The way we do things round here
Some years ago, I was hired by an American bank. I received a letter from the head of the Personnel Department that started, "Dear John, I am quite pleased that you have decided to join us." That "quite" saddened me. I thought he was saying "we're kind of pleased you decided to join us although I wish we had hired someone else." Then I discovered that in American English "quite" sometimes means "very", while in British English it means "fairly".
So the first lesson about working in other countries is to learn the language and by that I don't just mean the words people speak. It is body language, dress, manners, ideas and so on. The way people do things highlights many of the differences we see between cultures（文化）．
Some of these differences may be only on the surface-dress, food and hours of work-while others may be deeper and take longer to deal with. Mostly, it is just a question of getting used to the differences and accepting them, like the climate（气候），while getting on with business.
Some of the differences may be an improvement. People are more polite; the service is better; you ask for something to be done and it happens without having to ask again. However, other differences can be troubling, like punctuality（准时）．If you invite people to a party at 7 o'clock your guests will consider it polite to turn up exactly on time in Germany, five minutes early in the American Midwest, an hour early in Japan, 15 minutes afterwards in the UK, up to an hour afterwards in Italy and some time in the evening in Greece. I prefer not to use the word "late" because there is nothing wrong with the times people arrive. It is simply the accepted thing to do in their own country.
1.The author was unhappy as mentioned in Paragraph 1 because he thought______．
A. the American bank didn't think much of him
B. the American bank might hire another person
C. it's difficult to get used to American culture
D. it's easy to misunderstand Americans
2.The word "highlights" in Paragraph 2 probably means_____.
A. encourages B. helps to narrow
C. increases D. draws attention to
3.According to the author, what should we do with most cultural differences?
A. Ask the native people for help.
B. Understand and accept them.
C. Do things in our own way.
D. Do in-depth research.
4.When invited to a party the people who are usually punctual are______.
A. Italians B. Germans C. Greeks D. the British
While small may be beautiful, tall is just plain uncomfortable it seems, particularly when it comes to staying in hotels and eating in restaurants.
The Tall Persons Club Great Britain (TPCGB), which was formed six months ago to campaign for the needs of the tall, has turned its attention to hotels and restaurants. Beds that are too small, shower heads that are too low, and restaurant tables with hardly any leg-room all make life difficult for those of above average height, it says.
But it is not just the extra-tall whose needs are not being met. The average height of the population has been increasing yet the standard size of beds, doorways, and chairs has remained unchanged.
“The bedding industry says a bed should be six inches larger than the person using it, so even a king-size bed at 6′6″ (6 feet and 6 inches) is falling short for 25% of men, while the standard 6′3″ bed caters for less than half of the male population.” Said TPCGB president Phil Heinricy, “seven-foot beds would work fine.”
Similarly, restaurant tables can cause no end of problems. Small tables, which mean the long-legged have to sit a foot or so away from them, are enough to make tall customers go elsewhere.
Some have already taken note, however. At Queens Moat Houses′ Caledoman Hotel in Edinburgh, 6′6″beds are now put in as standard after requests for longer beds from taller visitors, particularly Americans.
1.What is the purpose of the TPCGB campaign?
A. To provide better services.
B. To rebuild hotels and restaurants.
C. To draw public attention to the needs of the tall.
D. To attract more people to become its members.
2.Which of the following might be a bed of proper length according to Phil Heinricy?
A.7′2″. B.7′ C.6′6″ D.6′3″
3.What may happen to restaurants with small tables?
A. They may lose some customers.
B. They may start businesses elsewhere.
C. They have to find easy chairs to match the tables.
D. They have to provide enough space for the long-legged.
4.What change has already been made in a hotel in Edinburgh?
A. Tall people pay more for larger beds.
B. 6′6″beds have taken the place of 6′3″beds.
C. Special rooms are kept for Americans.
D. Guest rooms are standardized.
When I began planning to move to Auckland to study .my mother was worried about a lack of jobs and cultural differences, Ignoring these 36 ,I got there in July 2010,37 I arrived ,I realized the importance of getting a job 38 my living experience, Determined to do this 39 , I spent several weeks going door-to-door for a job, but found 40 response.
One afternoon, I walked into a building to ask 41 there were any job opportunities，The people there advised me not to continue my job search in that 42 .As I was about to 43. a man who had been listening approached me and asked me to wait outside 44 .Nearly ten minutes later, he 45 ,He asked me about my plans and encouraged me to stay 46 . Then he offered to take me to Royal Oak to 47 a job.
I was a little surprised. but had a 48 feeling about him. Along the way ,I realized that I had 49 resumes(简历).Seeing this, the man 50 at his business partner’s office to make me fifteen 51 copies. He also gave me some 52 on dressing and speaking. I handed out my resume and went home feeling very 53 . The following day, I received a 54 from a store in Royal Oak offering me a job.
It seems that the world always 55 to you when you need it .And this time, it was a complete stranger who turned out to be a real blessing.
1.A. doubts B. concerns C. instructions D. reasons
2.A. Even if B. Every time C. Now that D. Soon after
3.A. of B. at C. for D. with
4.A. on my own B. on my way C. by any chance D. by the day
5.A. any B. much C. some D. little
6.A. why B. wherever C. whether D. whenever
7.A. direction B. attitude C. language D. manner
8.A. answer B. work C. leave D. refuse
9.A. for ever B. at any time C. as usual D. for a while
10.A. returned B. hesitated C. passed D. regretted
11.A. silent B. busy C. positive D. comfortable
12.A. pick out B. search for C. take on D. give up
13.A. dull B. good C. guilty D. general
14.A. made use of B. taken care of C. run out of D. become tired of
15.A. stopped B. knocked C. glanced D. appeared
16.A. right B. more C. former D. different
17.A. pressures B. agreements C. impression D. suggestions
18.A. lonely B. funny C. disappointed D. satisfied
19.A. call B. tip C. present D. report
20.A. turns off B. goes over C. gives back D. looks up
The little boy talked his mother ______buying him a home computer.
A. of B. over C. to D. into
---What do you think of the old couple?
-----It was an act of _____that they distributed food among the homeless.
A. hardship B. psychology C. routine D. mercy
Although the lady recovered from the illness ,she is still _____with chopsticks.
A. clever B. awkward C. lucky D.kind
