Unit 3 Culture
After-Class Reading
PASSAGE I Dining Customs in America
New Words
apt *
adj. likely or having a tendency (to do something) 有......倾向
candy *
n. sweets or chocolate 糖；巧克力
celery
n. 芹菜
cob
n. corn cob, or corn on the cob 玉米棒子
contrary *
n. the opposite 相反，对立
< The contrary of "wet" is "dry".
courteous
adj. having or showing good manners; polite 有礼貌的
customary *铅笔英语
adj. 合乎习俗的
< Is it customary to tip (给小费) waiters in your country?
disappointed *
adj. 失望的
< I'm disappointed with his behavior.
embarrassment *
n. the feeling you have when you are ashamed, nervous, or uncomfortable in a social situation 尴尬英语作文
< The day began badly with a ries of embarrassments and misunderstandings.
equality *
n. a position or situation in which people have the same rights, advantages etc. 平等
< I believe in equality between men and women.
favor *
n. an act of kindness that one does to help somebody, especially when asked 善行，恩惠e.g. Do me a favor and turn the radio down while I'm on the phone, will you?
intend *
v. 打算
< I intended to do it, but I'm afraid I forgot.
lettuce
n. 莴苣，生菜
likewi *
adv. similarly 同样地
< I got up very early, and my host likewi.
napkin *
n. 餐巾
olive *
n. 橄榄
original *
adj. existing from the beginning; first or earliest 原先的
< The land was returned to the original owner.
overstay
v. stay longer than (a period of time) 呆得超过某期限
< We've already overstayed our visit to Aunt Sophia.
peculiar *
adj. belonging only to someone or something 特有的
< This type of building is peculiar to the south of the country.
prompt *
adj. done quickly, immediately, or at the right time 准时的，迅速的
< They have written back already--that was a very prompt reply.
radish
n. 萝卜
saucer *
法国私立大学n. small shallow curved dish on which a cup stands 茶托
nsitive *
adj. able to understand what other people need, and to be helpful and kind to them 敏感的
< Dr Abraham said he hoped teachers would be nsitive to signs of stress in children at exam time.
x *
n. 性别
< Some tests enable you to find out the x of your baby before it's born.
bridessilverware
n. knives, spoons and forks made of any metal 金属餐具
spill *
v. (spilt, spilt or spilled, spilled) cau something to run or fall over the edge of a container 溢出，洒出
< I spilt coffee on my silk shirt.
thoroughly *
splash
adv. completely 完全地
< We went through the report thoroughly but the information we wanted wasn't given anywhere.
thoughtful
snackbaradj. showing concern for the needs of others 体谅的，顾及他人需要的
< It was very thoughtful of you to nd flowers.
Dining Customs in America
Every country has its own peculiar dining customs. Americans feel that the first rule of being a polite guest is to be on time. If a person is invited to dinner at six-thirty, the hostess expects him to be there at six-thirty or not more than a few minutes after. Becau she usually does the cooking, she times the meal so that the hot rolls and the coffee and meat will be at their best at the time the guests come. If they are late, the food will not be so good, and the hostess will be disappointed. When the guest cannot come on time, he calls his host or hostess on the telephone, gives the reason, and tells at what time he can come. Depending on the situation, guests sometimes bring a box of candy or some flowers to give to the hostess as a sign of appreciation. As guests continue to arrive, it is usually considered polite for the men in the group to stand when a woman enters the room and continue to stand until she is ated. However, most young people and some groups of older people that stress equality of the xes no longer obrve the custom[1]. A visitor should be nsitive to each situation and follow the lead of the Americans prent.
When the guests sit down at a dinner table, it is customary for the men to help the ladies by pushing their chairs under them. Some Americans no longer do this, so the visitor must notice what others do and do likewi. Until the meal is under way, if the dinner is in a private home, a
guest may avoid embarrassment by leaving the talking to someone el. Some families have a habit
of offering a prayer of thanks before they eat. Other families do not. If a prayer is offered, everyone sits quietly with bowed head until the prayer is over. If the family does not follow the custom, there is no pau in the conversation.
There is a difference between American and European customs in using the knife and fork. Europeans keep the knife in the right hand, the fork in the left. They u both hands in eating. Americans, on the contrary, u just one hand whenever possible and keep the other one on their lap. They constantly change their fork to the left hand when they have to cut meat. Between bites[2] they put the fork on their plate while drinking coffee or buttering bread. Europeans are more apt to drink coffee after the meal and to keep their knife and fork in hand until they finish eating.
adornSince Americans often lay their silverware down during the meal, certain customs have developed. It is not considered good manners to leave a spoon in a soup bowl or coffee cup or any other dish. It is put where it will lie flat (a coffee spoon on the saucer, a soup spoon on the rvice plate beside the soup bowl, etc.) but not on the table-cloth. By doing this, one is less likely to knock the silverware onto the floor or spill the food. Another difference in custom is that Americans and Europeans u the side of the soup spoon, not the tip[3].
Americans do not u silverware for eating bread. They hold it in their fingers, usually breaking it first. Other things that Americans eat with their fingers are corn on the cob, celery, radishes, and olives. In America a person does not eat lettuce that way, nor pick up a soup bowl to drink what remains at the bottom.
for alIf for any reason a guest has to leave the table during a meal, he or she should ask the hostess, "Would you plea excu me for a minute?" When the meal is finished, the guests put their napkins on the table and ri. Guests do not fold their napkins in the original folds unless they are hou guests and intend to stay for more than one meal.
Following dinner, guests usually stay for two or three hours, but the thoughtful person is careful not to overstay his or her welcome[4]. The host and hostess may urge a guest to stay longer in order to be polite, but most dinner parties break up at about 11 o'clock.
As the guests leave, it is the custom to thank the hostess for a very pleasant evening. One may say anything that express appreciation. Common expressions are: "Good-bye. It was so nice of you to have me," or "Good-bye. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable evening," or "Thank you. I've had a very nice time." For larger favors than a dinner party, such as an overnight or weekend visit, it is customary to nd a thank-you note. (820 words)
Phras and Expressions
apt to do something
likely or having the tendency to do something 易于做某事
accordion怎么读
< Some of the staff are apt to arrive late on Mondays.
at one's best
in the best state or form 呈最佳状态
< The singer was at her best during the performance.
break up
(of members of a group) go away in all directions 解散，散去
< The meeting broke up in great confusion.
follow the /someone's lead /example
do as someone el has donet down
< I don't want you to follow my lead and rush into marriage.
leave something to someone el
entrust something to another person 把某事留给别人
< You can leave the cooking to me.
on the contrary
not at all; the opposite is true 相反
< You weren't boring me. On the contrary, you were interesting me.
under way
happening or being done 已经开始或正在进行着
< Plans are under way for a link road.
PASSAGE II Chine and American Culture
New Words
adult *
n. a fully grown person or animal 成年人，长成的动物
affection *
n. a feeling of fondness; love 喜爱，爱
< She felt no affection for the child.
alike *
adv. in a similar way 相同地
< The twins were dresd alike.
apart *
adv. 分开
< We were asked to stand in two lines 3 meters apart.
brief *
adj. lasting only a short time 简短的
< a brief conversation/discussion/meeting/visit/delay
