attorney office (专利代理事务所) of Crosby and Gould in Boston，where he learned mechanical drawing.In 1876，Latimer was hired by Alexander Graham Bell to create the drawings necessary for a patent application for Bell's new invention，the telephone.Latimer completed these drawings and rushed them to the patent office，where they arrived only a few hours before the drawings of a competitor.Thus，Bell secured the patent for the telephone.

　　While working for the US Electric Lighting Company，Latimer and his employers looked for a way to improve upon the incandescent light bulb (白炽灯) that was being marketed by Thomas Edison.Edison's light bulbs lasted only a few days.By inventing a cardboard envelope that surrounded the carbon filament (碳质灯丝) in the light bulb，Latimer was able to make light bulbs longer lasting and less expensive.As a result，many cities saw electrical lighting as a better and cleaner way to light their streets and homes.Cities like New York，London，Montreal，and Philadelphia set up this kind of lighting，and Latimer was sent out to plan and build the lighting systems.

　　In 1890，Latimer was hired by Thomas Edison at the Edison Electric Light Company.There he made more important discoveries and wrote a well­known book.He was the only African­American member of the Edison Pioneers，a group of men who practically created the electric industry.Latimer invented a bathroom compartment (车厢) for trains，a locking rack (行李架) for hats，coats and umbrellas，and a new improved book holder for bookshelves.He died in 1928.

　　语篇解读　本文是一篇人物传记，介绍了美国著名非洲裔发明家拉蒂默。

　　1．According to Paragraph 2，Latimer .

　　A．helped Bell design the telephone

　　B．made certain Bell secured his patent

　　C．was the real inventor of the telephone

　　D．had worked for Bell's competitor

　　解析：　细节理解题。根据第二段可知，拉蒂默及时为贝尔的电话完成了制图，从而确保贝尔申请到了电话的发明专利。

　　答案：　B

　　2．We know from Paragraph 3 that Latimer .

　　A．made light bulbs much safer

　　B．invented new street lamps

　　C．helped Edison with his inventions

　　D．improved on Edison's light bulbs

解析：　细节理解题。根据第三段第一句Latimer...to improve upon the incandescent light