Question

【题目】 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 the Chinese word that the number sounds similar to.

For example, the word for the number 8 sounds similar to the word for “making a fortune”. So, people consider it a very lucky number. Some people will even spend a lot of money to have 8s in their phone number or on their vehicle license plate（车牌照）number. The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics began at 8:08 pm on Aug 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 （龙袍）and Chinese myth held that the dragon had nine children. The number 9 also stands for “long lasting”. That’s why a man always proposes（求婚）to a woman with 99 or 999 roses.

So what’s an unlucky number in China? One example is 4. Many Chinese people see 4 as an unlucky number because it sounds similar to the character for “death”.

Because of this, many buildings skip（跳过）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 the West. As a result, a building whose highest floor is 50 may have only 35 physical floors.

【1】What makes Chinese people believe a number is lucky or unlucky?

A.The shape of the number.B.The sound of the number.

C.The history of the number.D.The spelling of the number.

【2】Why will people spend a lot of money to have 8s in phone numbers or on vehicle license plate numbers?

A.Because they believe 8 will make them live forever.B.Because they believe 8 will bring good luck.

C.Because 8 is easy to remember.D.Because 8 stands for fashion.

【3】According to the passage, how do you like the number 9 in Chinese culture?

A.terribleB.crazyC.positiveD.worried

【4】A building whose highest floor is 60 in Hong Kong might only have________ physical floors if it skips all the unlucky numbers.

A.35B.44C.50D.60

【5】What is the story mainly about?

A.Lucky and unlucky numbers in Western culture.B.Meanings of different lucky numbers.

C.Meanings of different unlucky numbers.D.Lucky and unlucky numbers in Chinese culture.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】B

【3】C

【4】B

【5】D

【解析】

本文主要介绍了中国文化中的幸运数字和不幸运的数字。在中国，人们认为有的数字是幸运的，有的是不幸运的，都是根据它们的读音。

【1】细节理解题。根据第二段中的“In Chinese culture, some numbers are believed to be lucky or unlucky based on the Chinese word that the number sounds similar to.”可知，在中国文化中，人们判断数字是否幸运是根据读音。故选B。

【2】细节理解题。根据第三段的“For example, the word for the number 8 sounds similar to the word for “making a fortune”.”可知，人们要花很多钱在电话号码或车牌号码上写8，是因为他们相信8会带来好运。故选B。

【3】推理判断题。根据“The number 9 also stands for “long lasting”.”可知，在中国文化中，数字9表示长久，因此具有积极的意思。故选C。

【4】推理判断题。根据“In Hong Kong, some buildings even skip all floors numbered with 4, such as 4, 14, 24, 34 and all 40-49 floors.”可知， 在香港，有些建筑甚至跳过了所有4层，比如4、14、24、34层和40-49所有层。因此如果说最高60层的楼，应跳过了4、14、24、34层， 40-49所有层和54层，一共有44层楼。故选B。

【5】主旨大意题。根据“In Chinese culture, some numbers are believed to be lucky or unlucky based on the Chinese word that the number sounds similar to.”本文主要介绍的是中国文化中的幸运数字和不幸运的数字。故选D。