A 33-year-old Japanese man has been getting a lot of attention for his special way of finding a place to stay — asking complete strangers if he can sleep over.

    Shuraf Ishida has slept in over 500 different homes in the last five years. After quitting his job, he decided to sell all his things except for a few essentials that fit into his backpack, and travel around Japan using his savings. Normally, accommodation would have been his biggest expense, but the 33-year-old found a clever way to get free lodging (借宿). Every day, Ishida stands in busy areas sometimes for hours, holding up a sign that reads “Please Let Me Stay Over Tonight!” Strange as it sounds, he almost always finds someone willing to take him in, mostly lonely homeowners who need someone to talk to.

    Ishida said that he used to be a very shy and reclusive person, but everything changed during his university days when he went to Taiwan, China, where he met people and was treated to delicious meals. He became obsessed with traveling, so after graduating from university, he got a job at a Japanese company with the goal of “saving up money to travel around the world.” He quit at age 28 and has been traveling ever since. Although his savings are dwindling, he has no intention of going back to work, instead trying to save as much money as possible to keep his unique lifestyle going.

    Ishida’s attitude has received a lot of criticism on social media from people accusing him of “relying on the kindness of others instead of working,” but the homeowners welcoming him in their homes find his presence “good value for money.” Ishida says that many of the homeowners he interacts with open up to him, sharing secrets and hardships that they have had to endure, but he never shows empathy (共鸣) and doesn’t offer words of encouragement. Instead, he just listens to them and asks direct questions, which most of them seem to enjoy, because it makes the interaction more genuine.

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1.1. Which of the following is NOT true about Shuraf Ishida’s travel experience?

A He has stayed in over 500 homes in the last five years.

B He carries only a few essentials in his backpack.

C He finds a place to stay by asking strangers in busy areas.

D He spends the most money on accommodation now.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第二段的“Shuraf Ishida has slept in over 500 different homes in the last five years.”可知，他已在超过500个陌生人家里借宿，A项正确；根据第二段的“he decided to sell all his things except for a few essentials that fit into his backpack, and travel around Japan using his savings”可知，他只留下必需品装在一只背包里，其他能卖的东西都卖掉，B项正确；根据第二段的“Every day, Ishida stands in busy areas sometimes for hours, holding up a sign that reads ‘Please Let Me Stay Over Tonight!’”可知，他总是站在人流密集的街头，手里举着“请让我过夜”的牌子，C项正确；根据第二段的“the 33-year-old found a clever way to get free lodging”可知，他住宿并没有花钱，即D项不正确。故选D。

2.2. What does the underlined word “dwindling’ mean?

A Decreasing.

B Donating.

C Increasing.

D Recycling.

解析：选A。词义猜测题。根据划线单词后面的“he has no intention of going back to work”和“trying to save as much money as possible”他不打算回去工作，他尽量省着花钱；并结合前文内容，他辞职旅游，可推测，他的积蓄在减少。故选A。

3.3. How do most of the homeowners feel about Ishida’s way of interacting with them?

A They find it uncomfortable and awkward.

B They think it’s too direct and impolite.

C They enjoy the genuine interaction.

D They wish he would offer more advice.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据最后一段的“Instead, he just listens to them and asks direct questions, which most of them seem to enjoy, because it makes the interaction more genuine.”可知，同意让石田借宿的房主，大多数会向他敞开心扉，把那些憋不住想诉说的秘密和生活中的辛苦告诉他。他从不会对房主表示同情，也不会说鼓励对方的话。相反，他只是静静听着，或者直接提问，大多数人貌似很喜欢这样，因为这样的互动显得很坦诚。由此可知，大多数房主喜欢这种互动方式。故选C。

4.4. Which of the following can best summarize the passage?

A The challenges of traveling on a budget.

B A Japanese man’s unique way of finding accommodation.

C The importance of social interactions during travel.

D The advantages of relying on others for lodging.

解析：选B。主旨大意题。文章主要讲述了一位日本男子通过询问陌生人是否可以在他们家过夜来寻找住宿的独特方式。故选B。