It is sometimes said that the English are polite people. This can make life difficult for foreigners. Suppose a foreign boy asks an English girl to go out with him and she says, “If I finish my work, I’ll meet you in the cafe at 7 o’clock.” Is she saying “yes” or “no” to his invitation?
In grammatical terms, she is using the conditional structure (表示条件的句式). By using the conditional, speakers of English can avoid giving a “yes” or “no” answer to a question. It enables people to be diplomatic (婉转的). If the girl doesn’t want to go out with the boy, she won’t turn up at the cafe. She will let him understand she is still working. If she wants to go out with him, but doesn’t want to appear too easy to catch, she has achieved that with her reply. But in this case, as she uses the first conditional which shows probability, she is quite likely to turn up at the cafe. Being polite can make life very difficult!
The conditional is often used by people in the news -- politicians, for example -- who wish to avoid speaking out their ideas. This is very important if they are on their way to discuss an agreement. No one wants to give away his or her points before he or she starts. A government spokesman might say to a group of workers, “If we could pay you more, we would.” The use of the conditional here makes room for argument although the speaker is using the second conditional form, which shows improbability. So it is unlikely the workers will get their rise.
“If ” is a small word, which appears often in the English language. It can show politeness, reported speech and conditionals such as the First -- probability -- if I can come to your party, I will; the Second -- improbability -- if I saw you tomorrow, I’d give you the book; and the Third -- impossibility (meaning it is too late to change something that has happened ) -- if you have told me, I would have helped you.
60. The using of the conditional can make a speech _________.
A. clearer        B. quicker             C. more polite        D.more exciting
61. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Language used in the news should make room to argue.
B. Usually English girls are not easy to catch.
C. English people never speak out their ideas in public.
D. The word “ if ” can show different meanings.
62. In the passage, “If we could pay you more, we would.” probably means __________.
A. the workers will make more money
B. the spokesman doesn’t give any promise
C. the spokesman keeps his word
D. the workers’ problems aren’t difficult
63. This passage is mainly talking about _________.
A. the conditional in communication
B. how to invite a girl in Britain
C. British people and their life           
D. some language points in daily English


Ammie was only 18 months old when she had an accident that scarred her for life. While her mother was away for a moment , the curious baby reached up to a hot kettle in the kitchen and poured boiling water all over her body.
An ambulance was called and rushed the baby to nearby hospital . About 20 percent of Ammie’s body had been burned and all of her burns were third degree. The doctors could tell immediately that Ammie’s best chance of survival was specialized burns unit some miles away at Glasgow Royal hospital.
There , using tissue taken from unburned areas of Ammie’s body, surgeons performed complex skin grafts(植皮手术)to close her wounds and control her injuries , an operation that took about six hours. Over the next 16 years, Ammie underwent(经历)12 more operations to repair her body.
When she started school at the age of 4 , other pupils made cruel comments or simply wouldn’t play with her . “I was the only burned child in the street , the class and the school,” she recalls, “Some children refused to become friends with me because of that.”
Today , age 17 , Ammie can only ever remember being a burned person with scars ; pain is a permanent part of her life, she is still awaiting two further operations. Yet she is a confident, outgoing teenager who offers inspiration and hope to other young burnt victims.
Ammie’s parents have been a great support to her. “They told me of people had a problem with my burns, the problem with my burns, the problem was theirs not mine,” says Ammie. “They taught me to cope with other people’s reactions and constantly reminded me I was valued and loved.” Ammie’s positive attitude to life means she is often contacted by burns charities(慈善机构), helping younger patients build their self-respect to live with permanent scars.
Now she is a member the Scottish Burned Children’s Club. “Ammie provides so much encouragement for the younger ones. She is optimistic and outgoing and a perfect role model for them , ” say Donald Todd, chairman of the club.
This month , Ammie will join some younger children on a summer camp. “I’ll show them how to shrug off  unkind stares from others , ” she says. Ammie loves wearing fashionable sleeveless tops(无袖上衣), and she plans to show the children at the summer camp that they can too. “I don’t go to great lengths to hide my scars , ” she says . “I gave up wondering how other people would react years ago.”
【小题1】Ammie was taken to Glasgow Royal hospital because      .

A.it was the nearest hospital to her home
B.it was the only hospital curing her burns
C.surgeons there were skilled at performing skin grafts
D.it was a local hospital excellent at treating burns
【小题2】How many operations will Ammie have to receive altogether ?
A.12B.13C.14D.15
【小题3】The underlined phrase “shrug off” in the last paragraph is closet in meaning to      .
A.ignoreB.avoidC.acceptD.tolerate
【小题4】Which of the following best describes Ammie ?
A.Shy, pessimistic and discouraged.
B.Strong-minded , optimistic and helpful.
C.Fashionable , sensitive and easygoing.
D.Careful , confident and intelligent.
【小题5】What is the main idea of the passage?
A.Ammie had an accidents and had to do many operations.
B.Ammie was a brave gire after the accident.
C.Ammie helped many younger patients.
D.Ammie has a positive life through many operations.

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