Question

【题目】 Americans recognize that there is a past on which the present rests. But they have not developed their sense of the depth of time as much as this has been done in the Middle East and South Asia. The Arab looks back two to six thousand years for his own origins. History is used as the basis for almost any modern action. The chances are that an Arab won’t start a talk or a speech or analyze a problem without first developing the historical aspects of his subject. The American assumes that time has depths but seldom stresses the importance of it.

The American never questions the fact that time should be planned and future events should be fitted into a schedule. He thinks that people should look forward to the future and not talk too much on the past. His future is not very far ahead of him. Results must be obtained in the foreseeable future—one or two years or, at the most, five or ten. Promises to meet deadlines and appointments are taken very seriously. There is real punishment for being late and for not keeping commitments in time. The American thinks it is natural to calculate the value of time. To fail to do so is unthinkable. The American calculates how much time is required to do everything. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.” “It will take six months to finish that job.” “I was in the Army for four and a half years.”

The Americans, like so many other people, also use time as a link that chains events together. If one event occurs on the heels (紧接着) of another, they will certainly try to find a causal relationship between them. If A is seen around the area of B’s murder shortly after the crime has been committed, they automatically form a connection between A and B. However, events which are separated by too much time are difficult for them to connect in their minds. This makes it almost impossible for them as a nation to engage (从事) in long-range planning.

【1】How do Americans see past time according to the first paragraph?

A.It’s worthless.B.It’s limited.

C.It reflects today.D.It helps start a talk.

【2】What does the underlined phrase “to do so” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A.To calculate the value of the past.

B.To figure out the importance of time.

C.To plan a schedule for future events.

D.To meet deadlines and appointments.

【3】When will Americans chain two events together?

A.When common evidence is found.

B.When A is found near the scene of B’s crime.

C.When the two events happen one by one.

D.When one event happens long after another.

【4】What does the author mainly want to tell Americans to do?

A.See time further.B.Be punctual.

C.Study the past time.D.Make a long-range plan.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】B

【3】C

【4】A

【解析】

本文是篇议论文。本文作者通过讲述美国人对时间的看法，认为美国人认识到，现在取决于过去，他们没有意识到将来的时间的重要性，作者想强调要看重未来的时间不要看着过去。

【1】

推理判断题。根据第一段第一句Americans recognize that there is a past on which the present rests.可知美国人认识到，现在取决于过去。由此可推知，美国人认为今天的某些事情是过去的一种反映。故选C。

【2】

词义猜测题。根据上文The American thinks it is natural to calculate the value of time.可知美国人认为理解时间的价值是很自然的。可知上文讲的是美国人认为“理解时间的价值”是“自然的”，也就是美国人看重时间的重要性，不去理解时间的重要性是不可想象的。由此可知，划线短语to do so指的是“理解时间的重要性”。故选B。

【3】

细节理解题。根据第三段中If one event occurs on the heels (紧接着) of another, they will certainly try to find a causal relationship between them.可知如果一件事紧跟着另一件事发生，他们肯定会试图找出它们之间的因果关系。由此可知，当两个事件一个接一个发生时，美国人会把这两件事联系在一起。故选C。

【4】

推理判断题。根据第二段中He thinks that people should look forward to the future and not talk too much on the past.可知他认为人们应该展望未来，不要过多谈论过去。以及最后一段中This makes it almost impossible for them as a nation to engage (从事) in long-range planning.可知这使得他们作为一个国家几乎不可能进行长期规划。由此可推知，作者通过讲述美国人对时间的看法，认为美国人总是认为时间都将成为过去，他们没有意识到将来的时间的重要性，作者想强调要看重未来的时间不要看着过去，所以推测出作者建议更长远地看待时间。故选A。