It's really true what people say about English politeness: it's everywhere. When squeezing past someone in a narrow passage, people say "sorry". When getting off a bus, English passengers say "thank you" rather than the driver. In Germany, people would never dream of doing these things. After all, squeezing past others is sometimes unavoidable, and the bus driver is only doing his job. I used to think the same way, without questioning it, until I started traveling to the British Isles, and here are some more polite ways of interacting (交往) with people in UK.
People thank each other everywhere in England, all the time. When people buy something in a shop, customers and retail assistants in most cases thank each other twice or more. In Germany, it would be exceptional to hear more than one thank you in such a conversation. British students thank their lecturers when leaving the room. English employers thank their employees for doing their jobs, as opposite to Germans, who would normally think that paying their workers money is already enough.
Another thing I observed during my stay was that English people rarely criticize others. Even when I was working and mistakes were pointed out to me, my employers emphasized several times but none of their explanations were intended as criticism. It has been my impression that by avoiding criticism, English people are making an effort to make others feel comfortable. This also is showed in other ways. British men still open doors for women, and British men are more likely to treat women to a meal than German men. However, I do need to point out here that this applies to English men a bit more than it would to Scottish men! Yes, the latter are a bit tightfisted.What is the author's attitude towards English politeness?
| A.He thinks it is artificial. | B.He thinks little of it. |
| C.He appreciates it very much. | D.He thinks it goes too far. |
What can be inferred from the passage?
| A.The author think it's unnecessary to say "thank you" to the bus driver. |
| B.In Germany, employers often say "thank you" to employees for their job. |
| C.German men never treat a woman to dinner. |
| D.Germans think it is unnecessary to thank workers because payment is enough. |
We can learn from the last paragraph that Scottish men _______.
| A.are more likely to be involved in a fighting |
| B.are as generous as English men |
| C.treat women in a polite way |
| D.are unwilling to spend money for women |
Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
| A.English drivers often say "thank you" to passengers when they get off the bus. |
| B.In Germany, passengers sometimes say "thank you" to bus drivers. |
| C.English people try to avoid criticizing others in the daily life. |
| D.Germans are more considerate and polite than Englishmen. |
The author develops the text through the method of
| A.making comparisons | B.telling stories |
| C.giving comments | D.giving reasons/examples |
Answering the Community Needs of Our City
The Silver City Council(议会) recognizes that citizens have certain needs. To better meet your needs, we have made several changes to community facilities(设施) in 2004. This chart shows how we have tried to make your life better.
TransportThree stations for the suburbs have been added to the western train service.20 new buses for the southern line were purchased(购买)in January. 50 percent of city bus-stops have been upgraded(升级). Buses to the eastern suburbs will run every15 minutes.
Communication Broadband cable(宽带揽线) is now available(可用的) to all parts of the city. All of the new Government buildings are ' smart'-wired for better computer service!
Medical FacilitiesThe new state-of-the-art Nightingale Hospital was opened in June. To overcome a shortage of trained medical staff(工作人员) at Dover Hospital, 10 doctors have been employed from overseas.Some facilities at Station Street Hospital have been upgraded.
Education Textbooks will be free to all primary students in 2004 ! Rent for private schools has been reduced. Teachers report that the 'no hat - no play' rule has been successful.
Protection and Security Extra police now patrol (巡逻 ) the tourist areas. 50 new police officers graduated in July and have taken up duties in the city area.
Entertainment / Recreation The John Street basketball courts have been re-surfaced ! The new Central Community Building opened in May. 5,000 new fiction books were bought for the Silver City Library.The public notice is from _____________.
| A.the community | B.the local government | C.The citizens | D.a travel agency |
The notice is mainly about ____________.
| A.the work carried out by the people of Silver City |
| B.the facilities available in Silver City |
| C.some improvements in Silver City |
| D.information for interested tourists |
All the following are true EXCEPT that __
| A.both residents and tourists can enjoy more security now |
| B.Station Street Hospital had out-dated facilities before 2004 |
| C.primary students had to pay for their textbooks in 2003 |
| D.Dover Hospital is still short of trained medical staff |
Which of the following changes would tourists to Silver City be most happy with?
| A.Travel books are provided in the new library. |
| B.Traveling by train is more convenient in Silver City. |
| C.Free medical treatment is available at Station Street Hospital. |
| D.There are more police officers on duty now. |
To extinguish (熄灭) different kinds of fires, several types of fire extinguishers have been invented. They must be ready for immediate use when fire breaks out. Most portable (手提式的) kinds operate for less than a minute, so they are useful only on small fires. The law requires(要求) ships, trains, buses and planes to carry extinguishers.
Since fuel, oxygen and heat must be present in order for fire to exist, one or more of these things must be removed or reduced to put out a fire. If the heat is reduced by cooling the material below a certain temperature, the fire goes out. The cooling method is the most common way to put out a fire. Water is the best cooling material because it is low in cost and easy to get.
Another method of extinguishing fire is by cutting off the oxygen. This is usually done by covering the fire with sand, steam or some other things. A blanket may be used to cover a small fire.
A third method is called separation, which includes removing the fuel, or material easy to burn from a fire, so that it can find no fuel.
The method that is used to put out a fire depends on the type of fire. Fires have been grouped in three classes. Fires in wood, paper, cloth and the like are called Class A fires. These materials usually help keep the fire on. Such fires can be stopped most readily by cooling with water.If a fire breaks out on a bus, which of the following should be ready there for you to use?
| A.Sand | B.Water | C. A blanket. | D.An extinguisher. |
To cover a small piece of burning wood with a basin( 盆)in order to stop the fire is an example of___________.
| A.separating the fire | B.reducing the heat |
| C.removing the fuel | D.cutting off the oxygen |
In choosing how to put out a fire, we should first be clear about__________.
| A.when it breaks out | B.how it comes about |
| C.what kind it is | D.where it takes place |
What would the author probably discuss in the paragraph that follows?
| A.Another class of fires | B.Another type of extinguishers |
| C.How fires break out. | D.How fires can be prevented. |
Part-time Front Desk Position
Fuse Fitness is looking for a part-time front desk receptionist (接待员) at our new Carlsbad location.
Job duties include:
Welcoming and greeting members; Answering phone calls;
Signing up new members; Cleaning and performing other various duties.
You should have great communication skills and be dependable. More importantly, you should have a positive spirit in stressful situations. You are expected to work five days a week (including weekends).
Please, no phone calls about this job in the morning!
Tel: (760) 434-7704 E-mail: info@fusefitness.com
Apply (申请) in person at: 2502 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008
The first impression you make in a job interview is very important. The first judgment an interviewer makes is based on how you look and what you are wearing. That’s why it’s always important to dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual.
Before you even think about going to an interview, make sure you have suitable interview clothes and that everything fits correctly.
Get your clothes ready the night before, so you don’t have to spend time getting them ready on the day of the interview.
Polish (擦亮) your shoes.
Bring a breath mint (薄荷糖) and use it before you enter the building.
For more information: Visit: Jobsearch. monster. com
Or Tel: (800) 421-7250 or (760) 603-4000 Carlsbad, CaliforniaHow should you contact Fuse Fitness about the front desk position in the morning if you can’t go in person?
| A.Call (760) 603-4000 | B.Call (760) 434-7704 |
| C.Visit Jobsearch. monster. Com | D.Send an e-mail to info@fusefitness.com. |
What does Fuse Fitness think is the biggest challenge for a receptionist?
| A.Working five days a week including weekends. |
| B.Having good communication skills. |
| C.Keeping cheerful even in difficult situations. |
| D.Welcoming guests and answering phone calls. |
What would be the best title for the second piece of information?
| A.What to Bring to a Job Interview | B.How to Find a Desired Job |
| C.Job Interview | D.Interview Dressing Suggestions |
Which is TRUE according to the second piece of information?
| A.The first judgment is made based on how you behave. |
| B.What to wear should be taken into consideration before an interview. |
| C.It is OK to dress informally for an interview if the work environment is casual. |
| D.You don’t need to pay attention to your shoes because nobody will notice them. |
“Yes, I’ll be ready at nine in the morning. Goodbye, dear, and thanks again.” It had not been an easy telephone call for Mrs. Robson to make. Her daughter had been very kind, of course, and had immediately agreed to pick her up and drive her to the station, but Mrs. Robson hated to admit that she needed help. Since her husband had died ten years before, she had always been proud of her independence. She had continued to live in their little house, alone.
On this evening, however, she was standing at her living-room window, staring out at the SOLD notice in the small front garden. Her feelings were mixed. Of course, she was sad at the thought of leaving the house, as it was full of so many memories. But at the same time she was looking forward to spending her last years near the sea, back in the little seaside town where she had been born. With the money from the sale of the house, she had bought a little apartment there. She turned from the living room window, and looked round at the walls. There was a small fish tank, with two goldfish in it. When asked why, her husband used to say, “It’s nice to have something alive in the room.” Since he had passed away, she had always kept some goldfish, had always had “something alive in the room.”
The next morning, as her train was pulling out of the station, Mrs. Robson called to her daughter, “Kate, you won’t forget to collect the goldfish, will you? The children will love them. It’s …” “I know,” Kate interrupted gently, “It’s nice to have something alive in the room.”According to the passage, we know that Mrs. Robson _________.
| A.was tired of living alone |
| B.was not liked by her daughter |
| C.did not like asking people for help |
| D.did not want to be visited by her daughter |
Mrs. Robson was going to _______.
| A.be in hospital | B.live with her daughter |
| C.travel abroad alone | D.live where she was born |
The feelings of Mrs. Robson on her last night in the house were________.
| A.sad and hopeful | B.regretful and excited |
| C.sad and regretful | D.excited and hopeful |
阅读短文,根据短文的内容判断正误,正确的涂A,错误的涂B。
When my grandmother was raising me in Stamps,Arkansas,she had a particular routine(惯例)when people who were known to be whiners entered her store. My grandmother would ask the customer,“How are you doing today,Thomas?” The person would reply,“Not so good today, Henderson.You see,it’s this summer heat.I just hate it.It just makes me tired.It’s almost killing me.”Then my grandmother would stand calmly,her arms folded,and say,“Uh-huh,uh huh.”
As soon as the complainer was out of the store,my grandmother would call me to stand in front of her.Then she would say the same thing she had said at least a thousand times,it seemed to me.“Jane,did you hear what so-and-so complained about?”And I would nod.Grandmother would continue,“Jane,there are people who went to sleep all over the world last night,poor and rich and black and white,but they will never wake again.Those dead people would give anything,anything at all for just five minutes of this weather that person was complaining about.So you watch yourself about complaining,Jane.What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it.If you can’t change it,change the way you think about it.Don’t complain.”
I have learned a lot from my grandmother.Her opinions always hit the nail on the head.Whining is not only impolite, but can be dangerous.The underlined word “whiners” in Paragraph 1 refers to those people who enter a store regularly.
From what the author’s grandmother said we can infer that she was against whining.
The author’s grandmother told her to treasure every moment of her life.
The author was told different things after the whiners left Grandmother’s store.
The purpose of the author in writing the passage is to show that complaining is not only rude but harmful.