Question 21 is based on the recording you have just heard.

Recording Two

    Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! And welcome to the third in our series of business seminars in the program—Doing Business Abroad. Today we are going to look at intercultural awareness, that is, the fact that not everyone is British, not everyone speaks English, and not everyone does business in the British way. And why should they? (19) If overseas business people are selling to us, then they will make every effort to speak English and to respect our traditions and methods. It is only polite for us to do the same when we visit them. It is not only polite. It is essential if we want to sell British products overseas.

    First, a short quiz. Let’s see how inter culturally aware you are.

    Question one: Where must you not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of every month?

    Question two: Where should you never admire your host’s possessions?

    Question three: How should you attract the waiter during a business lunch in Bangkok?

And Question four: Where should you try to make all your appointments either before 2:00 or after 5:30 p.m.?

    Ok. Everyone had a chance to make some notes? Right. Here are the answers—although I am sure that the information could equally apply to countries other than those I have chosen.

    So, number 1, (20) you must not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of the month in India. In international hotels you may find it served, but if you are having a meal with an Indian colleague, remember to avoid asking for a beer if your arrival coincides with one of those dates. 2. In Arab countries, the politeness and generosity of the people is without parallel. If you admire your colleague’s beautiful golden bowls, you may well find yourself being presented with them as a present. This is not a cheap way to do your shopping, however, as your host will, quite correctly, expect you to respond by presenting him with a gift of equal worth and beauty. In Thailand, clicking the fingers, clapping your hand, or just shouting “Waiter!” will embarrass your hosts, fellow diners, the waiter himself and, most of all, you! Place your palm downward and make an inconspicuous waving gesture, which will produce instant and satisfying results. (21) And finally, in Spain, some businesses maintain the pattern of working until about two o’clock and then returning to the office from 5:30 to 8:00, 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.

21. What do we learn about some Spanish business people?

解析：D。本题目为细节题。问题为：关于西班牙商人，我们能了解到什么？根据讲话者在最后提到的西班牙企业的上班模式可知，西班牙人通常会工作到下午两点下班，然后在晚上5:30的时候再回到办公室上班，一直到八点、九点或十点。所以西班牙人会在下午2点到下午5点半休息，故正确答案为D。