题目内容
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for family, health, and life in general. However, Black Friday has turned it into a business.
Traditionally, the true value of Thanksgiving lies at home not the shopping centers. However, Black Friday has nowadays allowed society to ignore this as individuals(个人) long for something that they do not need or even truly want. Shopping on Black Friday becomes a sign of a shift into a culture that values material wealth(财富) over spending time with loved ones. People are willing to force their way through the crowds in their desperate search for marked-down sweaters and necklaces.
In recent years, Thanksgiving has become a pre-Black Friday holiday for many families. They are devoted to mapping out shopping routes and making organized schedules for which stores to hit first. By drawing individuals out to shopping centers with "matchless savings", businesses encourage this behavior of ignoring Thanksgiving. Many families take their home-cooked meals while camping out at the door of shopping centers. With each new year, Thanksgiving is becoming victim to over-commercialized(过度商业化)society—changing from a meaningful time for family to a day devoted to products and shopping.
Black Friday has shown that with current common standards(标准), people cannot even set aside a single day to appreciate what they already have without immediately buying more. Families have lost sight of what is truly important in life, and have found reasons in debating between a low cost HD television and an appreciation for what they already have. Remember, Thanksgiving should be a day in which people are grateful for all that they have.
1.What does the underlined word "this" in paragraph 2 probably refers to?
A. The sign of a shift. B. The true value of Thanksgiving.
C. The shopping crowd. D. The material wealth.
2.In recent years, what will many families do when thanksgiving comes?
A. They’ll visit some newly-opened shopping centers in advance.
B. They’ll choose a big store for their first visit.
C. They’ll make full preparations for the Black Friday shopping.
D. They’ll go camping at the gate of shopping center for a good deal.
3.In the last paragraph, the author mainly intends to tell us that we should ______.
A. appreciate what we've possessed with our families
B. stay with our families as long as we can
C. try to spend less to get low cost products
D. set aside a single day to buy more
4.What's the author’s attitude towards the present ways people celebrate Thanksgiving?
A. puzzled B. unconcerned
C. happy D. worried
Hi Maz and Bobby, I don't know what you're up to this Sunday, but if you're at a loose end, come over to my place. We're going to have a barbecue. Tom |
Hi Tom, Thanks mate, but I'm completely snowed under at the moment. I have to write an essay by Monday afternoon, so I'll be working all weekend. I've got nothing arranged for the following weekend though, so maybe we can meet then? I'll call you later. Bobby |
Dear Tom, Like Bobby, I'm a bit tied up tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have to go to my great uncle's house for a family lunch. He was ill so we thought it might not happen, but it looks as if it's going ahead. I really can't get out of it because it's the old man's 60th birthday and most of the family will probably be there. Maz |
Ok you guys, I'm calling off the barbecue. Judging from the grey sky, it's going to rain all weekend anyway. Maybe you'll have done your various duties by the end of the evening and we can go for a drink instead! If you want to relax, I'll be in The Hart, a pub on King Street. Gloria and I are meeting there at about 8:30, as long as nothing else pops up! Don't forget it closes at 10:30 on Sundays. Ok, time to put my feet up and take it easy! Later, Tom |
1.What does Tom intend to do at first?
A. To have a family lunch.
B. To invite his friends to a barbecue.
C. To go for a drink with his friends.
D. To ask for help from his friends.
2.The underlined part "snowed under" in the second email means "________"
A. buried under snow
B. very bored
C. extremely busy
D. entirely relaxed
3.Which statement is TRUE according to the emails?
A. Bobby is not available this Sunday.
B. Maz has to visit his uncle for he is ill.
C. The barbecue will take place on time.
D. Tom will hold a party with his friends.
4.What will Tom probably do after sending the last email?
A. Prepare the barbecue.
B. Go to the pub.
C. Have a rest.
D. Call his friends.