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(立即的) 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 municates its importance.
In social life, time plays a very important part. In the USA guests are likely 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 thought silly to make an appointment(约会) too far ahead because plans which are made for a date more than a week away may 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(责任). 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 asked to make a shout apology (道歉). If he is less than 5 minutes late, he will say a few words of explanation(解释), though perhaps he will not plete the sentence.
【小题1】A call at midnight would mean .A．the matter is less importantB．the matter is too difficult to handleC．the matter requires immediate attentionD．it is a matter of life and death【小题2】According to the passage, time plays a very important part in .A．everyday lifeB．personal lifeC．getting along with othersD．business【小题3】In the passage, the writer suggests that invitation cards should be sent .A．three or four days before the party date in all culturesB．three or four days before the party date in some culturesC．three or four days before the party date in the USAD．at your chosen timeD
网友回答
(答案→)D
解析：这篇短文主要描述了时间在社会交往中的重要作用，不同的时间在社会交往中往往代表了不同的含义。
【小题1】根据If someone receives a call during sleeping hours, he may think that it’s a matter of life and death.描述，可知午夜的电话往往是有关生死的电话，故选D。
【小题2】根据In social life, time plays a very important part.及下文描述可知，时间在与他人交往中扮演者重要的作用，故选C。
【小题3】根据In the USA guests are likely 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.描述，可知选B。