "be ready to go at a moment's notice" (line 7) because she

A. is afraid of chiropodists

B. is tired of Lady Windermere 来源：考试大

C. thinks having her fortune told would be tempting Providence

D. does not want to meet Mr. Podgers

8. The passage suggests that the Duchess wears a tattered shawl and soiled gloves because she

A. likes to save money

B. cannot afford to buy nicer ones

C. cares little about appearance

D. prefer to buy nice things for her home

9. Lady Windermere's plan to live in a balloon and draw up her dinner in a basket indicates her

A .desire to impress the Duchess 来源：考试大

B. inability to separate reality from fantasy

C. whimsical attitude toward fortune-telling

D. respect for the accuracy of Mr. Podger's fortunes

10. Lady Windermere's speech in lines21-24 shows that she _______

A. likes to give advice to others

B. dislike knowing what is going to happen to her

C. believes that Mr. Podgers has amazing and uncanny powers

D. does not take either Providence or chiromancy very seriously.

11. The Duchess says, "I really don't think it is quite right" in line 26 because she

A. has philosophical and moral objections to fortune-telling

B. thinks that trying to discern the future could be dangerous

C. does not like to do what Lady Windermere tells her to do

D. believes that Mr. Podgers is likely to predict bad events in her future

12. Lady Windermere's use of the phrase “my pet chiromantist” suggests that Lady Windermere

A. provide for Mr. Podgers's need

B. perceives Mr. Podgers's devotion to her

C. feels possessive toward Mr Podgers

D. likes to belittle Mr. Podgers in front of her friends

13. By characterizing the Duchess's line of intellect as "not exaggerated", Mr. Podgers shows himself to be

A. tactful B. disdainful C. imaginative D. suspicious

14. The Duchess looks "quite pleased" because .

A. her future is brighter than is Lady windermere's

B. her fear about tempting Providence have been allayed

C. Mr. Podgers has not suggested any danger in her immediate future

D. Mr. Podgers has described her characteristics positively

15. In addition to telling people's fortunes, Mr. Podgers .

A. describes their characteristics

B. describes their past endeavors

C. describes their present occupation

D. encourages their unspoken plans