中科院英语听说教程《轻松听轻松说》（上册）听力原文及答案1-15单元.doc

UNIT 1 It’s Nice to Know You! Introductions and Conversation Starters Introduction In many situations, American people introduce themselves using their first names, and prefer that others call them by their first names. But British people and older people in either country, may be more formal, preferring to be introduced and called by their title and last name. Often when there is a difference in status or age between two individuals, formal titles and last names are used unless the person of lower status is told to use the first name. For example: M: Hello, my name is Bob Thomas. W: It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas. M: Please, just call me Bob. In informal introductions there is a tendency to reduce status difference by using first names. In more formal situations, the title along with the last name is appropriate. For example, when a student introduces herself to a university professor, she might say: “Hello, Dr. McCarrick. My name is Susan Hall. I would like to ask you about your course.” Answers to the Questions: Formal titles and last names are used. For example, Mr., Ms., Dr. and so on. The use of first names. For example, Bob, Tom and so on. Discussion Questions: How do Chinese people make formal introductions and address people of higher status? When speaking Chinese, how do you make informal introductions? When meeting and speaking with someone of the same status, would you use formal terms? In Chinese? In English? Background Information: Use of Titles in Introductions Usually, a title cannot be combined with a given name. So forms such as Mr. Michael, or Miss Helen are normally unacceptable. The use of the honorary title ‘Sir’ with a man’s given name is an exception. e.g. Frederick Catherwood—Sir Frederick Elizabeth Catherwood—Lady Catherwood. In fact, there is an increasing tendency among Western young people to use their given name in all but the most formal situations. In Britain, teachers are normally addressed as follows: Primary school: Sir/M