Question

Henry Ford, the famous U.S. inventor and car manufacturer, once said, "The business of America is business." By this he meant that the U.S. way of life is based on the values of the business world.

Few would argue with Ford's statement. A brief glimpse at a daily newspaper vividly shows how much people in the United States think about business. For example, nearly every newspaper has a business section, in which the deals and projects, finances and management, stock prices and labor problems of corporations are reported daily. In addition, business news can appear in every other section. Most national news has an important financial aspect to it. Welfare, foreign aid, the federal budget, and the policies of the Federal Reserve Bank are all heavily affected by business. Moreover, business news appears in some of the unlikeliest places. The world of arts and entertainment is often referred to as “the entertainment industry " or "show business."

The positive side of Henry Ford's statement can be seen in the prosperity that business has brought to U.S. life. One of the most important reasons so many people from all over the world come to live in the United States is the dream of a better job. Jobs are produced in abundance because the U.S. economic system is driven by competition. People believe that this system creates more wealth, more jobs, and a materially better way of life.

The negative side of Henry Ford's statement, however, can be seen when the word business is taken to mean big business. And the term big business—referring to the biggest companies, is seen in opposition to labor. Throughout U.S. history working people have had to fight hard for higher wages, better working conditions, and the fight to form unions. Today, many of the old labor disputes are over, but there is still some employee anxiety. Downsizing—the laying off of thousands of workers to keep expenses low and profits high—creates feelings of insecurity for many.

1.The United States is a typical country ________.

A. which encourages free trade at home and abroad

B. where people's chief concern is how to make money

C. where all businesses are managed scientifically

D. which normally works according to the federal budget

2.The influence of business in the U.S. is evidenced by the fact that ________.

A. most newspapers are run by big businesses

B. even public organizations concentrate on working for profits

C. Americans of all professions know how to do business

D. even arts and entertainment are regarded as business

3.According to the passage, immigrants choose to settle in the U.S., dreaming that ________.

A. they can start profitable businesses there

B. they can be more competitive in business

C. they will make a fortune overnight there

D. they will find better chances of employment

4.Henry Ford's statement can be taken negatively because ________.

A. working people are discouraged to fight for their fights

B. there are many industries controlled by a few big capitalists

C. there is a conflicting relationship between big corporations and labor

D. public services are not run by the federal government

5.A company's efforts to keep expenses low and profits high may result in ________.

A. reduction in the number of employees

B. improvement of working conditions

C. fewer disputes between labor and management

D. a rise in workers' wages

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.D

4.C

5.A

【解析】

试题分析：文章讲述了福特的理论——美国人的生活是建立在商业基础上的。这一理论在美国人生活的各个方面都可以发现，包括对美国人生活的积极的和消极的影响。

1. 推理判断题。根据文中第一、二段的内容可知，美国人最关心的是如何赚钱，故选B。

2. 细节理解题。根据文中第二段最后一句The world of arts and entertainment is often referred to as “the entertainment industry " or " show business. 可知，就连艺术和娱乐都跟商业相关，被称为“娱乐工业”。

3. 细节理解题。根据第三段中many people from all over the world come to live in the United States is the dream of a better job可知，人们到美国的目的就是为了找到一份更好的工作，故选D。

4. 细节理解题。根据文中第四段Throughout U.S. history working people have had to fight hard for higher wages, better working conditions, and the fight to form unions.可知，劳动阶层与公司之间有矛盾冲突，他们为了能获得更高的薪水，更好的工作条件和成立工会而辛苦的斗争，故选C。

5. 细节理解题。根据文章最后一句Downsizing—the laying off of thousands of workers to keep expenses low and profits high—creates feelings of insecurity for many可知，那些大公司为了保证低成本高利润而裁员，故选A。

【名师点睛】

事实细节题

属于细节类型的阅读理解题一般只针对某个特定的细节，题型可以多种多样。此类题型一般分两种。第一种是直接理解题，在原文中可以直接找到答案。

第二种是词义转换题，正确选项是原文有关词语和句子的转换。做此类试题一定要抓住事件发生的时间、地点、人物、发展过程和结局等环节，所选答案一定要符合原文，切不可望文生义。细节题的破解一般采用寻读法，即先看试题，再读文章。对有关信息进行快速定位，再将相关信息进行整合、甄别、分析、对比，有根有据地排除干扰项，选出正确答案。如：6.D 细节理解题。根据文中第二段最后一句The world of arts and entertainment is often referred to as “the entertainment industry " or " show business. 可知，就连艺术和娱乐都跟商业相关，被称为“娱乐工业”。

此法加强了阅读的针对性，提高了做题的准确率，节省了宝贵的时间。寻读法还特别适用于对图形表格类题材的理解。做此类型的题目还要特别注意句子的逻辑关系。英语中有许多功能词，如：表因果关系的because, since, as等；表转折关系的but, however ,on the contrary, on the other hand等等。

考点：社会文化类阅读理解