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 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. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．I talked too much in the speech, which surprised the audience. |
| B．Within Northern Europe, there are no such things as cultural differences. |
| C．There is no way to overcome cultural differences. |
| D．Different cultures have difference in relationship building. |
The rising sea waters caused by global warming have inspired a Russian architect to design a hotel that could be built on water as well as land．The eco-friendly “Ark” could be constructed in just a few months anywhere in the world, the designer says．
It’s called “The Ark”，but looks more like a ship sitting upside down on the water．A new design by Russian architect A1exander Remizov challenges the tradition of land-based hotel and would provide a shelter in the future—should the world face a modern-day flood as described in the Bible．
The building of the hotel could be fast and simple．“Prefabricated（预制装配的）section could be put together in three to four months,” Remizov said． The versatile（万能的）structure could be constructed in most corners of the earth, even in earthquake-prone areas．Constructing “The Ark"—which would include 14 000 square meters of living space‑‑‑would cost roughly the same as building an energy-efficient house． The self-supporting structure would be built around a central post, connecting wind generators and heat pumps on its roof with the basement，where solar，wind，and thermal（热量的）energy could be stored and turned into electricity． Remizov has designed the building without glass，choosing instead the lasting and self-cleaning foil（箔）that could defend itself against rough weather conditions．That foil would be fastened to metals，which would also collect rainwater．The building would also feature an indoor jungle, creating its microclimate．What’s the purpose of designing “The Ark,?”
| A．To prevent flood happening． | B．To draw the public’s attention |
| C．To secure people from flood． | D．To attract more tourists． |
Which of the following might be the shortest time to make the parts of "The Ark”?
| A．14 months． | B．3 months． | C．4 months． | D．7 months． |
What is the main difference between the hotel designed by Ale Remizov and other hotels?
| A．It can be built on water． | B．It is energy-efficient． |
| C．It is eco-friendly． | D．It has enough living space． |
What characteristics will the new hotel have?
| A．A climate with no rain will form around the hotel． |
| B．The material can protect the hotel from bad weather． |
| C．A power station will be built in the hotel． |
| D．Bricks will be used as the materials instead of glass． |
One of my wonderful memories is about a Christmas gift． Unlike other gifts，it came without wrap（包装）．
On September 11 th , 1 958，Mum gave birth to Richard．After she brought him home from hospital，she put him in my lap，saying, “I promised you a gift, and here it is．” What an honor! I turned four a month earlier and none of my friends had such a baby doll of their own．I played with it day and night． I sang to it, I told it stories．I told it over and over how much I loved it!
One morning, however，I found its bed empty． My doll was gone! I cried for it．Mum wept and told me that the poor little thing had been sent to a hospital．It had a fever． For several days，I heard Mum and Dad whispering such words as “hopeless”，“pitiful"，and “dying”, which sounded Ominous．
Christmas was coming, “Don’t expect any presents this year,” Dad said, pointing at the socks I hung in the living room． “If your baby brother lives, that’ll be Christmas enough．” As he spoke，his eyes filled with tears． I’d never seen him cry before．
The phone rang early on Christmas morning．Dad jumped out of bed to answer it．From my bedroom I heard him say, “What? He’s all right?” He hung up and shouted upstairs． “The hospital said we can bring Richard home!” “Thank God!” I heard Mum cry．
From the window upstairs，I watched my parents rush out to the car．I had never seen them so happy． And I was also full of joy． What a wonderful day! My baby doll would be home． I ran downstairs． My socks still hung there flat．But I knew they were not empty: they were filled with love !What happened to the author on September 11th,1958?
| A．He got a baby brother． | B．He got a Christmas gift． |
| C．He became four years old． | D．He received a doll． |
What does the underlined word “ominous” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
| A．Impossible． | B．Boring． | C．Difficult． | D．Fearful． |
Which word can best describe the feeling of the father when Christmas was coming?
| A．Excitement． | B．Happiness． | C．Sadness． | D．Disappointment． |
The Information Highway ．
| A．is free from traffic accidents | B．is crowded with car drivers |
| C．offers just a few on-line services | D．appeals to a large number of users |
How does Mr． Cool manage to travel the Information way so fast?
| A．By storing fewer files | B．By repairing the system． |
| C．By buying a better computer | D．By using a broad—band connection． |
What can be learned from Passage 2 ?
| A．There will be a book show at Grayson Hall． |
| B．Friedman is now studying the Great Barrier Reef． |
| C．There will be a talk on global warming this week． |
| D．Friedman is a leading expert on computer science． |
Passage 2 is most probably ．
| A．a poster about a lecture | B．an ad for a new book |
| C．a note to a doctor in a university | D．an introduction to a professor |
How to Avoid Weight Gain Over Holidays
Do you love the holidays, but hate the pounds that follow? You are not alone. Holidays are times for feasting and celebrating. Many people are worried about their weight. ______1______ Whether you are celebrating at the office party or sitting down for the traditional family dinner, regard eating as a time for tasting a variety of foods. The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don’t have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy.
Here are some tips for preventing weight gain and maintaining physical fitness:
Don’t skip meals.
Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack. ______2______
Control portions.
Use a small plate (about 10 inches) and put aside the large ones that may encourage you to “load up.” ______3______ Once you have your “tasting” serving, move away from the dining table. Doing so will make it less tempting (吸引人的) to be eating constantly as your appetite is inspired by the sight of food.
Begin with soup and fruit or vegetables.
Fill up beforehand with water-based soup and raw fruit or vegetables. Or drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you feel full.
Stick to physical activity.
______4______ A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off additional calories.
______5______
Dishes that look oily or creamy may have a large amount of fat. Choose lean meats. Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. Use lemon juice instead of dressing or butter.
| A．This may help to avoid getting too excited before delicious food. |
| B．You had better turn your attention away from delicious foods. |
| C．With proper planning, though, it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays. |
| D．You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist. |
E. Avoid high-fat foods.
F. Don’t let exercise take a break during the holidays.
G. You’d better remember the Dos and Don’ts for keeping fit and slim.
Hundreds of secondary schools are using a controversial reward scheme which “bribes” (贿赂)pupils with iPods and DVD players to turn up in classes and do homework.
Almost one million schoolchildren have been issued with supermarket-style reward cards which allow them to collect good-behavior “points” and cash them in for prizes.
Schools taking part in the “Vivo Miles” scheme are spending several thousand pounds a year in an attempt to cut truancy (逃学) and promote achievements. The prizes are ultimately funded by the taxpayer, through school budgets. Nearly 500 secondary schools, one in six, have decided to take part in the scheme, which is intended to replace old-style rewards such as stickers and golden stars.
But the extent of rewards being offered in schools brought a warning that a generation of children is growing up expecting to be rewarded at every stage. Many youngsters are collecting points for ordinary achievements such as remembering to bring their PE kit and wearing the correct uniform.
Under the scheme, teachers award Vivo points—worth 1 penny each—according to the school’s policy. Schools typically spend￡4 to￡6 on prizes per pupil each year, although some commit considerably more. Most pupils accumulate between 400 and 600 Vivos a year. Vivo Miles insists it is “pretty rare” for a pupil to accumulate enough points to buy an iPod, which requires 3,100 Vivos.
But Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said the scheme amounted to “bribery”. “It misleads children into thinking anything which requires effort has to have a special reward,” he said. “This ‘all must have prizes’ view is damaging to children in the long-term.” The scheme amounted to an “admission of failure” by schools. He said. “It shows a school has failed to convince children education is important.”The “Vivo Miles” scheme is aimed at ______________.
| A．increasing the income of the school |
| B．encouraging students to perform well at school |
| C．inviting more students to attend the school nearby |
| D．encouraging parents to donate to the school |
The underlined word “controversial” in the first paragraph can be replaced by __________.
| A．arguable | B．practical | C．strange | D．mature |
Those who oppose the “Vivo Miles” scheme think ______________.
| A．it helps control the problem of truancy |
| B．it teaches children the importance of saving |
| C．it will mislead children about efforts and rewards |
| D．it’s not easy to get more than 600 Vivos a year |
What’s the writer’s attitude towards the scheme?
| A．Supportive. | B．Opposed. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Objective. |