Question

Now，perhaps，more than ever before，people are wondering what life is all about，and what it is for.Seeking material success is beginning to　26　large numbers of people around the world.They feel that the long-hour work culture to make more money to buy more things is　27　up their lives，leaving them very little   28   or energy for family or hobbies.Many are turning to   29 　ways of living and downshifting is one of them.

Six percent of the workers in Britain took the decision to　30　last year.One couple who downshifted are Daniel and Liz.They　31　to work in central London.He was a newspaper reporter and she worked for an international bank.They　32　go to work by train every day from their large house in the suburbs，　33　their two children with a nanny.Nearly twice a month Daniel had to　34　New York for meetings.They both earned a large amount of  money　35　began to feel that life was passing them by.

Nowadays，they run　36　in the mountains of Wales.“I always wanted to have one here，”says Daniel，“and we took almost a year to　37　to downshift.It’s taken some time getting used to，but it’s been　38　it.We have to think　39　now about spending money on car repairs and we no longer have any　40　.However，I think it’s made us stronger as a family，and the children are a lot　41　.”

Liz，however，is not quite sure.“I used to enjoy my job，　 42　it was hard work and long hours.I’m not really a country girl，but I suppose I’m　43　getting used to looking after the animals.One thing I do　44　，though，is being able to see more of my children.My advice for other people wanting to do the　45　is not to think about it too much or you might not do it at all.”

26.A.trouble                 B.attract                       C.encourage                  D.frighten

27.A.putting                 B.looking                            C.building                    D.eating

28.A.money                  B.material                    C.spirit                         D.time

29.A.other                    B.simple                       C.free                          D.many

30.A.retire                    B.downshift                  C.rest                           D.travel

31.A.wanted                 B.liked                         C.used                          D.planned

32.A.should                  B.would                       C.might                        D.could

33.A.keeping                B.sending                     C.letting                       D.leaving

34.A.fly                       B.walk                         C.move                        D.run

35.A.and                      B.so                             C.but                           D.however

36.A.company                     B.farm                         C.house                        D.school

37.A.discuss                 B.study                        C.have                         D.make

38.A.worthy                 B.worth                        C.worthless                   D.worthwhile

39.A.once                     B.twice                        C.hardly                       D.worriedly

40.A.money                  B.holidays                    C.friends                      D.difficulties

41.A.more bored          B.more worried             C.happier                            D.cleverer

42.A.even though          B.when                        C.as if                          D.unless

43.A.directly                B.particularly                C.especially                  D.gradually

44.A.doubt                   B.admire                      C.like                           D.admit

45.A.job                       B.research                    C.experiment                D.same

Answer 1

26-45 ADDAB CBDAC BDBBB CADCD

解析:

26.解析：人們現在考慮生活究竟是什么，因為物質上的追求開始使大量的人陷入困惑之中，給他們帶來了煩惱，故選A。

27.解析：此處表示“消耗掉”。

28.解析：根據下文可知，此處應填入與energy相近的詞，再根據上文內容，長時間的工作方式占據人們的生活，所以余下的時間和精力就更少了。

29.解析：此處表示人們開始轉向其他的生活方式，而這些生活方式并不一定簡單，所以simple不恰當。

30.解析：根據上文的“...downshifting is one of them”,以及下文的“One couple who downshifted are Daniel and Liz.”可得出答案。

31.解析：此處表示過去做的事情。

32.解析：would do可表示過去的習慣。

33.解析：leave...with...表示“把……留給……”，而send表示“送去”。

34.解析：路途遙遠，當然要乘飛機。

35.解析：此處表示轉折意義，而however不能作連詞用。

36.解析：run a farm意為經營一家農場，從上下文看出這一家過著田園生活。

37.解析：“作出決定”需用make。

38.解析：此處表示值得的，需用B項，若用A項應在其后加of，D項只作表語。

39.解析：think twice是固定搭配，指“慎重考慮”，這里指在鄉下生活必須慎重地考慮花錢修車的問題。

40.解析：根據常識，在移居鄉村前，雖然忙忙碌碌，但他們應該各自都有自己的休假時間，現在閑居在鄉村，當然就沒有假期了。

41.解析：現在他們夫婦整天生活在農場里，孩子們有他們夫婦陪伴，當然應該比以前更快樂了。

42.解析：此處Liz在談她過去的工作，即使又工作艱苦、時間又長，但她還是很喜歡的。

43.此處表示逐步的適應鄉村生活。

44.解析：雖然適應鄉村生活還需要時間，但是有一件事Liz很喜歡，那就是后文中提到的“能夠與孩子們更多的在一起”。

45.解析：這里指Liz告誡那些也想downshift的人不要過多的想這想那，否則可能下不了決心。選the same,表示做同樣的事，即downshift。