3．W：Hi，Mr．Lee，I am （41）a reporter from the New York Times．It will be great（42）if you can tell me some information about chopsticks，（43）such as their origin and the materials they are made from．
M：Good question．Chopsticks originated in China，but they are（44）widely （wide） used in many Asian countries．Chopsticks may be made of any of the （45）following（follow） materials：bamboo，wood，gold，silver，ivory，or plastic，and they may be（46）either either round or square．Some chopsticks are decorated （47）withcolored pictures．Ordinary chopsticks used in Chinese homes are made of wood or bamboo．In ancient times，the rich used jade or gold chopsticks to display their wealth．Many kings and emperors used silver chopsticks to see if their food had been poisoned．
W：OK，thank you．And I'd like to know why Chinese people use chopsticks．（48）Why not knives and forks，like Americans？
M：Oh，that is a good question．I think Chinese people choose chopsticks，rather than knives and forks，because Chinese people，under the influence of Confucianism，have traditionally （49）considered
（consider） knives and forks as symbolizing a type of violence．On the other hand，chopsticks reflect （50）gentleness（gentle） and kindness．And maybe Chinese food simply seems to taste better when eaten with chopsticks．
分析 本文介绍了亚洲人普遍使用筷子，并介绍了制作筷子的原材料以及所代表的意义．
解答 41．a 考查冠词．reportor为可数名词，a 表示泛指，意为一名记者．
42．if 考查连接词．此处是if引导一个条件状语从句，意为如果．
43．such as 从后文可知，是列举，所以用such as．
44．widely 考查副词．修饰动词use时需用副词形式．
45．following考查动名词．following意为以下的如下的．
46．either either．．or…固定短语，意为或者…或者…
47．with 考查介词．此处是一个固定定语be decorated with 意为用…来装饰．
48．Why 考查连接词．前文提到中国人使用筷子，为什么不能像美国人一样使用刀叉？
49．considered 考查过去分词．根据句意可知，此处需用现在完成时态．
50．gentleness考查 名词．和 and kindness并列，需用名词形式．
点评 语法填空考查学生在具体语境中使用语法知识的能力，在平时学习时多积累一些语法知识．
