How different can other cultures be？Very different！People probably speak different languages and have beliefs and customs very different from yours. They can eat different foods and live in different types of houses. However，they can also be similar in ways of connecting with each other. We sometimes call these means of communication universal（共同的）languages.

Some legends hold that，thousands of years ago，there was a single language spoken by everyone on Earth. Of course，historical evidence does not support this，but it is fun to think about a time when everyone may have been able to communicate in the same language.

Today，there are thousands of languages spoken around the world. Yet，there are some means of communication that go beyond words and allow people of different backgrounds to communicate and share emotions and feelings. For example，some people believe music is a universal language. There may be some scientific support for this idea. Experts have learned that，across cultures，people can recognize three common emotions in music:happiness，sadness and fear.

So what other types of universal languages might there be？Some people believe dance is a universal language. Along with music，dancing seems to be a common interest shared by people all over the world. Do you think you could see a dance from another culture and make some reasonable（合理的）guesses about the ideas and emotions behind it？We bet you could！

Another universal language that you might not have thought of is mathematics! If you think about it now, it just makes sense.  The value of pi is roughly 3. 14159 no matter where you are on Earth. Similarly, figuring out the value of something involves the same mathematical calculations, regardless of whether you' re counting in dollars, pesos or coconuts.

【小题1】The first paragraph is mainly to tell us that ___________.

A．cultures are extremely different

B．people like eating different foods

C．people can communicate in similar ways

D．people now live in all kinds of cultures

【小题2】The underlined word“this”in Paragraph 2 probably refers to ___________.

A．the view that people used one language

B．the fact that there used to be many languages

C．the evidence that proves old languages funny

D．the doubt that people didn't understand each other

【小题3】Music is regarded as a universal language probably because ___________.

A．it can be easier to understand than languages

B．many of the people like listening to music

C．it usually comes from different backgrounds

D．it helps people to share common feelings

【小题4】What are universal languages according to this passage?

A．Mathematics, English and art.

B．Music, dance and mathematics.

C．Politics, economy and culture.

D．Diet, clothes and health.

   Apart from decoration purposes, the paint symbols  were mainly used during wars to express secret messages to the other members of the tribe. Native Indians believed that the designs that they painted had certain magical power that would protect them. The symbols were a reflection of the happenings and events during a war.Given below are the different symbols with  their meanings.

Eye of a Medicine Man Symbol It was a very powerful symbol thatrepresented the medicine man or shaman.The outer（外部的）lines indicated the four directions. The inner lines showed the spirit world and the dot in the center meant the eye of the medicine man and his spiritual vision.

Lightning Symbol It was a common symbol that wasseen painted on the face or across the forehead of almost all the soldiers. It was believed that itbrought power and speed to the wearer. A lightning symbol also symbolized the thunderbird , which brought lightni ng.

Four Ages of Man Symbol It indicated four stages of a man's life. They were childhood, youth and adolescence , maturity  in middle age, and wisdom in old age.

Indian Camp Symbol It indicated an Indian village that consisted of tent-like houses made of wood and animal skins. It was easy to build and dismantle（拆卸）quickly.

Homecoming Symbol It indicated the return of soldiers and ceremonies were held to welcome the brave soldiers.

 

So, these were a few war paint symbols along with their meanings. These were some of the widespread symbols. Each and every tribe had different symbols and colors , which indicated different things. They were not only used during wars, but also for hunting and decorations.

【小题1】The native Indians may disagree that the paint symbols can be used to __________ .

A．share secret messages among tribe members

B．protect tribe members with magical power

C．reflect the events happening during wars

D．prevent tribe members from being attacked by insects

【小题2】A soldier may use a lightning symbol to __________ .

A．gain strength and speed

B．show his courage and bravery

C．celebrate his narrow escape

D．show off his victory over enemies

【小题3】Which symbol represents different periods of human beings?

A．Homecoming Symbol.

B．Lightning Symbol.

C．Four Ages of Man Symbol.

D．Indian Camp Symbol.

【小题4】What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Native Indian war paint symbols and their meanings.

B．Meanings and symbolism of different war paint colors.

C．Widespread symbols are of great use during wars.

D．Different colors and symbols indicate different

People smile at times. However, the meaning of a smile in different cultures may be different. Depending on different cultures, smiling can express joy and amusement, but it can also indicate embarrassment. The following examples show this point of view:
In an attempt to be open and friendly, people in the United States smile a lot. Every one smiles at each other, this nonverbal communication shows being friendly in the United States. However，in China, smiling is not only an expression of happiness, but also a way to avoid being embarrassed. Chinese people like smiling when they are embarrassed in order to avoid embarrassment. Smiling is a kind of good will but not sneer（嘲笑）. For example: When a child falls off from a bike, the adults in China may smile, which is a kind of gentle encouragement and may not be a kind of impolite laugh.
When a person from the United States might blush（脸红）with embarrassment or become offensive, a Chinese might blush with smile. To avoid serious misunderstanding, people who engage in intercultural communication should be able to understand the meaning of smiling appropriately. Related to the smile is the laugh. Also, different cultures have different meanings about laugh. For example, Americans can enjoy a very heartfelt belly (腹部) laugh that comes from the deepest emotions. However, most Chinese seldom laugh that way because they are thought to be silly except among close friends.
【小题1】We can use smile to express all of the following feelings except _________,

A．joy and happiness	B．amusement
C．embarrassment	D．fear

【小题2】People often smile at each other in the United States because _________.

A．they are very happy

B．they want to show they are friendly

C．they want to hide their true feelings

D．they want to avoid embarrassment

【小题3】In China, seeing a child falls off a bike, an adult will smile in order to _______.

A．laugh at him

B．avoid his own embarrassment

C．avoid embarrassment and encourage the boy

D．show his politeness

【小题4】We can infer from the last paragraph that_______.

A．people in China seldom laugh.

B．Smiling is related to laugh.

C．Americans seldom hide their true feelings.

D．The Chinese will blush when they are embarrassed.

【小题5】What is mainly talked about in the passage?

A．People smile at times.

B．Smiling can express different feelings depending on different cultures.

C．Americans are more open and friendly than Chinese people.

D．The Chinese people often hide their true feelings.

短文改错
Last year, I went to Australia for a short-term study like an international student. One of my classmates suggested we shared our favorite foods from our own countries during New Year’s party. We all agreed to this wonderful idea and cooked my unique dishes for the party. Hariyati from Indonesia shared a kind of cookie what was shaped like elephant ears. Susan from South Africa prepared some sweet dumplings packed in several banana leaf. Chiemi from Japan cooked special rice balls mixing with fish. And I was served sliced noodles, my hometown — Shanxi’s local food. These variously foods were all delicious. Therefore, my favorite was still Chinese food.

Cultural differences occur wherever you go. When visiting another country, you should be aware of those differences and _______ them. Here are some _______ on how to fit in.
Every traveler to a foreign country feels _______ at some point. What you do can make locals laugh. Your best defense is a sense of _______. If you can laugh off eating with the wrong hand in India, locals will warm to you as “that crazy foreigner.”
Wearing proper cloths is important too, _______ locals will judge by what you wear. In some Middle Eastern countries, exposing your flesh is _______, especially if you are a woman. So leave your torn jeans at home.
Also be cautious about expressing _______. Getting angry in Southeast Asia just makes you look silly. In some countries it is _______ to kiss in public.

【小题1】

A．reject B．recite C．respect D．remove

【小题2】

A．plans B．tips C．arguments D．choices

【小题3】

A．unsafe B．excited C．satisfied D．awkward

【小题4】

A．relief B．belonging C．humor D．direction

【小题5】

A．but B．for C．so D．or

【小题6】

A．forbidden B．allowed C．expected D．tolerated

【小题7】

A．emotions B．concern C．interest D．views

【小题8】

A．natural B．advisable C．unwise D．unnecessary