To save yourself from embarrassment (尴尬)， it’s good to read a few books or research online about the culture and customs of the country you plan to visit.

Clothing: Wearing shorts in public is generally not acceptable in most parts of the world, including some European countries.

Greetings: Handshake is a usually accepted form of greeting, although in some countries, like Japan, a traditional bow(鞠躬) is preferred. Be careful how you talk with someone; don’t use first names unless you are invited to do something.

Language/Gestures: learn some polite expressions (hello-goodbye-thank you) and relax. English is pretty common worldwide, especially in tourist areas and you can always use body language to get your message across. However, some Americans gestures have different meanings in other countries. For example, in Bulgaria, shaking your head usually means  “yes”; shaking it “vertically” means “ no”.

Food/Drink: you may find yourself looking down at a local delicious snake soup in china, sheep’s eyes in Saudi Arabia… and wonder what to do; especially you are guests in someone’s home. Be brave, take small bites, and pretend it tastes like something you like. Remember that some Buddhists don’t eat beef, and Muslims don’t eat pork. If you are eating with Muslims, never touch food with left hand (the left hand is for bathroom use).

Conversations: if you know the history and culture of the country, you will be confident. The French are angry at the classic American question: “What do you do for a living?” and so on.

1.You should learn about _______ of the country if you want to go to another country.

A．the people and the food

B．the culture and customs

C．the language and people

D．the behavior and conversations

2.A Japanese meet you for the first time, he/ she will ________.

A．shake hands with you                    B．hug with you

C．kiss you                               D．bow to you

3.In Bulgaria, shaking your head usually means______________.

A．yes              B．no               C．victory            D．calm down

4.Which of the following isn’t right?

A．You can’t wear shorts in public in most parts of the world.

B．You can use body language to communicate with people.

C．You can use your left hand to touch food when you eat with Muslims.

D．You can get along well with people you visit if you know their culture and customs well.

GERALD Christian is in Grade 8 at Ridge Road Middle School in North Carolina, US. She is a member of her school basketball team. Late last month, the 14-year-old faced a big problem. Her mother lost her job. She thought she couldn't pay the $ 50 fee for the city's sports meet this year.

    Christian was not the only one who had this problem. Some other middle school players in the city had the same problem.

    That's why famous NBA player Michael Jordan gave $ 250, 000 to the city earlier this month. He wanted to help the poor students. Jordan said: "I know there are kids who get an education by playing sports. We need to keep sports alive for them."

    Christian was shocked. "Really? I can't believe Michael did that for us. These days, I go to bed thinking about it and I wake up thinking about it," she said. "Now the problem is over. "

Christian wanted to say "thanks" to Jordan. "Michael, thank you for giving me the chance to show myself. I will do my best at the meet.

1.The underlined word "shocked" means ________.

A. moved        B. surprised        C. worried            D. afraid

2.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Christian was a middle school student.

B. The students will have a sports meet.

C. Few of the players could pay the fee.

D. Christian's mother lost her job last month.

3.Christian thanked Jordan because he helped her ________.

A. to get a chance to show herself

B. to become a basketball player

C. to go on her study at school

D. to win the basketball match

Denny Crook was a famous photographer. He traveled all over the world, taking pictures for magazines and newspapers, and won many prizes.

“I’ll do anything to get a good photo,” he often said. “I’ll go anywhere at any time, even if it is (41).”

And he told the (42). He had photos of earthquakes, forest fires, floods and even wars. If something interesting happened, Denny went to photo it.

He was a married man and his wife often asked him to take her with him, but he always (43).”I’ll travel for my work, not for (44),” he told her . “You won’t enjoy yourself, and I won’t have (45) to look after you. Sometimes there’s not even anywhere to (46), and I have to sleep outside. I often don’t have a good (47) or a bath for days. You won’t like it.”

“Denny, I’m not a child,” his wife didn’t (48). “I can look after myself. Please take me with you the next time you go overseas.”

Denny did not say anything, but he (49) about it, and when he was asked to go to Africa he said to his wife, “You can come to Africa with me if you want to. I’ve got to take photos of wild (50) there. It should be interesting and not too uncomfortable.”

His wife was very (51), and at first she had a very enjoyable time.

Then Denny went to off to (52) some lions to photo. His wife went with him, but before long they became separated. She walked down one path while he walked down the other.

Suddenly, Denny heard her (53). He ran back and saw her running toward him. A huge lion was chasing her.

Quickly Denny took his camera out of its case and (54) it at his wife and the lion.

Then he shouted, “(55), woman! I can’t get you both in the picture!”

—Your paintings are so great, David! When did you learn ______?

—Three years ago.

　 A. to meet　　 B. to swim　　　　 C. to paint　　　 D. to sing

Sometimes people come into your life and you know at once that they were sure to be there. They serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help find out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be: your classmate, neighbor, teacher, long-lost friend or even a real stranger. But you know that every moment they will affect (影响) your life in some serious way.

Sometimes things happen to you. At the time they may seem terrible, painful (痛苦的) and unfair. But later you realize that without getting over those difficulties you would have never realized your further ability and strength. Everything happens for a reason and nothing happens by chance or with good or bad luck.

The people you meet affect your life, and the successes and failure (失败) you experience, create who you are. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

Enjoy every day even every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and really listen. You should set your sights high, hold your head up, tell yourself you are a great one and believe in yourself.

You can make your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it.

1. The people we meet      .

A. all know where to find us       B. serve us on no purpose

C. won't become our neighbor      D. will change us in some way

2. From the passage, we know that bad things can make us      .

A. terribly meet bad luck        B. realize our further ability

C. find no serious success       D. possibly enjoy every moment

3.The underlined word "poignant" in the passage means "       ".

A. 平淡的      B. 明显的     C. 深刻的    D. 艰苦的

4.The writer's advice is that we should      .

A. never talk to strange people       B. learn as much as we can each day

C. get over difficulties painfully    D. not believe in ourselves but others

5.Which is the best title for the passage?

A. Create Your Own Life           B. Hold Your Head Up

C. People You Meet in Life        D. Things Happen to You