Question

【题目】阅读回答问题

Do you have a lucky number? What is it? Many people have a special number that they hope will bring them good luck.

In Chinese culture, some numbers are believed to be lucky or unlucky based on (基于)the Chinese word that the number sounds similar to. For example, number 8 sounds similar to the words for “making a fortune”. Some people will even spend a lot of money to have 8s in their phone number or vehicle license plate (车牌) numbers. The opening ceremony (开幕式) of the Beijing Olympics began at 8:08 p.m. on August 8, 2008.

The number 9 is also a lucky number because of its connection to the emperors of China. There were nine dragons on emperors’ robes (长袍) and Chinese myths (神话) held that the dragon had nine children. The number 9 also stands for “long lasting”. That's why a man always gives a woman 99 or 999 roses.

So What’s a “bad luck” number in China? It might be 4. Many Chinese people see 4 as a “bad luck” number because it sounds similar to, the character for “death”. Because of this, many buildings skip the fourth floor, and simply call it the fifth floor. In Hong Kong, some buildings even skip all floors numbered with 4, such as,4,14,24,34 and all 40—49 floors. Some buildings also skip the 13th floor, as this is considered an unlucky number in many Christian countries. As a result, a building whose highest floor is 50 may have only 35 physical floors.

【1】Why do Chinese people consider number 8 a lucky number?

【2】Why does a man always give a woman 99 or 999 roses in China?

【3】Is it easy for Chinese people to think of death when they see number 4?

【4】Where is number 13 considered an unlucky number?

【5】How many floors may a building whose highest floor is 50 have in Hong Kong?

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】Because number 8 sounds similar to the words for making a fortune.

【2】Because number 9 stands for “long lasting”.

【3】Yes.

【4】In many Christian countries.

【5】35.

【解析】

这篇短文讲述的是很多人都觉得某些数字能给他们带来好运，如中国人喜欢8和9这两个数字，而不喜欢4这个数字。同样在很多基督教国家里也有这种现象，他们不喜欢数字13。

【1】根据短文第二段中 “For example, number 8 sounds similar to the words for “making a fortune”.”可知，中国人喜欢数字8，因为这个数字的读音与“发财”相似。故答案为Because number 8 sounds similar to the words for making a fortune.

【2】根据短文第三段 “The number 9 also stands for “long lasting”. That's why a man always gives a woman 99 or 999 roses”可知，男士经常送女士99朵或999朵玫瑰，因为数字9代表“长久”。故答案为Because number 9 stands for “long lasting”.

【3】根据短文第四段 “Many Chinese people see 4 as a “bad luck” number because it sounds similar to, the character for “death”.”可知，很多中国人 不喜欢数字4，因为它的读音与“死”相似。答案为肯定的，故答案为Yes.

【4】根据短文第四段中 “Some buildings also skip the 13th floor, as this is considered an unlucky number in many Christian countries.”可知，一些基督教国家不喜欢数字13。故答案为In many Christian countries.

【5】根据短文最后 “As a result, a building whose highest floor is 50 may have only 35 physical floors.”可知，50层高的建筑可能只有35层。故答案为35.