In 1971 a young man who grew up very poor was traveling across the country, trying to make a new start for himself. Along the way he had completely run out of money and was forced to spend the night in his car. This continued until one morning, after a week of sleeping in his car, he walked nervously into a restaurant and ordered a big breakfast.
After eating his first good meal in weeks, he found himself lying to the waiter, telling him he had lost his wallet. The waiter, who was also the owner, walked behind the chair where the young man had been sitting. He bent down, and came up with a $20 bill that looked as if it had fallen on the floor and said, “Son, you must have dropped this,” the owner said. The young man couldn’t believe his luck! He quickly paid for the breakfast, left a tip, bought gas with the change, and headed West.
On the way out of town, he began to understand what that fellow did. Maybe nobody dropped the money at all. “Maybe that fellow just knew I was in trouble and he helped me in a way that didn’t embarrass(使困窘) me. So I just made a promise to help other people if I can.”
Later, he worked very hard and became a rich man. Now he lives near Kansas City. Each year he gives away thousands of dollars. He is known as the “Secret Santa” because at Christmas time each year, he personally hands money out to those on the street and at restaurants. Last year, he gave more than $50,000 away in Kansas City.The underlined word “this” in the second paragraph refers to .
A.a wallet | B.his luck | C.the $20 bill | D.his tip |
On the way out of town, the young man got to know that .
A.it was very honest of the owner to return his money |
B.another man who had breakfast in the restaurant lost the money |
C.he could probably find himself a job in the restaurant |
D.the owner helped him in a way that didn’t hurt his feelings. |
The best title for this text may be .
A.Secret Santa of Kansas City | B.The key to Success |
C.A Kind Waiter in the Restaurant | D.Never Give Up |
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 café’s 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. |
After Mom died, I began visiting Dad every morning before I went to work. He was frail and moved slowly, but he always had a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice on the kitchen table for me, along with an unsigned note reading, “Drink your juice.” Such a gesture, I knew, was as far as Dad had ever been able to go in expressing his love. In fact, I remember, as a kid I had questioned Mom“ Why doesn't Dad love me!” Mom frowned. “Who said he doesn't love you!” “Well, he never tells me,” I complained. “He never tells me either,” she said, smiling. “But look how hard he works to take care of us, to buy us food and clothes, and to pay for this house. That's how your father tells us he loves us.” Then Mom held me by the shoulders and asked, “Do you understand?’’ I nodded slowly. I understood in my head, but not in my heart. I still wanted my father to put his arms around me and tell me he loved me. Dad owned and operated a small scrap(片)metal business, and after school I often hung around while he worked. I always hoped he'd ask me to help and then praise me for what I did. He never asked. His tasks were too dangerous for a young boy to attempt, and Mom was already worried enough that he'd hurt himself. Dad hand fed scrap steel into a device that chopped it as cleanly as a butcher chops a rack of ribs. The machine looked like a giant pair of scissors, with blades thicker than my father's body. If he didn't feed those terrifying blades just right, he risked serious injury. “Why don't you hire someone to do that for you?” Mom asked Dad one night as she bent over him and rubbed his aching shoulders with a strong smelling liniment. “Why don't you hire a cook? ”Dad asked, giving her one of his rare smiles.
Many years later, during my first daily visit, after drinking the juice my father had squeezed for me, I walked over, hugged him and said, “I love you, Dad.” From then on I did this every morning. My father never told me how he felt about my hugs, and there was never any expression on his face when I gave them.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.I just couldn’t understand my father |
B.My father never loved me |
C.Silent fatherly love |
D.My hard-working father |
The author’s father always prepared a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for him because _______
A.that was the author’s favorite |
B.he was sure the author would be thirsty |
C.the author was always complaining |
D.that was a gesture of love |
The author’s father didn’t hire a helper because________
A.his job was too dangerous |
B.his job required high skills |
C.he wanted to save money |
D.he was not good at communicating with others |
We can infer from the passage that_______
A.the author’s father lacked a sense of humor |
B.the author quite understand his father as time went on |
C.the author’s father didn’t love him very much |
D.the author’s father was too strict with him |
Many Chinese students who have learnt English for more than ten years are still unable to speak English very well when they meet a foreigner.They seem to have mastered the basic language structure(结构), but a conversation in English will make them feel uneasy. They are afraid that other people might find out their mistakes.
It's uncommon that many students who are bad speakers of English can write English perfectly. This proves that they are unable to organize their idea in English. The center of the problem is that they lack practice and confidence (自信).
Why should you be afraid? Do you fear those foreigners with whom you are speaking? Don't be shy, they will not laugh at you just for a little mistake you make. The best way to get rid of trouble is to learn to speak by speaking more. I am sure that constant practice will help you succeed. What's the best topic for the passage?
A.How to Speak to Foreigners |
B.How to Study English Well |
C.How to Organize the Idea in English |
D.Practise Speaking English All the Time |
Many Chinese students can write English very well, but they cannot speak English fluently because ________
A.they seldom practise speaking English |
B.they seldom meet foreigners |
C.they had no chance to speak English |
D.they think it's enough to master the basic language structure only |
So many Chinese students are afraid speak to foreigners because
A.they worry about making mistakes in their speaking |
B.they don't think their English is poor |
C.they are afraid they can't understand foreigners |
D.they didn't like speaking to foreigners |
Do you love holidays but hate the increase weight that follows? You are not alone.
Holidays are happy days with pleasure and delicious foods. Many people, however, are worried about the weight that comes along with these delicious foods.
With proper planning, though, it is possible to control your weight. 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. The following suggestions may be of some help to you.
Do not miss meals. Before yon leave home for a feast(宴会),have a small, low-fat snack(小吃). This may help to keep you from getting too excited before delicious foods. Begin with clear soup and fruit or vegetables. A large glass of water before you eat may help you feel full. Use a small plate; a large plate will encourage you to have more than enough.
Better not have high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy have much fat in them.
Choose lean meat(瘦肉 ).Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables.
If you have a sweet tooth, try mints (薄荷) and fruits. They don’t have fat content as cream and chocolate.
Don’t let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off excess(过多的) calories.Holidays are happy days with pleasure but they may ______
A.bring weight problems |
B.bring you much trouble in your life |
C.make you worried about your foods |
D.make you hate delicious foods |
In order to really enjoy your holidays without putting on weight, you'd better__
A.drink much water and have vegetables only |
B.not eat the food in high fat |
C.not accept invitations to feasts |
D.turn away from delicious foods |
According to the passage, ___ is a necessary part to stop you from putting on weight.
A.physical exercise | B.water |
C.calories of energy | D.vegetables |
Many people can't help putting on weight after the holidays because they _______ .
A.enjoy delicious food |
B.go to too many feasts |
C.can't control themselves |
D.can't help turning away from the foods |
Once there was a poor farmer and his farm belonged to(属于) a rich man. One day he brought a basket of apples to the rich man’s house. On the doorsteps, he met two monkeys dressed like children. They jumped onto the basket to eat the apples and threw some on the ground. The farmer politely took off his hat and asked the monkeys to get off. They obeyed(服从) and the farmer went into the house. He asked to see the rich man. A servant took him to the room where the rich man was sitting.
"I have brought you the basket of apples you asked for," he said.
"But why have you brought a half-empty basket?" the rich man asked.
"I met your children outside, and they stole(偷) some of the apples." Why did the farmer bring apples to the rich man? Because
A.he was poor |
B.he liked the rich man |
C.the rich man’s children liked apples |
D.his farm belonged to the rich man |
What did the monkeys do when the farmer was on the doorsteps?
A.They jumped and jumped. | B.They played. |
C.They ran away. | D.They ate some of the apples. |
. The monkeys left the basket because
A.they had thrown apples on the ground |
B.the farmer had politely asked them to get off |
C.they were afraid of the hat |
D.the farmer was angry with them |
. How did the rich man feel when he saw the basket? He felt
A.pleased | B.moved(感动) |
C.excited | D.unhappy |