Meeting people from another culture can be difficult.From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal (信号).Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship.
Different cultures emphasize (强调) 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 caf6s 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 (多元文化环境) 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. |
When something goes wrong, it can be very satisfying to say, “Well, it’s so-and-so’s fault.” or “I know I’m late, but it’s not my fault; the car broke down.” It is probably not your fault, but once you form the habit of blaming somebody or something else for a bad situation, you are a loser. You have no power and could do nothing that helps change the situation. However, you can have great power over what happens to you if you stop focusing on whom to blame and start focusing on how to remedy the situation. This is the winner’s key to success.
Winners are great at overcoming problems. For example, if you were late because your car broke down, maybe you need to have your car examined more regularly. Or, you might start to carry along with you the useful phone numbers, so you could call for help when in need. For another example, if your colleague causes you problems on the job for lack of responsibility or ability, find ways of dealing with his irresponsibility or inability rather than simply blame the person. Ask to work with a different person, or don’t rely on this person. You should accept that the person is not reliable and find creative ways to work successfully regardless of how your colleague fails to do his job well.
Being a winner is all about creatively using your skills and talents so that you are successful no matter what happens. Winners don’t have fewer problems in their lives; they have just as many difficult situations to face as anybody else. They are just better at seeing those problems as challenges and opportunities to develop their own talents. So, stop focusing on “whose fault it is.” Once you are confident about your power over bad situations, problems are just stepping stones for success.According to the passage, winners .
A.deal with problems rather than blame others |
B.meet with fewer difficulties in their lives |
C.have responsible and able colleagues |
D.blame themselves rather than others |
The underlined word remedy in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to .
A.avoid | B.accept | C.improve | D.consider |
When your colleague brings about a problem, you should .
A.blame him for his lack of responsibility |
B.find a better way to handle the problem |
C.tell him to find the cause of the problem |
D.ask a more able colleague for help |
When problems occur, winners take them as .
A.excuses for their failures |
B.barriers to greater power |
C.challenges to their colleagues |
D.chances for self-development |
Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A.A Winner’s Secret | B.A Winner’s Problem |
C.A Winner’s Opportunity | D.A Winner’s Achievement |
Homesick is a compound word made up of HOME and SICK. You know what each word means on its own, of course. But think about what the words mean when they are used together. Homesick means SICK FOR HOME.
Now think for a minute about SEASICK. If you change the word home in the definition(释义)to the word sea, would the definition fit SEASICK? Seasick means SICK BY THE MOVEMENT ON THE SEA. When you are homesick ,the only place you want to be is at home. When you are seasick, the last place you want to be is at sea.
Have you ever heard of a person being heartsick? Heartsick doesn’t mean that something is wrong with a person’s heart. people are heartsick when they are hurt deep inside and when they feel as if their hearts are broken.
But, on the other hand, we have such compound words as handshake, handstand, and handbag. Perhaps you may write definitions for them.The word SEASICK means“______”.
A.to be eager to go to the sea | B.what has nothing to do with the sea |
C.to be sick because of the sea | D.that the sea is terrible |
When we say a person is heartsick, we mean that________.
A.his heart is sick | B.his heart needs testing |
C.he’s sorry at heart | D.he’s terribly disappointed and sad |
“The last place you want to be” is_________.
A.where you want to be most | B.where you want to be least |
C.where you go the last | D.the last place you go to |
The definitions of handshake, handstand and handbag are_______.
A.easy to know | B.difficult to know |
C.impossible to learn | D.unnecessary to learn |
French lessons in France
Whatever your level is, choosing to take French lessons in France is the best way to learn French. Place yourself in the local culture and practice your newly found skills in your free time.
You will be taught by native (本地的) French speakers who have a love for teaching and use excellent teaching techniques. Lessons are interesting and you will speak French on the first day both inside and outside the classroom.
Learners
● Suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced (高级的)
● Over 18 years old
Class Schedule (课表)
● Classes start on Mondays and run throughout the summer.
● Please arrive at the school by 815 am on your first day for a short level test. It will help to place you in the right class.
● Classes run from Monday to Friday each week.
● Classes start at 845 am each day depending on your level.
● You will have 3 classes per day lasting 55 minutes each.
● You will have a short break between classes.
Free Time and Tours
● The school offers a lot of cultural activities throughout the week. These activities can include cooking lessons, wine and cheese tasting, visits to Paris, cycling, movies and much more.
● You will have plenty of free time to explore (探索) the local area and practice your newly found language skills or just relax on this learning holiday with a difference.
Other Information
● You should bring a small dictionary, pens and paper with you.
Get more from your holiday, have fun, meet new people and take home a new language skill that will stay with you forever.What is special about the French courses?
A.They are taught in small groups. |
B.The teachers are young French speakers. |
C.People learn French in and out of class. |
D.They will offer a wine tasting license. |
On the first day, the students should ______.
A.take a language test | B.pay for their study |
C.do a survey | D.introduce themselves to the class |
How many lessons are there in a week?
A.21. | B.30. | C.15. | D.12. |
friends come to visit us in the evening, they spend their time telling us they are in a hurry and looking at their watches. It isn’t that our friends are all very busy, it is just that When we haven’t got a television. People think that we are very strange. “But what do you do in the evening?”,they are always asking. The answer is very simple. Both my wife and I have hobbies. We certainly don’t spend our evenings staring at the walls. My wife enjoys cooking and painting and often attends evening classes in foreign languages. This is particularly useful as we often go abroad for our holidays. I collect stamps and I’m always busy with my collection. Both of us enjoy listening to the music and playing chess together.
Sometimes there are power cuts and we have no electricity in the house. This does not worry us, we just light candles and carry on with what we were doing before. Our friends, however, are lost---no television!---So they don’t know what to do. On such evenings our house is very full ---they all come to us. They all have a good time. Instead of sitting in silence in front of the television, everybody talks and plays games. The couple have not got a television, because .
A.they are not rich enough |
B.they are strange people |
C.they enjoy spending evenings in their own ways |
D.they don’t know what to do when there are power cuts |
Both of them are interested in.
A.learning languages | B.traveling |
C.staying home alone | D.watching people play games |
At night when there is no electricity, the couple.
A.have to stare at the walls | B.can do nothing but sit in silence |
C.will have many visitors | D.have to go out for candles |
The best title for this passage is _____.
A.Why Do We Need a Television? |
B.Candle! But No Electricity! |
C.Different Friends, Different Hobbies. |
D.We Go Without Televisions! |
One day a lawyer’s wife fell ill, and he went to get a doctor. The doctor willingly came to see the woman and to do what he could for her, but before he went into the house, he made a short stop. He knew that the lawyer was famous for not paying his bills, even if they were due(正当的).He therefore said to the man.“But if I save your wife, I am afraid you may not pay me.”
“Sir,”replied the lawyer. “Here I have$500,,whether you cure my wife or you kill her. I'll give you all this.”
The doctor was reassured(使安心) and went into the house. When he reached the woman's bedside, it soon became clear to him that he could do little. She was seriously ill, and though he prescribed(开药方) her medicine, she soon died.
He told the lawyer he was very sorry, and then asked for the money which he had promised. “Did you kill my wife?”asked the lawyer. “Of course I didn't,” said the doctor. “Well! Did you cure my wife?” asked the man. “I'm afraid that was impossible,” replied the doctor.“Well, then since you neither killed my wife nor cured her, I have nothing to pay you.”One day a lawyer’s wife fell ill, and the lawyer_____ .
A.cured his wife |
B.got a doctor for her |
C.got some medicine for her illness |
D.promised to pay$500 to the doctor |
Before entering the lawyer’s house the doctor stopped for a while, because_____ .
A.the doctor wanted to ask something about his wife's illness |
B.the doctor thought it impossible to save the woman |
C.the doctor was afraid that the lawyer would refuse to pay him |
D. the lawyer was too poor to pay his bills |
Because the lawyer’s wife was seriously ill, the doctor_____ .
A.couldn’ t do much and didn't save her life |
B.tried his best and saved her at last |
C.had to do everything he could for her |
D.had to spend a lot of time to cure her |
From the story, we know_____ .
A.the lawyer was very clever |
B.how the lawyer's wife died |
C.the doctor was stupid enough to be fooled |
D.the lawyer was dishonest and that he fooled the doctor |