Question

To understand how Americans think about things, it is necessary to understand "the point". Americans mention it often: "Let's get right to the point." They will say, "My point is…" "What's the point of all this?"

The "point" is the idea or piece of information that Americans suppose is, or should be, at the center of people's thinking, writings, and spoken comments. Speakers and writers are supposed to "make their points clear", meaning that they are supposed to say or write clearly the idea or piece of information they wish to express.

People from many other cultures have different ideas about the point. Africans traditionally tell stories that express the thoughts they have in mind, rather than stating the point clearly. Japanese traditionally speak indirectly, leaving the listener to figure out what the point is. Thus, while an American might say to a friend, "I don't think that coat goes very well with the rest of your outfit," a Japanese might say, "Maybe another coat would look even better than the one you have on." Americans value a person who "gets right to the point". Japanese are likely to consider such a person insensitive if not rude.

The Chinese and Japanese languages are characterized by vagueness and ambiguity. The precision and directness Americans associate with "the point" cannot be achieved, at least not with any grace, in Chinese and Japanese. Speakers of those languages thus have to learn a new way of reasoning and expressing their ideas if they are going to communicate satisfactorily with Americans.

1.According to the passage, Americans expect speakers and writers to ________.

A. express their personal views

B. be clear about their main ideas

C. be honest about their true feelings

D. give as much information as possible

2.Which of the following peoples will tell a story to express what they have in mind?

A. Americans.B. Chinese.C. Japanese.D. Africans.

3.The underlined word "outfit" in the third paragraph probably means ________.

A. appearanceB. behaviorC. speechD. clothes

4.In order to communicate with Americans satisfactorily, speakers of Chinese need to ________.

A. mind their manners

B. explain their reasons clearly

C. change their ways of expressing ideas

D. be careful about their choices of words

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.D

4.C

【解析】

试题分析：本文介绍了美国文化中对the point 的理解，并对比了一些其它的国家和大洲的文化的不同。

1.1】B 细节理解题。文章第二段Speakers and writers are supposed to "make their points clear", meaning that they are supposed to say or write clearly the idea or piece of information they wish to express.可知，美国人期望说话的人和写作的人观点表达要清楚，故答案为B。

2.2】D 细节理解题。文章第三段Africans traditionally tell stories that express the thoughts they have in mind, rather than stating the point clearly.可知，用故事来表达自己想法的是非洲人，故答案为D。

3.3】D 词义猜测题。文章第三段I don't think that coat goes very well with the rest of your outfit，这句话说得是那个外套和你的其它的 不配，因此可以猜测是其它的“衣服”，而不是“相貌”，“行为”，“语言”什么的，故答案为D。

4.4】C 推理判断题。根据最后一段The Chinese and Japanese languages are characterized by vagueness and ambiguity...Speakers of those languages thus have to learn a new way of reasoning and expressing their ideas if they are going to communicate satisfactorily with Americans.可知，中日语言具有模糊性的特征，所以如果要和美国人顺利的沟通，中国人必须改变他们表达观点的方式，故答案为C。

【名师点睛】

词义猜测题。阅读材料中的每个词与它前后的词语或句子甚至段落都有联系。我们可以利用语境（各种已知信息）推测、判断某些生词的词义。做这种类型的题，要根据词、词组、句子所在的语境来判断其意义。我们要特别注意熟词生义，切不可脱离语境想当然。在句子或段落中，我们可以利用熟悉的词语，根据语言环境所表示的关系推断生词词义。30.5.3】D 词义猜测题。文章第三段I don't think that coat goes very well with the rest of your outfit,这句话说得是那个外套和你的其它的 不配，因此可以猜测是其它的衣服，而不是相貌，行为，语言什么的，故答案为D。

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