Question

Dogs and millionaires have a lot in common. They are absolute opportunists (especially when it comes to rewards). They defend their territory(地盤). And in general, they don’t like cats. Perhaps that explains a new survey showing that millionaires are far more dog-friendly than the rest of Americans.

According to a study by Spectrem Group, 58% of millionaire pet owners have a dog. Only 37% own a cat. Only 3% keep fish, 2% birds and 2% have a horse. Similarly, 39% of U. S. households own a dog, compared to 33% of households owning a cat, released by the Humane Society.

Jennifer Cona, a trust and estates attorney(信托和資產律師) and partner with Genser Subow Genser & Cona in New York, does a lot of work on pet trusts. She said of all the pet trusts she’s worked on, 90% are for dogs and only 10% are for cats. 

She said dogs provide one thing especially important for the wealthy: unconditional love.

“You don’t get that from a cat,” she said, “Dogs are like children for some families, except that they don’t mess up in college or run off with money. Sometimes it’s easy to see why dogs are the favorite children.”

Millionaires show their love for their dogs in part by their spending. One quarter of millionaire pet owners spend more than $1, 000 a year on their pets, the Spectrem study said, while more than half spend more than $500 a year.

Many would say those numbers are understated, given all the diamond-dog collars, dog foods and booming dog spas in evidence these days, not to mention the medical bills.

The survey showed 34% of pet owners spend money on decorating, while 6% spend on “sweaters, outfits and costumes.”

More than half of millionaire pet owners spend money on teeth cleaning for their pets. More than 16%, meanwhile, said they would spend money on reconstructive surgeries and “anti-anxiety, anti-depression” medication for their pets.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A．Millionaires like dogs more than other Americans.

B．Keeping dogs as pets is quite popular among Americans.

C．Pet dogs help relieve their owners’ anxiety and depression.

D．Millionaires spend much money on teeth cleaning for their pets.

2.From the survey by Spectrem Group, we can learn ___________.

A．about one third of American households own a cat

B．more than half of millionaire pet owners have a dog

C．millionaire pet owners spend $1, 000 on their pets daily

D．34% of pet owners spend money on dog clothing

3.What’s the main reason why millionaires show great love for their dogs?

A．They can afford the high expense to raise pet dogs.

B．Pet dogs have never made a mess of things around.

C．Millionaires feel more secure in company of dogs.

D．Pet dogs show unconditional love for their owners.

4.What does Jennifer Cona probably think of millionaires owning pet dogs ?

A．Ridiculous.        B．Acceptable.        C．Negative.          D．Indifferent.

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.A

2.B

3.D

4.B

【解析】

試題分析：這篇文章主要講了調查顯示，很多富翁喜歡養狗并且解釋了其中的原因。

1.根據Perhaps that explains a new survey showing that millionaires are far more dog-friendly than the rest of Americans，故選A。

2.根據According to a study by Spectrem Group, 58% of millionaire pet owners have a dog，故選B。

3.根據She said dogs provide one thing especially important for the wealthy: unconditional love.所以答案為D。

4.根據“You don’t get that from a cat,” she said, “Dogs are like children for some families, except that they don’t mess up in college or run off with money. Sometimes it’s easy to see why dogs are the favorite children.” 因此選B。

考點：社會現象類短文閱讀理解

點評：要想答好題目，重在理解全文意思。這篇文章比較難，先看問題，再帶著問題讀短文，找出各段落的主旨句，理解全文內容，總結全文中心，然后再回到問題上來，很容易選出正確答案。多了解一些常識性知識有利于閱讀理解。如果對文章的相關背景有所了解，讀起文章一定既省時又省力。因此，在學習過程中，了解各方面的背景知識是十分重要的。