Question

If the rose can be said to be a special flower, then the apple can be said to be a special fruit. It is very important in American culture. American stories speak of Johnny Appleseed, who went throughout America collecting apple seeds and planting apple trees. He had a great love for nature and went through fields and farms adding richness and beauty to the country.

One of the first sayings taught to school children is, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This short saying encourages children to eat fresh fruit to keep healthy. If someone always says good words to a person, people will call him an “apple polisher”. This, however, is not a good name. If someone is very dear to us, we say that he or she is the “apple of our eye”.

Most people believe that the fruit which Eve gave to Adam was an apple, even though the Bible(圣经) never says so. The apple, therefore, is a deep part of the language and stories of America.

An apple is also delicious. Apples can be cooked in many ways, used as a dessert, and made into sweet juice.

In many parts of the country during the harvest season, a popular activity is to go into an apple garden to pick apples. Washington, D. C. and New York are both famous for

their apples.

Finally, when it’s time to take a vacation to American cities, one can always visit New York, which is “the biggest apple” of all the American cities.

1. What does the underlined phrase “apple polisher” mean?

A. Something for cutting apples.

B. A person who likes to please others.

C. A person who is dealing with fruits.

D. A machine for cleaning apples quickly.

2. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a proverb about ____________.

A. cooking  B. medicine

C. shopping   D. health

3. Which of the following is TRUE with apples?

A. Apples are medicine.

B. Apples are the most important food.

C. New York is famous for its big apples.

D. The Bible says Adam was given an apple.

4. The passage is mainly about___________.

A. stories about the apple

B. apples in American culture

C. some famous sayings of the apple

D. big cities that is famous for apples

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.C

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：苹果在美国文化里有着举足轻重的地位。苹果是美国语言和故事里耐人寻味的一部分。苹果有很多种煮法。华盛顿和纽约都以各自的苹果闻名。来美国旅游时可以参观有着美国“大苹果”昵称的纽约。

1.词义猜测题。根据划线的短语所在的句子If someone always says good words to a person, people will call him an “apple polisher” This, however, is not a good name.可知，如果有人总是说别人的好话，人们就会叫他拍马屁的人。所以apple polisher指的就是总是说好话取悦于别人的人。故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据文章第二段前两句可知，“一天一苹果，疾病远离我”是鼓励孩子们多吃水果以保持健康，所以选D。

3.细节理解题。根据文章后两段可知，纽约以它的大苹果而出名，所以选C。

4.这篇短文作者给我们讲述的是在美国文化里，苹果是一个很特殊的水果，他还给我们总结了很多关于apple 这个词的谚语和俗语，故B选项美国文化里的苹果这个选项最能概括文章的大意。故选B。

考点：文化类阅读。