Informal conversation is an important part of any business relationship. Before you start a discussion, however, make sure you understand which topics are suitable and which are considered taboos(禁忌) in a particular culture. Latin Americans enjoy sharing information about their local history, art, and customs. They expect questions about their family and are sure to show pictures of their children. Yon may feel free to ask similar questions of your Latin American friends. The French think of conversation as an art form, and they enjoy the value of lively discussions as well as disagreements. For them, arguments can be interesting — and they can cover pretty much or any topic — as long as they occur in a respectful and intelligent(智慧的) manner.

In the United States, business people like to discuss a wide range of topics, including opinions about work, family, hobbies, and politics. In Japan, China, and Korea, however, people are much more private. They do not share much about their thoughts, feelings, or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away from the harmonious(和谐的) business relationship they’re trying to build. Middle Easterners are also private about their personal lives and family matters. It is considered rude, for example, to ask a businessman from Saudi Arabia about his wife or children.

As general rule, it’s best not to talk about politics or religion(宗教) with your business friends. This can get you into trouble, even in the United States, where people hold different views. In addition, discussing one’s salary is usually considered unsuitable. Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world, although be careful not to criticize a national sport. Instead, be friendly and praise your host’s team.

1. The author considers politics and religion ________.

A. cheerful topics                        B. taboos

C. rude topics                             D. topics that can never be talked about

2. Which is typically a friendly topic in most places according to the author?

A. Sports.                                   B. Children.   

C. Personal feelings.                  D. Families.

3. Why are people from Asia more private in their conversation with others?

A. They don’t want to talk with others much.

B. They don’t want to have their good relationship with others harmed by informal conversation.

C. They are afraid to argue with their colleagues.

D. They want to keep their feelings to themselves.

4. What shouldn’t you do when talking about sports with colleagues from another country?

A. Praising your own country’s sports.

B. Criticizing your own country’s sports.

C. Praising the sports of your colleagues’ country.

D. Criticizing the sports of your colleagues’ country.

 

第四部分 任务型阅读 (共10小题；每小题1分, 满分10分)

请认真阅读下列短文, 并根据所读内容在文章后表格的空格处里填人最恰当的单词。注意：每个空格填1个单词。

Host family accommodation means that hosts treat the student as a full member of the household, eating together with the student and sharing the common living areas with him/her. No more than three adult students or four junior students will be accommodated in host family accommodation at one time.

Host family accommodation remains popular among international students. It is the most economical and beneficial accommodation for any student. It is also the best way to practice English and learn new cultures. As a result, it is often seen as the number-one choice for its advantages in language study, cultural communication and cost of living. Staying alongside host family enables students to get enough practice during the short time of their study so that their language acquisition is likely to become faster. Living in host families, students are able to spend a lot of time communicating with their "host parents", who are often very hospitable and friendly, and get to know the local way of life, people and culture. Most host families are always ready to help students out in any situation. Often the bonds that are made between international students and their host families endure many years, and are maintained through letters and e-mails. Another advantage is that host family accommodation can sometimes be the least expensive. It attracts students as it ensures them a family type of living at a low cost.

The advantages, however, have not prevented host families from worrying. On the one hand, some host families are losing their unique selling point. One problem is that the majority of hosts in big cities, now generally single and young, have less time available for international students, but the selling point for host family accommodation is communication practice. On the other hand, students' expectations have risen. They are becoming more demanding and asking for more than ever from their accommodation, as they come mainly from high socio-economic groups in their own countries.

To get out of the difficult situation, host families are now making efforts to improve the quality of service. They are trying to make living conditions better, including broadband Internet service, private bathroom, and access to plenty of hot water for long showers. They are also providing students with structured family activities.

It is believed that host family accommodation will keep the popularity vote with international students.

 

Title: Host Family Accommodation
Definition	Host family accommodation refers to a kind of accommodation in which the student is treated as a (71)   ▲   member of the host family, eating together and sharing the living areas with the hosts.
(72)  ▲	Language study	Students learn the language faster because they (73)    ▲    frequently enough.
Cultural communication	It is more convenient for students to communicate and get to know the local (74)  ▲  , people and culture.
Cost of (75)  ▲	Sometimes it is the least expensive and enables students to live at a low cost.
Problems	Loss of the selling point	Hosts (76)   ▲   enough time to communicate with students.
Rise in (77)  ▲	Students are demanding more from their host families.
(78)  ▲  taken	Improvement of service quality	Hosts are (79)  ▲   living conditions. They are offering students structured (80) ▲  activities.
Conclusion	Host family accommodation will keep the popularity vote with international students.

 

 

 

Put on your sunglasses and enjoy the island, the sun and the blue sea. Malta combines (结合) learning English with the Mediterranean way of life: you will have a language course and a great holiday at the same time.
Your language course
Our school lies in Sliema, only a few meters from the sea, the beach road and cafés. The school is in an old Maltese building. Our teachers use a modern teaching method and you will learn English quickly.
Brief information

Class size: 10, at most 15 students

Minimum (最小的) age: 13

Language levels: all

Internet access: in the Internet cafe

The leisure (休闲) programmes
Our school and team leaders organize varied leisure programmes. There will be a welcome party on your first day. You will also take part in beach volleyball, and beach parties.
Other activities include: Discos, visit to Popeye Village, Water Park, bowling, cinema, ice skating (different prices).
Accommodation(住宿)
Family: You will live in friendly host families that the school has known for years. All families are near the school (20 minutes on foot or by bus).
Supervision (监督)
Our team of friendly teachers, team leaders and host families will always be there for you.There is also an emergency phone number for parents and students.
Dear parents, please note that there are periods of time when your children are unsupervised, for example on the way to school. We are happy to discuss any questions you may have. Please contact us by phone or email.
【小题1】If you want to attend the English course in Malta, you should ______.

A．be at least 13 years old

B．have a higher English level

C．learn English without the Internet

D．be watched all the time

【小题2】Where will you live if you attend the English course in Malta?

A．In an old Maltese building.

B．In a local family.

C．In a café in Sliema.

D．In Popeye village.

【小题3】What information can you get from the passage?

A．There are at least 15 students in a class.

B．You can take part in any activity for free.

C．You will have a good time while learning English.

D．It takes you 20 minutes to go to school by bus.

【小题4】The passage is mainly written for ______.

A．travelers to Malta

B．teachers planning to work abroad

C．host families wishing for students

D．teenagers learning English

Informal conversation is an important part of any business relationship. Before you start a discussion, however, make sure you understand which topics are suitable and which are considered taboos(禁忌) in a particular culture. Latin Americans enjoy sharing information about their local history, art, and customs. They expect questions about their family and are sure to show pictures of their children. You may feel free to ask similar questions of your Latin American friends. The French think of conversation as an art form, and they enjoy the value of lively discussions as well as disagreements. For them, arguments can be interesting — and they can cover pretty much or any topic — as long as they occur in a respectful and intelligent manner.

In the United States, business people like to discuss a wide range of topics, including opinions about work, family, hobbies, and politics. In Japan, China, and Korea, however, people are much more private. They do not share much about their thoughts, feelings, or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away from the harmonious business relationship they’re trying to build. Middle Easterners are also private about their personal lives and family matters. It is considered rude, for example, to ask a businessman from Saudi Arabia about his wife or children.

As a general rule, it’s best not to talk about politics or religion  with your business friends. This can get you into trouble, even in the United States, where people hold different views. In addition, discussing one’s salary is usually considered unsuitable. Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world, although be careful not to criticize a national sport. Instead, be friendly and praise your host’s team.

The author considers politics and religion ________.

A. cheerful topics                        B. taboos

C. rude topics                             D. topics that can never be talked about

Which is typically a friendly topic in most places according to the author?

A. Sports.                                   B. Children.   

C. Personal feelings.                  D. Families.

Why are people from Asia more private in their conversation with others?

A. They don’t want to talk with others much.

B. They don’t want to have their good relationship with others harmed by informal conversation.

C. They are afraid to argue with their colleagues.

D. They want to keep their feelings to themselves.

What shouldn’t you do when talking about sports with colleagues from another country?

A. Praising your own country’s sports.

B. Criticizing your own country’s sports.

C. Praising the sports of your colleagues’ country.

D. Criticizing the sports of your colleagues’ country.

Singapore Flyer was launched in 2008 and states to hold the current title for the world's biggest observation wheel, full 30 meters taller than the London Eye observation wheel in London! Soaring 165 meters, Singapore Flyer offers a whole view of Singapore's important tourist attractions including the scenic Marina Bay.

Singapore Flyer is also popular for providing an attractive range of shopping and dining choices. Among its greatest dining choices is the Singapore Flyer Sky Dining, one of the most exciting dining experiences you will ever come across.

    Singapore Flyer Sky Dining is the first ever in the world to offer a full service in the sky. To top it all you are presented with best menus created by award-winning cooks from all over the world.

The sky dining doesn’t stop from there. You will gain fast boarding flights, in other words, no more waiting in line to board an observation capsule (机舱). You can enjoy the service of an in-flight host along with a nice three-course fine dining menu.

Be ready to enjoy yourself in the air-conditioned glass capsule where you will be served a welcome drink, an appetizer (开胃品) along with the main course. From the capsule you will see the night skyline of Marina Bay, Merlion Park, Raffles Place, Empress Place and Padang, bathed in exciting colors. And not just once but you will get to see these very interesting sights twice, during your almost one hour long special dining experience.

Up to five couples can book a small room and there are even choices to book an entire room for you and your partner. The sky dining experience begins from the VIP waiting room where you will be served with tasty desserts and drinks of your choice. You can see the Singapore Flyer conveniently from one of the top hotels in Singapore like M Hotel Singapore.

At Singapore Flyer, tourists can ___________.

A. do some shopping and have dinner

B. enjoy some interesting sights just once

C. enjoy a wonderful 30-minute dining experience

D. get a whole view of all the Singapore's tourist attractions

Which of the following statements is TRUE about Singapore Flyer?

      A. It is the second biggest observation wheel in the world.

      B. The menus are created by native cooks.

      C. It provides fast boarding service.

      D. There are no special rooms for couples.

The underlined phrase in the third paragraph probably means “___________”.

A. What’s more                                    B. At the top of it     

C. What’s worse                                     D. From top to bottom

The three-course dining menu at Singapore Flyer usually includes the following EXCEPT___________.

A. a welcome drink                                 B. the main course     

C. an appetizer                                       D. tasty desserts

Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?

A. Virtual Tourism                        B. A Guide to Singapore Flyer

C. Eating at Singapore Flyer                      D. The future of Singapore Flyer