A. hurriedly      B. anxiety     C. professionals    D. typical      E. really F. simple        G. bought      H. ending         I. design       J. wonderful

Almost every day we come across situations in which we have to make decisions one way or another. Choice, we are given to believe, is a right. But for a good many people in the world, in rich and poor countries, choice is a luxury, something __41__but hard to get, not a right. And for those who think they are exercising their right to make choices, the whole system is merely an illusion, a false idea created by companies and advertisers hoping to sell their products.

The endless choice gives birth to anxiety in people’s lives. Buying something as basic as a coffee pot is not exactly __42__. Easy access to a wide range of everyday goods leads to a sense of powerlessness in many people, __43__in the costomer giving up and walking away, or just buying an unsuitable item that is not really wanted. Recent studies in England have shown that many electrical goods __44__ in almost every family are not __45__ needed. More difficult decision-making is then either avoided or trusted into the hands of the __46__, lifestyle instructors, or advisors.

It is not just the availability of the goods that is the problem, but the speed with which new types of products come on the market. Advances in __47__ and production help quicken the process. Products also need to have a short lifespan so that the public can be persuaded to replace them within a short time. The __48__ example is computers, which are almost out-of-date once they are bought. This indeed makes selection a problem. So gone are the days when one could just walk with ease into a shop and buy one thing: no choice, no __49__.

Section B:  Vocabulary

Directions: Complete the passage by choosing the proper words in the box.

Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A．hurriedly

B．anxiety

C．professionals

D．typical E. really

F. simple        G. bought      H. ending         I. design       J. wonderful

Almost every day we come across situations in which we have to make decisions one way or another. Choice, we are given to believe, is a right. But for a good many people in the world, in rich and poor countries, choice is a luxury, something __41__but hard to get, not a right. And for those who think they are exercising their right to make choices, the whole system is merely an illusion, a false idea created by companies and advertisers hoping to sell their products.

The endless choice gives birth to anxiety in people’s lives. Buying something as basic as a coffee pot is not exactly __42__. Easy access to a wide range of everyday goods leads to a sense of powerlessness in many people, __43__in the costomer giving up and walking away, or just buying an unsuitable item that is not really wanted. Recent studies in England have shown that many electrical goods __44__ in almost every family are not __45__ needed. More difficult decision-making is then either avoided or trusted into the hands of the __46__, lifestyle instructors, or advisors.

It is not just the availability of the goods that is the problem, but the speed with which new types of products come on the market. Advances in __47__ and production help quicken the process. Products also need to have a short lifespan so that the public can be persuaded to replace them within a short time. The __48__ example is computers, which are almost out-of-date once they are bought. This indeed makes selection a problem. So gone are the days when one could just walk with ease into a shop and buy one thing: no choice, no __49__.

 

American women experience a great variety of lifestyle. A typical American woman may be single. She may also be divorced or married. She may be a homemaker, a doctor or a factory worker. It is very difficult to generalize about American women. However, one thing that many American women have in common is their attitudes about themselves and their roles in American life.

Historically, American women have always been very independent. The first settlers to come to New England were ten young couples that had left behind their extended families. The women were alone in a new, undeveloped country with their husbands. This has two important effects. First of all, this was the uncivilized environment that demanded every person to share in developing it and in survival. Women worked with their husbands and children to make themselves accepted in this new land. Second, because they were in a new land without the established influence of older members of society, women felt free to step into non—traditional roles.

This role of women was strengthened in later years as Americans move west again, leaving families behind and meeting a new environment. Even later, in the east, as new settlers arrived, women often found jobs more easily than men. Women became the supporters of the family.

Within the established lifestyle of the industrialized twentieth century, the strong role of women was not attractive as in the early days of the country. Some women stepped into the men’s jobs as factory and business workers. After the war, some women stayed in these positions, and others left their jobs with a new sense of ability.

1.A typical American woman is______________.

A．single or married                       B． divorced

C．sure about herself and her role             D． all of the above

2. During the industrialized twentieth century, the role of women__________.

A．was found out

B．was as important as before.

C．declined

D．was stronger than that of the early days

3. Women took part in men’s job during the time of_________.

A．the Second World War

B． the Westward Movement

C． the early immigration

D． the industrialized twentieth century.

 

American women experience a great variety of lifestyle. A typical American woman may be single. She may also be divorced or married. She may be a homemaker, a doctor, or a factory worker. It is very difficult to generalize about American women. However, one thing that many American women have in common is their attitudes about themselves and their roles in American life.

Historically, American women have always been very independent. The first settlers to come to New England were ten young couples that had left behind their extended（big） families. The women were alone in a new, undeveloped country with their husbands. This has two important effects. First of all, this was the uncivilized environment that demanded every person to share in developing it and in survival. Women worked with their husbands and children to make themselves accepted in this new land. Second, because they were in a new land without the established influence of older members of society, women felt free to step into nontraditional roles.

This role of women was strengthened in later years as Americans move west again, leaving families behind and meeting a new environment. Even later, in the east, as new settlers arrived, women often found jobs more easily than men. Women became the supporters of the family.

Within the established lifestyle of the industrialized twentieth century, the strong role of women was not attractive as in the early days of the country. Some women stepped into the men’s jobs as factory and business workers. After the war, some women stayed in these positions, and others left their jobs with a new sense of ability.

1．The second paragraph is mainly about          .

       A．life in the new land                              

       B．American women’s independence

       C．American men’s traditional position

       D．the roles American women play in society

2．During the industrialized twentieth century, the role of women          .

       A．was found out                                     B．was as important as before

       C．became less important                          D．was stronger than that of the early days

3．Women took part in men’s job during the time of           .

       A．the Second World War                         B．the Westward Movement

       C．the early immigration                            D．the industrialized twentieth century

4．What is the main idea of the passage?

       A．Different lifestyles led by American women.

       B．American women were free to step into nontraditional roles in society.

       C．American women worked hard to establish their history.

       D．American women were independent because they did not have to follow the

regulations at all.

It is not so long ago that the extended family lived under the same roof. Children grew up knowing their cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and other relatives. These children felt connected.

In these not-too-long-ago times people were connected to their food. Most people grew their own vegetables and fruit. Many families had a house cow for milk, cheese, butter and cream. Most families also had meat animals. When visitors came unexpectedly, dad would be sent out back to kill the chook (鸡) for dinner. Everyone was involved in cooking and mealtimes were a social event. When the meal ended most of the family were involved in cleaning up and washing up. How different is the situation today?

The fast life is all around us — fast food, fast cars, fast conversations, fast families, fast holidays. Our fast paced life has weakened these connections. We have been fooled into thinking we need to, or even must, be fast and have what the “fast life” gives us. Stress is leading to many new health problems.

The solution is the Slow Movement. It aims to deal with the problem of “time poverty” through making connections. It supports a growing cultural shift towards slowing down. It has spread to more than sixty countries and become a worldwide movement.

The Slow Movement tells us that we need to slow down and connect with our life. We need connection to people — ourselves, our family, our community, our friends — to food, to place (where we live), and to life.

By being part of the Slow Movement, many people have known how they lost connection to most aspects of their life and to the natural world and rhythms (节奏) around them. And more importantly, they have reconnected — they have lived a new connected lifestyle.

49. If we are connected to our food, we _____.

     A. eat each meal slowly             B. buy our food by ourselves

     C. prepare and cook our food by ourselves

     D. enjoy our mealtimes with other family members

50. According to the text, which group of the following words can be used to describe today’s life?

     A. Fast, busy, stressful.              B. Rich, disconnected, comfortable.

     C. Healthy, busy, disconnected.      D. Convenient, relaxing, fast.

51. According to the author, many people have _____.

     A. got used to fast life                 B. benefited from fast life

     C. diseases caused by fast food       D. unwise opinions about fast life

52. What’s the purpose of the text?

     A. To compare modern life with traditional life.     

     B. To support a world-wide movement.

     C. To explain the disadvantages of disconnected life.

     D. To explain the meaning of making a connection.