Americans often plan social gatherings(社交聚會(huì))on short notice, so don’t be surprised if you get
invited to someone’s home or to see a movie or baseball game without much
warning. If the time is convenient (方便) for you,
surely accept their invitation. But if you’re busy, don’t be afraid to decline
the invitation, perhaps suggesting a time that would be better. Your host won’t
be shamed.
Invitations are usually sent in person or over the
telephone. The main exception(例外) is for some formal
occasions, in which case a written invitation will be mailed. You would
normally receive a written invitation to a wedding(婚禮).
For a casual(不正式的)dinner
invitation, don’t arrive more than 5 minutes early, because your host may still
be preparing for your visit. Arriving more than 10 minutes late is considered
rude if very few people were invited. If many people were invited, it’s OK to
arrive a little late, even as much as half an hour late. For example, it’s OK
to arrive late for a party, for a potluck (家常便飯) dinner
or for a social gathering inviting a large group of people.
If you’re invited for dinner, it’s proper to bring the
host a bottle of wine, a gift basket of fruit, a box of candy (糖果), or a bouquet(束)of flowers.
Don’t bring roses, as men often give roses to women on a date (約會(huì)).
If you wish to thank the host for his or her
hospitality (好客), it’s right to call or send a brief (簡(jiǎn)單的) written thank-you note the next day.
1.The passage is to tell us ________.
A.how to accept
Americans’ invitations.
B.something
about American social visits.
C.something
about American business visits.
D.how to make a
living in America.
2.The underlined word “decline” in the first paragraph
most probably means _____.
A.a(chǎn)ccept B.receive C.refuse D.follow
3.If an American only invites you to his home for an
informal supper at 7:30p.m., you’d better get to his house at ________.
A.7:15p.m. B.7:35p.m. C.7:45p.m. D.7:55p.m.
4.In America, invitations to a wedding are often sent
________.
A.by mail B.by fax C.by e-mail D.over the
telephone
5.According to the passage, in American ________.
A.if you’re invited to a family as a guest, you can stay as
long as you please.
B.if you’re invited for a party, you must always be on time.
C.if you’re invited for dinner, you’d better bring some presents.
D.you must make
a call to show your thanks after you get home from the dinner.