The term “culture” now is more used to describe everything from the fine arts to the outlook of a business group or a sports team. In its original sense, however, culture includes all identifying aspects of a racial group, nation, or empire; its physical environment, history and traditions, its social rules and economic structure, and its religious beliefs and arts.
The central beliefs and customs of a group are handed down from one generation to another. It is for this reason that most people regard culture as learned rather than innate. People acquire a culture because they are not born with one. The process by which a person develops a taste for regional foods, accented speech, or an outlook on the world over time, therefore, is known as enculturation.
Cultures are often identified by their symbols-images that are familiar and coated with meaning. Totem poles carved with animals and creative figures suggest aspects of the Native American peoples of the Pacific Northwest but more literally represent specific tribes. In Asia and India, the colour of yellow is connected with temples, while in ancient China it was a colour only the emperor’s family was allowed to wear. Thus, different cultures may respond to a symbol quite differently. For example, to some a flag may represent pride, historical accomplishments, or ideals; to others, however, it can mean danger or oppression.
To individuals unfamiliar with cultures outside their own, the beliefs, behaviours, and artistic expression of other groups can seem strange and even threatening. A society that ranks all other cultures against its own standards is considered to be ethnocentric(from the Greek ethnos, meaning “people”, and kentros, meaning “centre”). A strongly ethnocentric society assumes also that what is different from its own culture is likely to be inferior and, possibly, wrong or evil.
All people are ethnocentric to some degree, and some aspects of ethnocentrism, such as national pride, contribute to a well-functioning society. An appreciation for one’s own culture, however, does not prevent acceptance and respect for another culture. History documents the long-term vigour and success of multicultural groups in which people from numerous and various cultural backgrounds live and work together. Extreme ethnocentrism, in contrast, can lead to racism-the belief that it is race and racial origin that account for variations in human character or ability and that one’s own race is superior to all others.
1. What does the underlined word “innate” in paragraph 2 most probably mean?| A．Instinctive. | B．Developed. | C．Believable. | D．Cultivated. |
| A．Different interpretations of a symbol help to distinguish one culture from another. |
| B．An ethnocentric country opens welcoming arms to cultures different from its own. |
| C．Culture consists of some positive features of a racial group, nation or empire. |
| D．People from various cultural backgrounds often reach an agreement on some image. |
| A．All aspects of ethnocentrism can produce negative effects on a society. |
| B．Racism is unlikely to bring about serious conflicts among different cultures. |
| C．Respect and acceptance of different cultures are a proper cultural attitude. |
| D．Countries with a strong sense of national pride play a superior role in the world. |
| A．Culture, the Origin of Racial Superiority | B．Culture, a Faithful Mirror of History |
| C．Culture, the Vigour of World Development | D．Culture, a Distinctive Identity of a Nation |
相似题推荐
How words came into being is unknown.All we assume is that some early men invented cortain sounds,in one way or another,to express thoughts and feelings,actions and things,so that they could talk with each other.Later they agreed upon certain signs,called letters,which could be put together to show those sounds,and which could be written down.Those sounds,whether spoken or written in letters,are called words.
The power of words,then,lies in their associations-the things they bring up to our minds.Words become filled with meaning for us by experience;and the longer we live,the more certain words bring back to us the happy and sad events of our past;and the more we read and learn,the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which have powerful effects on our minds and feelings.This clever use of words is what we call literary style.Above all,the real poet is a master of words.He can express his meaning in words which sing like music,and which by their position and association can move men to tears.We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use then correctly,or they will make our speech silly and common.
1. We learn from the text that language might have begun with( )
| A．expressions | B．actions | C．signs | D．sounds |
| A．The ……of new words | B．The importance of old words |
| C．The relation of human experience with words | D．The gradual change and development of words |
| A．Use words skilfully | B．Make musical speeches |
| C．Learn poems by heart | D．Associate with listeners |
【推荐2】Idioms are one of the hardest parts of learning a language. For those of you who don't know, an idiom is a phrase which has a meaning, but the meaning is not clear from the words themselves. If you translate an idiom word for word, it sometimes makes no sense at all. They are like puzzles and even native speakers can get confused when someone uses a phrase that they've never heard of.
With that in mind, here are five common English idioms that you can use in a variety of Situations.
1．Get your act together (Meaning: you need to improve your behaviour/work)
This might be something your teacher says to you if you score badly in an exam or if you misbehave in class. You can also use it to talk about people in general. For example, if your friend is being mean or nasty for no reason, then you can tell them that they need to get their act together.
2．Pull yourself together (Meaning: calm down)
This is a somewhat impolite way of telling someone that they are overreacting and that they need to relax. Only use this if you think the person you are speaking to is getting upset over something insignificant. If your friend tells you that their close relative has died, it is NOT the time to tell them to pull themselves together.
3．I'm feeling under the weather (Meaning: I'm sick)
Yes, it's longer and more difficult to say than 'I'm sick', but if your English teacher asks you why you haven't done your homework, he or she is more likely to forgive you if you say that you were feeling under the weather. You may not have done your English homework, but your teacher might be impressed that you know how to make eloquent excuses in a foreign language.
4．It's a piece of cake (Meaning: it's easy)
I don't know why this means what it does, but sometimes you just have to accept that English people use weird phrases.
5．Break a leg (Meaning: good luck!)
This is perhaps one of the most confusing yet well-known English idioms. If someone says this to you, do not take offence or think they are threatening you; they are just wishing you luck. It is most often used for people wishing success to actors and actresses before they perform on the stage, but it can be said in other situations, too.
All in all, learning a new language can be challenging. It's definitely not a piece of cake, especially when there are so many confusing idioms. However, with enough hard work and interest, you will succeed in no time. Break a leg!
1. Which idiom is proper for you to say to your worried classmate who is to take part in the 800-metre race at the school sports meet?| A．Get your act together. | B．Pull yourself together. |
| C．Break a leg. | D．It's a piece of cake. |
| A．"What's wrong with you?" |
| B．"Don't worry. Let's call 120." |
| C．"Get up and finish your homework." |
| D．"Why don't you take an umbrella with you?" |
| A．They sometimes make no sense at all. |
| B．Native speakers have trouble understanding idioms sometimes. |
| C．Idioms are the hardest part of learning a language. |
| D．We can guess the meaning of an idiom from the words in it. |
【推荐3】Language is a part of culture and plays a very important role in it.
Different cultures have different ways of using nonverbal communication and people have different gestures to convey their expressions. However, nonverbal communication, like traffic, is not random (随意的);it has a purpose.
People coming from the same culture share common understanding by using the same body language such as eye management, facial expressions, gestures, and body movements.
| A．Misuse of body language can be unpleasant. |
| B．And there are common rules to guide its flow. |
| C．Without language, culture would not be possible. |
| D．Body language makes up the largest part of our nonverbal communication. |
| E．But in different cultures nonverbal communication takes on different patterns. |
| F．If you’ re learning a new language, a great way is to watch movies and TV shows. |
| G．In Africa, standing in a too “open” fashion, means that your posture might be inappropriate. |
“There is a tendency to decide that no action is needed.” says a psychologist. “The first thoughts that pop into your mind often keep you from offering help. In order to take action, you have to work against them.” Here are some common thoughts that might prevent you from helping.
● Why should I be the one? I’m probably not the most competent（有能力的）person in this crowd. You might think someone older or with more medical knowledge should offer assistance.
● What if he doesn’t really need my help? The fear of embarrassment is powerful; no one wants to risk looking foolish in front of others.
● No one else looks concerned- this must not be a problem. We can follow the people around us, but most people tend to hold back their emotions in public.
“If you spot trouble and find yourself explaining inaction, force yourself to stop and evaluate the situation instead of walking on,” says the psychologist. “Then retry to involve other people; you don’t have to take on the entire responsibility of being helpful. Sometimes it’s just a matter of turning to the person next to you and saying, ‘It looks like we should do something.’ Or asking someone if an ambulance has been called and, if not, to call for one. Once you take action, most people will follow you.”
1. Which is NOT the common thought that stops you from helping others?
| A．I’m not the very person capable of setting the problem. |
| B．It looks like we should do something. |
| C．It must not be a problem as no one else is concerned. |
| D．He doesn’t really need my help. |
| A．They will call for help and then walk away. |
| B．They will stop and offer help. |
| C．They will turn away their eyes and go on walking. |
| D．They will laugh at him. |
| A．we should call the ambulance as soon as we can |
| B．we should stop and evaluate the situation and try to make other people follow |
| C．we should take on the whole responsibility and do something alone |
| D．we should turn to other people and ask them to take on the responsibility |
| A．ask others for help and call the police |
| B．get along well with the passers-by who spot the trouble |
| C．go directly to the police station |
| D．work against the first thoughts that prevent you offering help |
| A．to give others a hand |
| B．to be more competent |
| C．not to risk looking foolish |
| D．to stop and evaluate the situation |
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
First published in 1851, the adventure stories of Captain Ahab and his monomaniacal(偏执的) pursuit of the white whale draw us into a universe full of fascinating characters and stories.
The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams
Published in 1918, the book was an autobiography. Born in one of America’s most famous political families, Adams provides insight into his family, including his experience as private secretary to his father, minister to England during the American Civil war.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
When Whitman published Leaves of Grass in 1855, he wanted to accurately describe the American experience and reflect the great changes in the American literary world that had taken place during his lifetime.
Poems by Emily Dickinson
An enthusiastic poet whose works have had considerable influence on modern poetry, Dickson’s frequent use of dashes, occasional capitalization(大写) of nouns, and unconventional metaphors(隐喻) have contributed to her reputation as one of the most inventive poets of the 19th century American literature. However, most of her poems were not published during her lifetime.
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
First published in 1855, this is Longfellow’s most popular and most recognized poem, the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian, sent by the Great Spirit to guide the nations in the ways of peace.
1. Walt Whitman wrote Leaves of Grass in order to _______.
| A．show his talent and heroic life to us |
| B．draw us into a fascinating universe |
| C．provide insight into his family |
| D．reflect the great changes in the American literary world |
| A．Moby-Dick | B．The Song of Hiawatha |
| C．Poems | D．Leaves of Grass |
| A．Because the five books are from a century or so ago, they can’t teach and inspire us. |
| B．Herman Melville was considered as one of the most inventive poets of the 19th century American literature. |
| C．The Education of Henry Adams is a non-fiction book. |
| D．Of the five books, Moby-Dick was published last. |
| A．To introduce several best American books to readers. |
| B．To make an advertisement for a book store. |
| C．To tell stories of several famous writers. |
| D．To talk about some knowledge about literature. |
【推荐3】The Lunar New Year, despite usually being associated with the Chinese, is also celebrated in other countries. Here are several places in America to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
New York City
New York City, which has one of the largest populations of ethnic (少数民族) Chinese people outside of Asia, is a great place to experience the Lunar New Year. There are around 10 different Chinatowns in New York City. Visitors will find parades, performances and foods in most of these areas but some of the festival characteristics are unique to the particular district.
San Francisco
San Francisco's Lunar New Year celebrations are the longest runnings in America. They date back to the 1860s, during the "Gold Rush" period. Today, numerous events take place around the Bay Area, but the headline is the massive Chinese New Year Parade that draws as many as 1 million viewers.
Washington. D. C.
Washington. D. C. has a historic Chinatown. There is a parade here with floats, firecrackers, dancers and music. The Smithsonian American Art Museum can host hands-on arts and crafts events that feature performers invited from China. The Kennedy Center stages themed performances, including folk music and symphonies from China.
Chicago
Despite low temperatures in January and February, Chicago celebrates the Lunar New Year in a big way. There are two parades, usually held on different days of the same week-end. One is in the city's traditional Chinatown on the South Side, and the other takes place on Argyle Street. Asian culture is on full display during these parades, and other Chicago communities also take part.
1. What common activity is held in the listed cities on the Lunar New Year?| A．English concerts. |
| B．The American-style art exhibitions. |
| C．The American culture weekend. |
| D．Festival parades. |
| A．New York City. |
| B．Chicago. |
| C．San Francisco. |
| D．Washington. D. C. |
| A．Serve Chinese food. |
| B．Show Chinese dancers. |
| C．Play Chinese court music. |
| D．Invite Chinese art performers. |
