It can’t be truer that when in Rome do as the Romans do. So it’s necessary for you to know what you can talk with the local people in France, Australia and Switzerland, and different customs of these countries.
In France
You’ll find that conversations often turn into heated debates. Give opinions only on subjects that you are knowledgeable about. There is rarely a moment of silence, except when the topic under discussion has been exhausted, and nothing new has been introduced.
Food, art, music and current events or history are welcome topics. French believe in freedom, and you can criticize anyone, but not Napoleon, who is a symbol of French spirit and never use the standard. U.S. conversation opener “What do you do”.
In Australia
Australians tend to be enthusiastic debaters. A wide range of topics may be open to discussion, including religion and politics. The best policy, however, is to wait for Australian companions to bring up these two subjects; be prepared to hear their arguments.
Sport is a common topic of conversation in Australia and Australians tend to use sporting comparisons. Australians like to criticize themselves, but they can’t stand criticism from others. Don’t talk big;instead Australians prefer to judge your competence and abilities through your actions. People who show off their education in conversation may be subject to teasing.
In Switzerland
The Swiss may seem cold. Once you get close to them, however, you’ll find that they are honest, responsible people, who will be loyal to your interests.
They are good listeners and will remember practically everything you say to them. Sometimes they will even go so far as to take notes while you speak. The Swiss are a very private people, so you should avoid asking personal questions. They can be rather serious, so it is advisable to avoid making jokes on them.Which of the following statements is TURE according to the passage?
| A.There is no moment of silence when you talk with French. |
| B.French don’t like others asking their careers. |
| C.The Swiss may seem cold but humorous sometimes. |
| D.Australians tend to judge you by your words. |
It is suggested during talking that ______
| A.you should tell the Australians what education you have received. |
| B.you should not use too much sporting comparisons with Australians. |
| C.you should not ask personal questions from people of the three countries. |
| D.you should have the Australians bring up subjects first. |
We can infer from the passage that ______
| A.Australians don’t like to show off their success before others. |
| B.Australians like to criticize themselves and others. |
| C.you can talk with French about anything even if you know little. |
| D.you can criticize anyone in France because you have the right. |
What is the best title of the passage?
| A.Talking in western countries |
| B.How to argue with foreigners |
| C.Things that can’t be talked with foreigners |
| D.How to adapt to the life in western countries |
What will the author talk about in the following paragraphs?
| A.How to talk efficiently with foreigners. |
| B.Customs of the three countries. |
| C.How to choose topics in the western countries. |
| D.How to be a good listener. |
Water goes around and around Earth in a never ending journey called the water cycle(循环). The sun heats up lakes, oceans, and other wet places on Earth. When the water gets warm enough, it changes into vapour. Plants also give off lots of water vapour. Some of this water vapour cools off high in the sky and becomes clouds. Then it falls back to Earth in a new place as rain or snow. This cycle happens over and over again.
The ground can absorb water like a sponge (海绵). If you could see this groundwater, it wouldn’t look like a lake or river. The groundwater is mixed in with the rocks and sand that lie in layers(层) below Earth’s surface.
Groundwater moves along slowly. How slowly? Maybe 1.5 kilometres in one century. Some of this water has been underground for thousands of years. And once groundwater is pumpedout of the ground from a deep well(井) by people, it may take hundreds of years for another water to take its place.In which order does water go around Earth?
a .Fall down as rain or snow.
b. Heated up by the sun on lakes, oceans and other wet places.
c. Cool off high in the sky.
d. Form clouds.
e. Change into vapour.
| A.dacbe | B.becda | C.caebd | D.bceda |
The groundwater seems to________.
| A.be just on the ground | B.be pure water like that in a lake or river |
| C.exist in rocks and sand | D.flow along like rivers or streams |
What conclusion(结论) can we draw from the passage?
| A.Groundwater can be quickly replaced by other water once pumped out. |
| B.Groundwater is very valuable. |
| C.Groundwater has nothing to do with human beings. |
| D.Groundwater travel in an unknown way. |
All over the world people enjoy sports.Sports help to keep people healthy,happy and help them to live longer.
Sports change with the season. People play different games in winter and summer.
Games and sports often grow out of people’s work and everyday activities.The Arabs use horses or camels in much of their everyday life;they use them in their sports,too.
Some sports are so interesting that people everywhere go in for them.Football,for example,has spread around the world.Swimming is popular in all countries near the sea or in those with many rivers.
Some sports or games go back to thousands of years,like running or jumping.Chinese boxing,for example,has a very long history.But basketball and volleyball are rather new.Neither one is a hundred years old yet.People are inventing new sports or games all the time.
People from different countries may not be able to understand each other but after a game they often become good friends.Sports help to train a person's character(性格).One learns to fight hard but fight fair,to win without pride and to lose with grace(体面)The writer didn't tell us in this passage that________.
| A.basketball was invented in America |
| B.sports change with the season |
| C.games and sports often grow out of people’s work and everyday activities |
| D.football is played all over the world |
People all over the world enjoy sports because_______.
| A.sports are interesting |
| B.sports help to keep people healthy,happy and to live longer |
| C.sports help to train one’s character |
| D.all of the above |
From this passage we can see that _____.
| A.sports and games are unimportant things that people do |
| B.sports and games should be treated(对待)only as amusement(娱乐活动) |
| C.sports and games are only useful to the old |
| D.none of the above is true |
By May,after three months,I had lost22pounds and reached my goal of 115 pounds.My friends would say “Alice,you look great!”or“How did you lose so much weight?”Those compliments made me feel good and confident.
Soon I dropped to110 pounds.A few of my friends told me that I needed to stop dieting,because I was starting to look sick. They brought me a present—— a bag of chocolates,which I later gave to my sister.My mother would come to my room,with tears in her eyes,and have long chats about how harmful this diet was and begged me to stop.My dad would leave worried messages on my cell phone at school,telling me that it would do serious harm to my body.
By mid-June,when school was coming to an end,I was down to an only alive state of 95 pounds.All of a sudden,I knew I had to do something.I guessed the number itself scared me.I recalled my doctor.He told me about a girl who was 95 pounds and was at the risk of dying.I knew I was putting my life at risk,but for what? To make those who love me worried? Was it worthwhile to be thin?
Now I realize that models in magazines,TV and movies are not realistic.The price to pay for the“perfect body”is living with a dangerous and sometimes deadly eating disorder.And there are more important things to think about than how thin you are.The underlined word“compliments”in Paragraph I probably means_____.
| A.questions | B.praise | C.understanding | D.experiences |
Why did the author's mother come to her room in tears?
| A.Because the mother was worried about her daughter's health. |
| B.Because the mother thought her daughter was brave enough. |
| C.Because the mother was sorry to have helped her daughter go on a diet. |
| D.Because the mother was deeply moved by her daughter's friends. |
The author decided to stop dieting_______.
| A.after her parents persuaded her out of it |
| B.when her weight dropped to 95 pounds |
| C.after she reached her goal of losing weight |
| D.after her friends told her to stop dieting |
From the text we learn that _________.
| A.there are no models with a perfect body in real life |
| B.it is too expensive for people to lose weight |
| C.you will be healthy as long as you stop dieting |
| D.an unhealthy diet can lead to serious health problems |
Mrs. Blake teaches English in a large school in the inner area of a big city on the west of coast. Even since she was a young girl,she has wanted to become a teacher. She has taught eight years now and hasn‘t changed her mind. After she graduated from high school, she went on to college.
Four years later, she received her bachelor’s degree (B A) in English and her teaching certificate(证书). Then she went to teach in the secondary schools of her state. In the summers, Mrs. Blake takes more classes;she hopes to get a master’s degree (M A). With an MA, she will receive a higher salary and if possible, she hopes to get a doctor’s degree as well.
The school day at Mrs. Blake’s high school,like that in many high schools in the United States is divided into one hour each. Mrs. Blake must teach five of these periods. During her free period,which for her is from 2 to 3 P.M.,Mrs. Blake must meet with parents, make out examinations,check homework at all,Mrs. Blake works continuously from the time she arrives at school in the morning till the time she leaves for home late in the afternoon.How long is it since Mrs. Blake graduated from middle school?
| A.four years | B.eight years | C.twelve years | D.twenty years |
According to the article,which is the right order of the degrees a person can receive after going to university?
| A.a doctor’s degree – a bachelor’s degree – a master’s degree |
| B.a bachelor’s degree – a master’s degree – a doctor’s degree |
| C.a master’s degree—a bachelor’s degree – a doctor’s degree |
| D.a bachelor’s degree – a doctor’s degree—a master’s degree |
How many degrees has Mrs. Blake achieved so far?
| A.one | B.two | C.three | D.none |
Which of the following sentences is not true?
| A.Mrs. Blake teaches in the inner area of big city on the east of the United Sates |
| B.Mrs. Blake has turned her wish of becoming a teacher into reality. |
| C.Mrs. Blake is still studying in her holidays in order to get higher degrees. |
| D.The working hours in the school where Mrs. Blake works are similar to those of many other high schools in the states. |
According to that third paragraph,Mrs. Blake is ______ during the school day.
| A.lonely | B.free | C.funny | D.busy |
阅读表达:
[1]An 18-year-old student was struggling to pay his fees. He was an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for money, he came up with a bright idea. He and a friend decided to host a musical concert on campus to raise money for their education.
[2]They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2000 for the piano recital. A deal was struck and the boys began to work to make the concert a success.
[3]The big day arrived. But unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was only $1600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski and explained their plight(困境). They gave him the entire $1600, plus a cheque for the balance(差额) $400. They promised to pay the cheque at the soonest possible.
[4]“No,” said Paderewski. “This is not acceptable.” He tore up the cheque, returned the $1600 and told the two boys: “Here’s the $1600. Please deduct(扣除)whatever expenses you have spent on. Keep the money you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left”. The boys were surprised, and thanked him a lot.
[5]It was a small act of kindness. But it clearly marked out Paderewski as a great human being.
[6]Why should he help two people he did not even know? We all come across situations like these in our lives. And most of us only think “If I help them, what would happen to me?” The truly great people think, “If I don’t help them, what will happen to them?” They don’t do it expecting something in return. They do it because they feel it’s the right thing to do.
[7]Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland. He was regarded as a great leader in Poland’s history.Why did the student decide to hold the musical concert? (Within 10 words)
___________________________________________________________________________What do you know about Ignacy J. Paderewski? (Within 15 words)
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____________________________________________________________________________Please find a word in the text to replace the word “recital” in Paragraph 2.
____________________________________________________________________________How did the boys feel on hearing what Paderewski said? (No more than 5 words)
___________________________________________________________________________What should we learn from Paderewski’s words in Paragraph 6? (Within 20 words)
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