Passage One
In Japan, some people play golf on weekends and some form long lines in the Ginza district to watch first-run foreign films. A knowing few go to the barbershop.
A trip to a Japanese barbershop is an odyssey into the country's economic miracle, a glimpse at the same attention to detail that has made "Japan Inc." the envy of the capitalist world.
It is more than simply getting a haircut. Customers go to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo's frenetic pace. They go to complain about local politics and catch up on the latest neighborhood scuttlebutt.
But most of all, they go to be cranked up high in the barber's chair, to assume for at lest one precious moment – regardless of their walk of life---that honorific stature uniquely revered in Japan: that of okyakusama, or customer.
So going to the barbershop here is an outing . The object is not to get it over with as quickly as possible, American-style, but to prolong the treatment and bask in its sensual pleasures.
No one understands this better than Tanaka-san, who runs a state-of-the-art barbershop just up the street from where I live, in the Minami Azabu district. Like much else in Japan, Mr. Tankaka's shop has only recently gone upscale.
Last year, he sold his small, old shop, located a few blocks from the new one, for a cool $15.3 million. With typical Japanese foresight for investing for the long pull, Mr. Tanaka plowed the proceeds into his spanking new premises.
Mr. Tanaka, 54, has been in the barbering business for 38 years. Back in 1950, he charged only 35 yen --- not much compared with the 3,200 yen he receives today for a cut and shampoo. At today's exchange rates, $22 for a haircut might seem expensive, but I think it's one of the best deals in town.
You always have to wait in line at Mr. Tanaka's shop : He doesn't take reservations because he doesn't need to. But when your time comes, Mr. Tanaka directs you to the seat of honor.
Soon his wife is feverishly shampooing your hair, massaging your scalp with a special brush. While she scrubs, Mr. Tanaka is busy at the next chair, applying the finishing snips and snaps to another client. This tag-team approach keeps the shop running at full capacity.
Mr. Tanaka typically spends about 45 minutes cutting your hair, scrutinizing the symmetry of the sideburns with the utmost care. His cutting skills are superb, but it is in conversation that he truly excels. He knows when to talk, when to listen and when to utter the drawn-out guttural grunt of approval so common in Japanese. These insightful yet subtle dialogues with his clients create the cornerstone of Mr.Tanaka's thriving business: the repeat customer, every retailer's dream.
For the rare client not "hooked" by pleasant conversation , Mrs. Tanaka's shaving technique, with a straight-edged razor, is the showstopper. First, she places a hot towel over your face, then wipes your face with moisturizing oil.
She applies another hot towel to remove the oil and lathers you up with warm shaving cream. Finally, she methodically spends fifteen minutes shaving off every last whisker---including any stray hairs that might have found their way to your forehead or earlobes. The oil and hot-towel procedure is repeated and the reclining customer is gently coaxed into returning to earth.
Foreign businessmen trying to figure our what makes Japan's economy so successful might do well to visit a Japanese barbershop. Impeccable service isn't extra here, it's included the price of admission.
61. An attention to detail has made "Japan Inc."
A. a good place for tourists
B. a land of many barbershops
C. a prosperous economic power
D. a famous resort
62. In Japanese barbershops, barbers
A. rush customers out
B. never talk about politics
C. talk with customers and work leisurely
D. are rather impatient with customers
63. Relaxation and sensual pleasure are
A. admitted goals of customers
B. not possible in the busy atmosphere
C. not appreciated by hurried customers
D. not available to customers
64. Because Mr. Tanaka's shop is s popular,
A. reservations are required
B. people wait in line
C. he is opening another new store
D. he becomes famous for that
65. Not only is Mr. Tanaka a good barber, but he is also
A. skilled at conversation
B. an expert in shaving techniques
C. a local politician
D. a psychologist
Passage Two
Mincerva was the goddess of wisdom, but on one occasion she did a very foolish thing; she entered into competition with Juno and Venus for the prize of beauty. It happened thus: At the nuptials of Peleus and Theetis all the gods were invited with the exception of Eris, or Discord. Enraged at her exclusion, the goddess threw a golden apple among the guests, with the inscription (题词), "For the fairest." Thereupon Juno, Venus, and Minerva each claimed the apple. Jupiter, not willing to decide in so delicate a matter, sent the goddesses to Mount Ida, where the beautiful shepherd Paris was tending his flocks, and to him was committed the decision. The goddesses accordingly appeared before him. Juno promised him power and riches, Minerva glory and renown in war, and Venus the fairest of women his wife, each attempting to bias his decision in her own favor. Paris decided in favour of Venus and gave her the golden apple, thus making the two other goddesses his enemies. Under the protection of Venus, Paris sailed to Greece, and was hospitably received by Menelaus. king of Sparta. Now Helen, the wife of Menelaus, was the very woman whom Venus had destined for Paris, the fairest of her sex. She had been sought as a bride by numerous suitors, and before her decision was made known, they all, at the suggestion of Ulysses, one of their number, took an oath that they would defend her from all injury and avenge her cause if necessary. She chose Menelaus, and was living with him happily when Paris became their guest . Paris aided by Venus, persuaded her to elope (私奔)with him, and carried her to Troy, whence arose the famous Trojan war, the theme of the greatest poems of antiquity, those of Homer and Virgil.