A new research shows that in Britain more and more people are returning to the old tradition that the whole family have a meal at table. Worrying about the obesity and breakdown of a family, people change their eating habits so greatly, according to analysis. They find the number of the family having a meal together increases by 5% from 2002 to 2004, and most people who have meals with their family come from the rich social class.

       The new discovery makes doctors and the people struggling against obesity extremely excited. Giving up the tradition that the whole family have a meal together is exactly one of the reasons for a series of problems including children’s overweight. If a child has a meal in front of the television or the computer alone, he will often eat some fast food.

       Jason Collins is one of the persons returning to the old tradition. Collins is a manager of a bake(烘面包) house. He finds after he gets used to having a meal at home with his child, the child becomes much more obedient(听话的). Dr. Jin is a child psychologist, and she expresses welcome to this result of the study.  She says it can make parents have a very good chance to chat with the child when the whole family have a meal together.

What makes people change their eating habit back to the old tradition in Britain?

A. Worrying about their children.        B. Worrying about some social problems.

C. Worrying about the living expense.  D. Worrying about health and family problems.

We can infer from the passage that _______.

A.people’s eating habit has much effect on their family

B. most rich people have meals with their family

C. most children have the problem of overweight

D. most children don’t like having dinner with the parents

How do the people who hope to lose weight feel about the new discovery?

A. They feel glad.                       B. They feel surprised.     

C. They feel sorry.                   D. They feel disappointed.

Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The child having dinner with his parents doesn’t like watching TV.

B. Children become overweight all because of having dinner alone.

C. The family having dinner together is more united and friendly.

D. The reason a child has dinner alone is that he likes fast food.      

Cloze   (15分)
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.
If you travel around the world, you will be surprised to find just how different the foreign customs can be __50__ your own.
A visitor to India would do well to remember that people there __51__ it impolite to use the left hand for passing food at table. The left hand is supposed to be __52__for washing yourself. Also in India, you might __53__a man obviously shaking his head at another and assume that he is disagreeing. But in many __54__ of India a shake of the head is a gesture that shows agreement or acceptance. Nodding your head when you are offered a __55__ in Bulgaria is likely to leave your thirsty. In that country you shake your head to indicate “yes”—a nod indicates “no”. The Arabs are __56__ for their hospitality (好客). At a meal in the Arabic countries, you will find that drinking vessel (器皿) is filled again __57__again as soon as you drain it. The way to __58__ that you have had enough is to take the cup or glass in your hand and give it a little shake from side to side or place your hand over the top.
In Europe it is quite usual to __59__ your legs when sitting talking to someone, even at an important meeting. Doing this when meeting an important person in Thailand, however, could __60__ him or her unhappy. It is considered too informal an attitude __61__ such an occasion. Also when in Thailand you are __62__ supposed to touch the head of an adult – it’s just not done. In Japan, it is quite usual for __63__ to plan evening entertainment for themselves and leave their wives at home. In Europe such attitudes are disappearing.
Customs vary from country to __64__. Visitors may be at a loss as to what to do in a foreign environment. In such circumstances, the rule is: When in Rome, do as Romans do.

  Dear Betty,
　　My roommate’s family wants me to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with them in their home. I accepted the invitation, and I’m excited about going, but I’m a little nervous about it, too. The social customs in my country are different from those here, so I’m a little worried about making mistakes.
　　Should I bring a gift, such as candy or flowers? Should I arrive on time or a little late?  At the dinner table, how can I know which fork or knife to use? How can I let the family know that I’m thankful for their kindness?
Yours,
Knowing Nothing
Dear Knowing Nothing,
　　It’s a good idea to bring a gift when you go to a dinner party. Flowers are always welcome, or you can bring a bottle of wine if you know the family drink it.
　　You should arrive on time or five to ten minutes late. Don’t get there early. If you are going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.
　　Try to relax at the dinner table. If you don’t know how to use the right fork, knife or spoon, just watch the other guests, and follow them. If you still have no idea of what to do, don’t be shy about asking the person next to you; it’s better to ask them than to be silently uncomfortable and nervous.
　　If you like the food, say so. Of course, you’ll thank the host and hostess for the meal and for their kindness. It’s also a good idea to send a card to thank them the day after.
Yours,
Betty
【小题1】 Knowing Nothing wrote a letter to Betty to _____.

A Fan of Dae Jang Geum 《大长今》影迷

Dae Jang Geum (《大长今》) is a hot new Korean TV series. Because of this series, my personal status and living standard have been greatly ___1__. My girlfriend used to cook every evening. Well, now she does nothing but ___2__ in front of the TV when she’s not __3__, and commands me, “You — go to make some instant noodles. Come and watch the play and just imagine we are enjoying Korean __4___.”

She also swears to __5__ all Korean dishes in Dae Jang Geum. So she orders me to __6__ the TV and record any details of Jang Geum’s cooking. But when she presented her version of Korean food, it is like the dog-meal. “You can __7__ get things done if you find the right tools”, my girlfriend blamed her clumsy (笨拙的) kitchen performances on __8__. So I decided to __9__ her a new kitchen knife. In a store, she became unusually __10__ when making her selection. She finally picked one that was __11__ Jang Geum’s. To prove that her slow knife skill was due to the blunt (钝的) knives, she __12__ her cutting. As a result, she hurt her fingers three times. Fortunately the knife is not __13__ the salesman boasts.

My girlfriend is a fan of Jang Geum’s Korean __14__. Not only did she talk about the dress every day, she also threatened to change my tie into a __15__ like the one on Jang Geum’s dress. Finally, I lost my patience and took her to a maternity shop (孕妇专卖店) where I recommend (推荐) one suit to her, “Do you think it looks like a Korean dress?” __16__, my future parents-in-law just happened to be shopping at the time. They were __17__ when they saw what we were doing.

The Dae Jang Geum series __18__ realizing the ambition of the youth. However, it fails to realize my girlfriend’s. __19__ being engaged in her work or study, she simply sits on the sofa every night, staring at the TV, a bag of chips in her hand. This situation has __20_ even though the series is now over.

A. increased       B. degraded           C. depressed                 D. raised

A. stand             B. lie                  C. seat                          D. sit

A. at work          B. at table              C. on leave                   D. on business

A. fruit               B. vegetables         C. dishes                      D. cakes

A. eat                 B. learn                C. cook                        D. perform

A. stand for               B. go by             C. pass by                     D. stand by

A. easily            B. hardly               C. difficultly                 D. carefully

A. her forks        B. her spoons         C. her knives                D. her pans

A. buy                B. borrow              C. lend                         D. fetch

A. careless         B. alert                 C. patient                     D. modest

A. better than     B. the closest shape of   C. sharper than              D. taken from

A. speeded up   B. slowed down            C. brought down           D. improved

A. as fast as       B. as dull as                  C. as slow as                 D. as sharp as

A. diet style       B. dish flavor                      C. dressing style           D. cooking style

A. inside pocket B. butterfly knot         C. pretty collar              D. long belt

A. Coincidently        B. Disappointedly          C. Fortunately        D. Excitedly

A. very puzzled        B. pretty satisfied   C. very pleased         D. pretty shocked

A. shoots at             B. aims at                    C. directs at          D. works at

A. In spite of           B. Because of               C. Instead of               D. In case of

A. changed little       B. turned a lot       C. developed a little      D. improved a lot

We would probably all be amazed if we watched a videotape of ourselves performing basically unconscious acts as we go about the business of the day. These unconscious acts consist of all the little personal habits that we don’t even think about, but definitely should. These are some of the things that present an image of who we are to others, and if we are careless in performing them, this image may well be other than we would like it to be.
Parents who insist that their children practice good manners and habits at home are doing them a great service, for these habits then become lifelong and the natural way they do things. It proves true that their unconscious actions will reflect a well-mannered person.
People who, for example, eat with both arms on the table at home will likely do so when out. Those who are lazy and slow in private will certainly be so in public. Children who are permitted to be disrespectful to their parents will follow suit with other adults, and will, most likely, become adults who are disrespectful of others. This is an area where the saying “practice makes perfect” may be applied.
There is an article about the actress, Audrey Hepburn, known for her beautiful carriage and posture. According to her biographer, her grandmother tied her neck to the back of her chair, at table, so that she would not drop down suddenly over her food, but rather would learn to put only small amounts of food on her spoon or fork and bring them to her mouth. This is a rather extreme “at home” method for the development of erect (直立的) posture, but it does illustrate the effectiveness of practicing good habits so that, when in public, they are instinctive.
【小题1】Which of the following expresses the main idea of the passage?