英國(guó)的國(guó)民特性與其文化背景密切相關(guān)。英國(guó)的經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展較早，在大部分外國(guó)人的眼里，英國(guó)人“自命清高”和“難以接近”。但是，事實(shí)上，也并非完全如此，他們之間善于互相理解，能體諒別人。無(wú)論辦什么事情，總是盡可能不留壞印象，紳士風(fēng)度，處處可見。他們懂得如何造就一個(gè)協(xié)調(diào)的環(huán)境，讓大家和諧而愉快地生活。

　　英國(guó)的禮俗豐富多彩，彼此第一次認(rèn)識(shí)時(shí)，一般都以握手為禮，不像東歐人那樣常常擁抱。隨便拍打客人被認(rèn)為是無(wú)禮的行為，即使在公務(wù)完結(jié)之后也如此。英國(guó)人有些禁忌須注意，如：他們從不從梯子下走過(guò)，在屋里不撐傘，從不把鞋子放在桌子上，忌用人像做裝潢等。

　　英國(guó)的各民族還是遵循傳統(tǒng)的習(xí)慣，宜避免老用"English"一詞來(lái)表示"英國(guó)的"。如果遇到蘇格蘭人或威爾士人，你說(shuō)他是“英國(guó)人”，那么，他會(huì)糾正你說(shuō)，他是“蘇格蘭人”或“威爾士人”。可以用"British"一詞。

　　英國(guó)人忌談個(gè)人私事、家事、婚喪、年齡、職業(yè)、收入、宗教等問(wèn)題。由于宗教的原因，他們非常忌諱“13”這個(gè)數(shù)字，認(rèn)為這是個(gè)不吉祥的數(shù)字。日常生活中盡量避免“13”這個(gè)數(shù)字，用餐時(shí)，不準(zhǔn)13人同桌，如果13日又是星期五的話，則認(rèn)為這是雙倍的不吉利。不能手背朝外，用手指表示"二"，這種"V"形手勢(shì)，是蔑視別人的一種敵意做法。上街走路，千萬(wàn)注意交通安全，所有車輛都靠左行駛。

　　拓展閱讀：

　　My Out-of-class Activities

　　My spare time is full of interesting activities. When I have time, I read all kinds of books in the reading room. I learn more in the library than in class. Sports and games keep me healthy and strong, so that I can deal with all kinds of difficulties. Among all games, volleyball is my favourite. I often play volleyball with my classmates after class. Sometimes I join social practice with my classmates outside school. For example, we go to plant trees in spring. In this way, I get a lot of social experience.

　　Out-of-class activities are quite necessary for us students. Through these activities we can learn many things. They are also good for our health. I like these activities very much. How about you?

1. Where does the author read books?
A. In the reading room. B. In the living room.
C. In the kitchen. D. In class.

2. When does the author play volleyball?
A. In class. B. In the morning.
C. After class. D. Every Sunday.

3. What's the Chinese for “social”?
A. 社會(huì)的 B. 社會(huì)
C. 集體 D. 特別的

4. Which sport does the author like best?

5. Does the author like out-of-class activities? Why?

答案：
1. A
解析： 由I read all kinds of books in the reading room.一句可知應(yīng)選擇A
2.C
解析：由I often play volleyball with my classmates after class可知應(yīng)選擇C
3.A
解析：解釋詞義，應(yīng)選擇A
4. Volleyball.
解析：Among all games， volleyball is my favourite.一句指出作者最喜歡排球
5. Yes， because through these activities we can learn many things and they are also good for our health.
解析：由最后一段全段可知作者喜歡參加這些活動(dòng)，并指出了這些活動(dòng)的好處

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