In Britain you may often hear “Drop in any time” or “Come to see me soon”, but you can’t really do that. People just say those things to make you feel welcome. It is better to telephone before visiting someone at home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says “RSVP”, you should reply to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to go.
You should never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, “Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come.” If, after accepting, you are unable to go, be sure to tell those who are expecting you as soon as possible that you will not be there. Although it is not necessarily expected that you give a gift to your host, it is considered polite to do so, especially if you have been invited for a meal. Flowers, chocolate, or a small gift are all appropriate(合適的). A thank-you note or telephone call after the visit is also considered polite and is an appropriate way to express your appreciation for the invitation.
【小題1】What can you do when a British friend says, “Drop in anytime”?
| A．Visit him or her at any time. |
| B．Say no time to him or her seriously. |
| C．Telephone him or her before visiting. |
| D．Visit him or her soon. |
【小題2】What does the underlined word “RSVP” probably mean in Chinese?
【小題3】What should you do if your British friend sends you an invitation but you do not want to go?
| A．Do not give him or her an answer. |
| B．Tell another friend to go instead of you. |
| C．Tell him or her that you can’t be there for some reason. |
| D．Tell him or her that you don’t want to go there. |
【小題4】Which of the following is considered impolite in Britain?
| A．Buy small presents when invited. |
| B．Refuse the invitation without telling anyone. |
| C．Write a thank-you note after a visit. |
| D．Give a telephone call after a visit. |
【小題5】Where would you probably see this passage?
| A．In an invitation. | B．In a guidebook. | C．On a poster. | D．In a newspaper. |
