13.Britons may like to complain a lot,but they rarely do so in the moment,explains BBC writer Ruth Margolis.They would rather grumble(發(fā)牢騷)afterward.This is because Britons hate to put someone out and cause a scene:Margolis writes:"For instance,I'm much more comfortable just leaving that piece of raw chicken on my plate instead of complaining to restaurant staff.But beware:if this kind of thing happens when you're dining with an American,they will most likely speak up on your behalf and not understand why you find this ashamed."
In a BBC blog post comparing cultural differences between the UK and the US,Margolis mentions a few other things that Americans like to do that are offensive to Britons.
●Not making introductions
Margolis says most Britons dislike this approach because"talking to strangers without being introduced gives them a stomachache".Americans rarely introduce a new friend to their friends at parties.Strangers are supposed to introduce themselves.
●"Quite"good
Using"quite''to mean"very"happens a lot in the US.But if you are invited to a dinner party in Britain,don't describe the meal as"quite good"if you want to express high praise.To Britons'ears,"quite"detracts from the"good":the meal was OK but could have been better.
●Money Talk
Americans can talk about money subjects for hours without feeling uncomfortable.For Britons,says Margolis:"talking about how much we make is unthinkable-even 1ess so than discussing our feelings".
●Over-politeness
"It's not that I want shop assistants to be actively rude.But neither do I want to expend energy responding to someone who's been paid to ask:‘How are you today?'''says Margolis.In the US,it is not unusual to be greeted by a perfect stranger as"honey"or"sweetie".But Margolis says Britons find put-on friendliness,especially in stores,deeply irritating(使人生氣的).
24.Margolis's dining experience in Paragraph 1shows thatC.
A.Britons are particular about foods
B.Britons are not good at complaining
C.Americans usually complain directly
D.Americans complain more than Britons
25.Which of the following might Margolis agree with?B
A.Britons enjoy talking about their feelings.
B.Americans introduce themselves at parties.
C.Americans dislike talking to strangers at parties.
D.Britons feel happy if treated like close friends.
26.The underlined phrase"detracts from"in the text probably means"C".
A.differs greatly from
B.increases the quality of
C.reduces the strength of
D.draws attention away from
27.What does the text mainly talk about?D
A.How to get on well with westerners.
B.How to start conversations with Britons.
C.Ruth Margolis's tips on public behavior.
D.Some American habits that annoy Britons.
分析 本文是一篇說明文.BBC記者Ruth Margolis通過列舉一些令美國人討厭的美國人的行為,說明了英美文化之間的差異.
解答 CBCD
24 C 推理判斷題.根據(jù)第一段最后一句But beware:if this kind of thing happens when you're dining with an American,they will most likely speak up on your behalf and not understand why you find this ashamed."可知,如果英國人和美國人一起吃飯,對飯菜不滿意,英國人當(dāng)時(shí)不會抱怨,但美國人會替英國人說出來,并且不明白英國人為何會對此感到難為情.
25 B 細(xì)節(jié)理解題.根據(jù)第三段最后兩句:Americans rarely introduce a new friend to their friends at parties.Strangers are supposed to introduce themselves.可知派對上美國人很少會把新朋友介紹給朋友們.陌生人需要自我介紹.而英國人不喜歡談?wù)撟约旱母惺埽鶕?jù)最后一段可知,英國人不喜歡別人待自己過于親密.
26 C 詞義猜測.根據(jù)第四段最后一句To Britons'ears,"quite"detracts from the"good":the meal was OK but could have been better.可知,對于英國人而言,quite good這種說法暗含著:飯菜本來可能更好些的含義.這樣反而降低的稱贊的程度.
27 D 主旨大意題.通讀全文可知,本文主要列舉了一些令英國人討厭的美國人的行為,說明了英美文化之間的差異.
點(diǎn)評 考察學(xué)生的細(xì)節(jié)理解和推理判斷能力,做細(xì)節(jié)理解題時(shí)一定要找到文章中的原句,和題干進(jìn)行比較,再做出正確的選擇.在做推理判斷題不要以個(gè)人的主觀想象代替文章的事實(shí),要根據(jù)文章事實(shí)進(jìn)行合乎邏輯的推理判斷.