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 stamps.Before 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 printed.Today 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

【答案与解析】本文讲述的是本来不值钱的邮票由于印刷错误却使其价值倍增。

1. C。事实细节题。根据第2段第1句… more than a hundred years ago in the British colony of Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean可知答案为C。

2. A。事实细节题。根据第2段第1句The mistake was made more than a hundred years ago in the British colony of Mauritius可知答案选A。

3. D。事实细节题。根据文章最后一句Because of the Two Penny Blue’s rareness and age, collectors have paid as much as $16 800 for it 可知答案为D。