Everybody hates it, but everybody does it. A recent report said that 40％of Americans hate tipping. In America alone, tipping is a $16 billion-a-year industry. Consumers acting politely ought not to pay more than they have to for a given service. Tips should not exist. So why do they? The common opinion in the past was that tips both rewarded the efforts of good service and reduced uncomfortable feelings of inequality. And also, tipping makes for closer relations. It went without saying that the better the service, the bigger the tip.
But according to a new research from Cornell University, tips no longer serve any useful function. The paper analyzes numbers they got from 2,547 groups dining at 20 different restaurants. The connection between larger tips and better service was very weak. Only a tiny part of the size of the tip had anything to do with the quality of service.
Tipping is better explained, by culture than by the money people spend. In America, the custom came into being a long time ago. It is regarded as part of the accepted cost of a service. In New York restaurants, failing to tip at least l5% could well mean dissatisfaction from the customers. Hairdressers can expect to get l5%-20%, and the man who delivers your fast food $2. In Europe, tipping is less common. In many restaurants the amount of tip is decided by a standard service charge. In many Asian countries, tipping has never really caught on at all. Only a few have really taken to tipping.
According to Michael Lynn, the Cornell papers' author, countries in which people are more social or outgoing tend to tip more. Tipping may reduce anxiety about being served by strangers. And Mr. Lynn says, “In America, where people are expressive and eager to mix up with others, tipping is about social approval. If you tip badly, people think less of you. Tipping well is a chance to show off."
1. This passage is mainly about ________.
A. different kinds of tipping in different countries
B. the relationship between tipping and custom
C. the origin and present meaning of tipping
D. most American people hate tipping
2.Which of the following best explains the underlined phrase "caught on"?
A. become popular. B. been hated.
C. been stopped. D. been permitted
3.Among the following situations, in your opinion, who is likely to tip most?
A. A Frenchman just quarreled with the barber who did his hair badly in New York.
B. An American just had a wonderful dinner in a well known restaurant in New York.
C. A Japanese businessman asked for a pizza delivery from a Pizza Hut in New York.
D. A Chinese student enjoyed his meal in a famous fast food restaurant in New York.
4.We can infer from this passage that ________.
A. tipping is no longer a good way to satisfy some customers themselves
B. tipping is especially popular in New York
C. tipping in America can make service better now
D. tipping has something to
do with people's character
假定你是李华。校学生会正在举办“魅力中学生”评选报名活动，旨在给学生提供展示风采的舞台，为大家树立学习的榜样。下面的海报吸引了正在你校访问的美国学生Catherine的关注。请向她介绍此次活动，并阐述你心目中“魅力中学生”的标准。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
3．首句已给出，不计人总词数。
The poster is about a selection registration named Charming Students.
短文改错（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改．
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（^），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉。
修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词。
2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
In order to promote participation in outdoor exercise, our school had organized an activity to climb the West Mountain on April 10. The moment we arrived at the foot of a mountain, we set out for the top in high spirit. We supported each other to pass the rocky areas on the course of the climb. Laughing and cheering, we eventually reached the summit, there we were greeted by the bright sunshine and fresh air. Viewing from the top, the city was extremely beautiful This event was very benefit, for not only we take a break from our heavy school workload, but we also learned what to cooperate. Therefore, we strongly suggest that similar events are held every year!
On receiving my learner's permit a couple of months ago ,I started driving lessons straight away. However, it wasn't until two days ago 1. Dad finally allowed me to drive on the motorway. Our destination was Orewa, 2. seaside town.
That morning I made sure I had enough to drink and went to the toilet about three times3. we left. I thought l was totally prepared__4. the journey, but nothing could have prepared me for my family's complaints.
“Relax! Don't hold the steering wheel so 5. (tight)." called a nervous voice from the backseat.
"Speed up. 70km/h isn't fast enough. You are holding up the traffic," another voice ordered from the seat next to _6.(1).
How 7. (annoy)! To content them ,I 8. (step) hard on the accelerator(加速器), and within a second, an angry voice began to yell again.
‘‘Stop! Slow down! Are you crazy? Did I tell you to go above l00km/h'?"
Finally I drove into the city, where the speed limit was only 50km/h.
My family seemed relieved and stopped_9.(tell) me what to do. On our way home, the journey was much 10. (easy) than before as everyone else fell fast asleep. So ,I just took my time and enjoyed the drive.
It was my first college acting class. With great hesitation, sweating hands and an heart,1 walked into the classroom. I had spent my entire life__ public speaking. But now here l was, not only to learn how to speak like someone on _ .but to become them entirely. Theater classes are _ at many high schools and universities in the US. "Theater kids" are a quite different bunch who always seemed able to _ a room with their personalities.
__ _ it was only a beginner-level course, my college class was filled with students who seemed a _ _ fit for acting. They were confident, funny and _ .The professor, a stout（矮胖） woman with a permanent smile and gentle behavior,_ _ just as well, She _ us each with a handshake and welcoming eyes. The class was held in a circular room with _ situated around the edges. This allowed everyone in the room to have a(n) _ 0f whatever performance or lecture was _ in the center.
After our first-day of introductions, each week we _ in a series of activities designed to help us find our own inner _ .We sang songs, danced to music, and recited _ _ from our favorite short stories.
The _ _ was eye opening .I learned that anyone has the _ to act, and many of us already do in our daily life. In the end, I'm not _ 一that l would consider myself an actor. But I don't think I ever had more fun in a college class.
1.A. unsteady B. unsatisfied C. unusual D.unfair
2.A. practicing B. avoiding C. delivering D. learning
3.A. refusing B. happening C. preparing D. hesitating
4.A. stage B.campus C. strike D. trial
5.A. difficult B. expensive C.advanced D.popular
6.A. put up B. make up C. light up D.break up
7.A. Though B. Since C. Unless D. Once
8.A. strange B. natural C.common D. formal
9.A. outgoing B. cautious C. hardworking D. patient
10.A. served B. prepared C. spoke D. fit
11.A. inspired B. supplied C. greeted D. comforted
12.A. blackboards B. tables C. lights D. chairs
13.A. view B. opinion C. debate D. command
14.A. leaving B. occurring C. arriving D. declining
15.A. took B. succeeded C. shared D. participated
16.A. singer B. actor C. professor D. dancer
17.A. characters B. proverbs C.lines D.plots
18.A. adventure B. concert C. competition D. experience
19.A. gift B. interest C. tendency D. desire
20.A. content B. sure C. aware D. Doubtful
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余选项。
Four Ways to Be a Great Roommate
Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences in college or, easily, one of the worst。 1. Follow these tips to avoid the common mistakes that turn good roommate relationships sour.
◇Talk things out.
Communication is key. If something happens, sit down with your roommate and have a face-to-face conversation. I've seen roommate relationships fall apart because something happens and ,instead of talking to each other, the two start complaining about their roommates behind their backs 2.
◇Don't expect to be best friends.
Some roommates become the best of friends, and some don't. Don't put pressure on yourself or your roommate, especially when you first meet. 3. And if your roommate doesn't end up being your best friend, don't worry.
◇Ask before you take.
This applies to food, clothes and anything else. If you want to keep a relationship going, show your roommate that you have respect for what is his or hers by asking first. 4.
◇Clean up after yourself.
This should do without saying. Don't be lazy. Or, at least, don't bury your roommate in your clothes and garbage. Most people I've come across in college are messy. 5. But being considerate with where you put your stuff will help you avoid conflict.
A. So you need to think twice before you help your roommates out.
B. This creates nothing but awkward. situations and unhappiness.
C. Even if you both agree to share everything, you should still ask.
D. You don't have all the time to clean your room and keep it organized.
E. It all starts with you to have a good relationship with your roommate.
F. Sometime you get stuck with someone who has tons of negative energy.
G. Remember, you're trying to make a new friend, not to scare your roommate away.
