阅读理解。
From southern England to northeast Scotland, the British is to find a motto (格言) that best tell the spirit
of the nation in five words. However, there is a small problem. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
are not, in fact, a nation and have different cultures. It seems it is impossible to find a national motto to join the
country.
Who first had the idea of looking for a motto? British Prime Minister (首相) Gordon Brown started it: He
suggested it as part of a public discussion to decide "the ideals (理想) that put us together as a nation".
Newspapers couldn't wait to get the game started. So they asked website readers to tell their own
opinions. The one that won a Times Online poll (投票) is "No motto please, we're British". You may wonder
what it really means. The suggestion is that British people don't like to go to the trouble of having a motto.
However, it also suggests that Britain is a place with a long history and rich culture:"We don't need a motto.
We know who we are. We have done quite well without one for over 2,000 years, thanks."
Although the discussion seems mainly lighthearted (轻松的), it also has a serious side. The British
government is worried that Britain is losing its cultural identity (特性). While Britain has a seat at the United
Nations and competes as one at the Olympic Games, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are so
different from each other and they have their own FIFA football teams.
1. What are the British doing according to the text?
A. They are playing an interesting game.
B. They are looking for a motto for the whole country.
C. They are listening to their Prime Minister's idea.
D. They are giving a name for their football team.
2. In which part of the country do people look for a motto for the nation?
A. England
B. Wales
C. Northern Ireland
D. All over the country
3. In the writer's eyes, which is NOT true about Britain?
A. Britain is a country with different cultures and a long history.
B. It's easy to join the union with a motto.
C. There are four parts in Britain
D. The difference in the four parts may make Britain lose its identity.
4. Who first had the idea of finding a motto?
A. Times
B. British people
C. Gordon Brown
D. The British government
5. What does the underlined sentence mean?
A. British people are too lazy to find a motto.
B. If they say "No motto", they win.
C. Most British people don't like having a motto.
D. There are so many mottos that they don't want one any more.
