Question

    The real point of human nature lies in the social bonds that we make through family, friendships, professional associations and local communities. These bonds produce a sense of common purpose and values, in which groups of people seek hard and enjoy together the things that are for the common good: a sound education, a pleasant environment to live in, a healthy population. This is what the heart of the gift economy (经济) is.

In the past, American companies operating in Japan found it difficult to attract Japanese people, even though, compared with Japanese employers, they offered more generous wages, shorter work hours and better promotion chances. But these were traditionally not so important to the employees, who did not think of their services as being ‘bought’. Rather, they felt they were entering into a long-term—“gift exchange” —relationship with their employer, which was of mutual (相互) benefit.

This relationship had many aspects. At its most basic it related the simple exchange of physical gifts. For example, if the employee got married, the company sent a gift. Another company gift which is popular among Japanese employees is the yearly company vacation. On these organized weekends co-workers share dormitories, eat together and visit the same attractions, largely at the company’s expense. For their part, the main gift given by the employees to their company is their hard work and this is why each Japanese employee gives such great attention to accuracy, and quality in their work. Even the simplest tasks are carried out with extraordinary care.

Now, neighborhood groups use online networks to share tools and skills. Someone who needs a long ladder to repair their roof does not need to go out and buy one; they simply put a message up on the neighborhood discussion board and soon a neighbor will offer theirs. Via the Internet, knowledge and advice can be shared on almost everything, from how a nuclear reactor works to how to plan your holiday. The gift economy is going through a booming time.

1.What is the key point of the gift economy?

A.People’s working hard. B.People’s similar social status.

C.Sharing social interests. D.Accepting social bonds.

2.Why did the Japanese show little interest in American companies?

A.The companies offered them low salaries.

B.They were difficult to get a better position.

C.The companies provided shorter vacations.

D.They didn’t want to sell their services.

3.What does the yearly company vacation inspire Japanese employees to do?

A.Contribute themselves to the company.

B.Exchange physical gifts with each other.

C.Spend less money while talking vacations.

D.Organize more effective weekend parties.

4.What can we infer about the gift economy from the last paragraph?

A.It is changing the Internet services. B.It benefits greatly from the Internet.

C.It is better accepted on the Internet. D.It booms the Internet development.

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.A

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。主要介绍了“礼物经济”的真正内涵，并举例说明“礼物经济”对公司和对员工所起的作用。同时，作者还谈到了“礼物经济”在互联网时代的发展。

1.

细节理解题。由第一段中的“This is what the heart of the gift economy is.（这就是礼物经济的核心所在。）”可知，本题答案在第一自然段内。由第一段内的“The real point of human nature lies in the social bonds that we make through family, friendships, professional associations and local communities. These bonds produce a sense of common purpose and values, in which groups of people seek hard and enjoy together the things that are for the common good: a sound education, a pleasant environment to live in, a healthy population.（人性的真正意义在于我们通过家庭、友谊、专业协会和当地社区建立的社会联系。这些联系产生了一种共同的目标和价值观，在这种价值观中，人们努力寻求并共同享受有利于共同利益的事物：良好的教育、愉快的生活环境、健康的人口。）”可知，礼物经济的核心是大家共享社会利益。故选C。

2.

细节理解题。由第二段中的“But these were traditionally not so important to the employees, who did not think of their services as being ‘bought’.（，但传统上，这些对员工来说并不是那么重要，他们认为他们的服务是不是“买来的”）”可知，日本人对美国公司不感兴趣的原因是他们不想出售他们的服务。故选D。

3.

细节理解题。由第三段中的“On these organized weekends co-workers share dormitories, eat together and visit the same attractions, largely at the company’s expense. For their part, the main gift given by the employees to their company is their hard work and this is why each Japanese employee gives such great attention to accuracy, and quality in their work.（在这些有组织的周末，员工一起住宿，一起吃，参观相同的景点，大部分都是公司的开销。相反，员工回报给公司的就是努力工作，这就是为什么每个日本的员工对工作中的精确度和质量都给与很大关注的原因。）”可知，每年组织的旅游可以让员工更加愿意为公司努力付出。故选A。

4.

推理判断题。由最后一段首句“Now, neighborhood groups use online networks to share tools and skills.（现在，邻居们在网上分享工具和技能。）”可知，这一段讲述礼物经济在网上的发展。由最后一句“The gift economy is going through a booming time.（礼物经济正在经历一个爆发期。）”由此判断出，礼物经济借助网络，发展的更快更好。礼物经济从互联网中受益匪浅。故选B。