高二英语阅读理解(社会文化)专项训练100(附答案)及解析

高二英语阅读理解(社会文化)专项训练100(附答案)及解析
一、高中英语阅读理解社会文化类
1．阅读理解
The United States is home to 562 recognized American Indian Nations each with its own language.
Yet the number of native. Americans with the ability to speak their tribe's language has decreased over the past century.
Now, Indian Nations are trying different ways to expand the number of native speakers, and increase interest in their communities to learn tribal languages.
Since the late 1800s many American Indian children have attended boarding schools. At that time, Indian children were required to attend schools by law, and the government forced Indian families to send their children to such schools.
The children were separated from their families. and given English name The teachers often taught native American students in English, instead of the language of their parents. They were told they needed to learn English in order to get a job, earn money and buy a house or nice things.
However, fearing a loss of history and culture, the Indian Nations are experimenting with new ways to increase the language ability of tribal members.
At least one organization is turning to modern technology---The Sealaska Heritage Institute, a nonprofit group, has developed two apps for speakers of the Tlingit language.
The "Learning Tlingit" app serves as a reference for important language topics such as conversation phrases, number, and letters.
The Tlingit tribe has about 10, 000 members. They live mainly in southeastern Alaska. But as of 2013, the tribe had only 125 native speakers left. in addition, very few young people are able to speak Tlingit.
Currently there are two apps, called "Learning Tlingit" and "Tlingit Language Games". The "Learning Tlingit" app serves as a language guide. It provides Tlingit words and expressions, the tribal alphabet, as well as a basic list of the words included. With the "Tlingit Language Games" app, users are given a choice of different places of environments, like a house, forest or ocean.（1）What is the problem the native Americans are facing now?
A.The number of native Americans has been increasing.
B.Fewer and fewer native Americans speak their own language.
C.Their native language has been extinct.
D.It's hard to increase the interest of hearing native languages.
（2）What will be the result if more and more native Americans only speak English?
A.They will get better jobs and higher pay.
B.They will teach their own children to speak English.
C.They will lose their history and culture.
D.They will get along well with the government.
（3）What can we know about Tlingit?
A.It can help the native people know some language topics.
B.It can help the: native people earn money and buy a. house or nice things
C.It is a very popular app among the native speakers
D.It is a native language spoken by fewer than 200 people.
（4）What is the main idea of the passage?
A.American Indian tribes' efforts to increase native speakers.
B.Reasons for the disappearance of some American Indian languages.
C.Ways to help the native tribes lead a traditional life.
D.The popularity of the language learning apps.
【答案】（1）B
（2）C
（3）D
（4）A
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇说明文，美国的印第安人正在使用新的方法来增加本族语言的使用，否则，他们的本族语言将面临严重的危机。

（1）考查细节理解。

根据第二段中的“Yet the number o f native. Americans with the ability to speak their tribe's language has decreased over the past century. ”但是能说他们本族语言的本地美国人的数量在过去的一个世纪中已将减少。

可知，会说本族语的美国土著的人数在过去的一个多世纪中已经减少了，故选B。

（2）考查细节理解。

根据第六段中的“However, fearing a loss of history and culture, the Indian Nations are experimenting with new ways to increase the language ability of tribal members.”然而，害怕失去自己的历史和文化，许多印第安部落尝试新的方法来提升族人的本族语使用能力。

可知，如果越来越多的族人只说英语，他们将会失去自己的历史和文化。

故选C。

（3）考查细节理解。

根据第九段中的“The Tlingit tribe has about 10, 000 members. They live mainly in southeastern Alaska. But as of 2013, the tribe had only 125 native speakers left.”特林吉特部落有大约一万人。

他们主要居住在阿拉斯加东南部。

但是就2013年的统计，这个部落只有125人可以说自己民族的语言，可知，现在仅仅有不到两百人可以说这种语言了，故选D。

（4）考查主旨大意。

本文前六段描述了美国印第安人在民族语言方面面临的处境以及这一处境引起的担忧，最后四段提出了针对这一问题的解决方案：美国的印第安人正在使用新的方法（app）来增加本族语使用人数。

选项A中efforts能凸显人们这一问题的担心及在努力寻求解决方案方面所做的努力。

故选A。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解和主旨大意两个题型的考查，是一篇文化类阅读，考生需要准确捕捉细节信息，同时根据上下文的逻辑关系，进行概括和归纳，从而选出正确答案。

2．阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

Although not as much as in the past, grandparents are the teachers of the Navajo (纳瓦霍人) youth. They make young people aware of life at an early age. The parents grant them the privilege of teaching the children, and the grandparents take great pride in raising the children or
at least having a big part in raising them.
Young children often stay with their grandparents for years at a time developing a close and trusting relationship. The grandparents teach the children Navajo legends and the principle of life, emphasizing both new culture trends and the preservation of traditions.
The grandparents are also often the leading figures in teaching the youth the arts of weaving, caring for the livestock, using herbal medicine, and other arts and crafts.
The children are taught to respect their elders, to care for them, to help them whenever they are in need, and to learn from them. Young people are urged to listen with care to the words of their elders and to keep as much wisdom as possible. Grandparents often go to social gatherings and traditional events, and the young have opportunities to learn more about their culture and traditions.
I live with my grandmother for thirteen years, and she raised me in the old ways of our people. Although I was going to school, she taught me as much as she could about our traditions. She was a beautiful woman. If I had a chance, I would listen again to her wise teachings, expressed with kindness in a soft voice that touched my heart.
We used to plant corn and pumpkin every summer. They never grew big enough to feed us, but we planted them anyway. I asked my grandmother why. She said, "Grandson, our plants will be far more beautiful than the flowers outside the fence." I did not understand until one day I saw their beauty as I was coming over the hill with her. She said, "Anything that is a part of you is always far more beautiful than the things which you pass by." We had some beautiful years together. I am glad she is a part of me and I am a part of her.
Children used to be well disciplined, possessing more respect for culture, tradition, and beliefs than they do now. The world of the Navajo has been influenced by the western world, and the grandparents have less control and influence than they used to. But the young people who have been touched by their teachings have glimpsed a way of life beyond what most people know today.
（1）What can we learn from Paragraph 1?
A. Parents hate to take the trouble to raise children.
B. Schools are not very popular with the Navajo youth.
C. Grandparents are usually unwilling to teach their grandchildren.
D. Children learn about the meaning of life from their grandchildren.
（2）Why did the author's grandmother plant corn and pumpkin?
A. Because she hated wild flowers.
B. Because she needed to feed her family.
C. Because she tried to make her fence more beautiful.
D. Because she wanted her grandson to learn a life lesson.
（3）What's the author's opinion according to the passage?
A. Grandparents are the source of traditional culture.
B. His grandmother's teaching could replace schooling.
C. The western world is hardly influenced by the Navajos.
D. It is impossible to get grandparents involved in teaching again.
（4）What's the purpose of the article?
A. To honor the author's grandmother.
B. To share with readers a Navajo culture.
C. To emphasize the greatness of Navajo.
D. To introduce the development of Navajo tribes.
【答案】（1）D
（2）D
（3）A
（4）B
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇说明文，作者介绍了纳瓦霍人的一种文化：由祖父母来教育孙子辈，让他们学到生活中的道理。

（1）考查细节理解。

根据第一段中的"grandparents are the teachers of the Navajo (纳瓦霍人) youth. They make young people aware of life at an early age."可知，祖父母们是年轻人的老师，使年轻人在很小的时候就认识生活。

故选D。

（2）考查推理判断。

根据第六段中的"Grandson, our plants will be far more beautiful than the flowers outside the fence."以及 "Anything that is a part of you is always far more beautiful than the things which you pass by."可知，祖母种植玉米和南瓜是为了让作者明白一个生活的道理：任何属于你的东西，总是比你路过的东西更美。

从而推断出祖母是想让她的孙子学到人生的一课。

故选D。

（3）考查推理判断。

第一段提出“纳瓦霍人的孙子辈主要由祖父母来教育，他们在抚养孩子方面起了很大的作用”，接着对此进行了详细的介绍。

最后一段“那些被他们的祖父母教导所感动的年轻人，已经发找到了一种大多数人今天所不知道的生活方式”。

由此可推断出本文主要介绍了纳瓦霍人的一种文化：由祖父母们教育孙子辈，让他们认识生活，学到其中的道理。

故选A。

（4）考查主旨大意。

第一段中的"grandparents are the teachers of the Navajo (纳瓦霍人) youth. They make young people aware of life at an early age."纳瓦霍人的祖父母们成为年轻一代人的老师，在教育孙子辈起着重要的作用。

是主旨句，接着下文较为详细地介绍了纳瓦霍人的这种文化。

由此可推断出作者是与读者分享一种纳瓦霍人的文化。

由选B。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解，推理判断和主旨大意三个题型的考查，是一篇文化类阅读，要求考生在捕捉细节信息的基础上，进一步根据上下文的逻辑关系，进行分析，推理，概括和归纳，从而选出正确答案。

3．阅读理解
Being attractive isn't usually considered much of a disadvantage in today's world. Actually, there is the endless potential benefit about it, but researchers have found one area that being pretty makes life a challenge securing yourself a boring, low-paying job.
This stands in contrast to a large body of research that attractiveness, in general, helps candidates in the selection process. For the most part good looks is a blessing. We treat pretty people more favorably in general, often vote for them more in elections, and pay them more in their professions. The research suggests that attractive people may be discriminated against in
selection for relatively less desirable jobs.
Researchers carried out four experiments involving more than 750 participants, including university students and managers who make hiring decisions in the real world. Participants were shown photos of two potential job candidates, one attractive and the other unattractive. Participants were then asked a series of questions designed to measure their opinions of the job candidates and whether they would hire these candidates for a less-than-desirable job.
The less desirable jobs included a warehouse worker, housekeeper, customer service representative and the more desirable jobs included things like a manager, project director, IT elite(精英). In all experiments where they were asked, participants were significantly less likely to hire the attractive candidate for the less desirable job and more likely to hire the attractive candidate for the more desirable job.
Ms Lee said, "In the selection decision for an undesirable job, decision makers were more likely to choose the unattractive individual over the attractive individual. Co-author Dr Madan Pillutla said, "It is interesting that decision makers consider others' opinions in their decisions. They thought that attractive individuals would want better outcomes, and therefore would be less satisfied, so they favored unattractive candidates when selecting for a less desirable job."
The research also suggests the established view that attractive candidates are favored when applying for jobs might be limited to high-level jobs.
（1）What do people generally think of being attractive?
A. It is a disadvantage.
B. It is a blessing.
C. it is not important.
D. It has nothing to do with jobs.
（2）What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about?
A. The participants of the experiment.
B. The importance of the experiment.
C. The process of the experiment.
D. The result of the experiment.
（3）An ordinary-looking graduate may have an advantage when applying for _______. A. a manager B. a project director C. a warehouse worker D. an IT elite （4）Why are less attractive applicants preferred for less desirable jobs?
A. Because they are more hardworking.
B. Because they will be more satisfied.
C. Because they have no requirements at all.
D. Because they will want better outcomes.
（5）Which of the following agrees with the research?
A. Attractive people are more fit for high-level jobs.
B. Less attractive people are easy to find high-level jobs.
C. Attractive people can always be hired when applying for jobs.
D. Less attractive people can easily get highly paid if they work hard.
【答案】（1）B
（2）C
（3）C
（4）B
（5）A
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇说明文,介绍了吸引力和求职之间的关系。

（1）考查细节理解。

根据第二段中的"For the most part good looks is a blessing."可知,在很大程度上,美貌是一种福气,由此可知,人们普遍认为有吸引力是一种福气,故选B。

（2）考查段落大意。

根据第三段内容,特别是"Participants were shown photos of two potential job candidates, one attractive and the other unattractive."可知,本段主要介绍了研究人员对吸引力和求职之间的关系的实验过程,故选C。

（3）考查推理判断。

根据第四段中的"The less desirable jobs included a warehouse worker, housekeeper, customer service representative"及"participants were significantly less likely to hire the attractive candidate for the less desirable job"可知,参与者不太可能雇有吸引力的人做不那么理想的工作,而仓库管理员是不理想的工作之一,由此可知,长相一般的人在申请仓库管理员职位上有优势,故选C。

（4）考查细节理解。

根据倒数第二段中的"They thought that attractive individuals would want better outcomes, and therefore would be less satisfied, so they favored unattractive candidates when selecting for a less desirable job."可知,有吸引力的人希望更好的结果,因此不太容易满足,所以参与者在选择不那么理想的工作时更喜欢长相一般的候选人,由此可知,长相一般的人更喜欢不那么理想的工作是因为他们更容易满足,故选B。

（5）考查推理判断。

根据最后一段中的"The research also suggests the established view that attractive candidates are favored when applying for jobs might be limited to high-level jobs."可知,有吸引力的求职者更受青睐的观点可能仅限于高层职位,由此可知,有吸引力的人更适合高层工作与研究结果相符合,故选A。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解，推理判断和段落大意三个题型的考查，是一篇社会类阅读，考生需要准确掌握细节信息，同时根据上下文进行逻辑推理，概括归纳，从而选出正确答案。

4．阅读理解
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday help start the holiday shopping season, Giving Tuesday, which will be observed on November 28, attempts to inspire the season of giving. Now in its sixth year, the charitable(慈善的)day uses the power of social media to encourage organizations and individuals to donate funds or resources to worthy causes. Its mission is to bring positive change to communities through giving.
Though devoting just one day to a worthy cause may not seem much, Giving Tuesday makes a surprisingly significant impact. In 2015,ORGANIZE,an online organ donor program asked people to “Give with your Heart”,by becoming registered dono rs. Thousands of Americans listen to the cry for help, resulting in one of the largest digital donor drives in US history.
That same year, the Cleveland Library and the Pratt Library in Baltimore competed to see who could encourage more donations. While the Pratt Library won with a $41,000 acquisition, the
Cleveland Library was able to raise a fairly large amount for its programs as well. In 2016, the University of Michigan encouraged students and friends to donate to hourly challenges. They raised an amazing $5.5 million! The university hopes to recreate the magic this year, with a virtual celebration to mark the institution's 200th anniversary.
Giving Tuesday is not just a US phenomenon, but a global movement. In 2016, 98 countries participated in the event, raising $177 million, a 44% increase over 2015, when 71 nations collected $116.7 million. These numbers can only increase as the day gains further recognition.
Though donating funds is a great way to help, there are numerous other ways to support your local community. You can give back by volunteering at a nearby nonprofit or food bank. Social media experts can do their share by spreading the information and inspiring their colleagues to get involved. Another great way to celebrate Giving Tuesday is by helping those closest to you, whether that's assisting a family member with chores or helping a neighbor with yard work.（1）Why is Giving Tuesday started?
A. To appeal to people to perform an act of kindness.
B. To promote sales of the holiday shopping season.
C. To inspire the poor to have a positive view of life.
D. To encourage people to donate organs for patients.
（2）It can be inferred from the text that .
A. people donated money actively for the two libraries in Baltimore
B. the University of Michigan thought it challenging to get donations
C. Giving Tuesday hasn't been universally accepted in the world so far
D. the donations to the institution were given for its 200th anniversary
（3）The author tries to tell the readers in Paragraph 5.
A. why we need to volunteer in our local community
B. who we will celebrate Giving Tuesday together with
C. where we should donate funds to benefit other people
D. how we can give to help those who are in great need
【答案】（1）A
（2）C
（3）D
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇说明文，介绍Giving Tuesday,并激励人们慷慨行善。

（1）考查细节理解。

根据第一段中的“While Black Friday and Cyber Monday help sta rt the holiday shopping season, Giving Tuesday, which will be observed on November 28,attempts to inspire the season of giving.”可知,人们庆祝Giving Tuesday的目的是激励人们慷慨行善。

故选A。

（2）考查推理判断。

根据第四段中的“These numbers can only increase as the day gains further recognition.”可以推断出,到目前为止在世界上庆祝Giving Tuesday还不够普遍。

故选C。

（3）考查主旨大意。

根据第五段中的“)Though donating funds is a great way to help, there are numerous other ways to support your local community.”可知,本段文章的内容主要讲述为社会奉献有许多种方式。

故选D。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解，推理判断和主旨大意三个题型的考查，是一篇文化类阅读，要求考生在捕捉细节信息的基础上，进一步根据上下文的逻辑关系，进行分析，推理，概括和归纳，从而选出正确答案。

5．阅读理解
The British live on a small island. They are surrounded by thesea, so it is not surprising that the sea has always played an important role intheir lives. After the development of large, ocean-going sailing ships in the fifteenthcentury, the sea became even more important to the country's development. Shipssetting sail from England determined to extend Britain's territories, its wealthand its knowledge of the world. Ships returned to England bringing goods, peopleand new ideas from foreign places. By the nineteenth century, Britain had the largest,most powerful navy in the world.
The great sailing ships were so much a part of British life thatthey even affected the language. Many English expressions we use today were originallynautical (航海的)terms, although most people no longer realize this. For example, people commonlydescribe an honest and fair business deal as being "above board". Thisexpression was originally used in sailing ship times when secretive, dishonest ship'sbusiness would be carried out below decks (below the boards) out of public view.On the other hand, honest business was always conducted on deck (above the boards),in the open where everyone could see what was going on.
"Pipe down!", meaning "Be quiet!", is anothercommon expression that has nautical origins. The ship's boatswain (水手长) would blow a whistle, or pipe, at theend of the day to indicate (表明) to the sailors it was time to quieten down and go to sleep.
Most native English speakers have heard the expression "notenough room to swing a cat", but few know that the "cat" does notrefer to a small furry animal with four legs and a tail. The "cat" isactually a short form of "cat of nine tails" —a whip with nine, knotted(打结的) tails. A boatswain needed a lot of spacein order to swing the whip properly when lashing (鞭打) a poor sailor under his control!
（1）The British have been strongly influenced by the sea because ________.
A. they occupied more land around the world
B. they got more wealth from the sea
C. they live on an island surrounded by the sea
D. they had the largest navy ever
（2）If someone is open and above board, it means he is ________.
A. secretive
B. honest
C. cheerful
D. dishonest
（3）Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Sailors need to go to sleep when they hear a whistle.
B. Sailors will be whipped if they do business below decks.
C. A poor sailor may be whipped nine times a day.
D. There is no spare room to raise cats on ships.
（4）What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The business on British sailing ships.
B. The influence of British sailors' language on English.
C. The sailing history of England.
D. The sailing story of British sailors.
【答案】（1）C
（2）B
（3）A
（4）B
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇说明文，英国作为一个岛国，四周环海，海洋在英国人的生活中起着重要的作用。

英国曾有着强大的海军。

一直以来，水手们经常使用的一些航海术语丰富并影响着英语这门语言。

（1）考查细节理解。

根据第一段中的“They are surrounded by the sea, so it is not surprising that the sea has always played an important role in their lives.”可知，英国被海洋环绕，海对英国人的生活影响很大。

故选C。

（2）考查词义猜测。

根据第二段中的“…people commonly describe an honest and fair business deal as being “above board”可知，如果”一个诚实公正的人就会被认为是'above board'”。

故选B。

（3）考查细节理解。

根据第三段中的“The ship's boatswain (水手长) would blow a whistle, or pipe, at the end of the day to indicate (表明) to the sailors it was time to quieten down and go to sleep.”可知船上的水手长会在一天结束的时候吹口哨或吹笛子，向水手们表示应该安静下来睡觉了。

故选A。

（4）考查主旨大意。

第一段介绍英国是一个受到海洋影响的国家，四周环海，航海在人们的生活中起着重要的作用。

以此引入主题即水手们在航行时使用的一些航海术语对英语这门语言所产生的影响。

故选B。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解，词义猜测和主旨大意三个题型的考查，是一篇文化类阅读，要求考生在捕捉细节信息的基础上，进一步根据上下文的逻辑关系，进行分析，推理，概括和归纳，从而选出正确答案。

6．阅读理解
The Rugby (英式橄榄球) World Cup is currently being held in New Zealand. The tournament, due to finish on October 23, is living up to the famous English saying, “Rugby is a thug's (暴徒) game played gentlemen. ”
The games are physically aggressive; the tackles (冲撞) on the pitch are brutal; but the end of each match is a civilized affair. Players shake hands and applaud each other. Of course, the other side to this saying is: "Football is a gentleman's game played by thugs. " Indeed, unlike soccer players, rugby players don't often question the referee's (裁判员) decisions or pretend to be
injured when they are not.
“Football could lea rn a lot from rugby," said Brian Moore, a former England rugby player "The wonderful spirit of rugby is: there is a gentlemanly code to it. You play hard on the pitch, but you always respect your opponent..
Rugby is mainly played in Europe. Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. "It is more enjoyable to play than soccer because you are always involved in the game," said Peter, a Welsh rugby coach. "Rugby is also a far superior test of strength, stamina (耐力) and determination. " Most professional rugby players are large, strong and weigh over 90 kilograms. People who play the sport need to be tough and be prepared to get hurt. Black eyes, broken bones, lost teeth and being knocked unconscious—all these are common injuries. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is blind in one eye thanks to a rugby accident at school.
In England, children begin playing the game at school at the age of 8. When they enter high school, many begin to play full contact rugby. Children are taught to play for around one hour a week during their PE lessons. Most schools have a rugby team. Children who play for the school team are usually the sportiest kids, and are seen as brave and athletic.
（1）What can be concluded from the first three paragraphs?
A. Football players are not real gentlemen.
B. There is a better spirit in playing rugby than football.
C. Football players are not as athletic as rugby players.
D. Brian Moore thinks that rules should be stricter in football.
（2）According to the passage, Peter thinks ______.
A. rugby players pretend to be injured when they are not
B. rugby is not very popular in America and Asia
C. rugby makes people enjoy sports better than soccer
D. rugby needs players' strong will rather than strength
（3）The example of Gordon Brown is mentioned in order to .
A. prove that playing rugby can earn people fame
B. explain why Gordon Brown is blind in one eye
C. support the point that rugby players often get hurt
D. warn teenagers against playing rugby at school
（4）What can we infer from the passage?
A. Teenagers will lose interest in football.
B. English children have a talent for rugby.
C. Playing rugby doesn't involve skills.
D. Rugby is not suitable for everyone.
【答案】（1）B
（2）C
（3）C
（4）D
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了英式橄榄球，并且将它与足球进行了对比。

英式橄榄球是暴徒们的绅士运动，玩这项运动的人身体一定要强壮才行呢。

（1）归纳总结题。

前三段都在介绍英式橄榄球并且将其与足球比较，人们认为橄榄球是暴徒们的绅士运动，而足球是绅士的暴徒运动。

并且说足球应该学习橄榄球。

故选B
（2）细节题。

第四段第二句"It is more enjoyable to play than soccer because you are always involved in the game玩英式橄榄球比完足球更有趣，因为你总是被卷入游戏之中的。

故选C （3）细节题。

倒数第二段最后一句Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is blind in one eye thanks to a rugby accident at school.前英国首相戈登布朗在学校的一场橄榄球赛中瞎了一只眼睛。

所以是来支持橄榄球运动会使人受伤。

故选C
（4）细节题。

倒数第二段第二句 People who play the sport need to be tough and be prepared to get hurt. 玩这项运动的人们要强壮并且要做好受伤的准备。

从这里可以得出橄榄球这项运动不适合所有人，故选D
7．阅读理解
Take a look at the following list of numbers: 4, 8, 5, 3, 7, 9, 6. Read them loud. Now look away and spend 20 seconds memorizing them in order before saying them out loud again. If you speak English, you have about a 50% chance of remembering those perfectly. If you are Chinese, though, you're almost certain to get it right every time. Why is that? Because we most easily memorize whatever we can say or read within a two-second period. And unlike English, the Chinese language allows them to fit all those seven numbers into two seconds.
That example comes from Stanislas Dahaene's book The Number Sense. As Dahaene explains: Chinese number words are remarkably brief. Most of them can be spoken out in less than one-quarter of a second (for instance, 4 is “si” and 7 “qi”). Their English pronunciations are longer. The memory gap between English and Chinese apparently is entirely due to this difference in length. It turns out that there is also a big difference in how number-naming systems in Western and Asian languages are constructed. In English, we say fourteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen and nineteen, so one might expect that we would also say oneteen, twoteen, threeteen, and fiveteen. But we don't. We use a different form: eleven, twelve, thirteen and fifteen. For numbers above 20, we put the “decade” first and the unit number s econd (twenty-one, twenty-two), while for the teens, we do it the other way around (fourteen, seventeen, eighteen). The number system in English is highly irregular. Not so in China, Japan, and Korea. They have a logical counting system. Eleven is ten-one. Twelve is ten-two. Twenty-four is two-tens-four and so on.
That difference means that Asian children learn to count much faster than American children. Four-year-old Chinese children can count, on average, to 40. American children at that age can count only to 15. By the age of five, in other words, American children are already a year behind their Asian friends in the most fundamental of math skills.
The regularity of their number system also means that Asian children can perform basic
functions, such as addition, far more easily. Ask an English-speaking seven-year-old to add thirty-seven plus twenty-two in her head, and she has to change the words to numbers (37+22). Only then can she do the math: 2 plus 7 is 9 and 30 and 20 is 50, which makes 59. Ask an Asian child to add three-tens-seven and two-tens-two, and then the necessary equation(等式) is right there, in the sentence. No number translation is necessary: it's five-tens-nine.
When it comes to math, in other words, Asians have a built-in advantage. For years, students from China, South Korea, and Japan --- outperformed their Western classmates at mathematics, and the typical assumption is that it has something to do with a kind of Asian talent for math. The differences between the number systems in the East and the West suggest something very different --- that being good at math may also be rooted in a group's culture.
（1）What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. The Asian number-naming system helps grasp advanced math skills better.
B. Western culture fail to provide their children with adequate number knowledge.
C. Children in Western countries have to learn by heart the learning things.
D. Asian children's advantage in math may be sourced from their culture.
（2）What makes a Chinese easier to remember a list of numbers than an American?
A. Their understanding of numbers.
B. Their mother tongue.
C. Their math education.
D. Their different IQ.
（3）Asian children can reach answers in basic math functions more quickly because ____________.
A. they pronounce the numbers in a shorter period
B. they practice math from an early age
C. they don't have to translate language into numbers first
D. American children can only count to 15 at the age of four
【答案】（1）D
（2）B
（3）C
【解析】【分析】本文为介绍说明文。

文章介绍了东西方数字系统之间的差异对东西方人数学能力的影响，同时也发现了一个非常不同的地方：善于数学也可能植根于一个群体的文化中。

（1）主旨大意题。

通读全文可知，本文介绍了东西方数字系统之间的差异对东西方人数学能力的影响。

同时根据第三段中的The number system in English is highly irregular.Not so in China, Japan, and Korea. They have a logical counting system.（英语中的数字系统是高度不规则的。

在中国、日本、韩国则不是这样的。

他们有一个逻辑计数系统。

）及第四段中的That difference means that Asian children learn to count much faster than American children.（这种差异意味着亚洲儿童比美国儿童学的要快得多。

）可推知，本文主要探讨了亚洲儿。