Question

【題目】The sharing economy, represented by companies like Airbnb or Uber, is the latest fashion craze. But many supporters have overlooked the reality that this new business model is largely based on escaping regulations and breaking the law.

Airbnb is an Internet-based service that allows people to rent out spare rooms to strangers for short stays. Uber is an Internet taxi service that allows thousands of people to answer ride requests with their own cars. There are hundreds of other such services.

The good thing about the sharing economy is that it promotes the use of underused resources. Millions of people have houses or apartments with empty rooms, and Airbnb allows them to profit from these rooms while allowing guests a place to stay at prices that are often far less than those charged by hotels. Uber offers prices that are competitive with standard taxi prices and their drivers are often much quicker and more trustworthy.

But the downside of the sharing economy has gotten much less attention. Most cities and states both tax and regulate hotels, and the tourists who stay in hotels are usually an important source of tax income. But many of Airbnb’s customers are not paying the taxes required under the law.

Airbnb can also raise issues of safety for its customers and trouble for hosts’ neighbors. Hotels are regularly inspected to ensure that they are not fire traps and that they don’t form other risks for visitors. Airbnb hosts face no such inspections.

Since Airbnb is allowing people to escape taxes and regulations, the company is simply promoting thefts. Others in the economy will lose by bearing an additional tax burden or being forced to live next to an apartment unit with a never-ending series of noisy visitors.

The same story may apply with Uber. Uber is currently in disputes over whether its cars meet the safety and insurance requirements imposed on standard taxis. Also, if Uber and related services flood the market, they could harm all taxi drivers’ ability to earn a minimum wage.

This downside of the sharing needs to be taken seriously, but that doesn’t mean the current tax and regulatory structure is perfect.

【1】What is the positive thing about the sharing economy?

A. It is a global trend. B. It is beyond regulations.

C. It draws on spare resources. D. It brings in modest profits.

【2】What is the problem with Airbnb customers according to the passage?

A. They are not regularly inspected. B. They are likely to commit thefts.

C. They are allowed not to pay taxes. D. They can be noisy to hosts’ neighbors.

【3】What is the argument over Uber according to the passage?

A. Whether it guarantees customers, safety.

B. Whether it provides reliable services.

C. Whether it lowers customers’ expenses.

D. Whether it can compete with standard taxis.

【4】What will be talked about in the following paragraphs?

A. Existing regulations and laws.

B. Necessary improvements of current laws.

C. Further development of Airbnb and Uber.

D. More downsides of Airbnb and Uber.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】D

【3】A

【4】B

【解析】試題文章講述了共享經(jīng)濟(jì)的利弊與發(fā)展。

【1】C 細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)The good thing about the sharing economy is that it promotes the use of underused resources.可知共享經(jīng)濟(jì)模式的一大好處就是促進(jìn)了閑置資源的利用，故選C。

【2】D 細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)Airbnb can also raise issues of safety for its customers and trouble for hosts’ neighbors.可知空中食宿的問題就是這些顧客對(duì)于主人來說有些喧鬧，故選D。

【3】A 細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)Uber is currently in disputes over whether its cars meet the safety and insurance requirements imposed on standard taxis.可知對(duì)于優(yōu)步的爭議在于它的安全性，故選A。

【4】B 下文推測題。根據(jù)This downside of the sharing needs to be taken seriously, but that doesn’t mean the current tax and regulatory structure is perfect.可知文章最后在談?wù)摴蚕斫?jīng)濟(jì)的缺陷在于當(dāng)前法律法規(guī)的不完善，故下文會(huì)接著談這個(gè)問題，故選B。

作者態(tài)度及寫作意圖推斷

每一篇文章都會(huì)包含作者的某種觀點(diǎn)和態(tài)度，只不過有的直截了當(dāng)，有的含而不露，有的通過所用詞語的褒貶來體現(xiàn)。此類題可細(xì)分為作者態(tài)度題(表明作者的好惡)和作者觀點(diǎn)題(表明作者對(duì)某事物的看法)。準(zhǔn)確把握作者的情感和態(tài)度，需要注意以下幾點(diǎn)：

1.作者對(duì)某一事物的看法,要么支持,要么反對(duì),帶中立色彩的詞最不可能是正確答案。

2.漠不關(guān)心類詞語往往不對(duì),既然寫文章就不會(huì)不關(guān)心。

3.不要把自己的態(tài)度揉入其中,也要區(qū)分作者的態(tài)度和作者引用的別人的態(tài)度。

4.當(dāng)作者的態(tài)度沒有明確提出時(shí),要學(xué)會(huì)根據(jù)作者使用詞語的褒貶性來判斷。

5.作者的觀點(diǎn)一般與文章的主旨相關(guān)聯(lián)。

6.絕對(duì)化或語氣過于強(qiáng)烈的選項(xiàng)常常是錯(cuò)誤的,如:strong, complete, entire等。