Question

Television has changed the lifestyle of people in every industrialized country in the world. In the United States, where sociologists have studied the effects, some interesting observations have been made.

Television, although not essential, has become an important part of most people’s lives. It alters people’s ways of seeing the world; in many ways, it supports and sustains (维持) modern life.

Television has become a baby-sitter, an introducer of conversations, the major transmitter of culture, and a keeper of tradition. Yet when what can be seen on TV in one day is critically analyzed, it becomes evident that television is not a teacher but a sustainer; the poor quality of programming does not elevate (提高) people into greater understanding, but rather maintains and encourages the life as it exists.

The primary reason for the lack of quality in American television is related to both the history of TV programming development and the economics of TV. Television in America began with the radio. Radio companies and their sponsors first experimented with television. Therefore, the close relationship which the advertisers had with radio programs became the system for American TV. Sponsors not only paid money for time within programs, but many actually produced the programs. Thus, in American society, television is primarily concerned with reflecting and attracting society rather than experimenting with new ideas. Advertisers want to attract the largest viewing audience possible. To do so requires that the programs be entertaining rather than educational, attractive rather than challenging.

Television in America today remains, to a large extent, with the same organization and standards as it had thirty years ago. The hope for further development and true achievement toward improving society will require a change in the entire system.

1.According to the author, American television is poor in quality because _________.

A. it is controlled by radio companies

B. the programs have to be developed partly for economic reasons

C. advertisers are interested in experimenting with new ideas

D. it is still at an early stage of development, compared with the radio

2.In the author’s view, American TV should _________.

A. be entertaining and attractive

B. reflect society and attract society

C. attract as many viewers as possible

D. change with the development of society

3.Based on the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. TV has become a must in the American’s life.

B. One can expect to improve his understanding significantly from watching TV.

C. American TV is important to most people as it affects their life in many ways.

D. American TV nowadays has some different standards from the past.

4.The author’s attitude towards American television is _________.

A. negative                 B. positive

C. indifferent              D. sympathetic

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.C

4.A

【解析】

试题分析：本文是一篇议论文，介绍了在许多工业国家中，电视已经改变了人们的生活方式。然而现在电视节目的质量却并没有得到提高，它还是和三十几年前的标准一样。而要让整个社会更向前进步则需要整个社会体系的改变。

1.B推理判断题。根据第三段第一句The primary reason for the lack of quality in American television is related to both the history of TV programming development and the economics of TV可知美国的电视节目质量不高的主要原因在于美国电视与电视节目发展的以及电视行业的经济状况，由此可判断所有选项中选项B符合句意，故选B。

2.D推理判断题。根据最后一段The hope for further development and true achievement toward improving society will require a change in the entire system可知作者认为美国电视节目如果需要提高，那就需要美国的社会有所进步，所有选项中只有选项D符合句意，故选D。

3.C推理判断题。根据第一段Television, although not essential, has become an important part of most people’s lives. It alters people’s ways of seeing the world; in many ways, it supports and sustains (维持) modern life可知电视虽然不是人们生活中最基本的部分，但也是人们生活中最重要的一部分，而在某种程度上，它也是维持着现代生活的一个组成部分，故选C。

4.

考点：考查议论类短文阅读