Sometimes you may have a strong desire to do something strange or terrible. However, chanc

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 become 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 become 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 companies 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 become fat? In an image-conscious society, thin is ‘‘in”, fat is “out”.
It’ s not surprising that millions of people have become 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 become 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 companies 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．A crime committed on impulse. B．An unfavorable impression left on other people.C．A strong desire to do something strange or terrible.D．Behavior considered unacceptable to the society.【小题2】What does the underlined phrase “in” look probably mean?A．The fashionable look.B．The hidden look.C．The usual look.D．The inside look.【小题3】According to the passage, the common belief is that .A．fat people are full of energyB．thin people are more successfulC．fat people prefer to have fat bossesD．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 concern for health D．their belief in hard workD

(答案→)D 解析：本文介绍了一些在过去不被人们认同的现象慢慢地被人们接受，接着又说明了现代社会里对于瘦，对于健康的追求。【小题1】D 推理题。根据第二段2，3行how certain behavior and attitudes once considered taboo can become perfectly acceptable and natural at another point in time.说明这里的taboo就是指那些在过去不被人们认同的事物随着时间的流逝现在得到了人们的认同，故该词指D项。【小题2】A 推理题。根据本句The “in” look is thin, not fat.说明这里的in look就是指现在受人欢迎的外形。故A正确。【小题3】B细节题。根据第三段3,4,5行In the work world, most companies 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.说明在现代社会里瘦是与成功联系在一起的，故B正确。【小题4】C 细节题。根据最后一段3,4行Recent research has shown the importance of diet and exercise for personal health说明现在人们把饮食和锻炼和个人的健康联系在了一起，故C项正确。

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