单选题 Jack's friend Tony had recently gotten a tattoo (纹身), and Jack was so impressed by Tony's bravery and his tattoo that he decided to get one too. Why do a lot of young people in North America get tattoos today? Peer pressure, media influence, and personal expression are some of the common reasons.
The desire to be part of a group, to be accepted by one's friends or peers, can have a great influence on what a person does. Sometimes, wearing a tattoo can be a sign that you belong to a certain group. Gangs often use special clothes and tattoos to identify their particular group. For example, in one gang all the members may wear green army jackets and have large "Xs" tattooed on their arms. It is not only gangs that have this type of special "uniform". Young people often belong to a certain group of friends. Some of these groups wear only brand-name clothes. Others wear tattoos. When a person's friends are all doing something, such as getting a tattoo, that person is more likely to do the same thing, and get a tattoo too.
The media is another big influence behind the popularity of tattoos in North America. A wide variety of media images show tattoos. Tattoos can be seen on people appearing in commercials selling expensive cars. Famous sports heroes with tattoos are shown in magazines. Fashion models are often seen in magazines and on TV wearing designer clothes that show their bodies tattooed with detailed and colorful patterns. These media images link tattoos to ideas of wealth, success, and status. As a result, many people decide to get a tattoo for its fashion and status value.
It is not always the influence of other people or the media that results in a person getting a tattoo. Many people decide to wear tattoos in order to express their artistic nature, their beliefs, or their feelings -- in other words, to show their individuality. A musician in a rock band may get a tattoo of a guitar on the arm. Some environmentalists may tattoo pictures of endangered animals on their shoulders. Lovers may tattoo each others' names over their hearts. A tattoo can be a public sign to show what is important in a person's life.

单选题 Jack got a tattoo because of ______.
A. a desire to express himself B. the influence of the media
C. the influence of friends D. a desire to be fashionable
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】细节题。答案在第一段第一句,文中说Jack对Tony的勇敢和纹身印象深刻,所以他决定也要纹身。A选项是表达自己的思想(感情/意见)。B选项是受到媒体的影响。C选项是朋友的影响。D选项是想变时髦的愿望。故选C。
单选题 Gang members wear the tattoo of "Xs" to show their ______.
A. individuality B. sense of belonging C. sense of honor D. power
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】细节题。答案在第二段第一、二句。“希望成为团体的一部分,刺有纹身标志着你属于某个团体。”individuality意为“个体性”;sense of belonging意为“归属感”;sense of honor“荣誉感”;power。意为“权力,能力”。故选B。
单选题 Which of the following groups of people are seen wearing tattoos in the media?
A. Sports Stars. B. Car sellers.
C. Fashion designers. D. Movie stars.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】细节题。第三段说昂贵汽车广告中的人、体育明星、模特会在媒体中展示纹身。故选A。
单选题 Which of the following tattoos shows one's belief?
A. A picture of endangered species. B. A lover's name.
C. A musical instrument. D. A brand name.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】细节题。第四段说吉他纹身可以表达人的艺术本质,濒危物种的纹身表达环境保护主义者的信念,爱人名字的纹身表达人的感情。故选A。
单选题 The best title for this passage is ______.
A. Tattoos Tell Who You Are B. Tattoos' New Trend
C. The Popularity of Tattoos D. Why People Get Tattoos
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】主旨题。本文讲述了人们为什么纹身的原因,比如朋友的影响,个人有归属感、媒体的影响、宣扬自己的信念等。即纹身的理由和初衷。故选D。