The results of LIT CRIT magazine"s poll (民意测验) to find the greatest America
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The results of LIT CRIT magazine"s poll (民意测验) to find the greatest American authors of all time. Top five most popular biographical details.
① Mark Twain
1835 — 1910
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
A boy travels down the Mississippi with a runaway slave.
Real name: Samuel Clements. He was a printer and a river-boat pilot before moving to San Francisco to work as a reporter. He traveled widely, and the expectations of his world tour are recorded in The Innocents Abroad.
② Herman
Melville1809 —1891
Moby DickStory Of a sea captain fascinated with finding a famous white whale.
After working as a teacher and a farmhand, in1839 he went to sea and joined the U. S. Navy. His books reflect his life at sea and his thoughts on faith and God. During his life, he was more famous in Great Britain than in the U. S.
③ Ernest Hemingway
1899 — 1961
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Based on the writer"s experiences as a reporter in the Spanish Civil War.
Best known for his novels, but it was his short stories that first attracted attention. He wrote about
hard men (bullfighters, boxers, hard-drinkers) and showed how courage and honesty are often lost in a
modern society without hope and faith.
④ F. Scott Fitzgerald
1896 —1940
Tender is the Night
Moving stories of a psychiatrist (精神病医师) and his wife that reflects the writer"s own marriage to
Zelda.
The author of The Great Gatsby wrote his first story for a school paper at the age of 13. He travelled
widely and made vacations on the French Riviera. His problems with alcohol and depression are
described in The Crack-up. |
| 1. What is the name of the author who once worked on a farm? |
A. Mark Twain
B. Herman Melville
C. F. Scott Fitzgerald
D. Ernest Hemingway |
| 2. What is the title of the book about an author"s experiences in Spain? |
A. Moby Dick.
B. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
C. For Whom the Bell Tolls.
D. Tender is the Night. |
| 3. What is the most popular book by the writer of The Innocents Abroad? |
A. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
B. Tender is the Night
C. Moby Dick.
D. For Whom the Bell Tolls. |
| 4. Which writer wrote his first story for a school paper? |
A. Edgar Allen Poe
B. Herman Melville
C. Ernest Hemingway
D.F. Scott Fitzgerald |
答案
| 1-4: BCAD |
举一反三
Most people agree that the direct, overconfident American personality is a virtue, but it sometimes
surprises foreigners. In many cultures, respect for older people or those in positions of authority (权威)
keeps others from expressing their true feelings. But in the U.S. children often argue with their parents,
students may disagree with their teachers, and citizens may express opposition to the actions of the
government. If the soup has a fly in it or the meat is too tough to chew, the diner can complain to the
waiter, if the boss makes a mistake, an employee will politely point it out.
Some straight talk about the American personality must include the admission that Americans have
their faults. The extremely competitive nature of Americans is probably their worst fault. Of course,
competition isn"t always bad. As a matter of fact, it promotes excellence by encouraging individuals and
businesses to try to do their best. But the desire to get ahead of others sometimes causes people to do
things that are unkind and even dishonest. Also, Americans admire what is practical, fast, efficient, and
fresh. Sometimes they fail to understand and appreciate practices that have greater respect for more
traditional, leisurely (不慌不忙的) ways of doing things. On the other hand, people from other cultures
may dislike the practical, challenging American lifestyle.
Despite culture differences, most foreigners give Americans credit for their virtues. Americans are
generally viewed as friendly, adaptable, energetic, and kindhearted. Most newcomers to the U.S. like
Americans, and the feeling is usually mutual (相互的). Perhaps the greatest American virtue is a deep
interest in new ideas and new people. In a nation of immigrants, the foreigner does not remain an
outsider for long. |
| 1. In order to show the respect for older people, ______. |
A. people from some other cultures will always express their true feelings
B. people from some other cultures may sometimes hide their true feelings
C. Americans always show their true feelings
D. Americans usually argue with them |
| 2. Why is the extremely competitive nature considered as one of the American faults? |
A. Because people from other cultures fear competition.
B. Because only American people own it.
C. Because it will make people forget leisure.
D. Because it may sometimes urge people to do something bad. |
| 3. It can be inferred from the passage that ______. |
A. American people are more critical of everything than people from other cultures
B. the author believes that American character has more faults than virtues
C. the author admires American virtues as they are viewed as competitive and anti-traditional
D. it is difficult for newcomers to get on with Americans |
| 4. The passage mainly talks about ______. |
A. American virtues
B. American characters
C. American faults
D. American lifestyles |
Visitors to Britain may find the best place to sample local culture is in a traditional pub. But these
friendly pubs can be dangerous places of potential gaffes（失礼）for the newcomers.
A team of researchers have discovered some of the unknown customs of British pubs - starting with
the difficulty of getting a drink. Most pubs have no waiters — you have to go to the bar to buy drinks. A
group of Italian youths waiting 45 minutes before they realized they would have to fetch their own. This
may sound inconvenient, but there is a hidden purpose.
Pub culture is designed to promote sociability（社交）in a society known for its reserve. Standing
at the bar for service allows you to chat with others waiting to be served. The bar counter is possibly the
only site in the British Isles in which friendly conversation with strangers is considered entirely suitable
and really quite normal behavior. "If you haven"t been to a pub, you haven"t been to Britain." This tip can
be found in a booklet, Passport to the Pub: The Tourists" Guide to Pub Etiquette, a customers" rule
of conduct for those wanting to sample “a central part of British life and culture”.
The trouble is that if you do not follow the local rules, the experience may fall flat. For example, if you
are in a big group, it is best if only one or two people go to buy the drinks. Nothing annoys the regular
customers and bar staff more than a group of strangers blocking all access to the bar while they chat
and hesitate about what to order. |
| 1. The underlined word "sample" in the first paragraph probably means "________". |
A. taste
B. experience
C. test
D. record |
| 2. The culture of pub in Britain is so developed to ________. |
A. encourage people to communicate with each other
B. encourage more people to consume drinks
C. attract more tourists to the pubs
D. form its own character of culture |
| 3. If you don"t follow the local rules in a pub, ________. |
A. you won"t buy good local drinks
B. you may annoy the regular customers and bar staff
C. you may fail to feel the local culture
D. you might get into a dangerous place |
| 4. What may be the best title for the passage? |
A. Self-service Pubs in Britain
B. British Local Pubs: Special Chat Places
C. Local Pub Culture in Britain
D. Manners in British Local Pubs |
| 阅读理解 |
As the English language has changed at a fast speed in this century, so has the use of the English
language.
After the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was founded in 1927, the particular style of
speech of the BBC announcers was recognized as Standard English or Received Pronunciation (RP)
English. Now, most people still consider that the pronunciation and delivery of BBC announcers in the
clearest and most understandable spoken English.
English has had a strong association with class and social status. However, since the Second World
War there has been a considerable change of attitude towards speech snobbery (势利), and hallmarks
(标准) of class distinction such as styles of speech have been gradually thrown away, especially by the
young generation.
As the need has arisen, new words have been invented or found from other languages and integrated
into English. Similarly, old words and expressions have been discarded (丢弃) as their usefulness has
reduced or the fashions have passed. This also happens to styles and modes of speech which became
fashionable at a particular time and in specific circumstances.
By the end of the 1960s it became apparent that it was not necessary to speak Standard English or
even correct grammar to become popular, successful and rich. The fashionable speech of the day was
no longer the feature of a privileged class but rather an expression of classlessness.
The greatest single influence of the shaping of the English language in modern times is the American
English. Over the last 25 years the English used by many people, particularly by those in the media,
advertising and show business, has become more and more mid-Atlantic in style, delivery and accent.
In the 1970s, fashion favoured stressless pronunciation and a language full of jargon, slang and "in"
words, much of it quite incomprehensible to the outside world. What is considered modern and
fashionable in Britain today is often not the kind of English taught in schools and colleges.
1. According to the author, there was a trend in the U.S. for the young people _______.
A. to speak Standard English
B. to speak English without class distinction
C. to speak English with class distinction
D. to speak English with grammar mistakes
2.The word "mid-Atlantic" in the passage (Para. 6) probable means _________.
A. American and European
B. American and British
C. the Atlantic Ocean
D. in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
3. It can be concluded from the passage that ______.
A. Standard English is taught in school and colleges
B. the young people are defiant because they refuse to speak standard English
C. the English language is influenced by American English in the last 25 years
D. there has been a great change in the English language in this century |
阅读理解
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。 |
Culture shock might be called an occupational disease of people who have been suddenly transplanted abroad. 1. _________.
Culture shock is caused by the anxiety that results from losing all our familiar signs and symbols of
social exchange. Those signs or cues include the thousand and one ways in which we adjust ourselves to
the situation of daily life: when to shake hands and what to say when we meet people, when and how to
give tips, how to make purchases, when to accept and when to refuse invitations, when to take statements seriously and when not. These cues, which may be words, gestures, facial expressions, customs, or norms, are acquired by all of us in the course of growing up and are as much a part of our culture as the language we speak or the beliefs we accept. All of us depend for our peace of mind and our efficiency on hundreds of these cues, most of which we do not carry on the level of conscious awareness.
2. __________. He or she is like a fish out of water. No matter how broad-minded or full of goodwill you may be, a series of supports have been knocked from under you, followed by a feeling of frustration
and anxiety. People react to the frustration in much the same way.
3. __________. "The ways of host country are bad because they make us feel bad." When foreigners
in a strange land get together to complain about the host country and its people, you can be sure they are
suffering from culture shock.
Another stage of culture shock is regression (回归). 4. _________. To the foreigner everything back
home becomes irrationally glorified. All the difficulties and problems are forgotten and only the good things back home are remembered. 5. _________.
A. Now when an individual enters a strange culture, all or most of these familiar cues are removed.
B. It usually takes a trip home to bring one back to reality.
C. First they reject the environment which causes the discomfort.
D. The home environment suddenly assumes a tremendous importance.
E. Individuals differ greatly in the degree in which culture shock affects them.
F. Some of the symptoms of culture shock are excessive washing of the hands, excessive
concern over drinking water, food dishes and bedding.
G. Like most diseases, it has its own symptoms and cure |
Sightseeing Tours in Germany
Germany has a variety of cities each with its own characteristics, from the busy city of Berlin, to the
ancient city of Cologne, to the Bavarian capital of Munich. Thankfully, these major German cities offer
sightseeing tours that offer the opportunity to better explore the surrounding regions and the country"s
most historic sites.
Berlin on Bike
Berlin on Bike takes visitors through the German capital via five bicycle tours, all with guides. Regular
tours include the Wall Tour and Berlin"s Best, with stops at some of the city"s most famous landmarks,
such as the Reichstag explores what life was like in East Berlin under Communist Rule. The cost of the
tour includes the bike and helmet rental, and tourists may choose to continue renting their bikes once the
tour has ended.
Berlinonbike.de/English/index.php
Munich City Sightseeing Tour
The Munich City Sightseeing Tour transports travelers throughout the city via an open-air,
double-decker bus. Passengers can hop on and off at various stops throughout the day. This tour
includes stops at such sites as the Munich central train station, the 1972 Olympic Stadium Park, Munich"s opera house and Karlsplatz, the gate to the historic city. The bus features a narrated tour guide and offers
an English-language option.
Raileurope. Com/activities/ munich-city-sightseeing-tour/ index. Html
Nice City Tours-Cologne
Nice City Tours offers three tours of Cologne, available to private or business groups in a variety of
languages. The old Town Tour runs for two hours and includes a guided tour of the Cologne Cathedral
and some of the city"s old squares. The Brewery Pub Tour explores some of he city"s most beloved
breweries and pubs, and details the history behind Kolsch, Cologne"s resident beer. Finally, the Old
Town and Phine Tour begins by visiting some of old town"s most historic sites and ends with a ride down
the Phine River.
Nicecitytours. con/ tours. htm
1. The similarity of the three tours lies in that they all include ______.
A. bus tours
B. English service
C. three routes
D. guide"s service
2. If you take a great interest in beer, which tour might be suitable for you?
A. The Wall Tour.
B. The Brewery Pub Tour.
C. The Old Town Tour.
D. The Munich City Sightseeing Tour
3. Where can you probably see this passage?
A. In a textbook
B. On a website
C. In an encyclopedia
D. In a journal |
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