B
British beer and pubs are famous around the world. Things are changing, however. Is this the
end of a great British tradition?
For thousands of years, a very important building in any British village has been the pub. In
fact, until a place has a pub, it is not really considered a community worthy of a name. Traditionally,
the pub is at the heart of any village or town, since it is where people gather to socialize and
exchange news. It is an institution at the heart of British society. After all, the word “pub” is actually
short for “public house”.
As a result, British pubs are often old and well preserved. Many of them have become historic
sites that tourists visit. Many British pubs have names referring to monarchs, such as The King’s
Head or The Queen Victoria, but of course this doesn’t mean they are only for kings and queens. Pubs have always welcomed people from all classes and parts of society. On a cold night, the pub boss can always find a warm place for customers by the fire. There is always honest and hearty food and plenty of drink available at an affordable price.
That’s how it used to be, but there are worrying signs that things are beginning to change. Economic downturns, governmental austerity (紧缩) measures and cultural changes are causing
英语试题卷 第 3 页 共 8 页
many pubs to go out of business. People do not have a lot of spare money to spend on beer. On top of that, in 2007 smoking was banned in all public indoor spaces, including pubs, which may also have affected the number of customers going to pubs since then. This decline is happening despite the fact that pubs are now allowed by law to stay open after 11p.m..
In order to save their businesses, pubs are trying to diversify to attract new customers. And with various “save the pub” campaigns, there are signs that people are gathering around pubs to support this great British institution with pride.
12.Why are British pubs often old?
A. Because the British want to attract tourists.
B. Because the birth of a community often results from a pub in it.
C. Because they are where people socialize and exchange news.
D. Because they follow in the tradition of British kings and queens.
13.What does the underlined word “monarchs” in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A. Emperors. B. Bosses.
C. Special tourists. D. Ordinary people.
14.What causes many pubs to close down?
A. Cultural differences.
B. Economic decline.
C. Changes in opening hours.
D. Regulations against drinking.
15.What is the author’s attitude towards the future of British pubs?
A. Conservative. B. Skeptical.
C. Hopeless. D. Objective.
