Section III
Maintaining a Sharp Eye

Passage I :   Read the Text
Different Attitudes to Gift Giving
People's attitudes towards gift giving may vary from country to country, even though the desire to convey a feeling of friendship is often universal . Here is an example to illustrate the differences.
Japan is a gift giving country. It is not unusual in Japan to offer a gift to a person who is leaving or has been helpful. When people do that, the gifts tend to be substantial and expensive. However, at least in the typical Japanese style, it is not required to attach a thank-you note or card to the gift. Japanese people may express their gratitude and friendship directly through the gift they have carefully chosen and given to the very person they love and respect.
In contrast, you are likely to get more cards than gifts in the United States. A card may come with a small gift or no gift at all. In general, American people don't care very much whether the gift is expensive or not. As a matter of fact, your gift to them would be appreciated all the more if you make it yourself instead of buying it from a store. And the words on the card seem to be the most important thing. When someone does not have a card on hand, he or she would write a thank-you note on a piece of paper, give it to you in person or put it into your pigeon hole.

Difficult Sentences 
1 . (Para. 1) People’s attitudes towards gift giving may vary from country to country, even though the desire to convey a feeling of friendship is often universal.

Even though is a conjunction, leading a concessive clause, so that a contrast is made between vary from country to country and universal

Translation: 尽管希望借礼物传达友谊的愿望差不多是全球共有的，但人们对送礼这一问题的态度则可能因国度而异。

Example: The way people greet each other may vary from nation to nation, even though  the purpose of greetings is quite the same.

2.(Para. 2) However, at least in the typical Japanese style, it is not required to attach a thank-you note or card to the gift.

The conjunct however is used to denote contrast to what is said before. It is a formal subject of the main  sentence,  and  the  actual  subject  is  the infinitive  phrase  to  attach  a  thank-you  note or card to the gift.

Translation:  然而，至少按典型的日本风格，礼品一般不需要附上谢条或卡片。
Example: Northern China is cold in winter. However, at least in the coastal city of Dalian, it is not necessary to wear a heavy overcoat outside in winter.

3.(Para. 3) In contrast, you are likely to get more cards than gifts in the United States.

In contrast is used to make a statement different from  the  previous  one;  likely  means “可能” in Chinese; more cards than gifts makes comparison between the two objects of get.

Translation: 与此不同的是，你在美国得到的卡片可能会远多于礼物。
Example: In contrast, boys are likely to get more encouragement than tender words from their parents.

4. (Para. 3) In general, American people don’t care very    much whether the gift is expensive or not.

Care here is the same as “Care about”, meaning “feel interested, sorry or anxious”. Whether introduces an object clause. It can be replaced with “if ”, but the or not will not be used in that case.

Translation: 一般说来美国人不特别关心礼物是否贵重。
Example: In general, I don’t care very much whether my grades are high or not.

5.(Para. 3) As a  matter of fact, your gift to them would be appreciated all the more if you make it yourself instead of buying it from a store.

All the more is used to stress the comparative degree. This sentence could be paraphrased like this: In fact, people will like your gift much better if it is made by yourself rather than bought from a store.

Translation: 事实上，如果你送给他们的东西是自己动手做的而不是从商店买的，他们会对这份礼物更加珍爱。

Example: As a matter of fact, your opinion would be understood all the more if you use simple  words instead  of  selecting complicated terms.

Important Words: 

1. attitude  n. manner, way of feeling or thinking    态度，看法
e.g.: 1). Learning will be all the more interesting if we take an active attitude to it.         
2). Your attitude towards life is too passive.
2. vary  v. be, become, cause to be different    不同，变化，有差异
e.g.:1). The color of the soil varies from area to area in this province.
2). Life habits vary from person to person.
3. convey  v. make known ideas, views, feelings, etc. to other people  传达, 转达
e.g.:1). This picture will convey to you the beautiful scenery of my country.
2). It’s difficult for me to convey my feelings in a foreign language.
4.universal  a. belonging to all, affecting all 共同的，一致的
e.g.: 1). Language is a universal phenomenon.
2). The pleasure of learning is universal.
5. illustrate  v. explain through examples, pictures,  etc. 说明，解释
e.g.:1). Could you please illustrate your point with some examples?
2). This chart is used to illustrate all the changes.
6. tend  v. be inclined to, be likely to 倾向于,易于
e.g.:1). She tends to become too emotional when she recalls her past experience.
2). We tend to talk more when our listeners show interest in what we say.               
7.require  v. need, depend on for success or fulfillment 要求
e.g.: 1). It is required that we keep quiet in the reading-room.
2). All the members of the club are required to attend the meeting.
8.appreciate  v. understand and enjoy, put a high value on 珍惜,懂得,喜欢
e.g.:1). You can appreciate the novel all the more if you read it in Chinese.
2). All your kindness is highly appreciated.