In the United States, friendship ca

In the United States, friendship can be close, constant, intense, generous, and real, yet it can fade away in a short time if circumstances(环境) change. Neither side feels hurt by this. Both may exchange Christmas greetings for a year or two, perhaps a few letters for a while then no more. If the same two people meet again by chance, even years later, they pick up the friendship where it left out and are delighted.

In the United States, you can feel free to visit people's homes, share their holidays, enjoy their lives without fear that you are taking on a lasting obligation(负担). Do not hesitate to accept hospitality(款待) because you can't give it in return. No one will expect you to do so for they know you are far from home. Americans will enjoy welcoming you and be pleased if you accept their hospitality easily.

Once you arrive there, the welcome will be full, warm and real. Most visitors find themselves readily incited into many homes there. In some countries it is considered inhospitable to entertain at home, offering what is felt as “merely” home cooked food, not “doing something” for your guest. It is felt that restaurant entertaining shows more respect and welcome. Or for various other reasons, such as crowded space, language difficulties, or family custom, outsiders are not invited into homes.

In the United States both methods are used, but it is often considered more friendly to invite a person to one's home than to go to a public place, except in purely business relationships. So, if your host or hostess brings you home, do not feel that you are being shown inferior(低级别的) treatment.

Don't feel neglected if you do not find flowers awaiting you in your hotel room either. Flowers are very expensive there, hotel delivery is uncertain, arrival times are delayed, changed, or canceled－so flowers are not customarily sent as a welcoming touch. Please do not feel unwanted! Outward signs vary in different lands; the inward welcome is what matters, and this will be real.

6. In the United States, you will find friendship ________ if circumstances change.

A. dies suddenly            B. comes back

C. disappears gradually      D. lasts forever

7. Americans ________ their foreign friends to make a return for their hospitality.

A. ask                  B. require                     C. never allow                D. don't expect

8. In the United States,  giving a dinner party at home is considered________ than in a restaurant.

A. less friendly   B. less hospitable   C. more friendly        D. more popular

9. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true in the United States?

A. Flowers are not customarily sent as a welcoming touch.

B. Flowers are expensive.

C. Flowers are sometimes signs of outward welcome.

D. Flowers must be sent to guests.

10. Which of the following is the BEST title for this passage?

A. Americans' Hospitality           B. Americans' Friendship

C. Americans' Invitation            D. Americans' Welcome