Question

    These days, people who do manual (体力的) work often receive far more money than people who work in offices. People who work in offices are frequently referred to as “white-collar workers” for the simple reason that they usually wear a collar and tie to go to work. Such is human nature, that a great many people are often willing to sacrifice higher pay for the honor of becoming white-collar workers. This can lead to curious situations, as it did in the case of Alfred Bloggs who worked as a dustman for the Ellesmere Corporation.

When he got married, Alf was too embarrassed to say anything to his wife about his job. He simply told her that he worked for the Corporation. Every morning, he left home dressed in a smart black suit. He then changed into overalls (工作服) and spent the next eight hours as a dustman. Before returning home at night, he took a shower and changed back into his suit. Alf did this for over two years and his fellow dustmen kept his secret. Alf’s wife has never discovered that she married a dustman and she never will, for Alf has just found another job. He will soon be working in an office. He will be earning only half as much as he used to, but he feels that his rise in status (身份；地位) is well worth the loss of money. From now on, he will wear a suit all day and others will call him ‘Mr. Bloggs’, not ‘Alf’.

1.What does the case of Alfred Bloggs show?

A. That people often care more about the status of a job than the income.

B. That “white-collar workers” usually wear a suit to go to work.

C. That manual workers prefer to keep their jobs a secret.

D. That office workers earn less than manual workers.

2.What did Alfred Bloggs do for over two years?

A. He told his wife he worked for the Corporation, when in fact he did not.

B. He dressed himself as a dustman before leaving home every morning.

C. He lied to his wife about his job.

D. He earned twice as much as a white-collar worker.

3.What does Alfred Bloggs think of his new job?

A. He feels it is a pity because he now earns less than before.

B. He thinks it is worthwhile for his rise in status.

C. He is proud because he earns much more than before.

D. He is satisfied because he no longer needs a shower before returning home.

4.What’s the best title of the passage?

A. The Double Life of Alfred Bloggs.

B. Money or Status, Which Comes First?

C. The Story of Alfred Bloggs, a Dustman.

D. Truth Will Come to Light Sooner or Later.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.A

【解析】

本文属于说明文，本文主要介绍艾尔弗雷德·布洛格斯在过去两年的双面人生或双重生活；揭示了服饰，称谓是西方国家的阶级差异(class distinction)的一些表现形式。

1.推理判断题。根据第一段Such is human nature, that a great many people are often willing to sacrifice higher pay for the honor of becoming white-collar workers. This can lead to curious situations, as it did in the case of Alfred Bloggs who worked as a dustman for the Ellesmere Corporation.可知，人们都渴望成为白领阶层，尽管收入没那么高，故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段He simply told her that he worked for the Corporation. Every morning, he left home dressed in a smart black suit. He then changed into overalls (工作服) and spent the next eight hours as a dustman.可知，他告诉他的妻子，他是在一家公司上班，但是每天早上穿着西服出门，之后换服装打扫卫生，故可知，他瞒着妻子自己的真正工作，故选C。

3.细节理解题。据第二段He will be earning only half as much as he used to, but he feels that his rise in status is well worth the loss of money.可知，尽管工资只有一半高，但是地位提高了，这是值得的，故选B。

4.主旨大意题。本文主要介绍艾尔弗雷德·布洛格斯在过去两年的双面人生或双重生活，故选A。