The issue of privacy versus openness is a paradox, particularly when it comes to the American home. “Lots” or “yards” (gardens) can be large and many are not enclosed by the walls, fences or hedges so popular in other cultures. Similarly, “window treatments” frame the window. but the use of European-style net curtains to screen out nosy neighbors is rare. In the same style, first-time visitors to an American home may be proudly given the full tour; even walk-in closets and en suite bathrooms are not considered off-limits. They may also be encouraged to help themselves to a soda from the fridge. All this gives an impression of openness.
Yet Americans do value their personal space and privacy. A Brazilian expatriate (僑民) who dropped in on her usually friendly Connecticut neighbors unannounced got the clear impression she should have called first. Similarly while a typical suburban home features large, shared areas, such as an open-plan kitchen and family room or “den”, ample private space is also allowed in the floor plan. A visit to a family home in the evening would likely find the family members dispersed, each independently watching TV, on the phone, surfing the Internet, or otherwise recharging batteries in the privacy of their own bedroom.
American individualism, expansiveness, and abundance are expressed in lifestyle. Despite the fact that the average household size has declined over the past thirty years from3.1 people to 2.6 people per household, the average size of a new family home increased during the same period from 1,500 to 2,200 square feet.
A common observation is just how outsized everything is. The beds are king-sized, the TVs have giant screens, the burgers are “whoppers (龐然大物),” appliances are “industrial” size. The largest popcorn or soda at the movies can be “supersized.” Closets are “walk in,” and some cars are the size of a military vehicle.
小題1:The passage suggests that Americans__________.
A．a(chǎn)re rich enough to afford large size houses and luxurious electricity appliances
B．a(chǎn)re very shy when talking about keeping their privacy and their personal space
C．would like to express their lifestyles in public to show them off
D．enjoy openness as well as individualism although they seem to contradict each other
小題2:Why can we say that American individualism, expansiveness, and abundance are expressed in their lifestyle?
A．Because the average size of a new house has increased during the past thirty years.
B．Because Americans often use European-style net curtains to screen out nosy neighbors.
C．Because many houses are equipped with walk-in closets.
D．Because the house size, outsized household furniture and independent living habits have proved it.
小題3:The underlined phrase in the passage means________.
A．filling a battery with electrical power
B．recovering your strength and energy by resting for a while
C．changing your batteries again
D．obtaining new batteries because old ones are running out
小題4:According to the passage, if you drop in on an American family which is usually friendly to you in the evening, you________.
A．will be deeply impressed by their family get-together scene
B．will be invited to a party which is well-prepared
C．will find family members scattered, and enjoying themselves individually
D．will be warmly welcomed even if they don’t get informed of your visit earlier

小題1:D
小題2:D
小題3:B
小題4:C

試題分析：隱私權(quán)與開放性問題是一個悖論，這在美國人身上表現(xiàn)得淋漓盡致。然而，美國人就是美國人，他們還是看重他們的個人空間和隱私。本文圍繞這個問題展開了議論。
小題1:D推理判斷題。根據(jù)文章第一句話“The issue of privacy versus openness is a paradox, particularly when it comes to the American home.(隱私權(quán)與開放性問題是一個悖論，尤其是談到美國家庭)”可以推知D選項正確。
小題2:D推理判斷題。根據(jù)最后兩段可以推斷D選項正確。美國人在獨立性、夸張性和豐富性在生活
上的具體表現(xiàn)為：household size，A common observation is just how outsized everything is等。
小題3:B詞義猜測題�！皉echarging batteries”的原意是“給電池再充電”，這兒用其轉(zhuǎn)意“休息一會兒
恢復你的體力和精力”。跟上文聯(lián)系起來就可以知道該詞組與“休息有關”。晚上去美國家庭拜訪你可能會
發(fā)現(xiàn)家庭成員分開各有各的事：看電視的有，打電話的有，上網(wǎng)的有。要么還有在自己房間里休息以恢復
體力和精力的。故B選項正確
小題4:C推理判斷題。根據(jù)上題的分析，我們可以知道“晚上美國家庭成員分散開來，各自享受生活”。故C選項正確。
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B．getting a driving license at 16 was a must for American teens
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B．Getting a license costs much more than ever before.
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D．American teens are becoming more responsible than ever.
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B．what social networking websites are bringing to American teens
C．to what degree the Internet is affecting the American car culture
D．what the Internet does to help teens to get a driving license
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A．the Internet has a bad effect on the teen’s social life
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Sometimes a few celebrities can get a little justice. Still, even stars who enjoy full justice often complain about how hard their lives are. They are tired of being famous already.
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A．a(chǎn)re often misunderstood by the public
B．can no longer have their privacy protected
C．spend too much on their public appearance
D．care little about how they have come into fame
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A．Great heroes of the past were generally admired.
B．Works of popular writers often have a lot of readers.
C．Well-known actors are usually targets of tabloids.
D．The problem faced by celebrities has a long history.
小題3:What makes it much harder to be a celebrity today?
A．Availability of modern media.
B．Inadequate social recognition.
C．Lack of favorable chances.
D．Huge population of fans.
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A person with a sense of humor is less likely to take things too seriously and more ready to see the humor in his own reaction than a humorless person. The value of a sense of humor really needs to be paid more attention to.
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A．a(chǎn)bout some uneasy traveling experiences in foreign countries
B．a(chǎn)bout the three main ways to communicate with foreigners
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D．how to show your characters to foreigners
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A．The ability to keep cool.B．The sense of humor.
C．Patience.D．The awareness of being unclear.
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A．not knowing what is happening in a situation
B．not understanding the local language well enough
C．being aware that the situation is unclear
D．not knowing how some system or organization works
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A．he is not used to the culture of America
B．he went to the United States to study the moon
C．he is a person with a sense of humor
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