We all remember seeing hitchhikers, standing by the side of the road, thumb, sti
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We all remember seeing hitchhikers, standing by the side of the road, thumb, sticking out, waiting for a lift. But it is getting rare nowadays. What killed hitchhiking? Safety is often mentioned as a reason. Movies about murderous hitchhikers and real-life crime have put many drivers off picking up hitchhikers. That no single women picked me up on my journey to Manchester no doubt reflects the safety fear: a large, strangely dressed man is seen as dangerous.
But the reason may be more complex: hitchhiking happens where people don’t have cars and transport services are poor. Plenty of people still hitchhike in Poland and Romania. Perhaps the rising level of car ownership in the UK means the few people lift hitchhiking are usually considered strange. Why can’t they afford cars? Why can’t they take the coach or the train?
Three-quarters of the UK population have access to a car; many of the remainder will be quite old. The potential hitchhiking population is therefore small. Yet my trip proves it’s still possible to hitchhike. The people who picked me up were very interesting-lawyer, retired surgeon, tank commander, carpenter, man who live in an isolated farmhouse and a couple living up in the mountains. My conclusion is that only really interesting people are mad enough to pick up fat blokes in red, spotted scarves. Most just wanted to do someone a good turn; a few said they were so surprised to see a hitchhiker that they couldn’t help stopping.
The future of hitchhiking most likely lies with car-sharing organized over the Internet, via sites such as hitchhikers.org. But for now, you can still stick your thumb out (actually, I didn’t do much of that, preferring just to hold up my destination sign) and people-wonderful, caring, sharing, unafraid people-will stop.
In the UK, with its cheap coaches and reasonable rail service, I don’t think I’ll make a habit of it. But having enjoyed it so much, I’m ready now to do a big trip across Europe and beyond. In the 1970s a female friend of my wife’s hitchhiked to India. How wonderful it would be to have another go, though Afghanistan might be a challenge. I wish I’d got that tank commander’s mobile number.
小题1:The author tried to hitchhike but was rejected by single women drivers because .| A．they were not heading towards Manchester | | B．they thought most hitchhikers were dangerous | | C．hitchhiking had been handed and they didn’t want to break the law | | D．he was a strong man in strange clothes who seemed dangerous |
小题2:Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?| A．Movies have discouraged people from hitchhiking | | B．Car ownership levels are lower in Romania than in the UK. | | C．25% of UK people don’t have access to cars. | | D．Increased car ownership has reduced the need for hitchhiking. |
小题3:The “fat blokes in red, spotted scarves” in Paragraph 3 most likely means .| A．murderous hitchhikers | B．friendly and talkative hitchhikers | | C．typical hitchhikers | D．strange hitchhikers like the author |
小题4:According to the author, future hitchhikers are more likely to .| A．visit websites and find people to share cars with | | B．stand by roads with their thumbs sticking out | | C．stick out signs with their destinations written on | | D．wait for some kind people to pick them up |
小题5:From the last paragraph, we know that the author .| A．frequently hitchhikes in Britain | | B．plans to hitchhike across Europe | | C．thinks public transport is safer for travel | | D．is going to contact the tank commander |
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答案
小题1:D
小题2:A
小题3:D
小题4:A
小题5:B |
解析
文章讨论的是为什么搭便车这种现象越来越少？并给出了令人信服的原因。
小题1:D 推理题。根据文章第一段最后一行a large, strangely dressed man is seen as dangerous可知他很高大穿着很奇怪的衣服人让他看起来很危险，这让单身的女司机不敢让他搭便车，故D正确。
小题2:A 推理题。根据第二段第一句But the reason may be more complex可知作者认为搭便车这种现象越来越来的原因很复杂，不仅仅是第一段中提到的电影的问题。故A正确。
小题3:D 推理题。文章第二段中提及他自己来路边搭便车，结果没有人愿意带他。原因也许是因为他的长相和衣着。第三段中My conclusion is that only really interesting people are mad enough to pick up fat blokes in red, spotted scarves. pick up停车接的也许就是我这样穿着和长相的人，故D正确。
小题4:A 细节题。根据文章倒数第二段1,2行The future of hitchhiking most likely lies with car-sharing organized over the Internet, via sites such as hitchhikers.org.可知在未来，人们可能在通过网络来寻找搭车的人。故A正确。
小题5:B 细节题。根据文章最后一段2,3行I’m ready now to do a big trip across Europe and beyond.可知他打算靠搭车环游欧洲。故B正确。 |
举一反三
Everyone needs recognition(赏识) for his achievements,but few people make the need known quite as clearly as the little boy who said to his father,“Let’s play darts(飞镖).I’ll throw and you should say ‘Wonderful!’”
Fran Tarkenton,former Minnesota Vikings quarterback,once called a play that required him to block onrushing tacklers.
FEL quarterbacks almost never block.They’re usually vastly outweighed by defenders,so blocking exposes them to the risk of severe injury.
But the team was behind,and a surprising play was needed.Tarkenton went into block,and the runner scored a touchdown.The Vikings won the game.
Watching the game films with the team the next day,Tarkenton expected a big pat on the back for what he’d done. It never came.
After the meeting,Tarkenton approached coach Bud Grant and asked,“You saw my block,didn’t you,Coach?How come you didn’t say anything about it?”
Grant replied,“Sure,I saw the block.It was great,but you’re always working hard out there,Fran.I figured I didn’t have to tell you.”
“Well,”Tarkenton replied,“if you ever want me to block again,you do!”
小题1:What does the author intend to tell us in the passage?| A．Praise can have people take risky actions. | | B．Encouragement can make people achieve greater progress. | | C．No recognition,no progress. | | D．People will be discouraged without praise. |
小题2:The author gave the little boy as an example in order to . | A．show the importance of encouragement | | B．show father’s deep love to the son | | C．show the boy was complete understanding of his father | | D．prove the boy was cleverer than the coach |
小题3:Which of the following can describe the Fran Tarkenton’s action of blocking onrushing tacklers?| A．Quick,brave,exciting. | B．Brave,risky,successful. | | C．Brave,successful,kind. | D．Fast,clever,strong. |
小题4:What did Fran Tarkenton expect while watching the game films?| A．Recognition. | B．Pride. | C．Cheers. | D．Reward. |
小题5:It can be inferred from the passage that .| A．Fran Tarkenton was angry with the coach | | B．the coach learned a lesson from Fran Tarkenton | | C．Fran Tarkenton might not take a risk in blocking again | | D．the coach will highly praise Fran Tarkenton next time he blocks |
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“Have a nice day!” may be a pleasant gesture or a meaningless expression. When my friend Maxie says “have a nice day” with a smile, I know she sincerely cares about what happens to me. I feel loved and secure since another person cares about me and wishes me well.
“Have a nice day. Next!” this version of the expression is spoken by a salesgirl at the supermarket who is rushing me and my groceries out of the door. The words come out in the same tone (腔调)with a fixed procedure. They are spoken at me, not to me. Obviously, the concern for my day and everyone else’s is the management’s attempt to increase business.
The expression is one of those behaviors that help people get along with each other. Sometimes it indicates the end of a meeting. As soon as you hear it, you know the meeting is at an end. Sometimes the expression saves us when we don’t know what to say. “oh, you just had a tooth out? I’m terribly sorry, but have a nice day.”
The expression can be pleasant. If a stranger says “Have a nice day!” to you, you may find it heart-warming because someone you don’t know has tried to be nice to you.
Although the use of the expression is an insincere, meaningless social custom at times, there is nothing wrong with the sentence except that it is a little uninteresting. The salesgirl, the waitress, the teacher, and all the countless others who speak it without thinking may not really care about my day. But in a strange and comfortable way, it’s nice to know they care enough to pretend they care when they really don’t care all that much. While the expression may not often be sincere, it is always spoken. The point is that people say it all the time when they like.
小题1:How does the author understand Maxie’s word?| A．Maxie shows her anxiety to the author. | | B．Maxie really wishes the author a good day. | | C．Maxie encourages the author to stay happy. | | D．Maxie really worries about the author’s security. |
小题2:What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．The salesgirl is rude. | B．The salesgirl is bored. | | C．The salesgirl cares about me. | D．The salesgirl says the words as a routine. |
小题3:By saying “Have a nice day,” a stranger may______.| A．try to be polite to you | B．express respects to you | | C．give his blessing to you | D．share his pleasure with you. |
小题4:According to the last paragraph, people say “Have a good day” __________| A．sincerely | B．as thanks | C．as a habit | D．encouragingly |
小题5:What is the best title of the passage?| A．Have a Nice Day---- a Social Custom | | B．Have a Nice Day----- a pleasant Gesture | | C．Have a Nice Day----- a heart-warming Greeting | | D．Have a Nice Day----- a polite ending of a Conversation |
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I have learnt a lot about Chinese life and culture while teaching in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province and found them very interesting．
First, family life is quite 36 in China． In the USA, many young people 37 home after they finish their education and start working． However, in China, it is 38 for people to live with their parents until they get married． 39 , many of my Chinese friends told me that their 40 lived with them and helped take care of them when they were children． It seems that Americans think independence is more important 41 the Chinese think family relationships are more important．
Bargaining is another 42 that I have tried to learn． In the USA, prices are 43 and you can’t ask for a lower price． However in some small Chinese stores and tourist places, you are 44 to bargain． My Chinese friends taught me to ask for 40 percent or 50 percent 45 the original price． If the salesperson doesn’t agree to my price, I should 46 to leave and he might let me come back and sell me the item． It is a skill that you have to 47 if you live in China．
Tipping hasn’t been easier to 48 ． In the USA, many people in the service 49 want to get 50 money for serving customers． Tipping is not a part of Chinese culture． 51 I tried to tip a taxi driver． He looked a little 52 and refused to take the money．
In dinners, perhaps what surprises an American visitor most is that some of the Chinese hosts like to put food into the plates of their 53 ． Actually, this is a 54 of true friendship and politeness． My Chinese friend told me if I didn’t want to eat it, I should just 55 the food in the plate．
| 小题1: | | A．unique | B．different | C．private | D．harmonious |
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| 小题2: | | A．come | B．build | C．leave | D．abandon |
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| 小题3: | | A．regular | B．true | C．common | D．usual |
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| 小题4: | | A．Also | B．However | C．Therefore | D．Although |
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| 小题5: | | A．parents | B．relatives | C．babysitters | D．grandparents |
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| 小题7: | | A．way | B．custom | C．lesson | D．habit |
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| 小题8: | | A．made | B．agreed | C．charged | D．set |
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| 小题9: | | A．expected | B．taught | C．suggested | D．required |
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| 小题11: | | A．promise | B．pretend | C．decide | D．hope |
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| 小题12: | | A．tolerate | B．understand | C．practise | D．consider |
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| 小题13: | | A．adjust to | B．turn to | C．refer to | D．stick to |
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| 小题14: | | A．area | B．department | C．branch | D．industry |
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| 小题15: | | A．easy | B．extra | C．pocket | D．prize |
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| 小题16: | | A．Often | B．Once | C．Sometimes | D．Before |
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| 小题17: | | A．excited | B．satisfied | C．frightened | D．confused |
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| 小题18: | | A．own | B．children | C．neighbors | D．guests |
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| 小题19: | | A．signal | B．mark | C．sign | D．feature |
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| 小题20: | | A．leave | B．remain | C．put | D．taste |
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It’s high time someone spoke up for today’s college students. They’re probably the most hardworking, ambitious people in America and their problems are not properly appreciated.
People like the Secretary of Education simply don’t know what they’re talking about when they knock students. Nor do those who complain about falling academic standards.
The vast majority of the nation’s 12 million students are struggling to pay for their educations. They are part of the invisible workforce. Many hold down full-time jobs. They’re frying hamburgers, photographing weddings, working in construction, and waiting on tables. The fact that they even show up for classes is a wonderful event.
The financial situation of most students explains a lot about what is happening in schools. Why are the traditional courses so unpopular? Why are students flocking to accounting and computer science and any professional programs that seem to lead to careers?
Answer: Today’s working student has been forced into a kind of premature matter-of-fact way of viewing things. Romance is gone. The notion of transforming one’s self through study alone has disappeared. Today’s students seek freedom from manual labor, and the status conferred by a good job.
There are other consequences. Today’s students don’t have much time or energy to be devoted, and carry out independent research or even do serious homework. That’s the secret behind falling academic standards. Students have become consumers. They want grades and certifications. Their professors can’t be expected to give a grade of failure to students who are clearly tired from the effort to pay their bills.
There’s a lot wrong with this situation. It’s twisting the definition of education out of shape. Worse, it’s creating a generation that is totally unpleasant. The brightest students turn out to be yuppies (雅皮士). The vast majority are, at least, good-natured semi-literates.
The time has run out for philosophical debates about fixed courses of study. What this country needs is someone to stand up and say that being a full-time student during one’s formative years is an honorable calling worthy of support. If families can’t or won’t give it to their children, then the government should.
小题1:The author’s purpose in writing this article is to __________.| A．awaken the whole society to the problems today’s college students face | | B．warn Americans that academic standards are falling | | C．advise college students to study hard | | D．provide a suggestion that only full-time students be enrolled |
小题2:The most suitable word to describe the author’s feelings about today’s college students is _________.| A．criticize | B．sympathize | C．complain | D．urge |
小题3:Which of the following cannot be learned from the passage?| A．Many students are often absent from classes. | | B．Traditional courses are not popular. | | C．Students commit crimes with computers. | | D．Students don’t devote much time and energy to their homework. |
小题4:By saying “Romance is gone” in paragraph 5, the author means ____________.| A．today’s students do not believe in love stories any more | | B．today’s students become more practical in dealing with things | | C．students think there is no affection any more and break up with their lovers | | D．today’s students hold matter-of-fact opinions on love |
小题5:Which of the following suggestions will the author not agree with?| A．We should encourage students to give up full-time jobs. | | B．Families should offer their children more help financially. | | C．We should stand up and say something for today’s college students. | | D．We should make more strict regulations to force students to study hard. |
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I once had a friend that was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the news that he might only live up to six months was a great shock to him, his family, and his friends．However, in spite of the serious illness, he was initially（开始） determined to look into all available treatments that might cure or extend his life．I think that when you find yourself in such situations, you tend to look up every possible way for hope of saving your life．
As months went on and his health grew worse, I noticed an unexpected change in attitude that came over him．He had also been a happy person with a cheerful personality, but rather than give in to discouragement and self-pity, he took comfort in God and humanity（人性）．His talks focused on others rather than himself, and he spoke of the afterlife as something he was prepared for, believing that his concerned ancestors, including his mother and father, were there waiting for him．
During the last few months, weeks, and days of his life, he was kindly cared for by family, friends, his loving wife, who looked after both his physical and emotional needs, and workers from a local hospice （安养院） came to the home to regulate（调节） his medication （药）and provide any other needed support．He didn"t complain about his fate, and he willingly allowed others to serve him．
Indeed, one might think why God allows death and suffering in our world, but for me, such experiences taught me to value family more and kindness for others．You often can"t learn these important attributes（属性）in the lap of luxury（处在优裕舒适的环境中）, and perhaps, such an experience is the greatest and final gift the illness can give those left behind．
小题1:Which word can best describe the man"s initial reaction as soon as he was diagnosed with cancer?| A．Satisfied． | B．Sad | C．Surprised | D．Concerned． |
小题2:What did the man do after he first learned of his illness?| A．He was operated on immediately． | | B．He researched cancer treatments． | | C．He retired from his job | | D．He felt sad, doing nothing． |
小题3:What was the man"s main source of comfort after several months with the disease? | A．His family and friends． | B．The care from others | | C．His doctors’ encouragement． | D．His belief in humanity． |
小题4:What did the author learn from his friend’s story? | A．Getting comfort from God． | | B．Extending life as possible． | | C．Caring for yourself and enjoying luxury． | | D．Giving more respect to friends |
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