Question

Now，perhaps，more than ever before，people are wondering what life is all about，and what it is for.Seeking material success is beginning to　26　large numbers of people around the world.They feel that the long-hour work culture to make more money to buy more things is　27　up their lives，leaving them very little   28   or energy for family or hobbies.Many are turning to   29 　ways of living and downshifting is one of them.

Six percent of the workers in Britain took the decision to　30　last year.One couple who downshifted are Daniel and Liz.They　31　to work in central London.He was a newspaper reporter and she worked for an international bank.They　32　go to work by train every day from their large house in the suburbs，　33　their two children with a nanny.Nearly twice a month Daniel had to　34　New York for meetings.They both earned a large amount of  money　35　began to feel that life was passing them by.

Nowadays，they run　36　in the mountains of Wales.“I always wanted to have one here，”says Daniel，“and we took almost a year to　37　to downshift.It’s taken some time getting used to，but it’s been　38　it.We have to think　39　now about spending money on car repairs and we no longer have any　40　.However，I think it’s made us stronger as a family，and the children are a lot　41　.”

Liz，however，is not quite sure.“I used to enjoy my job，　 42　it was hard work and long hours.I’m not really a country girl，but I suppose I’m　43　getting used to looking after the animals.One thing I do　44　，though，is being able to see more of my children.My advice for other people wanting to do the　45　is not to think about it too much or you might not do it at all.”

26.A.trouble                 B.attract                       C.encourage                  D.frighten

27.A.putting                 B.looking                            C.building                    D.eating

28.A.money                  B.material                    C.spirit                         D.time

29.A.other                    B.simple                       C.free                          D.many

30.A.retire                    B.downshift                  C.rest                           D.travel

31.A.wanted                 B.liked                         C.used                          D.planned

32.A.should                  B.would                       C.might                        D.could

33.A.keeping                B.sending                     C.letting                       D.leaving

34.A.fly                       B.walk                         C.move                        D.run

35.A.and                      B.so                             C.but                           D.however

36.A.company                     B.farm                         C.house                        D.school

37.A.discuss                 B.study                        C.have                         D.make

38.A.worthy                 B.worth                        C.worthless                   D.worthwhile

39.A.once                     B.twice                        C.hardly                       D.worriedly

40.A.money                  B.holidays                    C.friends                      D.difficulties

41.A.more bored          B.more worried             C.happier                            D.cleverer

42.A.even though          B.when                        C.as if                          D.unless

43.A.directly                B.particularly                C.especially                  D.gradually

44.A.doubt                   B.admire                      C.like                           D.admit

45.A.job                       B.research                    C.experiment                D.same

Answer 1

26-45 ADDAB CBDAC BDBBB CADCD

解析:

26.解析：人们现在考虑生活究竟是什么，因为物质上的追求开始使大量的人陷入困惑之中，给他们带来了烦恼，故选A。

27.解析：此处表示“消耗掉”。

28.解析：根据下文可知，此处应填入与energy相近的词，再根据上文内容，长时间的工作方式占据人们的生活，所以余下的时间和精力就更少了。

29.解析：此处表示人们开始转向其他的生活方式，而这些生活方式并不一定简单，所以simple不恰当。

30.解析：根据上文的“...downshifting is one of them”,以及下文的“One couple who downshifted are Daniel and Liz.”可得出答案。

31.解析：此处表示过去做的事情。

32.解析：would do可表示过去的习惯。

33.解析：leave...with...表示“把……留给……”，而send表示“送去”。

34.解析：路途遥远，当然要乘飞机。

35.解析：此处表示转折意义，而however不能作连词用。

36.解析：run a farm意为经营一家农场，从上下文看出这一家过着田园生活。

37.解析：“作出决定”需用make。

38.解析：此处表示值得的，需用B项，若用A项应在其后加of，D项只作表语。

39.解析：think twice是固定搭配，指“慎重考虑”，这里指在乡下生活必须慎重地考虑花钱修车的问题。

40.解析：根据常识，在移居乡村前，虽然忙忙碌碌，但他们应该各自都有自己的休假时间，现在闲居在乡村，当然就没有假期了。

41.解析：现在他们夫妇整天生活在农场里，孩子们有他们夫妇陪伴，当然应该比以前更快乐了。

42.解析：此处Liz在谈她过去的工作，即使又工作艰苦、时间又长，但她还是很喜欢的。

43.此处表示逐步的适应乡村生活。

44.解析：虽然适应乡村生活还需要时间，但是有一件事Liz很喜欢，那就是后文中提到的“能够与孩子们更多的在一起”。

45.解析：这里指Liz告诫那些也想downshift的人不要过多的想这想那，否则可能下不了决心。选the same,表示做同样的事，即downshift。