Except for a few times, Americans are not big present-givers. There's no exchange of presents among business people, and if one American tries to give another a present, it may look like that he wants to bribe (贿赂) him. Americans have learned that in some other countries people like to give presents to others, but among ourselves we don't see the need for presents.

Even friends may never exchange presents. When I go to foreign countries, I try to bring back little things for close friends, but nobody would feel unhappy if I didn't. I don't often remember a friend's birthday, and few people outside of my family remember mine. If someone gave me presents too often, I'd get unpleasant. But a present from a foreigner - that kind from his or her homeland — won't go wrong, except to government employees (政府职员) who can't be given presents.

You usually open a present at once and in front of the person who gives it except Christmas and birthday presents. You should only say, "It's so nice. Thanks…" when you get Christmas or birthday presents.

You may want to bring a bottle of wine (葡萄酒) or flowers to a dinner party, but you're never asked to. Nobody will mind if you bring wine, but your friend may not use it that evening.

At Christmas we often give presents to our family and sometimes our friends. We also give presents to people who have been helpful during the year- doormen, babysitters, housecleaners, newspaper senders— anyone who has often helped us.

1.What does "close friends" mean in the passage?

A. The friends who are very kind.

B. The friends who live close to each other.

C. The friends who were once classmates.

D. The friends who you like most.

2.What kind of presents don't Americans usually open in front of the givers?

A. The small presents.

B. Christmas or birthday presents.

C. The expensive presents.

D. The presents for dinner party.

3.Why do Americans also give presents to housecleaners at Christmas?

A. To pay them.

B. To help them.

C. To thank them.

D. To make them work harder.

4.Which of the following do you think is right?

A. American business people don’t want presents because they are rich enough.

B. The writer of this passage must be an American.

C. Everyone must give presents to one’s family and friends at Christmas.

D. Government employees can get little presents from a foreigner.

5.What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Present-giving in the United States.

B. Customes in the United States.

C. American people and present-giving.

D. When and how to give presents.

I grew up in New Hampshire, a small town in South Canada, where in my father’s words for the seasons were “Spring, Summer, Fairtime and Winter!” At that time, a week-long fair was held in the town every autumn. Thousands of people from other towns came to sell and buy things. It was the busiest time of the year.

When “Fairtime” came, my grandma became the most “useful” and busiest person of the family. Grandma was a kind, well-educated old lady. She was good at cooking. All her relatives liked the food she cooked. During “fairtime”, they would come to live in her house and have meals there. Grandma was always happy to look after them.

Year after year, many people moved to big cities. There was no loner “Fairtime”. Grandma became very old and was gradually going blind. My parents and I moved to live with Granma in her house. We did our best to make her day-to-day life as comfortable as possible. I was at high school then. What I often did at home was to help Grandma with the daily newspaper’s crossword puzzle. However, she didn’t look happy. She often sat in her room for hours, without saying a word.

To attract people to move back, the Town Hall decided to reopen the Fair. One day, when I came back room school, I saw Grandma wearing her glasses, washing the dishes in the kitchen. With a big smile on her face, she looked a lot much younger. She told me that her two nieces would come. “They said the food I cooked was very delicious and they want to stay in my house again.” Grandma said happily. “They will stay here for one week and we can have a big party. That must be the busiest week I’ve had in years!”

I suddenly realized that Grandma didn’t want to be looked after. She wanted to be “useful”, appreciated and helpful.

1.Thousands of people came to the town to __________ at the Fair.

A. enjoy Grandma’s food B. sell and buy things

C. learn to cook D. have a big party

2.Why was Grandma unhappy?

A. She was too busy. B. No one lived with her.

C. She was not “useful”. D. She couldn’t see anything

3.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A. Grandma was good at cooking

B. Many people moved to big cities.

C. Grandma didn’t like “Fairtime”

D. Grandma was a kind old lady.

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网