It can be hard to meet people from another culture. 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 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 just looked at me all the time 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 not needed.
Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share almost the same 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 (多元文化) environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.
【小题1】In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to   .

It can be hard to meet people from another culture. 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 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 just looked at me all the time 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 not needed.

Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share almost the same 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 (多元文化) environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.
【小题1】 In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to     .

It can be hard to meet people from another culture. 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（多元文化）environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.
【小题1】In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to ______.

Edgar felt quite excited at the thought of his first swim of the summer. With the sun shining down so strongly, the sea was certain to be warm enough. He walked quickly along the sea front towards the steps that led on to the sands. He smiled cheerfully at the people. He had just smiled and waved his hat to an elderly lady when a man with a camera caught his arm and stopped him. Edgar heard a little buzzing noise ("咝"的响声) from the camera.

“Your photo, sir, in bright colour in just one moment if you please," said the man.

Then the buzzing stopped, and the cameraman handed the photo over, and Edgar saw the bright blue his shirt half filling the picture.

    “Seventy pence, sir," the man said.

    “Seventy pence," Edgar repeated, “For this photo?”

    “They're normally eighty-five, sir, but for one person I make a cut-price offer. It's the best price you'll get in Chadwell."

     “You'll have to make a better offer." Edgar said. It was a good photo though, he thought, so bright and clear. His hat was held high, and he was smiling happily at the old lady, whose arm and handbag came into a lower comer. He had had no idea that he was being pictured. He thought he was really quite a good-looking man.

    “That's as good as any studio job that would cost you pounds," said the cameraman. “It's better in a way because it's so natural. Only seventy pence, sir."

    “I've never paid so much for a photo in my life. It isn't worth that kind of money. It's not as if I need the thing. Look, I'll give you twenty-five."

    "No, I can't do that. Each of these colour photos costs me 50p — that's the price of the blank frame（像纸）, so you see ...

    "No, No," Edgar broke in. "You want a profit(利润) of forty per cent. Well, I'll give you your 50p and that's that."

    “Let me see, then." The man suddenly took the photo out of Edgar's hand.? “I can't spend any more time on it with you. It's 70p or I keep it."

    “Keep it," Edgar said. He turned, looked out to sea, and then walked quickly away.

53. Edgar smiled and waved his hat to the lady because______ .

     A. she was his neighbour               B. she was taking a picture of him.

     C. he wanted the photo to be funny       D. he felt excited and cheerful

54. The photo could be called a natural one because______.

     A. Edgar did not know he was being pictured     B. Edgar was a good-looking man

     C. it was taken at the seaside                  D. it was as good as a studio picture

55. In the end the cameraman______.

     A. sold the photo to Edgar at the price of seventy pence

     B. agreed to Edgar's first offer for the photo

     C. did not sell the photo to Edgar

     D. let Edgar have the photo for nothing

56. We can learn from the story that Edgar was ______.

     A. poor but happy   B. clever and serious  C. rich and stubborn    D. kind and polite