Early this morning, I got up to make a batch of Rice Krispie Treats for my neighbor across the hall. She barely greets me when we see each other, and her sweet little boy, who's now four,  has picked up her mother's manner and will not talk to me, either.

Last Monday, she had called the firefighters when a pan I'd forgotten on the stove caused my flat to fog up while I was out taking a walk. When I came home, the street in front of our apartment house was blocked by a police car, a fire truck and an ambulance! The instant I saw them, I remembered the pan! Luckily, nothing serious had happened, and all my neighbors agreed with the firefighter who said, "It could have happened to anyone." When I thanked the neighbor who had called the firefighters-let's call her Ivy-and apologized for causing the trouble, she just asked if my cats were all right.When I said they were fine, she said, "Well, that's ok then," and turned into her flat.l felt strangely safe, knowing that even though we don't get along, she'd done the right thing and didn't blame me.So, the Rice Krispie Treats.

Last Christmas, my neighbor carelessly let it out that she was holding a grudge (怨恨) towards me because of an incident we'd had four years ago.I had particularly apologized and asked if there was anything I could do to improve our relationship. She would not accept my apology.

It had taken me a lot of courage to apologize and ask that question instead of insisting that we both shared responsibility for what had happened.Her flat-out refusal to make amends(补偿) really shocked and saddened me.After that, I decided I'd just leave her be-a relationship takes two to work.So, you see, I was really scared she was going to refuse my offer again, leaving me standing on her doorstep, facing the closed door and holding my plate of treats. I know some people have a hard time understanding how the possibility of rejection can make an adult so afraid, but that's just the way I felt.

Then, I reminded myself of how loving and good I had felt yesterday when I'd done some random acts of kindness (thanks to helpothers.org), after telling myself: Feet the fear,  and do it anyway! So I put the squares of Rice Krispie Treats on a beautiful plate, opened my apartment  door-and there she was, standing in the hallway.I smiled and said, "Hi," but when she saw me, she turned on her heels and went back inside, even though she seemed to have just stepped out.I went after her, regardless, and quickly said, "I'm sorry, I've got something for you ! I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am that you were paying attention on Monday." When she heard me speaking, she turned around. As I held the plate towards her, explaining these were very sweet American treats, and that she could just try and see whether she and her family would like them, her eyebrows winged up-and she took the plate.l was so happy and excited.We then talked a bit about how she'd become aware of the smoke in my flat, and parted ways.

Back in my place, I did a "happy dance", because I had dared to be kind even though I hadn't been sure at all my kindness would be welcome.I do hope that our relationship will slowly get better; I know I was and still am biased(存有偏见)towards her at times, but even if we don't make amends, I want to be able to be kind without depending on other people's behaviors and reactions .

1.The neighbor held a grudge towards the writer most probably because_____.

A.the writer's cats disturb her neighbor frequently

B.the writer didn't thank her for calling the firefighters

C.the writer never apologized to her for her misbehaviors

D.the writer had an unpleasant experience with the neighbor long ago

2. From Paragraph 4, we can learn that the author_____.

A.was afraid of being rejected again by her neighbor

B.didn't know how to get along with her neighbor

C.didn't admit it was her fault in the last incident

D.refused to forgive her neighbor's rude behavior

3. After the writer said "Feel the fear, and do it anyway!", she decided to_____.

A.do an act of kindness

B.leave her neighbor be

C.apologize to her neighbor once more

D.do something to let her neighbor down

4.What can we learn about the writer?

A.She was a professional dancer.

B.She often had quarrels with her neighbor.

C.She had a bias against her neighbor sometimes.

D.She had an unpleasant experience at Christmas this year.

5. What does the author try to tell us?

A.Don't punish yourself because of other's mistakes.

B.We should be kind to others, regardless of their behavior.

C.We must keep a good relationship with our neighbors.

D.When we make a mistake, we should have the courage to admit it.

 

Don’t be surprised when strangers talk to you in Canada! You will find that many Canadians will smile at you as they pass in the street, or say something to you like “Hi!” or “How’s it going?” Just reply with something similar. In the UK the reply would be “I’m fine”, but in Canada they say “I’m good”.

In company, when someone is offering you a second helping of food or more wine, if you don’t want any more, use the same expression— “I’m good”. In this case, it means “No, thank you. I’ve had enough”. Most Canadians don't press you to eat more than you want.

In restaurant, your plate will be cleared away almost immediately you have finished eating. When you go into a shop or store, the shop assistant asks you how you are or if they can help you, it is their way of being friendly and making conversation with the customers.

Canadians eat early and go home early. When you are invited to a Canadian’s home, you may be asked to arrive at 5:30 pm or 6 pm. But guests in Europe don’t expect to arrive until 7:30 pm or 8 pm. Remember to take off your shoes and leave them inside the door without being asked. It’s not a religious custom, but it’s practical. In winter, there can be a lot of snow and dirt on your shoes, once you are in the warm house it melts and falls off, making a mess. Canadians tend to have light colored carpets or hardwood floors.

If you’re invited for dinner, it will be a full sit- down meal. Meat is usually barbecued in the freezing cold of winter. Do take something with you, like a bottle of wine. Arrive on time and don’t stay over 10 pm.

1. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A.

“I’m good” can mean you do not need more food in Canada.

B.

In Canada, you will meet strangers in the street saying “Hi” to you.

C.

In a Canadian restaurant, the plates will stay at the table until you leave.

D.

Canadians usually say “I’m good” to answer the greeting of “How’s it going?”

2. If you are invited for dinner in your Canadian friend’s home, ________.

A.

you will have a full sit-down meal

B.

you don’t have to bring any gift for the host

C.

you are expected to arrive at 7:30 or 8 pm

D.

you don’t have to take off your shoes when you enter the room

3. When a Canadian shop assistant says “How are you?” to you, it suggests that _______.

A.

they hope to make friends with you

B.

they want to ask you for help

C.

they are very friendly to customers

D.

they are your good friends

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A.

Canadians like dark colored carpets.

B.

In Canada, meat will not be barbecued even in the cold winter.

C.

You will always be asked to eat more food than you want in Canada.

D.

It is usually rude to stay over 10 pm in your Canadian friend’s home.

5.What would be the best title for this passage?

A.

Some customs in Canada

B.

Dinner party rules in Canada

C.

Studying in Canada

D.

Doing business in Canada

 

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