I ran into quite a few language problems while travelling with my family last summer.The most embarrassing was when my Mom apologized to the people we were staying with because her “pants were dirty”. They looked at her in amazement, not knowing how to react.You see, Mom had fallen over and gotten mud on her jeans.But in Britain, “pants” means underpants(内裤)or knickers, not trousers as it does back home.
—Katie from America
I went to stay with a friend on the west coast last summer.Her flat was on the first floor of a high—rise building so I got the lift up.Then I wandered round for ages looking for her flat but couldn’t find it.Fed up and tired, I finally had to go out to find a phone box.She explained that her flat was on the first floor, which for me meant the ground floor.
—David from Britain
When I asked for the “restroom” in a big department store, people kept directing me to a room with seats where I could sit and “rest”. It took me years to get through to someone that I only wanted the toilet!
—Tom from America
11. Hearing Katie’s mother’s words, Katie’s friends were in surprise because______.
A.Katie’s mother got mud on her jeans |
B.Katie’s mother’s underpants were dirty |
C.they didn’t know English |
D.they mistook “pants” in American for underpants |
12. David went out to find a phone box to______.
A.phone the police for help |
B.phone his friend for help |
C.tell his friend he couldn’t go to visit her |
D.apologize for his being late |
13. When Tom asked for the “restroom”, the people around him thought ______.
A.he wanted to go to a department store |
B.he wanted the toilet |
C.he wanted to have a rest |
D.he wanted a chair |