阅读理解In the eighteenth century young ladies in Italy were tau

阅读理解
In the eighteenth century young ladies in Italy were taught reading, writing, music and arithmetic. But their knowledge of history and geography was poor.
Once the French ambassador in Rome was giving a ball to which many important people were invited. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs (外交部) came very late. A young lady, who was well acquainted with him, saw him enter the ball-room and asked why he was so late.
“You see,” said the Minister, “there has been a little accident at the King’s palace.”
The curious young lady asked the Minister to tell her what had happened at the King’s palace.
“Oh, nothing important,” answered the Minister. “The ambassador of Brazil, who was to be presented to the King, forgot to take his credentials with him and was obliged to go back to his hotel to bring them. If he had left them in Brazil we should have had to wait at least six months for them.”
“Is Brazil so far from Rome?” asked the lady, who knew very little geography.
“It is in the New World,” said the Minister.
“In the New World?” repeated the lady in great astonishment.
“Yes, in the New World,” answered the Minister in a satisfied tone, “which was discovered by Christopher Columbus.”
When the young lady heard this she rushed into the middle of the ball-room and shouted as loud as she could:
“Ladies and gentleman, have you heard the latest news? A new world has just been discovered by a certain Christopher Columbus.

1. Italian young ladies in the 18th century .
A. only learned how to read and write
B. knew a lot of history and geography
C. had little knowledge of history and geography
D. were taught nothing but history and geography
2. Who was giving a grand ball when the story took place?
A. The King of Italy.
B. The Italian foreign minister.
C. The French ambassador to Italy.
D. The Brazilian ambassador.
3. The foreign minister came very late because .
A. he had something to do at home
B. he was delayed by a little accident
C. someone was hurt in the King’s palace
D. he was reluctant to come to the ball
4. What happened at the King’s palace?
A. The King was late; the Brazilian ambassador had to wait for him.
B. The ambassador left his credentials in Brazil.
C. For some reason the ambassador had to go back to Brazil.
D. The Brazilian ambassador forgot to take his credential with him.
5. In this passage, the word “credentials” means .
A. a letter of introduction
B. papers showing one has a right to exercise official power
C. an official invitation
D. secret documents