Question

Most people today think of chocolate as something sweet to eat or drink and can be easily found in stores around the world. It might surprise you that chocolate was once highly treasured.

The wealthy people of Spain first enjoyed a sweetened chocolate drink. Later, the popularity of the drink spread throughout Europe. Chocolate remained a drink that only wealthy people could afford to drink until the eighteenth century. During the period known as the Industrial Revolution, new technologies helped make chocolate less costly to produce.

Farmers grow cacao trees in many countries in Africa, Central and South America, but these trees are difficult to grow. They require an exact amount of water, warmth, soil and protection. After about five years, cacao trees start producing large fruits called pods, which grow near the trunk of the tree. The seeds inside these pods are harvested to make chocolate. Growing cacao is very hard work for farmers. Today, chocolate industry officials, activists, and scientists are working with farmers. They are trying to make sure that cacao can be grown in a way that is easy for the farmers and safe for the environment.

The market value of the yearly cacao crop around the world is more than five billion dollars. Chocolate is especially popular in Europe and the United States. Each year, Americans eat an average of more than 5 kilograms of chocolate per person. Specialty shops that sell costly chocolate are also very popular. Many offer chocolate lovers the chance to taste chocolate grown in different areas of the world.

1. We can learn from the passage that chocolate was ______.

A. served with a drink in old times

B. popular with people around the world

C. a drink enjoyed by the rich in old times

D. bought easily in stores in old times

2.What made it possible to produce chocolate inexpensively?

A. A warm climate. B. Official aid.

C. New technologies. D. Scientific protection.

3. What should ideal cacao farming be like？

A. Simple and time-saving.

B. Safe and labour-saving

C. Easy and labour-saving

D. Easy and environment-friendly.

4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Scientists are trying to help people find various cacaos.

B. The chocolate industry is developing rapidly only in European countries.

C. People in America love to produce dear chocolate.

D. Chocolate making is probably a big business internationally.

Answer 1

1.C

2.C

3.D

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：本文主要讲了巧克力的历史，制作过程，以及市场价值。

1. remained a drink that only wealthy people could afford to drink until the eighteenth century.可知在十八世纪以前，巧克力就是一种饮料，只有有钱人才能享受。故A选项错误，C选项正确。文章第一段提到巧克力在全世界容易找到，并没有提到它的流行。故B选项错误。根据第一段第二句话可知D选项错误。故选C。

2. technologies helped make chocolate less costly to produce.可知是新技术使生产巧克力的成本大大降低。故选C。

3. are trying to make sure that cacao can be grown in a way that is easy for the farmers and safe for the environment.

可知理想的种植可可方式是容易的，有益于环境的。故选D。

4. market value of the yearly cacao crop around the world is more than five billion dollars.可知可可的的市场价值已经达到五十亿美元，接下来又提到巧克力在欧洲以及美国尤其流行，由此可知巧克力的生产是一项国际化的业务。故选D。

考点：考查社会现象类短文阅读