Question

    In our fast world of phones, fax machines and computers, the old-fashioned art of letter writing is at risk of disappearing altogether. 1. There is the excitement of its arrival, the pleasure of seeing who it is from and, finally, the enjoyment of the contents.

Letter writing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It probably began with the little notes I would write to my mother. My mother, also, always insisted I write my own thank-you letters for Christmas and birthday presents. 2..

When I left home at 18 to train as a doctor in London, I would write once a week, and so would my mother. Occasionally my father would write and it was always a joy to receive his long, amusing letters. 3. Of course, we also made phone calls but it is the letters that I remember most.

There were also letters from my boyfriend. In our youth he had to work or study away at some time and we were only able to stay in touch by letter. 4. I found that I could often express myself more easily in writing than by talking.

I love the letters that come with birthday or Christmas cards. Notes are appreciated, but how much better to have a year’s supply of news! And it’s better still when it’s an airmail envelope with beautiful stamps.

5. Like my mother before me, I insist they write their own thank-you letters. My daughter writes to me little letters, just as I did to my mother. I strongly urge readers not to allow letter writing to become another “lost art”.

A.Poor handwriting can spoil (破坏) your enjoyment of a letter.

B.I am pleased that my children are carrying on the tradition.

C.We had been writing to each other for a long time but never met.

D.It didn’t matter how short or untidy they were as long as they were letters.

E.But instead of harming the relationship, letter writing seemed to improve them.

F.Yet, to me, receiving a letter cannot be matched by any form of communication.

G.The letters from him contained just everyday events concerning my parents and their friends.

Answer

1.F

2.D

3.G

4.E

5.B

【解析】

这是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了写信这件事在作者人生中的重要地位。作者认为在这个快节奏的世界里，写信是加深人与人之间交流、沟通的一种良好的方式，作者和父母、男朋友，甚至和自己的孩子之间也会保持写信这样的习惯和传统，而且作者呼吁不要让写信成为一种“失落的艺术”。

1.考查上下文逻辑关系。第一段第一句提到“In our fast world of phones, fax machines and computers”现在生活在电话、传真机和电脑的快节奏时代，这几种都是人与人沟通的方式，该段最后一句提到作者很享受收到信、看到收信人并且享受信的内容，结合后文的内容，作者偏爱写信这一与其他沟通方式不同的传统艺术。F项提到Yet, to me, receiving a letter cannot be matched by any form of communication.（然而，对我来说，任何形式的沟通方式也不能与收到一封信的感觉相匹配。）该项中提到的“any form of communication”即指代第一句中出现的电话、传真、电脑等交流方式。F项起承上启下的作用，故选F。

2.考查上下文逻辑关系。第二段第一、二句提到从开始记事起写信就是作者生活中的一部分了，而且作者的妈妈也会在圣诞节和生日的时候给作者写信。D.项提到It didn’t matter how short or untidy they were as long as they were letters.（只要是字母，无论长短或是凌乱都不重要。）根据前文可知，作者从很小可能都不会写字的时候就开始写信，有可能字迹非常潦草，但真正重要的是作者家中写作这一传统，D项起总结上文的作用，故选D。

3.考查上下文逻辑关系。第三段第二局提到“Occasionally my father would write and it was always a joy to receive his long, amusing letters.”作者有时候也会收到父亲写的长长的、有趣的信。G项提到The letters from him contained just everyday events concerning my parents and their friends.（他的信件只包含有关父母和他们朋友之间的日常）G项中提到的him指代的是前文中“my father”。G项起承上启下的作用，故选G。

4.考查上下文逻辑关系。第四段最后一句提到“I found that I could often express myself more easily in writing than by talking.”作者认为写信比说话更容易表达自己。第四段开头提到作者和男朋友年轻的时候分开工作或学习，只能通过信件联系，且该段最后提到作者觉得通过书信的形式更容易表达自己。由此说明作者通过书信的方式改善了和男朋友之间的关系。E项提到But instead of harming the relationship, letter writing seemed to improve them.（但是，写信并没有损害这种关系，反而改善了这种关系。）E项起承上启下的作用。故选E。

5.考查上下文逻辑关系。最后一段第二三句提到“Like my mother before me, I insist they write their own thank-you letters. My daughter writes to me little letters, just as I did to my mother.”作者也会像她妈妈一样要求自己的孩子写感谢信，就像作者小时候与她妈妈做的那样。由此可知，作者在拥有了自己的孩子后仍然保持着这个传统。B.项提到I am pleased that my children are carrying on the tradition.（我很高兴我的孩子也继承发扬着这个传统。）由此可知，该项为此段的中心句，故选B。