Passage 4
American live in a style-conscious culture even elementary school children know the difference between Air Jordans and the cheaper imitations. By the time they enter junior high school，most American adolescents are already highly skilled at distinguishing between brand names.The real lesson young Americans learn is that they live in a world where it matters what brand of clothes or furniture or car they buy. It matters what style of music they listen to，how they wear their hair，whether they're tattooed or pierced，and what kind of food they like to eat. Even everyday use-objects from staplers to toothbrushes to laptop computers matter too.
In many ways，it seems that such a concern for personal style and the appearance of objects is shallow and trivial. After all，what does it really matter whether or not someone's clothes or music or computer is at the cutting edge of style？Why should anyone care？One reason is that style is a guide to economic and social class in America. Style identifies. Whether consciously or unconsciously，we make judgments about people based on their appearance and their style. Simply by growing up in American culture，we acquire a sense of the style appropriate to different walks of life-how，for example，a high school teacher，a business executive，a truck driver，or a rock star ought to look.
Style communicates messages about economic and social class precisely because we share with others cultural codes that define what's normal and expected. For example，we expect wealthy professionals in metropolitan areas to be museum members，go to the opera，and enjoy gourmet food and fine wine. On the other hand，we are likely to expect that working-class men in the Midwest drink beer，listen to classic rock or country＆western，and support their local pro-football team. This doesn't mean that everyone in a particular social group conforms to these cultural codes. What it does indicate，however，is that style carries cultural meanings that go far beyond individual likes and dislikes. Style，in other words，is linked to the way of life that identifies groups of people，cultures，and subcultures. If the styles we adopt seem to be freely taken personal choices，they are contained nonetheless in a larger system of cultural codes that organize the way we think about identity，social status，prestige，good(and bad)taste，tradition，and innovation.
Fashion designers，graphic designers，and product designers understand this intimate connection between style and identity. They design everything from corporate logos and brand trademarks to the latest style of jeans and athletic shoes to computers and cars. Their job is to match styles to people's identities and，at the same time，to create styles that offer people new identities.
16. Why should young Americans learn to distinguish between brand names？
A. The differences of various brands make a difference in their life.
B. It's the result of manufacturers' marketing and promotion.
C. Consumerism is prevalent in America.
D. Brand names send message of the owner's identity.
17. In the author's opinion，style-conscious young Americans are＿•
A.following the trend B. snobbish
C. shallow D. conscious about themselves
18. Which of the following is NOT true，according to the author?
A. People in a particular social group should conform to the group's shared value system.
B. Style carries deeper meanings than personal likes and dislikes.
C. Style is contained in the larger system of culture.
D. Most people don't make judgments about someone just based on his appearance and style.
19. One's style sends out message about his economic and social status because
A. we live in a society where the richer a person is，the more expensive clothing he will choose
B. we are consciously or subconsciously influenced by cultural codes which can connect a style with certain strata in the society
C. we share with others a common tradition
D. we all have some stereotypes about social classes
20. A fashion designer who＿is a bad one.
A. matches styles to people's identity
B. makes innovation and creates styles
C. understands the connection between style and identity
D. disregards customer's identity
参考答案
1-5 C A D B C 6-10 C B D C D
11-15 D B A C A 16-20 D D D B D
