2015年职称英语理工类A级阅读理解练习题及答案(五)

　　Is the Tie a Necessity?

　　Ties, or neckties, have been a symbol of politeness and elegance in Britain for centuries. But the casual Prime Minister Tony Blair has problems with them. Reports suggest that even the civil servants may stop wearing ties. So, are the famously formal British really going to abandon the neckties?

　　In fact, Blair showed this attitude when he had his first guests to a cocktail party. Many of them were celebrities without ties, which would have been unimaginable even in the recent past.

　　But today, people have begun to accept a casual style even for formal occasions.

　　It wasnt, however, until the late 18th century that fancy young men introduced a more colorful, flowing piece of cloth that eventually became known as the tie. Then, clubs military institutions and schools began to use colored and patterned ties to indicate the wearers membership in the late 19th century. After that, the tie became a necessary item of clothing for British gentlemen.

　　31 The tie symbolizes all of the following except

　　B elegance

　　D democracy

　　A Because he wants to make a show

　　C Because ties are costly.

　　33 Which of the following is NOT a social occasion?

　　B Going to work in the office.

　　D Going to a party.

　　A Tony Blair.

　　C Jim Callaghan.

　　35 When did British gentlemen begin to wear ties regularly?

　　B In the 1630s.

　　D In the late 18th century.