Victor Hugo once said, “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” Up to now, nobody has been able to create laughter like Charlie Chaplin (1889—1977). He brightened the lives of millions through two world wars and the hard years in between.

Not that Charlie’s own life was easy. He was born to a poor family. Charlie learnt to sing and dance as soon as he could speak and walk. Every member of the family performed to help make money. By his teens, Charlie had, through his humor, become one of the most popular child actors in England.

Later, Chaplin began making silent films, where the story was told only through body language and movements. Usually, Chaplin appeared in these films as the Little Tramp, a poor man with a moustache (胡须), large trousers, worn-out shoes, and a round hat. He walked around stiffly (僵硬的) with a walking stick. Even though the Little Tramp was considered a failure in life, he always tried to turn his sadness into joy like Chaplin.

In the film The Kid (1921), the Little Tramp brings up an abandoned (遗弃的) child as his own. While the film has many funny moments, it also has times of great sadness. As Chaplin said, it was “a picture with a smile, and perhaps a tear”. Similarly, in The Gold Rush (1925), with nothing to eat, the Little Tramp treats one boot (靴子) as something delicious and makes you believe that this is one of the best meals he has ever tasted.

Chaplin once said, “My pain may be the reason for somebody’s laugh. But my laugh must never be the reason for somebody’s pain.” He is loved and remembered as a great actor who encouraged people during dark times.

1.1.Why are Hugo’s words mentioned in the first paragraph?

A To explain the “humor”.

B To introduce the topic (话题).

C To make readers think deeply.

D To show the influence of laughter.

解析：选B。主旨大意题。文章开头引用雨果名言，是为了引出“笑的力量”这一话题，并自然过渡到卓别林这位“笑”的大师，起到引出主题（introduce the topic）的作用。

2.2.What made Chaplin learn to perform at such an early age?

A He was popular enough.

B He was talented in performing.

C He had to make money for his family.

D It was common for everyone at that time.

解析：选C。细节理解题。第二段提到“Every member of the family performed to help make money.”，说明卓别林早期表演是为了帮家里挣钱，是生活所迫。

3.3.What do we know about the Little Tramp?

A He was a poor man in real life.

B He had similar experiences with Chaplin.

C He always told jokes to make people laugh.

D He showed his humor through his body language.

解析：选D。细节理解题。第三段明确说明卓别林的默片“story was told only through body language and movements”，而“小流浪汉”正是他塑造的经典形象，其幽默主要通过肢体语言展现。

4.4.What do The Kid and The Gold Rush have in common?

A They are rich in funny conversations.

B Their main characters have nothing to eat.

C They show a picture with a smile and a tear.

D Their main characters have an unhappy childhood.

解析：选C。细节理解题。第四段在描述《寻子遇仙记》时，直接引用卓别林的话“a picture with a smile, and perhaps a tear”，随后用“Similarly”引出《淘金记》，说明两者共同点是“笑中带泪”。

5.5.What did Chaplin want to express in the last paragraph?

A He was in pain.

B People laughed at him.

C People encouraged him.

D He just brought joy to people.

解析：选D。观点态度题。最后一段卓别林的话表明，他愿意用自己的痛苦换他人欢笑，但绝不用自己的欢笑造成他人痛苦。这体现了他希望通过作品只给人们带来欢乐与鼓励的初衷。