阅读理解。根据短文内容，从下框的A-F选项中选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项。选项中有一项
为多余项。
|
A. Gift giving proven to be valuable
B. Memories from gift giving
C. Moments and events for gift giving
D. Various functions of gift giving
E. Gift giving as a wasteful practice
F. Gift giving as a two-way social activity |
Gift Giving
1.______
There are many occasions (场合) for giving gifts in modern industrialized societies: birthdays, naming
ceremonies, weddings, anniversaries, New Year. It is common to give gifts on many of these celebrations
in western cultures. In addition, special events, such as one's first day of school or graduation from university,
often require gift giving.
2.______
What is happening when we give gifts? Most important, we are exchanging gifts. If someone gives me
a gift for my birthday, I know that I am usually expected to give one on his or her next birthday. A gift builds
up or confirms a social obligation (义务).
3.______
Gifts tighten personal relationships and provide a means of communication between loved ones. People say
that a gift lets the recipient (接受者) know we are thinking of them, and that we want to make the person "feel
special." We want people to feel wanted, to feel part of our social or family group. We give presents to say
"I'm sorry." Sometimes it is difficult for us to find a present that someone will like. Sometimes we give things
that we like or would feel comfortable with. In all these cases, the gifts are sending out messages-often very
expressive ones.
4.______
People tend to talk about presents in a fairly loving way. A woman whose mother had died years ago
described the many gifts around her house. These were gifts that her mother had given her over the years:"I
appreciate these, and they mean something to me," the woman said, "because I remember the occasions they
were given on, and that they were from my mother, and the relationship we've had." The gifts remain and keep
the relationship alive in mind. This woman felt the same way about the gifts she gave to others. She hoped that
the recipients would look at her gifts in years to come and remember her.
5.______
Emotions (情感) like these suggest that a positive spirit still lies behind gift giving. They prove that the
anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss was wrong to say that modern western gift giving is highly wasteful.
Studies in Canada and elsewhere have also shown that this is not the case. Each gift is unique even if so many
are given. The emotional benefit for those who exchange gifts is the very reason for the tradition to continue.