In the United States, it is not customary to telephone someone very early in the morni
ng. 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 immediate 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 attention 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(产生) between people from cultures that treat time differently. Promptness is valued highly in American life, for example. If people are not prompt, they may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible. In the U.S. no one would think of keeping a business associate 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 after 11:00 p.m.” Here “attached” means_______.
A.taken B.drawn C.given D.shown
(2) According to this passage, time plays an important role in _____.
A.everyday life B.social life
C.public life D.private life
(3) According to the passage, the author may agree to which of the following statements?
A.It is appropriate to send your invitation cards three or four days before a dinner party date in U.S.A.
B.It may be appropriate to send your invitation cards to your guests three or four days before a dinner party date in some countries.
C.It is best for one to make telephone calls at eight because it costs much less.
D.If one is less than 5 minutes late, he has to make a short apology.
(4) The best title for this passage is_______.
A.The Voice of Time
B.The Importance of Time
C.The Importance of an Announcement
D.Time and Tide Wait for No Man
(5) What is the purpose of the author to write this passage?
A.To tell us not to call someone very early.
B.To tell us the meaning of time differs in different parts of the world.
C.To tell us that we should treat time differently in cross-cultural communication.
D.To teach us how to apology when we are late.