Question

    There are at least 3 ,000 miles of waterways in Britain. On these canals and rivers, there are over 30,000 'houseboats'—boats that people use as homes. Around 10 ,000 of them are located in London.

The earliest populations of Britain's 'boat people' have been living on the water since the canals were built during the industrial revolution. Since then, houseboat living has usually attracted people who prefer to live an alternative lifestyle. Houseboat communities are typically made up of people who are looking for a slower way of life and who want to be in touch with nature.

Living on the water sounds romantic, but it is also hard work. There are daily things that need to be done, like bringing fuel and water on board and dealing with 'waste' water from kitchen sink, shower and toilet. In winter, living on a boat can be very cold and there is always a feeling of damp. Of course, most boats are quite small inside, so you don't have much space, especially if you are a couple, family or a group of friends.

Despite these difficulties, the number of people living on Britain's waterways has increased by around 50 per cent over the past ten years. More and more families and young professionals are moving onto houseboats, not only because they like the idea of life on water.but also because it is much cheaper to buy or rent a boat than a flat or a house.

There is a great sense of community on the waterways ； many boat people say that their neighbours are always ready to help them, and houseboat neighbours often become friends for life. This is quite a different story from people who live in flats or houses and may hardly know the people next door at all.

1.What does the underlined word "alternative" in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A.Creative. B.Enjoyable.

C.Non — traditional. D.Primitive.

2.From the third paragraph, we know that it is to live on the boat.

A.inconvenient B.easy

C.boring D.unforgettable

3.Which of the following information is not given in the text?

A.There are lots of rivers and canals in Britain.

B.Many people live on houseboats in Wales.

C.Houseboat living become popular in the industrial revolution.

D.People who live on houseboats are usually very friendly with their neighbours.

4.Why do many people choose to live on the water? Because .

A.living on the water is romantic

B.living on the water is easy and natural

C.living on the water can avoid unfriendly neighbours

D.living on the water costs less than living on the land

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

本文为说明文。文章主要介绍了在英国年轻人中流行的一种居住方式 “船屋”。

1.猜测词义题。根据第二段划线词"alternative" 后的“Houseboat communities are typically made up of people who are looking for a slower way of life and who want to be in touch with nature.”可知，游艇社区通常是由那些寻求慢节奏生活方式和想要接触大自然的人组成的。结合第一段“there are over 30,000 'houseboats'—boats that people use as homes.” 这些人以船为家的。即他们以船为家，是因为喜欢慢节奏的生活，想要接触大自然。这与传统的居住方式不同。“Since then, houseboat living has usually attracted people who prefer to live an alternative lifestyle”这句是说从工业革命起，游艇生活通常吸引那些喜欢另类生活方式的人。即这种游艇生活吸引那些喜欢“非传统的”生活方式的人。选项C. Non — traditional（非传统的）符合题意，故选C。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段“Living on the water sounds romantic, but it is also hard work. ”可知，在水上生活听起来很浪漫，但也很辛苦。下面的举例“There are daily things that need to be done, .... In winter, living on a boat can be very cold and there is always a feeling of damp. Of course, most boats are quite small inside, ....”比如带上燃料和水，要处理 “废水”等。冬天住在船上很冷，总有一种潮湿感。当然，大多数的船里面都很小.......。由这些例子可知，生活在船上是极不方便的。故选A。

3.细节理解题。第一段“There are at least 3 ,000 miles of waterways in Britain. On these canals and rivers,... Around 10 ,000 of them are located in London.”可知英国有许多河流和运河，其中大约10000个位于伦敦。故文章中提到A（英国有许多河流和运河），但B（在威尔士，许多人住在船上）是错误的。第二段“The earliest populations of Britain's 'boat people' have been living on the water since the canals were built during the industrial revolution. Since then, houseboat living has usually attracted people who prefer to live an alternative lifestyle....”是说自工业革命时期修建运河以来，英国最早的“船民”一直生活在水上。从那时起，游艇生活通常吸引那些喜欢另类生活方式的人，即说游艇生活在工业革命中变得流行起来，文章提到C（游艇生活在工业革命中变得流行起来）。最后一段“many boat people say that their neighbours are always ready to help them, and houseboat neighbours often become friends for life.” 许多船民说，他们的邻居总是乐于帮助他们，而船上邻居常常成为终生的朋友，可知文章提到D项（住在游艇上的人通常对邻居很友好）。综合可知B项文章中没有提及，故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据第四段中的“More and more families and young professionals are moving onto houseboats, not only because they like the idea of life on water but also because it is much cheaper to buy or rent a boat than a flat or a house.”越来越多的家庭和年轻的专业人士正搬到游艇上居住，这不仅是因为他们喜欢水上生活，还因为买船或租船比租公寓或房子便宜得多。由此可推断出生活在水上比生活在陆地上花费少。分析选项可知D项符合题意，故选D。