Question

There are many programs for high school students today that help isolated teenagers cope with loneliness．However，loneliness is not only an issue for teens but also an important and rarely acknowledged one in the elderly．

In Britain，Tracey Crouch was appointed to be the first Minister of Loneliness in order to address the issues caused by loneliness．This is the first time such a position has been created．

In Britain，there are around 9 million people who say they are lonely frequently．In Germany，a study conducted by Ruhr University Bochum found that 20 percent of people over the age of 85 felt lonely，and 14 percent of those between age 45 and 65 felt socially isolated．In the United States，more than 25 percent of the population lives alone，more than 50 percent are unmarried．

Isolation is generally associated with cardiovascular disease，depression，obesity，and anxiety．Additionally，the stress from loneliness can cause your cells to change on a molecular(分子)level that reduces its abilities to defend your body against diseases．In fact，doctors believe having feelings of loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day in regard to its impact on health!

In Britain，the new Minister of Loneliness will help establish government policies on the issue and fund charities to devote their efforts towards aiding loneliness．There are charities that link lonely seniors to high school students in order to give them a line of communication whenever they feel lonely!

The possibilities for the new Minister of Loneliness are endless．For example，she can provide education services to household businesses so that they can identify lonely customers if they see one．Loneliness fits into the category of being a social issue that must be monitored by the entire community in order to help those in need．Hence，government involvement in medical services and care for seniors and others is essential for happy seniors．

1.What’s the main idea of the passage?

A. UK becomes the capital of loneliness．    B. Loneliness affects old people’s life．

C. Many teenagers suffer from loneliness．    D. UK appoints Minister of Loneliness．

2.How did the writer develop the third paragraph?

A. By listing some specific numbers．

B. By giving examples of lonely people．

C. By pointing out similarities and differences．

D. By comparing different cultures in different countries．

3.What does the underlined words in Paragraph 4 mean?

A. Relevant．    B. Equal．

C. Opposite．    D. Superior．

4.What will the Minister of Loneliness do?

A. Do housework for lonely people．

B. Develop friendships with the elderly．

C. Help fund charities to aid lonely people．

D. Communicate with depressed school students．

Answer

1. D

2. A

3. B

4. C

【解析】

本文是一篇社会类短文阅读。孤独如传染病般肆虐于大街小巷，英国也不例外。于是，英国政府设置了一个听上去略显奇葩的新官职“孤独大臣”，希望能缓解这一现象。

1.主旨大意题。根据文章第二段In Britain，Tracey Crouch was appointed to be the first Minister of Loneliness in order to address the issues caused by loneliness．This is the first time such a position has been created.及全文内容可知，本文主要介绍了为了解决人们的孤独问题，英国设立了一个特殊的官职，即“孤独大臣”。故选D。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段可知，本段列举了大量的数据，从而推断出本段主要是以列数据的形式展开的。故选A。

3.词义猜测题。根据文章第四段In fact，doctors believe having feelings of loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day in regard to its impact on health!中的关键词its impact on health，在结合本句句意：事实上，医生们认为孤独感对人体健康的危害等同于每天吸食15支香烟。可以猜测equivalent为“相等的”之意。故选B。

4.细节理解题。根据第五段In Britain，the new Minister of Loneliness will help establish government policies on the issue and fund charities to devote their efforts towards aiding loneliness.可知，英国“孤独大臣”的工作包括资助慈善机构以帮助孤独的人。故选C。