In the United States, it is not customary¹ to telephone someone very in the morning. If you telephone him early in the day, while he is shaving or having breakfast, the time of the call shows that the matter is very important and requires immediate² attention. The same meaning is attached to telephone calls made after 11:00 p.m.. If someone receives a call during sleeping hours, he assumes it's a matter of life and death. The time chosen for the call communicates its importance.
In social life, time plays a very important part. In the U. S. A, guests tend to feel they
are not highly regarded if the invitation to a dinner party is extended only three or four days before the party date. But it is not true in all countries. In other areas of the world it may be considered foolish to make an appointment too far in advance because plans which are made for a date more than a week away tend to be forgotten. The meaning of time differs in different parts of the world. Thus, misunderstandings arise between people from cultures that treat time differently; promptness (准时) is valued highly in American life, for example. If people are not prompt, they may be regarded as impolite or not fully³ responsible. In the U. S. no one would think of keeping a business friend waiting for an hour; it would be too impolite. A person who is 5 minutes late is expected to make a short apology. If he is less than 5 minutes late, he will say a few words of explanation, though perhaps he will not complete the sentence.
1. The same meaning is attached to telephone calls made after 11:00 p.m." Here "attached"
means .
A. taken
B. drawn⁴
C. given
D. shown

2. Supposing one wants to make a telephone call at midnight, this would mean .
A. the matter is less important
B. the matter is somewhat important
C. the matter requires immediate attention
D. it is a matter of life and death

3. According to this passage, time plays an important role in .
A. everyday life
B. private life
C. communications
D. transmission

4. The best title for this passage is .
A. "The Voices of Time"
B. "The Saving of Time"
C. "The Importance of an Announcement"
D. "Time and Tide Wait for No Man"

5. According to the passage, the author of the article may agree with which of the follow
statements?
A. It is appropriate to send your invitation cards three of four days before a dinner party
date in the U. S..
B. It may be appropriate to send your invitation cards to your guests three or four days
before a dinner party date in some cultures.
C. It is best for one to make telephone calls at night because it costs much less.
D. If one is less than 5 minutes late, he has to make a short apology.

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