Asking for information or help is a very common and necessary activity, especially when we visit a foreign country. So knowing how to ask for information politely is important. In English, "Where are the restrooms?" and "Could you please tell me where the restrooms are?" are similar requests—both are correct English, but the first could sound rude. It's important to use correct language, but sometimes this alone is not enough—we need to learn how to be polite when we make requests.
In English, just like in Chinese, we change the way we speak when talking with different people. The expressions you use might depend on whom you are speaking to or how well you know them. If you say to your teacher, "Where is my book?" this will sound rude. But if you say, "Excuse me, Mr West. Do you know where my book is?" your question will sound much more polite. On the other hand, it might be alright to say "Where is my book?" in some situations, perhaps with people you know well.
And you would not usually say, "Peter, lend me your pen. " A very direct order like this can sound rude in English. Usually in English polite questions are longer and include extra language, such as "Could you please...?" or "Can I ask...?" It sounds more polite to say, "Peter, could you please lend me your pen?" Sometimes we might even need to spend some time leading in to a question or request. For example, if you stop a stranger in the street, we might first say, "Excuse me. I wonder if you can help me. " or "I'm sorry to trouble you but," before asking them for help.
It might seem that speaking politely is more difficult than being direct, and in a way this may be true. However, in order not to offend people, learning about the language etiquette is just as important as learning grammar or vocabulary. And doing this will also help you become better at English, or any other language you wish to speak.
【小题1】 It's important to know how to_     _in English when we visit a foreign country.
【小题2】 When you talk with different people, you need to__      _.
【小题3】 Extra words are used to help__     ___.
【小题4】._      _is as important as learning language structure.
【小题5】 How do you say " Don't smoke here. " politely? "_        __*

Because earthquakes happen without warning, it’s important to take steps now to prepare. Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake happens, prepare some supplies for your home, workplace, and car.

1. Water.

A person needs at least 1/2 gallon of water daily just for drinking. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day and be prepared for a 72-hour period. It is suggested that you buy bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it. Also, do check the “use by” date.

2. Food.

It’s always a practical idea to keep a supply of non-perishable(不易腐烂的) food on hand. Have an enough supply of canned food, powdered milk, dried fruits, non-salted nuts and canned juices for at least 72 hours.

3. Flashlights(手电筒) and spare batteries.

Keep a flashlight beside your bed, at your place of work, and in your car. Do not use matches or candles after an earthquake until you are sure that no gas leaks.

Prepare a battery-powered radio and spare batteries. Most telephones will be out of order, so radios will be your best source of information.

4. Clothes.

If you live in a cold place, you must think about warmth. You might not have heat after an earthquake. Think about your clothing and bedding supplies.

1. Why should people prepare themselves for an earthquake?

   A. Because earthquakes can be known before they happen.

   B. Because earthquakes take place without warning.

   C. Because earthquakes usually take place in the neighborhood.

   D. Because it’s people’s daily work to prepare the earthquakes.

2. About the prepared water, which description is RIGHT?

   A. A person should prepare 0.5 gallon of water for one day.

   B. You’d better use your own containers to keep water.

   C. You’d better open the bottled water when you buy it.

   D. You shouldn’t open the bottled water until you need it.

3. You should prepare all of the following except ______.

   A. powdered milk                            B. fresh vegetables

   C. dried fruits                                D. canned juices

4.According to the article we know that ______.

   A. we need to prepare some supplies only at home

   B. a telephone is the most important prepared thing

   C. flashlights but not matches are first used after earthquakes

   D. clothes are used to protect your head

5. If you live in a cold place, you should prepare _______.

   A. some warm clothes and bedding supplies        B. some hot water

   C. some batteries                                D. some flashlights

 

Earthquakes can be very scary（吓人的）. But you need to keep your mind stable (坚定的) in order to make sure you are safe. Be calm and try not to run here and there.
If you manage to come out of your house, go to an open space like a garden or a park where you will be a lot safer. If you live quite some floors above in your building, try to find a place near a bulky(坚固的) object such as a bed. Curl up (蜷缩) and sit on the floor and make sure you are not near a window, fireplace, gas stove and so on. Remember don’t use lifts or escalators.
Some people say you should stand on a doorway. That is not true. If the doorway jambs (侧壁) are weak, they might fall on you. Also if people want to pass through that door, you may stop them. Leave all doorways free.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that you mustn’t climb down the stairs during an Earthquake. If the tremors (震动) stop, after a few seconds, just climb down the stairs as quickly as you can and move out of the building, but don’t run.
Earthquakes usually destroy gas pipes and electrical wires. Turn off the main gas. And don’t light candles or lighters and create an even bigger disaster.
If you’re driving and feel a shake, stop your car at the side of the road and get out. Make sure you are not on a bridge. Bridges and overhead roads (高架路) have the biggest danger of falling.
【小题1】 The best title for the passage should be       .

A．Dos and Don’ts Before an Earthquake.

B．What to Do in Case of Earthquake

C．Tips for Earthquake Preventions

D．Tips for Children in Earthquake.

【小题2】When an earthquake suddenly happens, you should       .
a. remain standing near a window             b. turn off the main gas
c. stay in an open space                     d. stand on a doorway
e. keep off  overhead roads

A．a, b, c

B．c, d, e

C．b, c, e

D．b, d, e

【小题3】 Which of the following is NOT true, when an earthquake suddenly happens?

A．We can’t use the lift.

B．Curling up may be very dangerous.

C．We must turn off the gas.

D．We must get out of the car when the earthquake comes

【小题4】 It can be learned from the passage that     .

A．keeping calm in time of earthquake is very important.

B．measures should be taken to make buildings stronger.

C．Knowledge of first aid must be used in an earthquake.

D．lots of things must be done to survive an earthquake.

Because earthquakes happen without warning, it’s important to take steps now to prepare. Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake happens, prepare some supplies for your home, workplace, and car.

1. Water.

A person needs at least 1/2 gallon of water daily just for drinking. Store at least1 gallon of water per person per day and be prepared for a 72-hour period. It’s suggested that you buy bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it. Also, do check the “use by” date.

2. Food.

It’s always a practical idea to keep a supply of non-perishable(不易腐烂的) food on hand. Have an enough supply of canned food, dried milk, dried fruits, non-salted nuts and canned juices for at least 72 hours.

3. Flashlights and spare batteries.

Keep a flashlight beside your bed, at your place of work, and in your car. Do not use matches or candles after an earthquake until you are sure that no gas leaks.

Prepare a battery –powered radio and spare batteries. Most telephones will be out of order, so radios will be your best source of information.

4. Clothes.

If you live in a cold place, you must think about warmth. You might not have heat after an earthquake. Think about your clothing and bedding supplies.

1. You should prepare all of the following except _______________.

    A. canned juices    B. dried fruits     C. fresh vegetables   D. dried milk

2. If you live in a cold place, you should prepare _______________ .

    A. some warm clothes and bedding supplies                   B. some hot water

    C. some batteries                                        D. some flashlights

3. According to the article we know that _________________.

    A. clothes are used to protect your head 

B. a telephone is the most important prepared thing

    C. flashlights but not matches are first used after earthquakes

D. we need to prepare some supplies only at home