穿着英语阅读理解
Soldiers
Soldiers and other military people wear uniforms with various other symbols to indicate their status.But in the business world everyone wears more or less similar suits，and you cannot tell at a glance who ranks higher or lower than another.So how do people in the business world show their superiority? An attempt to study this was made by two researchers using a series of silent films.They had two actors play the parts of an executive(经理)and a visitor，and switch roles each time.The scene had one man at his desk playing the part of an executive，while the other，playing the part of a visitor，knocks at the door，opens it and approaches the desk to discuss some business matter.
The audience watching the films was asked to rate the executive and the visitor in terms of status.A certain set of rules about status began to emerge from the ratings.The visitor showed the least amount of status when he stopped just inside the door to talk across the room to the seated man.He was considered to have more status when he walked halfway up to the desk，and he had the most status when he walked directly up to the desk and stood right in front Of the seated executive.
Another thing that affected the status of the visitor in the eyes of the observers was the time between knocking and entering.For the seated executive，his status was also affected by the time between hearing the knock and answering.The quicker the visitor entered the room，the more status he had.The longer the executive took to answer，the more status he had.
41.The experiment designed by the two researchers aimed at finding out _____
A.how business is concted by all executive and a visitor
B how to tell the differences between an executive and a visitor
C.how to tell businessmen at a glance
D.how businessmen indicate status
42 Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?
A.The executive has a higher status than the visitor.
B.Military people wear uniforms but the businessmen do not
C，A study revealing a set of rules about the status of businessmen.
D It is a good method to use a series of silent film in research.
43 Having entered the room，the closer the visitor approaches the executive, ___
A.the less it affected his status
B.the lower his status
C.the more it affected his status
D.the higher his status
44.The longer the seated man was in answering the knock，_____
A.the higher his status
B.the less it affected his status
C.the lower his status
D the more it affected his status
45.Which statement is NOT true?
A Soldiers wear uniforms with various symbols so that one call tell their status at a glance.
B.In the experiment.one actor played the executive while the other played the seated man
C.Business people wear similar suits.
D The audience watching the film rated the executive and the visitor in terms of status.
答案：DCDAB
士兵和其他军队中的人都要穿制服，并且衣服上有各种各样的标志来表明他们的身份地位。但是在商业的世界中，几乎每个人都穿的差不多一样的衣服。乍看之下，很难分出身份地位的高低。那么，在商界，人们如果表明自己高人一等呢?
2个研究者通过一系列的默剧对此进行尝试和研究。剧中只有2个演员，分饰经理和拜访者的角色，每次两人都要交换角色。剧中演的是经理坐在办公桌旁边办公，来访者敲门，推开门，往办公桌走去，和经理讨论业务上的事情。
观看的观众被要求说出经理和拜访者的地位孰高孰低。从观众的意见总结出一套地位的归路。当拜访者站在刚进门的'地方，远远的穿过整个房间和经理说话，表明来访者的地位最低。当拜访者站在门和桌子的中间时，地位较高;当他径直走到桌子旁边站在经理前面时，地位最高。
在观众眼中，另一个影响拜访者地位的事情是他敲门和进房间之间的时间间隔。对于坐在那里的经理来说，他的地位受听到敲门和应答的时间间隔的影响。拜访者越早的进入房间，他的地位就越高。
经理越迟应答敲门声，他的地位越高。
profession
Acting is such an over-crowded profession that the only advice that should be given to a young person thinking of going on the stage is“Dont!”.But it is useless to try to discourage someone who feels that he must act，although the chances of his becoming famous are slim. The normal way to begin is to go to a drama sch001.Usually only students who show promise and talent are accepted，and the course lasts two years.Then the young actor or actress takes up work with a theatrical company(剧团)，usually as an assistant stage manager This means doing everything that there is to do in the theatre and occasionally acting in very small parts It is very hard work indeed，the hours are long and the salary is tiny.
Of course，some people have remarkable chances which lead to fame and Success without this long and hard training.Connie Pratt，for example，was just an ordinary girl working in a bicycle factory.A film procer happened to catch sight of her one morning waiting at a bus stop，as he drove past in his car.He stopped and got out to speak to the girl.He asked if she would like to go to the film studio to do a test，and she thought he was joking Then she got angry and said she would call the police It took the procer twenty minutes to convince Connie that he was serious The test was successful.And within a few weeks she was playing the leading part opposite one of the most famous actors of the day But chances like this happen once in a blue moon
36 From the very beginning，the author puts it clearly that acting is a profession __A____
A sought after by too many
B.too difficult for young people
C.for slim people only
D.one can go into without special training
37.For someone who feels he must act，it is very likely that _D____
A.he will become a film star at long last
B he will become a stage manager
C he will be well paid
D.he will end up without any Success
38.The film procer found Connie Pratt one morning when she was __D__
A.at work in a bicycle factory
B.driving past him in her car
C.going to a film studio
D.waiting for a bus
39.A few weeks after the test.Connie Pratt found herself __B____
A the most famous actress of the world
B.playing the leading female role in a play
C.as famous as the greatest actor of the world
D.no less famous than the leading actor of the day
40 The concluding sentence “chances like this happen once in a blue moon” means D
A this is something which happens once in a while
B.this is a highly profitable chance
C.this is something highly possible
D this is a very rare chance
答案：ADDBD
演艺界是一个人口密度过高的职业。对于想登上舞台的年轻人的唯一建议就是不要进入。但是想劝阻那些明知成功的机会很渺茫却执意要做演员的人，这种说教是无用的。要做演员通常办法就是去戏剧学院进修。通常这里只接受有前途和有天赋的学生，课程要花2年的时间。之后，年轻的女艺人或者男艺人以舞台助理的身份，参与到剧团的工作。这意味着要做和舞台相关的所有事务和偶尔的跑龙套。这确实是很辛苦的工作，工作时间长，薪水又少的可怜。
当然，有些人没有经过长期辛苦训练，而是是通过不寻常的机会就获得了声望和成功。例如说，Connie Pratt原本是自行车厂的一个普通女工。某个早晨她在公车站等车的时候被一个开车路过的电影制作人看中了。制作人停车出来和她交谈，问她是否愿意来摄影棚试镜。Connie认为他只是在开玩笑罢了。最后她生气了，还威胁说要叫警察。最后制作人花了20分钟的时间让Connie相信他是认真的。试镜很成功。几个星期之后，她就作为女主角和当时很有名的一个男演员在一部戏中演对手戏了。但是，类似这样的机会少之又少啊。
2. 英语阅读理解
46.第一段的第二行，in a clothing shop,所以选项B正确。
47.第一段的第二句，第三句，以及第一段的第四行she doesn't like other colours,所以选项B正确。
48.第一段中写了她试穿了桔色的衣服后发现尺码小了，想要大一点的，但是大一点的没有桔色的，由此可知桔色的只有一件，所以选项C正确。根据第二段的第一句the second shop可知选项A错误。选项B的意思是第一家店里只有一只桔子，错误。选项D显然错误，第二段的最后两句写了在第二家店，她先试穿了一件，有点大，于是她又试穿了另外一件，合适了，由此可知第二家店里不只一件桔色的衣服。
49.第一段的第三行it is too small.所以选项A正确。
50.选项A和B显然错误。选项D错误，因为文章中写了店员问她们要不要买一件便宜的，妈妈说不要，就要那件贵的，只是今天钱没带够，明天带钱来买那件贵的。选项C正确。
31.根据文章第一句，TOM is arriving.
32.第三行写了pass three one-way street
33.根据第三行内容，回答YES
34.根据第四行a big supermarket called applepie,所以是Applepie.
35.根据第五行I live on the 15th floor.
51. 根据第三句，garden正确。
52.根据第四句，新华书店在garden的后面，所以garden 在新华书店的前面，in front of 正确。
53.根据第三行，a theatre between.....,所以选项B正确。
54.根据第四行，three buildings.
55.根据倒数第二行see a market,所以选项A正确。
3. 2002年的英语专业四级阅读理解C、D的翻译谁知道！
事先声明：我只看到段落C，没有D阿？？
段落C
十几、二十岁是各个年龄段中人们最关注自身的外表，以及别人怎样看待自己的阶段。只有少数人愿意在那个时候接受自己（本来的面目），也只有更加少的人敢于嘲笑潮流。
大部分的时尚杂志和电视广告都在告诫我们应该怎样穿，不应该怎样穿。似乎唯有这样，我们才有自信的社交，避免不必要的尴尬。今天之时尚已远非衣着之狭义。就像专为男人服务的老式剃头匠早已作古，而女人也决不可能像他们的母亲、祖母那样装扮自己。电视广告带来最新的潮流资讯，时尚女性亦步亦趋，唯恐落得圈内友人讥笑的老古董下场。
究竟什么才是时尚背后的手？时尚忽而是方便实用，忽而又是某个名人的随性挥就。就拿帽子来说吧，三九寒天时，早先的房子里面也是挺冷的，所以人们在屋里屋外的都带着帽子。后来，已故的肯尼迪总统摒弃了在屋内带帽子的习惯，男人们纷纷效仿；而这大大打击了美国帽业的景气。
当然时尚也难免轮回。20世纪的欧美，短裙当道。二战后，裙摆长达脚踝， 然后又慢慢缩短至迷你裙的款式，随后的几年里，裙子的长度又回复20世纪的样式。
今天的社会是有史以来最自由随性的了。穿着上每个人都可以有自己的个性， 你完全有理由按自己的喜好打扮。牛仔裤、“乞丐装”的大行其道就是对顶级昂贵服饰的回应。
现在，仪表在特定的场合仍然很重要，需要精心挑选穿着。穿着牛仔裤和毛衣去律师事务所面试显然是个愚蠢的决定；穿着去海滩或酒吧的打扮去拜访德高望重的学者会被认为失礼。但无论如何，如果你看着不像杂志里的广告，不必沮丧，看看你的周围，没有一个人像杂志里的广告。
4. 2020年高考英语全国卷2 - 阅读理解C
When you were trying to figure out what to buy for the environmentalist on your holiday list, fur probably didn’t cross your mind. But some ecologists and fashion enthusiast are trying to bring back the market for fur made from nutria.
当你想给环保人士的假日购物清单增加些什么时，你可能不会想到皮毛。但是一些生态学家和时尚发烧友们正试图恢复海狸鼠皮毛的市场。
Unusual fashion shows in New Orleans and Brooklyn have showcased nutria fur made into clothes in different styles. “It sounds crazy to talk about guilt-free fur – unless you understand that the nutria are destroying vast wetlands every year,” says Cree McCree, project director of Righteous Fur.
新奥尔良和布鲁克林的不同寻常时装秀展示了海狸鼠皮毛制成的不同风格的服装。“谈论没有罪恶感的皮毛听起来很疯狂——除非你知道海狸鼠每年都在破坏大片湿地，”Righteous Fur（正义皮毛）项目总监克里·麦克里说。
Scientists in Louisiana were so concerned that they decided to pay hunters $5 a tail. Some of the fur ends up in the fashion shows like the one in Brooklyn last month.
路易斯安那州的科学家非常担心，他们决定付给猎人每尾5美元。一些皮毛最终出现在时装秀上，比如上个月布鲁克林的时装秀。
Nutria were brought there from Argentina by fur farmers and let go into the wild. “The ecosystem down there can’t handle this non-native species. It’s destroying the environment. It’s them or us,” says Michael Massimi, an expert in this field.
海狸鼠是皮毛农场主从阿根廷带到这里并放生的。“那里的生态系统无法应对这种非本土物种，它正在破坏环境”，这一领域的专家迈克尔·马西米说。
The fur trade kept nutria in check for decades, but when the market for nutria collapsed in the late 1980s, the cat-sized animals multiplied like crazy.
几十年来，皮毛贸易一直控制着海狸鼠数量，但是20世纪80年代末海狸鼠市场崩溃后，这些猫一样大小的动物疯狂繁殖。
Biologist Edmond Mouton runs the nutria control program for Louisiana. He says it’s not easy to convince people that people that nutria fur is green, but he has no doubt about it. Hunters bring in more than 300,000 nutria tails a year, so part of Mouton’s job these days is trying to promote fur.
生物学家埃德蒙·莫顿负责路易斯安那州的海狸鼠控制。他说要让人们相信海狸鼠皮是绿色的并不容易，但他对此毫无疑问。猎人们每年带来超过30万条海狸鼠尾巴，所以莫顿现在的部分工作就是推广皮毛。
Then there’s Righteous Fur and its unusual fashions. Model Paige Morgan says,“To give people a guilt-free option that they can wear without someone throwing paint on them – I think that’s going to be a massive thing, at least here in New York.” Designer Jennifer Anderson admits it took her a while to come around to the opinion that using nutria fur for her creations is morally acceptable. She’s trying to come up with a label to attach to nutria fashions to show it is eco-friendly.
还有Righteous Fur和它不同寻常的时尚。模特佩奇·摩根说，“给人们一个没有罪恶感的选择，让他们可以穿着，而不用被人往身上泼油漆——我认为这将是一件大事，至少在纽约是这样。”设计师詹妮弗·安德森承认，她花了一段时间才意识到，用海狸鼠皮制作作品在道德上是可以接受的。她正尝试给海狸鼠时尚贴上环保标签。
5. 高一英语阅读理解及答案(2)
高一英语阅读理解及答案
高一英语阅读理解【4】
A man went to see his doctor one day, because he was suffering from pains in his stomach. After the doctor had examined him carefully, he said to him, “Well, there‟s nothing really wrong with you, I‟m glad to say. Your only trouble is that you worry too much. Do you know, I had a man with the same trouble as you here a few weeks ago, and I gave him the same advice as I am going to give you. He was worried because he couldn‟t pay his tailor‟s bills. I told him not to worry about the bills any more. He took my advice and when he came to see me again two days ago, he told me that he now felt quite all right again. ” “Yes, I know all about that,” answered the patient sadly. “You see, I‟m that man‟s tailor!”
根据以上短文内容判断正误，正确的用“T”表示，错误的用“F”表示。
1. The tailor went to see his doctor because he has got a headache.
2. There is nothing serious with the tailor.
3. A man with the same trouble as the tailor a few days ago.
4. The doctor gave the man and the tailor the same advice.
5. The tailor was worried because a man couldn‟t pay his bills.
【答案及解析】
1. 选F。根据第1句A man went to see his doctor one day, because he was suffering from pains in his stomach可知本题是错误的。
2. 选T。根据…there is no thing really wrong with you (tailor)可知裁缝的身体并没有什么大碍，故可判断此题与短文内容相符。
3. 选F。根据句子Do you know, I had a man with the same trouble as you here a few weeks ago可知本题所叙述的时间与短文内容不一致，因此可判断此题是错误的。
4. 选T。根据…and I gave him the same advice as I am going to give you可知答案。
5. 选T。通读全文我们可知：上一个病人是担心他自己不能付钱给他的裁缝，而这个裁缝的病因却是因为担心那个人不能付钱给他的。
高一英语阅读理解【5】
I‟ve loved my mother‟s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as mother sat doing letters. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the more wonderful thing in the world.
Years later, ring her final illness, mother kept different things for my sister and brother. “But the desk,” she‟d said again, “it‟s for Elizabeth. ”
I never saw her angry, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me; she showed it in action. But as a young girl, I wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter.
They never happened. And a gulf opened between us. I was “too emotional(易动感情的)”. But she lived “on the surface(表面)”.
As years passed I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive(原谅) me.
I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came.
My hope turned to disappointment(失望), then little interest and, finally, peace— it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn‟t be sure that the letter had even got to mother. I only knew that I had written it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not.
Now the present of her desk told, as she‟d never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work. I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside —a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded(折叠) and refolded many times.
Give me an answer, my letter asks, in any way you choose. Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
1. The writer began to love her mother‟s desk ______.
A. after Mother died B. before she became a writer C. when she was a child D. when Mother gave it to her
2. The passage shows that ______.
A. mother was cold on the surface but kind in her heart to her daughter
B. mother was too serious about everything her daughter had done
C. mother cared much about her daughter in words D. mother wrote to her daughter in careful words
3. The word “gulf” in the passage means ______.
A. deep understanding between the old and the young B. different ideas between the mother and the daughter
C. free talks between mother and daughter D. part of the sea going far in land
4. What did mother do with her daughter‟s letter asking forgiveness?
A. She had never received the letter. B. For years, she often talked about the letter.
C. She didn‟t forgive her daughter at all in all her life. D. She read the letter again and again till she died.
5. What‟s the best title of the passage?
A. My letter to Mother B. Mother and Children
C. My mother‟s Desk D. Talks between Mother and Me
【答案及解析】
1. 选C。根据I‟ve loved my mother‟s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as mother sat doing letters. 可知作者当时还是个小孩子，故选C。
2. 选A。由But she lived “on the surface ”. 和全文内容可知，作者的母亲表面上很冷漠，但心里充满了对作者的爱，正确答案是A。
3. 选B。从I was “too emotional”. But she lived “on the surface”. 可知此词是指两人之间不同的看法和观点，应选B。
4. 选D。根据…a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded and refolded many times. 可知应选D。
5. 选C。文章的开头I‟ve loved my mother‟s desk…以及后面的Now the present of her desk told, as she‟d never been able to…可知作者是托物思人，以表达自己对母亲的怀念之情，所以最佳标题应是C。
高一英语阅读理解【6】
One day the famous American scientist Albert Einstein met an old friend of his on a street in New York.
“Mr Einstein,” said the friend, “ it seems that you need to put on a new overcoat. Look, how worn-out it is!”“It doesn‟t matter,” answered Albert Einstein. “No one knows me here in New York.”
Several years later they met in New York again. Einstein had been a world-famous physicist after then but he still wore the same old overcoat.
Once more his friend persuaded him to buy a new one.
“There is no need now,” said Einstein, “Everybody here has known me.”
根据短文内容，回答问题。
1. Where did Albert Einstein met an old friend of his? ___________________________
2. What did the friend want him to buy? ______________________
3. How about Einstein‟s overcoat? ___________________________
4. Did Einstein still wear the same old overcoat when he became a world-famous physicist? ___________________
5. What did Einstein say when the friend persuade once more him to buy a new overcoat? __________________
【答案及解析】
1. On a street in New York。所问的问题是“爱因斯坦在那儿遇见了他的老朋友?”根据One day the famous American scientist Albert Einstein met an old friend of his on a street in New York(一天，在纽约的一条街道上，著名美国科学家爱因斯坦遇见了他的一个老朋友)就能作出上述回答。
2. A new overcoat。所问的问题是 “他的朋友让他买什么?” 根据“ it seems that you need to put on a new overcoat. Look, how worn-out it is!”(“你该穿一件新大衣了。看，你的大衣多么破呀!)就能作出上述回答。
3. Very old。所问的问题是 “爱因斯坦的大衣怎么样了?” 根据文章的标题就能作出上述回答。
4. Yes, he did。所问的问题是 “成名之后的爱因斯坦仍然穿同一件破大衣吗?” 根据Several years later they met in New York again. Einstein had been a world-famous physicist after then but he still wore the same old overcoat. (几年之后，他们再次在纽约相遇了，这时候的爱因斯坦已经成了世界著名的大科学家。然而，他仍然穿着那件破大衣)就能作出上述回答
5. There is no need now. Everybody here has known me。所问的问题是 “当朋友再次劝爱因斯坦买一件新大衣时，他是怎么说的?” 根据“There is no need now,” said Einstein, “Everybody here has known me.”(爱因斯坦说：“没有必要了，这儿的人都知道我了)就能作出上述回答。
;6. 求自考英语阅读1 第4篇文章american social relations的翻译
American Social Relations
Gladys G.Doty Janet Ross
American society is much more informal than that of many other countries and, in some ways, is characterized by less social distinction. The American mixture of pride in achievement and sense of “’m just as good as anybody else.” along with lack of importance placed on personal dignity, is difficult for a foreigner to understand. Americans in general do not like to be considered inferior, and they grumble loudly about inconveniences or not getting a “fair deal.” Yet they do not make a point of their personal honor. As an illustration of the difference between Europen and American reflection in this respect, John Whyte in American Words and Ways gives the following account.
A…[European] professor [visiting in American] was once sent a bil for hospital services which he had never enjoyed. The bill was accompanied by a strong letter demanding payment. It was obvious that a mistake in names had been made, but the professor, thoroughly aroused by this reflection on his character and financial integrity, wrote a vigorous letter of reply ( which an American might also have done.) But in this letter of reply he demanded that the creditor write him a formal letter of apology… for this reflection on his honor. Since no publicity could possibly have been given to the mistake, for mistake it was, most Americans in that sitution, after getting the matter off their chest ( or without doing that ) would have let the matter rest.
An example of the same thing may be that although Americans like to talk about their accomplishments, it is their custom to show certain modesty in reply to compliments. When someone praises an American upon his achievement or upon his personal appearance, which, incidentally, is a very polite thing to do in America, the American turns it aside. If someone should say, “Congratulations upon being elected president of the club,” an American is expected to reply, “Well, I hope I can do a good job,” or something of the sort. Or if someone says, “That’s a pretty blue necktie you are wearing,” an American is likely to say, “I’m glad you like it,” or “Thank you. My wife gave it to me for my birthday.” The response to a compliment seldom conveys the idea, “I, too, think I’m pretty good.”
Likewise, there are fewer social conventions that show social differences in America. Students do not rise when a teacher enters the room. One does not always address a person by his title, such as “Professor” or “Doctor” (“Doctor” is always used, however, for a doctor fo medicine). The respectful “sir” is not always used in the northern and western parts of the country.
Clothing in America, as in every place in the world, to a certain degree reflects a person’s social position and income, or, at least among the young, his attitudes toward society or toward himself. Yet no person is restricted to a certain uniform or manner of dress because of his occupations or class in society. A bank president may wear overalls to paint his house and is not ashamed of either the job or the clothing, and a common laborer may wear a rented tuxedo at his daughter’s wedding.
Yet in spite of all the informality, America is not completely without customs that show consciousness of social distinction. For example, one is likely to use somewhat more formal language when talking to superiors. While the informal “Hello” is an acceptable greeting from employee to employer, the employee is more apt to say, “Hello, Mr. Ferguson,” whereas the emplyer may reply, “Hello, Jim.” Southerners make a point of saying “Yes,sir,” or “Yes,ma’am,” or “No,sir,” or “No, ma’am,” when talking to an older person or a person in position of authority. Although this is a good form all over the United States, “Yes, Mr. Weston.” or “No, Mrs. Baker” is somewhat more common in a similar situation in the North or West.
Certain other forms of politeness are observed on social occasions. Though people wear hats less now than in the past, women still occasionally wear hats in church and at public social functions ( except those that are in the evening ).
In American there are still customs by which a man may show respect for a woman. He opens the door for her and lets her precede him through it. He walks on the side of the walk nearest the street. He takes her arm when crossing a street or descending a stairway. A younger person also shows respect for an older one in much the same fashion, by helping the older person in things requiring physical exertion or involving possible accident.
American surface informality often confuses the foreigner because he interprets it to mean no formality at all. He does not understand the point at which informality stops. A teacher, though friendly, pleasant, and informal in class, expects students to study hard, and he grades each student’s work critically and carefully. He also expects to be treated with respect. Although students are free to ask questions about statements made by the teacher, and may say that they disagree with what he says, they are not expected to contradict him. Similarly, in boy-girl relationships a foreign student should not mistake the easy relationship and flattery that are part of the dating pattern in the United States, nor presume that it means more than it does.
Also, because an American is perhaps more likely to admit and laugh at his own mistakes than one who stands more on his dignity, a foreigner sometimes does not know how to handle the American’s apparent modesty. The American is quite ready to admit certain weaknesses, such as “I never was good at mathematics.” “I’m a rotten tennis player.” or “I’m the world’s worst bridge player.” However, the stranger must not be too quick to agree with him. American think it is all right, even sporting, to admit a defect in themselves, but they feel that it is almost an insult to have someone else agree. A part of American idea of good aportmanship is the point of being generous to a loser. This attitude is carried over into matters that have nothing to do with competition. If a man talks about his weak points, the listener says something in the way of encouragement,or point to other qualities in which the speaker excels. An American student reports that when he was in a foreign country he was completely stunned when he said to a native, “I don’t speak your language very well.” and the native replied, “I should say you don’t.” In a similar situation an American would have commented, “Well, you have only been here two months.” or “But you’re making progress.”
Although Americans are quite informal, it is best for a foreigner, in case of doubt, to be too formal rather than not formal enough. Consideration for others is the basis of all courtesy.
美国的社会比其他国家的社会更加非正式，在某些方面，美国社会的特征就是较少的社会差别。美国式的混合物－个人的成就感、不比别人差的优越感以及对个人尊严缺乏重要性，这些对一个外国人来说是很难理解的。通常来讲美国人不喜欢被别人看成低人一等的，他们也会为自己遭受的不便而抱怨，还会为自己没有得到公平的待遇而抱怨。然而，他们也不是很重视自己的荣誉。在这一方面，为了更好展示欧洲人和美国人的不同反映，John Whyte 在《美国语言和方式》这本书里给了我们如下的描述。
有位欧洲的教授曾在美国访问，他有次收到一份在医院接受治疗的账单，实际上他并没有接受过任何治疗。随附账单还有一封措施很强烈的信件。很明显这是因为把姓名弄错了，但是这位教授由于对信中对自己人格以及金钱方面的廉洁而提出的质疑感到不舒服，他也写了一份措辞很激烈的回信。（美国人也会这样去做）。但是在这份回信中，这位欧洲教授要求他的债权人写一份正式的道歉信，就因为对他人格的指责。由于这样的错误并没有被公众知悉，即使这样的错误已经发生了，但大多数美国人在这种形势下，只是将其宣泄一番，甚至有的人根本就不用宣泄，就让这件事情过去了。
同样的事情我再给你举一个例子，尽管美国人比较喜欢讨论自己的成就，但是他们有个习俗，那就是如果你得到某种赞美时，你的回答要展示某种谦虚。当有人在赞美一个美国人诸如他的成就或外貌的时候，这些话题在美国被认为是很有礼貌的事情，他也不会太在意。如果有人对一个美国人说：“祝贺你当选俱乐部主席”，他会回答“我希望把工作做好”或者诸如词类的话语。当有人说：“你打的领结很漂亮”，而美国人会说“我很高兴你喜欢它”或者“谢谢你，这是我妻子送给我的生日礼物”。所有对这种赞美的回答从来都不会传达这样的含义即“我也认为我挺不错的” 同样的，在美国也很少有那种社会习俗来表现这种社会差异。当老师进教室的时候，学生是不起立的。也不经常在一个人的名字前面加一些头衔，比如教授或博士。（DOCTOR 如果从医药学方面来称呼也是可以的）。表示尊敬含义的SIR在美国北部和西部也是很少使用的。
在美国正如在世界上其他地方一样，从某种意义上，人的穿着会反映其社会地位和收入，或者至少在年轻人当中可以反映这个社会或者自己的态度。但是由于自已的职业或社会地位，没有任何一个只局限穿一种特定的制服或选择某种特定的穿衣方式。一个银行的行长在粉刷自己房子的时候会穿工装服，而且不会因这种工作和穿衣的方式而感到羞愧。而一个普通劳动者在自己女儿的婚礼上也会租穿一件无尾燕尾服。
尽管有诸如此类非正式的东西，但是美国也并不是完全没有习俗来展现这种社会差别意识。例如，但一个人跟他的上司说话的时候，他会用更加正式的语言。尽管非正式语言HELLO可以用于雇员和雇主之间，但对于一个雇员来说，他更倾向于使用HELLO,MR FERGUSON，而上司回答时可以直接回答HELLO JIM。当跟一个年长者或者权位更高的人说话时，美国南方人主张说YES SIR 或YES MA’AM 或NO, SIR或NO, MA’MA。尽管这样的称谓在全美国被认为是一种很好的称谓形式，但是在美国北部或西部，人们还更倾向于称YES,MR WESTON或NO,MRS BAKER。某种表示礼貌的形式可以在社交场合会看到的。尽管现在的人不像过去那么经常带帽子，但是女性在教堂或一些公众庆祝宴会时会带上帽子的（当然这些场合如果发生在晚上就不用了）
在美国仍然还有些习俗，男士们通过这些习惯来表现对女士的尊敬。他会给女士开门，而且让女士先进入。男士也会走在更靠近街道的人行道。当穿过一条阶段或下楼梯时，男士会扶着女士。一个年轻人同样也会表示对年长者的尊敬，他们通过帮助他们做一些费体力的活或一些引发事故的活。
美国人这种表面上的非正式性会让一个外国人迷惑，因为他认为美国人的这种非正式性意味着没有正式性而言。但是他并不知道美国人的这种非正式性会在哪里变成了正式性，比如一个老师在课堂上看起来友好、和善，在课堂上也表现的非正式，但老师要求学生努力学习，并且在批改作业时是很严格和仔细的。而且这位老师也同样希望学生能尊敬他。尽管学生对老师的陈述自由提出问题，而且也可以表达对老师观点的不同意，但是这些学生也不能驳斥老师的观点。同样，在男孩和女孩交往的过程中，一个外国学生也不要对美国人在约会里表现的亲近关系或奉承的话语而误会，不要认为他们还有更深层次的含义。同样，因为比那些经常想保持自己尊严的人来说，美国人非常有可能承认和嘲笑他自己的错误、缺点。但是有时外国人不知道怎么处理美国人这种表面的谦虚。美国人很容易承认自己的某些弱点，诸如“我的数学不好”，“我的网球打的很烂”或者说“我的桥牌打的也是出奇的差”，但是，这个时候对于一个陌生人不能随声附和。美国人认为，承认自己的一些弱点没有什么，即使是运动项目不行，但是如果别人对他们谦虚的话语表示同意，他们认为这是对他们若大的侮辱。美国竞技精神的一部分就是对失败者要赋予同情和慷慨。这种态度从体育竞技中被带入到跟体育竞技一点关系都没有的事情当中了。如果一个人谈及自己的弱点时，听者一般都会以鼓励来回应或指出失败者在其他领域是很擅长的。一个美国的学生讲到，有次他去国外时，当他对当地人说：“我说你们的语言说的不好”，而对方回应到“我也这么认为”，他被当地人的回答惊呆了。当然，在同样的情势下，一个美国人将会回应到“你来这里才刚两个月而已” 或者说“但是你取得进步了”。
尽管美国人好像十分不正式，但对于一个外国人，尤其在不知道情况下，你最好尽可能正式的对待。总是考虑别人是所以礼仪的基础。