Question

    We usually understand when someone speaks or writes to us, and many gestures have meanings, too. But few of us ever considered what and how we eat as a way of communication. The food people eat during celebrations and ceremonies (仪式) can symbolize (象征) many things. In many cultures, people share food at meal times. Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can improve trust. Food can also have a particular (特别的) meaning, and play an important role in a family or culture’s celebrations or traditions. The foods we eat—and when and how we eat them—are often unique to a particular culture, or may even differ between the country and the city one country.

In most cultures, bread represents nourishment (营养). It is also one of the most commonly shared foods in the world. Sharing bread, whether at a special time or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of companionship and togetherness. In fact, the word “companion” comes from the Latin com (together) and panis (bread). Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with beautifully decorated cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early types of cakes were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition has its root (根源) in the custom of sharing bread.

Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of cornbread represent blocks of gold for prosperity (繁荣) in the new year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is baked into the cake, which represents success in the New Year for the person who receives it. Most of the foods eaten during the Chinese New Year have symbolic meanings. Sometimes this is based on their shape; for example, long noodles symbolize long life. The symbolism can also be based on the sound of the word in Chinese. For example, people give out oranges because the word for “orange” sounds like the word for “good luck”.

1.Which of the following is NOT commonly considered as a way of communication?

A.Eating moon cakes at the Mid-autumn Festival.

B.Writing emails to your teacher.

C.Talking to your grandparents.

D.Shaking hands with someone when you first meet.

2.________ can help improve trust among people according to the article.

A.Eating bread with family members B.Having lunch together

C.Sharing a pizza with friends D.Cutting a cake into pieces

3.What is the root reason for sharing cakes at birthdays?

A.Birthday cakes are usually too big for one person to eat.

B.Cakes are a kind of beautiful and delicious dessert.

C.Cakes and bread have been the same food for many years.

D.Sharing cakes has got its tradition from sharing bread.

4.________ represent good luck for the new year in its own culture.

A.Coins in vasilopita B.Oranges

C.Pieces of cornbread D.Noodles

5.Which of the following is the best title for this article?

A.The importance of different foods B.The way of eating foods

C.What we eat really matters D.Another way of communication

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.D

4.B

5.D

【解析】

本文讲述食物也可以作为一种沟通方式。并向我们介绍了一些食物的象征意义。

1.细节理解题。根据“We usually understand when someone speaks or writes to us, and many gestures have meanings, too.”可知，说话、写信和手势都可以作为交流的方式。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据“Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can improve trust.”可知，分享面包或其他食物是人类共同的传统，可以增进信任。故选C。

3.细节理解题。根据“Early types of cakes were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition has its root (根源) in the custom of sharing bread.”可知，早期的蛋糕类型只是一种面包，所以这个传统的根源在于分享面包的习俗。故选D。

4.细节理解题。根据“For example, people give out oranges because the word for ‘orange’ sounds like the word for ‘good luck’.”可知，橘子在它自己的文化中代表新年好运。故选B。

5.最佳标题题。A：不同食物的重要性；B：吃东西的方式；C：我们吃什么真的很重要；D：另一种沟通方式。本文主要围绕食物也可以作为一种沟通方式展开。故选D。