Question

【题目】Traveling to a new country isn’t as simple as just buying a ticket and boarding a plane. In fact, it can be easy for an awkward situation to occur. Different customs can often cause misunderstandings and even trouble. To help prevent a serious culture pas, an article in the Daily Mail highlighted taboos in certain countries. Let’s take a look.

France

When visiting France, you’d better not be caught cutting your lettuce with a knife and fork. It’s an insult to the chef and suggests that the salad hasn’t been prepared correctly. The correct way to eat lettuce in France is to fold it with your fork to make it fit in your mouth.

Italy

It’s actually best to be a little less friendly than usual when you visit Italy. It’s considered strange to make small talk with strangers, as the locals are reserved. Too much familiarity from a stranger can be seen as threatening, so keep greetings short.

Mexico

In Mexico, bringing an expensive gift to someone’s home is a no-no, as it could be seen as a tribe. Something simple like flowers and chocolates would be accepted. But you should avoid taking along marigolds (金盏花) or red flowers, because in Mexican culture, they symbolize death and can be associated with witchcraft(巫术).

Germany

You have to be careful with gifts of flowers in Germany too. Steer clear of carnations(康乃馨)，as they are used for funerals. And an even number is considered unlucky. So if you want to give your host flowers, ask them what their favorite flowers are before your visit. And be sure to bring an odd number.

How to avoid 【1】________ taboos in a new country

France	Taboo: Cutting your lettuce with a knife and fork. Reason: It’s an 【2】_______ to the chef, suggesting the salad has not been prepared correctly. Solution: 【3】______ your lettuce with your fork to make it fit in your mouth.
Italy	Taboo: Acting too 【4】_______ to strangers. Reason: Too much familiarity from a stranger can be seen as 【5】_______. Solution: Don’t make small talk with strangers, and keep greetings short.
Mexico	Taboo: Bringing an【6】______ gift to someone’s home. Sending people marigolds or red flowers. Reasons: An expensive gift could be considered a bribe. Marigolds and red flowers are associated with【7】_______ and witchcraft. Solution: Just send something 【8】______ like flowers or chocolates, but avoid Marigolds or red flowers.
Germany	Taboo: Sending people carnations or an even number of flowers. Reasons: Carnations are used for funerals. And an even number is considered 【9】_________. Solution: Ask your hosts what their favorite flowersare before your visit. And be sure to bring an 【10】_ number.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】culture

【2】insult

【3】Fold

【4】enthusiastically

【5】threatening

【6】expensive

【7】death

【8】simple

【9】unlucky

【10】odd

【解析】

试题分析：本文是一篇说明文，向读者说明一些关于出国旅游的时候再 外国的一些譬如风俗习惯等注意事项，以避免在不同国家遇到尴尬。

【1】culture考查名词。原文再现To help prevent a serious culture pas为了避免发生文化上的禁忌，故填culture。

【2】insult考查名词。根据介绍France的第二行It’s an insult to the chef可知填insult。

【3】Fold考查动词。根据介绍France的最后一句fold it with your fork to make it fit in your mouth可知填Flod。

【4】enthusiastically考查副词。根据介绍Italy的第一句It’s actually best to be a little less friendly than usual when you visit Italy.可知当你去意大利时要表现得没有去别的国家那么友好，因为他们国家的文化禁忌就是对陌生人很热情，所以故填enthusiastically。

【5】threatening考查形容词。根据介绍Italy的第二行Too much familiarity from a stranger can be seen as threatening可知填threatening。

【6】expensive考查形容词。根据介绍Mexico的第一句bringing an expensive gift to someone’s home is a no-no可知填expensive。

【7】death考查名词。根据介绍Mexico的最后一句they symbolize death and can be associated with witchcraft填death。

【8】simple考查形容词。根据介绍Mexico的第二行Something simple like flowers and chocolates would be accepted可知填simple。

【9】unlucky考查形容词。根据介绍Germany的第二行And an even number is considered unlucky可知填unlucky。

【10】odd考查形容词。根据介绍Germany的最后一句be sure to bring an odd number. 可知填odd。