It can be hard to meet people from another culture. From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal（信号）. Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship.
Different cultures emphasize （强调）the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree. For example, business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust. Even with people at work, it is necessary to spend a lot of time in “small talk”, usually over a glass of tea, before they do any job. In many European countries--like the UK or France—people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafes rather than at the office.
Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures. I once made a speech in Thailand. I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion; instead there was an unfortable silence. The people present just stared at me and smiled. After getting to know their ways better, I realized that they thought I was talking too much. In my own culture, we express meaning mainly through words, but people there sometimes feel too many words are unnecessary.
Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share similar values; however, Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly. We think that they are rude. In fact, this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.
People from different parts of the world have different values, and sometimes these values are quite against each other. However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural environment（多元文化环境）will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.
【小题1】In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to .A．keep each other panyB．share the same CultureC．get to know each otherD．develop closer relations【小题2】The author mentions his experience in Thailand to show that .A．even talk and silence can be culturally differentB．too many words are of no useC．people from Thailand are quiet and shy by natureD．the English prefer to make long speeches【小题3】According to the text, how can people from different cultures understand each other better?A．By sharing different ways of life.B．By recognizing different values.C．By accepting different habits.D．By speaking each other’s languages.【小题4】What would be the best title for the text?A．Multicultural Environment.B．How to Understand Each Other.C．Cross-Cultural Differences.D．How to Build Up a Relationship.D
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(答案→)D
解析：【文章大意】本文是一篇说明文。文章讲述了不同国家之间的文化差异。理解不同国家文化的差异我们才能建立良好的人际关系。
【小题1】D考查细节理解。根据文章第二段中的In many European countries--like the UK or France—people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafes rather than at the office.可知，在许多欧洲国家像英国和法国，人们发现在饭店或咖啡店比在办公室更容易建立长期的工作关系。故选D。
【小题2】A考查推理判断。根据文章第三段中的Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures.可知，这是本段的中心句，作者举他在泰国的例子就是为了证明中心句的成立。故选A。
【小题3】B考查细节理解。根据文章最后一段中的People from different parts of the world have different values, and sometimes these values are quite against each other. However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural environment（多元文化环境）will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.可知，如果我们能够理解不同国家的价值观，多元文化环境就会为我们提供相互学习的机会。故选B。
【小题4】C考查文章的标题。根据文章的整体可知，文章通篇讲的是欧洲国家文化之间的差异、泰国和其他国家的差异，北欧国家之间的文化差异，所以文章主要讲的是不同根据间的文化差异。故选C。