高考英语阅读理解练习12篇.docxVIP

第

第PAGE10页共15页

阅读理解专项练习

1

WhenfamiliesgatherforChristmasdinner,somewillsticktoformaltraditionsdatingbackto

grandmasgeneration.Theirtableswillbesetwiththegooddishesandsilver,andthedresscode

willbeSundaybest.

Butinmanyotherhomes,thischina-and-silverelegancehasgivenwaytoastoneware

(粗

陶)andstainlessinformality,withdressesassuminganequallycasual-Fridaylook.Forhostsand

guests,thechangemeansgreatersimplicityandcomfort.FormakersoffinechinainBritain,itspellseconomichardtimes.

LastweekRoyalDoulton,thelargestemployerinStoke-on-Trent,announcedthatitiseliminating

1,000jobs--one-fifthofitstotalworkforce.Thatbringstomorethan4,000thenumberofpositionslostin18monthsinthepottery(陶瓷)region.Wedgwoodandotherpotteryfactories

madecutsearlier.

AlthoughastrongpoundandweakmarketsinAsiaplayaroleinthedownsizing,thelayoffsin

Stokehavetheirrootsinearthshakingsocialshifts.AspokesmanforRoyalDoultonadmittedthatthe

companyhasbeensomewhatslowincatchingupwiththetrendtowardcasualdining.

Familieseattogether

lessoften,heexplained,andmorepeopleeatalone,eitherbecausetheyaresingleortheyeatin

frontoftelevision.

Evendinnerparties,iftheyhappenatall,havegonecasual.Inatimeoflongworkhoursand

demandingfamilyschedules,busyhostsinsist,rightly,thatitsbettertoshareatakeoutpizza

onpaperplatesinthefamilyroomthantowaitfortheperfectmomentorarealdinnerparty.

Toooften,theperfectmomentnevercomes.Ironafine-patternedtableclothForgetit.

Polishthe

silverWhohastime

Yetthelossofformalityhasitsdownside.Thefinepointsofetiquette(礼节)thatchildren

mightoncehavelearnedatthetablebyobservationorinstructionfromparentsand

grandparents

(Chewwithyourmouthclosed.Keepyourelbowsoffthetable.)mustbepickedupelse-

where.Somecompaniesnowoffere