阅读理解。
In the United States, it is not usual to telephone someone early in the morning. If you telephone 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. So it is with the telephone calls made after 11:00 pm. If someone receives
a call during sleeping hours, he may think that 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 USA guests tend to feel they are not highly regarded
if the invitation to a dinner party reaches them 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 is not the same in different cultures that treat time differently; being on time is valued highly in
American life, for example. If people are not on time, they may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible.
In the USA no one would think of keeping a business friend 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. A call at midnight would mean _____. [ ]
A. the matter is less important
B. the matter is too difficult to handle
C. the matter requires immediate attention
D. it is a matter of life and death
2. According to the passage, time plays a very important part in _____.[ ]
A. everyday life
B. private life
C. getting along with others
D. business
3. In the passage, the author suggests that invitation cards should be sent _____. [ ]
A. three or four days before the party date in all cultures
B. three or four days before the party date in some cultures
C. three or four days before the party date in the USA
D. at your chosen time
