Most Americans would have a difficult time telling you, specifically, what the values are which Americans live by. They have never given the matter any thought.
Over the years I have introduced thousands of international visitors to life in the United States. This has caused me to try to look at Americans through the eyes of foreign visitors, I am confident that the values listed in this booklet describe most (but not all )Americans, and that understanding these values can help you, the international visitor, understand Americans.
It is my belief that if foreign visitors really understand how deeply these 13 values are ingrained in Americans, they will then be able to understand 95% of American actions —actions which might otherwise appear “strange,”“ confusing,” or “unbelievable” when evaluated from the perspective (aspect) of the foreigner's own society and its values.
The different behaviors of a people or a culture make sense only when seen through the basic beliefs, assumptions and values of that particular group. When you encounter (meet) an action, or hear a statement in the United States which surprises you, try to see it as an expression of one or more of the values listed in this booklet.
1. An ordinary American can't tell you his / her value system because______.
A.this is something an American lives by
B.everyone will have his/her own system
C.he/she has never thought about it
D.values are something often in their thought
2. The author lists 13 values in his booklet to_____.
A.invite foreigners to visit America
B.look at Americans through the eyes of foreign visitors
C.describe the confusing actions of most Americans
D.help international visitors understand Americans
3.The underlined word “ingrained” in Line 2, Paragraph 3 most probably means ______.
A.rooted in the minds B.found in the grains
C.planted for food D.prepared with grain
4. Visitors sometimes find Americans behave in a strange, confusing or unbelievable way, probably because___.
A.Americans are hard to understand
B.Americans have values which are entirely different from their own
C.they view Americans according to the values in their own society
D.it is difficult to understand any people when you first encounter them
完形填空(共20小题;每小题1分,满分20分)
阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
I work as a volunteer for an organization that helps the poor in Haiti. Recently I took my son Barrett there for a week, hoping to___1____ him.
Before setting out, I told Barrett this trip would be tiring and ____2____. For the first two days, he said almost nothing. I worried the trip was too ___3____ for a 17-year-old. Then, on day three, as we were ___4____ over high rocky mountains, he turned to me and grinned(咧嘴笑),“Pretty hard.”
After that there was no turning back. A five-year-old girl, wearing a dress several sizes ___5___ large and broken shoes, followed Barrett around, mesmerized(着迷). He couldn’t stop ___6____. Later he said ____7____ , “I wish I could speak French.” I was ___8___— this from a boy who hated and ___9____ French classes throughout school.
Usually silent, he ___10___ Gaby, our host, and kept asking questions about the country and its people. He blossomed(活泼起来).
__11___, the moment that really took __12___ breath away occurred in a village deep in the mountains. I was ___13___ a woman villager for an article. 135 centimeters tall, she was small in figure but strong in ___14___. Through determination, she had learned to read and write, and __15___ to become part of the leadership of the __16___.
Learning her story, Barrett was as ___17___ as I by this tiny woman’s achievements. His eyes were wet and there was a ___18___ of love and respect on his face. He had finally understood the importance of my work.
When leaving for home, Barrett even offered to stay ___19___ as a volunteer. My insides suddenly felt struck. This ___20____ achieved all I’d expected. Soon he will celebrate his 18th birthday. He’ll be a man.
1. A.comfort B.please C.attract D.educate
2. A.rough B.dangerous C.troublesome D.violent
3. A.little B.much C.fast D.slow
4. A.moving B.running C.climbing D.looking
5. A.too B.very C.even D.so
6. A.joking B.crying C.shouting D.smiling
7. A.patiently B.regretfully C.lightly D.cheerfully
8. A.ashamed B.disappointed C.determined D.surprised
9. A.took up B.went in for C.fought against D.called off
10. A.befriended B.disregarded C.avoided D.recognized
11. A.Thus B.Even C.Meanwhile D.However
12. A.my B.his C.our D.her
13. A.asking B.interviewing C.arranging D.describing
14. A.brain B.wish C.will D.health
15. A.appeared B.struggled C.hesitated D.failed
16. A.village B.city C.organization D.state
17. A.pleased B.bored C.puzzled D.touched
18. A.combination B.composition C.connection D.satisfaction
19. A.in B.behind C.out D.away
20. A.interview B.flight C.article D.trip
Practising Chinese Kung fu can not only _____ one’s strength, but also develop one’s character.
A.bring up B.take up C.build up D.put up
He twisted his ankle in skiing, with the _____ that he was unable to take his exams.
A.consequence B.conclusion C.preference D.prejudice
She _____ get angry when others disagree with her.
A.contributes to B.leads to C.tends to D.appeals to
Some researchers believe that there is no doubt ______ a cure for AIDS will be found.
A.which B.that C.what D.whether