Question

I go out of my way to say“thank you”to my partner frequently,and he’s the same way.We were both raised by parents who valued politeness,and more than that,I want to do all those little things that psychologists say help couples stay together.Expressing gratitude（感谢）is one of those things,so a quick“thanks”seems like an easy one.

But according to a recent study,we’re not at all typical.The study looked at over l,000 recordings of casual conversations among families and close friends.In only about one out of 20 times were expressions of thanks observed.Phrases that meant“thanks”but weren’t a direct translation of the word were counted,including physical gestures of thanks.

The researchers looked at a wide variety of people from different places,representing eight languages:Polish,Russian,Italy,English,Murrinh-patha (an Aboriginal language),Cha’palaa,Lao and Siwu.

The Brits thanked people close to them the most,about 14.5 percent of the time,and close behind them were the Italians at 13.5 percent.The Murrinh-patha came next at 4.5 percent and following them were the Russians,the Polish,the Laotians and the Siwu speakers.The lowest?Well,the Cha'palaa speakers of Ecuador don’t have a word for“thank you”at all.

As the linguists explained,“Expressing thanks,in some cultures,is more of a linguistic tradition than a true expression of feelings.In cultures where thanks are less often said,it’s because social cooperation is taken for granted,and‘thank you’ isn’t really needed or necessary.”

The idea that you don’t need to thank others because it’s assumed that you’re appreciative is beautiful.But it is a bit hard for me to accept.So I’ll keep saying“thanks”as frequently as I do.But as a frequent traveler,I’ll keep in mind to watch the local custom and follow suit.

1.What might be psychologists’ opinion about expressing thank?

A. It can show a person’s values.

B. It is passed down from parents.

C. It is a little and unnecessary thing.

D. It can contribute to close relationship.

2.What is typical among family members according to the study?

A. They say thanks at any time.

B. They seldom express thanks.

C. They often show thanks using gestures.

D. They often use indirect translation of thanks.

3.Who never say“thank you”?

A. The Cha’palaa.    B. The Polish.

C. The Italians.    D. The Russians.

4.What is mainly talked about in the text?

A. People thank close friends and family less.

B. Family members don’t need to thank each other.

C. Close friends have different ways to express thanks.

D. Different cultures have different ways to express thanks.

Answer

1. D

2. B

3. A

4. A

【解析】

本文是一篇社会生活类文章，由我和丈夫之间经常互相表达感谢入手，介绍了调查发现人们很少对家人和亲密的朋友表达感谢，作者认为人们应该经常表达谢意。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段中的“I want to do all those little things that psychologists say help couples stay together. Expressing gratitude is one of those things”可知，表达感谢是心理学家认为能够保持夫妻亲密关系的小事之一，故D项正确。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“But according to a recent study, we’re not at all typical. The study looked at over l,000 recordings of casual conversations among families and close friends. In only about one out of 20 times were expressions of thanks observed.”可知，调查发现在1000份家庭和朋友间的谈话录音之中只有二十分之一的人表达了感谢，也就是家庭成员之间很少表达感谢，故B项正确。

3.推理判断题。根据第四段中的“The lowest? Well, the Cha'palaa speakers of Ecuador don’t have a word for “thank you” at all.”可知，厄瓜多尔的查帕拉族的语言中根本就没有谢谢这个词，由此可知他们从来都不说谢谢，故A项正确。

4.主旨大意题。根据第一段的Expressing gratitude（感谢）is one of those things,so a quick“thanks”seems like an easy one.和下文内容可知，本文由我和丈夫之间经常互相表达感谢入手，介绍了对不同国家的调查发现人们很少对家人和亲密的朋友表达感谢，故A项正确。