Eugene O'Neill, who was born in 1888. in New York, was a leading American drama writerand the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1936. His father was a successful touring actorBecause of that, Eugene spent his early childhood in hotels, on trains, and backstage. Althoughlater in his life he grew to hate his father for not giving him security in his early years and aloving, comfortable family, he had the theater in his bloodAs a student, O Neill went to boarding schools but spent the summers in a moderate househis family owned. He left Princeton University in 1907, only about one year after he entered it,to start what he later called his real education in"life experience". At the age of 24, he was hiredas a reporter and poetry column writer for the New London TelegraphONeill didn't cut a figure in playwriting until the summer of 1916. Before that, he hadwritten awkward plays that were hardly accepted by the mainstream of American theater. whileO'Neill was only one of those whose plays were produced by the theater, he led the group tosuccess because of his contribution within the next few years. Between 1916 and 1920, thetheater produced all of ONeill,'s one-act sea plays. By the time his first full-length play, Beyondthe Horizon, was produced on Broadway on February 2, 1920 at the Morosco Theater, the younglaywright already had a small reputationTheater critics spoke highly of Beyond the Horizon for its tragic realism. The play broughtONeill more public attention, as well as his first Pulitzer Prize, apart from which he wonanother three for Anna Christie, Strange Interlude, and Long Day's Journey into Night. Over thenext two decades, O'Neill continued to gain reputation nationally and globally. He became themost widely produced dramatist after Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw24. What might inspire O Neill's passion for theater?A. His fathers careerB. The support of his familyC. Hotel rooms he had lived inD. Stories he had heard on trains25. Why did O'Neill drop out of Princeton University?A. He didn' t want to study in a boarding schoolB. He wanted to receive real education from lifeC. He got a job from the New London TelegraphD. He was unsatisfied with the university education26. What does the underlined phrase"cut a figure"in Paragraph 3 probably meanA. Show interestB. Hold a degree. C. Attract attention. D. Receive an award27. What can we learn about o'Neill's Beyond the Horizon?A. It drew theater critics attention to tragic realismB. It inspired him to compose another three dramasC. It increased his reputation in the field of theaterD. It made him the most widely produced dramatist in histor