Except for a few times, Americans are not big present-givers. There's no exchange of presents among business people, and if one American tries to give another a present, it may look like that he wants to bribe (賄賂) him. Americans have learned that in some other countries people like to give presents to others, but among ourselves we don't see the need for presents.
Even friends may never exchange presents. When I go to foreign countries, I try to bring back little things for
close friends, but nobody would feel unhappy if I didn't. I don't often remember a friend's birthday, and few people outside of my family remember mine. If someone gave me presents too often, I'd get unpleasant. But a present from a foreigner - that kind from his or her homeland — won't go wrong, except to government employees (政府職員) who can't be given presents.
You usually open a present at once and in front of the person who gives it except Christmas and birthday presents. You should only say, "It's so nice. Thanks…" when you get Christmas or birthday presents.
You may want to bring a bottle of wine (葡萄酒) or flowers to a dinner party, but you're
never asked to. Nobody will mind if you bring wine, but your friend may not use it that evening.
At Christmas we often give presents to our family and sometimes our friends. We also give presents to people who have been helpful during the year- doormen, babysitters, housecleaners, newspaper senders— anyone who has often helped us.
【小題1】 What does "close friends" mean in the passage?
| A． The friends who are very kind. |
| B． The friends who live close to each other. |
| C． The friends who were once classmates. |
| D． The friends who you like most. |
【小題2】 What kind of presents don't Americans usually open in front of the givers?
| A．The small presents. | B． Christmas or birthday presents. |
| C． The expensive presents. | D． The presents for dinner party. |
【小題3】 Why do Americans also give presents to housecleaners at Christmas?
| A． To pay them. | B． To help them. |
| C． To thank them. | D． To make them work harder. |
【小題4】 Which of the following do you think is right?
| A． American business people don't want presents because they are rich enough. |
| B． The writer of this passage must be an American. |
| C． Everyone must give presents to one's family and friends at Christmas. |
| D． Government employees can get little presents from a foreigner. |
【小題5】 What is the main idea of the passage?
| A． Present-giving in the United States. |
| B． Customs (習俗) in the United States. |
| C． American people and present-giving. |
| D． When and how to give presents. |
