11．In American history，today's grandparents used to grow up in a period of angry rebelling against their parents'authority．As time goes by and they ease into the role of （51）B family members，they may wonder：What happened to the generation gap？Is it gone or just in the （52）A？Or is it still present but mostly underground？
A generation gap is commonly recognized to refer to differences between generations that cause conflict and （53）Acommunication，creating a‘gap．'Sociologist William Safire provides a more positive definition．Generation gap，according to him，can be a（n） （54）C lack of communication between young and old，which results in misunderstanding，or，on the good side，it can be regarded as a useful stretch of time that separates cultures within a society，allowing them to develop their own （55）A．From their position in the family，and with more （56）B than younger family members，grandparents are more likely to look at the generation gap （57）C，expecting that differences between generations can sometimes do some good to all those concerned．
Although there have always been differences between the generations，the drastic differences that the term implies were not much （58）D until the twentieth century．Before that time，society was not very （59）A．Young people typically lived near their extended families，prayed in their childhood churches and often worked on the family farm or in a family business．With the appearance of television and movies，young people were exposed to cultural influences （60）A to their own families and cultures．Performers like Frank Sinatra，Elvis Presley and James Dean won admiration from the younger generation but were often （61）D by the older generation．Then，to make the matter worse，came the 1960s，and the Vietnam（越南）War caused a more serious （62）B between young and old．
Today，although more Americans have admitted the existence of generational differences，most do not see them as too （63）C．That is partly because of the areas of difference．The top areas of disagreement between young and old，according to a research，are use of technology and taste in music rather than （64）A issues like religious beliefs or political viewpoints．In fact，most American people today have found ways to，on the one hand，live in harmony with family members and，on the other hand，（65）B their own tastes and preferences．
A generation gap is commonly recognized to refer to differences between generations that cause conflict and （53）Acommunication，creating a‘gap．'Sociologist William Safire provides a more positive definition．Generation gap，according to him，can be a（n） （54）C lack of communication between young and old，which results in misunderstanding，or，on the good side，it can be regarded as a useful stretch of time that separates cultures within a society，allowing them to develop their own （55）A．From their position in the family，and with more （56）B than younger family members，grandparents are more likely to look at the generation gap （57）C，expecting that differences between generations can sometimes do some good to all those concerned．
Although there have always been differences between the generations，the drastic differences that the term implies were not much （58）D until the twentieth century．Before that time，society was not very （59）A．Young people typically lived near their extended families，prayed in their childhood churches and often worked on the family farm or in a family business．With the appearance of television and movies，young people were exposed to cultural influences （60）A to their own families and cultures．Performers like Frank Sinatra，Elvis Presley and James Dean won admiration from the younger generation but were often （61）D by the older generation．Then，to make the matter worse，came the 1960s，and the Vietnam（越南）War caused a more serious （62）B between young and old．
Today，although more Americans have admitted the existence of generational differences，most do not see them as too （63）C．That is partly because of the areas of difference．The top areas of disagreement between young and old，according to a research，are use of technology and taste in music rather than （64）A issues like religious beliefs or political viewpoints．In fact，most American people today have found ways to，on the one hand，live in harmony with family members and，on the other hand，（65）B their own tastes and preferences．
| 51．A．wealthy | B．senior | C．successful | D．brilliant |
| 52．A．shadow | B．system | C．air | D．communication |
| 53．A．complicated | B．accessible | C．significant | D．social |
| 54．A．realistic | B．stimulating | C．upsetting | D．restless |
| 55．A．character | B．relationship | C．resource | D．hobby |
| 56．A．preparation | B．experience | C．privacy | D．support |
| 57．A．individually | B．necessarily | C．positively | D．simply |
| 58．A．standard | B．practical | C．public | D．evident |
| 59．A．mobile | B．quiet | C．strange | D．advanced |
| 60．A．foreign | B．mild | C．strict | D．familiar |
| 61．A．introduced | B．financed | C．destroyed | D．disliked |
| 62．A．hatred | B．conflict | C．negotiation | D．review |
| 63．A．delightful | B．sincere | C．harmful | D．passive |
| 64．A．serious | B．secret | C．general | D．academic |
| 65．A．make up | B．stick to | C．refer to | D．bring up |
10．To understand how Americans think about things，it is necessary to understand"the point"．Americans mention it often"Let's get right to the point"，they will say"My point is …""What's the point of all this？"
The"point"is the（51）Bor piece of information that Americans suppose is，or should be，（52）A of people's thinking，writings，and spoken comments．Speakers and writers are supposed to"make their points clear"，（53）C that they are supposed to say or write clearly the idea or piece of information they wish to （54）C．
People from many other cultures have different ideas about the （55）A．Africans traditionally tell stories that express the（56）D they have in mind，rather than stating out"the point"clearly．Japanese traditionally speak （57）B，leaving the listener to （58）A what the point is．（59）D，while an American might say to a friend，"I don't think that coat goes very well with the rest of your outfit"，a Japanese might say，"Maybe another coat would look even （60）B than the one you have on．"Americans （61）A a person who"gets right to the point"．Japanese are likely to consider such a person lacking thoughtfulness and sympathy if not （62）C．
The Chinese and Japanese languages are characterized by vagueness and ambiguity（模棱两可）．The precision and directness Americans associate with"the point"cannot be （63）B，at least not with any grace，in Chinese and Japanese．Speakers of those languages thus have to （64）A a new way of reasoning and expressing their ideas （65）D they are going to communicate satisfactorily with Americans．
The"point"is the（51）Bor piece of information that Americans suppose is，or should be，（52）A of people's thinking，writings，and spoken comments．Speakers and writers are supposed to"make their points clear"，（53）C that they are supposed to say or write clearly the idea or piece of information they wish to （54）C．
People from many other cultures have different ideas about the （55）A．Africans traditionally tell stories that express the（56）D they have in mind，rather than stating out"the point"clearly．Japanese traditionally speak （57）B，leaving the listener to （58）A what the point is．（59）D，while an American might say to a friend，"I don't think that coat goes very well with the rest of your outfit"，a Japanese might say，"Maybe another coat would look even （60）B than the one you have on．"Americans （61）A a person who"gets right to the point"．Japanese are likely to consider such a person lacking thoughtfulness and sympathy if not （62）C．
The Chinese and Japanese languages are characterized by vagueness and ambiguity（模棱两可）．The precision and directness Americans associate with"the point"cannot be （63）B，at least not with any grace，in Chinese and Japanese．Speakers of those languages thus have to （64）A a new way of reasoning and expressing their ideas （65）D they are going to communicate satisfactorily with Americans．
| 51．A．word | B．idea | C．place | D．time |
| 52．A．at the center | B．on the basis | C．on the part | D．beyond the reach |
| 53．A．thinking | B．explaining | C．meaning | D．stating |
| 54．A．discuss | B．remember | C．express | D．criticize |
| 55．A．point | B．information | C．reasons | D．feelings |
| 56．A．comments | B．meanings | C．secret | D．thought |
| 57．A．frankly | B．indirectly | C．reluctantly | D．truly |
| 58．A．figure out | B．search for | C．make up | D．look over |
| 59．A．Otherwise | B．However | C．Moreover | D．Thus |
| 60．A．tighter | B．better | C．thicker | D．longer |
| 61．A．value | B．forgive | C．punish | D．insult |
| 62．A．sensitive | B．foolish | C．rude | D．loyal |
| 63．A．corrected | B．achieved | C．changed | D．explained |
| 64．A．learn | B．consider | C．suggest | D．decide |
| 65．A．although | B．because | C．until | D．if |
9．Directions：For each blank in the following passages there are four words or phrases marked A，B，C and D．Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context．
In India，almost all marriages are arranged．Even among the educated middle classes in modern urban India，marriage is as much a concern of the families as it is of the（51）B．So customary is the practice of arranged marriage that there is a special name for a marriage which is not （52）D：It is called a"love match"．
On my first trip to India，I met many young men and women whose parents were in the process of"getting them married"．In many cases，the bride and groom would not meet each other before the marriage．（53）C they might meet for a brief conversation，and this meeting would take place only after their parents had decided that the match was （54）C．Parents do not force their children to marry a person who either marriage partner finds unacceptable．But only after one match is refused will another be sought．
As a young American woman in India for the first time，I found this custom of arranged marriage （55）D．How could any intelligent young person （56）A to such a marriage without great reluctance？It was（57）D to everything I believed about the importance of romantic love as the only basis of a happy marriage．It was also in conflict with my strongly held beliefs that the choice of such a close and permanent relationship could be made only by individuals （58）A．If anyone had tried to arrange my marriage，I would have been （59）C!
Sita，one of my young friends，was a college graduate with a degree in political science．She had been （60）C for over a year while her parents were arranging a match for her．I found it difficult to accept the obedient（顺从的） manner in which this well-educated young woman awaited the outcome of a process that would （61）D her spending the rest of her life with a man she hardly knew，a total stranger，（62）A by her parents．
In frustration and distress，I asked her，"Don't you care who you（63）C？""Of course I care，"she answered．"This is why I must let my parents choose a boy for me．My marriage is too important to be arranged by such a（n）（64）C person as myself．In such matters，it is better to have my parents'（65）B"．
In India，almost all marriages are arranged．Even among the educated middle classes in modern urban India，marriage is as much a concern of the families as it is of the（51）B．So customary is the practice of arranged marriage that there is a special name for a marriage which is not （52）D：It is called a"love match"．
On my first trip to India，I met many young men and women whose parents were in the process of"getting them married"．In many cases，the bride and groom would not meet each other before the marriage．（53）C they might meet for a brief conversation，and this meeting would take place only after their parents had decided that the match was （54）C．Parents do not force their children to marry a person who either marriage partner finds unacceptable．But only after one match is refused will another be sought．
As a young American woman in India for the first time，I found this custom of arranged marriage （55）D．How could any intelligent young person （56）A to such a marriage without great reluctance？It was（57）D to everything I believed about the importance of romantic love as the only basis of a happy marriage．It was also in conflict with my strongly held beliefs that the choice of such a close and permanent relationship could be made only by individuals （58）A．If anyone had tried to arrange my marriage，I would have been （59）C!
Sita，one of my young friends，was a college graduate with a degree in political science．She had been （60）C for over a year while her parents were arranging a match for her．I found it difficult to accept the obedient（顺从的） manner in which this well-educated young woman awaited the outcome of a process that would （61）D her spending the rest of her life with a man she hardly knew，a total stranger，（62）A by her parents．
In frustration and distress，I asked her，"Don't you care who you（63）C？""Of course I care，"she answered．"This is why I must let my parents choose a boy for me．My marriage is too important to be arranged by such a（n）（64）C person as myself．In such matters，it is better to have my parents'（65）B"．
| 51．A．classes | B．individuals | C．society | D．country |
| 52．A．matched | B．decided | C．concerned | D．arranged |
| 53．A．After all | B．In addition | C．At most | D．On average |
| 54．A．comfortable | B．imperfect | C．suitable | D．dissatisfying |
| 55．A．acceptable | B．amazing | C．depressing | D．strange |
| 56．A．agree | B．turn | C．exchange | D．devote |
| 57．A．customary | B．remarkable | C．similar | D．contrary |
| 58．A．involved | B．present | C．informed | D．available |
| 59．A．ambitious | B．proud | C．rebellious | D．puzzled |
| 60．A．fighting | B．protesting | C．waiting | D．dreaming |
| 61．A．profit from | B．hold back | C．act out | D．result in |
| 62．A．picked out | B．picked up | C．taken up | D．taken out |
| 63．A．encounter | B．favor | C．marry | D．join |
| 64．A．intelligent | B．unfortunate | C．inexperienced | D．careless |
| 65．A．blessing | B．guidance | C．fortune | D．promise |
8．Swapping Houses for Vacation
When budgeting for a vacation，usually the most expensive part of the trip is the accommodations．The traditional way to take a vacation is to pack some bags，lock up the house，and travel to a new place to stay in a hotel．However，hotels are very expensive，and with rent or housing loan（贷款）due every month，it's difficult for most people to pay for yet another place to stay．（71）C Luckily，there is a substitute called house swapping，and it's saving tourists a great deal of cash．
（72）D For example，if a couple from New York want to spend a week in Paris，they would place an ad offering to trade their New York apartment for one in Paris for a week．If a Parisian couple that want to vacation in New York read the advertisement，houses can be swapped，and both couples save hundreds，if not thousands，of dollars by avoiding big-city hotel fees．If all goes well，both couples can post positive reviews of the other's home online so that potential travelers can see that everything was fine．（73）G This builds a community of people who want to help each other out．
There are other advantages co house swapping as well．（74）F Staying at someone's home puts you in a neighborhood that can give you a better representation of the life and culture in the place you're visiting．（75）E The next time you want to spend your vacation in a new place，but don't want to pay a fortune，check what's posted online and find a house to swap．
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When budgeting for a vacation，usually the most expensive part of the trip is the accommodations．The traditional way to take a vacation is to pack some bags，lock up the house，and travel to a new place to stay in a hotel．However，hotels are very expensive，and with rent or housing loan（贷款）due every month，it's difficult for most people to pay for yet another place to stay．（71）C Luckily，there is a substitute called house swapping，and it's saving tourists a great deal of cash．
（72）D For example，if a couple from New York want to spend a week in Paris，they would place an ad offering to trade their New York apartment for one in Paris for a week．If a Parisian couple that want to vacation in New York read the advertisement，houses can be swapped，and both couples save hundreds，if not thousands，of dollars by avoiding big-city hotel fees．If all goes well，both couples can post positive reviews of the other's home online so that potential travelers can see that everything was fine．（73）G This builds a community of people who want to help each other out．
There are other advantages co house swapping as well．（74）F Staying at someone's home puts you in a neighborhood that can give you a better representation of the life and culture in the place you're visiting．（75）E The next time you want to spend your vacation in a new place，but don't want to pay a fortune，check what's posted online and find a house to swap．
| A．House swapping is most common in New York and Paris． B．Hotels are often quite difficult to book when you want to explore a new home． C．A lot of times，this extra cost prevents travelers from going very far from home． D．To swap houses，people check the Internet for others planning to travel and trade homes． E．With many house swapping sites growing，this new phenomenon is becoming easier than ever． F．Hotels are often located where few people live，making them a strange place to experience a city． G．On the other hand，if there were trouble，people could write about that to wan others not to trust the swappers． |