Human wants seem endless, When a starving man gets a meal, he begins to think about an overcoat; when a manager gets a new sports car, he dreams of country clubs and pleasure boats dance into view.
The many wants of mankind might be regarded as making up several levels. When there is money enough to satisfy one level of wants, another level appears.
The first and most basic level of wants is food. Once this want is satisfied, a second level of wants appears: clothing and some sort of shelter. By the end of World War II these wants were satisfied for a great majority of Americans. Then a third level appeared. It included such items as cars and new houses.
By 1957 or 1958 this third level of wants was fairly well satisfied. Then in the late 1950s a fourth level of wants appeared: the “life-enriching” level. While the other levels mean physical satisfaction—the feeding, comfort, safety and transportation of the human body—this level means mental needs for recognition, achievement and happiness, It includes a variety of goods and services many of which could be called “luxury” items. Among them are vacation trips, the best medical care and entertainment. Also included here are fancy foods and the latest styles in clothing.
On the fourth level, a greater percentage of consumers spending goes to services, while on the first three levels more is spent on goods. Will consumers raise their sights to a fifth level of wants as their income increases, or will they continue to demand luxuries and personal services on the fourth level?
A fifth level probably would be wants that can be achieved by community action. Consumers may be spending more on taxes and crime. After filling our stomachs, our garages, and our minds, we now may seek to ensure the health and safety to enjoy more fully the good things on the first three levels.
小题1:According to the passage, man will begin to think about such needs as housing and clothing only when _______
A.he has saved up enough money
B.he has grown dissatisfied with his simple shelter
C.he has satisfied his hunger
D.he has learned to build houses小题2:It can be inferred from the passage that by the end of World War II most Americans ______
A.were very rich
B.were very poor
C.Had the good things on the first three levels
D.didn’t own cars小题3:Which of the following is NOT related to “physical satisfaction”?
A.A successful career
B.A comfortable house
C.A good service
D.A family car小题4:Which is the main want of man on the fourth level?
A.The more goods, the better
B.The more mental satisfaction, the better
C.The more “luxury” items, the better
D.The more earning, the better小题5:The author thinks that a fifth level______
A.would be a little better than the fourth level
B.may be a lot more desirable than the first four
C.can be the last and most satisfying level
D.will come true if the government takes actions
小题1:C
小题2:D
小题3:A
小题4:B
小题5:B
题目分析:
小题1:C 细节题。根据第三段1,2行The first and most basic level of wants is food. Once this want is satisfied, a second level of wants appears: clothing and some sort of shelter说明食物的需要满足以后,人们就会有衣服和房子的要求。故C正确。
小题2:D 推理题。根据第三段By the end of World War II these wants were satisfied for a great majority of Americans. Then a third level appeared. It included such items as cars and new houses.说明在二战结束的时候,服装和房子等需求得到了满足,新的需要出现了,比如汽车和新的房子。那么说明在二战结束的时候,人们还没有汽车。故D正确。
小题3:A 推理题。physical satisfaction指物质上的满足。四个选项中BCD都属于物质上的满足,只有A项属于自我价值的实现,故A正确。
小题4:B 推理题。根据倒数第二段On the fourth level, a greater percentage of consumers spending goes to services, while on the first three levels more is spent on goods.说明在这一阶段人们要的是精神层次方面的满足。故B正确。
小题5:B 推理题。根据文章最后一段说明第五个层次的需要的层次要比前四种需要的层次更高。故B正确。
点评:文章解释了与马斯洛的需要层次相似的理论。当低层次的物质需要得到满足以后,人们会追求更高层次的物质要求。物质方面的要求得到满足以后,会追求精神方面的满足。