听力原文： Whenever Mark Twain went, his droll wit won him almost immediate favor. One of the best-known anecdotes about him was in his reply to be dying, 'The charge is not true. I would not do such a thing at my time of life.' His real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. 'Mark Twain' is a river term, meaning a depth of two fathoms, namely twelve feet. He comments on it like this, 'It was always a pleasant sound for a pilot to hear on a dark night, it means safe water.' Mark Twain was born in 1835. He left school at twelve in order to earn a living. As printer's apprentice, river pilot on the Mississippi, and newspaper reporter, he accumulated a world of humorous material for writing. Both Torn Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are dear to hearts of boys. The Prince and the Pauper has gained him additional popularity. Joan of Arc is his most serious work, and in his own point of view the best. Innocent around the World and Roughing it keep the readers chuckling. Because 'laughter is gift of gods', Mark Twain will always hold a warm spot in the affections of the American people. (19)