Except for a few times, Americans are not big present-givers. There’s no exchange of presents among business people, and if one American tries to give another a present, it may look like that he wants to bribe (贿赂) him. Americans have learned that in some other countries people like to give presents to others, but among ourselves we don’t see the need for presents.

Even friends may never exchange presents. When I go to foreign countries, I try to bring back little things for close friends, but nobody would feel unhappy if I didn’t. I don’t often re­member a friend’ s birthday, and few people outside of my family remember mine. If someone gave me presents too often, I’d get unpleasant. But a present from a foreigner — that kind from his or her homeland — won’t go wrong, except to government employees (政府职员) who can’t be given presents.

You usually open a present at once and in front of the person who gives it except Christmas and birthday presents. You should only say, ‘It’s so nice. Thanks…’when you get Christ­mas or birthday presents.

You may want to bring a bottle of wine (葡萄酒) or flowers to a dinner party, but you’re never asked to. Nobody will mind if you bring wine, but your friend may not use it that evening.

At Christmas we often give presents to our family and sometimes our friends. We also give presents to people who have been helpful during the year like doormen, babysitters, housecleaners , newspaper senders — anyone who has often helped us.

1.What do the underlined words ‘close friends’ mean in the passage?

A.The friends who are very kind.

B.The friends who live close to each other.

C.The friends who were once classmates.

D.The friends who you like most.

2.What kind of presents don’t Americans usually open in front of the givers?

A.The small presents

B.Christmas or birthday presents.

C.The expensive presents.

D.The presents for dinner party.

3.Why do Americans also give presents to housecleaners at Christmas?

A.To pay them.

B.To help them.

C.To thank them.

D.To make them work harder.

4.Which of the following do you think is right?

A.American business people don’t want presents because they are rich enough.

B.The writer of this passage must be an American.

C.Everyone must give presents to one’s family and friends at Christmas.

D.Government employees can get little presents from a foreigner.

5.What is the main idea of the passage?

A.Present-giving in the United States.

B.Customs (习俗) in the United States.

C.American people and present-giving.

D.When and how to give presents.

 

What do you think are the most important inventions of the past 2,000 years? The TV? The printing? The telephone? Or the computer? A report shows that these are not the only important inventions. Here are four other important ones.

Paper is one of the most important inventions. You can’t have printing without paper. In 105 AD, Cai Lun invented paper in China. Long before the printing and Internet, Cai Lun’s invention allowed us to write down information, stories and history.

One of the simplest (最简单) inventions to save life is the toilet. Before toilets, waste ran into the rivers from people’s houses. Illnesses were common (普通的) in big cities, and it was often difficult to find clean drinking water.

Animal food is another invention. Before the invention, most animals were killed every autumn because there was not enough food for them in the winter. After hay (干草) became a kind of common animal food, animals could live through the long winter.

Reading glasses is the fourth invention. People start getting far-sighted (远视) from the age of 45. Glasses mean that anyone can read, write and do “close work” after that age. Without glasses, the world would be difficult for the people above 45.

1.Cai Lun’s invention of paper makes it possible to ______.

A.have printing                           B.feed animals

C.drink clean water                       D.do “close work”

2.The invention of the toilet can stop people from ______.

A.saving water                           B.getting ill

C.living in big cities                        D.finding clean water

3.Why couldn’t the animals live through the winter?

A.It was very cold in winter.                 B.They didn’t have enough food to eat.

C.They had no drinking water.               D.They died of illness.

4.From the last paragraph we learn that ______.

A.all people need reading glasses

B.anyone must do “close work” after 45

C.reading glasses are useful

D.life is more difficult for the people under 45

 

Many teenagers feel that the most important people in their lives are their friends. They believe that their family members, especially their parents, don’t know them as well as their friends do. In a large family, it is quite often for brothers and sisters to fight with each other and then they only go to their friends for getting ideas.

It is very important for teenagers to have one good friend or a circle of friends. Even when they are not with their friends, they usually spend a lot of time talking among them on the phone. This communication is very important in children’s growing up, because they can not discuss something difficult to their family members.

Parents often try to choose their children’s friends for them.Some parents may even stop their children from meeting their good friends: The question of “choice” is an interesting one. Have you ever thought of the following questions?

    Who choose your friends?

Do you choose your friend or your friends choose you?

Have you got a good friend your parents don’t like?

Your answers are welcome.

1.Who know them better than their parents for the teenagers?

A.Their parents.

B.Their friends.

C.Brothers and sisters.

D.Family members.

2.How do they communicate when the teenagers stay alone?

A.Go to their friends.

B.Talk with their parents:

C.Talk with their friends on the phone.

D.Have a discussion with their family by phone.

3.Which of the following sentences is true?

A.Parents should like everything their children enjoy.

B.In all families, children can choose everything they like.

C.Teenagers can only go to their friends for help.

D.Parents should try their best to understand their children better.

4.What is the meaning for “Your answers are welcome. ”?

A.You are welcome to have a discussion with us.

B.You have got an idea, so your answers are welcome.

C.Your answers are always right.

D.You can give us all the right answers.

5.. Which is the best title of this passage?

A.Only parents can decide.

B.Parents and children.

C.A strange question.

D.Teenagers need friends.

 

When Kyle walked into Ernie's Pet World, he looked very worried. He walked quickly to the front counter(柜台). The owner of the shop, Ernie, jumped out to greet Kyle. He was the shop's first shopper of the day.

    "Good morning, sir!" Ernie said. "What can I help you with?"

    "Well, I...," Kyle started to say.

    "Wait, don't tell me," Ernie interrupted (打断) him. "You're looking for a … a little dog... for

your daughter 's birthday.  Right?"

     "No T really, l just..."

     Ernie didn't let him finish. "Ah, I've got it, You just moved into a new house, and you want some fish for it. I have some very nice tanks over here."

     "In fact, I..." Kyle was starting to look very nervous (紧张的). His face had a strange expression(表情)on it.

     "No fish? Ah, a cat! You look like a cat person. At Ernie's Pet World, we have the best kinds. Take a look at this Persian — long, white hair, and look at that cute expression. She's looking at you. She's thinking, ‘Take me home. Take me home.’ Would you like some cat food and toys as well?"

    "No, thank you," Kyle said. By this time, he was walking up and down. He had a pained (痛苦的) look on his face. "Really, I'm not interested in cats or fish or little dogs."

     "What do you want, then?" Ernie asked.

     Kyle looked like he was going to cry. "I just want to know if I can use your bathroom!" he finally said.

1. What does the writer want to tell us?

    A. A good pet owner.                      B. A funny story.

    C. A wonderful shopkeeper.                 D. A strange pet shop.

2.What was true about Ernie's Pet World?

    A. The shop was not busy.                  B. Kyle went there often.

    C. The shop was about to close.              D. Kyle knew the shop owner well.

3. What do you think of Ernie?

    A. He is careful.                          B. He is helpful.

    C. He likes talking.                        D. He is clever.

4.Why did Kyle look anxious and pained?

     A. He wanted to get a cat very much.          B. He didn't like animals.

     C. He was late for work.                    D. He was not comfortable.

 

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