Question

For most people, Christmas is a time to relax in the company of family and friends. But for Santa Claus, and the thousands of fake Santas who impersonate（模仿） him every year, the Christmas season is time to get to work.

Although  Santa Claus waits until Christmas Eve to take his famous sleigh (雪橇) ride, Santa impersonators can be found at shopping malls around America throughout the six weeks leading up to December 25. "When you see Santa talking with kids at your local mall, that's when you know Christmas really is on the way," says Mary Lewine of New York City.

With the excitement of Christmas, people often forget about the real people behind the red robes （长袍) and white beards, but being a mall Santa. is a tough job. "There is more to it than just sitting in a chair. There is more to it than just a red suit," said Timothy Connaghan, who has worked as a Santa for.38 years. "Children can really put the wear and tear on you.”

A recent survey showed some of the challenges that mall Santas face every year. About 90 percent of Santas claimed that children pulled their beards to see if they were real, and 60 percent said that up to ten kids cough or sneeze on them every day. Even more disturbing, one-third of the Santas admit to having children wet themselves while sitting on their laps.

So why would anyone take this job? For Ben Brauch, a retired high school teacher who has worked as a Santa for the last six years, the answer is simple-the children. "I see maybe 12,000 kids in a six-week period.

It's hard work, but it's worth it because you get to play with kids." In fact, Brauch loves his job so much that he keeps his white beard long all year.

1.According to Timothy Connaghan, we can conclude that _              

A. all children are moved to tears when seeing Santa

B. a mall Santa is always sitting in a chair

C. a mall Santa tolerates a lot during Christmas

D. Santa impersonators are greatly admired

2.The underlined word "claimed" in the 4th paragraph probably means “               ”

A.hesitated          B. stated        C. worried         D. insisted

3.Why does Ben Brauch love his job of Santa impersonator?

A. Because he can keep his white beard long all year.

B. Because he   as nothing else to do after retiring.

C. Because he can earn a large sum of money.

D. Because he enjoys playing with children.

4.What is the best title of the text?

A. Santa impersonators during Christmas

B. The coming Christmas

C. Shopping malls in America

D. A disturbing job

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

4.A

【解析】

试题分析: 本文讲述圣诞节对于大多数人来说是和家人朋友欢聚的时光，可对于圣诞老人以及千万扮演圣诞老人的人来说，却是工作时间。

1.C 考查推理判断题。根据第三段提到There is more to it than just sitting in a chair. There is more to it than just a red suit," said Timothy Connaghan, who has worked as a Santa for.38 years. "Children

can really put the wear and tear on you.可知那不仅仅是坐在椅子上，也不是仅仅穿上一身红衣服就算完了，”已经当了38年圣诞老人的蒂莫西康纳汉说：“孩子们真的很折腾人，故选C项。

2.B 考查细节理解题。根据第四段提到About 90 percent of Santas claimed that children pulled their beards to see if they were real, and 60 percent said that up to ten kids cough or sneeze on them every day大约有90％的圣诞老人说孩子们会去揪他们的胡子，想看看他们是不是真人，有60％的圣诞老人说每年都有10来个孩子在他们身上咳嗽或者打喷嚏，故选B项。

3.D 考查细节理解题。根据最后一段提到It's hard work, but it's worth it because you get to play with kids." In fact, Brauch loves his job so much that he keeps his white beard long all year工作虽然辛苦，但是很值得，因为你能和孩子们在一起玩。”布劳里其实非常热爱自己的这份工作，他整年都留着长长的白胡子，故选D项。

4.A 考查主旨标题。本文讲述圣诞节对于大多数人来说是和家人朋友欢聚的时光，可对于圣诞老人以及千万扮演圣诞老人的人来说，却是工作时间，故选A项。

考点 ：日常生活类阅读 。