Every popcorn kernel contains a tiny drop of water，surrounded by soft starch(淀粉)．When the popcorn is heated，the water turns into steam.This puts pressure on the surrounding hard kernel，forcing it to explode.The soft starch increases about 40 times in size as the corn kernel turns itself inside out.

　　In the 1500s popcorn was an important food source for the Aztec Indians of central and southern Mexico.But it wasn't only food.It was also used in ceremonies or in headdresses and necklaces.By the time the Europeans arrived in America，popcorn had spread through most of the American Indians.

　　Some early American settlers ate popcorn with cream and sugar for breakfast.But it wasn't until the late 1800s that popcorn became popular.The demand for popcorn increased and farmers began farming popcorn.The first mobile popping machine was invented in 1885，and popcorn was sold by street sellers much like hot dogs are sold today.

　　During the Great Depression of the 1930s，the popcorn business still thrived as people could still afford it.Then in the 1950s television arrived and popcorn consumption decreased.People stayed home and stopped going to the theatre.But the link between movies and popcorn had already existed.Soon people began making popcorn at home on the stove.Later，microwave popcorn was introduced.

　　Today the movies have regained popularity and popcorn has once again become the favorite.

【2017届高考英语一轮复习阅读理解解析版汇编：64（含解析）】相关文章：

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：22（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：2（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：3（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：11（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：6（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：14（含解析）

★ 【三维设计】2017届高考英语（江苏专用）二轮复习课件：必修3 Unit 2《Language》

★ 安徽省淮南市2014高考英语一轮单项选择及文章训练（14）及答案

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：8（含解析）

★ 【优化方案】2017届高考英语二轮复习全国卷Ⅱ规范练：6（含解析）