Any mistake made in the printing of a stamp raises its value to stamp collectors. A mistake on one inexpensive postage stamp has made the stamp worth a million and a tops. The mistake was made more than a hundred years ago in the British colony of Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean. In 1847 an order for stamps was sent to a London printer — Mauritius was to become the fourth country in the world to issue re the order was filled and delivered, a ball was planned at Mauritius’ Government House, and stamps were needed to send out the invitations. A local printer was instructed to copy the design for the stamps. He accidentally inscribed the words “Post Office” instead of “Post Paid” on the several hundred stamps that he y there are only twenty-six of these misprinted stamps left fourteen One Penny Orange-Reds and twelve Two Penny Blues. Because of the Two Penny Blue’s rareness and age, collectors have paid as much as ＄16 800 for it.
1. Over a century ago, Mauritius _______.
A. was an independent country
B. belonged to India
C. was one of the British colonies
D. was a small island in the Pacific Ocean
2. The mistake on the stamps was made _______.
A. in Mauritius
B. at Mauritius Government House
C. in a post office
D. in London
3. Stamp collectors have paid 16 800 for _______.
A. fourteen One Penny Orange-Reds
B. twelve Two Penny Blues
C. one One Penny Orange-Red
D. one Two Penny Blue
【答案與解析】本文講述的是本來不值錢的郵票由於印刷錯誤卻使其價值倍增。
1. C。事實細節題。根據第2段第1句… more than a hundred years ago in the British colony of Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean可知答案為C。
2. A。事實細節題。根據第2段第1句The mistake was made more than a hundred years ago in the British colony of Mauritius可知答案選A。
3. D。事實細節題。根據文章最後一句Because of the Two Penny Blue’s rareness and age, collectors have paid as much as $16 800 for it 可知答案為D。
