Traveling without a map in different countries, I find out about different “styles” of directions every time I ask “How can I get to the post office?”
Foreign tourists are often confused in Japan because most streets there don’t have name signs; in Japan, people use landmarks in their directions instead of street names. For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, “Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit market. The post office is across from the bus stop.”
People in Los Angeles, the US, have no idea of distance on the map: they measure distance by time, not miles. “How far away is the post office?” you ask. “Oh,” they answer, “it’s about five minutes from here.” You don’t understand completely, “Yes, but how many miles away is it, please?” To this question you won’t get an answer, because most probably they don’t know it themselves.
People in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because tourists seldom understand the Greek language. Instead, a Greek will often say, “Follow me.” Then he’ll lead you through the streets of the city to the post office.
Sometimes a person doesn’t know the answer to your question. What happens in the situation? A New Yorker might say, “Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers “I don’t know.” People there believe that “I don’t” is impolite. They usually give an answer, but often a wrong one. So a tourist can get lost very easily in Yucatan!
However, one thing will help you everywhere in the world. It’s body language.
【小题1】Which one of the followings is probably an example of Japanese directions?

A．they use landmarks in their directions instead of distance

B．they prefer to lead you the way

C．they often have no idea of distance measured by miles

D．they prefer to use body language

补全对话

A: Excuse me. 1

B: I'm sorry . I don't know . 2

A: Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the nearest post office?

B: Yes? Take a No. 2 bus. 3

A: Thank you very much.

After getting off the bus.

A: Excuse me, can you tell me 4 , please?

B: Yes. Walk down this road, and turn to the left at the first crossing. then walk on a few yards, and there you are.

A : 5

[　　]

A．You'd better ask that policeman over there.

B．How can I get to the nearest post office?

C．Is there a post office near here?

D．How to get to the post office?

E．Thanks.

F．Get off at the zoo and you'll find the post office.

G．It's about a few yards down this street .

I have a rule for travel: Never carry a map. I prefer to ask for directions.
Foreign visitors are often puzzled in Japan because most streets there don’t have names. In Japan, people use landmarks in their directions in stead of street names, For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, “Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit marks. The post office is across from the bus stop. ”
In the countryside of the American Midwest, usually there are not many landmarks. There are no mountains, so the land is very flat. In many places there are no towns or buildings within miles. Instead of landmarks, people will tell you directions and distance. In Kansas or Iowa, for example, people will say, “Go north two miles. Turn east, and then go another mile.”
People in Los Angeles, California, have no idea of distance on the map. They measure distance by means of time, not miles. “How far away is the post office?” You ask, “Oh,” They answer, “It’s about five minutes from here.” You say, “Yes, but how many miles away is it?” They don’t know.
People in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because visitors seldom understand the Greek language. Instead of giving you the direction, a Greek will often say, “Follow me.” Then he’ll lead you through the streets of the city to the post office.
Sometimes a person doesn’t know the answer to your question. What happens in this situation? A New Yorker might say, “Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers, “I don’t know.” People in Yucatan think that “I don’t know.” is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one. A visitor can get very, very lost in Yucatan!
One thing will help you everywhere --- in Japan, in the United States. In Greece, in Mexico, or in any other place. You might not understand a person’s words, but maybe you can understand his body language. He or she will usually turn and then point in the correct direction. Go in that direction, and you may find the post office!
1 The passage mainly tell us that ____ .
A. never carry a map for travel
B. there are not many landmarks in the American Midwest
C. there are different ways to give directions in different parts of the world
D. New Yorkers often say, “I have no idea,” but people in Yucatan, Mexico, never say this
2 The passage says, “In Japan, people use landmarks in their directions. “The word “landmarks” means ____ .
A. building names
B. street names
C. hotels, markets and bus stops
D. buildings or places which are easily recognized
3 In which place do people tell distance by means of time?
A. Japan  B. American Midwest    C. Los Angeles, California    D. Greece
4 In the passage, ____ countries are mentioned by the writer.
A. seven  B. four    C. eight   D. five
5 Which of the following is wrong?
A. Travelers can learn about people’s customs by asking questions about directions.
B. A person’s body language can help you understand directions.
C. People in some places give directions in miles, but people in other places give directions by means of time.
D. People in different places always give directions in the same way: They use street names.

I have a rule for travel: Never carry a map. I prefer to ask for directions.

Foreign visitors are often puzzled in Japan because most streets there don’t have names. In Japan, people use landmarks in their directions in stead of street names, For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, “Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit marks. The post office is across from the bus stop. ”

In the countryside of the American Midwest, usually there are not many landmarks. There are no mountains, so the land is very flat. In many places there are no towns or buildings within miles. Instead of landmarks, people will tell you directions and distance. In Kansas or Iowa, for example, people will say, “Go north two miles. Turn east, and then go another mile.”

People in Los Angeles, California, have no idea of distance on the map. They measure distance by means of time, not miles. “How far away is the post office?” You ask, “Oh,” They answer, “It’s about five minutes from here.” You say, “Yes, but how many miles away is it?” They don’t know.

People in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because visitors seldom understand the Greek language. Instead of giving you the direction, a Greek will often say, “Follow me.” Then he’ll lead you through the streets of the city to the post office.

Sometimes a person doesn’t know the answer to your question. What happens in this situation? A New Yorker might say, “Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers, “I don’t know.” People in Yucatan think that “I don’t know.” is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one. A visitor can get very, very lost in Yucatan!

One thing will help you everywhere --- in Japan, in the United States. In Greece, in Mexico, or in any other place. You might not understand a person’s words, but maybe you can understand his body language. He or she will usually turn and then point in the correct direction. Go in that direction, and you may find the post office!

1 The passage mainly tell us that ____ .

         A. never carry a map for travel

         B. there are not many landmarks in the American Midwest

         C. there are different ways to give directions in different parts of the world

         D. New Yorkers often say, “I have no idea,” but people in Yucatan, Mexico, never say this

2 The passage says, “In Japan, people use landmarks in their directions. “The word “landmarks” means ____ .

         A. building names

         B. street names

         C. hotels, markets and bus stops

         D. buildings or places which are easily recognized

3 In which place do people tell distance by means of time?

         A. Japan   B. American Midwest      C. Los Angeles, California       D. Greece

4 In the passage, ____ countries are mentioned by the writer.

         A. seven   B. four      C. eight    D. five

5 Which of the following is wrong?

         A. Travelers can learn about people’s customs by asking questions about directions.

         B. A person’s body language can help you understand directions.

         C. People in some places give directions in miles, but people in other places give directions by means of time.

         D. People in different places always give directions in the same way: They use street names.

I have a rule for travel: Never carry a map. I prefer to ask for directions.

Foreign visitors are often puzzled in Japan because most streets there don’t have names. In Japan, people use landmarks in their directions in stead of street names, For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, “Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit marks. The post office is across from the bus stop. ”

In the countryside of the American Midwest, usually there are not many landmarks. There are no mountains, so the land is very flat. In many places there are no towns or buildings within miles. Instead of landmarks, people will tell you directions and distance. In Kansas or Iowa, for example, people will say, “Go north two miles. Turn east, and then go another mile.”

People in Los Angeles, California, have no idea of distance on the map. They measure distance by means of time, not miles. “How far away is the post office?” You ask, “Oh,” They answer, “It’s about five minutes from here.” You say, “Yes, but how many miles away is it?” They don’t know.

People in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because visitors seldom understand the Greek language. Instead of giving you the direction, a Greek will often say, “Follow me.” Then he’ll lead you through the streets of the city to the post office.

Sometimes a person doesn’t know the answer to your question. What happens in this situation? A New Yorker might say, “Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers, “I don’t know.” People in Yucatan think that “I don’t know.” is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one. A visitor can get very, very lost in Yucatan!

One thing will help you everywhere --- in Japan, in the United States. In Greece, in Mexico, or in any other place. You might not understand a person’s words, but maybe you can understand his body language. He or she will usually turn and then point in the correct direction. Go in that direction, and you may find the post office!

1 The passage mainly tell us that ____ .

       A. never carry a map for travel

       B. there are not many landmarks in the American Midwest

       C. there are different ways to give directions in different parts of the world

       D. New Yorkers often say, “I have no idea,” but people in Yucatan, Mexico, never say this

2 The passage says, “In Japan, people use landmarks in their directions. “The word “landmarks” means ____ .

       A. building names

       B. street names

       C. hotels, markets and bus stops

       D. buildings or places which are easily recognized

3 In which place do people tell distance by means of time?

       A. Japan  B. American Midwest    C. Los Angeles, California    D. Greece

4 In the passage, ____ countries are mentioned by the writer.

       A. seven  B. four    C. eight   D. five

5 Which of the following is wrong?

       A. Travelers can learn about people’s customs by asking questions about directions.

       B. A person’s body language can help you understand directions.

       C. People in some places give directions in miles, but people in other places give directions by means of time.

       D. People in different places always give directions in the same way: They use street names.