Question

It can be hard to meet people from another culture. From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal (信号). Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship.

Different cultures emphasize（强调）the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree. For example, business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust. Even with people at work, it is necessary to spend a lot of time in “small talk”, usually over a glass of tea, before they do any job. In many European countries—like the UK or France—people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants rather than at the office.

Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures. I once made a speech in Thailand. I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion; instead there was an uncomfortable silence. The people just looked at me all the time and smiled. After getting to know their ways better, I realized that they thought I was talking too much. In my own culture, we express meaning mainly through words, but people there sometimes feel too many words are not needed.

Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share almost the same values; however, Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly. We think that they are rude. In fact, this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.

People from different parts of the world have different values, and sometimes these values are quite against each other. However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural (多元文化) environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.

1. In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to     .

A. develop closer relationship       B. share the same culture

C. get to know each other              D. make a successful speech

2.The writer mentions his journey in Thailand to show that     .

A. too many words are of no use

B. the English prefer to make long speeches

C. even talk and silence can be culturally different

D. people from Thailand are quiet and shy

3.What would be the best title for the passage?

A. Multicultural Environment     B. Cross-Cultural Differences

C. How to Understand Each Other    D. How to Build Up a Relationship

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

【解析】

试题分析：这篇文章主要讲了跨文化差异。不同的文化或多或少都强调关系建立。说话或是沉默在特定的文化也是不同的。文化差异会导致问题的发生。一个多元文化环境会让我们有更好的机会了解双方。

1.细节理解题。根据In many European countries—like the UK or France—people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants rather than at the office.句意：在很多欧洲国家，比如说英国或法国，人们发现在餐馆比在办公室更容易建立持久的工作关系。由此可知，在餐馆吃饭可以让人们发展近一步的关系。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures.句意：说话或是沉默在特定的文化也是不同的。这句话是第三段的中心句。作者以他在泰国的经历为例，就是为了说明这点。故选C。

3.主旨大意题。这篇文章讲的就是跨文化差异。故选B。

考点：政治经济文化类短文阅读。