Question

An American woman living in Wisconsin volunteered to tutor English to a Japanese woman who had moved into the same community. “Before each lesson, and on each and every visit,” the American reported, “the Japanese lady brought me a gift — a book, some paper sculpture, flowers, or candy. It was discomforting.”

Unknowingly, this American was experiencing a custom rooted centuries deep in the Japanese culture. Gift giving is an institution and a revered custom in Japan. Gift giving is a necessity, not merely a nicety as in the West. In Japan the proper gift is thought to express the giver's true friendship, gratitude, and respect far better than words can. So if you plan to visit Japan or to have Japanese visit you here, be prepared.

So you know gift giving plays a very important role in nowadays society. Now let's see what's happening in other countries.

Germany

A West Virginia manager, visiting Germany for the first time, was invited to the home of his largest customer. He decided to bring his hostess a bouquet( 束) of flowers. He selected a dozen red roses.

Oops! Terrible mistake! Social gift giving is popular and well-established in Germany but has certain do's and don'ts.

Flowers are often taken to a hostess of a dinner party at her home, but there are three taboos（禁忌） to remember: 1) red roses signify a romantic interest, 2) an even number of flowers signify bad luck, as does the number thirteen, and 3) always unwrap the flowers before presenting them. This West Virginia was making what amounted to a passion at his customer's wife.

Greece

　　The most common form of showing appreciation in Greece is probably an evening's entertainment. If you do present a gift, avoid personal items, such as ties and shirts. If you are invited to a Greek home, flowers or a cake for the hostess is an appropriated gift.

Italy

When you are invited to a person's home for dinner, it might be nice to bring flowers or a box of chocolates for your hostess, although it is just as considerate to have the flowers sent the next day. Yellow roses can signify “jealousy.” And in Italy never send chrysanthemums(菊花), since they suggest death.

72. Why did the American woman feel uneasy?

     A. Because she wasn’t used to the Japanese custom of giving gifts.

     B. Because she was unsatisfied with the gifts given by the japanese woman.

     C. Because she promised to teach the Japanese woman for free.

     D. Because she had to send other gifts in return.

73. Which of the following is an improper gift given in Greece?

     A. A bundle of lily.     B. Chocolates.             C. Books.                  D. Shorts.

74. It might be a terrible mistake to send flowers improperly as gifts in _______ according to the text.

     A. Japan and Italy                                          B. Germany and Greece

     C. Japan and Greece                                       D. Italy and Germany

75. The main idea of this passage probably is _________.

     A. think twice when you send flowers as gifts

     B. the importance of gift giving in various countries

     C. some suggestions on gifts giving in different countries

     D. take care when you send gifts in different countries

Answer 1

ADDC