Question

Social customs and ways of behaving change．Things which were considered impolite many years ago are now acceptable．Just a few years ago，it was considered impolite behavior for a man to smoke on street．No man who thought of himself as being a gentleman would make a fool of himself by smoking when a lady was in a room．

Customs also differ from country to country．Does a man walk on the left or the right of a woman in your country? Or doesn’t it matter? What about table manners? Should you use both hands when you are eating? Should you leave one in your lap，or on the table?

The Americans and the British not only speak the same language but also share a large number of social customs．For example，in both America and England people shake hands when they meet each other for the first time．Also Englishmen will open a door for a woman or offer their seat to a woman，and so will most Americans. While waiting in line, Englishmen will never push their way to the front. Neither do Americans. Promptness is important both in England and in America．That is，if a dinner invitation is for 7 o’clock，the dinner guest either arrives close to that time or calls up to explain his delay．

The important thing to remember about social customs is not to do anything that might make other people feel uncomfortable——especially if they are your guests．There is an old story about a man who gave a formal dinner party. When the food was served，one of the guests started to eat his peas with a knife．The other guests were amused or shocked，but the host calmly picked up his knife and began eating in the same way．It would have been bad manners to make his guest feel foolish or uncomfortable．

1.According to Paragraph1,____________________________.

A. Customs differ from country to country.

B. Some customs considered impolite in the past are accepted by people now.

C. Gentlemen like to smoke in front of women.

D. Smoking on streets were considered polite behaviors in the past.

2. If one has accepted a dinner invitation, what should he do if he can’t arrive on time?

A. He should find an excuse.

B. He should ask for excuse.

C. He should say “sorry”.

D. He should telephone to explain his being late.

3.The Americans and the British also share a large number of social customs except(除了)___________.

A. shaking hands when meeting for the first time

B. offering their seat to a woman

C. waiting in line

D. being late for dinner

4.According to the passage, the best host______________.

A. tries his best to make his guests feel comfortable

B. makes his guests feel excited

C. tries to avoid being foolish to his guests

D. tries to behave the same as the guests

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.D

4.A

【解析】

试题分析：短文大意：该篇短文主要介绍了英美两国在社会风俗和习俗方面需要注意的一些问题。美国人和英国人不仅说同一种语言，但也有着大量的社会习俗。例如，在美国和英国他们第一次见面握手时，英国人的大多数美国人都为女士开门或给女士让座。他们都排队等候。接受了吃饭的邀请。他们不会迟到等等。

1.B细节理解题。根据第一段中Things which were considered impolite many years ago are now acceptable．可知许多年前被认为是不礼貌的行为现在人们可以接受了。所以该选B。

2.D细节理解题。根据第三段中That is，if a dinner invitation is for 7 o’clock，the dinner guest either arrives close to that time or calls up to explain his delay可知如果一个人接受了吃饭的邀请，但由于某种原因不能按时到应该打电话解释一下，所以该选D。

3.D细节理解题。根据第二段中in both America and England people shake hands when they meet each other for the first time．Also Englishmen will open a door for a woman or offer their seat to a woman，and so will most Americans. While waiting in line, Englishmen will never push their way to the front可知在美国和英国人们们第一次见面时握手，为女士开门或给女士让座，排队等候等，所以该选D。

4.推理判断题。根据第四段中The important thing to remember about social customs is not to do anything that might make other people feel uncomfortable可推知最好的主人会竭尽所能让宾客感到舒适，所以该选A。

考点：社会文化类短文阅读。