Americans are proud of their variety and individuality(个性) yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform whether it is the uniform of a lift operator or the uniform of a five-star general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?

　　Among the arguments for uniforms one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian(百姓的)clothes. People have become conditioned to expect higher quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears a uniform is likely to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, a hairdresser or a waiter to lose professional identity(职业身份)than to step out of uniform?

　　Uniforms also have many practical good points. They are often more comfortable and more lasting than civilian clothes.

　　Primary among the argument against uniforms is their lack of variety and the loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it without change until retirement. When people look alike they are likely to think speak and act similarly on the job at least.

　　Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are long-lasting often their initial expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.

　　1. What surprises us is that Americans _______.

　　A. still judge a man by his clothes B. think highly of uniforms

　　C. less prefer wearing civilian clothes D. respect a lift operator in uniform

　　2. People are likely to think that a man in uniform _______.

　　A. suggests quality work 　　B. shows his social position

　　C. appears to be more practical D. looks more fresh and attractive

　　3. Those who are against uniforms believe that people wearing uniforms _______. 　　A. are usually helpful B. have little freedom 　　C. lose personal character D. enjoy greater popularity

　　4. It can be concluded from the passage that _______.

　　A. people generally trust a person in uniform 　　B. people enjoy wearing comfortable uniform

　　C. the cost of the uniform is acceptable to people 　　D. people wear uniforms to show their professions

　　【答案解析】短文讲述了制服在美国受欢迎的原因以及穿制服的种种不足之处。

　　1. B。细节题。根据 yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform 可推知此题答案为B。

　　2. A。细节题。根据 People have become conditioned to expect higher quality from a man who wears a uniform 可得出答案。

　　3. C。细节题。根据 lack of variety and the loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. 可知，穿制服往往使人失去个性和变化。

　　4. A。推断题。根据 The television repairman who wears a uniform is likely to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform.，可见人们对穿制服的人有一种信任感。