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强化练(十六) 议论文 (限时：25 分钟)
A
A simple piece of clotheslines hangs between some environmentally friendly Americans and
their neighbors.On one side stand those who see clothes dryers as a waste of energy and a major
polluter of the environment.As a result，they are turning to clotheslines as part of the “what-I-
can- do environmentalism”．
But on the other side are people who are against drying clothes outside ，arguing that
clotheslines are unpleasant to look at.They have persuaded Homeowners Associations(HOAs)
across the US to stop outdoor clotheslines，because clothesline drying also tends to lower home
value in the neighborhood.This has led to a Right-to-Dry Movement that is calling for laws be
passed to protect the choice to use clotheslines.So far，only three states have laws to protect
clotheslines.
Matt Reck,37，is the kind of eco-friendly person who feeds his trees with bathwater and
reuses water drops from his air conditioners to water plants.His family also uses a clothesline.But
several days ago，the HOA in North Carolina told him that a dissatisfied neighbor had telephoned
them about his clothesline.The Recks paid no attention to the warning and still dried their clothes
on a line in the yard.“Many people say they are environmentally friendly but they don’t take
matters in their own hands，”says Reck.The local HOA has decided not to take any action，
unless more neighbors complain.
North Carolina lawmakers say that stopping clotheslines is not the right thing to do.But HOAs
and housing businesses believe that clothesline drying reminds people of poor neighborhoods.They
worry that if buyers think their future neighbors can’t even afford dryers，housing prices will
fall.
Environmentalists say such worries are not necessary，and in view of global warming，that
idea needs to change.As they say，“The clothesline is beautiful.Hanging clothes outside should
be encouraged.We all have to do at least something to slow down the process of global warming.”
1．Supporters of clothes dryers are trying to stop clothesline drying because ________.
A．clothes dryers can save money
B．clothes dryers are energy-saving
C．clothesline drying reduces home value
D．clothesline drying is not allowed in US
2．Which of the following best describes Matt Reck?
A．He is a warm-hearted man.
B．He is an impolite neighbor.C．He is an inexperienced gardener.
D．He is a man of social responsibility.
3．Who are most likely to support clothesline drying?
A．Housing businesses.
B．Environmentalists.
C．Homeowners Associations.
D．Reck’s dissatisfied neighbors.
4．What could be the best title for the passage?
A．Opposite Opinions on Clothesline Drying
B．A Way to Save Energy and Money
C．Different Varieties of Clotheslines
D．A Lost Art to Be Discovered
B
(2022·江西赣州适应性考试)
Being perfect is something many of us want and try to achieve.It makes us feel we’re correct
and that our hard work has paid off.However，as much as perfection and being perfect is not all a
perfect thing.
Perfection is all about being without mistakes and criticism.Wanting or trying to be perfect can
make it hard to admit a mistake.Nevertheless，it is important to own_up_to mistakes and work to
fix them.Not being able to take criticism and fix mistakes is arrogance，not perfection.
Perfection is a double-edged sword.In our lives，we want perfection.Perfection holds us
accountable; it’s the mistakes and imperfection that keeps pushing us harder and further at what
we do.It’s the perfect motivator.But it’s also the perfect killer.For example，the movie “Black
Swan” showcased how perfection can kill us.Working and training and stress hurt our body，
mind，and so much more that we can’t do it any more.
But perfection can also have the opposite effect.The movie “High Strung” showed that
perfection doesn’t exist，but practicing and pushing ourselves can bring us great rewards.In
“Black Swan”，the main character tried to be perfect but he also compared himself to someone
else who he thought was better than him.This added more pressure and self-doubt，which can
cause unhealthy ways of achieving perfection.The main character of “Black Swan” didn’t
know when to stop，whereas the main character of “High Strung” did，or at least didn’t
focus so much on the comparison，and instead focused on the competition and the ones she cared
about.
Perfection is something we can’t live without and can’t live with.The only way to keep the
sword from cutting us is if we know when to stop.Some days are going to be good days and others
will be bad.We have to take whatever day it is—perfect or imperfect—and hope that’s enough.
5．What does the underlined phrase “own up to” mean in paragraph 2?A．Make. B．Avoid.
C．Correct. D．Acknowledge.
6．What prevents the character in “Black Swan” from going further?
A．Comparison. B．Self-doubt.
C．Pressure. D．Competition.
7．What does the author advise us to do while trying to be perfect?
A．Try not to make mistakes.
B．Push ourselves harder.
C．Stop before going too far.
D．Prove our ability to others.
8．What could be the best structure of the passage? (P＝paragraph)
C
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to
open it and remove all doubt.
—Mark Twain
You can have something extremely smart，useful or funny to say，but if you say it at an
improper time，you could make yourself look foolish.
Throughout history many famous，noteworthy people have taken Mark Twain’s words to
heart.These wise people knew when to talk and when to keep silent.Many leaders have to learn
when to talk and when to keep silent even when it might be difficult to do so.All leaders must
choose their words carefully，picking the right time to speak，so that their words can have the
greatest impact.
If you learn to develop this skill of knowing when to hold your tongue，you will also become
wise，even if people think you are not.Some people，in fact，will underestimate you because
they do not know what you are thinking all the time.This can give you an advantage in many
situations.When people underestimate you，they do not focus on you，leaving you to make and
perform plans without being noticed.If you think before you speak，you can also improve your listening skills，which is a very
important and useful skill to have.Listening is another key trait(特征) for a leader to have，and it is
harder to achieve than many people think.First，you have to be quiet，and then you have to listen
attentively，with all your attention on what the person is saying to be a good listener.When you
learn to stop and think before you speak and when you learn to become a good listener you will be
well on your way to becoming a good leader.By being able to listen to the people that work with
you and for you，you will be able to make informed decisions.
9．The quotation(引言) from Mark Twain functions as ________.
A．an example B．a thread
C．a comparison D．a model
10．The author takes the example of many famous，noteworthy people to express that ________.
A．influential people are able to express themselves freely
B．many important people didn’t take Mark Twain’s words seriously
C．leaders should attach great importance to when，how and what to say
D．the public will not understand them if famous，noteworthy people keep silent
11．According to the passage，what are the advantages of developing the skills of holding your
tongue?
①You could be underestimated by others.
②People often think highly of you.
③You can polish up listening skills.
④You will improve your relationship with others.
A．①② B．①③ C．③④ D．②④
12．Which of the following is the best title?
A．He That Talks Much Errs Much
B．Facts Speak Louder than Words
C．Even Homer Sometimes Nods
D．A Still Tongue Makes a Wise Head
