Directions: For each numbered blank in the following passage, fill in
a suitable word in each blank on the ANSWER SHEET.
When travelers lack an awareness of (51)
time is regulated in a foreign country, they can expect to feel
somewhat disoriented. Since most people (52) time for
granted, the effects of values, customs, and social etiquette on the use of time
are seldom examined. A culture that values achievement and progress will
discourage people (53) "wasting" time. Highly efficient
business people from these cultures may feel frustrated in a country
(54) work proceeds at a slow pace. In religious societies,
customs specify times of the day, week, or year for prayer and religious
celebrations. If an individual tries to (55) an appointment
during a sacred holiday, he or she could unknowingly offend a religious person.
Social etiquette determines appropriate times for visits, meetings, and even
phone calls. Arriving two hours late for an (56) may be
acceptable in one culture, whereas in (57) , keeping
someone (58) fifteen minutes may be considered
rude. Promptness is important in American business, academic,
and social settings. The (59) of punctuality is taught to
young children in school. Tardy slips and the use of bells signal to the child
that punctuality and time itself are to be respected. An amusing report of a
school child’s experience with time (60) in a recent
newspaper article: " (61) a child, my mother used to tell
me (62) crucial it was to be at school (63)
. the first bell rang. Preparation for my ’on-time’ appearance
began the night before. I was directed to go to bed early so I could wake
(64) wide-eyed at 7 a.m. with enough time to get ready. Although
I usually managed to watch my share of TV cortoons, I knew that in one hour I
had to get dressed, eat breakfast, (65) my teeth,
(66) my hair, and be on my way to school or I would be violating
an important rule of Mom’s, the school’s or of the world’s. It was hard to tell
which." People who keep appointments are (67)
dependable. If people are late to job interviews, appointments, or
classes, they are often viewed (68) unreliable and
irresponsible. In the business world, "time is money" and companies may fine
their executives for tardiness to business meetings. Of course, it is not always
possible to be punctual. Social and business etiquette also provides rules for
late arrivals. Calling on the telephone if one is going to be more than a few
minutes late for scheduled appointments is considered polite and is often
expected. Keeping a date or a friend waiting beyond ten to twenty minutes is
considered rude. On the other (69) , arriving thirty
minutes (70) to some parties is acceptable.