Question

【题目】【原创】Recently a series of reports appeared online in the United States and the United Kingdom lamenting(叹息) the “Lazy French”. A new labor law in France had apparently banned organizations from e-mailing their employees after 6 p.m. In fact, it turned out to be more a case of “lazy journalists” than “lazy French”: as The Economist explained, the “law” was not a law at all, but a labor agreement aimed at improving health among a group of professionals.

Brits and Americans have long suspected that the French are goofing off(吊儿郎当) while they – the good corporate soldiers—continue to toil away. They are proud about it, too. In the age of the smartphone, there’s no such things as “downtime”(停工期), and we claim that we are happier—and more productive – for it.

Are we, though? After reviewing thousands of books, articles and papers on the topic and interviewing dozens of experts in different fields, I don’t think so. When we are checking business news in bed or responding to co-workers. But, actually, we’re mostly just getting the small, easy things done. Being busy is not equal to being effective.

And let’s not forget about the surrounding play, which often distracts us from accomplishing our most important tasks. Facebook and Twitter report that their sites are most active during office hours. After all ,the employee who’s required to respond to her boss on Sunday morning will think nothing of responding to friends on Wednesday afternoon. Constant connection means that we’re “always at work”, yes, but also that we’re “never at work”—fully.

Some parts of the workforce do rely on constant connection. But others should be given proper breaks. The great technology historian, Melvin Kranzberg, said, “Technology is neither good nor bad, and nor is it neutral(中立的).” That statement should become a real principle of the information age. We must actively decide on our levels of technology engagement at different times to maximize productivity, success and happiness.

【1】The author mentions “lazy French” at the beginning of the passage in order to __________.

A. criticize them for how they work

B. introduce the subject of working styles

C. show the way they work

D. explain how they differ from Americans and Brits

【2】Why did the author review many materials and interview many experts?

A. It was his work to do that.

B. He needed to prepare plenty of materials for his work.

C. He wanted to prove that his working style was correct.

D. He wanted to find out which way of working was better.

【3】What can we conclude from the passage?

A. We should make better use of technology.

B. Being busy makes us happier and more productive.

C. Small tasks can be done at home, but important ones must be done in the office.

D. In terms of working style, we should learn from the French.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】D

【3】D

【解析】

试题分析： 回想一下，自己有没有这样的时刻：明明一直在工作，有时甚至还牺牲了休息、生活、娱乐等时间，但自己的工作效率并不高，而且还觉得越来越累？其实，总是工作的人，未必就真的会工作。

【1】B 写作意图题。根据文章内容可知，作者在文章开头提出“lazy French”是为了引出关于工作方式的话题。故选择B，为了引出话题。

【2】D 细节理解题。根据文章第二段和第三段的内容可知，作者之所以检查许多材料并采访许多专家是为了验证到底哪种工作方式更好，故选择D。

【3】D 推理判断题。根据文章第三段的Are we, though? After reviewing thousands of books, articles and papers on the topic and interviewing dozens of experts in different fields, I don’t think so.可知，作者质疑美国人和英国人的看法，也就是说作者认可法国人的工作方式，故选择D。