1 . "Time is a problem for children," states a news report for a new Swiss watch．Children in some countries "learn time slowly" because "they don't wear watches" and "parents don't really know how to teach them time．" The children grow up with this handicap and become adults—and then can't get to work on time．Is there an answer to this problem? Of course—it's the Flick Flak, made by a famous Swiss watch company．
The Flick Flak is being marketed as something teaching watch for children aged 4 to 10．The watch itself does not teach children how to tell time, of course; it merely "takes their imagination" by presenting the "hour" hand as a beautiful red girl named Flak and the "minute" hand as a tall blue boy named Flick．Flick points to related "blue" minutes on the dial, while Flak points to "red" hour numbers．The characters and colors combined with parental help, are supposed to teach young children how to tell time．
The watch comes equipped with a standard battery and a nylon band （尼龙表带）．Peter Lipkin, the United States sales manager for the Flick Flak, calls it "childproof: if it gets dirty you can throw the whole watch in the washing machine．" The product is being sold in select department stores in Europe, Asia and the United States for a suggested price of $25．Parents who buy the watch may discover that it is one thing to tell time; it's quite another for them to be on time．
1. From the news report we know that ________.

A．parents are patient when teaching children time

B．parents have little idea of how to teach children time

C．children are likely to learn time quickly

D．children enjoy wearing the Flick Flak watch

2. The author doesn’t seem to believe ________.

A．children will be on time if they have not learnt how to tell time

B．a Flick Flak can help parents teach their children how to tell time

C．the Flick Flak can take children's imagination

D．children usually have trouble telling time if they don't wear watches

3. The underlined word “handicap” （Para．1） means ________.

A．displeasure	B．discouragement
C．disappointment	D．disadvantage

4. The United State sales manager calls the new watch “childproof” because ________.

A．it is designed to teach children to be on time

B．it proves to be effective in teaching children time

C．it is made so as not to be easily damaged by children

D．it is the children's favorite watch

2 . In the United States, it is not customary 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 assumes(想当然地认为) 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 U.S.A. guests tend to feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation 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 advance 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 arise(产生) between people from cultures that treat time differently. Promptness is valued highly 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 if keeping a business associate waiting 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. "The same meaning is attached to telephone calls after 11:00p.m." Here "attached" means _____.

A．taken

B．drawn

C．given

D．shown

2. According to this passage, time plays an importantt role in _____.

A．everyday life	B．school life
C．communication	D．private life

3. The best title for this passage is _____.

A．The Voice of Time

B．The Importance of Time

C．The Importance of an Announcement

D．Time and Tide Wait for No Man

4. According to the passage, the author of the article may agree to which of the following statements?

A．It is appropriate to send your invitation cards three or four days before a dinner party date in U.S.A..

B．It may be appropriate to send your invitation cards to your guests three or four days before a dinner party date in some countries.

C．It is best for one to make telephone calls at eight because it costs much less.

D．If one is less than 5 minutes late, he has to make a short apology.