四. 阅读理解

(A)

Do as the Romans Do

The customs in different countries are rather different. If I have dinner with a Chinese host, he always puts more food onto my plates as soon as I have emptied it. That often discomforts me greatly. I have to eat the food even if I don’t want to, because it is considered bad manners in the West to leave one’s food on the plate. I have already noticed that when a Chinese sits at an American’s dinner party, he very often refuses the offer of food or drink though he is in fact still hungry or thirsty. This might be good manners in China, but it is not in the West at all. In the United States, it is impolite to keep asking someone again and again or insist on his accepting something. Americans have a direct way of speaking. If they want something, they will ask for it. If not, they will say, “No, thanks.” When an American is fed with beer by the host, for example, he might say, “No, thanks. I’ll take some diet, Pepsi-Cola(百事可乐)if you have it. ”That is what an American will do. So when you go to the United States, you had better remember the famous saying: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

1. From the passage, we can know that the Chinese are usually ________ to the guests.

A. very hot B. rude C. impolite D. cold

2. When a foreigner has dinner with a Chinese host, he often feels _______.

A. pleasant B. uncomfortable C. satisfied D. happy

3. Why does a Chinese often refuse the offer of food or drink at a dinner party?

A. He has had enough. B. He is shy.

C. He is afraid that others will laugh at him. D. He thinks it’s polite to do that.

4. When an American wants something to eat or drink at a dinner, he will _______.

A. ask for it boldly B. refuse the offer C. ask for it directly D. express himself indirectly

5. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do “means “________”.

A. When you got to Rome, you should act as the Romans do

B. When you stay in Rome, you should do as the Romans do

C. When you are in a new country, you should do as the locals do

D. Romans can be an example for you

(B)

In England, afternoon tea, taken between four and five, is the most informal (非正式)meal of the day. If you are a friend of the family, you may drop in for tea without an invitation or telling that you are coming. Very often it is not served at a table. The members of the family and visitors take tea in the sitting-room. Each person has a cup and saucer(托盘), a spoon(汤匙)and a small plate for bread-and-butter and cake. By the way, do not help yourself to cake first; bread-and-butter first, then cake if there is any. Another piece of advice: Do not put more than one piece of bread or cake on your plate at the same time.

Choose the best answer according to the passage:

1. Afternoon tea is usually served with ______.

A. tea only B. tea and some food C. tea, dessert and meat D. cake and bread

2. If you want to have afternoon tea in a friend’s home, _______.

A. it is necessary for you to send a message B. you should wait for his invitation

C. it is impolite for you to go there without taking anything with you

D. it is unnecessary for you to call him or send a message

3. In the passage, “drop in “means “_________”.

A. pay an informal visit B. fall down C. drink at a friend’s home D. break

4. It’s impolite for you ______.

A. help yourself to cake first B. share a cup with your friend

C. put more than one piece of bread or cake on your plate once D. all of the above

5. Which of the following is NOT true?

A. Afternoon tea is often taken in the sitting-room.

B. The members of the family often share a cup and saucer, a spoon, etc.

C. Afternoon tea is usually taken between lunch and supper.

D. Help yourself to bread-and-butter before cake if there is any.

(C)

Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home. You should not be upset(不安的)if your English friends don’t invite you home. It doesn’t mean they don’t like you.

Dinner parties usually start between 7 and 8 p.m. and end at about 11. Ask your hosts(主人)what time you should arrive. It’s polite to bring flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine as a gift.

Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks(小吃). If you want to be extra polite, say how much you like the room, or the pictures on the wall. But remember-it’s not polite to ask how much things cost.

In many families, the husband sits at one of the table and the wife sits at the other end. They eat with their guests.

You’ll probably start the meal with soup or something small, then you’ll have meat or fish with vegetables, and then dessert(甜点心), followed by coffee. It’s polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want it.

Did you enjoy the evening? Call your hosts the next day, or write them a short “thank you” letter. British and American people like to say “thank you, thank, thank you” all the time!

1. If your English friend doesn’t invite you to dinner at home, it means he or she ______.

A. doesn’t like you B. likes you C. can’t afford to do so D. is too busy

2. It’s impolite ______.

A. to ask about the price of a certain thing B. to say “thank you” to hosts

C. take nothing with you when you are invited to dinner D. to eat up everything on your plate

3. The meal ends with _______ usually.

A. soup B. coffee C. meat or fish D. dessert

4. When you are invited to a dinner party, you’d better _______.

A. ask what time you should arrive B. take your wife with you

C. drink as more as possible D. eat more snacks as you can

5. Which of the following is true?

A. The hosts like the people who sit closer to them.

B. The hosts like the people who ask them time, price, age, etc.

C. The husband and the wife usually sit together.

D. You can call your host the next day or write a letter of thanks after that.