Social customs and ways of behaving change. Things which were considered impolite many years ago are now acceptable. Just a few years ago, it was considered impolite behaviour for a man to smoke on street. No man who thought of himself by smoking when a lady was in a room.

Customs also differ from country to country. Does a man walk on the left or the right of a woman in your country? Or doesn’t it matter? Should you use both hands when you are eating? Should leave one in your lap,or on the table?

The Americans and the British not only speak the same language but also share a large number of social customs. For example, in both America and England people shake hands when they meet each other for the first time. Also, most Englishmen will open a door for a wonman or offer their seat to a woman , and so will most Americans. Promptness is important both in England and in America. That is , if a dinner invitation is for 7 o’clock , the dinner guest either arrives close to that time or calls up to explain his delay.

The important thing to remember about social customs is not to do anything that might make other people feel uncomfortable-----especially if they are your guests. When the food was served , one of the guests strated to eat his peas with a knife . The other guests were amused or shocked , but the host calmly picked up his knife and began eating in the same way. It would have been bad manners to make his guest feel foolish or uncomfortable.

1.If one has accepted a dinner invitation ,what should he do if he is tobe late for the dinner?

a.He should find an excuse

b.He should adk for excuse.

c.He should say sorry

d.He should telephone to explain his being late.

2."It would have been bad manners to make his guests feel foolish or uncomfortable." "Bad manners " means ________.

a.ugly

b.dishonest

c.impolite

d.shameful

3.which of the following do you think is the best tiltle for this passage?

a.Social Customs and Customs

b.Social Life

c.American and British Customs

d.Promptness Is Important

4.According to the text, the best host_______.

a.tries his best to make his guests feel comfortable

b.makes his guests feel excited

c.tries to avoid being naughty to his guests

d.tries to avoid being foolish

5.The author of this article may agree with which of the following?

a.The guest who ate his peas with a knife

b.The other guests who were amused or shocked

c.The host who picked up his knife and began eating in the same way

d.None of the above

答案：dcaac

New Orleans, Louisiana, was established as part of the French Empire in 1718.

Its location on the east bank of the Mississippi River gave it control of the American hinerland and it became strategically important to many nations. It was transferred from France to Spain, returned to France,and finally sold by Napoleon to the United States in 1803. The city was the site of a famous battle fought in 1815 between the British, who hoped to control it , and the Americans under General And rew Jackson.

The riverbed of the Mississippi is constantly silting and the river is now actually higher than the city. Levees hold back the river and giant pumps are used to move water from the city into the river.

Although New Orleans haas beena part of the United States for almost two centuries, its population takes great pride in its French heritage. Louisiana still retains parts of the Code Napoleon which,form many years,was its only law.

New Orleans is carefree city and it boasts its hot, spicy Creole seafood and its native Dixieland Jazz. The jackson Square neighborhood maintains its French colonial homes and in other sections are pre-Civil War mansions. Visitors are surprised to find that behind this interesting facade of yesteryear, is a busy industrial and port city. Grain and coal come from the Midwest and foreigh cargoes are unloaded here. New Orleans is no longer a sleepy Southern town----but it’s still fun to visit.

1.What accounts for the levees and pumps in New Orleans?

a.The Mississippi frequently floods the city.

b.The riverbed has raised inthe past 200 years.

c.The torrential rains flood the city frequently.

d.The high humidity cannot otherwise be comtrolled.

2.The battle of New Orleans was fought by jackson against______.

a.France

b.Britain

c.Spain

d.The North

3.The Code Napoleon was _______.

a.an agreement to sell Louisiana

b.a body of laws

c.a city plan

d.a military code for the army

4.Which of the following elements does not apply to the attiude of the inhabitants of New Orleans?

a.Pride in their French heritage.

b.A desire to retain picturesque colonial buildings.

c.A refusal to engage in trade and commerce

d.A praising of Dixieland Jazz.

5.Tourists visiting New Orleans are surprised to encounter_____.

a.Creole food

b.Dixieland jazz

c.bustling city

d.authentic colonial homes

答案： bbbcc