Culture is one of the most challenging elements of the international marketplace. This system of learned behavior patterns characteristic of the members of a given society is constantly shaped by set of dynamic variables: language, religion, values and attitudes, manners and customs, aesthetics, technology, education, and social institutions. To cope with this system, an international manager needs both factual and interpretive knowledge of culture. To some extent, the factual knowledge can be learned; its interpretation comes only through experience.
The most complicated problems in dealing with the cultural environment stem from the fact that one cannot learn culture—one has to live it. Two schools of thought exist in the business world on how to deal with cultural diversity. One is that business is business the world around, following the model of Pepsi and McDonald’s. In some cases, globalization is a fact of life; however, cultural differences are still far from converging.
The other school proposes that companies must tailor business approaches to individual cultures. Setting up policies and procedures in each country has been compared to an organ transplant; the critical question centers around acceptance or rejection. The major challenge to the international manager is to make sure that rejection is not a result of cultural myopia or even blindness.
Fortune examined the international performance of a dozen large companies that earn 20 percent or more of their revenue(税收) overseas. The internationally successful companies all share an important quality: patience. They have not rushed into situations but rather built their operations carefully by following the most basic business principles. These principles are to know your adversary, know your audience, and know your customer.According to the passage, which of the following is true?
| A．All international managers can learn culture. |
| B．Business diversity is not necessary. |
| C．Views differ on how to treat culture in business world. |
| D．Most people do not know foreign culture well. |
What does the underlined word “myopia” (in para. 3) mean?
| A．difference | B．similarity |
| C．foresight | D．shortsightedness |
We can infer from the passage that this article is supposed to be most useful for those_______
| A．who are interested in researching the topic of cultural diversity |
| B．who have connections to more than one type of culture. |
| C．who want to travel abroad. |
| D．who want to run business on International Sale |
According to Fortune, successful international companies___________ .
| A．earn 20 percent or more of their revenue overseas |
| B．all have the quality of patience |
| C．will follow the overseas local cultures |
| D．adopt the policy of internationalization |
There are hundreds of national parks and wildlife areas in Africa that you can travel to. Here are the top four travel destinations in Africa:
Tanzania----Serengeti National Park
During the annual migration(迁徙), when the wildebeests(羚羊) and zebras pack up and leave their living areas to find fresher ones, the Serengeti is an astonishing place to be. It's a very good travel spot in Africa at other times of the year too, but the migration has been ranked by many as one of the wonders of the natural world.
Kenya----Masai Mara National Park
If you want to see the big cats, this wildlife park is the best of the best. Lion, leopard and cheetah abound and they are relatively easy to spot because of the grassland vegetation which means you get good views for miles around. Another big plus is the fact that going off road is allowed and it is a big advantage because the animals will rarely oblige you and stay next to the major roads.
South Africa-Kruger National Park
For the variety of species no other places in Africa can come close to the Kruger Park. And because it is so large it has a number of different ecosystems that you can pass through in your search for animals and birds. It is one of the best managed parks in Africa and the accommodation is well-equipped, too.
Zambia-South Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa is a diamond in the rough, just waiting for enough exposure to bring it to its rightful place in the crown of prime Africa trips. It has been regarded as one of the best places in Africa to see the special leopard and it is the birthplace of the walking travel. If you want to see more kinds of wild animals, you should go to _____.
| A．Serengeti National Park. |
| B．Masai Mara National Park. |
| C．Krunger National Park. |
| D．South Luangwa National Park. |
In which parks can visitors see leopards?
| A．Serengeti National Park and Krunger National Park. |
| B．Masai Mara National Park and South Luangwa National Park. |
| C．Krunger National Park and South Luangwa National Park. |
| D．Serengeti National Park and South Luangwa National Park. |
If you want to see wildlife on foot, you should go to _____.
| A．Serengeti National Park. |
| B．Masai Mara National Park. |
| C．Krunger National Park. |
| D．South Luangwa National Park. |
he writer's purpose in writing the text is to ________.
| A．tell us something about natural animals. |
| B．persuade more people to protect wild animals. |
| C．introduce to us some top natural parks in Africa. |
| D．discuss some problems in African travel industry. |
For their nick-of-time acts, Toby, a 2-year-old dog, and Winnie, a cute cat, were named Dog and Cat of the Year by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
As Amy Paul choked(哽住) on a piece of apple at her home, her dog jumped up, landing hard on her chest and forcing the piece in her throat out. When the Keesling family of Indiana was about to be killed by carbon monoxide, their cat clawed at the wife Cathy’s hair until she woke up and called for help.
No one could explain their timely heroics.
Both pets were rescued by their owners in infancy-----Toby as a 4-week-old thrown into a garbage bin to die, and Winnie as a week-old orphan hiding under a barn, so helpless that Cathy’s husband, Eric, had to feed her milk with an eyedropper.
As the Keeslings recalled it, a gas-driven pump being used broke down, spreading carbon monoxide through the house. By the time Winnie went to rescue, the couple’s 14-year-old son was already unconscious. “Winnie jumped on the bed and was clawing at me, with a kind of angry sound,” Cathy Keesling said. The state police responding to her 911 call said the family was only minutes from death, judging by the amount of poisonous gas in the house.
Amy Paul’s husband was at his job when she took a midday break from making jewelry and bit into an apple. “Normally I peel them, but I read in Good Housekeeping Magazine that the skin has all the nutrients, so I ate the skin, and that’s what caused me to choke,” she recalled. “I couldn’t breathe and I was in panic when Toby jumped on me. He never does that, but he did, and saved my life.”
Both Toby and Winnie accompanied their owners to the awards luncheon.Why did Amy Paul choke on a piece of apple?
| A．She was too young to care for herself. |
| B．She had a big bite. |
| C．She didn’t peel the skin as usual. |
| D．She was reading a magazine. |
Which of the following has the similar meaning to the underlined word “infancy” in Paragraph 4?
| A．babyhood | B．youth | C．middle age | D．agedness |
What caused the carbon monoxide spreading through the house?
| A．The burning gas. |
| B．A pump breaking down. |
| C．The poisonous gas. |
| D．A driver breaking into the house. |
What would be the suitable title for the passage?
| A．So Smart Animals Are |
| B．Great Honors for Cat and Dog |
| C．Unforgettable Experiences |
| D．Dog and Cat Honored for Saving Their Masters |
Outside our hotel, a seemingly ancient woman waited beside the door with her hand outstretched(张开的). Every day as our eyes met, she never to return my smile and my greeting.
On the last day of our , I was hesitating to cross the busy street alone from our hotel when I felt a hand on my elbow and looked to see the smile of my small beggar friend looking up at me. She nodded her head toward the street, that she would take me across.
Then we moved on the sidewalk, where she kissed me on cheeks and then left, still smiling and waving back to me.
Traveling in poorer nations, I have witnessed (目睹) various ways to deal with beggars. The most common response of tourists the poverty-stricken is to them and focus their eyes elsewhere. I have seen people an outstretched hand in angry annoyance. A few may drop a few coins into the hand in a hurry, that other beggars won’t immediately appear on the scene.
For many reasons, giving money is not the best to an outstretched hand. Many travelers have discovered that the greatest gift they can give is their time and . Everyone needs recognition, to feel and loved. And I believe that everyone is worthy and worth knowing.
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There’s been a lot of talk about white-and-blue collar（衣领） workers, and you may have even heard of gold collar workers, but lately a new color of collar is making its way into China’s urban vernacular(土话)—green. Green collars say no when work is life and life is work. They choose to get out of the fast lane(车道), and explore new ways of living “green”.
Living green doesn’t mean someone is working as an environmentalist, biologist or scientist. Instead it is more of a lifestyle choice. A typical green collar is well educated like a white-collar but physically tough like a blue-collar, likely born in the 70s or 80s of the last century and living in one of China’s big cities, with a monthly income well above 5,000 yuan(about US $700).
The life of a green collar may go something like this: Turn off the mobile phone after work, eat only healthy food rich in vitamins, go on hikes every weekend, and like to help the underprivileged.
Green collars even have their own club. In Beijing, the Green Collar Club is for people who share a “be happy, healthy and helpful” spirit. The club often holds charity parties and uses the donations for environmental protection and poverty relief projects in China.
“They are successful in their careers, but do not miss the pleasures in life. They have a lot of money, but do not fall slave to it.” said Zuo Shiguang, one of the founding members of the club.What is the passage mainly about?
| A．Differences between white-and-blue collars and green collars. |
| B．The increasing awareness(意识) of environmental protection. |
| C．New trends of life in China’s big cities. |
| D．The lifestyle of green collars. |
Green collars are living green because _________.
| A．they have a large income to use |
| B．they refuse to live an unhealthy life |
| C．they spend a lot of money and time in the open air |
| D．they devote themselves to environmental protection |
What’s Zuo Shiguang’s attitude towards green collars?
| A．Appreciative. | B．Doubtful. | C．Negative(否定的). | D．Neutral(中立的). |
The underlined part “the underprivileged” probably refers to those who are_________.
| A．in heavy polluted areas |
| B．in faraway places |
| C．in a poor state of education |
| D．in unfavourable(不利的) conditions |
This may be music to your ears.
Researchers P. Jason Rentfrow and Samuel Gosling gave 3,500 people a personality quiz. Then they asked them to name their favorite kind of music. “We found that the musical style people like are closely linked to their personalities,” Gosling says.
RAP/HIP-HOP
Known for their quick speech, some rappers can say more than 700 syllables (音节) a minute!
If you like rap/hip-hop, you are energetic and have a way with words. You put a fresh spin on things, whether it’s new moves on the dance floor or your hip style.
CLASSLCAL
In the 18th century, classical musicians were like rock stars. Beethoven and Mozart, for example, played in packed concert halls.
If you like classical, you are open to new ideas and like debating with friends. Creative and imaginative, you can easily spend many hours scrapbooking, writing or painting.
COUNTRY
Country music came from the folk songs of English, Scottish, and Irish settlers of the southeastern United States.
If you like country, you express your opinions well, which makes you the ideal class president or team captain. Traditional and loyal, you enjoy spending time with your family.
POP
Pop music is designed to appeal to (吸引) almost everyone, and it does. Each year, the industry brings in about 30 billion dollars!
If you like pop, you are attractive to your friends. You can make big things happen, like planning for a huge party or inspiring your team to victory.
ROCK
In the 1950s, rock music created a brand-new culture. Teenagers, for the first time, had an identity separate from adults and children.
If you like rock, you are a risk-taker who never accepts no for an answer. You rise to any challenge, like doing very well in a big exam or landing the lead in the school play.
If these personality profiles don’t match you, that’s OK. These are just for fun.What does the underlined part “You put a fresh spin on things” mean in the passage?
| A．You can express your idea in a clever way that makes it seem better than it really is. |
| B．You have the ability to attract others’ attention. |
| C．You are always willing to communicate with others. |
| D．You are willing to express your thoughts to others all the time. |
If you like pop music, .
| A．you are traditional and prefer to stay with your family |
| B．you are easy to accept new ideas |
| C．you are welcome and your friends all like to be with you |
| D．you have a quick speech and can say 30 words in a minute |
We can know from this passage that .
| A．in the 18th century, classical musicians were like pop stars |
| B．country music came from the old songs of the Native Americans |
| C．pop music is liked by the largest number of people in the world |
| D．everyone can find his personality in this passage |
What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．When music came into being. |
| B．What your favorite music says about you. |
| C．Some basic information about music. |
| D．How to like music. |