The peoples of the Scandinavian countries share a lot in common for geographical reasons. But there are more of differences than similarities between them in all ways，including their drinking customs.
A superficial① observer might think that no one in Norway drinks wine. Meals eaten in restaurants or at home are usually washed down with tea, coffee or milk. Occasionally however，pale or dark ale② is drunk. It can be ordered only in restaurants, where it is served only with food.
Excellent quality beers are made in Jutland and consumption is high. After beer, brandy is the favorite drink. Aalborg schnapps made from corn and potatoes, is famous for its high alcoholic content. For the Danes, brandy is also an aperitif③ and is often drunk before meals. For a foreigner, the practice of surrounding toasts here can be uncomfortable. If he accepts one toast then he will have to accept all others, and it is difficult to drink six or seven glasses of brandy unless one is used to it. Ladies are fortunately excluded from these rounds and they drink only a grape juice with almost no alcoholic content.
It is milk instead of liquor that is the principal④ Finnish table drink. More milk is drunk by the Finnish people than in any other nation. In Finland the sale of alcohol is a state behavior and a check is kept on consumption by recording purchases on special card issued to all customers.
As there is a difference between Swedish cooking in the south and that in the north because of the difference in soil and climate, their drinking habits are also different. In the north alcoholic beverages⑤ are considered a necessity because they keep out the cold. While in the south people have milder drinks. But generally speaking, too much drinking is rare in Sweden, partly because it is against the law.
Sale of spirits is controlled, the Swedes drink much coffee and tea. Many people still prefer the old-fashioned coffee served in large cups with cakes. Tea is so popular in Sweden that it has been called the Swedish national drink.
Notes:
① superficial  adj. 表面上的
② ale  n. 麦牙酒
③ aperitif  n. 开胃酒
④ principal  adj. 最重要的；主要的
⑤ alcoholic beverage   n. 烈酒
1. The passage mentions the following subjects EXCEPT ______.
A. drinking habits      B. table manners     C. sales of spirits     D. drinking time
2. According to the passage, which of the following is the Swedish national drink?
A. Tea.       B. Brandy.       C. Aperitif.      D. Grape juice.
3. Which of the following people like milk more than other drinks?
A. The German people.              B. The American people.
C. The Finish people.                D. The French people.
4. It can be inferred that if a foreigner isn’t good at drinking brandy, he ______.
A. would like to invite ladies to have a party
B. is unwilling to have a surrounding toast
C. would like to accept others’ toasts
D. will often drink milk instead of brandy

科目 英语   题型 阅读理解   难度 较易