When I was growing up in America, I was ashamed of my mother’s Chinese English. Because of her English, she was often treated unfairly. People in department stores, at banks and at restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did not hear her.

My mother has realized the limitations of her English as well. When I was fifteen, she used to have me call people on phone to pretend I was she. I was forced to ask for information or even to yell at people who had been rude to her. One time I had to call her stockbroker(股票经纪人). I said in an adolescent voice that was not very convincing, “This is Mrs. Tan.”

And my mother was standing beside me, whispering loudly, “Why he don’t send me cheek already two week long.”

And then, in prefect English I said, “I’m getting rather concerned. You agreed to send the check two weeks ago, but it hasn’t arrived.”

Then she talked more loudly. “What he want? I come to New York tell him front of his boss.” And so I turned to the stockbroker again, “I can’t tolerate any more excuse. If I don’t receive the check immediately, I am going to have to speak to your manager when I am in New York next week.”

The next week we ended up in New York. While I was sitting there red-faced, my mother, the real Mrs. Tan, was shouting to his boss in her broken English.

When I was a teenager, my mother’s broken English embarrassed me. But now, I see it differently. To me, my mother’s English is perfectly clear, perfectly natural. It is my mother tongue. Her language, as I hear it, is vivid, direct, and full of observation and wisdom. It was the language that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed ideas, and made sense of the world.

1. Why was the author’s mother poorly served?

A.She was unable to speak good English.

B.She was often misunderstood.

C.She was not clearly heard.

D.She was not very polite.

2. After the author made the phone call, __________.

A.they forgave the stockbroker

B.they failed to get the check

C.they went to New York immediately

D.they spoke to their boss at once

3. What does the author think of her mother’s English now?

A.It confuses her.

B.It embarrassed her.

C.It helps her understand the world.

D.It helps her tolerate rude people.

4. We can infer from the passage that Chinese English _________.

A.is clear and natural to non-native speakers

B.is vivid and direct to non-native speakers

C.has a very bad reputation in America

D.may bring inconvenience in America

 

第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2分, 满分40分)

阅读下列短文,从每篇短文后所给各题的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A lot of us lose life's tough battles by starting a frontal attack--when a touch of humor might well enable us to win. Consider the case of a young friend of mine, who was on his trapped way to work shortly after receiving an ultimatum(最后通牒) about the job. Although there was a good reason for Sam's being late--serious illness at home--he decided that this by-now-familiar excuse wouldn't work any longer. His supervisor was probably already pacing up and down preparing a dismissal speech.

Yes, the boss was, Sam entered the office at 9:35. The place was as quiet as a locker room; everyone was hard at work. Sam's supervisor came up to him. Suddenly, Sam forced a grin and stretched out his hand. "How do you do!" he said. "I'm Sam Maynard. I'm applying for a job, which, I understand, became available just 35 minutes ago. Does the early bird get the worm?"

The room exploded in laughter, except that the supervisor had to clamp off a smile and walked back to his office. Sam Maynard had saved his job--with the only tool that could win, a laugh.

Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected, means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying "no", criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it's the only tool that can succeed. It is a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialog may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance than people in any other forum.

51. Why was Sam late for his job?

A. Because he was seriously ill at home.           B. Because he received an ultimatum.

C. Because he was busy applying for a new job.  D. Because he was caught in a traffic jam.

52. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. Sam Maynard saved his job with humor     B. Humor is important in our lives

C. Early bird can get the worm               D. Humor can solve racial discriminations

53. The phrase "clamp off" in Paragraph 3 means       .

A. try to hold back    B. pretend to set      C. send off         D. give out

54. Which of the following statements can we infer from the passage?

A. Many lose life's battles for they are always late.

B. Sam was supposed to come to his office at 8:30.

C. It wasn't the first time that Sam came late for his work.

D. Humor is the most effective way of solving problems.

 

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