王强口语 第二册 Read Text 022

　　口语部分
文化篇
Read the text carefully and be prepared to answer the question:
Regional Characteristics of People
New Yorkers, that is, people who live in the Big Apple, are in a class by themselves. They have a reputation for rudeness3, impatience¹, and fast-talking that is well-deserved.  People put their heads down and stick their elbows out to crowd their way onto the bus or subway.  New Yorkers believe that money makes the world go round, and the sky's the limit to what money can buy in New York.  But you shouldn't let New Yorkers' rudeness or wisecracks get to you.  Instead, try to appreciate their biting sense of humor, which is unparalleled.  New York is also a place where people make close friends, because otherwise the big city can be very lonely.
Midwesterners, on the other hand, are considered plain-living, plain-speaking, and easy-going.  They may not be sophisticated and glamorous², but they are thought of as good, honest folks.  Midwesterners hate "phonies" who put on a big act, so when you're in the Midwest it's best just to be yourself.
Californians, finally, are stereotyped³ as superficial  airheads obsessed⁴ with the latest fads⁵.  Southern California is the place where you're most likely to see bleach⁶ blondes rollerblading along the boardwalk and hear Hollywood moguls insincerely telling everyone, "Let's do lunch."  On the positive side, Californians are proud of their open-minded attitude and multiculturalism⁷.  Since the state is a rainbow of cultures and ethnicities, tolerance⁸ is the norm.

1 impatience   

n.不耐烦，急躁

参考例句：

• He expressed impatience at the slow rate of progress.进展缓慢，他显得不耐烦。
• He gave a stamp of impatience.他不耐烦地跺脚。

2 glamorous   

adj.富有魅力的；美丽动人的；令人向往的

参考例句：

• The south coast is less glamorous but full of clean and attractive hotels.南海岸魅力稍逊，但却有很多干净漂亮的宾馆。
• It is hard work and not a glamorous job as portrayed by the media.这是份苦差，并非像媒体描绘的那般令人向往。

3 stereotyped   

adj.(指形象、思想、人物等)模式化的

参考例句：

• There is a sameness about all these tales. They're so stereotyped -- all about talented scholars and lovely ladies. 这些书就是一套子，左不过是些才子佳人，最没趣儿。
• He is the stereotyped monster of the horror films and the adventure books, and an obvious (though not perhaps strictly scientific) link with our ancestral past. 它们是恐怖电影和惊险小说中的老一套的怪物，并且与我们的祖先有着明显的（虽然可能没有科学的）联系。

4 obsessed   

adj.心神不宁的,鬼迷心窍的,沉迷的

参考例句：

• He's obsessed by computers. 他迷上了电脑。
• The fear of death obsessed him throughout his old life. 他晚年一直受着死亡恐惧的困扰。

5 fads   

n.一时的流行，一时的风尚( fad的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It was one of the many fads that sweep through mathematics regularly. 它是常见的贯穿在数学中的许多流行一时的风尚之一。 来自辞典例句
• Lady Busshe is nothing without her flights, fads, and fancies. 除浮躁、时髦和幻想外，巴歇夫人一无所有。 来自辞典例句

6 bleach   

vt.使漂白；vi.变白；n.漂白剂

参考例句：

• These products don't bleach the hair.这些产品不会使头发变白。
• Did you bleach this tablecloth?你把这块桌布漂白了吗？

7 multiculturalism   

n.多元文化

参考例句：

• Switzerland is well known for cheese fondue, penguin parades and its multiculturalism. 瑞士一向以芝士火锅，企鹅游行和多元文化等特色闻名于世。
• That may be one reason why multiculturalism came easily to it. 这也是多元文化容易适应发展的原因之一。

8 tolerance   

n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差

参考例句：

• Tolerance is one of his strengths.宽容是他的一个优点。
• Human beings have limited tolerance of noise.人类对噪音的忍耐力有限。