Question

【题目】Some people will do just about anything to save money. And I am one of them. Take my family’s last vacation. It was my six-year-old son’s winter break from school, and we were heading home from Fort Lauderdale after a weeklong trip. The flight was overbooked, and Delta, the airline, offered us $400 per person in credits to give up our seats and leave the next day. I had meetings in New York. So I had to get back. But that didn’t mean my husband and my son couldn’t stay. I took my nine-month-old and took off for home.

The next day, my husband and son were offered more credits to take an even later flight. Yes, I encouraged—okay, ordered—them to wait it out at the airport to “earn” more Delta Dollars. Our total take: $1,600. Not bad, huh?

①Now some people may think I’m a bad mother and not such a great wife either. But as a big-time bargain hunter, I know the value of a dollar. And these days, a good deal is something few of us can afford to pass up.

I’ve made a living looking for the best deals and exposing (揭露) the worst tricks. I have been the consumer reporter of NBC’s Today show for over a decade. I have written a couple of books including one titled Tricks of the Trade: A Consumer Survival Guide. And I really do what I believe in.

②I tell you this because there is no shame in getting your money’s worth. I’m also tightfisted when it comes to shoes, clothes for my children, and expensive restaurants. But I wouldn’t hesitate to spend on a good haircut. It keeps its shape longer, and it’s the first thing people notice. And I will also spend on a classic piece of furniture. Quality lasts.

【1】 Why did Delta give the author’s family credits?

A. They took a later flight.

B. They had early bookings.

C. Their flight had been delayed.

D. Their flight had been cancelled.

【2】 What can we learn about the author?

A. She rarely misses a good deal.

B. She seldom makes a compromise.

C. She is very strict with her children.

D. She is interested in cheap products.

【3】 What does the author do?

A. She’s a teacher.

B. She’s a housewife.

C. She’s a media person.

D. She’s a businesswoman.

【4】 What does the author want to tell us?

A. How to expose bad tricks.

B. How to reserve airline seats.

C. How to spend money wisely.

D. How to make a business deal.

Answer 1

【答案】【1】 A

【2】 A

【3】 C

【4】 C

【解析】【1】根据第一段中to give up our seats and leave the next day，说明航班要求作者一家人放弃预定的座位，晚一天离开，然后才会给他们提供积分。

【2】根据第四段最后一句a good deal is something few of us can afford to pass up可知作者不愿错过好的交易。D项为干扰选项，根据最后一段可知，作者并不是对便宜的产品感兴趣，而是认为每一分钱都应该花得有价值。

【3】根据第五段中I have been the consumer reporter of NBC's Today show for over a decade可知，她做了十多年的顾客记者，故为媒体人。

【4】主旨题要找文章的中心词，即文中反复出现的词或概念，本文围绕是如何省钱及花钱展开论述的，而与金钱有关的选项只有C，即如何明智地花钱，这正是作者反复强调的。