Reading is an important activity for many Americans. Today, thousands of men, women and children are members of groups to discuss the books they read.

No one knows how many Americans belong to reading groups called book clubs. Yet publishers(发行人) and bookshops report that more and more throughout the United States are joining the clubs.

Most of the clubs work the same way. Members read the same book at the same time. Then they meet to talk about the book. Members may be friends or people who live near each other. Or, they may be people who work together.

Book clubs may be for only women or only men. Or, they can be for husbands and wives together. Some are family groups where parents attend with their children. Children may belong to book clubs of their own.

Some book clubs in the United States are for husbands and wives. One woman says this is a great idea for a book club. She says husbands and wives often talk to each other only about their children, work, or money problems. "Talking about books," she says, "opens a whole new level of communication."

American children belong to book clubs, too. They may be as young as four years old or as old as eighteen. Some children's clubs get help from the Great Book Foundation (基金). This educational organization provides lists of books to read. It also trains people to lead discussions about the books.

1. It is reported that _____ in the United States.

A. reading is important for men

B. a lot of people are joining book clubs

C. all the people are reading their books

D. fewer and fewer people in the USA are joining the clubs

2.Most book clubs want their members ______.

A. to read the same book at the same time

B. to buy a lot of books at the same time

C. to read different books at the same time

D. to read as many books as they can

3.Before joining the book club, husbands and wives often talk about ______.

A. housework and work B. computer games

C. books and writers D. children, money or work

4.The best title of the passage might be _______.

A. An Important Activity in the USA

B. Reading Clubs for Children

C. Book Clubs in the USA

D. All Kinds of Clubs in the USA

One day an American called Simon went to London to visit his friend, Rick. Rick told him that his flat was on the first floor. When he arrived, Simon went straight to the first floor of the building. But he was told that there was no Rick on that floor. Do you know why?

In fact, the British call the first floor of a building the ground floor. The floor above the ground floor is the first floor, while Americans would call it the second floor.

The story shows that there are a few culture differences between Britain and America, though the British and Americans both speak English.

The British usually hide their feelings. They seldom start a conversation with strangers. For example, on the train the British often spend their time reading newspapers or books. But Americans are quite different. They’re more active and easier to talk with.

The British and Americans may use different terms for many things. The British usually use “football”, “eraser” and “mail” while Americans prefer to use “soccer”, “rubber” and “post”.

1. Simon went to London to __________.

A. spend his holiday B.visit his friend

C. study English D. have a meeting

2.According to the passage, the British usually spend their time _____ on the train.

A. talking B.playing cards

C.singing and dancing D.doing some reading

3.What does the underlined word “term” mean in Chinese in the passage?

A. 用语 B. 学期 C.会议 D. 成果

4.What’s the best title for the passage?

A.Hiding the feeling

B. Simon’s funny story

C.Information abroad.

D. Differences in British and American culture

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