2014届高考英语一轮复习精品阅读理解提升文章精选一百篇33.docVIP

Unit 38　　Presidents of the United States　　Here are some astonishing facts about the national chief executives: When electing US Presidents, Americans havent been partial to one type of man. Commanders in Chief of all kinds, tall and short, handsome and homely, well-educated and barely schooled, scoundrel and saint were sent to Washington to serve. The following questions look behind the formal portraits of the nations Presidents to reveal their unique characters, oddities and ironies. The answers may challenge your perceptions of he men and the highest office in land they held.　　Which President is credited with saving 77 lives? Ronald Reagan, as lifeguard in his hometown. But some of the rescues may have been young women faking it simply to get the handsome Reagans attention.　　Which President was also a King? The 38th President Gerald Ford. Giving birth to him in 1913 by the name of Leslie L. King, Jr., his mother divorced and remarried. His stepfather informally adopted him, renaming him Gerald R. Ford.　　Which Presidents son was personally affected by three Presidential assassinations? Abram Lincolns oldest son, Robert Todd, was at is fathers side after the 16th President was assassinated at Fords Theatre in 1865. Sixteen years later he was at the Washington rail depot where the 20th President, James Garfield was shot in 1881. In 1901 Lincoln was in Buffalo at the Pan-American Exposition, where the 25th President William McKinley was assassinated. Thereafter Robert Todd avoided functions where a President was present.　　Who were the largest, smallest and tallest Presidents? Elected in 1909, the six-foot William Howard Taft weighed 335 pounds. Once, Chauncey Depew, a renowned turn-of-the-century orator, pointed to Tafts massive stomach and asked, What are you going to name the baby? Taft replied: If its a boy, he will be a junior. If its a girl, Ill name her Helen. But if, as I expect, it is only gas, Ill name it Chauncey Depew. James Madison was the smallest l