阅读理解。
Just how comfortable is your sofa? Would you be prepared to let a stranger crash out there for the
night? And, on the basis of a bit of email correspondence and seeing a photo of the sofa belonging to
"An Unknown", would you travel halfway across the world to do the same? It might sound crazy, but
this is exactly what millions of people have done whilst participating in an activity known as couch
surfing.
Couch surfing is travelling on a budget, using a broad network of contacts in order to get overnight
accommodation for free, or at as little cost as possible. Participants, also called couch surfers, join
dedicated websites, providing as much information about themselves as possible in order to make others
feel comfortable hosting them, or using them as a host. Various safety features are generally available in
such online networks, like verification (核实) of names and addresses,, personal references, and "vouching
(担保) for" a particular member; a reliable host or guest.
As well as the financial advantages of couch surfing, participants also claim that the practice gives them
a more unique, authentic (真正的) travel experience, allowing them to experience culture and cuisine through
the locals, rather than from the confines of sanitized tourist accommodation. "We open our minds and lives
and welcome the knowledge that becomes available through cultural exchange." said Casey Fenton, founder
of Couch Surfing. com. "Couch Surfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to
the work."
1. What is the right order of couch surfing?
a. Provide personal information.
b. Travel to the host's house.
c. Join dedicated websites.
d. Check photos of sofas by emails.
A. d-b-a-c
B. b-c-a-d
C. a-d-c-b
D. c-a-d-b
2. Which is NOT a safety feature of online network?
A. Verification of identity.
B. A copy of the passport.
C. Personal references.
D. Vouching for the member as reliable.
3. From the text we can know that _____.
A. participants can be hosted or a host
B. couch surfing tests people's patience
C. couch surfing leads to trust between people
D. people couch surf simply for financial reasons
4. What can be the best title of the test?
A. Touring the World on the Internet.
B. Unique Advantages of Local Travelling.
C. Around the World from Sofa to Sofa.
D. Cultural Exchange by Correspondence.
