阅读理解专项练习.doc

阅读理解专项练习：
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WhenfamiliesgatherforChristmasdinner,somewillsticktoformaltraditionsdatingbackto
grandma'sgeneration.Theirtableswillbesetwiththegooddishesandsilver,andthedresscode
willbeSundaybest.
Butinmanyotherhomes,thischina-and-silverelegancehasgivenwaytoastoneware(粗
陶)andstainlessinformality,withdressesassuminganequallycasual-Fridaylook.Forhostsand
guests,thechangemeansgreatersimplicityandcomfort.FormakersoffinechinainBritain,it
spellseconomichardtimes.
LastweekRoyalDoulton,thelargestemployerinStoke-on-Trent,announcedthatitiseliminating
1,000jobs--one-fifthofitstotalworkforce.Thatbringstomorethan4,000thenumber
ofpositionslostin18monthsinthepottery(陶瓷)region.Wedgwoodandotherpotteryfactories
madecutsearlier.
AlthoughastrongpoundandweakmarketsinAsiaplayaroleinthedownsizing,thelayoffsin
Stokehavetheirrootsinearthshakingsocialshifts.AspokesmanforRoyalDoultonadmittedthatthe
company"hasbeensomewhatslowincatchingupwiththetrend"towardcasualdining.Familieseattogether
lessoften,heexplained,andmorepeopleeatalone,eitherbecausetheyaresingleortheyeatin
frontoftelevision.
Evendinnerparties,iftheyhappenatall,havegonecasual.Inatimeoflongworkhoursand
demandingfamilyschedules,busyhostsinsist,rightly,thatit'sbettertoshareatakeoutpizza
onpaperplatesinthefamilyroomthantowaitfortheperfectmomentora"real"dinnerparty.
Toooften,theperfectmomentnevercomes.Ironafine-patternedtablecloth?Forgetit.Polishthe
silver?Whohastime?
Yetthelossofformalityhasitsdownside.Thefinepointsofetiquette(礼节)thatchildren
mightoncehavelearnedatthetablebyobservationorinstructionfromparentsandgrandparents
("Chewwithyourmouthclosed.""Keepyourelbowsoffthetable.")mustbepickedupelse-
where.Somecompaniesnowofferetiquetteseminarsforemployeeswhomaybeableprofessionally
butinexperiencedsocially.
1.Whydopeopletendtofollowthetrendtocasualdining?
A.Familymembersneedmoretimetorelax.
B.Busyschedulesleavepeoplenotimeforformality.
C.Peopleprefertoliveacomfortablelife.
D.Youngpeoplewon'tfollowtheetiquetteoftheoldergeneration.
2.Itcanbe