We now think of chocolate as sweet, but once it was bitter. We think of it as a candy, but once it was a medicine. Today, chocolate can be a hot drink, a frozen dessert, or just a snack. Sometimes it is an ingredient in the main course of a meal. Mexicans make a hot chocolate sauce called mole and pour it over chicken. The Mexicans also eat chocolate with spices like chili peppers.
Chocolate is a product of the tropical cacao tree. The beans taste so bitter that even the monkeys say “Ugh!” and run away. Workers must first dry and then roast the beans. This removes the bitter taste.
The word “chocolate” comes from a Mayan word. The Mayas were an ancient people who once lived in Mexico. They valued the cacao tree. Some used the beans for money, while others crushed them to make a drink.
When the Spaniards came to Mexico in the sixteenth century, they started drinking cacao too. Because the drink was strong and bitter, they thought it was a medicine. No one had the idea of adding sugar. The Spaniards took some beans back to Europe and opened cafes. Wealthy people drank cacao and said it was good for the digestion.
In the 1800s, the owner of a chocolate factory in England discovered that sugar removed the bitter taste of cacao. It quickly became a cheap and popular drink. Soon afterwards, a factory made the first solid block of sweetened chocolate. Later on, another factory mixed milk and chocolate together. People liked the taste of milk chocolate even better.
Besides the chocolate candy bar, one of the most popular American snacks is the chocolate chip cookie. Favorite desserts are chocolate cream pie and of course an ice cream sundae with hot fudge sauce.
1. It was ______that discovered sugar could remove the bitter taste of cacao.
A. the workers in the chocolate factory B. the Spaniards
C. the people in England D. the owner of a chocolate factory.
2. According to the passage which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Nobody had the idea of adding sugar until the sixteenth century.
B. The word “chocolate” comes from a Mexican word.
C. The beans taste so bitter that even the monkeys like them.
D. Workers must dry and roast the beans to remove the bitter taste.
3. It can be inferred from the passage that___________.
A. chocolate can be a hot drink, a frozen dessert, or a candy bar
B. Mexicans like chocolate very much C. chocolate is a product of the cacao tree
D. people liked the taste of chocolate mixed with milk
4. Which is the right time order of the events regarding chocolate?
a. Chocolate became a cheap and popular drink in England.
b. A factory made the first solid block of sweetened chocolate.
c. The Spaniards started drinking cacao.
d. It was found that sugar removed the bitter taste of cacao.
e. A factory mixed milk and chocolate together.
A. a-b-c-d-e B. c-d-e-b-a C. c-d-a-b-e D. c-d-b-e-a
Chinese politeness have always been formal to follow strict rules, although sometimes Chinese people seem to be impolite according to Western standards in public places. To well understand Chinese, some concepts should not be ignored.
Mianzi
The idea of shame, usually expressed as 'face' could be loosely defined as the 'status' or 'self-respect' in Chinese and by no means alien to foreigners. It is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face. Never insult, embarrass, shame, yell at or otherwise demean a person. Since all these actions would risk putting a Chinese in a situation that he might lose face, neither try to prove someone wrong nor shout at him in public. In order to get a successful effect without letting a Chinese lose face, any criticism should be delivered privately, carefully, or else, just opposite to what you wish.
Guanxi
Throughout much of Chinese history, the fundamental glue that has held society together is the concept of guanxi, relationships between people. It is very important for the Chinese to have good relationships. They often regard good social relations as a symbol of personal ability and influence. Someone who has no connections would be disrespected and is only half-Chinese.
Keqi
Keqi not only means considerate, polite, and well mannered, but also represents respect and modesty. It is impolite to talk too proudly about oneself or one's inner circle. The expression is most often used in the negative, as in buyao keqi, meaning "you shouldn't be so kind and polite to me," or "you're welcome."
Besides, Chinese seldom express what they think directly and they prefer a roundabout way. Neither show their emotions and feelings in public. They rarely greet people with a handshake, though it is very popular among foreigners, and say nothing of embracing or kissing when greeting or saying good-bye. Consequently, it is better not to behave too carefree in public, even though you are well-intentioned. Also, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions. Do not particularly push yourself forward, or else you are unwelcome.
To sum up, do in Rome as Rome does, but you need not worry about these cultural barriers since most Chinese are hospitable and friendly and will not mind your no accomplishment.
1.In most Chinese’s eyes, the fundamental glue holding society together is the idea of ____.
A. relationships between people B. influences upon others
C. dependence on others D. kindness to others
2.The underlined word “demean” in the first paragraph means make people _____.
A. respectful B. happy C. shameful D. weak
3.Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. It is impolite to insult, embarrass, shame or shout at a person.
B. It is polite that you should bring gifts to others when invited to dinner.
C. It is necessary to show your character of being considerate, polite, and well mannered.
D. It is important for the Chinese to have good relationships between people.
4. Which of the following proverbs has the same meaning as the underlined sentence “Do in Rome as Rome does.”?
A. Caution is the parent of safety. B. Many hands make light work.
C. There’s no smoke without fire. D. If you are elsewhere, live as they do there.
完形填空 (共20小题;每小题l分,满分20分)
When Andra Rush started her trucking company, all she had was an old van,two used pick-up trucks and the simple certainty of a 23-year-old girl. But she planned to make her fortune in about four years to 36 her true goal: dealing with poverty on Native American reservations across North America. "I thought I could retire by the time I was 27," says Rush, "At that age, you don't know 37 you don't know."
Rush is 49 now and 38 working hard. Her tiny start-up just outside Detroit has 39 to a $400 million North American business. Today Rush is a(an) 40 not only for Native Americans but also for women in the male-controlled world of trucking.
Rush was 41 30 miles outside Detroit. When the teenage Rush visited the reservation for the first time, she was 42 by the poverty and lack of hope. "I really wanted to 43 " she says.
She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1982. She took a nursing job with a 44 pay and then practiced at an air goods company, 45 the speed of package pickups and deliveries made a little more a little more profits. "I thought I could do that 46 ," Rush says.
Within six months, Rush had ten employees, and clients(客户) 47 Ford and GM were paying her to 48 small packages from the airport. Ford was the first to offer her a job trucking parts between its plants and supplier.
By 2001, many of Rush's 1,000 employees were Native Americans, working alongside people of every 49 But she felt she hadn't done enough. 50 she joined forces with a Canadian parts maker to design and gather auto components.
She located the plants near reservations, 51 opportunities where they were needed most. By 2009, her auto parts business was earning $370 million 52 .
She's come a long way from the 53 23-year-old who thought "the cash would just roll in." But Rush wouldn't change a thing: "I love my job," she says. "I 54 the fact that you can start to get some motivation and keep 55 yourself—and then suddenly you lift your head and it's been 25 years"
1.A.make B. accomplish C. receive D.arrive
2.A.what B.which C.why D.who
3. A.so B.somehow C.still D.anyhow
4. A. grown B.become C.got D.gone
5.A.able housewife B.ordinary woman C.role model D.truck driver
6. A.brought B.lived C.risen D.raised
7. A.moved B.interested C.struck D.encouraged
8. A have an influence B.make a difference C.set an example D.make a decision
9. A.low B.high C.cheap D.expensive
10.A.which B.that C.when D.where
11.A.well B.badly C.worse D.better
12.A.like B.besides C.for D.except
13.A.take B.fetch C.bring D.lift
14.A.education B.family C.background D.city
15.A.Because B.For C.But D.So
16.A.seizing B.creating C.grasping D.losing
17..A.in case B.in turn C.in return D.in need
18.A.inexperienced B.experienced C.expert D.skilled
19.A.enjoy B.hate C.doubt D.refuse
20.A.fighting B.forcing C.challenging D.amusing
The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand has _____that 23 Chinese students in South Island city of Christchurch still went missing in the 6.3 magnitude earthquake.
A committed B conveyed C confirmed D concerned
The government is also undertaking important educational work based on the _______ of the members that the best form of conservation is the prevention of damage.
A. consequence B sense C. scene D. consensus
Gradually, you will realize that the things that matter are __________ that can’t be bought with money.
A. these B. those C. ones D. some