2．Food serves as a form of communication in two basic ways．Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust．Food can also have a special meaning，and play an important role in a family or culture's celebrations or traditions．The foods we eat-and when and how we eat them-are often unique to a particular culture or may even differ between rural（郊区的） and urban（市区的） areas within one country．
Sharing bread，whether during a special occasion（时刻） or at the family dinner table，is a common symbol of togetherness．Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests．Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread，so this tradition has its roots in the custom of sharing bread．
Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations．In the southern United States，pieces of corn bread stand for blocks of gold for prosperity（兴旺） in the New Year．In Greece，people share a special cake called vasilopita．A coin is put into the cake，which signifies（预示） success in the New Year for the person who receives it．
Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child，and food can play a significant role．In China，when a baby is one month old，families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests．In many cultures，round foods such as grapes，bread，and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity．
Nutrition（营养） is necessary for life，so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world．
28．According to the passage，sharing foodD．
A．indicates a lack of food．
B．has its roots in birthday celebration．
C．is a custom unique to rural areas．
D．can help to develop unity and trust．
29．What does the coin in vasilopita signify for its receiver in the New Year？A
A．Success
B．Trust
C．Health
D．Togetherness
30．The author explains the role of food in celebrations byC．
A．making comparisons
B．analyzing causes
C．using examples
D．describing processes
31．What is the passage mainly about？B
A．The custom of sharing food．
B．The importance of food in different cultures．
C．The specific meaning of food．
D．The role of food in ceremonies．
分析 文章主要讲述的是食物和文化的关系．不同的文化包含着不同的饮食传统和庆祝方式，食物通过两种基本的方式在扮演着沟通的角色．
解答 28-31 DACB
28．D细节理解题．根据"Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust"可知分享食物可以促进团结和信任．故选D．
29．A细节理解题．根据"A coin is put into the cake，which signifies（预示） success in the New Year for the person who receives it"可知硬币预示着来年的成功．故选A．
30．C推理判断题．根据"In China，when a baby is one month old，families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests"可知，作者主要通过举例的方法来解释食物在庆祝中的角色．故选C．
31．B主旨大意题．根据"Food can also have a special meaning，and play an important role in a family or culture's celebrations or traditions"和"Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child，and food can play a significant role"以及"so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world"可知，文章主要讲述的是食物在不同文化中的作用．故选B．
点评 本文是一个故事类阅读理解．题目涉及多道细节理解题，做题时结合原文和题目有针对性的找出相关语句进行仔细分析，结合选项选出正确答案．推理判断题也是要在抓住关键句子的基础上合理的分析才能得出正确答案，不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实，要联系上下文根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断，切忌胡乱猜测，一定要做到有理有据，主旨大意题需要我们推测出作者的写作意图，再进行选择．
