阅读理解Most Americans would have a difficult time telling you, specifically, what the values are which Americans live by. They have never given the matter any thought.

阅读理解Most Americans would have a difficult time telling you, specifically, what the values are which Americans live by. They have never given the matter any thought.

Over the years I have introduced thousands of international visitors to life in the United States. This has caused me to try to look at Americans through the eyes of foreign visitors. I am confident that the values listed in this booklet describe most (but not all )Americans, and that understanding these values can help you, the international visitor, understand Americans.

It is my belief that if foreign visitors really understand how deeply these 13 values are ingrained in Americans, they will then be able to understand 95% of American actions — actions which might otherwise appear “strange,” “confusing,” or “unbelievable” when evaluated from the perspective of the foreigner's own society and its values.

The different behaviors of a people or a culture make sense only when seen through the basic beliefs, assumptions and values of that particular group. When you encounter an action, or hear a statement in the United States which surprises you, try to see it as an expression of one or more of the values listed in this booklet.

1. Can an ordinary American tell you his/her value system？

A. Yes, because this is something an American lives by.

B. Yes, because values are something always in their mind.

C. No, because no one cares about his/her value system.

D. No, because he/she has never really thought about it.

2. The author lists 13 values in his booklet to __________.

A. invite foreigners to visit America

B. help international visitors understand Americans

C. describe the confusing actions of most Americans

D. look at Americans through the eyes of foreign visitors

3. The word “ingrained” in Line 2, Paragraph 3 most probably means ________.

A. rooted in the minds

B. found in the grains

C. planted for food

D. prepared with grain

4. Visitors sometimes fine Americans behave in a strange, confusing or unbelievable way, probably because _________.

A. Americans are hard to understand

B. Americans have values which are entirely different from their own

C. they view Americans according to the values in their own society

D. it is difficult to understand any people when you first encounter them

5. How can you understand a surprising behavior. or statement of an American when you visit the United States？

A. By comparing it with the values of yourself and your country.

B. By expressing one or more of the values in this booklet.

C. By linking it to the basic beliefs, assumptions and values of the Americans.

D. By looking at the particular group of people who behave or speak that way.