阅读理解。
As a foreigner, I often hear the Chinese calling me "laowai". If I could not speak Chinese or if I had no
understanding of Asian customs, I might be angry when I am called a "laowai". But having lived in the
Philippines and China's Taiwan Province teaching English for several years, I have come to China with a
different view from most other foreign teachers here. In such situations, I just answer back in standard
Chinese:"Ni zenmo zhidao wo shi waiguoren? (How do you know I'm a foreigner? )" When I hear people
shout out "hello" in a more impolite way and then laugh, I reply in Chinese with "Ni de yingyu bi wo de hao.
(Your English is better than mine.)"
Speaking Chinese is a way of living an easier life in China. As an English teacher at Hubei University in
Wuhan, I was once invited by a student to spend the weekend with his family. Because I can speak Chinese
quite freely, I was able to talk with my student's entire family. From my personal experience, I knew that the
Chinese have a "gift" for making foreigners in China feel right at home. That fun-filled weekend I spent with
my student's family in Caidian, a small suburb of Wuhan, just showed that my idea was right.
It was an experience I will never forget.
Americans have a saying: If you can't beat them, then join them.The secret to feeling at home with the
Chinese people isn't to try to make them change over to Western ways. The secret is to become one of them.
Just go with the flow, or don't take things too seriously. In this way you will surely feel at home in China.
If you no longer emphasize (强调) our differences from the Chinese, you will be more willing to
concentrate on what "big noses" and "small noses" have in common.
1. Shouting out" hello" to a strange foreigner is usually considered _____ by foreigners.[ ]
A. friendly
B. curious
C. rude
D. brave
2. The reply "Ni de yingyu bi wo de hao" shows _____.[ ]
A. the author likes to talk with the Chinese
B. the author isn't angry
C. the author really think so
D. the author likes to speak Chinese
3. Which of the following is NOT true? [ ]
A. The author has known Chinese customs fairly well.
B. The author can speak Chinese very well.
C. The author doesn't mind being called a "laowai".
D. The author is difficult to get along with.
4. The phrase "go with the flow" here means _____. [ ]
A. feel at home
B. when in Rome, do as the Romans do
C. flow with the river
D. take things easy
