Question

It can be hard to meet people from another culture. From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal (信號). Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship.

Different cultures emphasize（強調）the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree. For example, business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust. Even with people at work, it is necessary to spend a lot of time in “small talk”, usually over a glass of tea, before they do any job. In many European countries—like the UK or France—people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants rather than at the office.

Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures. I once made a speech in Thailand. I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion; instead there was an uncomfortable silence. The people just looked at me all the time and smiled. After getting to know their ways better, I realized that they thought I was talking too much. In my own culture, we express meaning mainly through words, but people there sometimes feel too many words are not needed.

Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share almost the same values; however, Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly. We think that they are rude. In fact, this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.

People from different parts of the world have different values, and sometimes these values are quite against each other. However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural (多元文化) environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.

1. In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to .

A. develop closer relationship B. share the same culture

C. get to know each other D. make a successful speech

2.The writer mentions his journey in Thailand to show that .

A. too many words are of no use

B. the English prefer to make long speeches

C. even talk and silence can be culturally different

D. people from Thailand are quiet and shy

3.What would be the best title for the passage?

A. Multicultural Environment B. Cross-Cultural Differences

C. How to Understand Each Other D. How to Build Up a Relationship

 

Answer 1

1.A

2.C

3.B

【解析】

試題分析：這篇文章主要講了跨文化差異。不同的文化或多或少都強調關系建立。說話或是沉默在特定的文化也是不同的。文化差異會導致問題的發生。一個多元文化環境會讓我們有更好的機會了解雙方。

1.細節理解題。根據In many European countries—like the UK or France—people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants rather than at the office.句意：在很多歐洲國家，比如說英國或法國，人們發現在餐館比在辦公室更容易建立持久的工作關系。由此可知，在餐館吃飯可以讓人們發展近一步的關系。故選A。

2.細節理解題。根據Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures.句意：說話或是沉默在特定的文化也是不同的。這句話是第三段的中心句。作者以他在泰國的經歷為例，就是為了說明這點。故選C。

3.主旨大意題。這篇文章講的就是跨文化差異。故選B。

考點：政治經濟文化類短文閱讀。