It is easy to understand the way a culture approaches disagreements by looking at the communication styles in that culture. In societies where open discussion is encouraged, conflict is much more common and accepted. On the other hand, cultures that strive to reduce conflicts and maintain harmony do not see such interaction appropriate, particularly in the workplace.
In Australia, Great Britain, and the United States, for example, disagreements are considered a natural part of communication. People in these countries typically have open and honest discussions, even if people’s differences of opinion lead to confrontation(对抗，对立). In business setting, this may mean debating with a colleague or a supervisor over the approach to a task. Or, co-workers might have a discussion about whether an agenda(议程)item during a meeting is suitable or not. Conflict is not necessarily negative ，though. And many people feel that debating an issue is as rewarding as resolving it. Successful conflict resolution(冲突解决) is also seen as a valuable skill, most people at the management level are expected to be very good at handling conflicts that arise in the workplace.
The Asian style of communication is quite different. In almost parts of eastern Asia, individuals present their ideas and then wait for others to do the same. They prefer to seek agreement from a group without rejecting another’s opinions out loud. In business meetings, subordinates (下级) will hardly disagree openly with their supervisor. This shows respect for supervisor, and it reflects the cultural importance placed on politeness and building harmony and trust.
1. The best title for this passage is ______.
A. Approaching Disagreements                    B. Differences of Opinion
C. Culture and Communication                    D. Conflict Resolution
2. In Australia, people would consider disagreement______.
A. a negative part of communication             B. necessary in their communication
C. normal and beneficial                            D. Unimportant in communication
3. Which of the following is true according to the author?
A. Subordinates in the USA don’t try to show their respect in the supervisors.
B. Asian people at management level are not good at handling conflicts.
C. People in Asia always try to avoid conflicts.
D. People in some western countries like to have conflicts.
4. What does the underlined word “harmony” probably mean?
A. Difference           B. Agreement     C. Respects        D. Communication

Teresa was born in Yugoslavia on August 27,1910. Her parents were Albanians(阿尔巴尼亚人) and member of the Roman Catholic Church. When she was seven years old, her father was murdered. She decided not to be filled with hate because of this tragedy(悲剧). Instead, she would seek a life of love. This ambition led her to Ireland where she became a nun(修女) at the age of eighteen.

After only one year of training, she was sent to India to teach in a school called Loretto House, where the students were mostly from rich Indian families. After 15 years there, she left her duties as a teacher to “follow Christ into the slums(贫民窟).” Her heart led her away from the rich to the needs of the poor. She was then 36 years old.

Teresa no longer was affiliated(隶属) with the Irish nuns who sent her to Loreto House but worked independently. However, her work was recognised by the Pope in Rome for she still was a nun. He allowed her to set up her own group, which was called the Missionaries of Charity(仁爱传教修女会).

She no longer dressed as a nun in the European or Irish tradition. Instead, she put on a sari, the local dress of the Indian people. At first, people were sceptical(怀疑的) about her motives. Soon, they realised she was really interested in loving poor people, even those who were dying and had no chance of survival.

Soon, other Indian people began to spare time to help Mother Teresa. She had taught everyone that the poor and dying people need love most of all.

In 1979, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Why did Mother Teresa become a nun?

A. Her father was killed.                B. The hate of her father’s death.

C. She was looking for a life of love.      D. The poor life of her childhood.

Why did she leave her duties as a teacher after 15 years in Loretto House?

A. To be a teacher was too tired       B. The students in Loretto House were rich.

C. She was tired of teaching.         D. The poor in the slums needed her care.

Which of the following is WRONG?

A. Mother Teresa was a Catholic.

B. “Sari” is an Indian word that means clothing.

C. At first people didn’t believe her motives.

D. She served poor people in the slums as a teacher.

Perhaps the most important lesson the world has learned from Mother Teresa is     .

A. regular assistance               B. food and shelter

C. to care for the poor of the earth    D. protection

My sister and I grew up in a little village in England. Our father was a struggling 1, but I always knew he was  2 . He never criticized us, but used  3 to bring out our best. He’d say,” If you pout water on flowers, they flourish. If you don’t give them water, they die.” I  4 as a child I said something  5 about somebody, and my father said, “ 6 time you say something unpleasant about somebody else, it’s a reflection of you.” He explained that if I looked for the best  7 people, I would get the best  8 . From then on I’ve always tried to  9  the principle in my life and later in running my company.
Dad’s also always been very  10 . At 15, I started a magazine. It was   11  a great deal of my time, and the headmaster of my school gave me a  12: stay in school or leave to work on my magazine.
I decided to leave, and Dad tried to sway me from my decision,  13  any good father would. When he realized I Had made up my mind, he said, “Richard, when I was 23, my dad  14  me to go into law. And I’ve  15  regretted it. I wanted to be a biologist,  16 I didn’t pursue my  17 . You know what you want. Go fulfill(实现) it.”
As 18  turned out, my little publication went on to become Student, a national 19 for young people in the U.K. My wife and I have two children, and I’ d like to think we are bringing them up in the same way Dad  20  me.

After the quake hit northeast Japan on March 11, many moving stories that I saw with my own eyes happened around me.
I had to walk home since all the  21  had stopped after the earthquake. On my way home I 22  an old lady at a bakery shop who was giving out free bread, which made my heart  23 . A man was holding a sign that said, “Please use our 24 .” He was 25  his house for people to go to the restroom.
My friend wanted to  26  others. He stood in the cold with a sign “If you’re okay with a motorcycle, I will  27  you to your house.” And then I saw him take one gentleman home, all the way to a faraway place! 
The next day I drove to  28  my car with gas. There is a lack (缺乏) of 29  now and many gasoline stations are either closed or have very  30  lines. I got  31 , since I was behind 15 cars. Finally, when it was my 32 , the man smiled and said, “ 33  this situation, we are only giving $30 worth gas per person. Is that all right?” “ 34 . I’m just glad that we are all able to  35 ,” I said. His smile gave me so much comfort.
I saw a man at the evacuation (疏散) center 36  when people brought food to him. It was the first time in three days that food was brought to their center. However, after he wiped the tears, his next 37  surprised me. “I am very 38  that we are provided with food. But people in the city next to us haven’t  39  any food at all. Please go to that center as well.” And when hearing that, I realized there is a bright future on the other side of this  40 .