第三部分阅读 第一节:阅读理解(共15小题,每小题2分.满分30分) 阅读下列短文.从每题所给的四个选项中.选出最佳选项. In 2008, the main

第三部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）

第一节：阅读理解（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。

In 2008, the main candidates（候选人）for President each usedthis expression: “You can put lipstick（口红）on a pig, but it is still a pig.” This means that it is a waste oftime to change something from ugly or unpleasant–looking to beautiful.

There are other expressions about improvinga pig’s appearance, like this one: “A hog in a silk waistcoat is still a hog.”Hogs are similar to pigs, only bigger. Americans use many other expressionsabout pigs, hogs and female hogs called sows, like this one, “You cannot make asilk purse out of a sow’s ear.” This means you cannot create something valuablefrom something that has no value. Then there is the expression “Cast pearlsbefore swine（猪）.”That means wasting something valuable on someone who will not be thankful orcare about it.

Hogs, which are very large animals, take upa lot of space but people should not take up more than their share. If one ofyour children is taking up too much space sitting in front of the television,other children might say: “Do not hog the couch.” And a road hog is a driverwho uses more than his share of the road. Such a driver increases dangers forother drivers.

Pig terms are also used in Americanpolitics. Farmers mark their pig’s ears to identify them. In politics, earmarksare money set aside for projects in a congressman’s home state.

In many areas, pigs provide ham, bacon andother pork products to eat. All Americans want to be able to bring home thebacon because they want to earn enough money to provide the necessities oflife. Experts say this term was first used in the 1920s. But it is believed tocome from the much older game of catching a greased（涂了油的）pig. This was a popularevent at country fairs in which the winner was awarded the pig.

41. The author writes this passage mainlyto _________.

A. express his support for the PresidentialElection

B. introduce some expressions used inAmericans’ daily life

C. criticize the bad influence caused byexpressions about pigs

D. discuss some problems caused byexpressions about pigs

42. If you give a good book to a person whocan’t read, which of the following is the most suitable to describe it?

A. Cast pearls before swine.

B. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it isstill a pig.

C. A hog in a silk waistcoat is still ahog.

D. You cannot make a silk purse out of asow’s ear.

43. A driver who takes up too much space onthe road is often referred to as _________.

A. a greasedpig                                        B. a couch hog

C. a roadhog                                            D. a road earmark

44. How many words which refer to the sameanimal are mentioned in this passage?

A.Three                   B.Four                    C. Five                     D. Six

45. Which of the following expressions aresimilar to “You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”?

A. When pigsfly!                                           B. To eat like a pig

C. To sell a pig in apork.                                D. To sweat like a pig.

试题答案

【答案】

 B

 A

 C

 B

 A

【解析】