Question

【题目】 Lin Hanxing is a 30-year-old who lives in Beijing. She owns just five shirts, two pairs of trousers, four pairs of shoes, three books and a few other things. It’s hard to believe that only five years ago, Lin was one of those people who couldn’t stop buying things. Back then, she had more than 400 pieces of clothes and handbags. But that was before she saw an online challenge in 2014, introduced by Joshua Becker, a writer in the US who was promoting (推动) a minimalist lifestyle. He encouraged people to reduce the number of their belongings (财物) to fewer than 100. Lin decided to give it a try. She threw away 90 percent of her belongings. She also cleared 120 people she never spoke to from her QQ and Wechat. After doing all that, Lin said she felt ‘lighter’.

We used to think owning more was the way to lead a rich life. But now many people believe that owning less is rich, perhaps richer.

According to US writer Joel Stillerman, people who are educated and wealthy are more likely to have a minimalist lifestyle. These people are saying, ‘I can afford to have less.’

But leading a minimalist lifestyle doesn’t only mean owning or spending less. Adam Lucacias from a UK research company Euromonitor found young people spend less on belongings, but more on short holidays and visits to the movies.

‘They are looking for a life that is all about culture.’ Alison Angus, the manager of Euromonitor, said.

So perhaps it all comes down to how we define (定义) ‘wealth’. Is wealth in life about buying more and owning more, or is it about learning more and experiencing more?

【1】Which of the following leads a minimalist lifestyle?

A. Alison Angus.B. Adam Lucacias.

C. Joe Stillerman.D. Joshua Becker.

【2】What does the underlined sentence mean？

A. I can live a good life with no more education and money.

B. I can live a good life by experiencing less and learning more.

C. I can live a good life with necessary belongings and friends.

D. I can live a good life with less money and fewer belongings.

【3】Lin Hanxing’s definition of ‘wealth’ may probably cover __________.

A. Owning fewer friendsB. doing more learning

C. Having more holidaysD. Chatting less often with people

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】C

【3】B

【解析】

你听说过极简主义吗？根据一位美国作家Joel Stillerman的观点，受过教育的、富有的人更有可能拥有极简主义的生活方式。极简主义的生活方式并不一定就是在财产上花费少，这取决于你如何定义“财富”。

【1】细节理解题。根据短文第一段中But that was before she saw an online challenge in 2014, introduced by Joshua Becker, a writer in the US who was promoting (推动) a minimalist lifestyle.可知，Joshua Becker在美国推动极简主义的生活方式。由此可知应选D。

【2】细节理解题。根据文意According to US writer Joel Stillerman, people who are educated and wealthy are more likely to have a minimalist lifestyle. These people are saying, ‘I can afford to have less.’受过教育的、富有的人更可能拥有极简主义的生活方式，他们觉得有必要的财产和朋友，就能过好的生活。极简主义的生活方式并不是钱越少越好，而是有必要的就可以了，不用更多。故应选C。

【3】推理判断题。根据短文开头Lin Hanxing is a 30-year-old who lives in Beijing. She owns just five shirts, two pairs of trousers, four pairs of shoes, three books and a few other things.和第一段的内容可知，林寒星在看了一个在线挑战的节目之后，开始极简主义的生活方式，她只有5件衬衫、两条裤子、四双鞋、三本书和一些其他的东西。由此可知，她定义的“财富”并不是拥有多少财产，而是要更多地学习。故应选B。