Except for a few times, Americans are not big present-givers. There's no exchange of presents among business people, and if one American tries to give another a present, it may look like that he wants to bribe (贿赂) him. Americans have learned that in some other countries people like to give presents to others, but among ourselves we don't see the need for presents.

　　Even friends may never exchange presents. When I go to foreign countries, I try to bring back little things for close friends, but nobody would feel unhappy if I didn't. I don't often remember a friend's birthday, and few people outside of my family remember mine. If someone gave me presents too often, I'd get unpleasant. But a present from a foreigner - that kind from his or her homeland — won't go wrong, except to government employees (政府职员) who can't be given presents.

　　You usually open a present at once and in front of the person who gives it except Christmas and birthday presents. You should only say, "It's so nice. Thanks…" when you get Christmas or birthday presents.

　　You may want to bring a bottle of wine (葡萄酒) or flowers to a dinner party, but you're never asked to. Nobody will mind if you bring wine, but your friend may not use it that evening.

　　At Christmas we often give presents to our family and sometimes our friends. We also give presents to people who have been helpful during the year- doormen, babysitters, housecleaners, newspaper senders— anyone who has often helped us.

(　 )11. What does "close friends" mean in the passage?

　　A. The friends who are very kind.

　　B. The friends who live close to each other.

　　C. The friends who were once classmates.

　　D.　The friends who you like most.

(　 )12. What kind of presents don't Americans usually open in front of the givers?

　　A. The small presents.　　　　　 　 B. Christmas or birthday presents.

　　C.　The expensive presents.　　　　 D.　The presents for dinner party.

(　 )13. Why do Americans also give presents to housecleaners at Christmas?

　　A.　To pay them.　　　　　　　　 B.　To help them.

　　C.　To thank them.　　　　　　 　　 D.　To make them work harder.

(　 )14. Which of the following do you think is right?

　　A. American business people don't want presents because they are rich enough.

　　B. The writer of this passage must be an American.

　　C. Everyone must give presents to one's family and friends at Christmas.

　　D. Government employees can get little presents from a foreigner.

(　 )15. What is the main idea of the passage?

　　A. Present-giving in the United States.

　　B. Customs (习俗) in the United States.

　　C. American people and present-giving.

　　D. When and how to give presents.

Summer holiday would begin at the weekend, so Bright Middle School decided to hold a school party on Friday evening. The girl students were talking about what they were going to wear.

“I’m going to wear a short red dress, so everybody will notice me,” said Sandy. “How about you, Susan?” “I’ll wear blue jeans, an old shirt, and a funny hat. People will notice me more than you!” Susan said.

“What are we going to do about the boys?” asked Vicky, “Do you remember the school party we had last year? The boys just stood there; nobody invited us to dance, and we girls had to dance by ourselves!” “I hear that some of the boys have learned how to dance in the past two or three months. I’m sure we can find our partners this time.” said Julia.

On Friday evening, at about seven, groups of students came into the activity hall of the school. Then the music began. The girls stood in a line on the side, and the boys on another side. Mrs. Mott, their teacher, tried to get them together, but failed. After a short while a tall boy called Joe said, “I don’t want to stand here for the whole night.” After finishing his words, he started to dance by himself. All the others watched him. In about two or three minutes, Susan came up to join him. Then Thomas asked Sandy if she’d like to dance with him. Next was Paul and Vicky. Then more and more people began to dance, and there were more dancers than watchers.

At about 8 o’clock, Vicky, holding a microphone in her hand, began to sing, “Should old acquaintance (朋友) be forgot and never brought to mind,…” Then Sandy came up with the song of My Heart Will Go On. Next was Julia’s singing of Yesterday Once More. The last song Right Here Waiting was sung by Paul. With the stop of the music at 9 o’clock, the party came to an end. The students really had a nice time at the end of the term.

1. The school party lasted about ________ hours.

      A. 1                 B. 2                C. 3                 D. 4

2. ________ was sung by Vicky.

  A. Right Here Waiting                      B. My Heart Will Go On

  C. Yesterday Once More                     D. Auld Lang Syne

3. When was the school party held?

  A. In July.                                 B. Just before the school began.

  C. On a Friday evening of January.             D. In Summer holiday.

4. Who danced with Joe first?

      A. sandy.             B. Vicky.             C. Julia.             D. Susan.

5. Who not only sang but also danced in the party?

      A. Paul, Sandy and Vicky.     B. Susan, Vicky and sandy.

      C. Julia, Vicky and Paul.     D. Joe, Sandy and Paul.

Except for a few times, Americans are not big present-givers. There’s no exchange of presents among business people, and if one American tries to give another a present, it may look like that he wants to bribe (贿赂) him. Americans have learned that in some other countries people like to give presents to others, but among ourselves we don’t see the need for presents.
Even friends may never exchange presents. When I go to foreign countries, I try to bring back little things for close friends, but nobody would feel unhappy if I didn’t. I don’t often re­member a friend’ s birthday, and few people outside of my family remember mine. If someone gave me presents too often, I’d get unpleasant. But a present from a foreigner — that kind from his or her homeland — won’t go wrong, except to government employees (政府职员) who can’t be given presents.
You usually open a present at once and in front of the person who gives it except Christmas and birthday presents. You should only say, ‘It’s so nice. Thanks…’when you get Christ­mas or birthday presents.
You may want to bring a bottle of wine (葡萄酒) or flowers to a dinner party, but you’re never asked to. Nobody will mind if you bring wine, but your friend may not use it that evening.
At Christmas we often give presents to our family and sometimes our friends. We also give presents to people who have been helpful during the year like doormen, babysitters, housecleaners , newspaper senders — anyone who has often helped us.
【小题1】What do the underlined words ‘close friends’ mean in the passage?