2020 年 09 月大学英语四级考试真题（第 2 套）

It can be seen from the cheapest budget airlines to the world's largest carriers: Airlines across the

globe __26__ various shades of blue in their cabin seats and it is no

__27__. There does appear to be

some psychology behind it. Blue is __28__ with the positive qualities of

trust, efficiency, quietness,

coolness, reflection and calm.

Nigel Goode is a leading aviation designer who works at a company which has been delivering

aircraft interiors for airlines for __30__ years. "Our job as designers is to reinforce the airline's brand and

make it more __29__, " he says. "But our primacy concern is to deliver an

interior that __30__ comfort

to create a pleasant environment. "

"It's all about making the traveling experience less __31__ and blue is

said to induce a feeling of

calm. While some of the budget airlines might use brighter, bolder shades, most others go with

softened tones. The __32__ aim is to create a home-like relaxing feel, so

airlines tend to use soft colors

that feel domestic, __33__ and earthy for that reason. "

It's also a trend that emerged decades ago and has __34__ stuck. "Blue

became the color of choice

because it's a conservative, agreeable, corporate shade that __35__ being

trustworthy and safe. That's

why you see it used in all of the older airlines like British Airways, " Nigel Goode added.

When is cleaning walls a crime? When you're doing it to create art, obviously. A number of street artists around

the world have started expressing themselves through a practice known as reverse graffiti (涂鸦). They find dirty

surfaces and paint them with images or messages using cleaning brushes or pressure hoses (高压水管). Either way,

it's

the same principle; the image is made by cleaning away the dirt. Each artist has their own individual style but

all artists share a common aim; to draw attention to the pollution in our cities. The UK's Paul Curtis, better

known as Moose, operates around Leeds and London and has been commissioned by a number of companies to make

reverse graffiti advertisements.

Brazilian artist, Alexandre Orion, turned one of Sao Paulo's transport tunnels into an amazing wall painting in

2006 by getting rid of the dirt. Made up of a series of white skulls (颅骨), the painting reminds drivers of the

effect their pollution is having on the planet. "Every motorist sits in the comfort of their car, but they don't

give any consideration to the price their comfort has for the environment and consequently for themselves," says

Orion.

The anti-pollution message of the reverse graffiti artists confuses city authorities since the main argument

against graffiti is that it spoils the appearance of both types of property: public and private. This was what

Leeds City Council said about Moose's work; "Leeds residents want to live in clean and attractive

neighbourhoods. We view this kind of advertising as environmental damage and will take strong action against

it." Moose was ordered to "clean up his act." How was he supposed to do this: by making all property he had

cleaned dirty again?

As for the Brazilian artist's work, the authorities were annoyed but could find nothing to charge him with. They

had no other option but to clean the tunnel-but only the parts Alexandre had already cleaned. The artist merely

continued his campaign on the other side. The city officials then decided to take drastic action. They not only

cleaned the whole tunnel but every tunnel in Sao Paulo.

The practice of paying children an allowance became popular in America about 100 years ago. Nowadays, American

kids on average receive about $800 per year in allowance. But the vast majority of American parents who pay

allowance tie it to the completion of housework. Although many parents believe that paying an allowance for

completing chores benefits their children, a range of experts expressed concern that tying allowance very

closely to chores may not be ideal. In fact, the way chores work in many households worldwide points to another

way.

Suniya Luthar, a psychologist, is against paying kids for chores. Luthar is not opposed to giving allowances,

but she thinks it's important to establish that chores are done not because they will lead to payment, but

because they keep the household running. Luthar's suggested approach to allowance is compatible with that of

writer Ron Lieber, who advises that allowances be used as a means of showing children how to save, give, and

spend on things they care about. Kids should do chores, he writes, "for the same reason adults do, because the

chores need to be done, and not with the expectation of compensation."

This argument has its critics, but considering the way chores are undertaken around the world may change

people's thinking. Professor David Lancy of Utah State University has studied how families around the world

handle chores. At about 18 months of age, Lancy says, most children become eager to help their parents, and in

many cultures, they begin helping with housework at that age. They begin with very simple tasks, but their

responsibilities gradually increase. And they do these tasks without payment. Lancy contrasts this with what

happens in America. "We deny our children's bids to help until they are 6 or 7 years old," Lancy says, "when

many have lost the desire to help and then try to motivate them with payment. The solution to this problem is

not to try to use money as an incentive to do housework, but to get children involved in housework much earlier,

when they actually want to do it."