Question

As an English teacher,I’ve been lucky enough to travel to many countries all over the world.I’ve seen people celebrate everything from the arrival of new babies to the delivery of new cars.I’ve attended weddings,parties and religious celebrations in countries such as Argentina and Japan,and I’ve noticed that gold—the metal or the colour of it—is always part of cultural events,traditions and celebrations.

It makes me wonder:Why do people love gold?

For some people,gold seems to be a status(地位)symbol.Indian businessman Datta Phuge loves gold so much that he even bought a shirt made of gold at a cost of $250,000.I’m not sure I’d spend so much money on a shirt,would you?But Datta Phuge has his reason.He explains,“Some people want to own an Audi or a Mercedes.I choose gold.”

For other people,gold is an investment(投资).The price of gold generally increases over time and in European markets,it reached even $1,500 per ounce in 2011.

And for many people,a family heirloom(传家宝)brings together status and investment.My mother has a gold bracelet(手镯)that was given to her by her grandmother who,in turn,inherited it from her own grandmother.It’s quite a heavy piece and probably worth quite a lot of money.But its mental value is greater than its value in dollars.It’s a beautiful object that holds many family memories.When the time comes,my mum will give the bracelet to me,and one day,I’ll pass it on to the younger generation.

Therefore,status and investment are good reasons to value gold.However,I think that the real reason why people love gold is that it can be made into beautiful objects.Think about Tutankhamen’s death mask.Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?

People love gold because it holds their minds,their imaginations and,above all,their hearts.

1.The main idea of the first paragraph is that .

A.the author has traveled to many countries

B.people celebrate almost everything

C.there are many ways to use gold

D.people all over the world love gold

2.Datta Phuge bought a shirt made of gold because .

A.gold is a status symbol to him

B.he loves this kind of shirt

C.people there love gold so much

D.he is a successful businessman

3.According to the passage,in Europe,gold could be per ounce in 2010.

A.$1,550 B.$1,500 C.$1,450 D.$1,600

4.The gold bracelet is the heirloom for the author’s family mainly because .

A.it’s worth a lot of money

B.it brings status and investment

C.it’s a beautiful object

D.it holds family memories

 

Answer 1

1.D

2.A

3.C

4.D

【解析】文章大意：本文讲述了世人为什么钟爱黄金的原因。

1.1】段落大意题。从第一段的描述可知作者到过世界众多地方,参加过各式各样的活动,但其中一个恒久的主题——黄金或金色的饰品是各种文化的一部分。故D项合乎要求。

2.2】细节理解题。由第三段第一句话可知Datta钟爱黄金和其他人爱豪车一样,是身份和地位的一种象征。故A正确。

3.3】推理判断题。由第四段最后一句话可知,黄金价格在2011年甚至达到每盎司$1500,故推知2010年应该不高于此数,故C项合乎要求。

4.4】细节理解题。由第五段“But its mental value is greater than its value in dollars.It’s a beautiful object that holds many family memories.”可知D项正确。