The bans， if fully enforced，would suggest to women （and many men） that they should not let others be arbiters of their beauty。 And perhaps faintly，they hint that people should look to intangible qualities like character and intellect rather than dieting their way to size zero or wasp-waist physiques。
The French measures， however， rely too much on severe punishment to change a culture that still regards beauty as skin-deep-and bone-showing。 Under the law， using a fashion model that does not meet a government-defined index of body mass could result in a $85，000 fine and six months in prison。
The fashion industry knows it has an inherent problem in focusing on material adornment and idealized body types。 In Denmark， the United States， and a few other countries， it is trying to set voluntary standards for models and fashion images that rely more on peer pressure for enforcement。
In contrast to France’s actions， Denmark’s fashion industry agreed last month on rules and sanctions regarding the age， health， and other characteristics of models。 The newly revised Danish Fashion Ethical Charter clearly states： “We are aware of and take responsibility for the impact the fashion industry has on body ideals， especially on young people。” The charter’s main tool of enforcement is to deny access for designers and modeling agencies to Copenhagen Fashion Week （CFW）， which is run by the Danish Fashion Institute。 But in general it relies on a name-and-shame method of compliance。
Relying on ethical persuasion rather than law to address the misuse of body ideals may be the best step。 Even better would be to help elevate notions of beauty beyond the material standards of a particular industry。
21。 According to the first paragraph， what would happen in France？
[A]New runways would be constructed。
[B]Physical beauty would be redefined。
[C]Websites about dieting would thrive。
[D]The fashion industry would decline。
22。 The phrase “impinging on” （Line2， Para.2） is closest in meaning to
[A]heightening the value of。
[B]indicating the state of。
[C]losing faith in。
[D]doing harm to。
23。 Which of the following is true of the fashion industry？
[A]New standards are being set in Denmark。
[B]The French measures have already failed。
[C]Models are no longer under peer pressure。
[D]Its inherent problems are getting worse。
24。 A designer is most likely to be rejected by CFW for
[A]pursuing perfect physical conditions。
[B]caring too much about models’ character。
[C]showing little concern for health factors。
[D]setting a high age threshold for models。
25。 Which of the following may be the best title of the text？
[A]A Challenge to the Fashion Industry’s Body Ideals
[B]A Dilemma for the Starving Models in France
[C]Just Another Round of Struggle for Beauty
[D]The Great Threats to the Fashion Industry
Text 2
For the first time in history more people live in towns than in the country。 In Britain this has had a curious result。 While polls show Britons rate “the countryside” alongside the royal family， Shakespeare and the National Health Service （NHS） as what makes them proudest of their country， this has limited political support。
A century ago Octavia Hill launched the National Trust not to rescue stylish houses but to save “the beauty of natural places for everyone forever。” It was specifically to provide city dwellers with spaces for leisure where they could experience “a refreshing air。” Hill’s pressures later led to the creation of national parks and green belts。 They don’t make countryside any more， and every year concrete consumes more of it。 It needs constant guardianship。
At the next election none of the big parties seem likely to endorse this sentiment。 The Conservatives’ planning reform explicitly gives rural development priority over conservation， even authorizing“off-plan” building where local people might object。 The concept of sustainable development has been defined as profitable。 Labour likewise wants to discontinue local planning where councils oppose development。 The Liberal Democrats are silent。 Only Ukip， sensing its chance， has sided with those pleading for a more considered approach to using green land。 Its Campaign to Protect Rural England struck terror into many local Conservative parties。
The sensible place to build new houses， factories and offices is where people are， in cities and towns where infrastructure is in place。 The London agents StirlingAckroyd recently identified enough sites for half a million houses in the London area alone， with no intrusion on green belt。 What is true of London is even truer of the provinces。
