Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions
Part V. READING
Exercise 9. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
INTERNATIONAL GIFT-GIVING CUSTOMS
The tradition of gift giving is a worldwide practice that is said to have been around since the beginning of human beings. Over time, different cultures have developed their own gift giving customs and traditions.
In France, the gift of wine for the hostess of a dinner party is not an appropriate gift as the hostess would prefer to choose the vintage for the night. In Sweden, a bottle of wine or flowers are an appropriate gift for the hostess. In Viet Nam, a gift of whisky is appropriate for the host, and some fruit or small gifts for the hostess, children or elders of the home. Besides, gifts should never be wrapped in black paper because this color is unlucky and associated with funerals in this country. Gifts that symbolize cutting such as scissors, knives and other sharp objects should be avoided because they mean the cutting of the relationship. Also, in some countries you should not open the gift in front of the giver and in others it would be an insult if you did not open the gift.
Beyond the gift itself, give careful consideration to the manner in which it is presented. Different cultures have different customs regarding how a gift should be offered - using only your right hand or using both hands, for example. Others have strong traditions related to the appropriate way to accept a gift. In Singapore, for instance, it is the standard to graciously refuse a gift several times before finally accepting it. The recipient would never unwrap a gift in front of the giver for fear of appearing greedy.
Understanding these traditions and customs, as well as taking time to choose anappropriate gift, will help you to avoid any awkwardness or embarrassment as you seek to build a better cross-cultural relationship.
106. When did the tradition of gift-giving become popular all over the world?
A. a long time ago B. thousands of years ago
C. since the beginning of humans D. since the beginning of industrialization
107. Which of the following is NOT true about gift-giving customs?
A. In France, wine is not considered a suitable gift for the hostess of a dinner party.
B. In Sweden, it is not customary to bring some wine or flowers when you are invited to a dinner party.
C . In Viet Nam, such things as scissors, knives and other sharp objects shouldn't be used as a gift.
D. In Singapore, it is unacceptable to open the gift right in front of the giver.
108. The phrase “associated with" is closest in meaning to ____.
A. connected with B. familiar with C. informed of D. similar to
109. The word “it" in paragraph 3 refer to ____.
A. consideration B. manner C. gift D. culture
110. Which of the following is the main idea of paragraph 3?
A. The people who are presented with gifts
B. The traditions of giving and receiving gifts
C. The occasions of giving and receiving gifts
D. The manners of giving and receiving gifts
Exercise 10. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
Marriage is an ancient religious and legal practice celebrated around the world. However, wedding customs vary from country to country.
The Wedding Dress: In many countries, it is customary for the bride to wear a white dress as a symbol of purity. The tradition of wearing a special white dress only for the wedding ceremony started around 150 years ago. Before that, most women could not afford to buy a dress that they would only wear once. Now, bridal dresses can be bought in a variety of styles. In some Asian countries and in the Middle East, colors of joy and happiness like red or orange other than white are worn by the bride or used as part of the wedding ceremony,
The Wedding Rings: In many cultures, couples exchange rings, usually made of golf or silver and worn on the third finger of the left or right hand, during the marriage ceremony. The circular shape of the ring is symbolic of the couple's eternal union. In Brazil, it is traditional to have the rings engraved with the bride's name on the groom’s ring, an vice versa.
Flowers: Flowers play an important role in most weddings. Roses are said to be the flowers of love, and because they usually bloom in June, this has become the most popular month for weddings in many countries. After the wedding ceremony, in many countries the bride throws her bouquet into a crowd of well-wishers – usually her single female friends. The person who catches this bouquet will be the next one to marry.
Gifts: In Chinese cultures, w edding guests give gifts of money to the newly-weds in small red envelopes. Money is also an appropriate gift at Korean and Japanese wedding. In many Western countries, for example in the U.K, wedding guests give the bride and groom household items that they may need for their new home. In Russia, rather than receiving gifts, the bride and groom provide gifts to their guests instead.
With the continued internationalization of the modern world, wedding customs that originated in one part of the world are crossing national boundaries and have been incorporated into marriage ceremonies in other countries.
111. Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
A. Wedding ceremonies B. Wedding customs C. Wedding day D. Wedding history
112. The tradition of wearing a special dress only on one’s wedding day is ____.
A. about 150 years ago B. over a century ago
C. less than 100 years ago D. less than 200 years ago
113. In some cultures, the bride wears a white dress as a traditional symbol of ____.
A. modesty B. secrecy C. purity D. security
114. In some Asian and Middle Eastern.countries, which colour is NOT considered to be suitable for a wedding?
A. red B. orange C. white D. blue
115. The phrase “eternal union" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ____.
A. never-ending relationship B. lovely relationship
C. temporary relationship D. healthy relationship
116. The word “this" in paragraph 4 refers to which of the following?
A. role B. love C. June D. rose
117. According to the passage, in which country would the wedding guests give the bride and groom money as a present?
A. Brazil B. the U.K C. China D.Russia
118. Which of the following information is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Nowadays, every bride can afford to buy a wedding dress to wear only once.
B. It is believed that any person who catches the bride’s bouquet will be the next to marry.
C . It is customary to write the groom's name on the bride’s wedding ring.
D. Thanks to globalization, one country’s wedding customs may be added to othercountries’.