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.
【试题】
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
【选项翻译与答案】
1. 作者指出，阅读可以帮助缓解________________。
A) 坐火车时的无聊 B) 车轮令人疲惫的声音
C) 旅程中的睡意 D)车厢中通风不良的情况
[A]原文该段第4句表明阅读是a partial solution,这表明阅读有助于解决某个问题，而这个问题就是该段第2句和第3句提到的坐长途火车会让人觉得烦闷，由此可见，本题答案应为选项A。
2.关于长途汽车旅行，我们了解到什么信息?
A)很安生，因为汽车通常速度很快。 B)很单调，因为不可能看书。
C) 很辛苦，因为根本难以入睡。 D)很危险，因为总是太多车。
[B]首段第8句中的for引出一个原因从句，表明一种因果关系，而选项B表达的因果关系与此相同，因此为本题答案。原文该段第9句提到了safely at high speeds，但安全和高速之间并不存在因果关系，因此选项A不正确;选项C没在原文提及，建项D的因果关系也不正确。
3. 海上旅行是最糟糕的旅行方式，当_____________。
A) 天气很差的时候 B) 旅行者时间很少的时候
C) 旅行者晕船的时候 D)海上不平静的时候
[C]首段倒数第3句指出了两种因果关系：第一，海洋不平静会导致你晕船;第二，晕船会让你觉得坐船是最糟糕的交通方式，由此可见，本题应选C。在原文虽有提及weather，但与题干关系不大，故A不对;时间的问题虽在下一句提及，但与题干不构成因果关系，故B不正确;D是因其晕船的原因，与题干之间的因果关系不直接，故也不对。
4. 坐飞机旅行与采用其他交通方式旅行的最大差别是什么?
A) 坐飞机不像其他交通工具那么累。
B) 坐飞机比其他的交通工具更有乐趣。
C) 坐飞机比其他的变通工具更贵。
D) 坐飞机时的睡眠时间可以比乘坐其他交通工具更长。
[A]虽然文章没有明显地比较飞机与其他交通方式，但是从首段的内容来看，可以知道当作者描述其他交通方式时，都提到它们很累人，而第2段末句中的fresh and uncrumpled表明坐飞机旅行不会让旅行者觉得累，由此可见，本题应选A。
5. 作者写本文的目的是_______________________.
A) 介绍旅游的各种方式 B)指出旅游的最佳方式
C) 强调坐飞机旅游的好处 D)比较旅游时各种放松的方式
[A]作者在原文首句提到了三种交通方式，然后分别描述了三种方式各自的特点，由此可见，作者写本文是为了介绍三种不同的交通方式，故选A。作者只是描述三种交通方式的特点，没有突山哪一个是最好的，困此选项B不正确;选项C只是第2段的内容，并非全文主题，因此也不是正确答案;本文的主题是交通方式，并非relaxing(放松的方式)，因此选项D不正确。
【参考译文】
[5]人们长途旅行的时候通常都要做出决定，选择究竟走陆路、走海路还是坐飞机。[l]几乎很少有人真正喜欢坐超过几个钟头的火车。火车车厢很快就挤满人，让人感到气闷!读书并不能解决所有问题，因为车轮在轨道上单调而有节奏的咔嗒咔嗒声会催人入眠。白天睡眠断断续续，晚上你真的想睡时却很难入睡。你到达目的地的时候，几乎不可避免地精疲力竭。[2]坐长途汽车的乐趣更少，因为你几乎不可能在车上读书。车子走高速公路的时候，至少车速快而且安全，但往往旅程的大半得走狭窄、颠簸而又交通拥挤的路。相对而言，坐邮轮旅行就优雅舒适得多了。你可以在宽敞的甲板上伸展双脚，你可以玩游戏、游泳、碰上各种有趣的人和享用美食——当然，这些的前提都得是：海洋是平静的。[3]否则，你很可能晕船，那将是最糟糕的。但是，即使是天气很好，走海路也要花很长时问。相对而言，很少有人打算牺牲三分一以上的假期来享受海上旅行的快乐。
人人都知道坐飞机既危险又花钱。但没有什么比坐飞机旅行来得更快捷更舒适了。在3万英尺高空的云层之上，以超过500英里的时速旅行是很令人惬意的。你可以舒舒服服地深深地靠在扶手椅上飞行几个小时。真正想摆脱俗务的人在旅途中能享受些服务，看一出免费电影，或者是啜饮香槟酒。即使没有这么高档的享受，也有许多办法让你打发时光。在飞机上你可以看到不同寻常、令人惊诧的世界风景。你毫不费力地飞过高山和深谷。你真切看到大地的形状。如果你看不到风景，你也可以欣赏到非常特别的、无边无际的云海，在你的眼前延绵数英里，太阳在晴朗的天空上发出耀眼的光芒。航程非常平稳，你可以安心阅读和睡觉。[4]不管你怎样安排你的时间，有一件事是确定无疑的：你将会精神焕发、毫无倦意地到达目的地。
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 (使通气) 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 (足病医生), 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 (阴沟栅) 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.
【测试题】
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
【选项翻译与答案详解】
1. 是什么让女人对高跟鞋的欺骗性的本质视而不见的?
A) 高跟鞋有多种功能。 B) 她们想要展现自己的身份。
C)高跟鞋风格多种多样。 D) 她们希望能够改善样貌。
[D]根据文章第l段“时尚神话使女性相信穿上高跟鞋会更美丽或气质更优雅”，因此，在四个选项中，只有D与文章所陈述的观点一致;其余三项均不符合。
2. 作者对于高跟鞋的正面论述是为了______________。
A) 表现讽刺 B) 对女人开玩关
C) 对时装工业公平 D) 让自己的论点具有说服力
[A]根据文章第2段，高跟鞋有两种积极的作用：一种是极好的草地供氧用具，不用挖土就能在草地上凿出均匀的小洞供草地吸氧;另一种是可击退来犯之敌，高跟鞋轻易就能吓退敌人，由此可知，不论从内容或语气上看，作者旨在对高跟鞋进行嘲讽。故此，在四个选项中，只有A与作者的写作意图相符;其余三项均与文章的意思相悖。
3. 作者使用了“那些宝贝”(第2段第4行)的表达来指高跟鞋______________________。
A) 是为了显示高跟鞋脆弱的特点 B) 是为了表示高跟鞋的女性特征
C)是为了表现女人对高跟鞋的热爱 D) 强调高跟鞋的尺寸很小
[C] baby通常是人们对婴儿的爱称，语气中包含有怜爱的成分，而在文章第1段作者也指出高跟鞋颇具吸引力，女性都相信穿高跟鞋能使她们更漂亮、气质更高雅，由此可看出女性对高跟牲的钟爱。结合这两个方面可推断出作者将高跟鞋比作baby.目的只是为了表现女性对高跟鞋的怜爱程度。因此，C与作者所表现的观点相符，故而正确。
4. 作者反对高跟鞋的主要论点是________________。
A)高跟鞋对草地是一种威胁 B) 高跟鞋对女性健康有害
C) 高跟鞋不一定会让女人更美丽 D) 高跟鞋是一种无敌的自卫武器
[B]在文章第1段作者就提出自己的观点：高跟鞋是女性最大的敌人，它会给女性带来身体和精神上的伤害。而在文章最后一段作者又详细说明了商跟鞋会给女性带来哪些伤害，l：脚变形，脚指甲受损，严重的腰部疾病，脚踝扭伤，容易跌倒等。因此，本文的大部分篇幅都在描写高跟鞋对女性健康所造成的影响，故B与文章所陈述的观点一致：其余三项均不构成反对高跟鞋的论点。
5. 从文章中可以推论，女人应该_____________________。
A) 看穿时尚秘密的本质 B)抵制时尚产业的产品
C) 定期去找足病医生寻求建议 D) 避免紧贴时尚的做珐
[A]在文章第1段和第3段作者指出：时尚神话使女性相信穿上高跟鞋能使她们更漂亮、气质更优雅。但实际情况却是高跟鞋只会给女性带来身体上和精神上的伤害。因此作者呼吁女性与高跟鞋业作战，拒绝购买和穿高跟鞋。因此，A与文章的意思吻合;而B和D的说法文中没有提到，也过于绝对了，C并不是作者的目的。
【参考译文】
在全世界百货商店和壁橱里，它们正在等待着。它们的外表拟乎非常吸引人.因为它们的式样，质地和颜色多种多样。但是它们却是当今时装产业中最大的骗局。它们是什么?它们就是高跟鞋——女性最大的敌人(不管她们是否知道这一点)。高跟鞋是现代社会的衰落。[1]/[3]时尚神话使女性相信穿上高跟鞋会更美丽或气质更高雅，但事实上高跟鞋已经引起了短期乃至长期的痛苦。女性应该与高跟鞋产业作斗争，拒绝穿或购买高跟鞋，以使世界免受不必要的身心折磨。
为公平起见，我们必须注意到穿高跟鞋还具有其积极的一面。首先，高跟鞋有利于草坪通气。穿着高跟鞋在草地上走过的任何一个人都知道我说的是什么。[2]穿着这双宝贝只要在院子里走上一圈就没必要再请草坪养护专家了，高跟鞋走过去会在地上留下大小合适的一个个小洞，给草坪提供了氧气，而且周围没有那些乱七八糟的垃圾。其次，高跟鞋对抵御来犯之敌十分有效，用这么两只尖尖的、可致人于死地的时装配件一扬，就能轻而易举地把他们吓得逃之夭夭。
[4]尽管高跟鞋有这些实际用途，事实上穿高跟鞋对身体健康有害。与任何一位足病医生交谈，你都会听到他们说大多数业务来自穿高跟鞋的女性。人们知道穿高跟鞋会引起足部变形和脚趾甲破裂之类的问题。穿高跟鞋者有严重背部问题和踝关节扭饬或骨折的风险，要比穿平跟鞋者大三倍。穿高跟鞋还会把鞋跟踩进人行道的裂缝或阴沟栅，使人摔倒在地上——可能会跌破鼻子、背部或折断颈部的危险。当然，穿了一天的高跟鞋，任何女性都料到会有一个痛苦的夜晚去舒缓她那又肿又疼的双脚。
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 (迷恋) 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 (虚荣).
【试题】
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，现在有一种奇怪的现象，那就是_______________。
A) 温莎公爵夫人被视作有德之人
B)看上去纤瘦是很有钱的标志
C) 纤瘦是令人向往的特质
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“瘦被认为是这样的一种美德”;而在第4段，作者又提到“我们已经把瘦当成是一种新的美德标志”，故C正确。
2. 被普遍流行的潮流席卷，作者______________。
A) 在大部分时候都得节食 B) 仍可以避免自己偏离轨道
C) 不得不寻求富有的远亲的帮助 D) 不得不穿非常时髦的衣服
[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，为了……我也节食减肥”。因此，A正确。
3. 在人类历史上，人们对干体重的看法________________。
A) 与他们的宗教信仰息息相关 B) 经常发生变化
C) 在穷人和富人之间存在差异 D) 导致不同曲道德标准
[B]文章第3段“什么开始时候吃黄油成了罪过，多长点肉就会让人失去魅力?”和“在一些宗教团体里，财富是有望得到……而身体发福是富有和健康的标志。”说明看法是变化的，所以B正确。
4. 作者批评女人对纤瘦的迷恋，______________。
A) 是从经济和教育的角度出发的 B) 是从社会学和医学的角度出发的
C) 是从历史和宗教的立场为出发点的 D) 是从道德原则的角度出发的
[B]文章的第4段和第5段提到了道德和健康，因此可看出，作者是从社会学和医学的角度批评了人们的观点，所以B正确。
5. 对那些笃信纤瘦的女人，作者的建议是什么?
A) 他们应该更关心整个生活方式。
B) 他们应该小心一些致命的疾病。
C) 他们应该增加体重，那会看上去更加健康。
D) 他们应该抛弃对于出自设计师之手的服装的幻想。
[A]文章第6段提到瘦身之后或者本来就不胖的人，如果以为可以自然而然健康起来而不必关注自己的整个生活方式，那才是危险的。由此可推断她们应该多注意她们的生活方式.A符合题意。
【译文】
女人无论多富都不算太富，无论多瘦都不算太瘦。这句常常被认为是已故温莎公爵夫人说的话在很大程度上体现了我们这个时代的一种奇特的精神：[1]瘦被看做本身就是一种美德。
这种看法的问题在于，有的人还真的试图照这种方式生活。[2]我自己也常常有种种不切实际的想法，希望能穿上窄小的名牌服装，因此，为了我的生命中的美好时光——或许也是悲惨时光——我也节食减肥。要是能有钱，当然也不坏，不过，除非在远方有个从没有听说过的亲戚突然去世给我留下几百万美元的话，我是富不了的啦。
我们是什么时候误入歧途的?[3]从什么时候开始。吃黄油成了罪过，稍微多长了一点肉就会让人失去魅力，甚至令人生厌?所有宗教都会规定某几个日子让人们禁食，过量饮食还是基督教的七宗弥天大罪之一。然而，直到最近，大多数人还在为怎样填饱肚子而而发愁。[3]在一些宗教团体里，财富是有望得到救赎、拥有高尚德操的标志，而身体发福则是富有和健康的标志。
[1]而今，事情倒过来了。我们转而把瘦作为美德的新的标志。[4]结果，肥胖——有时不过是稍微有点超重——就是不好，因为它暗示这个人缺少道德力量。
[4]我们迷恋于瘦身，还出于对健康的考虑。诚然，在这个国度里，肥胖人数比以往任何时候都多，而且，肥胖还增加了罹患心血管疾病的风险。但是，这些疾病与肥胖有关，也与我们的生活方式以及高脂肪含量的食物有关。而消化系统发生癌变、也许更多是饮食问题——太多脂肪、缺少纤维——而不是体重问题。
因而，真正的问题不在于我们太重了，而在于我们运动不足而且饮食不良。要想筋骨强壮、心肺健康，锻炼必不可少。脂肪不多的均衡饮食也可以使我们避免许多癌病。我们实在不必如此关注我们的体重问题。仅仅瘦是不够的。[5]瘦身之后或者本来就不胖的人，如果以为可以自然而然健康起来而不必关注自己的整个生活方式，那才实在是危险的。瘦可能纯粹是一种虚荣。
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.
【试题】
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
【选项翻译与答案】
1. 作者指出，阅读可以帮助缓解________________。
A) 坐火车时的无聊 B) 车轮令人疲惫的声音
C) 旅程中的睡意 D)车厢中通风不良的情况
[A]原文该段第4句表明阅读是a partial solution,这表明阅读有助于解决某个问题，而这个问题就是该段第2句和第3句提到的坐长途火车会让人觉得烦闷，由此可见，本题答案应为选项A。
2.关于长途汽车旅行，我们了解到什么信息?
A)很安生，因为汽车通常速度很快。 B)很单调，因为不可能看书。
C) 很辛苦，因为根本难以入睡。 D)很危险，因为总是太多车。
[B]首段第8句中的for引出一个原因从句，表明一种因果关系，而选项B表达的因果关系与此相同，因此为本题答案。原文该段第9句提到了safely at high speeds，但安全和高速之间并不存在因果关系，因此选项A不正确;选项C没在原文提及，建项D的因果关系也不正确。
3. 海上旅行是最糟糕的旅行方式，当_____________。
A) 天气很差的时候 B) 旅行者时间很少的时候
C) 旅行者晕船的时候 D)海上不平静的时候
[C]首段倒数第3句指出了两种因果关系：第一，海洋不平静会导致你晕船;第二，晕船会让你觉得坐船是最糟糕的交通方式，由此可见，本题应选C。在原文虽有提及weather，但与题干关系不大，故A不对;时间的问题虽在下一句提及，但与题干不构成因果关系，故B不正确;D是因其晕船的原因，与题干之间的因果关系不直接，故也不对。
4. 坐飞机旅行与采用其他交通方式旅行的最大差别是什么?
A) 坐飞机不像其他交通工具那么累。
B) 坐飞机比其他的交通工具更有乐趣。
C) 坐飞机比其他的变通工具更贵。
D) 坐飞机时的睡眠时间可以比乘坐其他交通工具更长。
[A]虽然文章没有明显地比较飞机与其他交通方式，但是从首段的内容来看，可以知道当作者描述其他交通方式时，都提到它们很累人，而第2段末句中的fresh and uncrumpled表明坐飞机旅行不会让旅行者觉得累，由此可见，本题应选A。
5. 作者写本文的目的是_______________________.
A) 介绍旅游的各种方式 B)指出旅游的最佳方式
C) 强调坐飞机旅游的好处 D)比较旅游时各种放松的方式
[A]作者在原文首句提到了三种交通方式，然后分别描述了三种方式各自的特点，由此可见，作者写本文是为了介绍三种不同的交通方式，故选A。作者只是描述三种交通方式的特点，没有突山哪一个是最好的，困此选项B不正确;选项C只是第2段的内容，并非全文主题，因此也不是正确答案;本文的主题是交通方式，并非relaxing(放松的方式)，因此选项D不正确。
【参考译文】
[5]人们长途旅行的时候通常都要做出决定，选择究竟走陆路、走海路还是坐飞机。[l]几乎很少有人真正喜欢坐超过几个钟头的火车。火车车厢很快就挤满人，让人感到气闷!读书并不能解决所有问题，因为车轮在轨道上单调而有节奏的咔嗒咔嗒声会催人入眠。白天睡眠断断续续，晚上你真的想睡时却很难入睡。你到达目的地的时候，几乎不可避免地精疲力竭。[2]坐长途汽车的乐趣更少，因为你几乎不可能在车上读书。车子走高速公路的时候，至少车速快而且安全，但往往旅程的大半得走狭窄、颠簸而又交通拥挤的路。相对而言，坐邮轮旅行就优雅舒适得多了。你可以在宽敞的甲板上伸展双脚，你可以玩游戏、游泳、碰上各种有趣的人和享用美食——当然，这些的前提都得是：海洋是平静的。[3]否则，你很可能晕船，那将是最糟糕的。但是，即使是天气很好，走海路也要花很长时问。相对而言，很少有人打算牺牲三分一以上的假期来享受海上旅行的快乐。
人人都知道坐飞机既危险又花钱。但没有什么比坐飞机旅行来得更快捷更舒适了。在3万英尺高空的云层之上，以超过500英里的时速旅行是很令人惬意的。你可以舒舒服服地深深地靠在扶手椅上飞行几个小时。真正想摆脱俗务的人在旅途中能享受些服务，看一出免费电影，或者是啜饮香槟酒。即使没有这么高档的享受，也有许多办法让你打发时光。在飞机上你可以看到不同寻常、令人惊诧的世界风景。你毫不费力地飞过高山和深谷。你真切看到大地的形状。如果你看不到风景，你也可以欣赏到非常特别的、无边无际的云海，在你的眼前延绵数英里，太阳在晴朗的天空上发出耀眼的光芒。航程非常平稳，你可以安心阅读和睡觉。[4]不管你怎样安排你的时间，有一件事是确定无疑的：你将会精神焕发、毫无倦意地到达目的地。