Read the following and answer the questions in the comments area, in addition, write a summary of what you read. Remember not use translator.
1. Modern life is
characterized not only by the conveniences made possible by technological
advances but also by greater mobility in search of still greater opportunities.
It is this search for "greener pastures" that takes people across
their national borders and into foreign countries all over the world. These
major life changes, however, expose individuals to many novelties in a new
culture, which are the causes of culture shock. Culture shock is a process
through which most people who enter a new culture pass through before they
adjust to life in their new environment. Psychologists tell us that there are
four basic stages that human beings pass through when they enter and live in a
new culture. This process, which helps us to deal with culture shock, is the
way our brain and our personality reacts to the strange new things we encounter
when we move from one culture to another.
2. Culture shock begins with the "honeymoon stage". This is the period of time when we first arrive in which everything about the new culture is strange and exciting. We may be suffering from "jet lag" but we are thrilled to be in the new environment, seeing new sights, hearing new sounds and language, eating new kinds of food. This honeymoon stage can last for quite a long time because we feel we are involved in some kind of great adventure.
3. Unfortunately, the second stage of culture shock can be more difficult. After we have settled down into our new life, working or studying, buying groceries, doing laundry, or living with a home-stay family, we can become very tired and begin to miss our homeland and our family, girlfriend/boyfriend, pets. All the little problems that everybody in life has seem to be much bigger and more disturbing when you face them in a foreign culture. This period of cultural adjustment can be very difficult and lead to the new arrival rejecting or pulling away from the new culture. This "rejection stage" can be quite dangerous because the visitor may develop unhealthy habits (smoking and drinking too much, being too concerned over food or contact with people from the new culture). This can, unfortunately lead to the person getting sick or developing skin infections or rashes, which then makes the person feel even more scared and confused and helpless. This stage is considered a crisis in the process of cultural adjustment and many people choose to go back to their homeland or spend all their time with people from their own culture speaking their native language.
4. The third stage of culture shock is called the "adjustment stage". This is when you begin to realize that things are not so bad in the host culture. Your sense of humor usually becomes stronger and you realize that you are becoming stronger by learning to take care of yourself in the new place. Things are still difficult, but you are now a survivor!
5. The fourth stage can be called "at ease at last". Now you feel quite comfortable in your new surroundings. You can cope with most problems that occur. You may still have problems with the language, but you know you are strong enough to deal with them. If you meet someone from your country who has just arrived, you can be the expert on life in the new culture and help them to deal with their culture shock.
6. There is a fifth stage of culture shock which many people don't know about. This is called "reverse culture shock". Surprisingly, this occurs when you go back to your native culture and find that you have changed and that things there have changed while you have been away. Now you feel a little uncomfortable back home. Life is a struggle!
Which sentence best
explains the main idea of paragraph 1?
- ? People
immigrate to other countries in search of better opportunities.
- ? Modern
life is characterized by many technological advances and greater mobility.
- ? Culture
shock, experienced by people living in a new culture, consists of five
basic stages.
The main idea of paragraph
2 is:
- ? The
“honeymoon stage” is the initial period of culture shock.
- ? This
stage got its name because everything is new and exciting for the
newcomer.
- ? Newcomers
are excited by the new sights, sounds, language and foods.
The main idea of paragraph
3 is:
- ? The
inability to deal with problems in the new culture can lead to unhealthy
habits.
- ? The
“rejection stage” is the most difficult stage in the process of cultural
adjustment.
- ? New
arrivals in this stage “reject” the new culture by returning to their
country or binding even more with other people from their culture
In paragraph 1, sentence 3,
the word novelties means
- ? things
which are new or unusual
- ? things
which have to do with novels
- ? things
which are very young or recent in age
In paragraph 3, sentence 4,
the word rejection means
- ? refusing
to accept or consider something
- ? refusing
to live in a country
- ? refusing
someone as a lover or spouse
