Question

In the United States, sixteen, eighteen, and twenty-one are important ages in a person's life. There are no special celebrations for these birthdays, but each is a time when a person can do new things to mark their transition(转变) into adulthood.

After turning sixteen a person can work, get a driver's license and leave home. Many high school students learn to drive and get part-time jobs soon after celebrating their sixteenth birthday. At the age of eighteen a person in the United States can vote and smoke, but they are prohibited from going into nightclubs, buying wine or gambling(贿博) until they are twenty-one.

In many Latin(拉丁的) cultures, a young woman's fifteenth birthday is important. At this age, she is regarded as an adult. To mark this special day, families with teenage daughters have a celebration called a Quinceanera. The day begins with the young woman and her family going to church. Later, there is a party and many guests are invited.

In Japan, young people became adults at twenty. At this age, they can legally(合法地) vote, drink wine and smoke. The second Monday in January is a national holiday called "Coming of Age Day". On this day, twenty-year-old celebrates by first going to church to pray with their families. Later, they listen to speeches given by city and school leaders, Afterward, they may celebrate with family or friends late into the night.

In some countries, birthday celebrations continue through adulthood. Some people celebrate their fortieth and fiftieth birthdays, or their retirement year, with a huge party.

1.In the United States, age sixteen marks the time when you can _______.

A. vote and drive       B. drive and get a job

C. drink wine and smoke D. go into nightclubs .

2.Which of the following is not the turning point in a person life in the USA?

A. The 15th birthday     B. The 16th birthday

C. The 18th birthday     D. The 21st birthday

3.What is the meaning of the word "prohibit”？

A．允许      B. 禁止     C．  终止     D．停止

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.B

【解析】

试题分析：这篇短文主要介绍的是在美国三个重要的人生年龄：16，18和21岁，同时介绍了一些其它国家与庆祝生日有关的事情。

1.B细节理解题。根据短文“Many high school students learn to drive and get part-time jobs soon after celebrating their sixteenth birthday，”的描述可知，十六岁生日过后标志着可以开车和找工作。故应选B。

2.A细节理解题。根据短文“In the United States, sixteen, eighteen, and twenty-one are important ages in a person's life.”的描述可知，在美国三个重要的年龄为16，18和21岁。结合选项可知应选A。

3.词义猜测题。根据短文“At the age of eighteen a person in the United States can vote and smoke, but they are prohibited from going into nightclubs”中的but可知前后两句话是转折关系，前面说18岁时可以选举和吸烟，故下面的prohibit是禁止的含义。结合选项可知应选B。

考点：政治经济文化类短文阅读。