Getting rid of dirt, in the opinion of most people, is a good thing. However, there is nothing fixed about attitudes to dirt.
In the early 16th century, people thought that dirt on the skin was a means to block out disease, as medical opinion had it that washing off dirt with hot water could open up the skin and let ills in. A particular danger was thought to lie in public baths. By 1538, the French king had closed the bath houses in his kingdom. So did the king of England in 1546. Thus began a long time when the rich and the poor in Europe lived with dirt in a friendly way. Henry IV, King of France, was famously dirty. Upon learning that a nobleman had taken a bath, the king ordered that, to avoid the attack of disease, the nobleman should not go out.
Though the belief in the merit of dirt was long-lived, dirt has no longer been regarded as a nice neighbor ever since the 18th century. Scientifically speaking, cleaning away dirt is good to health. Clean water supply and hand washing are practical means of preventing disease. Yet, it seems that standards of cleanliness have moved beyond science since World War Ⅱ. Advertisements repeatedly sell the idea; clothes need to be whiter than white, cloths ever softer, surfaces to shine. Has the hate for dirt, however, gone too far?
Attitudes to dirt still differ hugely nowadays. Many first-time parents nervously try to warn their children off touching dirt, which might be responsible for the spread of disease. On the contrary, Mary Ruebush, an American immunologist(免疫學家),encourages children to play in the dirt to build up a strong immune system. And the latter position is gaining some ground.
【小題1】The kings of France and England in the 16th century closed bath houses because        .

A.they lived healthily in a dirty environment.
B.they thought bath houses were to dirty to stay in
C.they believed disease could be spread in public baths
D.they considered bathing as the cause of skin disease
【小題2】Which of the following best describes Henry IV’s attitude to bathing?
A.Afraid.B.Curious.
C.Approving.D.Uninterested.
【小題3】How does the passage mainly develop?
A.By providing examples.
B.By making comparisons.
C.By following the order of time.
D.By following the order of importance.
【小題4】What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
A.To stress the role of dirt.
B.To introduce the history of dirt.
C.To call attention to the danger of dirt.
D.To present the change of views on dirt.


【小題1】C
【小題1】A
【小題1】C
【小題1】D

解析

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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解

Nowadays a growing number of grassroots entertainers are stepping into the public eye. Although a sudden success provides quick fame, experts say not all the rising stars will have a promising future.

The grassroots band Xu Ri Yang Gang, meaning the rising sun in Chinese, suddenly became popular after uploading a video of them singing “In the Spring”. Actually, they have never stopped struggling to realize their dreams. After that they were frequently invited to big media events in China, like the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

However, just as many thought they were about to go further, the original singer of the song “In the Spring” stepped in to prevent the band from performing his songs.

Different from Xu Ri Yang Gang, China’s rising star Liu Wei is considered to have more professional skills, enabling him to enjoy a long-lasting career. The armless pianist who plays the music of the song “Hope” with his toes has won the champion of the television talent show China’s Got Talent.

Now, he is signed with Fremantle Media and Sony Music, and is kept busy every day. He believes it is his determination that makes him a hit.

Another fairy story is the case of the rising star Susan Boyle. She came to international public attention after appearing as a candidate on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables. Her first album became the biggest selling album in the world in 2009, selling 9 million copies.

As for Chinese grassroots stars, experts say besides big dreams, they need more original compositions to achieve big results.

47. From the text we know that Xu Ri Yang Gang got popular through _____.

A. CCTV            B. newspapers           C. contests          D. the Internet

48. It can be inferred from the text that _____.

A. grassroots stars can’t have a promising future at all

B. most of grassroots stars have got professional skills

C. grassroots stars need to focus more on their original works

D. talent show is the only way for grass roots stars to become popular

49. What is the author’s attitude towards the rising grassroots stars?

A. supportive         B. critical               C. neutral              D. ironic

50. What would be the best title for the text?

A. Rising grassroots stars.                    

B. Grassroots stars’ lives.

C. Ways of grassroots getting famous.           

D. The future of grassroots stars.

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