A
Meeting people from another culture can be difficult. From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal (信号). Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship.
Different cultures emphasize (强调) the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree. For example, business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust. Even with people at work, it is necessary to spend a lot of time in “small talk”, usually over a glass of tea, before they do any job. In many European countries—like the UK or France— people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafes rather than at the office.
Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures. I once made a speech in Thailand. I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion; instead there was an uncomfortable silence. The people present just stared at me and smiled. After getting to know their ways better, I realized that they thought I was talking too much. In my own culture, we express meaning mainly through words, but people there sometimes feel too many words are unnecessary.
Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share similar values; however, Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly. We think that they are rude. In fact, this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.
People from different parts of the world have different values, and sometimes these values are quite against each other. However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural environment (多元文化环境) will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.
【语篇概述】本文主要讲述的是不同文化之间的差异问题, 并进行了举例说明。
1. In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to________.
A. develop closer relations
B. share the same culture
C. get to know each other
D. keep each other company
【解析】选A。细节理解题。根据第二段中的“. . . people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafes rather than at the office. ”可知在餐馆吃饭或在咖啡厅喝咖啡比在办公室更容易建立长久的工作关系。
2. Why does the author mention his experience in Thailand?
A. To show the English prefer to make long speeches.
B. To show too many words are of no use.
C. To show people from Thailand are quiet and shy by nature.
D. To show even talk and silence can be culturally different.
【解析】选D。推理判断题。根据第三段中的“Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures. ”可知谈话和沉默也有文化上的差异。
3. According to the text, how can people from different cultures understand each other better?
A. By sharing different ways of life.
B. By accepting different habits.
C. By recognizing different values.
D. By speaking each other’s languages.
【解析】选C。推理判断题。根据文章最后一句However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other. 可知多元文化环境使双方互相理解。
4. What would be the best title for the text?
A. Multicultural Environment
B. Cross-Cultural Differences
C. How to Understand Each Other
D. How to Build Up a Relationship
【解析】选B。标题归纳题。本文主要介绍了不同文化之间的差异, 并说明不同文化之间要加强理解和认识。
