三、阅读理解(每小题2分，共26分)(共13小题;每小题2分，满分26分)

A

Different countries have different customs in giving presents.

IN CHINA you must never give a clock to a Chinese person, because the sound of the word for "clock" is similar to the sound for "death" in Chinese.  Also, don't wrap (包裹) a present in white,  black, or blue paper, because these are the colors for funerals (葬礼). Don't give a knife, because something sharp (锋的) can cut a friendship.

IN RUSSIA if we give flowers as a present, we have to give odd numbers of them (one, three, five, etc) because even numbers of flowers (two, four, six, etc) are for funerals.

IN GERMANY flowers are a good present to take in your dinner hostess, but don't take her red roses because it means you are in love with her.  Don't take thirteen of anything because it's an unlucky number. Don't take an even number of anything, either. Don't wrap your present in white, brown, or black paper.

(   )21. Why can't we give a clock as a present to a Chinese? Because in Chinese _______.

A. the word "clock" has the same meaning with the word "death"

B. the word "clock" has the same sound with the word "death"

C. the word "clock" has the same meaning with the word "knife"

D. the word "clock" means "dangerous"

(   )22. You may take _______ if you go to a birthday party in Russia or in Germany.

A. 10 flowers                B. 13 flowers      C.9 flowers               D.  11 red roses

(   )23._______ thirteen is an unlucky number.

A. In China             B.  In Russia     C.  In Japan             D. In Germany

(   )24. What's the Chinese meanings for "odd number" and "even number"?

A. 自然数和偶数    B. 基本数和奇数

C. 奇数和偶数  D. 幸运数字和不幸运数字

(   )25. Which of the following is TRUE?

A. Neither Chinese nor Germans wrap presents in black or white paper.

B. Both Chinese and Russians wrap presents in black or white paper.

C. Both Chinese and Germans wrap presents in black or white paper.

D. Neither Chinese nor Russians wrap presents in black or yellow paper.

B

As we know，there are differences between western culture and Chinese culture. Let's look at the words about animals and plants.Most expressions in Chinese about the dog, for example，"a homeless dog", "a mad dog", "a running dog" and "a dog catching a mouse", have negative(消极的) meanings.

But in western countries, people think dogs are honest and good friends of humans. In English, people use the dog to describe positive (积极的)actions.For example, "you are a lucky dog" means you are a lucky person. And "every dog has its day" means each person has good luck sometimes. To describe a person's serious illness，they say "sick as a dog". The word "dog-tired" means very tired. However, Chinese love cats very much.But in western culture, "cat" is often used to describe a woman who is cruel.

The rose is regarded as (被看作)a symbol of love in both China and some western countries.People think the rose means love, peace, courage and friendship. And the rose is the national flower of England, America and many other countries.

The words about plants and animals are used in positive or negative ways in different cultures. We can learn about many differences in cultures by comparing how some words are used.

(  ) 26. "You are a lucky dog" means "_______".

A. Everybody in the world is lucky

B. Each person lives his own way of life

C. You are a lucky person

D. Everybody has a time in life to be lucky

(  ) 27. Western people usually use "cat" to refer to "_______".

A. a tired person     B. a brave man    C. a homeless person    D. an unkind woman

(  ) 28. In English，people use ________ to describe positive actions.

A. the dog       B. the cat        C. the rose       D. the words

(  ) 29. What's the best title for the passage? ________

A. Negative or Positive

B. Different Countries ,Different Culture

C. Rose Means the Same in Chinese and English

D. What Dog and Cat Mean in English and Chinese

C

Singapore is made up of many kinds of people. The largest groups are Chinese, Malays and Indians. Each group has its own special wedding customs.

Chinese weddings: Before the wedding, the mothers of the bride and the groom(新郎新娘) do the hair for them. The bride and the groom make tea for the groom’s parents, aunts and uncles. Then they go to the bride’s family to give gifts. After that they take some pictures. They ride in a car with red, pink and gold ribbon decoration. In the evening there is a big dinner. The women wear pink or gold dresses because those are lucky colors. The bride usually wears a red or pink dress at the dinner.

Malay weddings: Malay’s weddings last two days in the city and many days in the country. The first day is a Saturday evening. On Sunday morning, the bride and the groom meet their friends, and the friends throw yellow rice over them to wish them good luck. In the evening there is a big dinner. The friends usually take some hard-boiled eggs when they leave for home.

Indian weddings: The bride and the groom plant a tree, after that they change their clothes. Usually the groom gives the clothes to the bride and the bride puts the clothes on. The friends throw rice at the bride and the groom to wish them good luck. The friends do not wear black or white clothes. Bright colors are the best for weddings.

(  ) 30. What can we learn about Singapore?

A. It is made up of three kinds of people.

B. The largest group of people is Japanese.

C. There are different wedding customs.

D. The wedding customs are the same.

(  ) 31. Which wedding may be the longest?

A. A Chinese Wedding.

B. A Malay Wedding.

C. An Indian Wedding.

D. The writer didn’t tell us.

(  ) 32. Which is true of all the three wedding customs?

A. The friends have a big dinner for the bride and the groom.

B. The friends wish the bride and the groom good luck.

C. The friends throw rice at the bride and the groom.

D. The friends wear black or white clothes.

(  ) 33. What is true according to the passage?

A. At an Indian wedding, the bride and the groom plant a tree.

B. At a Malay wedding, there is a big dinner on the first day.

C. At a Chinese wedding, all the people wear green clothes.

D. At a Indian wedding, friends change clothes with each other.