In the United States, it is important to be on time, or puntual, for an apointment, a class, a meeting, ect. This may not be true in some other countries, however. An American professor
discovered this difference while teaching a class in a Brazilian university. The two-hour class was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., and end at 12 a.m. On the first day, when the professor arrived on time, no one was in the classroom. Many students came after 10
a.m. Several arrived after 10:30 a.m. Two students came after 11 a.m. Although all the students greeted the professor as they
arrived, few apologized for their lateness. Were these students being rude ? He decided to study the students’ behaviour. (…) In an American university, students are expected to arrive at the apointed hour. In contrast, in Brazil, neither the teacher nor the students always arrive at the apointed hour. Classes not only begin at the schedudled time in the United States, but they also end at the schedudled time. In the Brazilian class, only a few students left class at noon: many remained past 12:30 to discuss the class and ask more . While arriving late may not be very important in Brazil, neither is staying late.
The explanation for these differences in complicated. People from Brazilian and North American cultures have different
feelings about lateness. In Brazil, the students believe that a
person who usually arrives late is probably more successful than a person who is always on time. In fact, Brazilians expect a
person with status or prestige to arrive late, while in the United States, lateness is usually considered to be disrespectful and unacceptable. Consequently, if a Brazilian is late for an appointment with a North American, the American may misinterpret the reason for the lateness and become angry.
As a result of his study, the professor learned that the
Brazilian students were not being disrespectful to him. Instead, they were simply behaving the appropriate way for a Brazilian student in Brazil. Eventually, the professor was able to adapt his own behaviour to feel comfortable in the new culture.
1. What is the main idea of this passage ?
A.It is important to be on time for class in the United States.
B.People learn the importance of time when they are children.
C.It is not important to be on time in Brazil.
D.The importance of being on time differs among different cultures.
2. What is “rude behaviour” ? A.impolite behaviour
B.noisy behaviour C.studious behaviour D.respectful behaviour
3. Why did the professor study the Brazilian students’
behaviour ?
A.The students seemed very rude to him.
B.He wanted to understand why the students came late.
C.He wanted to make the students come to class on time.
D.None of the students apologized for their lateness.
4. In general, what did the Brazilian students think about people who are late ?
A.They are important people.
B.They are successful people.
C.They are disrespectful people.
D.They are rude people.
5. It can be inferred from the passage that ………..
A.Most American students arrive after tha class has begun.
B.Most Brazilian students leave immediately when the class is finished.
C.For most Americans, being late is unacceptable.
D.Brazilian students often come late andleave early.
Read the passage and choose the best answers to the :
In the U.S, men and women choose their own spouses. They do this by dating. When they decide on a spouse, they get
engaged. They do not need their parents’ consent. The man
usually gives the woman an engagement ring. Before a weeding, the bride’s women friends and relatives usually have a party for her. It is called a shoer. At the shower, everyone gives the bride a present for her future home. The groom’s men friends also give
him a party. It is called a bachelor party. The purpose of this party is to give the groom one last good time as a single man.
Sometimes young people pay for their own weeding. This is especially true if they have been working for a while. In other cases, the family of the bride pays for most of the weeding and reception afterward.
1. In the U.S, men and women ……….don’t have to pay attention to the law when they get married.
A.must have their parents’ permission if they are supposed to get married.
B.must win their friends’ agreement if they are supposed to get married.
C.could have their own choice in the matter of marriage.
2. At the bachelor party, the groom ………..
A.must prove to be good future husband.
B.must promise to behave properly at the weeding.
C.could have one good last time as a bachelor.
D. could have one last chance of freedom.
3. According to the passage, young people
……….
A.can ask for parental help to pay for the weeding.
B.can borrow from their friends to pay for the weeding.
C.at times pay for the weeding.
D.completely rely on the families for their weeding.
4. The word “consent” most nearly means ………..
A.Order B. request C. agreement D. remarks 5. The word “present” most nearly means ………..
A. piece of furniture B. gifts C. a piece of advice D. gift
UNIT 3 :
1. Choose the item (A, B, C or D) that best answers the about the passage:
Ever since humans inhabited the earth, they have made use of various forms of communication. Generally, this is expression of thoughts and feelings has been in the form of oral speech.
When there is a language barrier, communication is accomplished through sign language in which motions stand for letters, words, and ideas. Tourists, the deaf, and the mute have had to make use of this form of expression. Many of these symbols of whole words are very picturesque, and exact, and can be use internationally; spelling, however, cannot.
Body language transmits ideas or thoughts by certain actions, either intentionally or unintentionally. A wink can be
away of flirting of indicating that the party is only joking. A nod signifies nonlinguistic language can be found in Braille ( a system of raise dots read with the fingertips), signal flags. Morse code, and smoke signals. Road maps and picture signs also guide, warn, and instruct people. While verbalization is the most common form of language, other systems and techniques also express human thoughts and feelings.
1. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?