It’s really true what people say about English politeness: it’s everywhere. When squeezing past someone in a narrow aisle, people say “sorry”. When getting off a bus, English passengers say “thank you” rather than the driver. In Germany, people would never dream of doing these things. After all, squeezing past others is sometimes unavoidable, and the bus driver is only doing his job. I used to think the same way, without questioning it, until I started traveling to the British Isles and came to appreciate some more polite ways of interacting (交往) with people.
People thank each other everywhere in England, all the time. When people buy something in a shop, customers and retail assistants in most cases thank each other twice or more. In Germany, it would be exceptional to hear more than one “thank you” in such a conversation. British students thank their lecturers when leaving the room. English employers thank their employees for doing their jobs, as opposite to Germans, who would normally think that paying their workers money is already enough.
Another thing I observed during my stay was that English people rarely criticize others. Even when I was working and mistakes were pointed out to me, my employers emphasized (强调) several times that none of their words were intended as criticism. It has been my impression that by avoiding criticism, English people are making an effort to make others feel comfortable. This is also shown in other ways. British men still open doors for women, and British men are more likely to treat women to a meal than German men. However, I do need to point out here that this applies to English men a bit more than it would to Scottish men! Yes, the latter (后者) are a bit tightfisted.
1.What is the author’s attitude towards English politeness?
A. He appreciates it. B. He gives no personal opinion.
C. He thinks it is unnecessary. D. He thinks it goes too far.
2. What can we learn about customers and retail assistants in Germany?
A. A customer never says thank you to a retail assistant.
B. They may say thank you only once.
C. It’s always a retail assistant who says thank you.
D. They always say thank you to each other.
3.We can learn from the last paragraph that Scottish men __________.
A. are not so willing to spend money for women
B. are more polite than English men
C. treat women in an impolite way
D. are more likely to be involved in a fighting
4.The author develops the text through the method of ____________.
A. giving reasons B. telling stories C. giving comments D. making comparisons
I was in a terrible mood. Two of my friends had gone to the movies the night before and hadn’t invited me. I was in my room thinking of ways to make them sorry when my father came in. “Want to go for a ride, today, Beck? It’s a beautiful day.”
“No! Leave me alone!” Those were the last words I said to him that morning.
My friends called and invited me to go to the mall with them a few hours later. I forgot to be mad at them and when I came home to find a note on the table. My mother put it where I would be sure to see it. “Dad has had an accident. Please meet us at Highland Park Hospital”.
When I reached the hospital, my mother came out and told me my father’s injuries were extensive. “Your father told the driver to leave him alone and just call 911, thank God! If he had moved Daddy, there’s no telling what might have happened. A broken rib（肋骨）might have pierced（穿透）a lung...”
My mother may have said more, but I didn’t hear. I didn’t hear anything except those terrible words: Leave me alone. My dad said them to save himself from being hurt more. How much had I hurt him when I hurled those words at him earlier in the day?
It was several days later that he was finally able to have a conversation. I held his hand gently, afraid of hurting him.
“Daddy… I am so sorry…”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll be okay. ”
“No,” I said, “I mean about what I said to you that day. You know, that morning?”
My father could no more tell a lie than he could fly. He looked at me and said. “Sweetheart, I don’t remember anything about that day, not before, during or after the accident. I remember kissing you goodnight the night before, though. ”He managed a weak smile.
My English teacher once told me that words have immeasurable power. They can hurt or they can heal. And we all have the power to choose our words. I intend to do that very carefully from now on.
1.The author was in a bad mood that morning because _______.
A. his father had a terrible accident
B. his friends hadn’t invited him to the cinema
C. his father didn’t allow him to go out with his friends
D. he couldn’t drive to the mall with his friends
2.Why did the author say sorry to his father in the hospital?
A. Because he didn’t go along with his father.
B. Because he failed to come earlier after the accident.
C. Because he was rude to his father that morning.
D. Because he couldn’t look after his father in the hospital.
3.The reason why the author’s father said he forgot everything about that day is that _______.
A. he just wanted to comfort his son B. he didn’t hear what his son said
C. he had a poor memory D. he lost his memory after the accident
4.What lesson did Beck learn from the matter?
A. Don’t treat your parents badly.
B. Don’t be angry with friends at small things.
C. Don’t move the injured in an accident.
D. Don’t hurt others with rude words.
All he wanted was some juice. As high school students sat in a cafeteria on that cloudy afternoon, he was 36__. We sat near yet away from him, fixing our hair and 37__ about the test period we hadn’t studied for. He was far away from our world, but was 38__ to be a part of it.
He stood at the drink machine on purpose, fumbling(摸索）in his fake（假的）leather wallet for some 39__. He 40__ a wrinkled dollar bill, and 41__ glanced back at his table where other students were sitting. With the help of a six-year-old, he tried to make the machine __42 his money. After a few unsuccessful 43 , the snicker（窃笑）and comment began. People were laughing. Some were even throwing things at him. He began to __44 , and his eyes misted with tears. I saw him turn to sit down, 45__. But for some reason, he decided to try again. He wasn’t leaving until he got a 46__.
With a determined expression, he continued to 47 thrust（插入）the dollar bill into the machine. Then something terrific happened. A popular senior girl 48 from her seat, and with a(an) 49 of genuine compassion(同情), went over to the boy. She explained why the machine had a hard time accepting dollars sometimes, then gave him some change and showed him 50 to place it. The boy gave her his dollar and chose a flavor of fruit juice. Then the two walked off in different __51__.
Although it was __52__ that they were from very different __53__, for one moment, they had shared a real understanding. As I walked away from my lunch table that day, I looked at the boy. I remembered thinking how he and the 54 were very much alike, they both weren’t accepted. But just 55 the dollar had found a place in a caring girl’s pocket, I was sure that boy would finally find his, too.
1. A. hungry B. thirsty C. anxious D. popular
2.A. worrying B. arguing C. taking D. learning
3.A. expected B. volunteered C. forced D. preferred
4.A. coin B. card C. check D. change
5.A. took out B. took up C. took off D. took away
6.A. nervously B. proudly C. carelessly D. angrily
7.A. test B. mark C. accept D. prove
8.A. steps B. bills C. measures D. attempts
9. A. tremble B. shout C. smile D. embarrass
10.A. satisfied B. defeated C. tired D. bored
11.A. praise B. comfort C. drink D. reward
12.A. excitedly B. regularly C. patiently D. secretly
13.A. rose B. struggled C. jumped D. fell
14.A. look B. appearance C. behavior D. attitude
15.A. what B. where C. why D. when
16.A. feelings B. manners C. directions D. steps
17.A. clear B. convenient C. fortunate D. doubtful
18.A. worlds B. schools C. villages D. offices
19.A. juice B. dollar C. girl D. change
20.A. because B. until C. as D. before
---So he told you you’d got the job?
---_________, but he said they were impressed with me.
A. Not exactly B. No way C. That’s it D. Absolutely
Don’t be nervous. Just speak _______ and pretend the microphone isn’t here.
A. obviously B. slightly C. naturally D. strangely
You can’t complain of being lonely _______ you don’t make any effort to meet people.
A. until B. when C. once D. though
