Question

【题目】For many years, our next-door neighbor's house was a terrible mess. It would be impossible to describe the awful smells of her house. The health department came and shut down an illegal puppy mill (幼犬繁育场) in the house a few years ago.

The house was sold for a rather high price because of the good location of the neighborhood. My husband and I looked into the house at that time and were upset by the scene: black mold (霉菌) growing on the walls; cigarette ends all over the floor; the wall between the garage and the living room completely destroyed by water damage. We couldn't spend more than one second in the house before running away.

We thought that it would be a teardown, but the new owners set about cleaning the inside. They worked for months making it safe and livable. After everything was clean and tidy, the owners decided to resell the house for a higher price.

Yesterday while I was out in my yard, a potential (潜在的) buyer pulled up and asked me what I could tell her about the history of the house. I just said that I didn't know anything.

What is my ethical obligation (道德义务) in this situation? It's possible that they have removed all the awful smells, dangerous mold and that the house is safe and livable. But it's also possible that they have just structurally fixed the house and that some unsafe mold will take root in the future. I wouldn't personally live there knowing what I know. But really, it's none of my business, and given the choice, I wouldn't talk to anyone about what I know. While it feels like a lie not to answer a direct question, I also feel that it's not my place to potentially ruin the seller's business deal. If I am asked again, what should I say?

【1】What can be learned about the author's neighborhood?

A. It's nice. B. It's noisy.

C. It's wealthy. D. It's crowded.

【2】Why did the new owners give the house a thorough cleaning?

A. To move into it.

B. To please the neighbors.

C. To get it ready for resale.

D. To make it match the surrounding area.

【3】How did the author feel after saying she knew nothing about the house's history?

A. Sad. B. Troubled. C. Relaxed. D. Proud.

【4】Why does the author write the text?

A. To offer help. B. To ask for advice.

C. To make a complaint. D. To give an explanation.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】A

【2】C

【3】B

【4】B

【解析】这篇文章主要讲了作者邻居的房子一片混乱，这座房子被售出后，新的房主彻底清理这座房子，准备再次销售。后来一位买家来询问这座房子的历史，作者回答说，他对这座房子的历史一无所知，当作者说出他对这个房子的历史一无所知后，作者感觉很困惑，于是向读者征求建议。

【1】推理判断题。由For many years, our next-door neighbor's house was a terrible mess. It would be impossible to describe the awful smells of her house. The health department came and shut down an illegal puppy mill (幼犬繁育场) in the house a few years ago.可以判断出作者的邻居非常吵闹，选B。

【2】细节理解题。由After everything was clean and tidy, the owners decided to resell the house for a higher price.可知新的房主彻底清理这座房子，是为了再次销售，选C。

【3】推理判断题。由While it feels like a lie not to answer a direct question, I also feel that it's not my place to potentially ruin the seller's business deal.可判断出当作者说出他对这个房子的历史一无所知后，作者感觉很困惑，选B。

【4】写作意图题。由If I am asked again, what should I say? 可判断出作者写这篇文章的目的是为了征求建议，选B。