Question

    May 14 marks the beginning of National Smile Month in the UK. The campaign is organized by the Oral Health Foundation to promote(普及) dental(牙齿的) health. The Foundation hopes that a month of smiling across the nation will make people think about the importance of brushing their teeth regularly, cutting down on sugary foods, and making regular appointments with the dentist.

The British, in fact, have a reputation for bad teeth. The Internet's Urban Dictionary has an entry(条目)for “ British Smile”, defining it as “Any smile with bad teeth”. On the other side of the Atlantic, however, the “Hollywood Smile” gets its name because American movie stars are so proud to show off their sparkling beautiful teeth.

But what about smiling in the UK in general? Do the British smile a lot, or do they look sad all the time? It's said that the British practice the “stiff upper lip”, meaning that they don't often show their emotions; they neither smile nor cry. But this is false: A British person likes to smile as much as anyone else.

As far as smiling in Britain is concerned just like everywhere else, it all depends on the situation. For example, you wouldn't expect anyone to smile at a funeral(葬礼). But if you were at a party of any kind, you'd find everyone smiling from ear to ear. However, smiling is sometimes not allowed under some circumstances(情形). For instance, since 2005 Britain hasn’t allowed smiling in passport photographs. At other times, for example at work and school, you simply smile when it's natural to smile.

So the British are no more and no less likely to smile than anyone else. But smiling is good for you, no doubt about it, even if you do have a few bad teeth. And smiling is good for those around you too. This alone makes National Smile Month a great idea. As the essayist William Hazlitt wrote, “A gentle smile, a kind word, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles”.

1.Why is National Smile Month held in the UK?

A.To promote the health benefits of smiling.

B.To build a more friendly society through smiling.

C.To attract people's attention to dental health.

D.To teach people how to protect their teeth.

2.What does the underlined word “sparkling” refer to?

A.aging B.loose

C.smelly D.shining

3.What can we learn from the article about smiling in the UK?

A.People can’t smile when taking passport photos.

B.British people are less likely to smile than others.

C.People are encouraged to smile all the time at work.

D.British people often hide their true emotions with a smile.

4.What does the author think of National Smile Month?

A.It lasts too long. B.It is a wonderful event.

C.It fails to achieve its purpose. D.It should be promoted around the world.

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.A

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了英国国民微笑月这项运动，并介绍了英国人的微笑情况。

1.

细节理解题。根据第一段The campaign is organized by the Oral Health Foundation to promote(普及) dental(牙齿的) health.可知，英国国民微笑月这项活动由口腔健康基金会举办，旨在促进口腔健康。由此可知，英国国民微笑月这项活动的目的是引起人们对口腔健康的关注。故选C。

2.

词义猜测题。根据划线单词所在句the “Hollywood Smile” gets its name because American movie stars are so proud to show off their sparkling beautiful teeth.可知，“好莱坞微笑”之所以得名，是因为美国的电影明星都很骄傲地炫耀他们闪亮美丽的牙齿；根据空前show off和beautiful teeth可知，只有闪亮美丽的牙齿才值得炫耀，由此可知，此处sparkling的意思是“闪亮的”。故选D。

3.

细节理解题。根据倒数第二段For instance, since 2005 Britain hasn’t allowed smiling in passport photographs. 可知，自2005年起，英国不允许在护照照片中出现微笑。由此可知，人们在拍摄护照照片时不能微笑。故选A。

4.

推理判断题。根据最后一段This alone makes National Smile Month a great idea. 可知，作者认为英国国民微笑月是一项不错的活动。由此可推知，作者认为这个活动很不错。故选B。