阅读理解
China and western countries may have different cultural beliefs about certain animals, but
when it comes to pigs, we have somehow reached an agreement
- that pigs are ugly, lazy, stupid and shameless.
Just look at the idioms and phrases in our languages. In Chinese,
we
have the expressions of
"Boiling a dead pig", and "A pig looking in the mirror is still a pig". And in English, there are
expressions such as "eating like a pig"
and "sweating like a pig". None of them
are
exactly complimentary.
But the truth is that pigs do have some fine qualities(品质). And there's probably no better time to clear their names than now, for it is the Year of the Pig on Chinese Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 5 this year.
It is true that science long ago proved that pigs aren't stupid at all. According to a paper published in 2017 in the International Journal of Comparative Psychology, pigs are mentally and
socially similar to dogs and
chimpanzees(黑猩猩). They like
to play. They have good long-lasting
memories. And they know
the differences between
those who treat
them well and those
who don't.
There are lovable pig characters in cartoons too. Peppa Pig, for example, a UK
animated television series that began in 2004, has now become one of the most popular cartoons in 180 countries. The four members in the cartoon's pig family teach children from
all
around the world about
love, friendship, and the value of family. And in China, the adventures of McDull, a piglet
who
works hard towards his dreams even though he keeps failing, have been made into films since 2001.
"People are putting too much emphasis on efficiency and immediate results, but McDull is
slow
and patient, and not afraid of repeated failures," said McDull's creator Brian
Tse
when she was promoting the
2009 film McDull,
Kung
Fu Ding Ding Dong in Beijing. "He has a heart of
gold."
Perhaps these are the qualities
of pigs to keep in mind when we celebrate this Chinese New
Year—their intelligence,
cuteness, patience
and innocence(纯真).
(1)
How many idioms and phrases are mentioned in the whole passage?
A . One.
B . Two.
C . Three.
D . Four.
(2)
Which one is NOT right about pigs?
A . Scientist long ago proved that pigs are clever.
B . We can say that pigs are patient.
C . According to a paper published in 2017, pigs are not as clever as dogs.
D . Pigs know the differences between those who treat them well and those who don't.
(3)
Which of the following about the cartoon Peppa Pig are RIGHT? ①It is a USA animated television series that began in 2004. ②It has now become one of the most popular cartoons in 180 countries. ③Children can learn about love, friendship, and the value of family by watching the cartoon Peppa Pig.
A . ①②
B . ②③
C . ①③
D . ①②③
(4)
Which of the following is NOT right?
A . McDull is a Chinese cartoon character.
B . McDull, the lovable pig, is slow and patient.
C . The adventures of McDull have been made into films since 2009.
D . Brian Tse is McDull's creator.
答案: D
C
B
C