单选题
For years, France proudly resisted establishing
domestic smoking bans. It held out longer than Britain, Spain and Italy, but on
January 2, 2008, it finally forbid cigarettes in bars, cafés, restaurants and
clubs. This was not a decision taken lightly. Magazines ran
photo-spreads reminding us that French people look seriously cool with a cigar
in their mouth. There were illustrations of Charles de Gaulle, the French
president during World War Ⅱ, Brigitte Bardot, the 1950s famous fashionist, and
the famous French philosopher and writer, Jean-Paul Sartre. Even the present
President Nicolas Sarkozy, extremely image-conscious, posed for Paris Match
magazine with a fat cigar. But now, France's traditional
"café-clope" (morning coffee and cigarette) is only possible if people can bear
the freezing temperatures outside. In the latter part of the
20th century, the health risks of second-hand tobacco smoke were made public.
Then, in 1975, a modern wave of smoking bans started in Minnesota, the U.S..
Since then, many countries and regions have joined in the movement. Among them,
the U.S. has been a pioneer, with California being the first in the world to ban
indoor smoking at all public places, including bars and restaurants. Thus some
French people call the non-smoking law issued on January 2 "a touch too
American". However, studies before the ban showed that 70
percent of French people supported the enforcement. The public's positive
response means that the smoking ban will be just one more U.S. trend accepted by
French society. Even among strong smokers, no one wants to risk a
fine. French barman Jean-Michel, dressed in a leather waistcoat
and a cowboy-style shoelace tie, complained harshly about the ban. Was he
anticipating a smokers' revolt? "No," he said calmly. "People will respect it.
I'll do what I did at school. I'll smoke in the toilets."
According to the non-smoking law, individuals who smoke in bars, cafés,
restaurants or clubs can be fined up to 450 euros. The owners of these places
can be fined up to 750 euros if they fail to stop customers from smoking.
单选题
The law of banning smoking in public places was not made easily
because ______.
A. France proudly resists establishing new laws
B. French people like their images with a cigar in their mouth
C. French people have had such a strong habit since World War II
D. smoking has become fashionable for Frenchmen lately
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】
单选题
According to the passage, French President Nicolas Sarkozy ______.
A. pays a great deal of attention to his own public image
B. has been a heavy smoker in public eyes
C. strongly opposes the law of banning smoking
D. is a model in the hearts of French people
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】
单选题
Which of the following is the first place in the world to ban indoor
smoking at all public places?
A. Minnesota.
B. California.
C. France.
D. Britain.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】
单选题
It is implied in the passage that ______.
A. French people usually resist American trends
B. French people oppose the non-smoking law because it is too American
C. French people often follow American suits
D. French people respect the non-smoking law because it is from the
U.S.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】
单选题
By saying "I'll do what I did at school", Jean-Michel means that
______.
A. he did not smoke when he was a school student
B. he had to smoke in the toilets when he was at school
C. he often anticipated revolts when he was at school
D. smoking was not allowed in the toilets when he was at school
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】
单选题
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. It is difficult to establish new laws in France.