C
Over the centuries the French have lost a number of famous battles with the British. However, they’ve always felt superior in the kitchen. France has for centuries had a reputation for cooking excellence, and Britain for some of the worst cooking in the world. But according to a recent survey, that reputation may no longer reflect reality.
In the survey, 71% of the Britons said they cook at home every day, while only 59% of the French said they cook daily. British home cooks spend more time cooking each week and also produce a greater variety of dishes than French home cooks.
The reaction in London was predictably enthusiastic. British food has greatly improved since the 1990s. Once upon a time, the menu for many family meals would have been roast beef, potatoes and over-cooked vegetables, but not now. Home cooks are experimenting with the huge range of ingredients now available in British supermarkets and are preparing all kinds of new dishes, using the cookbooks that sell millions of copies every year. As a result, there’s much more diversity in British food now, compared to French food, which tends to be very traditional.
Some French people say that the survey did not show the whole picture. They agree that during the week French women don’t cook as much as they used to because most of them work and don’t have much time. They tend to buy ready-made or frozen dishes, but many of them make up for it on the weekend. There’s also a difference between Paris and the country-side. It’s true that people in Paris don’t cook much, but elsewhere, cooking is still at the heart of daily life.
For many French people, opinions about British food have not changed. When Bernard Blier, the food editor at a magazine, was asked about British food, he replied: “I don’t go out of my way to try it. It is not very refined. You can say that I’m not a fan at all.”
36. What does the underlined part in the first paragraph imply?
A. French cooking is better than British cooking.
B. The British defeated the French in many battles.
C. British cooking is thought to be the worst.
D. British cooking is now better than it was.
37. According to the passage, nowadays British people_______ .
A. cook less at home than the French every day
B. no longer eat roast beef and over-cooked vegetables
C. are more willing to try cooking all kinds of new foods
D. buy more cookbooks than French people do
38. What can we infer from the fourth paragraph?
A. French women cook less often now.
B. The French prefer ready-made dishes.
C. French women seldom cook on the weekend.
D. Cooking is at the heart of people’s life in Paris.
39. What is Bernard’s attitude towards British food?
A. He would love to try it. B. He shows no interest in it.
C. He considers it worse than before. D. He considers it better than before.
40. What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. The history of British food. B. The history of French food.
C. The change in British food. D. The change in French food.
D
President Barack Obama has complained about the loss of privacy that comes with being leader of the United States, regretting the loss of simple pleasures such as a long walk or a trip to the car wash or supermarket.
“I just miss -- I miss being anonymous,” he said. “I miss Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, not shaving, getting into my car with my girls, driving to the supermarket, squeezing the fruit, getting my car washed, taking walks. I can't take a walk.”
His dream, he said, was to “go through Central Park and watch folks passing by…spend the day watching people -- I miss that”.
Faced with angry criticism for playing more golf than most previous occupants of the White House, he explained that the sport was simply the best way of getting away from it all. “It's the only excuse I have to get outside for four hours.” he told Hearst magazines.
Though he said he enjoyed his life in the White House, he felt disappointed with some of the ways of Washington, which he has failed in his pledge (誓言) to change, such as the "kabuki dance" among political parties before serious policy discussions begin. His comments may be seen as vindication (证实) by critics who have accused him of appearing too detached (漠然, and being slow to engage in vital issues such as Libya and the near shutdown of the US government last week.
Since arriving at the White House in January 2009, Mr Obama has already racked up 60 rounds of golf in office, more than George W Bush did in his eight years.In terms of ability, Golf Digest magazine has ranked Mr Obama eighth out of the 18 presidents who played the game since it became established in the early 20th century.
41. What do the second paragraph and the third paragraph mainly tell us?
A. Obama likes living a busy life.
B. Obama used to spend most of his time with his family.
C. Obama wishes to enjoy simple pleasures.
D. He used to wash his car himself.
. According to Obama, he plays golf to .
A. release his pressure B. keep fit
C. balance his work D. show his ability
43. We can infer from the passage that Obama is kabuki dance.
A. curious about B. interested in
C. content with D. tired of
. Which of the following statements is from the critics?
A. The president lost lots of privacy, but he loves the life in the White House.
B. There are always unnecessary procedures among political parties.
C. The president seems to be indifferent towards some really important issues.
D. The president is really a great golf player.
45. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Obama's favorite pastime.
B. Obama’s complaints about lack of privacy as president.
C. The public's criticism of Obama.
D. Obama's regrets for being the US president.
