2013年英语四级阅读试题及答案9

　　Passage Three

　　Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform, whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a five-star general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?

　　Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian (百姓的) Clothes. People have be come conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears a uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, a barber, or a waiter to lose professional identity(身份) than to step out of uniform?

　　Uniforms also have many practical benefits. They save on other clothes. They save on laundry bills. They are tax-deductible(可减税的). They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes.

　　Primary among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. When people look alike, they tend to think, speak, and act similarly, on the job at least.

　　Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are long-lasting, often their initial expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.

　　61. It is surprising that Americans who worship variety and individuality _______.

　　A) still judge a man by his clothes

　　B) hold the uniform in such high regard

　　C) enjoy having a professional identity

　　D) will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform

　　[答案及分析]：B。第一段讲美国人崇尚多元和个性，但却喜爱和尊敬制服，这的确令人惊讶。

　　62. People are accustomed to think that a man in uniform _______.

　　A) suggests quality work

　　B) discards his social identity

　　C) appears to be more practical

　　D) looks superior to a person in civilian clothes

　　[答案及分析]：A。第二段和第三段解释了美国人喜爱制服的原因，主要是工作人员穿上制服就代表专业水准和高标准，容易得到人们的信任。

　　63. The chief function of a uniform is to _______.

　　A) provide practical benefits to the wearer

　　B) make the wearer catch the public eye

　　C) inspire the wearer's confidence in himself

　　D) provide the wearer with a professional identity

　　[答案及分析]：D。从第二段最后一句话可知，制服的主要作用就是为穿着者提供一个职业或专业的身份。

　　64. According to the passage, people wearing uniforms _______.

　　A) are usually helpful

　　B) have little or no individual freedom

　　C) tend to lose their individuality

　　D) enjoy greater popularity

　　[答案及分析]：C。文章后两段主要说对制服持反对意见的人的观点，这些人主要是穿制服的人群。他们认为制服使他们缺少变化，因而没有个性。

　　65. The best title for this passage would be _______.

　　A) Uniforms and Society

　　B) The Importance of Wearing a Uniform

　　C) Practical Benefits of Wearing a Uniform

　　D) Advantages and Disadvantages of Uniforms

　　[答案及分析]：D。文章既讲述了人们对制服的喜爱及其好处，又提到了相反的观点，认为制服缺乏个性和变化。因此，只有D的答案全面概括了文章的意思。