Informal conversation is an important part of any business relationship. Before you start a discussion, however, make sure you understand which topics are suitable and which are considered taboos (禁忌) in a particular culture. Latin Americans enjoy sharing information about their local history, art and customs. They expect questions about their family and are sure to show pictures of their children. You may feel free to ask similar questions of your Latin American friends. The French think of conversation as an art form, and they enjoy the value of lively discussions as well as disagreements. For them, arguments can be interesting ---- and they can cover pretty much or any topic ---- as long as they occur in a respectful and intelligent manner.
In the United States, business people like to discuss a wide range of topics, including opinions about work, family, hobbies, and politics. In Japan, China, and Korea, however, people are much more private. They do not share much about their thoughts, feelings, or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away the harmonious (和谐的) business relationship they’re trying to build. Middle Easterners are also private about their personal lives and family matters. It is considered rude, for example, to ask a businessman from Saudi Arabia about his wife or children.
As a general rule, it’s best not to talk about politics or religion with your business friends. This can get you into trouble, even in the United States, where people hold different views. In addition, discussing one’s salary is usually considered unsuitable. Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world, although be careful not to criticize a national sport. Instead, be friendly and praise your host’s team.
1.The author considers politics and religion ________ with business friends.
A.sensitive topics B.cheerful topics
C.rude topics D.encouraging topics
2.According to the passage, all of the following are true EXCEPT that ________.
A.it is important to be aware of cultural customs during conversations
B.the French consider arguments to be interesting if conducted properly
C.Saudi Arabians would like to share the information about their family
D.sports is typically considered a friendly topic in most places in the world
3.Why are people from Asia more private in their conversation with others?
A.They don’t want to talk with others much.
B.They value their good relationship with others.
C.They are afraid to argue with their colleagues.
D.They want to keep their feelings to themselves.
4.Which of the following do you think is improper (不合适) according to the passage?
A.Asking Latin Americans about their family.
B.Discussing hobbies with American people.
C.Arguing with the French respectfully.
D.Criticizing your foreign friend’s national sports.
The bed should be used as a place for sleep, but more and more people like to read an iPad a lot in bed before they go to sleep.
Charles Czeisler, a professor at Harvard Medical School, and his coworkers got a small group of people for an experiment. For five days in a row, these people read either a paper book or an iPad for four hours before sleep. Their sleep patterns were monitored all night. Before and after each trial period, they took hourly blood tests to paint a day-long picture of just how much melatonin(褪黑激素) was in their blood at any time.
When the people read the iPad as compared to the paper books, they felt less sleepy at night and less active the following morning. People also took longer to fall asleep on the iPad nights, and the blood tests showed that their melatonin secretion(分泌) was delayed by an hour and a half.
The researchers concluded that because of the rise of e-readers and the widespread use of e-things among children and teenagers, more research into the "long-term influence of these e-things on health and safety is urgently needed." Czeisler and coworkers went on, in the research paper, to point out that reading an iPad in bed may increase cancer risk.
However, software has been developed that can reduce some of the blue light from the screens of phones and computers, and there are also glasses that are made to reduce short wavelengths. While they seem like a logic solution for the nighttime tech users, it needs more research.
1.In Charles Czeisler's experiment, the group of people were asked to_______.
A.sit in a row and receive the strict tests
B.have their sleep patterns observed all night
C.read a paper book and an iPad before sleep
D.have their blood tested per hour during the trial
2.The third paragraph tells us the iPad readers were likely to_______.
A.feel less sleepy and tired in the day
B.fall asleep more easily after reading
C.become less energetic the next morning
D.have a lot more melatonin secretion
3.The special software recently developed can _______.
A.reduce the blue light from the screens completely
B.help prevent eyes being harmed by short wavelengths
C.reduce the harm caused by doing nighttime e-reading
D.be used in all the e-things widely and safely
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.No e-reading in bed before sleep
B.New software for night e-readers
C.Wrong things to do before bedtime
D.No games on iPad in bed
China will soon issue licenses for the commercialization (商业化 ) of 5G, as the country has already established (建立) a competitive advantage in the superfast wireless technology.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said 5G is entering a critical period of commercial deployment (部署)globally and China's 5G industry has established a competitive advantage through a combination of innovation(创新) and open cooperation.
Many foreign companies including Nokia and Intel, have participated in China's technical 5G tests. These foreign companies have already participated in three phases of tests organized by China to get their 5G products and solutions ready for commercial use in the country.
“With joint efforts of all parties, China has built a foundation for commercialization of 5G,” the ministry said, adding it will issue commercial 5G licenses in the near future, a clear sign that China will soon officially enter the first year of 5G.
China's big three telecom carriers are forecast to spend 900 billion to 1.5 trillion yuan ($ 134 billion to $ 223 billion) in total on 5G network construction from 2020 to 2025, according to a report from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. In comparison, Chinese telecom operators spent 720 billion yuan on 4G network construction from 2014 to 2018.
In 2019, China Mobile plans to build 30,000 to 50,000 5G base stations, while China Telecom is looking to have 20,000.
1.What does the phrase "participate in" in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.take part in B.take control of
C.be grateful for D.do an activity regularly
2.How much did Chinese telecom spend in constructing 4G network from 2014 to 2018?
A.223 billion yuan. B.720 billion yuan.
C.900 billion yuan. D.1.5 trillion yuan.
3.which of the following plans to build about 44,000 5G base stations in 2019?
A.Nokia. B.Intel.
C.China Mobile. D.China Telecom.
4.What does the text mainly tell us?
A.A brief introduction of 5G
B.The advantage of 5G network
C.The cost of China's 5G network construction
D.The development of China’s 5G Commercialization
Are you interested in Chinese traditional arts? Do you want to learn how to make them by hand? If so, come and join our clubs this weekend in our school.
Sky Lantern Club
Introduction: Sky Lanterns are made of bamboo and covered with paper. They were first used to ask for help when people were in trouble. Today, they are used to show happiness and good wishes.
Time: Saturday 8:30am— I0:30am
Place: Building 3 Room 501
Paper Cutting Club
Introduction: Paper Cutting turns a simple thing like a piece of paper into a beautiful piece of art. Pictures about flowers, animals and so on are put on windows, doors and walls as symbols of good wishes and good luck.
Time: Saturday 9:00an_ 11:00am
Place: Building 3 Room 502
Chinese Knot Club
Introduction: Chinese Knots are usually made of red and yellow ropes. They arc used to express good wishes, including happiness, love, peace and so on.
Time: Sunday 2:30p.m —4 :30p.m
Place: Building 3 Room 603
1.What are Sky Lanterns made of?
A.Clay and paper B.Cloth and steel.
C.Red and yellow ropes D.Bamboo and paper.
2.Where should you go to learn Paper Cutting?
A.Building 3 Room 501 B.Building 3 Room 502
C.Building 3 Room 603 D.Building 3 Room 520
3.What does the text most probably belong to?
A.A notice. B.A story
C.A fiction. D.A piece of news
Translate
1.过去的十年见证了科技的巨大进步，像 Ipad 这样的电子产品受到了各行各业年龄阶层人的欢迎。 (see)
2.许多市民表达了对空气污染对健康的影响的担忧并希望政府立即采取措施治理雾霾天气。（ concern）
3.尽管很多人吐槽上海的快节奏生活和高昂的生活成本， 许多年轻人还是希望毕业之 后能在上海得到一份高薪工作以实现自己人生梦想。（despite）
Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. Use one word that best fits each blank.
The word taboo comes from the Tongan language and is used in modern English to describe verbal and nonverbal behavior that is forbidden or to be avoided. 1. what some may think, taboos are not universal. They tend to be specific to a culture or country, and usually form around a group’s values and beliefs. 2. is considered acceptable behavior in one country may be a serious taboo in another. Therefore, 3. you travel to another country, on business or vacation, it is helpful to learn some of that country’s customs 4. you don’t insult the local people.
Verbal taboos usually involve topics 5. people believe are too private to talk about publicly, or release to one’s manner of speaking. In many cultures, for example, it is considered bad manners to discuss subjects 6. sex or religion in public. In some countries, the volume of one’s voice may annoy people.
Nonverbal taboos usually relate to body languages. One of the biggest difference among many Western Asian, and African cultures is the use of eye contact. In the USA, people make eye contact when talking to others. If a person avoids eye contact, others might think they are being honest or 7. they lack confidence. In many Asian and African cultures, however, children are taught to lower their eyes when talking to their elders, or 8. of higher rank, as a way to show respect.
Certain gestures made with the hands can have very different meanings depending on 9. you are. For example, Crossing your middles finger over your forefinger is the sign for good luck in many western countries, in Vietnam and Argentina, however, it is an unsuitable gesture.
Behavior that is acceptable and non-offensive in one culture can be highly offensive in another. When visiting a foreign country, be aware of some of the basic differences, 10. will help to ensure a more enjoyable trip.
