Except for a few times, Americans are not big present-givers. There’s no exchange of presents among business people, and if one American tries to give another a present, it may look like that he wants to bribe (賄賂) him. Americans have learned that in some other countries people like to give presents to others, but among ourselves we don’t see the need for presents.
Even friends may never exchange presents. When I go to foreign countries, I try to bring back little things for close friends, but nobody would feel unhappy if I didn’t. I don’t often re­member a friend’s birthday, and few people outside of my family remember mine. If someone gave me presents too often, I’d get unpleasant. But a present from a foreigner — that kind from his or her homeland — won’t go wrong, except to government employees (政府職員) who can’t be given presents.
You usually open a present at once and in front of the person who gives it except Christmas and birthday presents. You should only say, ‘It’s so nice. Thanks…’when you get Christ­mas or birthday presents.
You may want to bring a bottle of wine (葡萄酒) or flowers to a dinner party, but you’re never asked to. Nobody will mind if you bring wine, but your friend may not use it that evening.
At Christmas we often give presents to our family and sometimes our friends. We also give presents to people who have been helpful during the year like doormen, babysitters, housecleaners , newspaper senders — anyone who has often helped us.

1. 1.

   What do the underlined words ‘close friends’ mean in the passage?

   1. A.
      The friends who are very kind.
   2. B.
      The friends who live close to each other.
   3. C.
      The friends who were once classmates.
   4. D.
      The friends who you like most.
2. 2.

   What kind of presents don’t Americans usually open in front of the givers?

   1. A.
      The small presents.
   2. B.
      Christmas or birthday presents.
   3. C.
      The expensive presents.
   4. D.
      The presents for dinner party.
3. 3.

   Why do Americans also give presents to housecleaners at Christmas?

   1. A.
      To pay them.
   2. B.
      To help them.
   3. C.
      To thank them.
   4. D.
      To make them work harder.
4. 4.

   Which of the following do you think is right?

   1. A.
      American business people don’t want presents because they are rich enough.
   2. B.
      The writer of this passage must be an American.
   3. C.
      Everyone must give presents to one’s family and friends at Christmas.
   4. D.
      Government employees can get little presents from a foreigner.
5. 5.

   What is the main idea of the passage?

   1. A.
      Present-giving in the United States.
   2. B.
      Customs (習(xí)俗) in the United States.
   3. C.
      American people and present-giving.
   4. D.
      When and how to give presents.

Except for a few times, Americans are not big present-givers. There’s no exchange of presents among business people, and if one American tries to give another a present, it may look like that he wants to bribe (賄賂) him. Americans have learned that in some other countries people like to give presents to others, but among ourselves we don’t see the need for presents.

Even friends may never exchange presents. When I go to foreign countries, I try to bring back little things for close friends, but nobody would feel unhappy if I didn’t. I don't often re­member a friend's birthday, and few people outside of my family remember mine. If someone gave me presents too often, I’d get unpleasant. But a present from a foreigner - that kind from his or her homeland — won't go wrong, except to government employees (政府職員) who can’t be given presents.

You usually open a present at once and in front of the person who gives it except Christmas and birthday presents. You should only say, “It's so nice. Thanks…” when you get Christ­mas or birthday presents.

You may want to bring a bottle of wine (葡萄酒) or flowers to a dinner party, but you’re never asked to.  Nobody will mind if you bring wine, but your friend may not use it that evening.

At Christmas we often give presents to our family and sometimes our friends. We also give presents to people who have been helpful during the year- doormen, babysitters, housecleaners, newspaper senders— anyone who has often helped us.

(   )56. What does “close friends” mean in the passage?

A. The friends who are very kind.         B. The friends who live close to each other.

C. The friends who were once classmates.   D. The friends who you like most.

(   )57. What kind of presents don't Americans usually open in front of the givers?

A. The small presents.              B. Christmas or birthday presents.

C. The expensive presents.          D. The presents for dinner party.

(   )58. Why do Americans also give presents to housecleaners at Christmas?

A. To pay them.                   B. To help them.

C. To thank them.                 D. To make them work harder.

(   )59. Which of the following do you think is right?

A. American business people don't want presents because they are rich enough.

B. The writer of this passage must be an American.

C. Everyone must give presents to one's family and friends at Christmas.

D. Government employees can get little presents from a foreigner.

(   )60. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Present-giving in the United States.        B. Customs (習(xí)俗) in the United States.

C. American people and present-giving.       D. When and how to give presents.

My mother sets a good example for me. She is always ready to 　　41　 .

The railroad tracks (軌道) were within a mile of our house. “Beggars”（乞丐） would 　　42　 the doors in our neighborhood in summer asking for food. They were often turned away. Others simply ignored (忽略) the knocks.

My mom always went to the door smiling. She would 　　43　 them to come in and have something to eat. She would 　　44　 a beautiful tablecloth and set the table as carefully as she did for　 45　 people. She would pour their coffee and pile (放置) their plates with food and dessert. Usually she gave a lot of food to them 　　46　 they were ready to go. Sometimes she would give the newspaper to those who asked about 　　47　 .

She listened to those who wanted to talk. She　 48　 asked what led them to be in this situation (狀況). It did not matter. She saw only the need. She would say, “When I was young, my father was walking around for any work to 　 49　 us. Some kind people helped him. I am just repaying (回報) their 　 50　 . I can’t offer them money, but I can see they do not leave hungry.”

My mom is quite a lady. She is a great mother!

41. A. helping others　　　 B. help others　　 C. to thank others　 D. thanking others

42. A. knock into　　　　 B. open　　　　 C. close　　　　　 D. knock at

43. A. invite　　　　　　 B. order　　　　 C. asked　　　　　 D. told

44. A. take　　　　　　　 B. bring　　　　 C. put　　　　　　 D. carry

45. A. any 　　　　　　　 B .all　　　　　 C. any other　　　 D. any the

46. A. when　　　 　　　B. while　　　 　　C. after　　　　　 D. what

47. A. money　　　　　　 B. drinks　　　　 C. meals　　　　　 D. work.

48. A. always　　　　　　 B. usually　　　　 C. never　　　　 D. often

49. A. feed　　　　　　　 B. teach　　　　　 C. educate　　　　 D. fed

50. A. kind　　　　　　　 B. kindly　　　　 C. friendly　　　　 D. kindness

　 Except for a few times. Americans are not big present-givers. There's no exchange of presents among business people, and if one American tries to give another a present, it may look like that he wants to bribe (賄賂) him. Americans have learned that in some other countries people like to give presents to others, but among ourselves we don't see the need for presents.

Even friends may never exchange presents. When I go to foreign countries, I try to bring back little things for close friends, but nobody would feel unhappy if I didn't. I don't often remember a fiend's birthday, and few people outside of my family remember mine. If someone gave me presents too often, I'd get unpleasant. But a present from a foreigner-that kind from his or her homeland-won't go wrong, except to government employees (政府職員) who can't be given presents.

　 You usually open a present at once and in front of the person who gives it except Christmas and birthday presents. You should only say, "It's so nice. Thanks..." when you get Christmas or birthday presents.

　 You may want to bring a bottle of wine or flowers to a dinner party, but you're never asked to. Nobody will mind if you bring wine, but your friends may not use it that evening.

　 At Christmas we often give presents to our family and sometimes our friends. We also give presents to people who have been helpful during the year-doormen, babysitters, housecleaners, newspaper senders—anyone who has often helped us.

77. What kind of presents don't Americans usually open in front of the givers?

A. The small presents.

B. Christmas or birthday presents.

C. The expensive presents.

D. The presents for dinner party.

78. Why do Americans also give presents to housecleaners at Christmas?

　 A. To pay them.　　　　　　　　 B. To help them.

　 C. To thank them.　　　　　　　　 D. To make them work harder.

79. Which of the following do you think is right?

　 A. American business people don't want presents because they are rich enough.

　 B. The writer of this passage must be an American.

　 C. Everyone must give presents to one's family and friends at Christmas.

　 D. Government employees can get little presents from a foreigner.

80. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Present-giving in the United States.

B. Customs (習(xí)俗) in the United States.

C. American people and present-giving.

D. When and how to give presents.

I was walking around in a store. I saw an assistant pass this little boy his money back, saying, “I’m sorry, but you don’t have enough money to buy this doll.” I walked toward him and asked him who he wished to give this doll to.
“It’s the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much for Christmas. She was so sure that Santa Claus would bring it to her.” he said.
I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus will bring it to her, and he shouldn’t worry. But he replied to me sadly, “No, Santa Claus can’t bring it to her where she is now. I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.” His eyes were so sad while saying this. “My sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister.” My heart nearly stopped. I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy, “What if we checked again, just in case (萬一)you do have enough money?”
“Ok,” he said. “I hope that I have enough.” I added some of my money to his without letting him see and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money left . The little boy said, “Thank you God for giving me enough money!”
I left the store, feeling as if my life had been changed forever.
【小題1】Whom did the boy want to give the doll to?