Since they are culturally dominant, it is sensible, indeed ______ for us to focus on English characteristics as a way of describing and illustrating the basic values of the British people.

• absurd

• distasteful

• characteristic

• justifiable

It is not only dominant in their daily conversation, but also ______ every aspect of English life and culture.

• approves

• moderates

• permeates

• provokes

Many scholars find, however, there may indeed be something ______ about English humor.

• distinctive

• inaccurate

• bizarre

• common

Most English conversations will involve at least some degree of banter, teasing, irony, understatement, humorous ______, mockery or just silliness.

• self-preoccupation

• self-deprecation

• self-infliction

• self-evolution

If one is not able to grasp these ______ but vital differences, he/she will never understand the English, however fluently he/she speaks the language.

• major

• extensive

• subtle

• inaccurate

Winslet’s emotional speech at the Golden Globes was described by one British newspaper as enough to “make a corpse wince with embarrassment” and others were even more ______.

• scornful

• agitated

• admiring

• respectful

In other words, when there is fair play, nobody is expected to ______.

• win

• be excited

• grumble

• be mutual

But this reflects more their strict, almost religious belief in fair play than a belief in the ______ of work itself.

• devotion

• attachment

• fondness

• sanctity

Just as the English reserve is not properly ______, so is the English form of politeness not sufficiently understood.

• misunderstood

• appreciated

• desirable

• relevant

“Sorry” also takes the place of “no” when you cannot ______ to a request or an implied request like “May I borrow your pen?”.

• accede

• comply

• assume

• come