单选题
Grooming and Personal Hygiene of Americans

Grooming and personal hygiene have been around for ages. It's hard to imagine a time when people weren't concerned with taking care of their appearance and their bodies. Perhaps these practices started when Adam first took a bath and combed his hair before going on a date with Eve. Or maybe they began when Eve put on some herbal makeup to make herself more beautiful. No matter where they started, grooming and personal hygiene have become important parts of everyone's daily routine.
There used to be an old joke in America that people should take a bath once a week, whether they need one or not. In fact, though, Americans generally take a bath or more commonly, a shower every day. But in contrast to some cultures, most Americans get their shower in the morning, so they can start the day fresh. And instead of going to a beauty parlor for a shampoo, many Americans prefer to wash and style their own hair. So if Americans have a bad hair day, they have no one to blame but themselves. But most people in America do head for the beauty parlor or barbershop occasionally for a haircut, a perm or just some friendly conversation.
Americans are known for having very sensitive noses. In America, "BO." (body odor) is socially unacceptable. For that reason, Americans consider the use of deodorant or antiperspirant a must. Ladies often add a touch of perfume for an extra fresh scent. Men may splash on after-shave lotion or manly-smelling cologne. Another cultural no-no in America is bad breath. Americans don't like to smell what other people ate for lunch-especially onions or garlic. Their solution? Mouthwash, breath mints and even brushing their teeth after meals.
Americans put great value on both grooming and personal hygiene. For some people, taking care of themselves has become almost a religion. As the old saying goes, "Cleanliness is next to godliness." Whether or not being clean and we!l-groomed brings one closer to God, it certainly brings one closer to others. Americans look down on people who don't take care of themselves, or who "let themselves go." To Americans, even if we don't have much to work with, we have to make the best of what we've got.

单选题 According to the passage, what have become important parts of American's daily routine?
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第一段,仪容整洁和个人卫生的讲究已经行之有多年了。很难想象一个人们不在乎打理外表和身体清洁的时代…无论是从何时开始的,仪容整洁和个人卫生已经成为每个人生活例行事物中重要的一部分。因此答案是A。
单选题 When will most Americans get their shower?
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第二段第三句,但是不同于某些文化习惯的是,美国人在清晨沐浴,以使他们展开清新的一天。B是正确答案。
单选题 Where will many Americans prefer to wash and style their hair?
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第二段第四句,而且美国人上美容院去洗头,他们宁可自己洗头和整理头发。由此可见,自己整理头发应该是在家里,所以选C。
单选题 What's the reason for the use of deodorant or antiperspirant?
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第三段,美国人的鼻子是出了名的灵,在美国体臭在社交上是不被接受的。美国人会认为使用除臭剂和止汗剂是必须的,因此选D。
单选题 How to deal with bad breath for most Americans?
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[解析] 第三段的最后三句,在美国文化里的另一项禁忌是口臭。美国人不喜欢闻别人午餐后留在口中的味道,尤其是洋葱或大蒜。他们怎么解决这个问题呢?漱口、吃薄荷糖、甚至饭后刷牙。因此A、B、C都对,答案是D。