Look at the words in the box and find the proper words to fill in the blank. argument compliment conversation curious disagreement dull genuine embarrassment factual hospitable sensitive secretive violate wealth

1.She received many ___________ on the design of her new dress. 2. If this offer is _______ I will gladly accept it. 3. They went to prison because they _______ the law. compliments genuine violated

4. Billionaires are usually fairly ________ about the exact amount that they are worth. 5. The _________ host had his spare room emptied very quickly for the honored guest. 6. She is _______ to what people think of her. secretive hospitable sensitive

Work in pairs. Read the advice on small talk. Is it true for you? 1.You can ask about families, what people do and like, etc. Yes. 2. It’s OK to talk about religion and politics. No, it’s best to avoid these topics.

3. You shouldn’t talk about your feelings. No, it is acceptable to talk about your feelings. 4. Don’t ask personal questions. No, Americans will not usually mind being asked personal questions.

5. Make sure you don’t talk about the weather or give compliments. No, these topics are safe. 6. You can talk about people’s age and their income. No, you cannot talk about people’s age or how much money they earn.

Decide which of the statements expresses the writer’s opinion.

The writer thinks that______. a. Americans often ask very personal questions. b. Asians are very different from Americans, and are sensitive to many topics of conversation. c. Americans are easy to make friends with, but they respect your private life. d. Americans don’t like to grow old, so it’s difficult to make friends with them. c

Choose the correct answers. 1. When a dull person talks, you should ___. a. ask questions b. change the topic of conversation c. not ask personal questions d. listen d

2. It’s always OK to talk to Americans about ______. a. their work b. religion and politics c. age and money d. their private life a

3. When Americans make an invitation to visit, ____. a. they don’t really mean it b. they want to find out more about you c. they genuinely want to see you again d. you should accept it c

4. The best way to talk about personal things is to ____. a. talk about your own private life first b. talk about your job c. discuss the weather d. ask them how old they are a

5. It’s best to avoid ____. a. personal questions b. silence c. spies d. dull people b

Complete the sentences in your own words. 1.Conversation is less lively in the USA because everyone ________________ _________________. 2. Americans are happy to talk about family and personal interests, but _______________________________ ____________________________. listens and waits for a turn to speak it’s best to avoid sensitive topics like religion and politics.

3. If you show you’re aware of cultural differences, _____________ _______________________________ _________. 4. You shouldn’t ask how old people are because _____________________ _______________________________ most Americans will not worry about answering your questions. Americans always want to look younger than they really are.

5. Although some people like to show off their wealth, ________ ____________________________ ___________. income is a very private matter for most Americans

1.If you are ever in New York, do call by and see us. call by 顺道访问 e.g. If you are in at six this evening, I‘ll call by and pick up my books. 如果你今晚 6 点在家，我顺便来取 我的书。

call 词组 call back 喊回, 叫转来, 召唤, 收回, 回电话 call for 请求, 要求, 号召, 招募， 去接某人 call on 访问 call at 访问某地, 停靠

Choose the best answers. 1) As I grew up in a small town at the foot of a mountain, the visit to the village _____ scenes of my childhood. A. called up B. called for C. called on D. called in A

2) It’s the present situation in poor areas that ___much higher spending on education and training. A. answers for B. provides for C. calls for D. plans for C

3) – Did you tell Julia about the result? – Oh, no, I forgot. I ____ her now. A. will be calling B. will call C. call D. am to call B

4) Months ago we sailed ten thousand miles across this open sea, which _____ the Pacific, and we met no storms. A. was called B. is called C. had been called D. has been called B

2. When someone talks, everyone is expected to listen, no matter how dull the person’s speaking may be. “no matter + 疑问词 ” 或 ” 疑问词 + 后缀 ever” 引导让步状语从句。

e.g. No matter what happened, he would not mind. =Whatever happened, he would not mind. 不管发生什么，他不在意。

注意： no matter 不能引导主语从句 和宾语从句。 （错） No matter what you say is of no use now. （对） Whatever you say is of no use now. 你现在说什么也没用了。 （ Whatever you say 是主语从句）

（错） Prisoners have to eat no matter what they’re given. （对） Prisoners have to eat whatever they’re given. 囚犯们只能给什么吃什么。

3. If you clearly show you are aware of cultural differences, they may… be aware of 知道 e.g. They should be aware of their rights. 他们应该知道他们的权利。 John has been aware of having done something wrong. 约翰已意识到自己做错了事情。

4. Although some people may not only be open about it, but show off their wealth. show off 炫耀 e.g. She likes to show off her fine clothes. 她喜欢炫耀她的精美衣服。

He wrote in that style just to show off. 这种文体写文章，完全是为了卖弄 文采。

Write down the topics which you can and shouldn’t talk about with Americans. Write a few sentences saying if you can talk about these topics in China.