Question

Most people agree that the direct, assertive(過分自信的) American personality is a virtue, but it sometimes surprises foreigners. In many cultures, respect for older people or those in positions of authority 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 character 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 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. 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 feeling

B.people from some other cultures may sometimes hide their true feeling

C.Americans always show their true feelings

D.Americans usually argue with them

2.Why is the extremely competitive nature considered as one of 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

Answer 1

1-4  BDAB

解析:

1.B 文章首段第二句提到“In  many cultures respect for older people or those in postions of authority keeps others from expressing their true feelings”.由此可知：出于對長者尊敬，許多國家的人們往往不會表達自己的真實感受，故選項B正確.

2.D  文章第二段第五句話指出“But the desire to get ahead of others sometimes causes people... unkind and even dishonest”,也就是說，極端的競爭性有時會使人誤入歧途，由此可知D正確答案。

3.A  文章首段中幾個例子論證了美國人直率的性格，從中我們不難推斷出，美國人比其他外國人更善于批判，故A為正確答案。本文論述了美國人性格的三個方面，其中坦率和對新事物的興趣是作者贊賞的，都被視為virtue,故排除B，第三段第二句話指出“Americans are generally viewed as friendly, adaptable, energetic, and kinkhearted”,由此可排除C；根據(jù)最后一段內(nèi)容可推斷出，美國人并不難相處，所以選項D也不對。

4.B  本文主要闡述了美國人的性格，作者在第二段第二句中提到“The extremely competitive nature... their worst fault”,以及第二段倒數(shù)第二句也提到“Sometimes they fail to understand and appreciate practices...”,由此可知文章并非全在說美國人的優(yōu)點，故可排除A；文章雖在第二段兩處提到美國人的缺點，但不是主要內(nèi)容，故C也可排除；選項D顯然不對.