单选题
As regards social conventions, we must say a word about the English class system. This is an embarrassing subject for English people, and one they tend to be ashamed of, though during the present century class-consciousness has grown less and less. But it still exists. Broadly speaking, it means there are two classes, the "middle class" and the "working class" (We shall ignore for a moment the old "upper class" , since it is extremely small in numbers; but some of its members have the right to sit in the House of Lords, and some newspapers take a surprising interest in their private life. ) The middle class consists chiefly of businessmen and professional people of all kinds. The working class consists chiefly of manual and unskilled workers. The most obvious difference between them is in their accent. Middle-class people use slightly varying kinds of "received pronunciation" , which is the kind of English spoken by BBC announcers and taught to overseas pupils. Typical working-class people speak in many different local accents which are generally felt to be rather ugly and uneducated. One of the biggest barriers of social equality in England is the two-class education system. To have been to a so-called "public school" immediately marks you out as one of the middle class. The middle classes tend to live a more formal life. Their midday meal is "lunch" and they have a rather formal evening meal called "dinner" , whereas the working man's dinner, if his working hours permit, is at midday, and his smaller, late-evening meal is called supper. It has been government policy to reduce class distinctions. Working-class students commonly receive a university education and enter the professions, and working-class incomes have grown so much recently. However, regardless of one's social status, certain standards of politeness are expected of everybody, and a well-bred person is polite to everyone he meets, and treats a laborer with the same respect he gives an important businessman. Servility inspires both embarrassment and dislike. Even the word "sir", except in school and in certain occupations (e. g. commerce, the army etc.) sounds too servile to be commonly used.
单选题
The "upper class" in England today ______. A. are extremely small in number so that media pays no attention to them B. still uses old words like "sir" in their everyday life C. can sits in the House of Lords D. refers only to the royal family
单选题
The middle class mainly refers to people ______. A. who were born as aristocrat B. who have the right to sit in the House of Lords C. who speak in many different local accents D. who are prosperous businessmen or who work in some professions
单选题
Why isn't the word "sir" commonly used in Britain? A. Because it sounds too servile and is likely to cause embarrassment. B. Because it can only be used in some certain occupations. C. Because it is an impolite word. D. Because it shows that the speaker is not a well-bred person.
单选题
Which of the following is NOT true about the English class system? A. It is an embarrassing subject for English people. B. Working-class students cannot receive a university education. C. The class system is much less rigid than it was. D. The class system still exists below the surface.