Reading Comprehension

　　Directions: There are 3 reading passage in this part. Each passage is followed by four questions. For each question there are four suggested answers marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best answer and then you should write down your answers on the Answer Sheet .

　　Task1

　　Advantages of Booking Trips Online

　　Today, using the World Wide Web, we can stay at home in comfort and still travel anywhere in the world to see all the famous sights and festivals. All that we need is just a quick click of the mouse of our computer. When it comes to travel, perhaps another advantage of the Internet is the drop in travel prices and fees. This is because most travel companies, hotels and airlines use the Internet for their business and save some of their costs.

　　Booking travel trips online is also much easier. The World Wide Web is open all day, every day and you can make your travel arrangements anytime. You can do it anywhere too, as long as you have a personal computer and reliable Internet connection with you.

　　There is also no need to go to the travel agency to get your tickets or boarding pass, as you can conveniently print them from your computer. So there is no need to worry if you need to travel on short notice, because booking your flight can be done at least 3 hours before take-off. It is easy and trouble-free.

　　For cautious travelers, there are travel companies and websites that provide facts about the places that they plan to visit flight and accommodation details and travel tips. They can also send updated information for specific places or journeys by email a week or days before the departure date. Travelers still in doubt can always pick up the phone and call the customer service helpdesks. The service helpdesks are typically available round the clock or 24 hours a day; so all travel questions may be answered.

　　1.Which of the following in NOT the advantage of booking trips online?

　　It saves travel costs.

　　It saves trouble.

　　It is more comfortable.

　　It is less economical(節(jié)省的).

　　2.Which of the following makes booking travel trips online easier?

　　It provides better service.

　　It provides discount(折扣)tickets.

　　It is reliable.

　　It is open all day.

　　3.Why can we save travel costs by booking trips online?

　　The World Wide Web is open all day, every day.

　　Traditional ways are more expensive.

　　Online businesses will offer lower prices.

　　A website needs less money to maintain(維護(hù)).

　　4.We can infer from the text that_____.

　　we needn’t spend money on traveling because we can see all the famous sights on the Internet

　　we cannot live without the internet

　　booking trips online has some risks(風(fēng)險(xiǎn))

　　booking trips online can offer many choices to travelers

　　5.In this text, the writer gives us some advice about ______.

　　booking trips online

　　using the internet

　　dealing with a travel agency

　　saving travel costs

　　Task 2

　　Asking the Way

　　Nowadays, more and more people enjoy going abroad on holiday. Traveling is fun, but being lost in a foreign place is definitely not. So you should not only have some knowledge about the city where you are going to, but also learn how to ask the way.

　　I you want to stop someone and ask the way, the best way to get his attention is to say “excuse me.” This phrase can be used regardless of gender and age. In this way you will never make a mistake about their tittles. And it is not always correct to call man “Sir” and a woman “Madam” or “Miss”, because in different situations you may have to call them differently.

　　In asking for directions, try not to ask a question more than once. If you can’t follow the speaker, you can repeat the key words you hear. Look at the following example:

　　A: “Go straight ahead for three blocks and then turn right.”

　　B: “Three blocks, and then…?”

　　In this way, the speaker will realize that he has been speaking too fast and will probably slow down for you.

　　The most important of all, you must be polite when you are asking for directions. People like to help polite strangers. Good manners can make it easier to get help. You should smile sincerely and look into the eyes of the person you are speaking to. Keep a distance and do not stand too close because people will feel unsafe as you are a stranger. Finally, you should say “Thank you” whether or not you get the answer.

　　1.Though traveling is fun, it is definitely not fun to ____.

　　get lost in a foreign place

　　speak to a foreigner

　　ask the way online

　　going abroad alone

　　2.which of the following is the best way to stop someone and ask the way?

　　Sir

　　Madam.

　　Miss.

　　Excuse me.

　　3.The writer suggests that when asking you way, you should NOT _____.

　　Keep a distance.

　　Smile sincerely.

　　Keep eye contact.

　　Repeating your question

　　4.If you have not got your answer at last, what would you say?

　　I am sorry.

　　You are welcome.

　　Thank you.

　　You are a nice person.

　　5.In this text, the writer gives us some advice about _____.

　　traveling abroad

　　asking the way

　　how to be polite

　　how to address others

　　Task 3

　　Meeting and Greeting Customs

　　People follow some customs in social settings. A younger person is usually introduced to an older one, a man is introduced to a woman, a guest to the host or hostess, and a person to a group. When making an introduction, a guest to the host or hostess, and a person to a group. When making an introduction, we should mention the name of the person we respect first. When introducing a man and a woman, we should mention the name of the woman’s name first(unless the man is very old or very famous)

　　People nod, smile and usually shake hands when they are introduced to each other. In a business situation, men always shake hands with one another. But women do not often shake hands when they meet for the first time.

　　Here are some meeting and greeting customs around the world.

　　In Chile, people usually shake hands when they meet for the first time. When two women first meet, they sometimes kiss each other on the cheek. They also greet male and female friends with a kiss. Men give their friends warm hugs or sometimes kiss women on the cheek.

　　Finns greet each other with a firm handshake. Hugs and kisses are only for close friends and family.

　　People in the United States shake hands when they are first introduced. Friends and family members often hug or kiss on the cheek when they meet each other. In these situations, men often kiss women but not other men.

　　British people rarely keep hold of your hand for very long when they shake hands. But un many other countries, it is not polite to let go of your hand too soon. Unfortunately, this makes many people think that the British are not friendly.

　　In the social settings,_________.

　　an older person is introduced to a younger one

　　a woman is introduced to a man

　　a guest is introduced to the host or hostess

　　a group is introduced to a person

　　Which of the following greeting customs is NOT mentioned in the text?

　　Shaking hands.

　　Kissing each other.

　　Having a meal together.

　　Smiling at each other.

　　Which of the following is the greeting custom in Chile?

　　When two women first meet, they never kiss each other on the cheek.

　　People usually shake hands when they meet for the first time.

　　Women greet only female friends with a kiss.

　　Men give their friends warm hugs but never kiss women on the cheek.

　　In the United States when meeting their friends or family members, ________.

　　people rarely shake hands

　　people often hug or kiss hands

　　men often kiss women and men

　　men often kiss women but no other men

　　People sometimes think that the British are not friendly because they __________.

　　often hold your hand for a very short time when shaking hands

　　never shake hands when they are first introduced

　　always greet you with too firm a handshake

　　Always hold women’s hands for very long when shaking hands

　　參考答案：

　　Task1

　　1-5 D D C D A

　　Task2

　　6-10 A D D C B

　　Task3

　　11-15 C C B D A