Informal conversation is an important part of any business relationship．Before you start a discussion，however，make sure you understand which topics are suitable and which are considered taboo（禁忌）in a particular culture. Latin Americans enjoy sharing information about their local history, art and customs．You may expect questions about your family，and be sure to show pictures of your children．You may feel free to ask similar questions of your Latin American friends．The French think of conversation as an art form，and they enjoy the value of lively discussions as well as disagreements. For them，arguments can be interesting and they can cover pretty much or any topic ---- as long as they occur in are respectful and intelligent manner．
In the United States，business people like to discuss a wide range of topics，including opinions about work，family，hobbies，and politics. In Japan，China，and Korea，however，people are much more private．They do not share much about their thoughts，feelings，or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away from the harmonious business relationship they’re trying to build．Middle Easterners are also private about their personal lives and family matters．It is considered rude，for example，to ask a businessman from Saudi Arabia about his wife or children．
As a general rule，it’s best not to talk about politics or religion with your business friends．This can get you into trouble，even in the United States，where people hold different religious views．In addition，discussing one’s salary is usually considered unsuitable．Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world，although be careful not to criticize national sport．Instead，be friendly and praise your host’s team．
【小题1】The author considers politics and religion .A．cheerful topicsB．tabooC．rude topicsD．topics that can never be talked about【小题2】Which is typically a friendly topic in most places according to the author？A．Sports．B．Children．C．Personal feelings．D．Families．【小题3】Why are people from Asia more private in their conversation with others？A．They don’t want to talk much with others．B．They don’t want to have their good relationship with others harmed by informal conversation。C．They are afraid to argue with their colleagues．D．They want to keep their feelings to themselves．【小题4】What shouldn’t you do when talking about sports with colleagues from another country？A．Praising your own country’s sports．B．Criticizing your own country’s sports．C．Praising the sports of your colleagues’ country．D．Criticizing the sports of your colleagues’ country．B
网友回答
(答案→)B
解析：本文介绍了在非正式场合中，尤其是生意人之间闲聊时所要注意的一些问题。比如说首先要知道对方的文化禁忌和文化习俗，而且不要谈论和政治、收入有关的问题。但是作者同时也指出无论在哪里谈论运动都是比较安全的话题。
【小题1】B推理判断题。根据文章末段it’s best not to talk about politics or religion with your business friends．This can get you into trouble可知政治、宗教是人们谈论的禁忌，所以答案选B。
【小题2】A细节理解题。根据文章末段Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world可知运动是人们之间安全友好的谈论话题，故A选项正确。
【小题3】B细节理解题。根据文章第二段They do not share much about their thoughts，feelings，or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away from the harmonious business relationship they’re trying to build．可知亚洲人唯恐谈论私人话题影响了他们努力营造的和谐氛围，所以B选项正确。
【小题4】D细节理解题。由文章末句be careful not to criticize national sport．Instead，be friendly and praise your host’s team．可知在谈论运动时不要批判指责对方的国家队，所以D选项正确。