Question

【题目】People Are People

Globalization has brought different cultures together in a way unimaginable one hundred years ago. Today, Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Africans, Anglos, and Hispanics may all work in the same offices, attend the same schools or live in the same neighborhoods. 【1】 And our society has lately emphasized the importance of diversity.

【2】 Take the following old proverbs for example.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

—Thomas Jefferson, American President

One falsehood spoils a thousand truths.

—African proverb

Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest.

—Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher

A sacrifice is written off by a lie and the merit of devotion by an act of cheat.

—Hindu saying

【3】 There seems to be a sort of cultural unity.

We don’t wish to imply all cultures are the same. Cultural diversity is real, and people from different cultures view many situations in different ways. However, historically, different cultures seem to share many common values. They are justice, courage, patience, generosity, equality, mercy and kindness, respect for the elders, and many more. Lying and stealing appear to be wrong no matter where you go. Perhaps some cultures make room for extenuating (情有可原) circumstances more than others; perhaps cultures apply these virtues in different ways; and when values disagree, different cultures may place different levels of importance on them. 【4】 But both cultures may still value both.

To us, it seems as if there is some sort of code of right and wrong that everyone everywhere seems to understand, regardless of culture. It is almost as if, behind all of the diversity, one finds a common understanding—a human culture, if you will—that goes beyond racial, social, and political boundaries. 【5】

A. All people seem to agree that we should tell the truth.

B. Each value supports many more quotes from different cultures.

C. As cultures rub shoulders with each other, many differences stand out.

D. We want to show, however, that there is more to these cultures than diversity.

E. These quotes from four separate cultures all support the same value—honesty.

F. It is almost as if, despite all our differences, we are all still the same—we are just people.

G. In other words, one culture may lean more toward justice and another culture more toward mercy.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】D

【3】E

【4】G

【5】F

【解析】

本文是说明文，介绍了文化多样性和人类的文化共同性。

【1】上句介绍了文化多样性的现实，下句介绍我们的社会最近强调了多样性的重要性。C项：当不同的文化相互接触时，许多不同之处就凸显出来了。连接前后，既说明了文化多样性的存在，又说明了强调多样性的重要。故选C.

【2】下文是一些不同国家不同文化关于诚实的谚语，是文化的一致性。D项：然而，我们想要展示的是，这些文化不仅仅是多样性。说明了文化的其他性质，故选D.

【3】上文列举的是一些不同国家不同文化关于诚实的谚语。E项：来自四种不同文化的名言都支持同样的价值观——诚实。是对上面谚语的总结，故选E.

【4】上文讲述文化以不同的方式应用美德，当价值观不一致时，不同的文化会对美德给予不同程度的重视。G项：换句话说，一种文化更倾向于正义，另一种文化更倾向于仁慈。是对不同程度理解和重视的具体表现，与上句连接，故选G.

【5】本段介绍超越所有文化差异的人们的共同理解就是——人类文化，它能超越种族、社会和政治的界限。F项：尽管我们有很多不同，但我们仍然是一样的——我们只是普通人。符合本段内容，讲述的是人类的共性。故选F.