(1) The very amiable, pious-hearted Mr. Theophilus Freeman, partner or consignee of James H. Burch, and keeper of the slave pen in New-Orleans, was out among his animals early in the morning. With an occasional kick of the older men and women, and many a sharp crack of the whip about the ears of the younger slaves, it was not long before they were all astir, and wide awake. Mr. Theophilus Freeman bustled about in a very industrious manner, getting his property ready for the sales-room, intending, no doubt, to do that day a rousing business.
(2) In the first place we were required to wash thoroughly, and those with beards, to shave. We were then furnished with a new suit each, cheap, but clean. The men had hat, coat, shirt, pants and shoes; the women frocks of calico, and handkerchiefs to bind about their heads. We were now conducted into a large room in the front part of the building to which the yard was attached, in order to be properly trained, before the admission of customers. The men were arranged on one side of the room, the women on the other. The tallest was placed at the head of the row, then the next tallest, and so on in the order of their respective heights. Emily was at the foot of the line of women. Freeman charged us to remember our places; exhorted us to appear smart and lively, --- sometimes threatening, and again holding out various inducements. During the day he exercised us in the art of “looking smart,” and of moving to our places with exact precision.
(3) After being fed, in the afternoon, we were again paraded and made to dance. Bob, a colored boy, who had some time belonged to Freeman, played on the violin. Standing near him, I made bold to inquire if he could play the “Virginia Reel.” He answered he could not, and asked me if I could play. Replying in the affirmative, he handed me the violin. I struck up a tune, and finished it. Freeman ordered me to continue playing, and seemed well pleased, telling Bob that I far excelled him---a remark that seemed to grieve my musical companion very much.
(4) Next day many customers called to examine Freeman’s “new lot.” The latter gentleman was very loquacious, dwelling at much length upon our several good points and qualities. He would make us hold up our heads, walk briskly back and forth, while customers would feel of our hands and arms and bodies, turn us about, ask us what we could do, make us open our mouths and show our teeth, precisely as a jockey examines a horse which he is about to barter for or purchase. Sometimes a man or woman was taken back to the small house in the yard, stripped, and inspected more minutely. Scars upon a slave’s back were considered evidence of a rebellious or unruly spirit, and hurt his sale.
(5) One old gentleman, who said he wanted a coachman, appeared to take a fancy to me. From his conversation with Freeman, I learned he was a resident of the city. I very much desired that he would buy me, because I conceived it would not be difficult to make my escape from New-Orleans on some northern vessel. Freeman asked him fifteen hundred dollars for me. The old gentleman insisted it was too much, as times were very hard. Freeman, however, declared that I was sound and healthy, of a good constitution, and intelligent. He made it a point to enlarge upon my musical attainments. The old gentleman argued quite adroitly that there was nothing extraordinary about the nigger, and finally, to my regret, went out, saying he would cal again. During the day, however, a number of sales were made. David and Caroline were purchased together by a Natchez planter. They left us, grinning broadly, and in the most happy state of mind, caused by the fact of their not being separated. Lethe was sold to a planter of Baton Rouge, her eyes flashing with anger as she was led away.
(6) When time came for Randall to go with the planter from Baton Rouge, the boy’s mother Eliza ran to him, embraced him passionately; kissed him again and again; told him to remember her---all the while her tears falling in the boy’s face like rain. “Don’t cry, mama. I will be a good boy. Don’t cry,” said Randall, looking back, as they passed out of the door.
(7) What has become of the lad, God knows. It was a mournful scene indeed. I would have cried myself if I had dared.
pious: 伪善的
consignee: 承销人，代售人
astir: 起床
bustle: 催促
frock: 长袍，女装
calico: （美）印花棉布
exhort: 劝诫
loquacious: 喋喋不休的
jockey: 赛马骑师
barter: 交换
attainments: 造诣

I. There are 10 incomplete statements, followed by four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best answer.
1. The scene described in the narrative took place in _______.
A. Baton Rouge
B. New Orleans
C. Natchez
D. Atlanta
2. The slaves were exercised so that ______.
A. they would be in good physical condition for their future labors.
B. They would be kept busy before the auction began
C. They would be able to compete in athletic events
D. They would look sharp
3. The slaves were divided first by sex and then by ______.
A. age
B. physical ability
C. work experience
D. height
4. With respect to the main idea, the author’s purpose is ______.
A. to show the reader how most slave auctions were conducted
B. to explain the trait slaveowners wanted in the slaves they bought
C. to make the reader aware of the terrible hardships the auction created for the slaves
D. to argue for the abolition of slavery as an institution
5. Northrup describes his violin playing in Para 3 in order to emphasize______.
A. his desire to make himself look more desirable as a
slave to be purchased
B. his superiority to the other slaves
C. the contrast between his position as a slave and his artistic ability
D. his love of music
6. The slave with scars upon his back will be considered ______.
A. obedient
B. welcomed by the buyers
C. cheaper and maybe difficult to sell
D. more expensive
7. The old gentleman ______my musical attainments.
A. appreciated
B. thought thing of
C. praised
D. laughed at
8. Freeman made the slaves dance and play musical instruments in order to ______.
A. show his mercy upon them
B. give them a chance to practise
C. charge the buyers more money on account of the
slaves’ skills
D. enjoy their performances
9. Freeman was in fact a person who ______.
A. was amiable and pious-hearted
B. sought only profit
C. was somewhat kind
D. was stubborn
10. I wanted to be bought by the old gentleman because______.
A. the old gentleman was elegant and I thought that he
would not mistreat me
B. he enjoyed my musical attainments
C. I would probably get a chance to escape
D. it was not difficult or tiresome to be a coachman

II. Choose the best answer for the underlined part.
1. Freeman charged us to remember our places; exhorted us to appear smart and lively, --- sometimes threatening, and again holding out various inducements.
A. incentives
B. threats
C. bribes
D. instructions
2. Sometimes a man or woman was taken back to the small house in the yard, stripped, and inspected more minutely.
A. closely
B. specifically
C. with more concern
D. critically
3. Freeman, however, declared that I was sound and healthy, of a good constitution, and intelligent. Freeman, however, declared that I was sound and healthy, of a good constitution, and intelligent.
A. state of health
B. moral character
C. family
D. conscience
4. Replying in the affirmative, he handed me the violin.
A. I insisted on having a try
B. Freeman ordered him to give the violin to me
C. I said I could play that piece of music
D. Bob wanted me to give a performance
5. After being fed, in the afternoon, we were again paraded and made to dance.
A. we stood in a line and went on exercising
B. we were asked to behave ourselves
C. we were arranged for sale
D. we were beaten by Freeman

III. Translate from English into Chinese.
1. Mr. Theophilus Freeman bustled about in a very industrious manner, getting his property ready for the sales-room, intending, no doubt, to do that day a rousing business.
2. We were now conducted into a large room in the front part of the building to which the yard was attached, in order to be properly trained, before the admission of customers.
3. The latter gentleman was very loquacious, dwelling at much length upon our several good points and qualities.
4. One old gentleman, who said he wanted a coachman, appeared to take a fancy to me.
5. The old gentleman insisted it was too much, as times were very hard.

IV. Answer the following essay question in English within 80-100 words.
Freeman applies some tactics to the training of the slaves in order to make more money. Give the information on his tactics.

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