Question

Iceland is a popular European tourist destination. Before you go there, it is good to learn some of the basic Iceland customs first.

Just like other countries in Europe, it is one of the customs in Iceland to shake hands and say “Hello”. Kissing each other’s cheeks is acceptable along with wishing each other a happy day.

Another custom is to take off your shoes in the hallway(走廊) when you enter someone’s home. Also, don’t be surprised if someone invites you to their house, since Icelanders love to have guests. Just make sure you take flowers or a similar token of thanks to give them.

If you have been invited to eat, keep in mind that you don’t need to express thanks before meals like the French or the Japanese. Rather, eat heartily and then thank your host afterwards by shaking his hand.

Keep in mind that believing in mysterious beings is part of the tradition in Iceland. Indeed, most of the unique and sometimes strange rock formations in Iceland are due to elves(小精灵), according to the people of Iceland.

Are you planning to spend Christmas in Iceland? If so, make sure you practice saying “Gleileg jol got tog fars!” first, which is the local Christmas greeting. It is part of the tradition in Iceland to have long Christmas holidays—26 days—longer than in any other European country. There are 13 Santa Clauses in Iceland, too!

There may not be a law requiring you to follow the customs, but there is no harm in doing so. Following them, you might be rewarded with a rich cultural experience and a more meaningful trip.

1. When you are invited to someone’s home in Iceland, you'd better do all of the following EXCEPT ______.

A. eating heartily and enjoying your time there

B. expressing your thanks to the host before you eat

C. taking some flowers or something else to the host

D. taking off shoes in the hallway before you enter the home

2.Which of the following is one of the differences in customs between Iceland and France?

A. Shaking hands when greeting.

B. A 26-day-long Christmas holiday.

C. Saying hello when meeting each other.

D. Kissing each other’s cheeks when greeting.

3.The text is mainly about ______.

A. what some of the customs in Iceland are like

B. why some of the customs in Iceland are special

C. how some of the customs in Iceland were formed

D. what some of the customs are like in Europe

4. In the text, the author aims to tell us that ______.

A. happiness is a form of courage

B. when in Rome, do as the Romans do

C. practice is the only path to knowledge

D. everyone has good and bad times in life

Answer

1.B

2.B

3.A

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：在本文中作者介绍了旅游胜地爱尔兰当地的一些习俗，比如去做客时要带上一束鲜花或者一件小纪念品以表示礼貌；在进房间之前要把鞋子脱在走廊内；不要在饭前对主人表示感激等等。作者认为如果了解了一些当地的风土人情，在爱尔兰的旅游才会更加有意义。

1.B细节理解题。根据文章第三段keep in mind that you don’t need to express thanks before meals like the French or the Japanese.可知在爱尔兰做客时不要在饭前对主人表示感激，所以答案选B。

2.B细节理解题。根据文章倒数第二段It is part of the tradition in Iceland to have long Christmas holidays—26 days—longer than in any other European country.可知爱尔兰的圣诞节比欧洲任何一个国家的圣诞节都要长，所以B选项正确。

3.A主旨大意题。作者在首段提出Before you go there, it is good to learn some of the basic Iceland customs first.然后在下文详细介绍了一些爱尔兰的风俗习惯，所以文章中心是介绍爱尔兰的风俗，故选A。4.B推理判断题。A幸福(快乐)是勇气的一种形式。B入乡随俗。C实践是通向知识的通道。D每个人的生活都会有顺境和逆境时。本文开头提出中心it is good to learn some of the basic Iceland customs first.，然后在文章末段用Following them, you might be rewarded with a rich cultural experience and a more meaningful trip.进一步呼应开头，由此可知作者想告诉我们的是入乡随俗才会使旅行充满更多乐趣，故B选项正确。

考点：考查社会生活类短文阅读。