题文
Informal conversation is an important part of any business relationship．Before you start a discussion，however，make sure you understand which topics are suitable and which are considered taboo（禁忌）in a particular culture. Latin Americans enjoy sharing information about their local history, art and customs．You may expect questions about your family，and be sure to show pictures of your children．You may feel free to ask similar questions of your Latin American friends．The French think of conversation as an art form，and they enjoy the value of lively discussions as well as disagreements. For them，arguments can be interesting and they can cover pretty much or any topic ---- as long as they occur in are respectful and intelligent manner．In the United States，business people like to discuss a wide range of topics，including opinions about work，family，hobbies，and politics. In Japan，China，and Korea，however，people are much more private．They do not share much about their thoughts，feelings，or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away from the harmonious business relationship they’re trying to build．Middle Easterners are also private about their personal lives and family matters．It is considered rude，for example，to ask a businessman from Saudi Arabia about his wife or children．
As a general rule，it’s best not to talk about politics or religion with your business friends．This can get you into trouble，even in the United States，where people hold different religious views．In addition，discussing one’s salary is usually considered unsuitable．Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world，although be careful not to criticize national sport．Instead，be friendly and praise your host’s team．
小题1:The author considers politics and religion ___________.A．cheerful topicsB．tabooC．rude topicsD．topics that can never be talked about小题2:Which is typically a friendly topic in most places according to the author？A．Sports．B．Children．C．Personal feelings．D．Families．小题3:Why are people from Asia more private in their conversation with others？A．They don’t want to talk much with others．B．They don’t want to have their good relationship with others harmed by informal conversation。C．They are afraid to argue with their colleagues．D．They want to keep their feelings to themselves．小题4:What shouldn’t you do when talking about sports with colleagues from another country？A．Praising your own country’s sports．B．Criticizing your own country’s sports．C．Praising the sports of your colleagues’ country．D．Criticizing the sports of your colleagues’ country． 题型：未知 难度：其他题型
答案
小题1:B
小题2:A
小题3:B
小题4:D
解析
本文介绍了在非正式场合中，尤其是生意人之间闲聊时所要注意的一些问题。比如说首先要知道对方的文化禁忌和文化习俗，而且不要谈论和政治、收入有关的问题。但是作者同时也指出无论在哪里谈论运动都是比较安全的话题。
小题1:B推理判断题。根据文章末段it’s best not to talk about politics or religion with your business friends．This can get you into trouble可知政治、宗教是人们谈论的禁忌，所以答案选B。
小题2:A细节理解题。根据文章末段Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world可知运动是人们之间安全友好的谈论话题，故A选项正确。
小题3:B细节理解题。根据文章第二段They do not share much about their thoughts，feelings，or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away from the harmonious business relationship they’re trying to build．可知亚洲人唯恐谈论私人话题影响了他们努力营造的和谐氛围，所以B选项正确。
小题4:D细节理解题。由文章末句be careful not to criticize national sport．Instead，be friendly and praise your host’s team．可知在谈论运动时不要批判指责对方的国家队，所以D选项正确。
考点
据考高分专家说，试题“Informal conversatio.....”主要考查你对 [政治经济类阅读 ]考点的理解。政治经济类阅读
政治经济类文章的概念：
要做好这类阅读，平时就要注意了解国内外发生的政治经济大事，掌握一定背景知识，对这类文章的叙述特点及内容安排有一定了解，还要扩展这方面的词汇。阅读这类文章，要抓住文章的核心，即文章整体和各段主要在说什么，也要注意段落之间的逻辑关系。
如何备考政治经济类阅读理解题：
【题型说明】政治经济类阅读文章是高考常选材料之一。该类文章时代气息浓郁，语言鲜活，但熟字新义词、超纲词及专业词语多，长句、难句多。政治类文章大多数是同学们感性趣的内容，读起来倒有似曾相识的感觉，经济类文章读起来就像是雾里看花，文章看完，一头雾水。再加之这类文章的命题侧重于词义猜测、推理判断和文章主旨，同学们对这类题材是望而生畏。
【备考策略】建立心理优势。针对不同体裁的文章，我们要采取相应的阅读方法和技巧。政治类文章多采用记叙文形式，我们可采取“顺读法”，以便抓关键语句，领会文章主旨；而经济类文章则多采用说明文形式，我们则可以采取“逆读法”，先读试题，再从文章中查找有用信息。若遇到的确难读的材料。千万不用着急，因为你觉得难，其他人也一定是同感。在高考前，我们就要有这种心理准备，高考试卷肯定有一、两篇难以阅读的材料。不过，我们平时可以有意识地从报刊杂志上找一些较难的阅读材料来阅读，以培养自己迎难而上的心理素质。
【答题方法】
1、寻找主干：
根据英语中五种基本句型结构，把句子中的主语、谓语、宾语、表语等主要成分找出来，其他成分如定语、状语、补语等则易于理解。找到了句子主干，句子的意思至少明白了一半。
2、剔除从句：
在一个长句中可能会出现若干个从句，在理解时，如果把各个从句剔除出来单独理解，然后把大意拼凑起来，整个长句的意思就会明白六、七分。
3、辨别分句：
一个长句如果是由几个并列、转折、递进、对比关系的分句组成，句中往往有表示这些分句关系的连接词，只要能弄清楚分句和分句之间的逻辑关系，再把各层分句的意思加以连贯，整个长句的句意基本上能跃然脑中。
4、寻找关键词：
如果一个句子看完，一点句意的感觉也没有，下下策就是抓住句中的关键词，通过关键词大体弄懂这个长句的意思。
