阅读理解
Raymond Schneider politely made his way through crowds of customers as he made for the candy
bins at Dylan's Candy Bar in Manhattan. Since he was out of employment, Mr. Schneider, a
33-year-old designer, says he has become a person who always buys a lot of sweets every time he
shops for groceries.
"Sugar is comforting," he said. "There's nothing more stressful than growing financial insecurity (不安
全感) everywhere."
The recession (经济衰退) seems to have a sweet tooth. As unemployment has risen, Americans,
particularly adults, have been consuming (消费) growing amounts of candy.
Theories vary on exactly why. For many, sugar lifts spirits dragged low by the economy. For others,
candy also reminds them of better times. And not importantly, it is relatively cheap.
At Candyality, a store in Chicago, business has jumped by nearly 80 percent and the owner, Terese
McDonald, said she was struggling to keep up with the demand for Bit-O-Honeys, and Sour Balls.
Many big candy makers are also reporting rising sales and big profits (利润).
"It's not surprising." said Peter Liebhold, chairman of the Smithsonian Institution's work and industry
division. "During the Great Depression in the 1930's, candy companies stayed in business."
1. Raymond Schneider was set as an example to show ________.
A. many Americans were jobless in the recession
B. lots of Americans like candies
C. many Americans in the recession like sweets which are comforting
D. Americans are suffering much in the recession
2. What does the underlined sentence mean?
A. Candy consuming rises while people are suffering bad effects of the recession.
B. The recession doesn't affect Americans.
C. Americans are optimistic even though they are out of employment.
D. Candy companies stayed in business during the Great Depression.
3. Which is NOT the reason why people in the recession like sugar?
A. It is relatively cheap.
B. It is comforting and can make a lot of profits.
C. It raises people's spirits up.
D. It calls up people's good memories.
4. The best title of the passage is ________.
A. Sugar Is Comforting
B. Candy Companies Has a Bright Future
C. Americans Have a Sweet Tooth
D. Sugar Sales Rise in the Recession
