Part I Reading Comprehension（30％）

Passage 1

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following passage:

One study shows that Americans prefer to answer with a brief “Yes”, “No”, “Sure”, or the very popular “Yeah” rather than with a longer reply. (76) But brief replies do not mean Americans are impolite of unfriendly to some extent. Very often, Americans are in a hurry and may greet you with a single word “ Hi”, indeed; this is a greeting you will hear again and again during your stay in the United States. It is used by everyone, regardless of rank, age or occupation. However, those who are accustomed to longer greetings may require a little more time before they feel comfortable with American simple talk.

Americans sometimes use plain talk when they are uncomfortable. (77) If people praise them or thank them in an especially polite way, they may become uncomfortable and not know what to say in reply . They don’t want to be impolite or rude, you can be sure that they liked what was said about them. Except for certain holidays, such as Christmas, Americans don’t usually give gifts. Thus, you will find Americans embarrassed as they accept gifts, especially if they have nothing to give in return. They are generally a warm but informal people.

• The fact that Americans like shorter answers tells us ______.
• they reply very quickly in a hurry
• they choose words too carefully
• they like replying briefly
• they want to be as polite as they can
• Those who like using beautiful or formal words _____.
• need more time to get used to American simple greeting
• need no time to get familiar with American greeting
• do not very much like American way of greeting
• think Americans are not polite whatever
• Which of the following is NOT true?
• Americans often answer with the words like “sure”, “yeah.”
• They are not impolite with brief replies.
• Americans in high ranks must use formal words in greeting.
• Americans are a warm but informal people.
• The Americans like others’ praise but if in a polite way ________.
• they don’t know what to way in reply
• they feel somewhat uneasy
• they don’t want to reply
• both A and B
• The passage indicates that _______.
• Americans exchange gifts the first time they meet.
• Americans seldom give gifts except for some holidays.
• Americans often bring some gifts to their friends.
• Americans only want to get gifts from others.