【三维设计】高考英语一轮复习多媒体语篇精读课阅读理解多功能精读方案人物类
人物类[精读语篇](2012·山东高考阅读理解B)One of the greatest contributions to the first Oxford English Dictionary was also one of itsmost unusual.In 1879, Oxford University in England asked Prof.James Murray to serve as editorfor what was to be the most ambitious dictionary in the history of the English language.It wouldinclude every English word possible and would give not only the definition but also the history ofthe word and quotations(引文)showing how it was used.This was a huge task so Murray had to find volunteers from Britain, the United States, andthe British colonies to search every newspaper, magazine, and book ever written in English.Hundreds of volunteers responded, including William Chester Minor.Dr.Minor was an Americansurgeon who had served in the Civil War and was now living in England.He gave his address as“Broadmoor, Crowthorne, Berkshire,”50 miles from Oxford.Minor joined the army of volunteers sending words and quotations to Murray.Over the next17 years, he became one of the staff's most valued contributors.But he was also a mystery.In spite of many invitations, he would always decline to visitOxford.So in 1897, Murray finally decided to