4．The majority of Indian women wear a red dot （圆点） between their eyebrows．While it is generally taken as an indicator of their marital （婚姻的） status，the practice is primarily related to the Hindu religion．The dot goes by different names in different Hindi dialects，and"bindi"is the one that is most commonly known．Traditionally，the dot carries no gender restriction：Men as well as women wear it．However，the tradition of men wearing it has faded in recent times，so nowadays we see a lot more women than men wearing one．
The position of the bindi is standard：center of the forehead，close to the eyebrows．It represents a third，or inner eye．Hindu tradition holds that all people have three eyes：The two outer ones are used for seeing the outside world，and the third one is there to focus inward toward God．As such，the dot serves as a constant reminder to keep God in the front of a believer's thoughts．
Red is the traditional color of the dot．It is said that in ancient times a man would place a drop of blood between his wife's eyes to seal their marriage．According to Hindu beliefs，the color red is believed to bring good fortune to the married couple．Today，people go with different colors depending upon their preferences．Women often wear dots that match the color of their clothes．Decorative or sticker bindis come in all sizes，colors and variations，and can be worn by young and old，married and unmarried people alike．Wearing a bindi has become more of a fashion statement than a religious custom．
35．Why did people in India start wearing a red dot on their forehead？C
A．To indicate their social rank．
B．To show their financial status．
C．To show their religious belief．
D．To highlight their family background．
36．What is the importance of the third eye in Hindu tradition？A
A．To pay respect to God．
B．To stay in harmony with nature．
C．To see things with a subjective view．
D．To observe the outside world more clearly．
37．Why was red chosen as the original color of the bindi？D
A．The red dot represented the blood of God．
B．Red stood for a wife's love for her husband．
C．The word"bindi"means"red"in some Hindi dialects．
D．Red was supposed to bring good luck to a married couple．
38．Which of the following statements is true about the practice of wearing a bindi today？A
A．Bindis are now used as a decorative item．
B．Bindis are worn anywhere on the face now．
C．Most Indian women do not like to wear bindis anymore．
D．Wearing a bindi has become more popular among Indian men．
分析 大多数印度女人的眉毛中间都戴着红点，这种做法主要与印度教有关，它代表的是第三只眼，可以时时提醒信徒要尊敬上帝．现在眉心红点更多的是作为装饰品使用．
解答 35．C 细节理解题．根据文章第一段中的"…the practice is primarily related to theHindu religion．"可知这种做法主要与印度教有关，所以印度人前额戴红点是展示他们的宗教信仰．故选C．
36．A 细节理解题．文章第二段告诉我们，印度传统上认为人有第三只眼．另外根据该段最后一句话印度人对第三只眼所起作用的描述"As such，the dot serves as a constant reminder to keep God inthe front of a believer's thoughts．"因此，点作为一个持续的提醒，以保持神在信徒的思想面前．所以第三眼在印度教传统中的重要性是要尊重上帝，故选A．
37．D 细节理解题．根据文章第三段中的"According to Hindu beliefs，thecolor red is believed to bring good fortune to the married couple．"可知，根据印度教的信仰，红色被认为能为已婚的夫妇带来好运，故选D．
38．A 细节理解题．根据文章第三段最后几句话"Decorative or sticker bindis come in all sizes，colorsand variations，and can be worn by young and old，married and unmarried people alike．Wearinga bindi has become more of a fashion statement than a religious custom．"可知，眉心红点现在更多的被用作装饰品，故选A．
点评 本文是社会文化类阅读，主要考查细节理解题．做题时，首先看题目要求我们理解什么细节，找出关键词，运用寻读的技巧迅速在文章里找出相应的段落、句子或短语．认真比较选项和文中细节，在正确理解细节的前提下，确定最佳答案．
