Best known as an author of fairy tales (童话), Hans Christian Andersen (1805—1875) wrote such children’s stories as The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and The Emperor’s New Clothes. However, he was also an actor, a singer, and an artist. As an artist, he was particularly good at paper cutting.
Andersen had many reasons for making his paper cuttings, but the main one was to give pleasure. Andersen loved to tell his interesting stories to anyone who would listen. As he spoke, he would take out his scissors and make a wonderful paper cutting to help his words.
He also found that his paper cuttings helped with a better communication between himself and others. Although a shy man, he still loved to tell his stories face to face with his listeners. His stories and paper cuttings helped him to communicate when he would have otherwise felt uncomfortable.
The paper cuttings also became great gifts for friends and families. He would give his cuttings not only to children but also to grown-ups. When his writing became famous, these gifts were even more valued.
Now more than 100 years old, many of Andersen’s fine paper cuttings still exist in a museum in Denmark devoted to his works. While Andersen will always be remembered for his fairy tales, his beautiful works of art also remain for all to enjoy.
47. This passage mainly discusses Hans Christian Andersen as a(n) .
A. singer B. artist C. actor D. writer
48. It can be learned from the passage that Andersen did his fine paper cuttings in the .
A. 1500s B. 1600s C. 1700s D. 1800s
49. His paper cuttings made it much easier for Andersen to .
A. live quite a busy life B. become a well-known writer
C. get along well with others D. write wonderful stories for children
50. Which of the following about Andersen is discussed in this passage?
A. Why he was fond of paper cutting.
B. Which fairy tales he had published.
C. How he became good at paper cutting.
D. When he became famous as a story-teller.