In the United States, friendships can be close, constant, intense, generous and

In the United States, friendshipscan be close, constant, intense, generous and real, yet fade away in a shorttime if situations change. Neither side feels hurt by this. Both may exchangeChristmas greetings for a year or two, perhaps a few letters for a while— thenno more. If the same two people meet again by chance, even years later, theypick up the friendship where it left off and are delighted.

In the States, you can feel freeto visit people’s homes, share their holidays, or enjoy their lives withoutfear that you are taking on a lasting obligation(义务). Do not hesitate to accept hospitality（好客） because you can’t give it in return. No one will expect you to doso for they know you are far from home. Americans will enjoy welcoming you andbe pleased if you accept their hospitality easily.

Once you arrive there, thewelcome will be full and warm and real. Most visitors find themselves readilyinvited into many homes there. In some countries it is considered inhospitableto entertain at home, offering what is felt as only home—cooked food, not “doing something for your guest”. It is felt that restaurant entertaining, showsmore respect and welcome. Or for other different reasons, such as crowdedspace, language difficulties, or family custom, outsiders are not invited intohomes.

In the United States, bothmethods are used, but it is often considered more friendly to invite a personto one’s home than to go to a public place, except in purely businessrelationships. So, if your host or hostess brings you home, do not feel thatyou are being shown inferior treatment.

Don’t feel neglected if you donot find flowers awaiting you in your hotel room, either. Flowers are veryexpensive there; hotel delivery is uncertain; arrival times are delayed,changed, or canceled —— so flowers are not customarily sent as a welcomingtouch. Please do not feel unwanted! Outward signs vary in different lands; theinward welcome is what matters, and this will be real.

1.In the United States, you will find friendships ______ ifcircumstances change.

  A. diesuddenly                         B. pass away

  C. disappeargradually                   D. last forever

2.Americans _____ their foreign friends to make a return for theirhospitality.

   A.ask          B. don’texpect            C. never allow     D. wish 

3.In some other countries, giving adinner party at home is considered ______ than in a restaurant.

   A. less friendly   B.less hospitable      C. morenatural     D. more popular

4.According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

   A. Flowers are signs of outwardwelcome.         

  B. Flowers are expensive.

   C. Flowers are available at alltime.

D. Flowers are not necessarilysent to guests.

试题答案

【答案】

1.C2.B3.B4.    C

【解析】略