Passage 5
　　In taking up a new life across the Atlantic, the early European settlers of the United States did not abandon the diversions with which their ancestors had traditionally relieved the tedium of life. Neither the harshness of existence on the new continent nor the scattered population nor the disapproval of the clergy discouraged the majority from the pursuit of pleasure.

　　City and country dwellers, of course, conducted this pursuit in different ways. Farm dwellers in their isolation not only found it harder to locate companions in play but also, thanks to the unending demands and pressures of their work, felt it necessary to combine fun with purpose. No other set of colonists took so seriously an expression of the period, "Leisure is time for doing something useful." In the countryside farmers therefore relieved the burden of the daily routine with such double-purpose relaxations as hunting, fishing, and trapping. When a neighbor needed help, families rallied from miles around to assist in building a house or barn, husking corn, shearing sheep, or chopping wood. Food, drink, and celebration after the group workprovided relaxation and soothed weary muscles.

　　The most eagerly anticipated social events were the rural parties. Hundreds of men, women, and children attended from far and near. The men bought or traded farm animals and acquired needed merchandise while the women displayed food prepared in their kitchens, and everyone, including the youngsters, watched or participated in a variety of competitive sports, with prizes awarded to the winners. These events typically included horse races, wrestling matches, and foot races, as well as some nonathletic events such as whistling competitions. No other occasions did so much to relieve the isolation of farm existence.

　　With the open countryside everywhere at hand, city dwellers naturally shared in some ofthe rural diversions. Favored recreations included fishing, hunting, skating, and swimming. But city dwellers also developed other pleasures, which only compact communities made possible.

　　26. What is the passage mainly about?

　　A) Methods of fanning used by early settlers of the United States.

　　B) Hardships faced by the early settlers of the United States.

　　C) Methods of buying, selling, and trading used by early settlers of the United States.

　　D) Ways in which early settlers of the United States relaxed.

　　27. What can be inferred about the diversions of the early settlers of the United States?

　　A) They followed a pattern Begun in Europe.

　　B) They were enjoyed more frequently than in Europe.

　　C) The clergy organized them.

　　D) Only the wealthy participated in them.

　　28. Which of the following can be said about the country dwellers' altitude toward "the pursuit

　　of pleasure" ?

　　A) They felt that it should help keep their minds on their work.

　　B) They felt that it was not necessary.

　　C) They felt that it should be productive.

　　D) They felt that it should not involve eating and drinking.

　　29. What is meant by the phrase "double-purpose" in the 4th sentence in paragraph 2?

　　A) Very frequent.

　　B) Useful and enjoyable.

　　C) Extremely necessary.

　　D) Positive and negative.

　　30. What will the author probably discuss in the paragraph following this passage?

　　A) The rural diversions enjoyed by both urban and rural people.

　　B) Leisure activities of city dwellers.

　　C) Building methods of the early settlers in rural areas.

　　D) Changes in lifestyles of settlers as they moved to the cities.

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　　Passage 5

　　文章大意：

　　早期的欧洲移民来到美国后，虽然生活条件艰苦，但他们并没有放弃追求欢乐的想法。在这方面，城市和乡村的居民又有区别。在第二段和第三段中，作者主要讲述了乡村居民的娱乐方式。由于居住地相隔较远，还有工作的压力，都使他们认为很有必要将娱乐和工作相结合。于是他们的娱乐活动多为狩猎和钓鱼等等。有时邻居们也会互相帮忙建造房屋和谷仓等等，之后聚餐饮酒共同庆祝。另外最使他们感到快乐的是乡村聚会，男女老少各自分工参与各项竞技活动，这是他们最好的放松。而在最后一段，作者使用过渡句转入对城市居民娱乐活动的描述。

　　答案解析：

　　[26]D全文主要讲述了乡村和城市的美国早期移民娱乐的方式。

　　[27]A第一段第一句说明从欧洲来到美国的早期移民没有放弃他们的祖先使生活丰富多彩的各种娱乐方式。

　　[28]C第二段第二句，乡村居民在生活需求及工作压力下，认为娱乐应和目的相结合。第三句中在殖民者中流行的那句话也说明了这个答案。

　　[29]B根据上题，第二段第三句中农民们用这种双重目的的娱乐，如打猎、钓鱼等方式来减轻生活压力，这个“double-purpose”就是把娱乐和工作结合。

　　[30]B第二、第三段描述了乡村娱乐方式，第四段过渡说明城市居民也有自己的娱乐方式，在下面的段落中作者当然是要详细说明城市的娱乐方式了。