Introduction: Speaking English is not only about using proper grammar. To use English effectively, you need to understand the culture in which it is spoken. Here are a number of important tips to remember when speaking English in the United States. | |
General Points to Remember Most Americans only speak English. While it is true that more and more Americans speak Spanish, most Americans only speak English. Don't expect them to understand your native language. Americans have difficulty understanding foreign accents (口音). Many Americans are not used to foreign accents. This requires patience from both of you! | Public Behavior Always shake hands. Look your partner in the eye. Don't hold hands: Same sex friends do not usually hold hands or put their arms around each other in public in the United States. Smoking is out! Smoking, even in public places, is strongly disagreed by most modern Americans. |
Addressing People Use last names with people you do not know. Always use “Ms.” when addressing women. Many Americans prefer first names. Americans prefer informal greetings and using first names or nicknames when speaking with friends and workmates. | Conversation Tips Talk about work. Americans commonly ask "What do you do?"It is a popular topic of discussion between strangers. Talk about sports: Americans love sports! However, they love American sports. Speak about location. |
1. What is necessary to know when we speak English besides using grammar?
A. The culture.B. Introduction. C. Grammar. D. Topics.
2. If you are introduced to a woman called Pearl S. Buck, how should you address her usually?
A. What are you doing, Madam Buck?
B. How do you do, Ms. Buck?
C. How are you doing, Mrs. Pearl?
D. How are you, Miss Pearl S.?
3.What can we can learn from the table?
A. Smoking is allowed in the modern United States.
B. Americans shake hands when greeting same sex friends.
C. Different friends should hold hands when first meeting.
D. When you speak to others, it's polite to look into their eyes.
4. “When speaking to a stranger, ask them where they are from and then make a connection with that place” can be used as a supporting sentence to ________.
A. talk about sports
B. address people
C. speak about location
D. talk about work
5.What would be the best title for the text?
A. American English Tips
D. American Customs
C. Language Differences
B. The Different Language Culture
Music has always been an important part of Chinese people’s life. People enjoy listening to music at home and in concerts halls. As time goes by, music changes.
Traditional music is part of our culture, so it often stays with us for a long time. Many of the traditional Chinese songs have been around for many years. Young musicians learn songs from older musicians and the music changes only very little. Modern Chinese music, which is loved by many young people, however, is mainly pop music. That means the songs will be popular for a short time and then replaced by new songs. Today’s musicians write new songs every year and we hear new songs on the radio every day.
Before radio and TV were invented, music could only be heard live — that is you had to go places where musicians gave performances. The best musicians were very busy, so it was difficult and often expensive to hear really good music. For most people, the best chance to hear good music was during a festival or at a wedding. Today, people hear music all the time. Radio and TV play songs every day and night and you can even hear music played on the street.
One thing that hasn’t changed very much is what the songs are about. Both modern and traditional Chinese songs are about love and life. Some songs tell stories about past and some are about the news or the future. All of the songs have something to do with what it means to be a human being.
Music, traditional or modern, Chinese or international, seems to be a world language that everybody can understand and enjoy. Music changes and styles come and go, but nothing changes our love for good music.
Music changes as1.goes by
Passage Outline | Supporting details |
The changes of different kinds of music | Traditional music2.nearly the same because it is part of the culture. 3.music changes a lot because it is welcomed only for a short time and new songs soon takes its4. . |
The changes of5.of enjoying music | Before radio and TV were invented, music could only be heard live in a6.or during a festival or at a wedding. Today, people hear music all the time on Radio and TV and can even hear someone7.music on the street. |
The changes of contents of music | They haven’t changed much because they are about8. and life. |
Conclusion | Music is a world language. 9. music changes and styles come and go, our love for good music10.changes. |