“You speak very good English”
The other day I heard an American say to a Chinese
student of English. “You 41 very good English.” But the
student answered, “ No, my English is very poor.” The foreigner was quite
42 at the answer. Thinking he had not made himself
43 or the student had not heard him clearly, he said, “Yes, indeed,
you speak it very well.” But the Chinese student still 44 saying
“No”. 45 the foreigner gave up and didn’t know what to say.
What’s wrong with the student’s answer? It is because
he didn’t accept a compliment as the American people 46 . He
should have said “Thank you” instead of “No”. He actually understood what the
American had said. But he thought he should be modest. If someone says to a
woman, “ You look 47 beautiful with the new clothes
48 .” she should be very happy and answer, “Thank you.” In our
country we think 49 modest is a virtue and showing off is a
bad behavior. But in the West, if you are modest and say, “ No, 50
I can’t do it well,” then the others will take it for granted (理所当然)that you 51 can not do it. If you
often say,“No”, you will certainly be looked down upon by 52 .
When 53 for a job, if one says something like “Yes, I can
certainly do it” instead of “ Let me have a try on the job”, he or she can
expect to get it. So in the West, one should always be confident.
54 self-confidence, he can’t go anywhere. Confidence is of great
55 to one in a country where competition is quite keen.(激烈)
1.A. say B. talk C.
speak D. tell
2.A. surprising B. surprised C.
laughed D. laughing
3.A. understood B.
understand C. to understand D.
understanding
4.A. keep B. keeping C.
keeps D. kept
5.A. At first B.
By the way C. In the end D. First of
all
6.A. did B. done C.
to do D. do
7.A. such B. such a C. so D. so a
8.A. for B. on C.
in D. into
9.A. being B. be C.
having D. have
10.A. I’m afraid B. I’m not sure C. I don’t mind D.
I don’t know
11.A. hardly B. really C.
badly D. luckily
12.A. another B. other C.
the other D. others
13.A. asking B.
ask C. provide D.
providing
14.A. With B.
Without C. by D. under
15.A. importantly B.
unimportant C. important D. importance