试卷代号：2157 中央广播电视大学2011一2012学年度第二学期“开放专科”期末考试 英语阅读(3)试题 2012年7月 注意事项 一、将你的学号、姓名及分校（工作站）名称填写在答题纸的规定栏 内。考试结束后，把试卷和答题纸放在桌上。试卷和答题纸均不得带 出考场。 二、仔细阅读每题的说明，并按题目要求答题。答案必须写在答题 纸的指定位置上，写在试卷上无效。 三、用蓝、黑圆珠笔或钢笔答题，使用铅笔答题无效。 918
试卷代号 5 7 中央广播电视大学 0 11 2012 度第 学期 放专 末考试 英语阅读( 3)试题 2012 年7 注意事项 、将你的学号、姓名及分校(工作站)名称填写在答题纸的规定栏 内。考试结束后，把试卷和答题纸放在桌上。试卷和答题纸均不得带 出考场。 二、仔细阅读每题的说明，并按题目要求答题。答案必须写在答题 纸的指定位直上，写在试卷上无效。 三、用蓝、黑圆珠笔或钢笔答题 9使用铅笔答题无效。 918
Part I Read Passage 1 and decide the meaning of the following words with the help of the context.The paragraph in which the word appears is indicated in brackets.Write A,B,or C on your answer sheet.(30 points,3 points each) Passage 1 Communication and Gender in Business 1 According to popular American linguist,Deborah Tannen,communication habits vary depending on individual personality,culture,and among other factors,gender.Since male ways of communicating are standard in business,women's ways of talking are often ignored or misunderstood in the workplace.Tannen emphasizes that female and male styles are both valid.Here are some of Tannen's main points. 2 Conversational styles in boys and girls show up early.Even 5-year-old boys care about their rank in the group,while 5-year-old girls care more about being in or out of the group.Therefore,men's conversational styles often use competition,while women try to keep the appearance of equality. 3 Women tend to apologize more than men,as an attempt to restore the power balance in conversation.When men simply accept the apology rather than part of the responsibility, women feel unjustly blamed. 4 Western women favor indirect ways of speaking,which is interpreted by Western men as showing insecurity and lack of confidence.However,this gender difference is also a cultural difference:Japanese business culture demands indirectness,and the direct approach used by western businessmen is often seen as rude by the Japanese. 5 In business,women are often blamed if they "talk like a woman"(soft,indirect, cautious),but are also blamed if they "talk like a man"(bossy,aggressive). 6 We have strong negative images of women in authority:Wicked Witch and Mother, so women bosses are judged not as bosses but as women. 7 Gender differences show most strongly not in individuals but in group settings.In a group of men and women,women tend to become silent bystanders,while men are active participants. 919
Part I Read Passage 1 and decide the meaning of the following words with the help of the context. The paragraph in which the word appears is indicated in brackets. Write A , B , or C on your answer sheet. (30 points, 3 points each) Passage 1 Communication and Gender in Business 1 According to popular American linguist , Deborah Tannen , communication habits vary depending on individual personality , culture , and among other factors , gender. Since male ways of communicating are standard in business, women' s ways of talking are often ignored or misunderstood in the workplace. Tannen emphasizes that female and male styles are both valid. Here are some of Tannen' s main points. 2 Conversational styles in boys and girls show up early. Even 5-year-old boys care about their rank in the group , while 5-year-old girls care more about being in or out of the group. Therefore , men' s conversational styles often use competition , while women try to keep the appearance of equality. 3 Women tend to apologize more than men , as an attempt to restore the power balance in conversation. When men simply accept the apology rather than part of the responsibility , women feel unjustly blamed. 4 Western women favor indirect ways of speaking , which is interpreted by Western men as showing insecurity and lack of confidence. However, this gender difference is also a cultural dL1ferencezJapanese business culturE demands IMIrectneSS ,and th direct approach used by western businessmen is often seen as rude by the Japanese. 5 In business, women are often blamed if they" talk like a woman" (soft , indirect , cautious) , but are also blamed if they "talk like a man" (bossy , aggressive). 6 We have strong negative images of women in authority: Wicked Witch and Mother, so women bosses are judged not as bosses but as women. 7 Gender differences show most strongly not in individuals but in group settings. In a group of men and women , women tend to become silent bystanders, while men are active partIcIpants. 919
8 Males and females in Western culture speak different body languages.Men often spread out their limbs,taking up a lot of space,gesture widely,speak in loud tones,and engage in direct eye contact.These behaviors communicate power and high status.Women hold in their limbs,take up little space,make small gestures,speak in soft voices,and lower their eyes frequently.These behaviors give away power and announce low status. 9 Males interrupt females much more than they interrupt other males,and more often than females interrupt either mates or females. 10 Research has shown that there is nothing "natural"about male or female language, but that these gender habits simply show the stereotyped role in which society puts men and women. Questions 1-10 are based on Passage 1. 1.vary (paragraph 1) A.are similar B.are different C.are universal 2.valid (paragraph 1) A.acceptable B.foolish C.different 3.show up (paragraph 2) A.change B.are the same C.appear 4.restore (paragraph 3) A.overpower B.revenge C.bring back to the original position 5.unjustly (paragraph 3) A.unfairly B.unknownly C.uniquely 6.interpreted (paragraph 4) A.translated B.understood C.repeated 920
8 Males and females in Western culture speak different body languages. Men often spread out their limbs, taking up a lot of space , gesture widely , speak in loud tones, and engage in direct eye contact. These behaviors communicate power and high status. Women hold in their limbs, take up little space , make small gestures, speak in soft voices , and lower their eyes frequently. These behaviors give away power and announce low status. 9 Males interrupt females much more than they interrupt other males, and more often than females interrupt either mates or females. 10 Research has shown that there is nothing "natural" about male or female language , but that these gender habits simply show the stereotyped role in which society puts men and women. Questions 1-10 are based on Passage 1. 1. vary (paragraph 1) A. are similar C. are universal 2. valid (paragraph 1) A. acceptable C. different 3. show up (paragraph 2) A. change C. appear 4.reshre (paragraph 3) A. oyerpower C. bring back to the original position 5. unjustly (paragraph 3) A. unfairly C. uniquely 6. interpreted (paragraph 4) A. translated C. repeated • 920 B. are different B. foolish B. are the same B. revenge B. unknownly B. understood
7.aggressive (paragraph 5) A.unwilling to agree with others B.easy to get along with C.ready to attack others 8.bystanders (paragraph 7) A.outsiders B.onlookers((旁观者) C.participants 9.limbs (paragraph 8) A.arms and legs B.newspapers C.ideas 10.interrupt (paragraph 9) A.push B.apologize to C.cut into the conversation PartⅡ Read Passage 2 and choose either A,B or C to complete each of the following statements.Write A,B or C on your answer sheet.(30 points,3 points each) Passage 2 Data On Ocean Floors 1 At the water's edge of Baltimore Harbor,two freshly painted gray ships await to be sent out on their next mission.These are the workhorses of the Information Revolution.They are wiring the world to meet the explosive and seemingly limitless demand for Internet,voice and video services,projected to be a $1 trillion-a-year global market by 2000.The two ships,C.S.Global Link and its companion the C.S.Global Mariner,are among the most technologically advanced vessels in the business of laying undersea fiber-optic communications cables.They are part of a worldwide fleet,owned by Tyco International Ltd.,that has installed more transoceanic fiber than any other company. 2 Most of the world's telephone and Internet traffic courses through these hair-thin capillaries of glass,which stretch from one continent to another along the ocean floor.In constant pulses of light,coded in the computer language of ones and zeros,they flash 921
7. aggressive (paragraph 5) A. unwilling to agree with others C. ready to attack others 8. bystanders (paragraph 7) A. outsiders C. participants 9. limbs (paragraph 8) A. arms and legs C. ideas 10. interrupt (paragraph 9) A. push B. apologize to C. cut into the conversation Part II B. easy to get along with B. onlookers( 旁观者 B. newspapers Read Passage 2 and choose either A, B or C to complete each of the following statements. Write A, B or C on your answer sheet. (30 points, 3 points each) Passage 2 Data On Ocean Floors 1 At the water's edge of Baltimore Harbor, two freshly painted gray ships await to be sent out on their next mission. These are the workhorses of the Information Revolutio良They are wiring the world to meet the explosive and seemingly limitless demand for Internet , voice and video services, projected to be a $ 1 trillion-a-year global market by 2000. The two ships, C. S. Global Link and its companion the C. S. Global Mariner, are among the most technologically advanc~d vessels in the business of laying undersea fiber-optic communications cables. They are part of a worldwide fleet , owned by Tyco International Ltd. , that has installed more transoceanic fiber thanany other company. 2 Most of the world' s telephone and Internet traffic courses through these hair-thin capillaries of glass, which stretch from one continent to another along the ocean floor. In Constant pulses of light , coded in the computer language of ones and zeros, they flash 921
millions of phone calls,electronic mail messages,video clips and World Wide Web pages at light speed. 3 Undersea fiber-optic cables have become one of the most crucial components of today's communications-based global economy,despite mid-1960s predictions that satellites would make earthbound long-distance communications obsolete. 4 "Most people really do not realize the amount of telephone cables that are undersea, and that their calls actually go through them,"said Rob Jones,captain of the C.S.Global Link.There are 228,958 miles (368,472 kilometers)of fiber-optic cable on the floors of the world's sea,enough to encircle Earth almost 10 times,according to KMI Corp.of Rhode Island.Another 177,717 miles of cable are planned for installation worldwide by 2000,KMI estimates. 5 That figure does not count the most ambitious program,Project Oxygen,which backers describe as a $14 billion "Super Internet"that would pay out 198,844 miles of mainly undersea fiber-optic cable touching 175 countries.Oxygen already has the backing of 30 international tele-communications providers and is scheduled for completion in 2003.Project Oxygen is "the most ambitious project of communications in the 20th century, said President John Kestrel of KMI.The internet is a major driver of the expansion.The second driver is the need for video transmissions. 6 Global deregulation of telecommunications markets is also playing a key role in the subsea fiber boom.Phone companies around the world are rapidly going private and governments are opening their markets to competition.Chinese officials,for example, cleverly played 14 competitors off each other in bids to build the first link between China and the United States-and then ultimately told them all to share the 1 billion contract. 7 Phrases such as“quantum leap”and“orders of magnitude”frequently come up in discussions about advances in undersea fiber optics.In 1998,when glass fibers began to replace copper in telecommunications,people stopped talking in terms of hundreds of simultaneous phone calls per cable and started talking about tens of thousands.Scientists at companies such as Ciena Corp.of Maryland have more than quadrupled fiber-cable capacity by using lasers to split light into colors,sending data through each path in a process called 922
millions of phone calls, electronic mail messages, video clips and World Wide Web pages at light speed. 3 Undersea fiber-optic cables have become one of the most crucial components of today' s communications-based global economy , despite mid-1960s predictions that satellites would make earthbound long-distance communications obsolete. 4 "Most people really do not realize the amount of telephone cables that are undersea , and that their calls actually go through them ," said Rob Jones, captain of the C. S. Global Link. There are 228 ,958 miles (368 ,472 kilometers) of fiber-optic cable on the floors of the world' s sea , enough to encircle Earth almost 10 times, according to KMI Corp. of Rhode Island. Another 177 , 717 miles of cable are planned for installation worldwide by 2000 , KMI estImates. 5 That figure does not count the most ambitious program , Project Oxygen , which backers describe as a $ 14 billion "Super Internet" that would payout 198 , 844 miles of mainly undersea fiber-optic cable touching 175 countries. Oxygen already has the backing of 30 international tele-communications providers and is scheduled for completion in 2003. Project Oxygen is "the most ambitious project of communications in the 20th century ," said President John Kestrel of KMI. The internet is a major driver of the expansion. The second driver is the need for video transmissions. 6 Global deregulation of telecommunicati~ns markets is also playing a key role in the subsea fiber boom. Phone companies around the world are rapidly going private and govmmks are opening their markets to competition.Chinese officials,for example , cleverly played 14 competitors off each other in bids to build the first link between China and the United States - and then ultimately told them all to share the $ 1 billion contract. 7 Phrases such as "quantum leap" and "orders of magnitude" frequently come up in discussions about advances in undersea fiber optics. In 1998 , when glass fibers began to replace copper in telecommunications , people stopped talking in terms of hundreds of simultaneous phone callsper cable and started talking about tens of thousands. Scientists at companies such as Ciena Corp. of Maryland have more than quadrupled fiber-cable capacity by using lasers to split light into colors, sending data through each path in a process called • 922
"wave division multiplexing.The newest trans-Atlantic cable can handle 2.4 million voice conversations at one time -or hundreds of thousands of compressed video images.The China-U.S.project will handle 4 million calls at once. 8 Lucent Technology Inc.,one of the leading fiber optic companies,unveiled the latest breakthrough.The ability to transmit as many as 10 million calls over a single fiber by dividing the strand into 80 separate wavelengths of light instead of 16.Lucent says the cable's 400-gigabit (billions of computer instructions per second)speed is enough to carry the world's Internet traffic at any given time on one fiber.One voice phone call requires 64, 000 bits.Is there any limit to the capacity increase?"Absolutely not,said Neil Tagare, Project Oxygen's founder and an undersea fiber veteran,"There is in sight." 9 And as the boom in fiber-optics continues,the cost of fiber decreases.Each voice circuit in a pre-fiber trans-Atlantic cable in 1987 cost about $40,00 annually to build and maintain,Mr.Kessler said.Today,the cost has dropped to roughly to $100 to $200 per circuit,he said.The plunging costs,combined with deregulation and competition in phone markets,have made distance meaningless in communications-and the price of calls. 10 Aboard the C.S.Global Link,Captain Jones remains very busy.The ship returned to Blatimore from the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean,after dropping 2,000 miles of cable from Bombay to Malaysia as part of another major project,called Fiber Link Around the Globe.Before Bombay,it helped to lay Atlantic Crossing,covering 3,557 miles of fiber-optic cables at an average speed of 6 knots over 21 days.It takes less than two months to install a trans-Atlentic cable.Ships use computers that are programmed to follow a specific route using global positioning satellite navigation systems.The routes are chosen after careful undersea topographical surveys that consider such factors as underwater earthquake faults, canyons and shipping and fishing routes."If global links continue to grow as they have in the last decade,it's going to get kind of crowded down there,"says Jones. Questions 11-20 are based on Passage 2. 11.Tyco International Ltd. A.is a company which owns many ships B.is a telephone and Internet company C.is a company in charge of Project Oxygen 923
"wave division multiplexing. " The newest trans-Atlantic cable can handle 2. 4 million voice conversations at one time - or hundreds of thousands of compressed video images. The China-D. S. project will handle 4 million calls at once. 8 Lucent Technology Inc. • one of the leading fiber optic companies. unveiled the latest breakthrough. The ability to transmit as many as 10 million calls over a single fiber by dividing the strand into 80 separate wavelengths of light instead of 16. Lucent says the cable's 400-gigabit (billions of computer instructions per second) speed is enough to carry the world' s Internet traffic at any given time on one fiber. One voice phone call requires 64. 000 bits. Is there any limit to the capacity increase? "Absolutely not." said Neil Tagare. Project Oxygen's founder and an undersea fiber veteran , "There is in sight. " 9 And as the boom in fiber-optics continues. the cost of fiber decreases. Each voice circuit in a pre-fiber trans-Atlantic cable in 1987 cost about $ 40.00 annually to build and maintain , Mr. Kessler said. Today , the cost has dropped to roughly to $ 100 to $ 200 per circuit , he said. The plunging costs, combined with deregulation and competition in phone markets, have made distance meaningless in communications - and the price of calls. 10 Aboard the C. S. Global Link , Captain Jones remains very busy. The ship returned to Blatimore from the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean , after dropping 2 ,000 miles of cable from Bombay to Malaysia as part of another major project , called Fiber Link Around the Globe. Before Bombay , it helped to lay Atlantic Crossing. covering 3 ,557 miles of fiber-optic cables at an average speed of 6 knots over 21 days. It takes less than two months to install a trans-A 向ntic cable. Ships use computers that are programmed to follow a specific route using glob~l positioning sa臼llite navigation systems. The routes are chosen after careful undersea topographical surveys that consider such factors as underwater earthquake faults , canyons and shipping and fishing routes. "If global 1inks continue to grow as they have in the last decade , it's going to get kind of crow(ied down there ," says Jones. Questions 11-20 are based on Passage 2. 11. Tyco International Ltd. • A. is a company which owns many ships B. is a telephone and Internet company C. is a company in charge of Project Oxygen 923
12.Rob Jones A.is captain of the C.S.Global Mariner B.is captain of the C.S.Global Link C.is President of KMI 13.There are of fiber-optic cable on the floors of the world's seas. A.228,958 kilometers B.177,717 kilometers C.368,472 kilometers 14.Project Oxygen A.is a project of communications in the 21st century B.is described as "Super Internet"by its backers C.already has the backing of 175 countries 15. were used for telecommunications in 1998. A.Optic fibers B.Copper cables C.Glass fibers 16.The newest trans-Atlantic cable can handle at one time. A.2.4 million voice conversations B.hundreds of compressed video images C.2.4 million calls 17.One voice phone call requires A.400-gigabit B.16 billion bits C.64,000 bits 18.Neil Tagare is A.President of Thco International Ltd. B.captain of the C.S.Global Link C.founder of Project Oxygen 19.Which of,the following is NOT true? A.Captain Jones,has nothing to do after boarding the C.S.Global Link. B.The C.S.Global Link returned to Baltimore from the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. C.The C.S.Global Link dropped 2,000 miles of cable from Bombay to Malaysia. 924
12. Rob Jones , • A. is captain of the C. S. Global Mariner B. is captain of the C. S. Global Link C. is President of KMI 13. There are of fiber-optic cable on the floors of the world' s seas. A. 228 ,958 kilometers B. 177 ,717 kilometers C. 368 ,472 kilometers 14. Project Oxygen • A. is a project of communications in the 21st century B. is described as "Super Internet" by its backers C. already has the backing of 175 countries 15. were used for telecommunications in 1998. A. Optic fibers C. Glass fibers B. Copper cables 16. The newest trans-Atlantic cable can handle at one tIme. A. 2. 4 million voice conversations B. hundreds of compressed video images C. 2. 4 million calls 17. One voice phone call requires • A\-CNOU'T--t-- +kcoeo B. 16 billion bits • A. President of Thco International Ltd. B. captain of the C. S. Global Link\ C. founder of Project Oxygen 19. Which of, the following is NOT true? A. Captain Jones, has nothing to do after boarding the C. S. Global Link. B. The C. S. Global Link returned to <imore from the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. C. The C. S. Global Link dropped 2 ,000 miles of cablefrom Bombay to Malaysia. • 924
20.It takes to install a trans-Atlantic cable. A.less than 21 days B.less than 2 months C.more 2 months PartⅢ Read Passage 3 and decide whether the following statements are true or false.Write T for true and F for false on your answer sheet.(20 points,2 points each) Passage 3 Breakfast 1 If you have to miss one meal a day (or if you want to do so),which meal will cause you fewest health problems if you don't eat it?If they have to make a decision of this type, most people (especially dieters or very busy people)will choose to skip breakfast. 2 However,many experts in the field of health consider breakfast (the meal which “breaks'”your“fast”which started the night before)to be the most important meal of the day.If we eat a good breakfast,they say,we will have the energy and nutrients we need to begin our working day with vigor and hopefully with good humor.Nevertheless,many people skip breakfast or substitute a donut and a cup of coffee for a well-balanced meal.What happens if we ignore the importance of breakfast? 3 One recent study conducted in the United States tested a large number of people.Participants included both males and females who ranged in age from 12 to 83.During the experiment,these people were given a variety of breakfast,and sometimes,they had to skip breakfast completely.Special tests,including blood tests and endurance tests,were set up to analyze how well the participants'bodies functioned when they had eaten a certain kind of breakfast. 4 The results showed that if a person eats an adequate breakfast,he or she will work more efficiently and more productively than if he or she skips breakfast or eats a very poor breakfast.This fact appears to be especially true if a person's work involves mental activity.The study showed that if schoolchildren eat fruit,eggs,bread,and milk before going to school,they will learn more quickly and will be able to concentrate on their lessons 925
20. It takes to install a trans-Atlantic cable. A. less than 21 days B. less than 2 months C. more 2 months Part ill Read Passage 3 and decide whether the following statements are true or false. Write T for true and F for false on your answer sheet. (20 points, 2 points each) Passage 3 Breakfast 1 If you have to miss one meal a day (or if you want to do so) , which meal will cause you fewest health problems if you don't eat it? If they have to make a decision of this type , most people (especially dieters or very busy people) will choose to skip breakfast. 2 However, many experts in the field of health consider breakfast (the meal which "breaks" your "fast" which started the night before) to be the most important meal of the day. If we eat a good breakfast , they say , we will have the energy and nutrients we need to begin our working day with vigor and hopefully with good humor. Nevertheless, many people skip breakfast or substitute a donut and a cup of coffee for a well-balanced meal. What happens if we ignore the importance of breakfast? 3One rECEnt study conducted in the tUnited States tested a iargE numbEr of people. Participants included both males and females who ranged in age from 12 to 83. During the experikent , these people were given a variety of breakfast , and sometimes, they had to skip breakfa~t completely. Special tests, including blood tests and endurance tests, were set up to analyze how well the participants' bodies functioned when they had eaten a certain kind of breakfast. 、、 4 The results showed that if a person eats an adequate breakfast , he or she will work more efficiently and more productively than if he or she skips breakfast or eats a very poor breakfast. This fact appears to be especially true if a person' s work involves mental activity. The study showed that if schoolchildren eat fruit , eggs, bread , and milk before going to school , they will learn more quickly and will be able to concentrate on their lessons 925
for a longer period of time than if their breakfast diet is inadequate. 5 The study also showed that,contrary to what many people believe,if you skip breakfast,you will not lose weight.This is because people become so hungry if they skip breakfast that they eat so much for lunch and end up gaining weight instead of losing.So remember,if you are on a diet,skipping breakfast will not help you.You will probably lose more weight if you reduce your other meals. Questions 21-30 are based on Passage 3. 21.The word "dieters"means "those who restrict themselves to a special diet in order to control their weight". 22.In the word“breakfast'”,“fast”probably means“going without food”. 23.Many experts in the field of health think that breakfast is most important in a working day. 24.Some people will substitute a donut and a cup of coffee for a regular breakfast. 25.Those participating in the experiment were all adults. 26.During the experiment,these people were given very good breakfast. 27.Special tests were set up to analyze how the participants'bodies functioned when they had eaten particular breakfast. 28.The results showed that if a person eats a big breakfast,he or she will work more efficiently. 29.The study showed that if schoolchildren have adequate breakfasts before going to school,they will learn more efficiently. 30.We can safely say skipping breakfast will help one lose weight. Part I Read Passage 4 and answer the following questions.Make your answers as short and clear as possible.(20 points,4 points each) Passage 4 Changing Lifestyles and New Eating Habits 1 Americans today have different eating habits than they had in the past.There is a wide selection of food available.They have a broader knowledge of nutrition,so they buy 926
for a longer period of time than if their breakfast diet is inadequate. 5 The study also showed that , contrary to what many people believe , if you skip breakfast , you will not lose weight. This is because people become so hungry if they skip breakfast that they eat so much for lunch and end up gaining weight instead of losing. So remember, if you are on a diet , skipping breakfast will not help you. You will probably lose more weight if you reduce your other meals. Questions 21-30 are based on Passage 3. 21. The word "dieters" means "those who restrict themselves to a special diet in order to control their weight". 22. In the word "breakfast" , "fast" probably means"going without food". 23. Many experts in the field of health think that breakfast is most important in a working day. 24. Some people will substitute a donut and a cup of coffee for a regular breakfast. 25. Those participating in the experiment were all adults. 26. During the experiment , these people were given very good breakfast. 27. Special tests were set up to analyze how the participants' bodies functioned when they had eaten particular breakfast. 28. The results showed that if a person eats a big breakfast , he or she will work more efficiently. 29λ，lhe study showed that if schoolchildren have adequate breakfasts before going to school , t~ey willlearn more efficiently. 30. We can safely say skipping breakfast will help one lose weight. Part N Read Passage 4 and answer the following questions. Make your answers as short and clear as possible. (20 points, 4 points each) Passage 4 Changing Lifestyles and New Eating Habits 1 Americans today have different eating habits than they had in the past. There is a wide selection of food available. They have a broader knowledge of nutrition , so they buy 926
more fresh fruit and vegetables than ever before.At the same time,Americans purchase increasing quantities of sweets,snacks,and sodas. 2 Statistics show that the way people live determines the way they eat.American lifestyles have changed.They now include growing numbers of people who live alone,single parents and children,and double-income families.These changing lifestyles are responsible for the increasing number of people who must rush meals or sometimes skip them altogether.Many Americans have less time than ever before to spend preparing food.Partly as a consequence of this limited time,60%of all American homes now have microwave ovens.Moreover,Americans eat out nearly four times a week on the average. 3 It is easy to study the amounts and kinds of food that people consume.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)and the food industry-growers,processors, marketers,and restaurateurs -compile sales statistics and keep accurate records.This information not only tells us what people are eating,but also tells us about the changes in attitudes and tastes.Red meat,which used to be the most popular choice for dinner,is no longer an American favorite.Instead,chicken,turkey,and fish have become more popular.Sales of these foods have greatly increased in recent years.This is probably a result of the awareness of the dangers of eating food that contains high levels of cholesterol,or animal fat.Doctors believe that cholesterol is a threat to human health. 4 According to a recent survey,Americans also change their eating patterns to meet the needs of different situations.They have certain ideas about which foods will increase their athletic ability,help them lose weight,make them alert for business meetings,or put them in the mood:for romance.For example,Americans choose pasta,fruit,and vegetables, which supply them with carbohydrates,to give them strength for physical activity,such as sports.Adults choose foods rich in fiber,such as bread and cereal,for breakfast,and salads for lunch to prepare them for business appointments.For romantic dinners,however, Americans choose shrimp and lobster.While many of these ideas are based on nutritional facts,some are not. 5 Americans'awareness of nutrition,along with their changing tastes and needs,leads them to consume a wide variety of foods-foods for health,for fun,and simply for good taste. 927
more fresh fruit and vegetables than ever before. At the same time , Americans purchase increasing quantities of sweets, snacks, and sodas. 2 Statistics show that the way people live determines the way they eat. American lifestyles have changed. They now include growing numbers of people who live alone , single parents and children , and double-income families. These changing lifestyles are responsible for the increasing number of people who must rush meals or sometimes skip them altogether. Many Americans have less time than ever before to spend preparing food. Partly as a consequence of this limited time , 60 % of all American homes now have microwave ovens. Moreover , Americans eat out nearly four times a week on the average. 3 It is easy to study the amounts and kinds of food that people consume. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the food industry - growers, processors, marketers, and restaurateurs - compile sales statistics and keep accurate records. This information not only tells us what people are eating , but also tells us about the changes in attitudes and tastes. Red meat , which used to be the most popular choice for dinner, is no longer an American favorite. Instead , chicken , turkey , and fish have become more popular. Sales of these foods have greatly increased in recent years. This is probably a result of the awareness of the dangers of eating food that contains high levels of cholesterol , or animal fat. Doctors believe that cholesterol is a threat to human health. 4 According to a recent survey , Americans also change their eating patterns to meet the needs of different situations. They have certain ideas about which foods will increase their athletic ab)~ity help them lose weight , make them alert for business meetings, or put them in the mood for romance. For example , Americans choose pasta , fruit , and vegetables, which supply them with carbohydrates, to give them strength for physical activity , such as sports. Adults choose foods rich in fiber , s~ch as bread and cereal , for breakfast , and salads for lunch to prepare them for business appointments. For romantic dinners, however, Americans choose shrimp and lobster. While many of these ideas are based on nutritional facts , some are not. 5 Americans' awareness of nutrition , along with their changing tastes and needs, leads them to consume a wide variety of foods 一foods for health , for fun , and simply for good taste. 927
