When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Here are some British etiquette(礼仪) and customs international students ought to know.
Visiting
In most houses in Britain, the doors are usually kept closed. It is customary to visit people at a pre-arranged time and day. Usually, people are not comfortable if you just drop in. Nevertheless, if someone says to drop in at any time, feel free to do so as long as it is not in the middle of the night. When you go into someone's house, do take your hat off (men only). It is impolite for men to wear hats indoors especially in churches.
Greeting
In Britain, the handshake is a common form of greeting. When you meet people for the first time, it is normal to shake hands. A firm handshake is the norm(标准); there are no issues over gender in Britain. The usual formal greeting is ''How do you do? '' and a firm hand shake, but with a lighter touch between men and women. In Britain, unlike some other European countries, it is unusual to embrace or kiss the other person (unless they are family or a very close friend).
Gifts
During birthday and Christmas celebrations, it is common for the British to exchange gifts between family members and close friends. The gift doesn’t need to be expensive, but it should usually show an attempt to find something that is related to the recipient's(接受者) interests. When invited to someone's home, it is normal to take along a box of good chocolates, a bottle of good wine or a bunch of beautiful flowers. Note that gifts are opened when received.
Punctuality
The British are generally punctual(守时的), especially the scots. The British consider it impolite if you turn up late for an appointment. In most cases, the people you are meeting will be on time, call even if you will be 5 minutes later than you've promised. If you have been late or fail to keep your appointment, make an effort to contact the person to let them know. It is a good idea to telephone and offer your apologies.
1. What do the British men usually do when they meet for the first time?| A．Embrace or kiss each other. | B．shake hands firmly. |
| C．Bring an expensive gift. | D．Take off their hats immediately. |
| A．A book the receiver is interested in. | B．A pet that you think is cute. |
| C．A red envelope with some money. | D．A fantastic and expensive bike. |
| A．Visit them at a scheduled time. | B．Show up on time instead of arriving earlier. |
| C．Phone to tell them if one will be late. | D．Pay an unexpected visit to give them a surprise. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Instead of throwing the pits (核) or nuts after eating fruits like many people, inheritors of nut carving will collect them and turn them into artworks.
“One nut, ranging from 0.8 to 6 centimeters, can be shaped into delicate earrings, buttons, seals, etc,” said Tan Wanhai, an inheritor of Weifang nut carving.
Weifang nut carving can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty, during which a retired royal craftsman Wang Dayan spread the skill to the locals in Shandong. Craftsmen back then often used peach pits to display their artistic skills. Due to the demanding carving skills and its rich artistic content including many different elements, Weifang nut carving was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage as early as 2008.
Tan has studied the nut carving over 25 years and has created many nut carvings along the way. Yet, the 48-year-old craftsman also admitted that the journey of bringing this kind of masterpiece to life is not all smooth sailing. “Unlike some pits like olive pits whose surfaces are flat, each peach pit has a unique texture like fingerprints,” Tan said, adding that craftsmen should have the capability to trace each peach pit carefully to plan their artwork besides the carving technique itself.
Also, craftsmen need to have a wide foundation of knowledge when it comes to carving nuts. According to Tan, they have to master skills in painting, seal carving and calligraphy from many traditional cultures. Sometimes, to depict classic folktales or legends in their artworks better, they need to read many books to prepare themselves.
It is this kind of dedication that Tan and others possess that allows Weifang nut carving to thrive when many traditional skills are gradually disappearing. “In recent years, Weifang nut carving artworks have been increasingly welcomed by people in China for their inventive layout and novel ideas,” Tan said. This popularity, in turn, has also attracted many people to learn the skill of nut carving and even become inheritors to pass it down.
1. What can we know about Weifang nut carving?| A．It dates back to the Ming Dynasty. | B．It can transform a nut into different designs. |
| C．It was invented by a retired royal craftsman. | D．It was first nationally recognized 25 years ago. |
| A．Tell. | B．Understand. | C．Review. | D．Create. |
| A．The cultural significance of nut carving. |
| B．The reasons why nut carvings are valuable. |
| C．The skills required for nut carving craftsmen. |
| D．The difficulties craftsmen have when creating nut carvings. |
| A．Seeds of Art and Beauty | B．Art Originating from Life |
| C．History of Nut Carving | D．Devoted Contemporary Inheritors |
【推荐2】In the long history of about 5,000 years, numerous Chinese traditional festivals were celebrated as the memory of gods or some significant days, some of which are passed down from generation to generation and people always practice special traditional activities in each festival,
Qingming Festival
Qingming Festival is on the 15th day after Spring Equinox (春分), round April 4 or April 5 every year.
Double Ninth Festival
Winter Solstice(冬至).
Winter solstice is on around December 22 or 23 of solar calendar each year, From winter solstice on, the daytime will be longer and longer.
In China, this festival is in late January or early Februaty, the last day of the Lunar year.
People celebrate it by having a family reunion dinner, setting off fireworks and staying up late. Breaking the dishes and bowls is a thing all the people scare(惊恐），but if you did it, you have to say: “sui sui ping an”
| A．Spring Festival. |
| B．New Year's Eve. |
| C．People always visit their friends and relatives* |
| D．People will go to worship(祭拜）their ancestors. |
| E．It is a pun(双关语), meaning you will be healthy every year. |
| F．It is celebrated on Sept. 9th of the Lunar Calendar, around October |
| G．It's a holiday which is regarded as important as the Spring Festival. |
【推荐3】Walking into Lang Jiaziyu’s workshop in Beijing, one can see lively figurines (小塑像) and cerificates of honor neatly placed on the workbench. However, one can never expect that this third-generation inheritor of the national-level intangible heritage of dough figurine making is a young man born after 1995.
Lang developed an preference for the art at a young age, starting to learn the craft (手艺) from his father when he was about four to five years old. Despite repeatedly practicing the same skills, the boy never felt bored. Instead, he gained quite a great deal of pleasure from the craft. Under the influence of his father, Lang developed a sense of responsibility to carry forward the art when he was young.
Lang had previously considered dough figurines to be an old-fashioned craft, having also felt that the raw materials used for the craft formed a limit on his creativity, stirring up doubts as to why he had chosen making dough figurines as a career from the beginning. However, when Lang visited an art exhibition as a university student, he was impressed by how one artisan there had made bread into various shapes, and then dried them to generate cracks on their outer surfaces to present a unique aesthetic form.
“Then, I came to realize that instead of complaining about the raw materials, I should pay more attention to improving my skills so that I could turn the ‘disadvantages’ of the dough into something that I could make full use of to make my works more expressive,” Lang said.
The young man has also turned to new media to promote the art of dough modeling. For Lang, making dough figurines is a process of self-expression, and it gives him great pleasure to just be himself. “This is what I’m good at and attracted to, and I’m delighted to see a trend toward the revitalization (复兴) of traditional Chinese culture nowadays,” said Lang.
1. What is the first paragraph intended for?| A．Introducing a man detailedly. | B．Attracting readers to read further. |
| C．Showing the achieved honor. | D．Indicating the importance of heritage. |
| A．His responsibility for Chinese culture. | B．Another artisan’s bread presentation. |
| C．His discovery of his own disadvantages. | D．His enthusiasm for making dough figures. |
| A．It brought pleasure. | B．It passed on Chinese culture. |
| C．He won honor in 2010. | D．He was influenced by his family. |
| A．Pass On for Chinese Culture | B．A Trend for the Dough Figurine Modeling |
| C．It Is Vital to Be Myself | D．It Feels Cool to Be a Dough Figurine Artisan |
【推荐1】Peak by Roland Smith, $2.98
When 14-year-old Peak Marcello is caught climbing a skyscraper to place his signature graffiti (涂鸦) tag on it, he is offered a choice: spend three years in prison, or climb Mt. Everest with his long-absent father. Peak is challenged by the climb. Readers young and old will be attracted by the sharp writing and memorable characters.
Look at Lucy! by IIene Cooper, $3.50
Bobby is really proud of his dog Lucy. She is a terrific friend, and a great dog. So when a local store has a pet contest, he happily enters Lucy in it. But it turns out that the pet that wins the contest may be featured on TV with its owner. Bobby is shy, and doesn’t like attention. But can he face the spotlight…for Lucy? In this heartwarming story of a boy and a dog’s friendship, IIene Cooper once again charms young readers and dog-lovers alike.
If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Chodlenko, $6.95
Kirsten’s parents hardly speak to each other. Her best friend is no longer close, to her. Meanwhile, Walker’s goal is to survive at the new private school. Then Kirsten and Walker discover an astonishing secret together. This book touches on universal truths about human nature.
Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, $2.95
A Chinese proverb says, “Falling leaves return to their roots.” In Chinese Cinderella, Adeline Yen Mah returns to her roots to tell the story of her painful childhood and her courage in the face of despair. Adeline’s rich family considers her to be bad luck after her mother dies giving birth to her. Although Adeline wins prizes at school, they are not enough to get what she really desires — the love and understanding of her family. Following the success of the adult best-seller Falling Leaves, this memoir (回忆录) is a moving retelling of the classic Cinderella story.
1. Why does Peak climb Mt. Everest according to the text?| A．Because he wants to challenge himself. |
| B．Because he is forced to accept it as a punishment. |
| C．Because he’d like to get a chance to be with his father. |
| D．Because he desires to place his signature graffiti tag there. |
| A．Peak and Look at Lucy!. |
| B．Peak and Chinese Cinderella. |
| C．Look at Lucy! and Chinese Cinderella. |
| D．Look at Lucy! and If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period. |
| A．Roland Smith is not popular with adult readers. |
| B．Gennifer Chodlenko has great faith in human nature. |
| C．Adeline Yen Mah’s Falling Leaves appeals to adult readers. |
| D．IIene Cooper never wrote about dogs before writing Look at Lucy! |
【推荐2】It’s the time of year when we start hiking. As you pack, remember to bring your smartphone. Whether you’re going on a short walk or a long trip, there are a handful of apps that can help.
MapMyHike
This app tracks where you're hiking so you have a map of your route at the end of the hike. It can also track other fitness information like the distance traveled, speed, pace, and even calories burned. You can save the data for your hike, so you can always access the route you look as well as track improvements to your workout.
GaiaGPS
You don't always have cellphone service when hiking, but you always want to know where you are. The GaiaGPS app provides that information. Download maps of different parts of the world, and access the GaiaGPS app in the middle of even the most remote trails. The GPS function makes using the maps simple, and the app will also point to areas of interest.
Backpacking Checklist
One of the worst things is being way out on a trail only to discover you left behind something important. That's why checklists are the best. This checklist app helps you build a customized(定制的) list of things to take with you. Organize different lists based on trail lengths or requirements. Track all your essential items by weight and where you can find them.
WildObs
Using WildObs, you can record your observations of plants and animals and add them to the database. You can ask the community to help you identify something and keep track of everything you've met, and most importantly, you can become a citizen scientist. By recording what you've seen with this app, you're helping scientists keep track of what's happening to the natural world.
1. What can you do with MapMyHike?| A．Record your walking speed. | B．Design a suitable hiking route. |
| C．Locate popular tourist attractions. | D．Store the data of your daily activities. |
| A．To provide survival skills. | B．To lead the way. |
| C．To identify wildlife. | D．To help make preparations. |
| A．GaiaGPS. | B．MapMyHike. |
| C．WildObs. | D．Backpacking Checklist. |
【推荐3】The Best Hiking near New York City
If you want to go hiking near New York City, you’re in luck. These trails (小径) can meet your needs.
Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon
Consider this 2.5-mile trail if you don’t have enough time. You can go on a quick but difficult hike there that sends you straight up the Mount Beacon. You can take in beautiful views similar to its more popular neighbors there. You can even watch the sunset. To get there, take Metro-North to Beacon and then take a 5-minute walk to the beginning of the trail.
Stairway to Heaven Trail
The trail lies about 50 miles outside the city, but it allows you to get everything you ever wanted in a hike. You’ll get good exercise if you choose the 7.3-mile “Stairway to Heaven”. Take NJ Transit bus route 196 or 197 to Warwick, New York, and it’s just a 10-minute taxi ride to the beginning of the trail.
Camp Smith Trail
This 3.5-mile hike is great for a day trip by yourself. With fairly easy landform (地形), even your four-legged friend can join you on the trail. Take the Metro-North Hudson line to Peekskill Station for free buses or trains to the Bear Mountain Inn. And you can hike up to see unbelievable Hudson Valley view.
Ice Caves and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail
Along the 7-mile trail, you will get through the passages of the Ice Caves and walk past Verkeerderkill Falls. The trail is the highest waterfall trail in the Shawangunks. Take the Short Line bus from New York to nearby Ellenville and then take a 14-minute taxi ride to Sam’s Point Preserve.
1. What can you do if you choose Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon?| A．Watch the waterfall. |
| B．Enjoy the beauty of nature. |
| C．Have team sports in the wild. |
| D．Experience mountain biking. |
| A．Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon. |
| B．Stairway to Heaven Trail. |
| C．Camp Smith Trail. |
| D．Ice Caves and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail. |
| A．They are easy to get to. |
| B．They are near the city center. |
| C．They are suitable for small kids. |
| D．They attract many hikers every year. |
【推荐1】The world itself is becoming much smaller by using modern traffic and modern communication means. Life today is much easier than it was hundreds of years ago, but it has brought new problems. One of the biggest problems is pollution. To pollute means to make things dirty. Pollution comes in many ways. We see it, smell it, drink it and even hear it.
Man has been polluting the earth.The more people，the more pollution.Many years ago，the problem was not so serious because there were not so many people.When the land was used up or the river was dirty in one place，man moved to another place.But this is no longer true.Man is now slowly polluting the whole world.
Air pollution is still the most serious.It’s bad for all living things in the world，but it is not the only one kind of pollution. Water pollution kills our fish and pollutes our drinking water. Noise pollution makes us angry more easily.
Many countries are making rules to fight pollution. They stop people from burning coal in houses and factories from putting dirty smoke into the air. Pollution by SO2 is now the most dangerous kind of air pollution.It is caused by heavy traffic.We are sure that if there are fewer people driving，there will be less air pollution.
The earth is our home. We must take care of it.That means keeping the land，water and air clean.And we must take care of the rise in pollution at the same time.
1. What makes our world become much smaller?| A．Science development. | B．The rise in population. |
| C．The pollution on the earth. | D．The strong wind. |
| A．It was much easier than today. | B．It was much harder than today. |
| C．It was the same as today. | D．It was hard to describe. |
| A．Rubbish. | B．Water pollution. |
| C．Air pollution. | D．Noise pollution. |
| A．Making rules to fight pollution. | B．Drinking as little water as possible. |
| C．Stop buying new things. | D．Only walking to work. |
【推荐2】Amazing Zoos Around the World
Helsinki Zoo
This is a zoo located on an island in Finland—it is the country’s biggest zoo which has amazing animals like deer, Siberian tigers and even bears. What adds to the beauty of this zoo is the natural wildlife that surrounds it on the island. From beautiful rainforests to lots of plant species, Helsinki Zoo should be a destination you won’t regret visiting.
Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo is home to over 16,000 animals, including tigers, lions, and monkeys. The zoo —has an amazing gorilla (大猩猩) habitat exhibit, and a Discovery Zone for children to learn more about the animals and their natural habitats. Another thing that makes this zoo worth a visit is its protection policy, Toronto Zoo has helped to protect endangered species from all around the world and is one of the very few animal-Friendly zoos in North America.
Sao Paolo Zoo
The state of Sao Paolo has strict laws about animal cruelty and can actually give out fines (罚款) of up to US $435,000 for animal testing. So it’s no surprise that Sao Paolo Zoo, with its over 3,200 animals, is animal-friendly. They also spend time in protection efforts, focusing on Brazil’s own endangered animals. Here, you’ll see plenty of animals like parrots, wild cats and various birds.
Wellington Zoo
It is New Zealand’s first and largest zoo and is home to more than 500 different animals and 100 different species. Focusing on wildlife protection, Wellington Zoo has successfully saved endangered animals like the Sun Bear. If you make your way to this zoo, you’ll also find yourself face-to-face with red pandas, monkeys and the country’s official bird, the kiwi. This animal-friendly zoo is also eco-friendly, equipped with solar heating and power.
1. What makes Helsinki Zoo different from Toronto Zoo?| A．It has tigers. | B．It has lots of animal species. |
| C．It stands on an island | D．It is a good zoo to visit. |
| A．Seeing beautiful rainforests. |
| B．Learning about animals’ natural habitats. |
| C．Watching tiger and lion habitat exhibits. |
| D．Seeing special animals such as Siberian tigers. |
| A．Helsinki Zoo has the most animal species. . |
| B．Wellington Zoo has managed to protect the Sun Bear. |
| C．There are many animal-friendly zoos in North America. |
| D．People will not be fined even if they test animals in the state of Sao Paolo. |
【推荐3】The cost of living in countries like the United States, Britain, Australia or France has skyrocketed in recent years, But, if you’re willing to leave your country and explore life in other areas, there are many countries boasting an extremely cheap and low cost of living. So, if you have the flexibility of living wherever you please, and want to live in a country the cost of living is the cheapest in the world, check out these 3 countries when planning your next move.
1. Cambodia
Cambodia may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of a tropical paradise, but it’s pretty close. The added bonus is that living here is insanely cheap, unlike some other tropical getaways. A luxury home with four bedrooms and a pool would only cost about $600 a month. A decent three bedroom vacation home can be purchased here for just $20,000. And, for only about $2,000 a year, you can also hire a gardener and housekeeper to take care of your property.
2. Ecuador
Ecuador is similar to the United States in many ways, and as a result, it has become a popular American getaway. They even use the US Dollar for their currency. In this country, it’s cheaper to eat out everyday than cook for yourself on a budget in the U.S. You can even buy a property for around 50,000 and hire someone to tend to it while you’re away.
3. Mexico
Although the country is known for its poverty ridden streets, there are many wealthier areas that provide every amenity (便利设施) you might need. You can live off a mere $700 a month in Mexico, and this includes rent for a nice place, amenities, food, and any sightseeing.
1. How much money do you need to pay to look after your property for a year in Cambodia?| A．$600. | B．$2,000. |
| C．$20,000. | D．$7,00. |
| A．Cambodia. | B．Mexico. |
| C．Ecuador. | D．China. |
| A．Any scenery. | B．Amenities. |
| C．A nice place. | D．Tropical climate. |
