A foreigner’s first impression of the U.S. is likely to be that everyone is in a rush-often under pressure. City people appear always to be hurrying to get where they are going restlessly, seeking attention in a store, and elbowing others as they try to complete their errands （任务）. Racing through daytime meals is part of the pace of life in this country.
Working time is considered precious. Others in public eating places are waiting for you to finish so that they too can be served and get back to work within the time allowed. Each person hurries to make room for the next person. If you don’t, waiters will hurry you.
You also find drivers will be abrupt and that people will push past you. You will miss smiles, brief conversations, and small courtesies with strangers. Don’t take it personally. This is because people value time highly, and they resent someone else “wasting” it beyond a certain courtesy point.
The view of time affects the importance we attach to patience. In the American system of values, patience is not a high priority. Many of us have what might be called “a short fuse.” We begin to move restlessly about if we feel time is slipping away without some returnbe this in terms of pleasure, work value, or rest. Those coming from lands where time is looked upon differently may find this matter of pace to be one of their most difficult adjustments in both business and daily life.
Many newcomers to the States will miss the opening courtesy of a business call, for example, they will miss the ritual socializing that goes with a welcoming cup of tea or coffee they may be traditional in their own country. They may miss leisurely business chats in a café or coffeehouse. Normally, Americans do not assess their visitors in such relaxed surroundings over prolonged small talks. We seek out evidence of past performance rather than evaluate a business colleague through social courtesies. Since we generally a
ssess and probe professionally rather than socially, we start talking business very quickly. 1.[单选题]This passage mainly talks about __________.
A.how Americans treasure their time
B.how busy Americans are every day
C.how Americans do business with foreigners
D.what American way of life is like
2.[单选题]In the fourth paragraph, “a high priority” means __________.
A.a less important thing
B. a first concern
C.a good business
D.an attractive gift
3.[单选题]We can infer from the passage that the author’s tone in writing is ___________.
A.critical
B.ironical
C.appreciative
D.objective
4.[单选题]Americans evaluate a business colleague __________.
A. through social courtesy
B.through prolonged business talks
C.by establishing business relations
D. by learning about their past performance
5.[单选题]Which of the following statements is wrong?
A.Americans seem to be always under pressure
B.Americans attach less importance to patience
C.Americans don’t care much about ritual socializing
D.Americans are impolite to their business colleagues