Meeting people from another culture can be difficult. From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal. Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship.
Different cultures emphasize the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree. For example, business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust. Even with people at work, it is necessary to spend a lot of time in "small talk", usually over a glass of tea, before they do any job. In many European countries -- like the UK or France -- people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafes rather than at the office.
Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures. I once made a speech in Thailand. I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion; instead there was an uncomfortable silence. The people present just stared at me and smiled. After getting to know their ways better, I realized that they thought I was talking too much. In my own culture, we express meaning mainly through words, but people there sometimes feel too many words are unnecessary.
Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share similar values; however, Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly. We think that they are rude. In fact, this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.
People from different parts of the world have different values, and sometimes these values are quite against each other. However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to _______.
| A．develop closer relations | B．share the same culture |
| C．get to know each other | D．keep each other company |
The author mentions his experience in Thailand to show that _________.
| A．the English prefer to make long speeches |
| B．too many words are of no use |
| C．people from Thailand are quiet and shy by nature |
| D．even talk and silence can be culturally different |
According to the text, how can people from different cultures understand each other better?
| A．By sharing different ways of life. | B．By accepting different habits. |
| C．By recognizing different values. | D．By speaking each other' s languages. |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A．Multicultural Environment. | B．Cross-Cultural Differences. |
| C．How to Understand Each Other. | D．How to Build Up a Relationship. |
Traveling abroad for leisure is becoming more and more popular for Chinese. The UK is high up in the list of places that the Chinese want to visit. There is a sense of mystery about the UKL: it’s often the images of England’s green parks, countryside and Victorian houses that people point to as an alternative to polluted, overcrowded cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou.
The capital is viewed as modern and dynamic, while being fived deep with history. When asked what other images are thought of by the UK, the reply is often “the Queen, tea and Oxbridge”. So what’s stopping them actually coming? Sebastian Wood, the British ambassador in Beijing, has described the UK as a “fortress”, and while this is perhaps an exaggeration (夸张). Britain does have a reputation as a country that is harder to access.
The main problem for Chinese tourists is obvious. Although visa applications are now completed online, visitors are still required to visit one of 12 UK centers across the country for a face-to –face interview and fingerprinting If you don’t live near one of these centers already, you’d have to travel some distance to get there.
Another problem is also to be mentioned. If travelers from China visit the UK, they also want to cover as much ground as possible. But the UK is not included in the Schengen visa, which allows access to a host of 26European countries such as France and Germany. So it makes the former seem a less worth it.
There is also the issue of cost:￡47 for a Schengen visa, ￡82 for the UK. On top of this, the UK is viewed as stricter in its handling of visas compared with the rest of Europe, fed by urban legends of rejected applications. In the end, the decision comes down to one question: Is Britain worth a visit?The underlined word “fortress” in Paragraph 2 is something similar to .
| A．temple | B．apartment |
| C．castle | D．market |
Which of the following statements is NOT true for the UK visa?
| A．One can apply for a visa online. |
| B．One must have a face-to –face interview. |
| C．No one can get a visa without a fingerprinting. |
| D．No one needs to travel a long distance to get to a center. |
What can a visitor do if the he gets a Schengen visa?
| A．He can only visit the UK． |
| B．He can only visit 26 European countries． |
| C．He can visit the UK and France． |
| D．He can travel to any country he likes． |
What is the author’s attitude towards visiting the UK?
| A．He really supports Chinese people to visit the UK． |
| B．He suggests Chinese people visit London strongly． |
| C．He thinks it is troublesome to visit the UK． |
| D．He believes everyone should go to see the Queen and Oxbridge． |
Welcome to the entrepreneur’s Club. Don’t hesitate to contact any of the entrepreneurs (企业家) if you are interested in.
Recycled-Bath Bole Workshop
Bath Bike Workshop is a recycling social enterprise initiative, unique to Bath and aims to rake action about environmental issues by getting mire people cycling. It makes cycling as green as possible by recycling used bikes for re-use and selling them at competitive prices. It also provides affordable bike repair and servicing. All our reeycled . repaired and serviced bikes are certified safe by a qualified bike mechanic before they leave the shop. Email: info@ bath-bike-workshop, org ok.
Old Bank Antiques Centre
Antiques are the very last word in rccyeling, and at Old Bank Antiques Centre, on the London Road in Bath, we do it with style. Among out fifteen dealers is Norman kemp, who not only restores furniture but gives abandoned timber a whole new lease of life. Norman has worked as a restorer specializing in painting effects for more than thirty years, and examples of his work have been exported to many parts of the globe. 14-17 Walecot Buildings. London Road. Bath Bal 6AD. Email: alexatontague@ aol.com
Heyokah Photos
My personal photography projects are concerned with the beauty in the ordinary. I like to celebrate real people and the way they interact with their surroundings and material possession. I also etcate images for businesses and performers in a documentary style, trying to get beneath the hype (新闻炒作)and show something about who they really are. These photos are part of my recent project: Boater on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Contact: www.ehyokah.co.uk
Hannah Bartlett
The garments are a mix of tailored wools and leather. I trained as the UCA as a creative pattern cutter so I like my work to be cut in a creative way. It is important for me not to waste too much fabric so I like to make some garments out of leftovers. Email: hannanh-bartlett@botmail.co.ukIf a person is interested in clothes design, he will probably contact email.
| A．info@ bath-bike-workshop. Org.uk |
| B．alexatontaguc@ aol.com |
| C．www.ehyokah.co.uk |
| D．hannanh-bartlett@botmail.co.uk |
can both receive emails and letters from the customers.
| A．Bath Bike Workshop | B．Old Bank Antiques Centre |
| C．Heyokah Photos | D．Hannah Bartlett |
Where does this text probably come from?
| A．A science textbook. | B．A tourist map. |
| C．An advertisement. | D．A news report. |
Supermarkets are trying out new computers that make shopping carts more intelligent. They will help shoppers find cups or toilet soap, and keep a record of the bill. The touch-screen devices are on show at the Food Marketing Institute’s exhibition here this week. “These devices are able to create value and get you around the store quicker,” said Michael Alexander, manager of Springboard Retail Networks Inc. which makes a smart cart computer called the Concierge. Canadian stores will test the Concierge in July.
A similar device, IBM’s “shopping buddy,” has recently been test-marketed at Stop & Shop stores in Massachusetts. Neither device tells you how many fat grams or calories are in your cart, but they will flash you with items on sale. The idea is to make it easier for people to buy, not to have second thoughts that maybe you should put something back on the shelf. “The whole model is driven by advertisers’ need to get in front of shoppers,” said Alexander.“ They’re not watching 30-second TV ads any more.”
People can use a home computer to make their shopping lists. Once at the store, a shopper can use a preferred customer card to start a system that will organize the trip around the store. If you’re looking for toothpicks, you type in the word or pick it from a list, and a map will appear on the screen showing where you are and where you can find them. The devices also keep a record of what you buy. When you’re finished, the device figures out your bill. Then you go to the checker or place your card into a self-checkout stand and pay.
The new computerized shopping assistants don’t come cheap. The Buddy devices will cost the average store about$160,000, and the Concierge will cost stores about $500 for each device.Both of the devices canin a supermarket.
| A．make buying much more convenient |
| B．give customers second thoughts |
| C．not be driven by advertisers’ need |
| D．put something back on the shelf |
Which of the following is the correct order of shopping with the computerized shopping carts?
a. Start the system.
b. Make a shopping list.
c. Find the things you want.
d. Go to a self-checkout stand.
| A．a-b-d-c | B．b-a-c-d |
| C．a-c-b-d | D．b-c-a-d |
We can learn from the last paragraph that.
| A．intelligent shopping carts cost a large sum of money |
| B．the Concierge is more expensive than the Buddy devices |
| C．shop assistants with computer knowledge are well paid |
| D．average stores prefer the Concierge to the Buddy devices |
What might be the most suitable title for the passage?
| A．Touch-screen in Supermarkets |
| B．The New Age for Supermarkets |
| C．New Computers Make Shipping Carts Smarter |
| D．Concierge and Shopping Buddy Make Shopping Tough |
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963—February 11, 2012)was an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Often referred to as the “Queen of Pop”or simply “the Voice”. Houston was the most awarded female actress of all time. According to Guinness World Record 22American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career award as of 2010. Houston was also one of the world’s best-selling music artists, artists, having sold over 170 million albums and singles worldwide.
Born in what was then a middle-income neighborhood in New Jersey, Houston began singing in a junior gospel choir at age 11.After she began performing alongside in night clubs in New York City, she was discovered by Arista Records head Clive Davis, who had an impact on her as a singer and performer.
Houston was the only artist to chart seven consecutive(连续) No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. She was the second artist behind Elton John and the only female artist to nave two number-one Billboard 200 Album awards on the Billboard magazine year-end charts. How Will I Know enthralled her fans and audience and even several African-American female artists to follow in her footsteps. Houston's first acting role was as the star of the feature film The Bodyguard (1992). The film’s original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single, I Will Always Love You became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history. Three years after the release of her fourth studio album. My Love Is Your Love (1998), she renewed her recording contract with Arista Records. She released her fifth studio album. Just Whitney, in 2002, and the Christmas-themed One Wish: The Holiday Album in 2003. In 2009. Houston released her seventh and final studio album. I Look to You.
Houston died of causes yet to be determined on February 11,2012. Later this year her film Sparkle will be released into theaters.Which of the following statements about Whitney Elizabeth Houston is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．She was born in a very wealthy family in New Jersey. |
| B．Her last film Sparkle was released before her death. |
| C．She was regarded as the most-awarded female actress of all time. |
| D．The reason why Houston died has been confirmed. |
The following topics related to Whitney Elizabeth Houston are mentioned EXCEPT her.
| A．awards | B．films |
| C．influence | D．family life |
The underlined word “enthralled” in Paragraph 3 probably means “”.
| A．allowed | B．attracted |
| C．developed | D．puzzled |
What is the author’s main purpose in writing the passage?
| A．To call on us to learn from Whitney Elizabeth Houston. |
| B．To tell us the truth of Whitney Elizabeth Houston’s death. |
| C．To tell us the truth of Whitney Elizabeth Houston’s singer. |
| D．To describe some negative sides of Whitney Elizabeth Houston. |
The New York Times’ Room for Debate blog has a panel (专门小组) considering the pluses and minuses of summer homework. This has been the subject of debate in our house. Our 11th-grade daughter’s summer assignments were very challenging, to the point where I sometimes wondered if more of her time would have been better spent just riding a bicycle or swimming around a pool.
Here are some opinions from the panel:
Harris Cooper, psychologist, Duke University: “The long summer vacation disrupts(打乱) the rhythm of instruction, leads to forgetting and requires time be spent reviewing old material when students return to school in the fall. My advice? Teachers, you need to be careful about what and how much summer homework you assign. Summer homework shouldn’t be expected to overcome a student’s learning deficits(不足); that’s what summer school is for. Parents, if the assignments are clear and reasonable, support the teachers. ”
Nancy Kalish, co-author of the Case Against Homework: “Schools should rethink summer homework, and not just because it stresses out kids (and parents). The truth is, homework doesn’t accomplish what we assume it does. According to a Duke University review of more than 175 studies, there is little or no connection between homework and standardized test score or long-term achievement in primary school.”
Mark Bauerlein, professor of English at Emory University: “To the general question of whether or not schools should assign summer homework, the answer is ‘Yes.’ The reason comes not only from the brain drain(脑力消耗) of summer. It relates also to an attitude young people take toward education. They tie knowledge to the syllabus(教学大纲), not to themselves. They read and study to write the paper and score highly in the test, not to furnish their minds. In a word, they regard learning as a classroom thing. That’s all.”
It seems to me that summer homework is a good idea to keep the brain cells moving, but like everything else it should be given in moderation. Harris Cooper seems to believe that_________.
| A．more summer homework causes students’ learning difficulties |
| B．students should go to summer school if they have no homework |
| C．teachers should give careful consideration to summer homework |
| D．parents should tell teachers how much homework their kids need |
In the 4th paragraph, Nancy Kalish explains her idea by_________.
| A．making comparisons | B．giving research findings |
| C．raising questions | D．telling stories |
Mark Bauerlein might agree that summer homework_________.
| A．should be based on the school’s teaching program |
| B．has no direct connection to students’ higher grades |
| C．brings more pressure to both students and their parents |
| D．helps students develop the right attitude toward learning |