The Vieira family moved to the United States in 1981. At that time, they decided to stop speaking Spanish at home and only communicate in English. This was because they were now living in an English-speaking country.
Now the Vieira children are adults, and they sometimes travel to Spain to visit their family and friends. But they cannot communicate with them. Unfortunately this is common. When people move to new countries, they often leave their own customs and mother language behind. This is a mistake because there are many benefits to knowing more than one language.
One advantage of speaking more than one language is that you can communicate directly with more people around the world. You do not have to depend on others to talk for you, so you’re more independent. People who know only one language must use others to help them communicate.
Furthermore, speaking a second language also allows people to experience other cultures and customs more effectively. Local expressions, vocabulary, and even jokes can have a powerful effect on a person’s understanding of another culture. So, knowing more than one language increases your knowledge of other cultures.
Finally, having more multi-language speakers improves relationships between countries. If people from different countries can communicate well, the world can become closer. Countries will then have more respect for each other and better understand each other’s problems.
The benefits of knowing more than one language are clear. In fact, there are no disadvantages. It is very sad that many people don’t try to learn another language. It is even worse when people let themselves forget their mother language and become silenced.
【小题1】What is the passage mainly about?

Want to save money when travelling by train?

    Here are some ways：

    Day Returns

    This ticket can save you up to 45％ on the standard fare（费用）. You have to travel after the rush hour period Monday—Friday, but can travel at any time on Saturday or Sunday.

    Big City Savers

    These are special low-priced tickets on certain trains. You have to book in advance（提前）－at the latest by 16：00 the day before you travel. It’s first come, first served.

    Weekend Returns

    Weekend Returns are available（有售）for most trips over 60 miles. Go on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and return the same weekend on Saturday or Sunday, and save up to 35％ on the standard fare.

    Monthly Returns

    These are available for most trips over 65 miles. Go any day and return within a month. Monthly returns save you up to 25％ on the standard fare.

    Family Rail Card

    For 20 pounds this rail card allows you to take a second adult and up to 4 children for only 3 pounds each when you buy single or return tickets. You can travel as often as you like until the card becomes out of date.

1.How many ways does the writer tell us to save money when travelling by train?

    A. Five.     B. Four.     C. Three.     D. Six.

2.Big City Savers are special low-priced tickets on        trains.

    A. certain    B. return    C. weekend     D. all

3.Monthly Returns save you up to      on the standard fare.

A. 45％    B. 35％    C. 25％    D. 65％

Different countries have different customs. When you travel to another country, please follow their customs, just as the saying goes, “           . ”

Very often people who travel to the United States forget to tip (付小费). It is usual to tip porters who help carry your bags, taxi drivers and waiters. Waiters expect to get a 15% tip on the cost of your meal. Taxi drivers expect about the same amount.

In England, make sure to stand in line even if there are only two of you. It’s important to respect lines there. It’s a good idea to talk about the weather. It’s a favourite subject of conversation with the British.

In Spain, it’s a good idea to have a light meal in the afternoon if someone invites you for dinner. People have dinner very late, and restaurants do not generally open until after 9 pm.

In Arab countries, men kiss one another on the cheek. Your host may welcome you with a kiss on both cheeks. It is polite for you to do the same.

In Japan, people usually give personal or business cards to each other when they meet for the first time. When a person gives you a card, don’t put it into your pocket right away. The person expects you to read it.

Don’t forget to be careful of your body language to express something in a conversation. A kind of body language that is used in one culture may be impolite in another.

1.When you travel to the USA, you don’t need to tip _________.

A．porters           B．waiters           C．actors            D．taxi drivers

2.The missing sentences in the first paragraph should be “           . ”

A．Love me, love my dog.

B．He who laughs last laughs best.

C．When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

D．Where there is a will, there is a way.

3.The underline work “porters” in the passage means _________.

A．搬运工           B．清洁工           C．接线员           D．售票员

4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．In Spain, people usually have dinner very early.

B．In England, it’s not polite to talk about the weather.

C．In Arab countries, men kiss one another on the cheek.

D．In Japan you should not read the business card as soon as you get it.

5.What’s the best title of the passage?

A．How to tip.

B．Body Language.

C．When to Have Dinner.

D．Advice to International Travellers.