单项选择题
Generally speaking, a British is widely
regarded as a quiet, shy and conservative person who is (1)
only among those with whom he is acquainted. When a stranger is at
present, he often seems nervous, (2) embarrassed. You have to
take a commuter train any morning or evening to (3) the truth
of this. Serious-looking businessmen and women sit reading their newspapers or
dozing in a corner; hardly anybody talks, since to do so would be considered
quite offensive. (4) , there is an unwritten but clearly
understood code of behavior which, (5) broken, makes the
offender immediately the object of (6) . It has been known as a fact that a British has a (7) for the discussion of their weather and that, if given a chance, he will talk about it (8) . Some people argue that it is because the British weather seldom (9) forecast and hence becomes a source of interest and (10) to everyone. This may be so. (11) a British cannot have much (12) in the weathermen, who, after promising fine, sunny weather for the following day, are often proved wrong (13) a cloud over the Atlantic brings rainy weather to all districts! The man in the street seems to be as accurate — or as inaccurate — as the weathermen in his (14) . Foreigners may be surprised at the number of references (15) weather that the British make to each other in the course of a single day. Very often conversational greetings are (16) by comments on the weather. "Nice day, isn’t it" "Beautiful!" may well be heard instead of "Good morning, how are you" (17) the foreigner may consider this exaggerated and comic, it is worthwhile pointing out that it could be used to his advantage. (18) he wants to start a conversation with a British but is (19) to know where to begin, he could do well to mention the state of the weather. It is a safe subject which will (20) an answer from even the most reserved of the British. |