Question

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

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.A

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：文章主要讲述了英国式的礼貌。文章以对比的方式展开，英国人几乎每时每刻都在说“谢谢”、“对不起”这些礼貌用语，而德国人却很少表达谢意和歉意。英国人很少批评指责他人，英国人比德国人更热情，更愿意请女士吃饭。

1.until I started traveling to the British Isles and came to appreciate some more polite ways of interacting (交往) with people.”可知，作者对英国式的礼貌的态度是欣赏，故选A。

2.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.”可知，在德国，顾客和店员中，只有一方会说“谢谢”，故选B。

3.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.”可知，苏格兰人比较小气，不太可能为女士花钱，故选A。

4.In Germany, it would be exceptional to...as opposite to Germans...more likely to treat women to a meal than German men...this applies to English men a bit more than it would to Scottish men”可知，作者是以比较的形式来写的文章。故选D。

考点：生活类短文阅读