单选题 Promptness is important in American business, academic, and social settings. The importance of punctuality is taught to young children in school. Tardy slips and the use of bells signal to the child that punctuality and time itself are to be respected.
People who keep appointments are considered dependable. If people are late to job interviews, appointments, or classes, they are often viewed as unreliable and irresponsible. In the business world, "time is money" and companies may fine their executives for tardiness to business meetings. Of course, it is not always possible to be punctual. Social and business etiquette also provides rules for late arrivals. Calling on the telephone if one is going to be more than a few minutes late for scheduled appointments is considered polite and is often expected. Keeping a date of a friend waiting beyond ten to twenty minutes is considered rude. On the other hand, arriving thirty minutes late to some parties is acceptable.

单选题 The best title for the passage is ______.

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】本题是一个主旨大意题，短文的第一个句子就是文章的主题句。注意，promptness和 punctuality两个词属于同义词，意思为“准时，守时”。其他选项的意思没有出现在主题句中，属于无关信息，所以都不可能是正确答案。

单选题 Children in America are taught to ______.

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】本题的依据出现在短文的第一段中。being on time＝punctuality；take one's time意思是“慢慢做，不着急”；B项短文中没有谈到；D项的问题在于多用了一个词their，去掉这个词，此选项才能算对。

单选题 If a person is late for business meeting, he may ______.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】本题的依据句是：In the business world，“time is money” and companies may fine their executives for tardiness to business meetings．fine在这里的意思是“罚款”，相当于D项be made to pay的意思。

单选题 Social etiquette in the United States allows people to ______.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】本题的关键是将四个选项的内容与短文中的依据句分别进行比较。如果与依据句意思不一致或者找不到依据句，这个选项就不是正确答案。D项的意思与短文中最后一个句子完全一致，所以是正确答案。

单选题 "Time is money" here means ______.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】注意，此处的“time is money”后面跟的信息就是“fine(罚款)”。所以，其所体现的含义就是：如果不守时，就要被罚款。与D项的意思最相近。