In China it is relatively usual to ask people their age, but in the' West this que

stion is generally regarded as impolite. This is particularly true 36 women, and even more 37 if the inquirer is a man.

However, it is very 38 to ask children their age, and some adults may not mind 39 either. In fact, some elderly people are quite happy to 40 their age, especially ff they feel they look young 41 their age. Nevertheless, it is not very wise to ask a(n) 42 . question like “How old are you？”. If elderly people want to talk about-their age, and perhaps receive a compliment on how young they look, they may easily 43 the topic themselves, and ask the other person to 44 how old they are. 45 such a question, it is quite acceptable to discuss age 46 . They normally expect to be complimented on their youthfulness, though rather than 47 that they look very old!

48 Westerners do not usually ask people directly how old they are, this does not 49 that they are not interested to know how old other people are. They may ask someone else 50 the information, 51 they may try to 52 the topic indirectly. Sometimes discussions about educational 53 and the number of years of working experience may provide some 54 , but this is not always the 55 .

36. A. on B. for C. in D. of

37. A. that B. such C. than D. so

38. A. average B. normal C. expected D. unusual

39. A. being asked B. asking C. to ask D. to be asked

40. A. release B. reflect C. reveal D. remark

41. A. to B. with C. for D. at

42. A. open B. strange C. impolite D. direct

43. A. bring about B. bring up C. bring along D. bring to

44. A. guess B. know C. learn D. predict

45. A. For B. With C. In D. On

46. A. free B. freedom C. freely D. in a free way

47. A. being told B. told C. to tell D. to be told

48. A. Though even B. Even C. Even that D. Even though

49. A. include B. intend C. mean D. conclude

50. A. about B. of C. with D. for

51. A. rather than B. or else C. so else D. still else

52. A. approach B. solve C. address D. take

53. A. background B. level C. knowledge D. experience

54. A. knowledge B. clues C. evidence D. suggestions

55. A. truth B. case C. reality D. fact