第三章 阅读技巧专项练习
练习一：请以略读法完成以下阅读和问题，并注意用黑体标出的句子。
（1）
Dining Custom s in America
Every country has its own peculiar dining customs.Americans feel that the first rule of being a polite guest is to be on time.If a person is invited to dinner at 6：30，the hostess expects him to be there at 6：30 or not more than a few minutes after.Because she usually does the cooking，she times the meal so that the hot roll and the coffee and meat will be at their best at the time the guests come.If they are late，the food will not be so good，and the hostess will be disappointed.When the guests cannot come on time，he calls his host or hostess on the telephone，gives the reason，and tells at what time he can come.Depending on the situation，guests sometimes bring a box of candy or some flowers to give to the hostess as a sign of appreciation.
As guests continue to arrive，it is usually considered polite for the men in the group to stand when a woman enters the room and continue to stand until she is seated.However，most young people and some groups of older people that stress equality of the sexes no longer observe the custom.A visitor should be sensitive to each situation and follow the lead of the Americans present.
W hen the guests sit down at a dinner table，it is customary for the men to help the ladies by pushing their chairs under them.Some Americans no longer do this，so the visitor must notice what others do and do likewise.Until the meal is under way，if the dinner is at a private home，a guest may avoid embarrassment by leaving the talking to someone else.Some families have a habit of offering a prayer or thanks before they eat.Other families do not.If a prayer is offered，everyone sits quietly with bowed heads until the prayer is over.If the family does not follow the custom，there is no pause in the conversation.
There is a difference between American and European custom s in using the knife and fork.Europeans keep the knife in the right hand，the fork in the left.They use both hands in eating.Americans，on the contrary，use just one hand whenever possible and keep the other one on their lap.They constantly change their fork to the left hand when they have to cut meat.Between the bites they put the fork on their plate while drinking coffee after the meal and keep their knife and fork in hand until they finish eating.
Since Americans often lay their silverware down during the meal，certain customs have developed.It is not considered good manners to leave a spoon in a soup bow l or coffee cup or any other dish.It is put where it will lie flat（a coffee spoon on the saucer，a soup spoon on the service plate beside the soup bowl，etc.）but not on the table-cloth.By doing this，one is less likely to knock the silverware onto the floor or spill the food.Another difference in custom is that Americans and Europeans use the side of the soup spoon，not the tip.
Americans do not use silverware for eating bread.They hold it in their fingers，usually breaking it first.Other things that Americans eat with their fingers are corn on the cob celery，radishes and olives.In America a person does not eat lettuce that way，not pick up a soup bowl to drink what remains at the bottom.
If for any reason a guest has to leave the table during a meal，he or she should ask the hostess，“Would you excuse me for a minute？”When the meal is finished，the guests put their napkins on the table and rise.Guests do not fold their napkins in the original folds unless they are house guests and intend to stay for more than one meal.
Following dinner，guests usually stay for two or three hours，but the thoughtful person is careful not to overstay his or her welcome.The host and hostess may urge a guest to stay longer in order to be polite，but most dinner parties break up at about11 o’clock.
As the guests leave，it is the custom to thank the hostess for a very pleasant evening.Onemay say anything that expresses appreciation.Common expressions are“Goodbye.It was so nice of you to have me”，or“Good-bye.It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable evening”，or“Thank you.I’ve had a very nice time.”For larger favors than a dinner party，such as an overnight or weekend visit，it is customary to send a thank-you note.
Directions：Identify the topic of each paragraph.Match the paragraph number with phrase that you think is the topic of the paragraph.
Para.1 a.What a guest should do if he leaves the table？
Para.2 b.The difference between American and European customs in using the knife and fork.
Para.3 c.Customs to be observed when guests take a seat（with exceptions）.Para.4 d.Cases in which Americans use or do not use fingers to eat.
Para.5 e.The way American guests express appreciation when taking their leave.
Para.6 f.The first rule of being a polite guest.
Para.7 g.Some customs to be observed after guests are seated and before dinner is served.
Para.8 h.Dinning customs concerning the placement and the use of silverware.
Para.9 i.How long a guest may stay after dinner？
（2）
Transport and Public Transportation
Have you ever thought about how important transportation is to the world？Without transportation modern life could not exist.We would have to get or make out our own food，our own clothes，even our books，newspapers，and mail.Everything that we have come to depend on is brought to us.Even the water that we drink is transported through pipelines from wells and reservoirs to our homes and offices.W e have com e to depend on the availability of three principal kinds of transportation：land，sea，and air.
Automobiles，railroads，trucks，and pipelines are the principal means of land transportation.Ships，barges，and submarines form the chief means of water transportation，carrying people and goods across（even under）oceans，seas，and lakes，and along rivers big and small.Without our principal means of air transportation，the airplane，we would have to slow down our lives and commerce.
Nearly every major city in the world provides some form of public transportation.This is necessary not only for visitors to the city，but also to provide citizens with low-cost transportation and to help reduce the traffic on streets and highways.
The most common form of transportation is the bus.Buses have been in use in major cities since approximately 1900.They provide transportation service on innumerable routes from the city center to the suburbs and even to outlying rural areas that surround the city.Also，special buses can be chartered for trips to the mountains，to lakes，and to nearby places of historical interest.In some cities，the city bus system offers free“minibus”service as a convenience to shoppers in the downtown business district.
Subways are mostly found in larger cities，such as New York，London，Beijing，Paris，Copenhagen，Buenos Aires，Sydney，and Tokyo.The subway is an underground system of high-speed trains.The world’s first system was built in London，and trains have been operating there since 1890.Subway trains move more quickly and efficiently than buses；they will deliver you to within walking distance of almost any place in the city.They，too，are inexpensive and help solve city traffic problems.The one drawback of subway trains is that they are often crowded and noisy.
Taxicabs are m ore expensive than buses or subways，but they deliver you to the exact location you want in the shortest time possible.Taxis are convenient if you are in a hurry of if you are taking along a number of suitcases or packages.And as an added attraction，many cab drivers will tell you stories about their adventures as taxicab drivers or even the details of their life stories.
If you ever visit a major city in another country，you probably have no trouble getting around.You will quickly find out about city bus routes and schedules，and about crowds on subway trains，and probably，about the scarcity of taxis when you are trying to find one during rush hours.Like many people，of course，you may come to the conclusion that the most inexpensive and reliable form of transportation w ill be your own two legs.
Directions：Identify the topic of each paragraph.Match the paragraph number with phrase that you think is the topic of the paragraph.
Para.1 a.various kinds of bus service
Para.2 b.advantages and disadvantage of taxicabs
Para.3 c.the importance of transportation
Para.4 d.the function of public transportation
Para.5 e.three major kinds of transportation
Para.6 f.the most reliable form of transportation
Para.7 g.the underground system in cities
练习二：以查阅方式完成下列阅读理解练习。
（1）
National and World News……………………………1-4
State News………………………………………………6-11
Local News…………………………………………………11
Editorial………………………………………………… 2
Financial News……………………………………12-13
Sports…………………………………………14-15
Features………………………………………………………5
Classified……………………………………………………10
Weather：Sunny，low in mid 60°s.
1.In line 7，the word features most nearly means＿＿＿.
A.society news B.pictures C.special articles D.letters
2.On which of the following pages would one look to find the score for a football game？
A.2 B.11 C.13 D.14
3.We can estimate from this passage that today’s low temperature will be＿＿＿.
A.60 degrees B.61 degrees C.65 degrees D.69 degrees
4.Which of the following would be the best title for this magazine？
A.Information C.Weather Magazine
B.The World D.News Report
（2）
RENTAL AGREEM ENT
CAUTION：Your signature on this legal document indicates that you have read and understood its contents and agree to abide by its conditions.
For apartment number 109 of University Park Apartments located at6oo University Park.
1.Security deposit.The amount of the security deposit is$250，at no time to be applied as rent，and to be refunded upon termination of agreement less any amount retained in payment of damages to the apartment.Should damages to the premises exceed the amount of the deposit，the resident agrees to reimburse the management for such excess.
2.Termination of agreement.The security deposit shall be refunded less any retained amount specified upon the termination of this agreement at the end of the original rental period if notice in writing of termination has been given thirty（30）days in advance of such termination，the keys have been returned to the management，and the premises are found upon inspection to be clean and undamaged.
1.The word premises in line 8 and line 14most nearly means＿＿＿.
A.furniture B.floors C.property D.utilities
2.Under what conditions could the manager refuse to return a security deposit？
A.If the keys ware not returned 30 days before the resident planned to move.
B.If the apartment were undamaged.
C.If the resident did not give notice in writing.
D.If the manager could not find another resident to take the apartment.
3.If a resident plans to move from University Park Apartments on June 15，when should he notify the manager？
A.On May’15. B.On June 1. C.On July 15.D.On June 15.
4.This passage is＿＿＿.
A.a legal document C.a termination of agreement
B.a caution D.a security deposit
（3）
CHEM ICAL ENG INEER ING
Freshman Year
Fall Quarter
Winter Quarter
Spring Quarter
1.The word elective most nearly means＿＿＿.
A.a required course C.an alternative among courses
B.an economics course D.an introductory course
2.What is the course number for Graphics I？
A.100. B.101. C.110. D.200.
3.How many hours of chemistry must be taken during the freshman year，including laboratory sessions？
A.2 hours. B.3 hours. C.9 hours. D.11 hours.
4.This passage is＿＿＿.
A.a grade report
B.a plan of study for a chemistry student
C.a plan of study for an engineering student
D.a list of all of the courses offered to freshmen
（4）
Specific Taboos
If someone gave you a lily at any time other than Easter，you might be surprised because in our culture a lily is regarded as a symbol of death.Husbands here might feel hurt if some well-intentioned visitor gave their wives sexy undergarments.Those are just two examples of taboo gifts in America.
So it is with other cultures.We can’t possibly mention all of the taboos here—indeed，they probably are not all listed anywhere.However，the following list covers some key taboos：
The Japanese customarily wrap their gifts in paper，but they don’t use white paper（color of death）；they don’t use bright colored paper；and they don’t use bows.
Don’t give four of anything to a Japanese or Korean；it is the“bad luck”number，like the number 13 in many cultures including the United States and England.
Don’t give a clock to a Chinese；the word for clock in Chinese has a funeral to it.
For someone from Hong Kong，giving two of something，or a pair，carries better luck than a single item.
Among Latin Americans，the gift of a knife or knives suggests the“cutting”of a relationship；yet this notion can be blunted by including a coin with the knives.
In the Middle East，a handkerchief suggests tears or parting，and therefore is inappropriate as a gift.
Flowers carry all kinds symbolism：purple flowers are the flowers of death in Mexico and Brazil；the same with white flowers in Japan；and white chrysanthemums are the flower of death in many European countries.Also，it is considered bad luck in many European countries to present an even number of flowers.Therefore，always present an odd number（except 13，of course）.
When you present flowers to a person from Germany，always unwrap the bouquet first.
Giving red roses in Germany signals that you have strong romantic interests.In fact，throughout history，the rose has signified“secrecy”.Consider the Latin word sub rosa，meaning secret，and note that many confessional booths in Catholic churches have carvings of roses above the doors.
Giving a French person a gift of perfume is carrying the proverbial coals to Newcastle.
In the Middle East，any pictures of partially unclothed females（even of famous statues）or of pet animals，like dogs who are considered dirty and lowly，are inappropriate gifts.
In rank-conscious societies like Japan，be careful to present gifts in accordance with position and prestige.If several people are involved and you are uncertain about the hierarchy，give the group a joint gift（e.g.，a silver tray，a carving，porcelain statue，fine molded glass）.
Tone down corporate symbols on your gifts.Either make them very subtle or simply insert your business card with the gift.
Directions：The following three columns are lists of countries（regions），taboos，and reasons for the taboos respectively.Find for each taboo its corresponding country（region）and reason.
参考答案
练习一
（1）Para.1-9：f，c，g，b，h，d，a，i，e
（2）Para.1-7：c，e，d，a，g，b，f
练习二
（1）1.C 2.D 3.C 4.D
（2）1.C 2.C 3.A 4.A
（3）1.C 2.C 3.D 4.C
（4）1.E，h 2.F，a 3.A，f 4.C，i 5.I，c 6.H，b 7.G，e 8.B，d 9.I，c/D，g
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