阅读理解。
To understand how Americans think about things, it is necessary to understand "the point". Americans
mention it often:"Let's get right to the point." They will say, "My point is…" "What's the point of all this?"
The "point" is the idea or piece of information that Americans suppose is, or should be, at the center of
people's thinking, writings, and spoken comments. Speakers and writers are supposed to "make their points
clear", meaning that they are supposed to say or write clearly the idea or piece of information they wish to
express.
People from many other cultures have different ideas about the point. Africans traditionally tell stories
that express the thoughts they have in mind, rather than stating the point clearly. Japanese traditionally speak
indirectly, leaving the listener to figure out what the point is. Thus, while an American might say to a friend,
"I don't think that coat goes very well with the rest of your outfit," a Japanese might say, "Maybe another
coat would look even better than the one you have on." Americans value a person who "gets right to the point".
Japanese are likely to consider such a person insensitive if not rude.
The Chinese and Japanese languages are characterized by vagueness and ambiguity. The precision and
directness Americans associate with "the point" cannot be achieved, at least not with any grace, in Chinese
and Japanese. Speakers of those languages thus have to learn a new way of reasoning and expressing their
ideas if they are going to communicate satisfactorily with Americans.
1. According to the passage, Americans expect speakers and writers to _____. [ ]
A. express their personal views
B. be clear about their main ideas
C. be honest about their true feelings
D. give as much information as possible
2. Which of the following peoples will tell a story to express what they have in mind? [ ]
A. Americans.
B. Chinese.
C. Japanese.
D. Africans.
3. The underlined word"outfit" in the third paragraph probably means _____. [ ]
A. appearance
B. behavior
C. speech
D. clothes
4. In order to communicate with Americans satisfactorily, speakers of Chinese need to _____. [ ]
A. mind their manners
B. explain their reasons clearly
C. change their ways of expressing ideas
D. be careful about their choices of words
