Question

Knowing how to ask for information and help politely is important. In English, “Where are the restrooms?” and “Could you please tell me where the restrooms are?” are similar requests (请求) — both are correct English, but the first could sound rude. It’s important to use correct language, but sometimes this alone is not enough — we need to learn how to be polite when we make requests.

In English, just like in Chinese, we change the way we speak when talking with different people. The expressions you use might depend on whom you are speaking to or how well you know them. If you say to your teacher, “Where is my book?” this will sound rude. But if you say, “Excuse me, Mr West. Do you know where my book is?” your question will sound much more polite. On the other hand, it might be alright to say “Where is my book?” to the people you know well.

And you would not usually say, “Peter, lend me your pen.” A very direct order like this can sound rude in English. Usually in English polite questions are longer and include extra (附加的) language, such as “Could you please...?” or “Can I ask...?” It sounds more polite to say, “Peter, could you please lend me your pen?” If you stop a stranger in the street, we might first say, “Excuse me. I wonder if you can help me.” or “I’m sorry to trouble you but…” before asking him for help.

It might seem that speaking politely is more difficult than being direct, and in a way this may be true.

1.When we make requests, we need to speak in a ____ way.

A. polite  B. careful  C. different  D. direct

2.You should say “____” when you ask a stranger for a way.

A. Which is the way to the zoo?  

B. How can I get to the zoo?

C. Do you know the way to the zoo?  

D. Excuse me. Can you tell me the way to the zoo?

3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. We should use long sentences when we ask for information and help.

B. When we ask for help from others, polite language must be used.

C. The way of speaking is important when we ask different people for help.

D. In English, polite questions are as neccessary as rude and direct ones.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

【解析】

试题分析：这篇短文讲述的是，当我们向不同的人去求助或询问信息的时候，要注意说话的方式。如果是向陌生人求助，我们说话的方式就必须是有礼貌的；如果是熟悉的人，就可以用比较直接的方式。

1.细节理解题。根据短文第一段的最后一句话we need to learn how to be polite when we make requests.可知，当我们提出要求的时候，我们需要学会怎样说才是有礼貌的。即我们提要求的时候，要用礼貌的方式来表达。故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据这篇短文的大意我们可以知道，当我们跟别人说话的时候，尤其是在提要求的时候，一定要注意说话要有礼貌。所以当我们向别人问路的时候，我们不能直接的来提问，而是要加上一些附加的语言，如excuse me， 及can you tell me…。故应选D。

3.推理判断题。A选项意为：当我们向别人寻求信息或帮助的时候，我们应该使用长句子。这不符合文章的意思；B选项意为：当我们需要别人的帮助的时候，必须用有礼貌的语言。根据文意可知，如果我们向关系比较好的人询问，用一般的语言也是可以的；D选项意为：在英语里，有礼貌的问题和粗鲁的、直接的问题一样的有必要。这个说法不符合文意。C选项意为：当我们向不同的人求助的时候，说话的方式是重要的。根据短文第二段In English, just like in Chinese, we change the way we speak when talking with different people.可知这个表达是符合文意的。故选C。

考点：文化类短文阅读。