Americans usually make allowance(宽容) for non-native-speakers who have some trouble understanding English. But they become annoyed when a person pretends to understand but doesn’t really and then creates problems because of misunderstanding what is said. No one wants soap when he asks for soup. So if you don’t understand what is said to you, admit it and politely ask the person to repeat or explain.
Second, it is quite rude to talk with a friend in your native language and leave your American friends standing there feeling stupid because they can’t understand the conversation. The Americans may also feel that you are talking about them or saying something you don’t want them to hear. If you must turn to your native language to explain something to a non-English-speaking friend, at least translate for your American friends so they don’t feel left out.
Learn just a few more polite English expressions, and you’ll be ready to face the world of Americans with confidence. The polite answer to a compliment(赞扬) about your looks or your works is “Thank you.” (A smile and a nod is not enough.) The response to “Thank you.” is, of course, “You’re welcome,” if someone asks “How are you?” don’t give your medical history. Just say “Fine, thanks. How are you?” Finally, what should you say when someone sneezes(打喷嚏)? It may not seem logical, but the correct response is “God bless you.” That’s about all there is to it. Now that you’ve learned this general knowledge of manners, in the U. S. A., you’ve ready to be polite in English. Let’s hope your American friends will be just as polite.
【小题1】In the first paragraph, the underlined word “annoyed” means      .

A．rather angry

B．very impolite

C．quite unfriendly

D．fairly pleased

How many of us can really ever thank our mothers for what they do for us? I am now 40 years old, so it's been a lot of years that I've had my mom's loving     and direction behind me pushing me gently when I need it.

   When I was ill, mom would take care of me    . When I had a terrible dream, she would never    me  for stealing into her bed. When I graduated from college, she took      in me as I walked across that stage. When life would get me down, she would tell me that ,it's always dark      the down ,She's always been my greatest      keeping-me up when life tried to defeat me. She never told me that anything was impossible or that I set my goals too high. With a gentle guiding hand she got me back on the right:,    if I faltered (摇晃) .

   A     thank you will never be enough for the kindness and love she has shown to us over the years. My mom     _ more than flowers, candy or other gifts. There isn't a gift in the world that could ever        my thanks for everything she has done for me over the years.

1.A. guidance    B. respect     C. criticism     D. punishment 

2.A. regularly    B. happily     C. unconditionally   D. occasionally

3.A. turn to     B. yell at     C. hold up      D. look after

4.A. interest     B. comfort    C. pride       D. pity

5.A. after      B. behind     C. through      D. before

6.A. belief     B. challenge    C. concern      D. support

7.A. track      B. attitude    C. sense       D. choice 

8.A. special     B. worthwhile   C. funny       D. simple 

9.A. expects     B. appreciates   C. deserves      D. receives.

10.A. replace     B. express     C.contribute     D. cover

Would you like tea or coffee?
--_____, thank you. I’ve just had some water.

Don’t be surprised when strangers talk to you in Canada! You will find that many Canadians will smile at you as they pass in the street, or say something to you like “Hi!” or “How’s it going?” Just reply with something similar. In the UK the reply would be “I’m fine”, but in Canada they say “I’m good”.
In company, when someone is offering you a second helping of food or more wine, if you don’t want any more, use the same expression— “I’m good”. In this case, it means “No, thank you. I’ve had enough”. Most Canadians don't press you to eat more than you want.
In restaurant, your plate will be cleared away almost immediately you have finished eating. When you go into a shop or store, the shop assistant asks you how you are or if they can help you, it is their way of being friendly and making conversation with the customers.
Canadians eat early and go home early. When you are invited to a Canadian’s home, you may be asked to arrive at 5:30 pm or 6 pm. But guests in Europe don’t expect to arrive until 7:30 pm or 8 pm. Remember to take off your shoes and leave them inside the door without being asked. It’s not a religious custom, but it’s practical. In winter, there can be a lot of snow and dirt on your shoes, once you are in the warm house it melts and falls off, making a mess. Canadians tend to have light colored carpets or hardwood floors.
If you’re invited for dinner, it will be a full sit- down meal. Meat is usually barbecued in the freezing cold of winter. Do take something with you, like a bottle of wine. Arrive on time and don’t stay over 10 pm.
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

I was nineteen years old the first time I saw my own true character.
My trip to and from work each day included a ten-minute walk through the heart of downtown, where the   36  often gathered. Like most busy citizens, I learned to   37  those nameless faces. When it came to homeless beggars, my   38  life experience had led me to one   39  that they are on the street because they choose to be, probably due to alcohol or drugs.
It was an extremely cold day. When I passed the groups of beggars as usual, I heard a shaky voice target me.
“Spare some change?” he asked.
I didn’t even   40  looking up at his nameless face. I briefly   41  him walking into a liquor store and buying whiskey with the money we spared him. Like most teenagers, it took me only moments to   42  him.
“I have no money on me,” I said quickly
Looking back now, I feel as if God had set out that day to teach me a lesson. And God   43 . Just a few feet past him, I managed to find the only ice patch on the sidewalk. I   44  and landed heavily on my right knee. The   45  was almost killing me as I tried to get up. Then I heard a shaky voice only inches above me.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
I knew immediately this was the man I had just rushed past. Even in pain, I   46  took a quick moment to sniff for the smell of alcohol on his breath. There was none. He wasn’t   47 . I saw the   48  in his eyes.
I   49  to get to my feet. He held my arm as I walked difficultly to the nearby bus stop.
“My name is Mike,” he said. “That’s quite a fall you took, and you really need to get it checked by a doctor,” he said with deep   50 .
“This bus goes past the hospital,” I said.
Mike paused, and a look of sudden   51  crossed his face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small cup. He took out all the change and held it out toward me.
“I think there’s just enough here for you to take the bus,” he said,
I was highly embarrassed as I remember my   52 . I reached for my purse and took out my change. At least ten dollars. I offered Mike all my change.
“Thank you and take care of yourself,” I said. Both of us knew that few minutes earlier I couldn’t have   53  what happened to him.
Mike held his cup tightly,   54  it as if it were the first gift he had ever received.
A half cup of change seemed too small a gift for the man who gave a   55  to every nameless face I’ve ever seen.