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 like doormen, babysitters, housecleaners , newspaper senders — anyone who has often helped us.
【小题1】What do the underlined words ‘close friends’ mean in the passage?

If someone asks me, “Do you like music? ” I am sure I will answer him or her. “Of course, I do.” Because I think music is an important part of our lives.
Different people have different ideas about music. For me, I like rock music because it’s so exciting. And my favourite rock band(摇滚乐队), the “Foxy Ladies” is one of the most famous rock bands in the world. I also like pop music. My classmate Li Lan loves dance music, because she enjoys dancing. My best friend, Jane, likes jazz music(爵士乐). She thinks jazz is really cool. “I like dance music and rock very much,” says my brother, “because they are amazing.” But my mother thinks rock is boring. “I like some relaxing(轻松的)music.” she says, that is why she likes country music(乡村音乐), I think.
(    )6. The writer likes music because he thinks ________.
A. it’s an exciting part of our lives      B. it’s an amazing part of our lives
C. it’s an important part of our lives     D. it’s an interesting part of our lives
(    )7. What kind of music does the writer like?
A. Jazz and country music.            B. Rock and dance music.
C. Rock and pop music.              D. Rock and country music.
(    )8. Who likes dancing?
A. The writer.      B. Li Lan.       C. Jane.        D. The writer’s mother.
(    )9. The writer’s mother thinks that country music is ________.
A. amazing        B. boring        C. relaxing      D. cool
(    )10. How many people’s ideas about music are talked about in this passage?
A. 4.             B. 5.            C. 6.           D. 7.