“How are you” is a nice question. It's a friendly way that people in the United States greet each other. But “How are you?” is also a very unusual question. It's a question that often doesn't have an answer. The person who asks “How are you?” hopes to hear the answer “Fine.”, even if the person's friend isn't fine. The reason is that “How are you?” isn't really a question and “Fine.” isn't really an answer. They are simply other way of saying “Hello!” or “Hi!”.
Sometimes, people also don't say exactly what they mean. For example, when someone asks, “Do you agree?”, the other person might be thinking, “No, I disagree. I think you're wrong…”But it isn't very polite to disagree strongly, so the other person might say “I'm not sure…”. It's a nice way to say that you don't agree with someone.
People also don't say exactly what they are thinking when they finish talking with other people. For example, many talks over the phone finish when one person says “I've to go now.” Often, the person who wants to hang up gives an excuse,” Someone is at the door.” “Something is burning on the stove.” The excuses might be real, or it might not. Perhaps the person who wants to hang up simply doesn't want to talk any more, but it isn't polite to say that. The excuse is more polite, and it doesn't hurt the other person.
When they are greeting each other, talking about an idea, or finishing a talk, people often don't say exactly what they are thinking. It's an important way that people try to be nice to each other, and it's also a part of the game of language.
1.When a person wants to disagree with someone, it is polite to say “ ”.
A. You're wrong. I disagree. B. I'm not sure.
C. I'm sure I disagree. D. No, I disagree.
2.When a person says “I've to go now. Someone is at the door.”, he or she may be .
A. giving an excuse
B. hurting someone's feeling
C. talking to a person at the door
D. going to another place
3.One of the rules of the game of language is probably “ ”.
A. Always say what you mean.
B. Don't disagree with people.
C. Never say exactly what you're thinking.
D. Being polite is the best policy.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.How did the speaker know about the good news?
A. From Julie’s mother. B. From Julie’s friends. C. From a TV programme.
2.What does the speaker guess Julie is celebrating for?
A. A new club. B. Her new novel. C. Her graduation.
3.How does the speaker feel about Julie?
A. Disappointed. B. Worried. C. Satisfied.
4.What did Julie do as a child?
A. She won a competition. B. She joined a writing club. C. She gave some lectures.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man want to get for Grace at first?
A. A cat. B. Pet food. C. Books.
2.What does the woman think of shopping online?
A. Easy. B. Cheap. C. Interesting.
3.What do the speakers decide to buy in the end?
A. Sweets. B. Flowers. C. A plant.
4.Where are the speakers?
A. At home. B. At a pet shop. C. At a bookstore.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What will the man do on Saturday night?
A. Visit his friend.
B. Attend a music festival.
C. Invite his friends to dinner.
2.What is the woman’s problem?
A. Her car has broken down.
B. Her boss told her to work at weekends.
C. Her sister can't drive her to the music festival.
3.How will the woman go to the music festival?
A. By underground. B. By bus. C. By taxi.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man want to do with the trousers at first?
A. To exchange them. B. To return them. C. To repair them.
2.When will the man go to a party?
A. On Wednesday. B. On Friday. C. On Saturday.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What did the man do in summer?
A. He visited his brother. B. He went swimming. C. He traveled to Italy.
2.What is the relationship between the speakers?
A. Classmates. B. Teacher and student. C. Guide and tourist.
