B

The English expect each other to observe the rules of queuing, feel highly offended when these rules are broken, but lack the confidence or social skills to express their annoyance in a straightforward manner. In other countries, this is not a problem: in America, where a queue-jumper has committed a kind of rudeness rather than a sin, the response is a loud warning: the offender is simply told “Hey, you, get back in line!” or words to that effect. On the European continent, the reaction tends to be loud and argumentative; in some other parts of the world, queue-jumpers may simply be pushed back into line. Ironically (具有讽刺意义的是), it is only in England, where queue-jumping is regarded as deeply immoral, that the queue-jumper is likely to get away with the offence. Only rarely do the English actually speak up and tell the jumper to go to the back of the queue.

Queuing is almost a national pastime for the English, who automatically arrange themselves into orderly lines at bus stops, shop counters, ice-cream vans, entrances, exits, and lifts. In 1946, a Hungarian humorist described queuing as English “national passion”. “On the continent,” he said. “if people are waiting at a bus stop they walk around in a seemingly relaxed fashion. When the bus arrives they make a dash (猛冲) for it...An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms orderly queue of one.” In an update over thirty years later in 1977 he confirmed that this was still the case. After nearly another thirty years nothing much seems to have changed.

In many cases, queue-jumping is effectively prevented by non-verbal (非语言的) signals alone. When someone is considering jumping a queue, the queuers will start glancing at him sideways, through narrowed, suspicious eyes. Then they move a bit closer to the person in front of them, just in case the jumper might try to insert himself in the gap. Frowns, glares, and raised eyebrows — accompanied by heavy sighs, pointed coughs — are usually the worst that the person will suffer if he jumps a queue. Faced with all this, the jumper will think better of it and withdraw to the back of the queue.

25. In America and other European countries, queue-jumpers .

A. are severely punished and fined B. are pushed back to the end of lines

C. are warned in a direct manner D. are the cause of public arguments

26. By quoting the description of a Hungarian humorist, the author intends to show .

A. Englishmen are stubborn and too strict with themselves

B. queuing is a kind of automatic behavior for Englishmen

C. queuing is essential in maintaining good public order

D. other Europeans are more open-minded than Englishmen

27. According to the last paragraph, queue-jumping can usually be stopped effectively .

A. with a confident and aggressive attitude

B. with signs of public rules

C. by shouting and loud warning

D. by using certain body language

28. What is the best title of this passage?

A. A social skill to improve your life: queuing

B. Bad manners around the world: queue-jumping

C. A culture of European countries: queuing

D. An English aspect of life: queuing