Question

This Christmas, maybe different from previous years, a strong desire drives me to make my own Christmas gifts. Honestly speaking, I’ve promised myself this more than once. As a crafter (工匠), I’ve frequently thought I am supposed to turn it into action. However, this year I really plan to stick to it. It’s partly because I run short of money. More importantly, I’ve recently returned from an inspiring trip around Britain, collecting some information about crafting for BBC’s Newsnight.

    Actually I planned the trip couples of months ago. The idea of traveling the country — making things as I went, meeting artists and craftspeople — sounded perfect to spend the summer. I’d pack a tent and a sewing machine and I’d set off. But by the time I determined my plans and hit the road, leaves made a sighing sound under foot. It seemed crazy to camp with winter on the way; Luckily, Newsnight viewers offered me accommodations in return for help with a craft task.

My tasks ranged from sewing worn-out clothes to making trousers. Textile students in Harpenden offered to pay for my petrol in return for a talk about hats. In Derby, Amy needed help to change an old pair of curtains.

I was really struck by people’s increasing enthusiasm for making things. When I asked some people if they could sew, only a few raised their hands. But when I asked who wanted to learn, nearly everyone responded positively, hoping to learn something practical.

Craft is definitely popular at the moment. But besides fashion, we’re learning to appreciate effort and quality again. Perhaps once people rediscover the pleasure to be gained from making something unique, it may stick.

Sue is director of quilts at the V&A, where next spring she’ll be putting on the museum’s first major quilting exhibition. Sue believes the return to crafting is related to how we rethink ourselves. “People, especially women, are beginning to think about the way they live their lives. It’s 40 years since the first women’s liberation(解放) conference was held in Oxford. Since then we’ve been in the workplace, and we’ve had the opportunity of choice. Now we’re carefully choosing to go back into the home.”

Whether you agree with that or not, there’s something about Christmas that brings out the artistic flavor(氣息) in everyone. Whether it’s baking bread or pies or decorating the halls or rooms, we’re all prepared to have a try at any time. So if you fancy having a different and joyful party or holiday and making a few presents, try these really simple ideas, each inspired by my recent journey there. They make small and interesting gifts, and take no longer than 30 minutes each. Enjoy Christmas songs and settle down with a cup of hot cocoa, and the cold is gone. You’ll save yourself a small quantity of money and spread a little bit of love, too!

1.Why did the author promise to make herself a Christmas gift this year?

A. She wanted to enjoy a different Christmas.

B. She wanted to make more money.

C. She was inspired by her trip for a BBC TV program.

D. She hoped to present herself with a surprise.

2.The author had her plans carried out and set out for Britain in ______.

A. spring                      B. summer                            C. fall                            D. winter

3.What happened during the author’s trip to Britain?

A. She met many artists and craftspeople on her way to Britain.

B. She spent a whole summer in Britain making crafts.

C. She was asked to sew clothes, and curtains and made much money.

D. Many people showed great interest in making things themselves.

4.According to the passage, people learn to ______ through crafting.

A. be grateful to what they have gained

B. keep up with fashion

C. stick to something interesting

D. know more information about craft

5.What is the author’s opinion on homemade Christmas presents?

A. Making Christmas presents can only convey a bit of your love.

B. People can find their artistic talent in making Christmas presents.

C. A cup of hot cocoa can inspire you to make a creative present.

D. It would take a long time to prepare a homemade Christmas present.

 

Answer 1

【答案】

 

1.C

2.C

3.D

4.A

5.B

【解析】

試題分析：本文描述了作者自制圣誕禮物及感想。首段介紹作者為何下定決心給自己制作圣誕禮物；第二段描繪她的旅程；第三四段描述旅途中所發(fā)生的事情：她幫別人做手工藝品，同時也碰到了很多想學(xué)的人；第五六段闡述作者及Sue Prichard對手工制品的觀點；最后一段表明作者對于自制圣誕禮物的看法：即能省錢又能表達愛意。

1.C推理判斷題。對作者決定自制圣誕禮物的原因推斷。根據(jù)第一段最后兩句可知，作者之所以堅持今年自制圣誕禮物的真正原因是她的英國之旅(受BBC’s Newsnight一檔節(jié)目之邀，到英國做某項調(diào)查)激勵了她。故C是答案。

2.C 推理判斷題。第二段提到，作者最終定下旅行計劃，開始上路時，已是深秋(But by the time I determined my plans and hit the road, leaves made a sighing sound under foot.) 落葉已在腳下作響。C為正確答案。

3.D推理判斷題。根據(jù)第四段中“I was really struck by people’s increasing enthusiasm for making things.”和“But when I asked who wanted to learn, nearly everyone responded positively, hoping to learn something practical.”我們可以推斷“許多人對親自動手制作東西表現(xiàn)出極大的興趣”。 A、B是未啟程之前作者自己的想象；她此行的目的不是賺錢，C錯。

4.A推理判斷題。根據(jù)第五段的第二句“But besides fashion, we’re learning to appreciate effort and quality again.”可知，手工藝品之所以受歡迎除了流行外，我們學(xué)會了珍惜勞動、領(lǐng)略手工藝品的價值。因此A符合題意。

5.B推理判斷題。推斷作者對自制圣誕禮物的看法。根據(jù)最后一段首句可知，作者認(rèn)為自制圣誕禮物能激發(fā)個人藝術(shù)潛能，B正確。 A錯在only；該段提到，有些小禮物在30分鐘內(nèi)便可制作完成，D與原文表述不符。C不是作者對制作圣誕禮物的看法。

考點：故事類閱讀理解