Section Ⅱ Reading Comprehension
Part A
Text 1
France, which prides itself as the global innovator of fashion, has decided its fashion industry has lost an absolute right to define physical beauty for women. Its lawmakers gave preliminary approval last week to a law that would make it a crime to employ ultra-thin models on runways.
The parliament also agreed to ban websites that “incite excessive thinness” by promoting extreme dieting.
Such measures have a couple of uplifting motives. They suggest beauty should not be defined by looks that end up impinging on health. That’s a start. And the ban on ultra-thin models seems to go beyond protecting models from starving themselves to death - as some have done. It tells the fashion industry that it must take responsibility for the signal it sends women, especially teenage girls, about the social tape-measure they must use to determine their individual worth.
The bans, if fully enforced, would suggest to women (and many men) that they should not let others be arbiters of their beauty. And perhaps faintly, they hint that people should look to intangible qualities like character and intellect rather than dieting their way to size zero or wasp-waist physiques.
The French measures, however, rely too much on severe punishment to change a culture that still regards beauty as skin-deep — and bone-showing. Under the law, using a fashion model that does not meet a government-defined index of body mass could result in a $85,000 fine and six months in prison.
The fashion industry knows it has an inherent problem in focusing on material adornment and idealized body types. In Denmark, the United States, and a few other countries, it is trying to set voluntary standards for models and fashion images that rely more on peer pressure for enforcement.
In contrast to France’s actions, Denmark’s fashion industry agreed last month on rules and sanctions regarding the age, health, and other characteristics of models. The newly revised Danish Fashion Ethical Charter clearly states: “We are aware of and take responsibility for the impact the fashion industry has on body ideals, especially on young people.’ The charter’s main tool of enforcement is to deny access for designers and modeling agencies to Copenhagen Fashion Week, which is run by the Danish Fashion Institute. But in general it relies on a name-and-shame method of compliance.
Relying on ethical persuasion rather than law to address the misuse of body ideals may be the best step. Even better would be to help elevate notions of beauty beyond the material standards of a particular industry.
21. According to the first paragraph, what would happen in France?
[A] Physical beauty would be redefined.
[B] New runways would be constructed.
[C] Websites about dieting would thrive.
[D] The fashion industry would decline.
【答案】 [A] Physical beauty would be redefined
【解析】 推斷題。根據(jù)France定位到文章前兩段，第一段講法國決定時裝業(yè)失去了定義（define)形體美（physical beauty)的絕對權(quán)力。法國的立法者通過了一項法律，雇用超瘦的模特屬于犯罪，議會也禁止網(wǎng)站通過推崇極端節(jié)食“鼓動過度瘦弱”。第二段第二句提到“They suggest beauty should not be defined by looks that end up impinging on health. That’s a start. 他們建議美麗不應(yīng)該以傷害身體健康為代價的外表來界定�！庇纱丝芍▏ㄟ^立法手段來改變法國時裝業(yè)模特超瘦的現(xiàn)狀，即[A]項的“形體美將會被重新定義”，是對原文內(nèi)容的合理推斷。[B]項“將會建造新的舞臺”，[C]項“有關(guān)節(jié)食的網(wǎng)站將會興起”，[D]項“時裝業(yè)將會衰退”，均不能從文中推測出來，屬于“無中生有”。
22. The phrase “impinging on” (Line 2, Para 2) is closest in meaning to____
[A] heightening the value of.
[B] indicating the state of.
[C] losing faith in.
[D] doing harm to.
【答案】 [D] doing harm to
【解析】猜詞題。定位到第二段第二句“They suggest beauty should not be defined by looks that end up impinging on health. 他們建議美麗不應(yīng)該以 身體健康為代價的外表來界定�！眎mpinging on后面的賓語為“health”，即對健康的某種影響。根據(jù)第二段第三句“對超瘦模特的禁令似乎不僅僅是在防止模特挨餓致死——正如曾有人這么做過的”，可見法國目前的對美麗的定義導(dǎo)致了有人為了保持身材，挨餓致死，因此推測出這一短語在這里的意思為“侵犯，傷害”，[D]項“對……有害”正確。[A]項“增強了……的價值”，[B]項“反映了……的狀態(tài)”，[C]項“對……失去信心”均不符合句意。
23. Which of the following is true of the fashion industry?
[A] The French measures have already failed.
[B] New standards are being set in Denmark.
[C] Model are no longer under peer pressure.
[D] Its inherent problems are getting worse.
【答案】 [B] New Standards are being set in Denmark
【解析】細(xì)節(jié)題。根據(jù)第五段第二句話“In Denmark,...it is trying to set voluntary standards for models and fashion... 在丹麥，它正嘗試為模特設(shè)定自愿的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)……”，可知[B]項“在丹麥新的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)正在被設(shè)定”是對原文的同義替換。[A]項“法國的措施失敗了”；[C]項“不再有來自同行執(zhí)法的壓力”，文章第五段第二句后半句提到“images that rely more on peer pressure for enforcement”，屬于“正反混淆”；[D]項“它固有的問題變得更嚴(yán)重了”，文中第五段只提及時裝業(yè)有固有的問題，并未提及“變得更嚴(yán)重”，屬于“無中生有”。
24. A designer is most likely to be rejected by CFW for ____
[A] setting a high age threshold for models.
[B] caring too much about models’ character.
[C] showing little concern for health factors.
[D] pursuing perfect physical conditions.
【答案】 [C] showing little concern for health factors
【解析】推斷題。題設(shè)為“一個設(shè)計師很可能因為什么原因被CFW拒絕”，根據(jù)關(guān)鍵詞CFW可回到文中定位至倒數(shù)第二段，該段提到丹麥的時尚界就有關(guān)模特的年齡、健康及其他特性的內(nèi)容達成一致意見，且一項新法案也明確規(guī)定，他們已經(jīng)意識到時尚界對于人們尤其是年輕人的身體健康所帶來的影響，并且應(yīng)該對此承擔(dān)責(zé)任，這一法規(guī)的執(zhí)行方式就是拒絕一些設(shè)計師和模特經(jīng)紀(jì)機構(gòu)參加哥本哈根時裝周（CFW)。因此[C]項的“不關(guān)心健康因素”符合題意，為正確答案。[D]項“追求完美的身體狀況”，[B]項的“過多關(guān)注模特的性格”，[A]項“設(shè)定了一個模特高齡門檻”，均不符合題意。
25. Which of the following may be the best title of the text?
[A] The Great Threats to the Fashion Industry
[B] Just Another Round of Struggle for Beauty
[C] A Dilemma for the Starving Models in France
[D] A Challenge to the Fashion Industry’s Body Ideals
【答案】 [D] A challenge to the Fashion Industry’s Body Ideals
【解析】主旨題。本文從首段就開始闡述法國通過立法禁止雇用超瘦的模特，時裝業(yè)已經(jīng)失去了定義女性身體之美的絕對權(quán)力，且議會也禁止網(wǎng)站通過宣傳過度節(jié)食來強調(diào)過度消瘦。第二段繼續(xù)說明美麗不能只看外表，更不能以犧牲健康為代價，時裝業(yè)應(yīng)該為傳遞給女性的不良信息負(fù)責(zé)。第三段說明女性不該讓他人來評判自己的美麗。第四段講法國的措施更多的是依靠嚴(yán)厲的懲罰。最后三段提到了丹麥與法國截然不同的措施�？v觀全文，文章主要在講各個國家對解決目前模特超瘦的現(xiàn)狀的措施，因此[D]項的“對時裝業(yè)身體典范的挑戰(zhàn)”是對原文的“高度概括”。
Text 2
For the first time in history, more people live in towns than in the county. In Britain this has had a curious result. While polls show Britons rate “the countryside” alongside the royal firmly, Shakespeare and the National Health Service (NHS) as what makes them proudest of their country, this has limited political support.
A century ago Octavia Hill launched the National Trust not to rescue stylish houses but to save “the beauty of natural places for everyone forever.” It was specifically to provide city dwellers with spaces for leisure where they could experience “a refreshing air.” Hill’s pressure later led to the creation of national parks and green belts. They don’t make countryside any more, and every year concrete consumes more of it. It needs constant guardianship.
At the next election none of the big parties seem likely to endorse this sentiment. The conservatives’ planning reform explicitly gives rural development priori over conservation, even authorizing “off-plan” building where local people might object. The concept of sustainable development has been defined as profitable. Labour likewise wants to discontinue local planning where councils oppose development. The Liberal Democrats are silent. Only Ukip, sensing its chance, has sided with those pleading for a more considered approach to using green land. Its Campaign to Protect Rural England struck terror into many local Conservative parties.
The sensible place to build new houses, factories and offices is where people are.in cities and towns where infrastructure is in place. The London agents Stirling Ackroyd recently identified enough sites for half a million houses in the London area alone, no intrusion on green belt. What is true of London is even truer of the provinces.
The idea that “housing crisis” equals “concreted meadows” is pure lobby talk. The issue is not the need for more house but, as always, where to put them. Under lobby pressure, George Osborne favours rural new-build against urban renovation and renewal. He favours out-of-town shopping sites against. high streets. This is not a free market but a biased one. Rural towns and villages have growl and will always grow. They do so best where building sticks to their edges and respects their character. We do not ruin urban conservation areas. Why ruin rural ones?
Development should be planned .not let rip. After the Netherlands, Britain is Europe’s most crowded country. Half a century of town and country planning has enabled it to retain an enviable rural coherence, while still permitting low-density urban living. there is no doubt of the alternative - the corrupted landscapes of southern Portugal Spain or Ireland avoiding this rather than promoting it should unite left and right of the political spectrum.
26. Britain’s public sentiment about the countryside
[A] didn’t start till the Shakespearean age.
[B] has brought much benefit to the NHS.
[C] is fully backed by the royal family.
[D] is not well reflected in politics.
【答案】 [D] is not well reflected in politics
【解析】細(xì)節(jié)題。根據(jù)題干回到原文精確定位到首段最后一句：“然而民意調(diào)查顯示英國人把鄉(xiāng)村與皇室家族、莎士比亞和國家醫(yī)療服務(wù)體系一起視為使他們?yōu)樽约簢腋械阶钭院赖氖挛�，這擁有有限的政治支持”，該句中的polls“民意調(diào)查“對應(yīng)題干中的public sentiment，“this has limited political support”對應(yīng)[D]項“is not well reflected in politics”，意為“在政治上沒有得到很好的反響”，是對原文的同義替換。[B]項“給國家醫(yī)療服務(wù)體系帶了了很多益處”，[A]項“直到莎士比亞時期才開始”，[C]項“得到了皇室家族的全力支持”，文章均未提及，屬于“無中生有”。
27. According to Paragraph 2, the achievements of the National Trust are now being
[A] gradually destroyed.
[B] effectively reinforced..
[C] properly protected.
[D] largely overshadowed.
【答案】 [D] largely overshadowed
【解析】細(xì)節(jié)題。根據(jù)題干中的the National Trust定位到第二段首句。第二段首句提到這一項目的目的是為每個人永久保存自然地區(qū)的美麗。再根據(jù)第二段的第三句“Hill的項目創(chuàng)造出國家公園和綠地。他們不再制造鄉(xiāng)村了，而且每年鋼筋混凝土消耗的鄉(xiāng)村越來越多。鄉(xiāng)村需要持久的保護”�？芍�(dāng)時的項目取得的成就已經(jīng)不再發(fā)揮影響，[D]項“被大大奪去了光輝（即失去了影響力)”為正確選項。[A]項“被漸漸破壞”，[B]項“被有效地加強了”，[C]項“被合理地保護”，均不符合題意。
28. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 3?
[A] Labour is under attack for opposing development
[B] The Conservatives may abandon “off-plan” building.
[C] The Liberal Democrats are losing political influence.
[D] Ukip may gain from its support for rural conservation.
【答案】 [D] Ukip may gain from its support for rural conservation
【解析】推斷題。根據(jù)題干定位到第三段。第二段提到鄉(xiāng)村亟待保護，第三段首句提到在接下來的選舉中似乎沒有一個大的政黨支持這種（公眾)情緒。第六七句提到：只有Ukip意識到其機會，支持那些懇求在使用綠地上有更周全的方法的人，它發(fā)起的“保護英國鄉(xiāng)村”的運動使許多當(dāng)?shù)氐谋Ｊ攸h感到恐懼�？梢奤kip的做法符合大眾情緒，會因此獲益。[A]項的“Ukip可能因支持保護鄉(xiāng)村而獲益”是對原文的同義替換。
29. The author holds that George Osborne’s preference
[A] reveals a strong prejudice against urban areas.
[B] shows his disregard for the character of rural areas.
[C] stresses the necessity of easing the housing crisis.
[D] highlights his firm stand i against lobby Pressure.
【答案】[B] shows his disregard for the character of rural areas
【解析】 細(xì)節(jié)題。根據(jù)關(guān)鍵詞George Osborne定位至第五段，第五段第二句提到Osborne支持鄉(xiāng)村新建住宅反對城市改造和重建，支持郊區(qū)購物場所反對城市商業(yè)街醫(yī)學(xué)全.在.線.提供. gydjdsj.org.cn。由此可知Osborne的是支持城市保護，反對鄉(xiāng)村保護。接下來幾句作者表達了自己的觀點：這不是一個自由的市場而是一個有偏見的市場。接著提到：鄉(xiāng)村的小鎮(zhèn)和農(nóng)村已經(jīng)得到發(fā)展并將繼續(xù)發(fā)展，它們在建筑堅持界線和尊重它們的特點方面做的非常好，我們沒有破壞城市受保護的區(qū)域，為什么要破壞鄉(xiāng)村的呢？可見Osborne的觀點只強調(diào)城市，忽視了鄉(xiāng)村，[B]項“表明他對鄉(xiāng)村區(qū)域特色的忽視”符合文意，為正確選項。[A]項“揭示出對城市區(qū)域的強烈偏見”，Osborne重視城市反對鄉(xiāng)村，與文意相悖；[C]項“強調(diào)了緩解住房壓力的必要性”，[D]項“突出了他反對游說團壓力的堅定立場”，文中并未提及，屬于“無中生有”。
30. In the last paragraph, the author shows his appreciation of
[A] the size of population in Britain.
[B] the enviable urban lifestyle in Britain.
[C] the town-and-country planning in Britain.
[D]the political life in today’s Britain.
【答案】 [C] the town-and-country planning in Britain
【解析】 細(xì)節(jié)題。根據(jù)題干定位到最后一段第二句：“Half a century of town and country planning has enabled it to retain an enviable rural coherence, while still permitting low-density urban living.”，[C]項的“the town-and-country planning in Britain”是對原文的同義替換，為正確選項。[A]項“英國人口的規(guī)�！保琜B]項“英國令人羨慕的都市生活方式”，[D]項“當(dāng)今英國的政治生活”，均不符合題意。
