088.
For most Americans, clocks and watches are very important. They are always aware of them. In the morning some people have to get up when it is still dark. Others sleep through several hours of sunlight. But both groups wake up when they hear their alarm clocks ring. When they get dressed and eat breakfast, they listen to the radio, and the radio tells them again and again exactly what time it is.
On the way to work or school, people look at their watches. If they think they are going to be late, they hurry. At work, Americans think it is important to arrive at meetings on time. Their lunch breaks are short, lasting only half an hour or an hour. Late in the afternoon, they check their watches often to see how soon they can go home.
In the evenings, however, Americans are more relaxed. They try to arrive on time, but they don't worry if they are a few minutes late to meet friends in a restaurant. Also, people who arrive a few minutes late a movie are usually in time to see the main feature film. If a party at a friend's house starts at 8:00, and some people come an hour later, nobody minds.
Americans are used to living by clocks and watches. It is hard for them to understand that people in many parts of the world don't think that time is so important.
参考答案:
(1) radio
(2) meetings
(3) half an hour
(4) Late
(5) party