(西安交大附中2007—2008学年度下学期高三第四次模拟考试E篇)
On the afternoon before his wedding day this fall, Hamid was sitting in an empty teahouse holding a glass of green tea between his fingers, his brow folded in worry and anxiety .That’s the cost of his wedding. In Afghanistan, one of the poorest countries in the world, bridegrooms are expected to pay not only for their weddings ,but also all the related expenses, including several huge pre-wedding parties and money for the bride’s family ,known as the bride price. The bridegroom is also responsible for jewelry ,flowers ,two dresses for the bride, two suits for himself ,a visit to the beauty salon for the bride and her closest female relatives ,as well as a sound system for the wedding , a photographer and a video team with a pair of cameramen. All that can run a middle-class Afghan man on average $ 20,000.
Hamid ,a midlevel bureaucrat in the Afghan government who supports his six-member family on a salary of $ 7,200 per year ,said his bill was going to top $ 12,000. And by Afghan standards, that would be considered normal, or even a bargain.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to think about it ,” said Hamid ,30 , “It’s a lot of responsibility. “After that the bridegrooms and their families are left with bills that put them into heavy debts .Even the poor must do that. A laborer ,for instance ,making about the average income of $ 350 per year, may well spend more than $ 2,000 for his wedding.
Hamid’s wedding ceremony opened at the East Diamond Wedding Hall in Kabul ,in two vast banquet rooms, one for the men and the other for the women . Islamic custom dictates that the sexes be separated .Dressed in a white suit ,he was smiling and seemed happy. “In our country, the wedding is a big problem—until you’re done with it. “Hamid’s father, a lifetime civil servant who makes $ 100 a month, also seemed relieved and joyful .Asked how he felt about the money 30 times his monthly salary ,he replied: “It was good! I’m extremely happy!” The payment ,he explained ,allowed the marriage to happen. “Only a memory is left,” he said. “A memory of happiness.”
Like most Afghan bridegrooms, Hamid had to empty his savings ,borrow money . They had all saved in anticipation of the event ,much like a Chinese family might prepare years in advance for college tuitions . After the wedding, he was going to be left with $ 2,000 in debt ,which he expected to pay off within five months .But it is not so easy for many other young Afghan men.
57．What’s the best title of the passage?
A．Happiness and sadness of a young man named Hamid in Afghanistan.
B．Happy big weddings in Afghanistan.
C．A bridegroom’s worry in Afghanistan.
D．Big weddings wring Afghans joy and debt
58．What are bridegrooms in Afghanistan expected to pay for?
A．Their weddings and several huge pre-wedding parties.
B．Money for the bridegroom’s family.
C．Jewelry ,flowers ,two dresses for the closet relatives.
D．A visit to the beauty salon for the bridegroom.
59．How does Hamid’s feel when asked about the big wedding?
A．hatred B．dislike C．happy D．happy and worry
60．What do you think the write will write in the continued passage?
A．an example of a common young Afghan man who has to pay off the debts after a long
time.
B．an example of a rich Afghan man who has no debts.
C．an example of an Afghan bridegroom who has a simple wedding.
D．an example of an Afghan bride’s big wedding ceremony.