In the United States, it is not usual to telephone someone early in the morning. If you telephone 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(立即的) attention. So it is with the telephone calls made after 11:00 pm. If someone receives a call during sleeping hours, he may think that 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 USA guests are likely to feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation to a dinner party reaches them 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 thought silly to make an appointment(约会) too far ahead because plans which are made for a date more than a week away may be forgotten. The meaning of time is not the same in different cultures that treat time differently; being on time is valued highly in American life, for example. If people are not on time, they may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible(责任). In the USA no one would think of keeping a business friend for an hour; it would be too impolite. A person who is 5 minutes late is asked to make a shout apology (道歉). If he is less than 5 minutes late, he will say a few words of explanation(解释), though perhaps he will not complete the sentence.
【小题1】A call at midnight would mean_________.

In choosing a friend, one should be very careful. A good friend can help you study. You can have fun together and make each other happy. Sometimes you will meet fair-weather friends. They will be with you as long as you have money or luck, but when you are down, they will run away. How do I know when I have found a good friend? I look for certain qualities(品质) of character, especially understanding, honesty and reliability(可靠).
Above all else, I look for understanding in a friend. A good friend tries to understand how another person is feeling. He is not quick to judge. Instead, he tries to learn from others. He puts himself in the other person’s place, and he tries to think of ways to be helpful. He is also a good listener.
At the same time, however, a good friend is honest. He does not look for faults(过错) in others. He notices their good points. In short, a friend will try to understand me and accept me.
Another quality of a friend is reliability. I can always depend on a good friend. If he tells me he will meet me somewhere at a certain time, I can be sure that he will be there. If I need a favor, he will do his best to help me. If I am in trouble, he will not run away from me.
There is a fourth quality that makes a friend special. A special friend is someone with whom we can have fun. We should enjoy our lives, and we would enjoy our friendship. That is why I especially like friends who are fun to be with. A good friend likes the same things I like. We share experiences and learn from each other. A good friend has a good sense of humor, too. He likes to laugh with me. That is how we share in the joy of being friends. And I know that he is looking for the same quality in me.
When I meet someone who is reliable, honest and understanding, I know I’ve found a friend!
【小题1】Which of the following qualities the writer thinks is the most important in choosing a friend?

综合填空 选择方框中的单词并用其适当形式填空。每空限填一词。

An artist went to a beautiful part of the country for a holiday, and stayed with a farmer. Every day he ____【小题1】_____out with his brushes, and painted from morning to evening. And then when it got _____【小题2】______, he went back to the farm and had a good dinner _____【小题3】______he went to bed.
At the end of his holiday, he wanted to pay the farmer, but the farmer said, “No, I don’t want_____【小题4】_____. Please give me one of your___【小题5】_____. In a week the money will be used up, but your picture will ___【小题6】_____be here.” The artist was very pleased and thanked the farmer for __【小题7】_____such kind of things ____【小题8】______his pictures. The farmer smiled and said again, “It’s not that. I have a son in London. He wants to ___【小题9】_____an artist. When he comes home next month, I’ll show him your picture. Then he will not want to be an artist any___【小题10】___, I think.”

An artist goes to a beautiful part of the country for a holiday and stays with a farmer. Every day he goes out with his paints and brushes and paints until evening. When it gets dark he goes back to the farm and has a good dinner before he goes to bed.
At the end of his holiday he wants to pay the farmer, but the farmer says, “No, I don’t want money. But give me one of your pictures. What’s money? In a week it will be finished, but your picture will still be there.”
The artist is very happy and thanks the farmer for saying so about his pictures. The farmer smiles and answers, “It’s not that. I have a son in London. He wants to be an artist. When he comes home next month, I will show him your picture, and he will not want to be an artist any more, I think.”
【小题1】Every day the artist _________ .