单选题 {{B}}Directions:{{/B}} Read the following text. Choose the best
word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C, and D on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10
points)
Generally speaking, a British is widely
regarded as a quiet, shy and conservative person who is{{U}} (1)
{{/U}}only among those with whom he is acquainted. When a stranger is at
present, he often seems nervous, {{U}}(2) {{/U}}embarrassed. You have to
take a commuter train any morning or evening to{{U}} (3) {{/U}}the truth
of this. Serious-looking businessmen and women sit reading their newspapers or
dozing in a corner; hardly anybody talks, since to do so would be considered
quite offensive. {{U}}(4) {{/U}}, there is an unwritten but clearly
understood code of behavior which, {{U}}(5) {{/U}}broken, makes the
offender immediately the object of{{U}} (6) {{/U}}. It
has been known as a fact that a British has a{{U}} (7) {{/U}}for the
discussion of their weather and that, if given a chance, he will talk about
it{{U}} (8) {{/U}}. Some people argue that it is because the British
weather seldom{{U}} (9) {{/U}}forecast and hence becomes a source of
interest and{{U}} (10) {{/U}}to everyone. This may be so. {{U}}(11)
{{/U}}a British cannot have much{{U}} (12) {{/U}}in the weathermen,
who, after promising fine, sunny weather for the following day, are often proved
wrong{{U}} (13) {{/U}}a cloud over the Atlantic brings rainy weather to
all districts! The man in the street seems to be as accurate — or as inaccurate
— as the weathermen in his{{U}} (14) {{/U}}. Foreigners
may be surprised at the number of references{{U}} (15) {{/U}}weather
that the British make to each other in the course of a single day. Very often
conversational greetings are{{U}} (16) {{/U}}by comments on the weather.
"Nice day, isn't it?" "Beautiful!" may well be heard instead of "Good morning,
how are you?" {{U}}(17) {{/U}}the foreigner may consider this
exaggerated and comic, it is worthwhile pointing out that it could be used to
his advantage. {{U}}(18) {{/U}}he wants to start a conversation with a
British but is{{U}} (19) {{/U}}to know where to begin, he could do well
to mention the state of the weather. It is a safe subject which will{{U}}
(20) {{/U}}an answer from even the most reserved of the
British.
【答案解析】固定搭配题。4个选项皆为固定搭配词组，at length意为“详细地”，to a great extent意为“很大程度上”，from his heart意为“真诚地，发自心底地”，by all means意为“尽一切办法”，文中意思显然是“只要有机会，他就会详细地谈论天气”，所以正确答案为A。