Sometimes you may have a strong desire to do something strange or terrible. However, chances are that you don’t act on your impulse (冲动), but let it pass instead. You know that to take the action is wrong in some way and that other people will not accept your behavior.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the phenomenon of taboo behavior is how it can change over the years, how certain behavior and attitudes once considered taboo can bee perfectly acceptable and natural at another point in time. Topics such as death, for example, were once considered so upsetting that it was a taboo to even talk about them. Now with the publication of important books such as On Death and Dying and Learning to Say Goodbye, people have bee more aware of the importance of expressing feelings about death and, as a result, are more willing to talk about this taboo subject.
One of the newest taboos is the topic of fat. Unlike many other taboos, fat is a topic that people talk about constantly. It’s not taboo to talk about fat; it’s taboo to be fat. The “in” look is thin, not fat. In the work world, most panies prefer youthful-looking, slim manager to sell their image as well as their products to the public. The thin look is associated with youth, vigor, and success. The fat person, on the other hand, is thought of as lazy and lacking in energy, self-discipline and self-respect. After all, how can people permit themselves to bee fat? In an image-conscious society, thin is ‘‘in”, fat is “out”.
It’ s not surprising that millions of people have bee obsessed (着迷) with staying slim and “in shape”. The pursuit of a youthful physical appearance is not, however, the only reason for people’s obsession with diet and exercise. Recent research has shown the importance of diet and exercise for personal health. As in most technologically developed nations, the life-style of people has changed since last century. Modern machines do all the physical labor. Cars and buses transport us quickly from point to point. As a result of inactivity and disuse, people’s bodies can easily bee weak. In an effort to avoid such a fate , millions of people are spending more of their time exercising. Parks are filled with joggers and bicyclists, and many panies are providing special exercise equipment for their employees to use during the work day.
【小题1】What does the word “taboo’’ refer to in the passage?A．Behavior considered unacceptable to the society.B．An unfavorable impression left on other people.C．A strong desire to do something strange or terrible.D．A crime mitted on impulse.【小题2】What does the underlined phrase “in” look probably mean?A．The hidden look.B．The fashionable look.C．The usual look.D．The inside look.【小题3】According to the passage, the mon belief is that .A．fat people are full of energyB．fat people prefer to have fat bossesC．thin people are more successfulD．thin people are less image-conscious【小题4】People pay more attention to diet and exercise because of .A．their need to kill timeB．their love for sportsC．their belief in hard work D．their concern for healthA
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(答案→)A
解析：本文主要谈了关于禁忌的一些问题。
【小题1】taboo意思为“禁忌”，故选A。
【小题2】根据In the work world, most panies prefer youthful-looking, slim manager to sell their image as well as their products to the public. The thin look is associated with youth, vigor, and success，故选B。
【小题3】根据The thin look is associated with youth, vigor, and success，故选C。
【小题4】根据The pursuit of a youthful physical appearance is not, however, the only reason for people’s obsession with diet and exercise. Recent research has shown the importance of diet and exercise for personal health.故选D。