In the United States, it is not __11__ to telephone someone very early in the morning. 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 __12__ it's a matter of life and death. The time chosen for the call __13__ its importance.
In __14__ life, time plays a very important part. In the U. S. A. , guests tend to feel they are not highly regarded if the __15__ 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 __16__ 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 __17__ between people from cultures that treat time differently.
Promptness is valued __18__ 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 __19__ waiting for an hour, it would be too impolite. A person who is 5 minutes late is __20 __ 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.
A. highly
B. engagement
C. customary
D. social
E. inform
F. invitation
G. advance
H. absence
I. heavily
J. associate
K. expected
L. assumes
M. habitual
N. arise
O. communicates
II. C 12. L 13. O 14. D 15. F 16. G 17. N 18. A 19. J 20. K
