阅读理解。
Asking for information or help is a very common and necessary activity, especially when we visit a
foreign country. So knowing how to ask for information politely is important. In English, "Where are the
restrooms?" and "Could you please tell me where the restrooms are?" are similar requests-both are correct
English, but the first could sound rude. It's important to use correct language, but sometimes this alone is
not enough-we need to learn how to be polite when we make requests.
In English, just like in Chinese, we change the way we speak when talking with different people. The
expressions you use might depend on whom you are speaking to or how well you know them. If you say
to your teacher, "Where is my book?" this will sound rude. But if you say, "Excuse me, Mr West. Do you
know where my book is?" your question will sound much more polite. On the other hand, it might be alright
to say "Where is my book?" in some situations, perhaps with people you know well.
And you would not usually say, "Peter, lend me your pen." A very direct order like this can sound rude
in English. Usually in English polite questions are longer and include extra language, such as "Could you
please...?" or "Can I ask...?" It sounds more polite to say, "Peter, could you please lend me your pen?"
Sometimes we might even need to spend some time leading in to a question or request. For example, if you
stop a stranger in the street, we might first say, "Excuse me. I wonder if you can help me." or "I'm sorry
to trouble you but," before asking them for help.
It might seem that speaking politely is more difficult than being direct, and in a way this may be true.
However, in order not to offend people, learning about the language etiquette is just as important as learning
grammar or vocabulary. And doing this will also help you become better at English, or any other language
you wish to speak.
1. It's important to know how to ______ in English when we visit a foreign country.
2. When you talk with different people, you need to ______.
3. Extra words are used to help ______.
4. ______ is as important as learning language structure.
5. How do you say "Don't smoke here." politely? ______
