I have a rule for travel:Never carry a map.Iprefer to ask for directions.

   Foreign visitors are often puzzled in Japan because most streets there don't have name.In Japan,people use landmarks in their directions instead of street names.For example,the Japanese will say to travelers, “Go straight down to the corner. Tun left at the big hotel and go pass a fruit market. The post office is across from the bus stop.”

In the countryside of the American Midwest,usually there are not many landmarks. There are no mountains, so the land is very flat(平坦的). In many places there are no towns or buildings with tell you directions and distance. In Kansas or Iowa, for example, people will say, “Go north two miles. Turn east,and then go another mile.”

   People in Los Angeles, California, have no idea of distance on the map: They measure distance by means of time, not miles. “How far away is the post office?” you ask.  “Oh,” they answer, “It's about five minutes from here.”you say, “It's about five minutes from here.” You say, “Yes, but how many miles away is it?” They don't know.

Peop;e in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because visitors seldom understand thi Greek language. Instead of giving you the direction, a Greek will often say, “Follow me.” Then he'll lead you through the streets of the city to the post office.

Sometimes a person doesn't know the answer to your question, What happens in this situation? A New Yorker might say, “Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers, “I don't know.” People in Yucatan think that “I don't know” is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one.A visitor can get very, very lost in Yucatan!

   One thing will help you everywhere-in Japan, in the United States in Greece, in Mexico, or in any other place. You might not understand a person's words, but maybe you can understand his body language. He or she will usually turn and then point in the correct direction. Go iin that direction, and you may find the post office!

1.The passage mainly tells us that_______.

A.never carry a map for travel

B.there are not many landmarks in the American Midwest

C.there are different ways to give directions in different parts of the world

D.New Yorkers often say, “I have no idea,” but people in Yucatan, Mexico, never say this

2.In which place do people tell distance by means of time?

A.Japan.

B.American Midwest.

C.Los Angeles,California.

D.Greece

3.In the passage,_______countries are mentioned by the writer.

A.seven     B.four    C.eight     D.five

4.Which of the following is wrong?

A.Travelers can learn about people's customs by asking questions about directions.

B.A person's body language can help you understand directions.

C.People in some places give directions in miles, but people in other places give directions by means of time.

D.People in different places always give directions in the same way: They usr street namees.

阅读理解。
      Most people say" yes" much more readily than" no".
     A friend is moving house this weekend and would like some
help,and you agree. But, what you really wanted was relaxing at
home for a couple of quiet days,or a roommate spends the whole
weekend playing video games and wants to borrow your homework
for"reference". But,you've just finished it after working hard for a
whole day.
     Many people say" yes" to this kind of requests. They tend not
to consider their own interests and feelings,and are often angry with
themselves afterwards. Saying" no" requires courage and considerable
practice. " Everyone wants to be liked. " says Gabriele Steinki,a
German psychologist. "Saying'no'risks losing the affection of the
person asking for the favor. Or even a job. "The result is that many
people say"yes"just for keeping the peace. But experts say this is
regrettable. Anyone should have the right to say" no". In fact, rejecting
a request can even help to stabilize a relationship because it
expresses real affection. But,for peop'le accustomed to agreeing every
request,it's very distressing to say" no".
     Most people believe that if they say" no" ,they'll lose the affection
of the person. But the affection is important to them. This way
of thinking can be replaced by this:"If he only likes me because I
always do what suits him,then the price of this affection is too high
in the long term. "
    When people say " no", Steinki advises giving the reasons
calmly until the person gets the message.
1. What does the second paragraph tell us?  
A. In fact people are usually selfish.
B. Sometimes people say " yes" when they really want to say no .
C. It's not suitable to ask others to help at weekends.
D. It's disgusting to borrow homework for reference.
2. Many people don't say" no" though they really want to because    
A. they dare not offend the asker
B. they are afraid of breaking the good relationship with the asker
C. they don't care about their own feeling
D. they are good-tempered
3. The underlined word" distressing" can be replaced by "____ ".   
A. comfortable                      
B. funny
C. unnecessary                    
D. uncomfortable
4. The best title for the passage would be _____.  
A. You Need Courage to Say "No"
B. Saying" No"Is More Important Than Saying" Yes"
C. Saying " No" Would Bring Benefits
D. The Art of Saying " No"

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