Question

Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs—what do they have in common? They are, of course, all Americans. And according to a survey by social networking site badoo. com, they all best illustrate(举例说明) the word “cool”.

But just what does it mean to say someone is “cool”? Most would answer that it is something to do with being independent-minded and not following the crowd.

Yale University art professor Robert Farris Thompson says that the term “cool” goes back to 15th century West African philosophy(哲学). “Cool” relates to ideas of grace(优雅) under pressure.

“In Africa, ” he writes, “coolness is a positive quality which combines calmness, silence, and life. ”

The modern idea of “cool” developed largely in the US in the period after World War Ⅱ. “Post-war ‘cool’ was in part an expression of war-weariness (厌战情绪) . . . it went against the strict social rules of the time, ” write sociologists Dick Pountain and David Robins in Cool Rules: Anatomy of an Attitude.

But it was the American actor James Dean who became the symbol for “cool” in the hugely successful 1955 movie Rebel without a Cause. Dean plays a tough guy who disobeys his parents and the authorities(权威). He always gets the girl, smokes cigarettes, wears a leather jacket and beats up bullies(欺凌弱小者). In the movie, Dean showed what “cool” would mean to American young people for the next 60 years.

Today the focus of “cool” has changed to athletics (体育运动) stars. Often in movies about schools, students gain popularity on the athletics field more than in the classroom. This can be seen quite clearly in movies like Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die.

But many teenagers also think being smart is cool. Chess and other thinking games have been becoming more popular in schools.

“Call it the Harry Potterization of America —a time when being smart is the new cool, ” writes journalist Joe Sunnen.

1.Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs are mentioned in the first paragraph to ________.

A. introduce the topic

B. draw our attention

C. tell us what they have in common

D. tell us what is “cool”

2.If you were considered “cool” in Africa in the 15th century, you ________.

A. thought and acted differently from the majority

B. had a calm and quiet attitude towards life

C. didn’t observe rules and authorities

D. had all kinds of “bad” manners

3.The heroes in Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die are likely to be those who ________.

A. do very well in their studies

B. are very skilled at sports

C. are good at chess and other thinking games.

D. have supernatural powers like Harry Potter

4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the article？

A. It is generally considered “cool” to be independent-minded and not to follow the crowd.

B. “Cool” was used as early as the 15th century.

C. Disobeying one’s parents and the authorities is considered “cool” among American young people nowadays.

D. Getting the first place in an exam can also be considered “cool”.

5.What does the article mainly talk about?

A. The origin of the word “cool”.

B. The kinds of people who are “cool”.

C. The changing meaning of the word “cool”.

D. How to be a “ cool” person.

Answer 1

1.A

2.B

3.B

4.D

5.C

【解析】

试题分析：本文以Barack Obama, Lady Gaga ，Steve Jobs这三个人为例，引出主题cool。那么到底什么是酷呢？这一词可以追溯到15世纪的西非，与冷静、安静的生活态度相关。

1.But just what does it mean to say someone is “cool”? Most would answer that it is something to do with being independent-minded and not following the crowd. 可知，作者提到这三个人只是为了引出话题，cool。故选择A。

2.细节理解题。根据第四段的“In Africa, ” he writes, “coolness is a positive quality which combines calmness, silence, and life.可知，在15世纪的非洲，cool代表的是冷静、安静的生活态度。故选择B。

3.Often in movies about schools, students gain popularity on the athletics field more than in the classroom. This can be seen quite clearly in movies like Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die. 可知热爱运动的人更容易成为受欢迎的人。故选择B。

4.推理判断题。根据第二段的Most would answer that it is something to do with being independent-minded and not following the crowd. 可知选项A的表述是正确的。根据第三段的Robert Farris Thompson says that the term “cool” goes back to 15th century可知选项B的表述是正确的；根据倒数第四段的In the movie, Dean showed what “cool” would mean to American young people for the next 60 years. 可知选项C的表述是正确的。而根据倒数第二段的But many teenagers also think being smart is cool可知有人认为聪明而非考第一名很酷，所以选项D的描述是错误的。本题问的就是哪个表述是错误的，故选择D。

5.主旨大意题。根据第一段的they all best illustrate(举例说明) the word “cool”.以及第二段的 But just what does it mean to say someone is “cool”?可知文章讲述的是，cool指什么样的人。故选择C。

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