Generally speaking, a British is widely regarded as a quiet, shy and conservative person who is 1 only among those with whom he is acquainted. When a stranger is at present, he often seems nervous, 2 embarrassed. You have to take a commuter train any morning or evening to 3 the truth of this. Serious-looking businessmen and women sit reading their newspapers or dozing in a corner. Hardly anybody talks, since to do so would be considered quite offensive.

4 , there is an unwritten but clearly understood code of behavior which, 5 broken, makes the offender immediately the object of 6 .

It has been known as a fact that the British has a 7 for the discussion of their weather and that, if given a chance, he will talk about it 8 . Some people argue that it is because the British weather seldom 9 forecast and hence becomes a source of interest and 10 to everyone. This may be so. 11 a British cannot have much 12 in the weathermen, who, after promising fine, sunny weather for the following day, are often proved wrong 13 a cloud over the Atlantic brings rainy weather to all districts! The man in the street seems to be as accurate-or as inaccurate-as the weathermen in his 14 .

Foreigners may be surprised at the number of references 15 weather that the British make to each other in the course of a single day. Very often conversational greetings are 16 by comments on the weather. "Nice day, isn’t it?" "Beautiful!" may well be heard instead of "Good morning, how are you?" 17 the foreigner may consider this exaggerated and comic, it is worthwhile pointing out that it could be used to his advantage. 18 he wants to start a conversation with a British but is 19 to know where to begin, he could do well to mention the state of the weather. It is a safe subject which will 20 an answer from even the most reserved of the British.

1. [A] relaxed [B] frustrated [C] amused [D] exhausted

2. [A] yet [B] otherwise [C] even [D] so

3. [A] experience [B] witness [C] watch [D] undergo

4. [A] Deliberately [B] Consequently [C] Frequently [D] Apparently

5. [A] unless [B] once [C] while [D] as

6. [A] suspicion [B] opposition [C] criticism [D] praise

7. [A] emotion [B] fancy [C] likeliness [D] judgment

8. [A] at length [B] to a great extent [C] from his heart [D] by all means

9. [A] follows [B] predicts [C] defies [D] supports

10. [A] dedication [B] compassion [C] contemplation [D] speculation

11. [A] Still [B] Also [C] Certainly [D] Fundamentally

12. [A] faith [B] reliance [C] honor [D] credit

13. [A] if [B] once [C] when [D] whereas

14. [A] propositions [B] predictions [C] approval [D] defiance

15. [A] about [B] on [C] in [D] to

16. [A] started [B] conducted [C] replaced [D] proposed

17. [A] Since [B] Although [C] However [D] Only if

18. [A] Even if [B] Because [C] If [D] For

19. [A] at a loss [B] at last [C] in groups [D] on the occasion

20. [A] stimulate [B] constitute [C] furnish [D] provoke

参考答案:

1. A2.C3. B4.D5.B6.C7. B8. A9.A10.D

11. C12.A13. C14. B15.D16. C17.B18. C19. A20. D