A
When I was a boy, my parents and I traveled from New York City to the Pennsylvania countryside for a weeklong taste of rural life. We stayed in a guesthouse on a farm, joining the daily routines and eating meals with the farmer and his family. We got up early to see the cows as they were milked. I even tried my hand at milking one, and then joined the farmer as he released the cows into the field afterward.
Decades later I still have vivid memories of that trip which made me realize the value of a vacation, of seeing new things, meeting new people and sharing memorable experiences with family members. To this day, I still consider that family trip when I plan to take time off with my wife and kids. Vacations are a time for resting and connecting. As a bank manager, I spend much of my workday encouraging my customers to save their money. One of the reasons I give is that we should all have enough for a family vacation every year. In our busy lives, family is what we should be saving our money and time for.
For my family, our vacation starts when we begin planning the trip. We talk about destinations and our budget (预算) ahead of time. Among the things we discuss: Can we save money by renting a house instead of spending six nights in a hotel? Would it be better to buy groceries and cook for ourselves rather than eat out every night? Involving (使参与) the kids in planning the vacation makes sure that they have a great vacation too. I prefer to visit historical sites and museums while they love to fish and swim. So I build in some relaxation time for us all so that the vacation can work for everyone.
Each year, setting aside vacation time to spend together is especially important to us. A relaxing environment opens the doors to all kinds of conversations—deep, silly or meaningful. There’s no pleasure from the usual everyday tasks. What matters is that everyone is having a great time.
21. Why did the author and his parents go to the countryside when he was young?
A. To milk the cow. B. To meet the farmer and his family.
C. To experience country life. D. To enjoy the scenery.
22. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. The author encouraged his customers to save their money for family vacation.
B. The author met new people and new things during the trip.
C. The trip helped the author understand the meaning of vacations better.
D. The author involved his kids in planning the vacation to cut their budget.
23. What is this passage mainly about?
A. The author had a good time in the countryside
B. The author advised others to spend vacations with their families.
C. The author tried to enjoy the holidays with his family.
D. The author realized the value of family vacations and put it into practice.
【答案】21. C 22. D 23. D
【解析】
这是一篇夹叙夹议文。作者由小时候的一次和父母去农村体验生活意识到度假的价值——认识新事物，结识新朋友，与家人分享难忘的经历。这让作者在后来给自己的家庭计划假期的时候，也让家人们参与其中，这样确保每个人都有一个美好的假期。
【21题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段第一句When I was a boy, my parents and I traveled from New York City to the Pennsylvania countryside for a weeklong taste of rural life.（当我还是个男孩的时候，我的父母和我从纽约到宾夕法尼亚的乡村旅行了一周，体验乡村生活。）可知，作者小时候和他的父母去农村是为了体验乡村生活。故选C。
【22题详解】
细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中Involving the kids in planning the vacation makes sure that they have a great vacation too.（让孩子们参与计划假期，确保他们也有一个美好的假期。）可知，作者让孩子参与假期计划是为了确保孩子有一个美好的假期，并不是为了节省预算。故D选项错误。
【23题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第二段第一句Decades later I still have vivid memories of that trip which made me realize the value of a vacation, of seeing new things, meeting new people and sharing memorable experiences with family members.（几十年后，我仍然对那次旅行记忆犹新，那次旅行让我意识到度假的价值，认识新事物，结识新朋友，与家人分享难忘的经历。）以及下文中作者将那次对家庭度假的价值的认知，付诸实践到自己的家庭生活中。故D选项“作者认识到家庭度假的价值，并将其付诸实践。”最符合文章中心。故选D。
