Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 35 to 42.
A mansion is a very large home. McDonald's is the name of a fast food hamburger chain. What do you get when you put the two together? You get McMansion, the recently created name for a type of large suburban, two storied home that originated in the United States. Many people love McMansions for their low price, abundant space and impressive styling, but the news is not all gooD. In fact, McMansions may now be a threatened species.
McMansion became very popular in the United States during the 1990s, and this popularity continued for almost 20 years. During those years the economy was relatively strong, and banks were willing to lend large sums of money to people who wanted to buy a home. The result was an increase in the average home size. In 1988, the average new American home was 170 square meters, but by 2008 this had risen to 244 square meters, a 44% increase.
To offset the greater costs of these large homes, land developers built many homes that all used a similar basic design and identical construction methods. Framing and interior fittings were constructed in
factories, instead of on site, and the materials used were often of a lower quality. Finally, the sections of land used for each house were much smaller than before.
The result was suburban developments full of huge homes, often over 280 square meters in floor area, that all looked similar to each other. Their standardization and lowest possible-cost construction reminded people of McDonald's hamburgers, hence the term McMansion. For many people a McMansion was their dream home, but that dream is now rapidly turning sour.
There are two main problems with McMansions. One problem is that their huge size means that they cost a lot to heat or cool. Energy is becoming more expensive, so owners are faced with huge bills if they try to heat or cool their home. The other problem is that McMansion owners are often in a lot of debt. They borrowed a lot of money to pay for their impressive home, but during the 2000s, with struggling economy and high unemployment, they couldn't afford to repay their loan.
McMansion are still popular in some area, but no one is sure how long it will last. Will energy become even more expensive and force owners to downsize? Will the economy grow and banks become more willing to end again? Will the drop-in house prices allow larger, less affluent families to afford a McMansion? These questions are weighing heavily on the future of one of the most popular housing styles of the late 20th century.
In paragraph 1, the writer introduces the concept of McMansion by _______.
A. comparing hamburgers and houses
B. introducing various types of homes in the United States
C. discussing the advantages and disadvantages of McMansions
D. explaining how McMansions were named
D
Kiến thức: Đọc hiểu
Giải thích:
Trong đoạn 1, người viết giới thiệu khái niệm McMansion bằng cách
A. so sánh hamburger và nhà
B. giới thiệu nhiều loại nhà ở Hoa Kỳ
C. thảo luận về những ưu điểm và nhược điểm của McMansion
D. giải thích cách McMansion được đặt tên
Thông tin: A mansion is a very large home. McDonald's is the name of a fast food hamburger chain. What do you get when you put the two together? You get McMansion...
Tạm dịch: Một khu chung cư là một ngôi nhà rất lớn. McDonald là tên của một chuỗi hamburger thức ăn nhanh. Bạn nhận được gì khi kết hợp cả hai? Bạn có được McMansion…
Chọn D
Gói VIP thi online tại VietJack (chỉ 400k/1 năm học), luyện tập gần 1 triệu câu hỏi có đáp án chi tiết
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
We are having a surprise party for Susan next Saturday, so don't give the secret away by saying anything to her.
They advised me _____ visiting the troubled south of the country.
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.
The teacher had only just came in the room when the fire alarm rang
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions.
The poor old man never was able to explain what was going on to his family.
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
Congo's presidential election is hoped to enable the country's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from Belgium in 1960.
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions.
It was in 1896 in Athens, Greece where the first modern Olympics were held.
The work that the students do _____ the year will count towards their final degrees.
He should have his visa _____ before it expires if he does not want to be deported.
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges.
Mary is talking to her professor in his office.
- Professor: “Congratulations on your award.”
- Mary: “______.”
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that best combines each pair of sentences in the following questions.
Dad's car is very old. He can't afford to buy a new one.
Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges.
Jane and Janet are talking about their favorite sports.
Jane: “Are you interested in scuba diving?” - Janet: “ _____ .”
While I _____ at the bus stop, three buses went by in the opposite direction.
My brother hopes to travel around the world _____ next summer.