It is sometimes said that the English are polite people. This can make life difficult for foreigners. Suppose a foreign boy asks an English girl to go out with him and she says, “If I finish my work, I’ll meet you in the cafe at 7 o’clock.” Is she saying “yes” or “no” to his invitation?
In grammatical terms, she is using the conditional structure (表示条件的句式). By using the conditional, speakers of English can avoid giving a “yes” or “no” answer to a question. It enables people to be diplomatic (婉转的). If the girl doesn’t want to go out with the boy, she won’t turn up at the cafe. She will let him understand she is still working. If she wants to go out with him, but doesn’t want to appear too easy to catch, she has achieved that with her reply. But in this case, as she uses the first conditional which shows probability, she is quite likely to turn up at the cafe. Being polite can make life very difficult!
The conditional is often used by people in the news -- politicians, for example -- who wish to avoid speaking out their ideas. This is very important if they are on their way to discuss an agreement. No one wants to give away his or her points before he or she starts. A government spokesman might say to a group of workers, “If we could pay you more, we would.” The use of the conditional here makes room for argument although the speaker is using the second conditional form, which shows improbability. So it is unlikely the workers will get their rise.
“If ” is a small word, which appears often in the English language. It can show politeness, reported speech and conditionals such as the First -- probability -- if I can come to your party, I will; the Second -- improbability -- if I saw you tomorrow, I’d give you the book; and the Third -- impossibility (meaning it is too late to change something that has happened ) -- if you have told me, I would have helped you.
60. The using of the conditional can make a speech _________.
A. clearer        B. quicker             C. more polite        D.more exciting
61. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Language used in the news should make room to argue.
B. Usually English girls are not easy to catch.
C. English people never speak out their ideas in public.
D. The word “ if ” can show different meanings.
62. In the passage, “If we could pay you more, we would.” probably means __________.
A. the workers will make more money
B. the spokesman doesn’t give any promise
C. the spokesman keeps his word
D. the workers’ problems aren’t difficult
63. This passage is mainly talking about _________.
A. the conditional in communication
B. how to invite a girl in Britain
C. British people and their life           
D. some language points in daily English

It is sometimes said that the English are polite people. This can make life difficult for foreigners. Suppose a foreign boy asks an English girl to go out with him and she says, “If I finish my work, I’ll meet you in the cafe at 7 o’clock.” Is she saying “yes” or “no” to his invitation?

    In grammatical terms, she is using the conditional structure (表示条件的句式). By using the conditional, speakers of English can avoid giving a “yes” or “no” answer to a question. It enables people to be diplomatic (婉转的). If the girl doesn’t want to go out with the boy, she won’t turn up at the cafe. She will let him understand she is still working. If she wants to go out with him, but doesn’t want to appear too easy to catch, she has achieved that with her reply. But in this case, as she uses the first conditional which shows probability, she is quite likely to turn up at the cafe. Being polite can make life very difficult!

    The conditional is often used by people in the news -- politicians, for example -- who wish to avoid speaking out their ideas. This is very important if they are on their way to discuss an agreement. No one wants to give away his or her points before he or she starts. A government spokesman might say to a group of workers, “If we could pay you more, we would.” The use of the conditional here makes room for argument although the speaker is using the second conditional form, which shows improbability. So it is unlikely the workers will get their rise.

    “If ” is a small word, which appears often in the English language. It can show politeness, reported speech and conditionals such as the First -- probability -- if I can come to your party, I will; the Second -- improbability -- if I saw you tomorrow, I’d give you the book; and the Third -- impossibility (meaning it is too late to change something that has happened ) -- if you have told me, I would have helped you.

60. The using of the conditional can make a speech _________.

   A. clearer            B. quicker                   C. more polite           D.more exciting

61. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

   A. Language used in the news should make room to argue.

   B. Usually English girls are not easy to catch.

   C. English people never speak out their ideas in public.

   D. The word “ if ” can show different meanings.

62. In the passage, “If we could pay you more, we would.” probably means __________.

   A. the workers will make more money

   B. the spokesman doesn’t give any promise

   C. the spokesman keeps his word

   D. the workers’ problems aren’t difficult

63. This passage is mainly talking about _________.

   A. the conditional in communication

B. how to invite a girl in Britain

   C. British people and their life           

D. some language points in daily English

假设你叫王华，你的一位英国朋友Jack从英国给你寄来一件印有哈利·波特（Harry Potter）形象的T恤衫，并附有一封信。在信中他向你问好，他想知道你的近况。请你给他写一封回信表示感谢。回信要包括以下内容：

1. 感谢他送你的礼物。你非常喜欢，因为哈利·波特是你最喜欢的电影主角。

2. 告诉他你在新的学校一切都好，只是这里的英语老师课堂上英语说的很多，你很难听懂老师说的每一个单词。

3. 因为他是姚明的球迷，你将为他寄去一件印有姚明形象的T恤衫。

4. 询问他的近况，并希望他能来中国。

注意：1. 书信的开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。

2. 词数100个词左右。

Dear Jack,

I’m very happy to hear from you again.                                 

I’m looking forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Wang Hua

假设你叫王华，你的一位英国朋友Jack从英国给你寄来一件印有哈利·波特（Harry Potter）形象的T恤衫，并附有一封信。在信中他向你问好，他想知道你的近况。请你给他写一封回信表示感谢。回信要包括以下内容：
1. 感谢他送你的礼物。你非常喜欢，因为哈利·波特是你最喜欢的电影主角。
2. 告诉他你在新的学校一切都好，只是这里的英语老师课堂上英语说的很多，你很难听懂老师说的每一个单词。
3. 因为他是姚明的球迷，你将为他寄去一件印有姚明形象的T恤衫。
4. 询问他的近况，并希望他能来中国。
注意：1. 书信的开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
2. 词数100个词左右。
Dear Jack,
I’m very happy to hear from you again.                                 
                                                                            
I’m looking forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely
Wang Hua

假设你叫王华，你的一位英国朋友Jack从英国给你寄来一件印有哈利·波特（Harry Potter）形象的T恤衫，并附有一封信。在信中他向你问好，他想知道你的近况。请你给他写一封回信表示感谢。回信要包括以下内容：
1. 感谢他送你的礼物。你非常喜欢，因为哈利·波特是你最喜欢的电影主角。
2. 告诉他你在新的学校一切都好，只是这里的英语老师课堂上英语说的很多，你很难听懂老师说的每一个单词。
3. 因为他是姚明的球迷，你将为他寄去一件印有姚明形象的T恤衫。
4. 询问他的近况，并希望他能来中国。
注意：1. 书信的开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
2. 词数100个词左右。
Dear Jack,
I’m very happy to hear from you again.                                 
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
I’m looking forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely
Wang Hua