Question

It happened to me recently that I was telling someone how much I had enjoyed reading Barack Obama’s DreamsfromMyFather and how it had changed my views of the current US president.The person I was talking to agreed with me that it was，in his words，“a wonderfully written book”. However，he then proceeded to talk about Mr Obama in a way that suggested he had no idea of his background at all.I sensed that I was talking to a book liar.

And it seems that he is not the only one.Clearly two thirds of people have lied about reading a book which they haven’t.In the World Book Day survey，DreamsfromMyFather is at number 9.The survey lists top ten books，and various authors，which people have lied about reading.As I’m not one to lie too often，I’ll admit here and now that I haven’t read the entire ten books.But I am pleased to say that I have read the book at number one，GeorgeOrwell’s 1984.I think it’s absolutely outstanding.

Asked why they lied，the most common reason was to impress someone they were speaking to.This could be difficult if the conversation became more in­depth!

The World Book Day survey also has some other interesting information in it.It shows that many people lie about having read classical works by Jane Austen，the Bronte sisters，Charles Dickens and so on.But when asked which authors they actually enjoy，they named J．K.Rowling，Jilly Cooper，and Stephen King (ah，the big sellers，in other words)．Forty­one percent of people asked admitted they turned to the back of the book to read the end before finishing the story.

So which books have you lied about reading—if any—and which is your favourite?

1.The main reason why people lie about reading is to________.

A．make fun of the listener

B．impress the listener

C．please the listener

D．interest the listener

2. The underlined word“proceeded” in the passage probably means “________”.

A．wanted                               B．happened

C．continued                             D．stopped

3.What does the World Book Day survey show?

A．Nearly half of the people surveyed didn’t read through a whole classical book.

B．People don’t like DreamsfromMyFather and GeorgeOrwell ’s 1984.

C．Few people lie about having read classical works by Jane Austen.

D．People usually enjoy reading books by Charles Dickens.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Are You a Book Liar?                     B．Readers Are All Liars

C．World Book Day                        D．Dreams from My Father

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.B

2.C

3.A

4.A

【解析】

试题分析：本文讲述的很多人都说谎是自己读过某本书，文章中分析了这样做的原因，以及一个调查报告的具体的信息。

1.B 细节题。根据文章第三段第一行Asked why they lied，the most common reason was to impress someone they were speaking to.可知他们说谎的原因是他们想给对方留下好的印象。故B正确。

2.C 推理题。根据The person I was talking to agreed with me that it was，in his words，“a wonderfully written book”. However，he then proceeded to talk about Mr Obama in a way that suggested he had no idea of his background at all.I sensed that I was talking to a book liar.

可知我这个人聊关于这DreamsfromMyFather这本书，开始的时候对方说他也读过这本书。但是当我们继续聊下去的时候，我发现他没有读过这本书，故该词是指继续的意思。故C正确。

3.A 细节题。根据文章倒数第2段最后2行Forty­one percent of people asked admitted they turned to the back of the book to read the end before finishing the story.可知接近一半的人都没有彻底读过一本书。故A正确。

4.A 主旨大意题。本文讲述的很多人都说谎是自己读过某本书，文章中分析了这样做的原因，以及一个调查报告的具体的信息。故A正确。

考点：社会现象类短文阅读

点评：本文讲述的很多人都说谎是自己读过某本书，文章中分析了这样做的原因，以及一个调查报告的具体的信息。测试考生在阅读基础上的逻辑推理能力，要求考生根据文章所述事件的逻辑关系，对未说明的趋势或结局作出合理的推断；或根据作者所阐述的观点理论，对文章未涉及的现象、事例给以解释。考生首先要仔细阅读短文，完整了解信息，准确把握作者观点。