阅读理解。
YOUR mom might cook a bowl of noodles for you on your birthday. But in the US, a mom makes
a cupcake for her children on their birthday.
Cupcakes are small, round cakes topped with frosting (糖霜). It has been an American tradition
that moms bring cupcakes to the classroom to celebrate their child's birthday.
But recently some doctors have called for this to be banned. They believe cupcakes contribute to
child obesity.
Despite their good intentions, however, some people believe that experts are interfering (妨碍) with
American culture. The cupcake is seen as American as apple pie - only prettier.
According to Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, the cupcake is the
most democratic (民主的) of desserts. As they are small enough for one person, you don't have to share
your cupcake with anyone - it's all yours. They are also all the same size, so there can't be any cries of
"she got the bigger piece!"
Each bite can taste different depending on how much icing you have. It is a lesson in self-determination. Some people eat only a little of the frosting every time, others have it all in just one bite.
In recent years, eating a cupcake has become as trendy as having a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton jokingly promised on a talk show that if she was
elected president, she would give everyone a cupcake on her birthday.
Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, explains that the rise of the cupcake is very much
about going back to American national identity in food, which is all about comfort. "People want to think
about when they and their country were innocent," she said.
1. According to the passage, it has been an American tradition that ___________.
A. a party for children on their birthday
B. A mom cooks a bowl of noodles for her children on their birthday
C. A mom makes a cupcake for her children on their birthday and brings it to the classroom
D. parents go travelling with their children on their birthday
2. Why do doctors ask people to ban cupcakes on children's birthday?
A. Because they themselves don't like cupcakes.
B. Because they think cupcakes are not so delicious.
C. Because they believe cupcakes will cause cries of "She got the bigger piece".
D. Because they believe cupcakes are one of the causes to make children become fat.
3. Which of the following is Not true according to Marion Nestle?
A. The cupcake is more democratic than any other deserts in the US.
B. The cupcake is too small to share with others.
C. The sizes of cupcakes are the same so it's equal to everyone.
D. Cupcakes will lead to child obesity so they should be banned.
4. The underlined word "trendy" in paragraph 7 probably means ________.
A. popular
B. gentle
C. delicious
D. different
5. Why did the writer mention Hillary Clinton and Ruth Reichl?
A. To arouse the readers' attention.
B. To show that cupcakes are becoming a popular to show kindness and comfort.
C. To make a comparison between them.
D. To give readers a general idea of cupcakes.
