2021年12月英語六級閱讀練習題及答案
第一篇
People traveling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land. sea, or air. Hardly can anyone positively enjoy sitting in a train for mort than a few hours. Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy. Reading is only a partial solution. for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep. During the day, sleep comes in snatches. At night when you really wish to go to sleep you rarely manage to do so. Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted. Long car journey are even less pleasant. for it is quite impossible even to read. On motorways you can. at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds, but more often than not, the greater pan of the journey is spent on narrow. bumpy roads which are crowded wich traffic. By comparison, trips by sea offer a great variety of civilized comforts. You can stretch your legs on the spacious decks, play games, swim, meet interesting people and enjoy good food-always assuming, of course, that the sea is calm. If it is not and you are likely to get seasick; no form of transport could be worse. Even if you travel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time. Relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice up to a third of their holidays for the pleasure of traveling on a ship.
Airplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and expensive. But nothing can match them for speed and comfort. Traveling at a height of 30,000 feet. far above the clouds, and at over 500 miles an hour is an exhilarating experience. For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight. The real escapist can watch a free film show and sip champagne on some services. But even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied. An airplane offers you an unusual and breathtaking view of the world. You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys. You really see the shape of the land. If the landscape is hidden from the view. you can enjoy the extraordinary sight of unbroken cloud plains that stretch om for miles before you, while the sun shines brilliantly in a clear sky. The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping. However you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled.
【試題】
1. The author indicates that reading can help lessen_______________.
A) the boredom of being in the train
B) the tiresome clicking of the wheels
C) the sleeplessness during the journey
D) the poor ventilation of the compartment
2. what can we leam about the long distance journey by car?
A) It is safe because the car usually goes at high speeds.
B) It is monotonous because reading is quite impossible.
C) It is exhausting because you seldom manage to sleep.
D) It is dangerous because the traffic is always too dense.
3. Trips by sea is regarded as the worst means of traveling when______________.
A) the weather is terrible B) the traveler has little time
C) the traveler feels seasick D) the sea is not calm
4. What is the greatest difference between traveling by air and the other means of traveling?
A) Traveling by air is not so tiring as the others.
B) Traveling by air brings more fun than the others.
C) Traveling by air is much more expensive than the others.
D) Traveling by air offers more time for sleep than the others.
5. By writing the passage the author intends to_______________.
A) introduce diverse ways of traveling
B) points out the best mode of traveling
C) emphasize the advantages of traveling by air
D) compare the means of relaxing when traveling
【選項翻譯與答案】
1. 作者指出，閱讀可以幫助緩解________________。
A) 坐火車時的無聊 B) 車輪令人疲憊的聲音
C) 旅程中的睡意 D)車廂中通風不良的情況
[A]原文該段第4句表明閱讀是a partial solution,這表明閱讀有助於解決某個問題，而這個問題就是該段第2句和第3句提到的坐長途火車會讓人覺得煩悶，由此可見，本題答案應爲選項A。
2.關於長途汽車旅行，我們瞭解到什麼信息?
A)很安生，因爲汽車通常速度很快。 B)很單調，因爲不可能看書。
C) 很辛苦，因爲根本難以入睡。 D)很危險，因爲總是太多車。
[B]首段第8句中的for引出一個原因從句，表明一種因果關係，而選項B表達的因果關係與此相同，因此爲本題答案。原文該段第9句提到了safely at high speeds，但安全和高速之間並不存在因果關係，因此選項A不正確;選項C沒在原文提及，建項D的因果關係也不正確。
3. 海上旅行是最糟糕的旅行方式，當_____________。
A) 天氣很差的時候 B) 旅行者時間很少的時候
C) 旅行者暈船的時候 D)海上不平靜的時候
[C]首段倒數第3句指出了兩種因果關係：第一，海洋不平靜會導致你暈船;第二，暈船會讓你覺得坐船是最糟糕的交通方式，由此可見，本題應選C。在原文雖有提及weather，但與題幹關係不大，故A不對;時間的問題雖在下一句提及，但與題幹不構成因果關係，故B不正確;D是因其暈船的原因，與題幹之間的因果關係不直接，故也不對。
4. 坐飛機旅行與採用其他交通方式旅行的最大差別是什麼?
A) 坐飛機不像其他交通工具那麼累。
B) 坐飛機比其他的交通工具更有樂趣。
C) 坐飛機比其他的變通工具更貴。
D) 坐飛機時的睡眠時間可以比乘坐其他交通工具更長。
[A]雖然文章沒有明顯地比較飛機與其他交通方式，但是從首段的內容來看，可以知道當作者描述其他交通方式時，都提到它們很累人，而第2段末句中的fresh and uncrumpled表明坐飛機旅行不會讓旅行者覺得累，由此可見，本題應選A。
5. 作者寫本文的目的是_______________________.
A) 介紹旅遊的各種方式 B)指出旅遊的最佳方式
C) 強調坐飛機旅遊的好處 D)比較旅遊時各種放鬆的方式
[A]作者在原文首句提到了三種交通方式，然後分別描述了三種方式各自的特點，由此可見，作者寫本文是爲了介紹三種不同的交通方式，故選A。作者只是描述三種交通方式的特點，沒有突山哪一個是最好的，困此選項B不正確;選項C只是第2段的內容，並非全文主題，因此也不是正確答案;本文的主題是交通方式，並非relaxing(放鬆的方式)，因此選項D不正確。
【參考譯文】
[5]人們長途旅行的時候通常都要做出決定，選擇究竟走陸路、走海路還是坐飛機。[l]幾乎很少有人真正喜歡坐超過幾個鐘頭的火車。火車車廂很快就擠滿人，讓人感到氣悶!讀書並不能解決所有問題，因爲車輪在軌道上單調而有節奏的咔嗒咔嗒聲會催人入眠。白天睡眠斷斷續續，晚上你真的想睡時卻很難入睡。你到達目的地的時候，幾乎不可避免地精疲力竭。[2]坐長途汽車的樂趣更少，因爲你幾乎不可能在車上讀書。車子走高速公路的時候，至少車速快而且安全，但往往旅程的大半得走狹窄、顛簸而又交通擁擠的路。相對而言，坐郵輪旅行就優雅舒適得多了。你可以在寬敞的甲板上伸展雙腳，你可以玩遊戲、游泳、碰上各種有趣的人和享用美食——當然，這些的前提都得是：海洋是平靜的。[3]否則，你很可能暈船，那將是最糟糕的。但是，即使是天氣很好，走海路也要花很長時問。相對而言，很少有人打算犧牲三分一以上的假期來享受海上旅行的快樂。
人人都知道坐飛機既危險又花錢。但沒有什麼比坐飛機旅行來得更快捷更舒適了。在3萬英尺高空的雲層之上，以超過500英里的時速旅行是很令人愜意的。你可以舒舒服服地深深地靠在扶手椅上飛行幾個小時。真正想擺脫俗務的人在旅途中能享受些服務，看一出免費電影，或者是啜飲香檳酒。即使沒有這麼高檔的享受，也有許多辦法讓你打發時光。在飛機上你可以看到不同尋常、令人驚詫的世界風景。你毫不費力地飛過高山和深谷。你真切看到大地的形狀。如果你看不到風景，你也可以欣賞到非常特別的、無邊無際的雲海，在你的眼前延綿數英里，太陽在晴朗的天空上發出耀眼的光芒。航程非常平穩，你可以安心閱讀和睡覺。[4]不管你怎樣安排你的時間，有一件事是確定無疑的：你將會精神煥發、毫無倦意地到達目的地。
第二篇
President Bush touched off a firestorm of criticism from congressional Democrats, civil fights groups and newspaper editorialists Wednesday when he decided to intervene in a Supreme Court case challenging racial preferences in the University of Michigan admissions policy. The howls of protest were quick and loud. Judging from the noise, one might conclude that this president is in big political trouble as he looks to reelection in 2004. After all, with public uncertainty about the economy, the possibility of war with Iraq, increased tensions with North Korea dominating the headlines, and Democrats hurling brickbats at Bush for everything from his economic stimulus plan that they say favors the rich to what they see as his abandonment of minorities by opposing the Michigan case, he would appear to be poised (使平衡) on the brink of political disaster.
But is he? Not yet. His standing with the public is stronger than outward poll numbers suggest. Much was made this past week of a USA TODAY CNN Gallup Poll that showed Bush's job approval rating dipping below 60% for the first time since Sept. 11, to 58%. That caused many to comment that he might be following down a path his father previously trod. The elder Bush achieved success in the Persian Gulf War but saw his job ratings erode steadily, largely because of what many read as an inadequate response to a slumping economy. He was denied a second term.But for the younger Bush to be in danger of a repeat, he would have to do something that breaks the bond he has formed with the American public on a personal level since Sept. 11 that transcendshis positions on various issues.
The same USA TODAY poll that showed Bush's overall job-approval slipping, but still good,also found that his so-called political "vital signs" are remarkably strong. They suggest that regardless of whether people agree or disagree with Bush's handling of specific problems or issues,he retains a high degree of respect, trust and support for pushing boldly ahead as he sees fit. Most who said the qualities do not apply are Democrats, Who more than likely are not going to vote for Bush anyway. It is the swing voters that Bush must hold, and the poll shows that most independents rank Bush positively on these measures, He also "gets some pretty strong ratings from women, who traditionally lean toward Democratic presidential candidates.
So when Bush makes a bold decision to fight terrorism, oppose the Michigan admissions policy or force Saddam Hussein to disarm, many may disagree. But they rate him high for leading, which, after all, is what we elect our presidents to do. And most see him as honest, willing to get along with his political opponents and an effective government manager. Analysts say those vital signs will see Bush through the rough times.
52. It can be inferred from the passage that the University of Michigan
[ A ] carries out a preferential policy for recruiting minority students
[ B] comes into open conflicts with Bush's economic stimulus plan
[ C] puts Bush in trouble by abandoning minority students in its admission
[D] is strongly opposed to Bush's foreign policies
53. According to the passage, the poll numbers indicate that
[A] Bush's standing with the public is very strong [ B] Bush's economic package wins widespread support
[ C] public support for Bush is declining [ D] Bush is on the brink of political disaster
54. The elder Bush lost a second term mainly because
[ A ] he lost the Persian Gulf War [B ] he failed to develop an intimate relationship with the public
[ C ] he proved himself inadequate as a political leader [ D ] he did not take effective measures to recover the economy
55. The expression "vital signs" (Line 2, Para. 3 ) mainly refers to
[ A] signs that signalize public satisfaction with Bush's work [ B ] qualities that meet the leadership of the country
[ C] poll numbers that show Bush's job-approval ratings [ D] issues that Bush has to handle before a reelection
56. The main idea of the passage is that
[ A] approval polls don't tell the whole Bush story [ B ] young Bush is in danger of repeating the elder Bush's mistakes
[ C ] fighting another war does not help the slumping economy[ DJ public support for Bush's work takes another dip
答案：ACDBA
第三篇
In department stores and closets all over the world. they are waiting. Their outward appearance seems rather appealing because they come in a variety of styles, textures. and colors. But they are ultimately the biggest deception that exists in the fashion industry today. What are they? They are high heels—a woman's worst enemy (whether she knows it or not). High heel shoes are the downfall of modem society. Fashion myths have led women to believe that they are more beautiful or sophisticated for wearing heels, but in reality, heels succeed in posing short as well as long term hardships. Women should fight the high heel industry by refusing to use or purchase them in order to save the world from unnecessary physical and psychological suffering.
For the sake of fairness. it must be noted that there is a positive side to high heels. First. heels are excellent for aerating (使通氣) lawns. Anyone who has ever worn heels on grass knows what I am talking about. A simple trip around the yard in a pair of those babies eliminates all need to call for a lawn care specialist. and provides the perfect-sized holes to give any lawn oxygen without all those messy chunks of dirt lying around. Second, heels are quite functional for defense against oncoming enemies. who can easily be scared away By threatening them with a pair of these sharp, deadly fashion accessories.
Regardless of such practical uses for heels, the fact remains that wearing high heels is harmful to one's physical health. Talk to any podiatrist (足病醫生), and you will hear that the majority of their business comes from high-heel-wearing women. High heels are known to cause problems such as deformed feetand tom toenails. The ask of severe back problems and twisted or broken ankles is three times higher for a high heel wearer than for a flat shoe wearer. Wearing heels also creates che threat of getting a heel caught in a sidewalk crack or a sewer-grate (陰溝柵) and being thrown to the ground-possibly breaking a nose. back, or neck. And of course, after wearing heels for a day. any woman knows she can look forward to a night of pain as she tries to comfort her swollen, aching feel.
【測試題】
1. What makes women blind to the deceptive nature of high heels?
A) The multi-functional use of high heels.
B) Their attempt to show off their status.
C) The rich variety of high heel styles.
D) Their wish to improve their appearance.
2. The author's presentation of the positive side of high heels is meant__________.
A) to be ironic B) to poke fun at women
C) to be fair to the fashion industry D) to make his point convincing
3. The author uses the expression "those babies" (Line 4. Para. 2) to ref high heels__________.
A) to show their fragile characteristics B) co indicate their feminine features
C) to show women’s affection for them D) to emphasize their small size
4. The author's chief argument against high heels is that_____________.
A) they pose a threat to lawns
B) they are injurious to women’s health
C) they don’t necessarily make women beautiful
D) they are ineffective as a weapon of defense
5. It can be inferred from the passage that women should_____________.
A) see through the very nature of fashion myths
B) boycott the products of the fashion industry
C) go co a podiatrist regularly For advice
D) avoid following fashion too closely
【選項翻譯與答案詳解】
1. 是什麼讓女人對高跟鞋的欺騙性的本質視而不見的?
A) 高跟鞋有多種功能。 B) 她們想要展現自己的身份。
C)高跟鞋風格多種多樣。 D) 她們希望能夠改善樣貌。
[D]根據文章第l段“時尚神話使女性相信穿上高跟鞋會更美麗或氣質更優雅”，因此，在四個選項中，只有D與文章所陳述的觀點一致;其餘三項均不符合。
2. 作者對於高跟鞋的正面論述是爲了______________。
A) 表現諷刺 B) 對女人開玩關
C) 對時裝工業公平 D) 讓自己的論點具有說服力
[A]根據文章第2段，高跟鞋有兩種積極的作用：一種是極好的草地供氧用具，不用挖土就能在草地上鑿出均勻的小洞供草地吸氧;另一種是可擊退來犯之敵，高跟鞋輕易就能嚇退敵人，由此可知，不論從內容或語氣上看，作者旨在對高跟鞋進行嘲諷。故此，在四個選項中，只有A與作者的寫作意圖相符;其餘三項均與文章的意思相悖。
3. 作者使用了“那些寶貝”(第2段第4行)的表達來指高跟鞋______________________。
A) 是爲了顯示高跟鞋脆弱的特點 B) 是爲了表示高跟鞋的女性特徵
C)是爲了表現女人對高跟鞋的熱愛 D) 強調高跟鞋的尺寸很小
[C] baby通常是人們對嬰兒的愛稱，語氣中包含有憐愛的成分，而在文章第1段作者也指出高跟鞋頗具吸引力，女性都相信穿高跟鞋能使她們更漂亮、氣質更高雅，由此可看出女性對高跟牲的鐘愛。結合這兩個方面可推斷出作者將高跟鞋比作baby.目的只是爲了表現女性對高跟鞋的憐愛程度。因此，C與作者所表現的觀點相符，故而正確。
4. 作者反對高跟鞋的主要論點是________________。
A)高跟鞋對草地是一種威脅 B) 高跟鞋對女性健康有害
C) 高跟鞋不一定會讓女人更美麗 D) 高跟鞋是一種無敵的自衛武器
[B]在文章第1段作者就提出自己的觀點：高跟鞋是女性最大的敵人，它會給女性帶來身體和精神上的傷害。而在文章最後一段作者又詳細說明了商跟鞋會給女性帶來哪些傷害，l：腳變形，腳指甲受損，嚴重的腰部疾病，腳踝扭傷，容易跌倒等。因此，本文的大部分篇幅都在描寫高跟鞋對女性健康所造成的影響，故B與文章所陳述的觀點一致：其餘三項均不構成反對高跟鞋的論點。
5. 從文章中可以推論，女人應該_____________________。
A) 看穿時尚祕密的本質 B)抵制時尚產業的產品
C) 定期去找足病醫生尋求建議 D) 避免緊貼時尚的做琺
[A]在文章第1段和第3段作者指出：時尚神話使女性相信穿上高跟鞋能使她們更漂亮、氣質更優雅。但實際情況卻是高跟鞋只會給女性帶來身體上和精神上的傷害。因此作者呼籲女性與高跟鞋業作戰，拒絕購買和穿高跟鞋。因此，A與文章的意思吻合;而B和D的說法文中沒有提到，也過於絕對了，C並不是作者的目的。
【參考譯文】
在全世界百貨商店和壁櫥裏，它們正在等待着。它們的外表擬乎非常吸引人.因爲它們的式樣，質地和顏色多種多樣。但是它們卻是當今時裝產業中最大的騙局。它們是什麼?它們就是高跟鞋——女性最大的敵人(不管她們是否知道這一點)。高跟鞋是現代社會的衰落。[1]/[3]時尚神話使女性相信穿上高跟鞋會更美麗或氣質更高雅，但事實上高跟鞋已經引起了短期乃至長期的痛苦。女性應該與高跟鞋產業作鬥爭，拒絕穿或購買高跟鞋，以使世界免受不必要的身心折磨。
爲公平起見，我們必須注意到穿高跟鞋還具有其積極的一面。首先，高跟鞋有利於草坪通氣。穿着高跟鞋在草地上走過的任何一個人都知道我說的是什麼。[2]穿着這雙寶貝只要在院子裏走上一圈就沒必要再請草坪養護專家了，高跟鞋走過去會在地上留下大小合適的一個個小洞，給草坪提供了氧氣，而且周圍沒有那些亂七八糟的垃圾。其次，高跟鞋對抵禦來犯之敵十分有效，用這麼兩隻尖尖的、可致人於死地的時裝配件一揚，就能輕而易舉地把他們嚇得逃之夭夭。
[4]儘管高跟鞋有這些實際用途，事實上穿高跟鞋對身體健康有害。與任何一位足病醫生交談，你都會聽到他們說大多數業務來自穿高跟鞋的女性。人們知道穿高跟鞋會引起足部變形和腳趾甲破裂之類的問題。穿高跟鞋者有嚴重背部問題和踝關節扭飭或骨折的風險，要比穿平跟鞋者大三倍。穿高跟鞋還會把鞋跟踩進人行道的裂縫或陰溝柵，使人摔倒在地上——可能會跌破鼻子、背部或折斷頸部的危險。當然，穿了一天的高跟鞋，任何女性都料到會有一個痛苦的夜晚去舒緩她那又腫又疼的雙腳。
第四篇
No woman can be too rich or too thin. This saying often attributed to the late Duchess (公爵夫人) of Windsor embodies much of the odd spirit of our times. Being thin is deemed as such a virtue.
The problem with such a view is that some people actually attempt to live by it. I myself have fantasies of slipping into narrow designer cloches. Consequently. I have been on a diet for the better-or worse-part of my life. Being rich wouldn't be bad either. but that won’t happen unless an unknown relative dies suddenly in some distant land. leaving me millions of dollars.
Where did we go off the track? When did eating butter become a sin, and a little bit of extra flesh unappealing, if not repellent? All religions have certain days when people refrain from eating and excessive eating is one of Christianity's seven deadly sins. However, until quite recently, most people had a problem getting enough to eat. In some religious groups, wealth was a symbol of probable salvation and high morals. and fatness a sign of wealth and well-being.
Today the opposite is true. We have shifted lo thinness as our new mark of virtue. The result is that being fat-or even only somewhat overweight-is bad because it implies a lack of moral strength.
Our obsession (迷戀) with thinness is also fueled by health concerns. It is true that in this country we have more overweight people than ever before. and that in many cases, being overweight correlates with an increased risk of heart and blood vessel disease. These diseases. however, may have as much to do with our way of life and our high-fat diets as with excess weight. And the associated risk of cancer in the digestive system may be more of a dietary problem-too much fat and a lack of fiber-than a weight problem.
The real concern. then. is not that we weigh too much. but that we neither exercise enough nor eat well. Exercise is necessary for strong bones and both heart and lung health. A balanced diet without a lot of fat can also help the body avoid many diseases. We should surely stop paying so much attention to weight. Simply being thin is not enough. It is actually hazardous if those who get (or already are) thin think they are automatically healthy and thus free from paying attention to their overall life-style. Thinness can be pure vainglory (虛榮).
【試題】
1. In the eyes of the author, an odd phenomenon nowadays is that____________.
A) the Duchess of Windsor is regarded as a woman of virtue
B) looking slim is a symbol of having a large fortune
C) being thin is viewed as a much desired quality
D) religious people are not necessarily virtuous
2. Swept by the prevailing trend. the author_____________.
A) had to go on a diet for the greater part of her life
B) could still prevent herself from going off the crack
C) had to seek help from rich distant relatives
D) had to wear highly fashionable clothes
3. In human history, people's views on body weight_____________.
A) were closely related to their religious beliefs
B) changed from time to time
C) varied between the poor and the rich
D) led to different moral standards
4. The author criticizes women’s obsession with thinness
A) from an economic and educational perspective
B) from sociological and medical points of view
C) from a historical and religious standpoint
D) in the light of moral principles
5. What's the author's advice to women who are absorbed in the idea of thinness?
A) They should be more concerned with their overall life style.
B) They should be more watchful for fatal diseases.
C) They should gain weight m Jook healthy.
D) They should rid themselves of fantasies about designer clothes.
【答案解析】
1. 在作者的眼中，現在有一種奇怪的現象，那就是_______________。
A) 溫莎公爵夫人被視作有德之人
B)看上去纖瘦是很有錢的標誌
C) 纖瘦是令人嚮往的特質
D) 有宗教信仰的人不一定都是有美德的人。
[C]在文章第1段，作者指出“瘦被認爲是這樣的一種美德”;而在第4段，作者又提到“我們已經把瘦當成是一種新的美德標誌”，故C正確。
2. 被普遍流行的潮流席捲，作者______________。
A) 在大部分時候都得節食 B) 仍可以避免自己偏離軌道
C) 不得不尋求富有的遠親的幫助 D) 不得不穿非常時髦的衣服
[A]文章第2段提到“我自己也幻想能穿上窄小的名牌衣服。因此，爲了……我也節食減肥”。因此，A正確。
3. 在人類歷史上，人們對幹體重的看法________________。
A) 與他們的宗教信仰息息相關 B) 經常發生變化
C) 在窮人和富人之間存在差異 D) 導致不同曲道德標準
[B]文章第3段“什麼開始時候吃黃油成了罪過，多長點肉就會讓人失去魅力?”和“在一些宗教團體裏，財富是有望得到……而身體發福是富有和健康的標誌。”說明看法是變化的，所以B正確。
4. 作者批評女人對纖瘦的迷戀，______________。
A) 是從經濟和教育的角度出發的 B) 是從社會學和醫學的角度出發的
C) 是從歷史和宗教的立場爲出發點的 D) 是從道德原則的角度出發的
[B]文章的第4段和第5段提到了道德和健康，因此可看出，作者是從社會學和醫學的角度批評了人們的觀點，所以B正確。
5. 對那些篤信纖瘦的女人，作者的建議是什麼?
A) 他們應該更關心整個生活方式。
B) 他們應該小心一些致命的疾病。
C) 他們應該增加體重，那會看上去更加健康。
D) 他們應該拋棄對於出自設計師之手的服裝的幻想。
[A]文章第6段提到瘦身之後或者本來就不胖的人，如果以爲可以自然而然健康起來而不必關注自己的整個生活方式，那纔是危險的。由此可推斷她們應該多注意她們的生活方式.A符合題意。
【譯文】
女人無論多富都不算太富，無論多瘦都不算太瘦。這句常常被認爲是已故溫莎公爵夫人說的話在很大程度上體現了我們這個時代的一種奇特的精神：[1]瘦被看做本身就是一種美德。
這種看法的問題在於，有的人還真的試圖照這種方式生活。[2]我自己也常常有種種不切實際的想法，希望能穿上窄小的名牌服裝，因此，爲了我的生命中的美好時光——或許也是悲慘時光——我也節食減肥。要是能有錢，當然也不壞，不過，除非在遠方有個從沒有聽說過的親戚突然去世給我留下幾百萬美元的話，我是富不了的啦。
我們是什麼時候誤入歧途的?[3]從什麼時候開始。吃黃油成了罪過，稍微多長了一點肉就會讓人失去魅力，甚至令人生厭?所有宗教都會規定某幾個日子讓人們禁食，過量飲食還是基督教的七宗彌天大罪之一。然而，直到最近，大多數人還在爲怎樣填飽肚子而而發愁。[3]在一些宗教團體裏，財富是有望得到救贖、擁有高尚德操的標誌，而身體發福則是富有和健康的標誌。
[1]而今，事情倒過來了。我們轉而把瘦作爲美德的新的標誌。[4]結果，肥胖——有時不過是稍微有點超重——就是不好，因爲它暗示這個人缺少道德力量。
[4]我們迷戀於瘦身，還出於對健康的考慮。誠然，在這個國度裏，肥胖人數比以往任何時候都多，而且，肥胖還增加了罹患心血管疾病的風險。但是，這些疾病與肥胖有關，也與我們的生活方式以及高脂肪含量的食物有關。而消化系統發生癌變、也許更多是飲食問題——太多脂肪、缺少纖維——而不是體重問題。
因而，真正的問題不在於我們太重了，而在於我們運動不足而且飲食不良。要想筋骨強壯、心肺健康，鍛鍊必不可少。脂肪不多的均衡飲食也可以使我們避免許多癌病。我們實在不必如此關注我們的體重問題。僅僅瘦是不夠的。[5]瘦身之後或者本來就不胖的人，如果以爲可以自然而然健康起來而不必關注自己的整個生活方式，那才實在是危險的。瘦可能純粹是一種虛榮。
第五篇
People traveling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land. sea, or air. Hardly can anyone positively enjoy sitting in a train for mort than a few hours. Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy. Reading is only a partial solution. for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep. During the day, sleep comes in snatches. At night when you really wish to go to sleep you rarely manage to do so. Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted. Long car journey are even less pleasant. for it is quite impossible even to read. On motorways you can. at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds, but more often than not, the greater pan of the journey is spent on narrow. bumpy roads which are crowded wich traffic. By comparison, trips by sea offer a great variety of civilized comforts. You can stretch your legs on the spacious decks, play games, swim, meet interesting people and enjoy good food-always assuming, of course, that the sea is calm. If it is not and you are likely to get seasick; no form of transport could be worse. Even if you travel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time. Relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice up to a third of their holidays for the pleasure of traveling on a ship.
Airplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and expensive. But nothing can match them for speed and comfort. Traveling at a height of 30,000 feet. far above the clouds, and at over 500 miles an hour is an exhilarating experience. For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight. The real escapist can watch a free film show and sip champagne on some services. But even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied. An airplane offers you an unusual and breathtaking view of the world. You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys. You really see the shape of the land. If the landscape is hidden from the view. you can enjoy the extraordinary sight of unbroken cloud plains that stretch om for miles before you, while the sun shines brilliantly in a clear sky. The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping. However you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled.
【試題】
1. The author indicates that reading can help lessen_______________.
A) the boredom of being in the train
B) the tiresome clicking of the wheels
C) the sleeplessness during the journey
D) the poor ventilation of the compartment
2. what can we leam about the long distance journey by car?
A) It is safe because the car usually goes at high speeds.
B) It is monotonous because reading is quite impossible.
C) It is exhausting because you seldom manage to sleep.
D) It is dangerous because the traffic is always too dense.
3. Trips by sea is regarded as the worst means of traveling when______________.
A) the weather is terrible B) the traveler has little time
C) the traveler feels seasick D) the sea is not calm
4. What is the greatest difference between traveling by air and the other means of traveling?
A) Traveling by air is not so tiring as the others.
B) Traveling by air brings more fun than the others.
C) Traveling by air is much more expensive than the others.
D) Traveling by air offers more time for sleep than the others.
5. By writing the passage the author intends to_______________.
A) introduce diverse ways of traveling
B) points out the best mode of traveling
C) emphasize the advantages of traveling by air
D) compare the means of relaxing when traveling
【選項翻譯與答案】
1. 作者指出，閱讀可以幫助緩解________________。
A) 坐火車時的無聊 B) 車輪令人疲憊的聲音
C) 旅程中的睡意 D)車廂中通風不良的情況
[A]原文該段第4句表明閱讀是a partial solution,這表明閱讀有助於解決某個問題，而這個問題就是該段第2句和第3句提到的坐長途火車會讓人覺得煩悶，由此可見，本題答案應爲選項A。
2.關於長途汽車旅行，我們瞭解到什麼信息?
A)很安生，因爲汽車通常速度很快。 B)很單調，因爲不可能看書。
C) 很辛苦，因爲根本難以入睡。 D)很危險，因爲總是太多車。
[B]首段第8句中的for引出一個原因從句，表明一種因果關係，而選項B表達的因果關係與此相同，因此爲本題答案。原文該段第9句提到了safely at high speeds，但安全和高速之間並不存在因果關係，因此選項A不正確;選項C沒在原文提及，建項D的因果關係也不正確。
3. 海上旅行是最糟糕的旅行方式，當_____________。
A) 天氣很差的時候 B) 旅行者時間很少的時候
C) 旅行者暈船的時候 D)海上不平靜的時候
[C]首段倒數第3句指出了兩種因果關係：第一，海洋不平靜會導致你暈船;第二，暈船會讓你覺得坐船是最糟糕的交通方式，由此可見，本題應選C。在原文雖有提及weather，但與題幹關係不大，故A不對;時間的問題雖在下一句提及，但與題幹不構成因果關係，故B不正確;D是因其暈船的原因，與題幹之間的因果關係不直接，故也不對。
4. 坐飛機旅行與採用其他交通方式旅行的最大差別是什麼?
A) 坐飛機不像其他交通工具那麼累。
B) 坐飛機比其他的交通工具更有樂趣。
C) 坐飛機比其他的變通工具更貴。
D) 坐飛機時的睡眠時間可以比乘坐其他交通工具更長。
[A]雖然文章沒有明顯地比較飛機與其他交通方式，但是從首段的內容來看，可以知道當作者描述其他交通方式時，都提到它們很累人，而第2段末句中的fresh and uncrumpled表明坐飛機旅行不會讓旅行者覺得累，由此可見，本題應選A。
5. 作者寫本文的目的是_______________________.
A) 介紹旅遊的各種方式 B)指出旅遊的最佳方式
C) 強調坐飛機旅遊的好處 D)比較旅遊時各種放鬆的方式
[A]作者在原文首句提到了三種交通方式，然後分別描述了三種方式各自的特點，由此可見，作者寫本文是爲了介紹三種不同的交通方式，故選A。作者只是描述三種交通方式的特點，沒有突山哪一個是最好的，困此選項B不正確;選項C只是第2段的內容，並非全文主題，因此也不是正確答案;本文的主題是交通方式，並非relaxing(放鬆的方式)，因此選項D不正確。
【參考譯文】
[5]人們長途旅行的時候通常都要做出決定，選擇究竟走陸路、走海路還是坐飛機。[l]幾乎很少有人真正喜歡坐超過幾個鐘頭的火車。火車車廂很快就擠滿人，讓人感到氣悶!讀書並不能解決所有問題，因爲車輪在軌道上單調而有節奏的咔嗒咔嗒聲會催人入眠。白天睡眠斷斷續續，晚上你真的想睡時卻很難入睡。你到達目的地的時候，幾乎不可避免地精疲力竭。[2]坐長途汽車的樂趣更少，因爲你幾乎不可能在車上讀書。車子走高速公路的時候，至少車速快而且安全，但往往旅程的大半得走狹窄、顛簸而又交通擁擠的路。相對而言，坐郵輪旅行就優雅舒適得多了。你可以在寬敞的甲板上伸展雙腳，你可以玩遊戲、游泳、碰上各種有趣的人和享用美食——當然，這些的前提都得是：海洋是平靜的。[3]否則，你很可能暈船，那將是最糟糕的。但是，即使是天氣很好，走海路也要花很長時問。相對而言，很少有人打算犧牲三分一以上的假期來享受海上旅行的快樂。
人人都知道坐飛機既危險又花錢。但沒有什麼比坐飛機旅行來得更快捷更舒適了。在3萬英尺高空的雲層之上，以超過500英里的時速旅行是很令人愜意的。你可以舒舒服服地深深地靠在扶手椅上飛行幾個小時。真正想擺脫俗務的人在旅途中能享受些服務，看一出免費電影，或者是啜飲香檳酒。即使沒有這麼高檔的享受，也有許多辦法讓你打發時光。在飛機上你可以看到不同尋常、令人驚詫的世界風景。你毫不費力地飛過高山和深谷。你真切看到大地的形狀。如果你看不到風景，你也可以欣賞到非常特別的、無邊無際的雲海，在你的眼前延綿數英里，太陽在晴朗的天空上發出耀眼的光芒。航程非常平穩，你可以安心閱讀和睡覺。[4]不管你怎樣安排你的時間，有一件事是確定無疑的：你將會精神煥發、毫無倦意地到達目的地。
