当前位置: 高中英语 / 阅读理解
  • 1. (2019·资阳模拟) 阅读理解

        Some things should just be common knowledge by now. The Earth isn't flat. Nope, your hair and nails don't grow after you die. The holes at the top of Bic biro pens are there so that, if you swallow one accidentally, you can still breathe and won't choke to death. It's debatable whether that last one there is common knowledge or not. A quick Google search of the fact, rewritten as a question, shows articles addressing this point going back several years, with the latest (re)appearing just this week over on ScienceAlert. We suppose it's one of those things that come up from time to time, like what would happen if you attack Yellowstone with a nuclear weapon (not much, as it turns out).

        If you jump over to Bic's website, under their FAQs (frequently asked questions), it quite clearly states: "The reason that some BIC® pens have a hole in their cap is to prevent the cap from completely obstructing the airway if accidentally breathed in. This is requested by the international safety standards ISO11540, except for in cases where the cap is considered too large to be a choking risk."

        That's rather lovely of them. In appreciation of their want to not kill off their more clumsy customers, we thought we'd share a few more random facts about Bic that are probably going to come up in a pub quiz one day. Did you know, for example, that each Bic ballpoint pen can produce at least 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of ink before it begins to run out? In fact, in 2018, 7,250 kilometers (4,505 miles) of writing tests on such pens were carried out on ballpoint pens, gel pens(中性笔), and rollers to make sure they worked to the highest standard.

        The best part of the Bic site, however, is this rather curious fact: "100 percent of pen balls are made through a highly-controlled process." As opposed to a highly uncontrolled process, involving explosions and bouncy castles and total chaos, we suppose.

    1. (1) Why does the author mention the case of Yellowstone?
      A . To list the facts. B . To prove his point. C . To compare the two situations. D . To emphasize the importance of safety.
    2. (2) What does the underlined word "obstructing" in paragraph 2 mean?
      A . Block. B . Open. C . Transform. D . Narrow.
    3. (3) Why were the writing tests on pens carried out?
      A . To work out their lifespan. B . To assure their good quality. C . To prove some random facts. D . To compare different pens with each other.
    4. (4) In what tone does the author develop the text?
      A . Critical. B . Acid. C . Humorous. D . Serious.

微信扫码预览、分享更方便