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London: It's well known that Charles Darwin's famous theory of evolution annoyed many
people because it was against the Biblical view of creation. But few know that it also created
problems for Darwin at home with his deeply religious wife, Emma.
"Darwin held back the publication of On the Origin of Species to avoid offending (触怒)
his wife," says Ruth Padel, the naturalist's great - great - granddaughter. "Emma told him that
he seemed to be putting God further and further off", Padel says in her north London home.
"But they talked it through, and Emma once said, 'Don't change any of your ideas for fear of
hurting me.'"
As the world celebrates the 200th birthday of the man who changed scientific thought forever
and the 150th anniversary of his book today, even his opponents admitted he was a giant figure.
Though opposition to his theory continues, it is the elegant explanation of how species evolutes
through natural selection that makes his 200th birthday such a major event.
More than 300 celebrations have been planned in Britain alone, where Darwin's face graces
(使增光)the 10-pound bill along with that of Queen Elizabeth II.
Shrewsbury, the central England town where Darwin was born and raised, is holding a
month-long festival for its most famous son. Down House, his former home near London, will hold
a permanent exhibition recreating some of his most famous experiments.
Many more events have been planned all over the world.
What would he be doing if he were alive today? Padel thinks he would properly be studying
DNA and the immune system.
1. The main purpose of the author is .
A. to say something about Darwin and his wife
B. to introduce Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution
C. to sing high praise for the book On the Origin of Species
D. to report some celebrations of Darwin's 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of his books
2. Which of the statements is NOT true based on the passage?
A. Everyone agrees with Darwin now.
B. Darwin was brought up in Shrewsbury.
C. Emma was not really fond of his theory.
D. Darwin was very interested in living things.
3. The underlined phrase "held back" in the second paragraph probably means .
A. prevented from
B. kept a secret
C. cared about
D. put off
4. It can be inferred that the passage is most probably .
A. a scientific report
B. a news report
C. an English composition
D. a text
