Directions: There are 10 blanks in the following passage. For each numbered blank, there are 4 choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best one and mark your answer on the ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center.

　　Ireland is the best place in the world to live for 2005, 1　　 a life quality ranking that appeared in Britain’s Economist magazine last week.

　　The ambitious 2 　　to compare happiness levels around the world is based on the principle that wealth is not the only 3　　 of human satisfaction and well-being. The index of 111 countries uses 4　　 on incomes, health, unemployment, climate, political stability, job security, equality between men and wo

　　men as well as what the magazine calls “freedom, family and community life”.

　　Despite the bad weather, troubled health service, traffic problems, and the high cost of living, Ireland scored an impressive 8.33 points 5 　　10. That put it well ahead of second-place Switzerland, which managed 8.07. Zimbabwe (津巴布韋), troubled by political insecurity and hunger, is rated the lowest, 6　　　 only 3.89 points.

　　“Although rising incomes and increased individual choices in developed countries are 7　　 valued,” the report said, “some of the factors associated with 8　 such as the breakdown in traditional institutions and family values in part take away from a positive impact.

　　“Ireland wins because it successfully combines the most desirable elements of the new—the fourth highest gross domestic product per head in the world in 2005, low unemployment, political 9　 —with the preservation of certain warm elements of the old, such as 10 family and community life.”

　　1. A. following up B. coming with C. according to D. except for

　　2. A. attempt B. attack C. attitude D. attraction

　　3. A. reason B. volume C. measure D. monitor

　　4. A. amount B. data C. number D. account

　　5. A. up to B. out of C. off and on D. in about

　　6. A. missing B. getting C. keeping D. putting

　　7. A. hardly B. excessively C. highly D. passively

　　8. A. modernization B. civilization C. constitution D. tradition

　　9. A. liberties B. activities C. unions D. campaigns

　　10. A. sticky B. static C. steep D. stable

　　參考答案：1. C 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. B 6. B 7. C 8. A 9. A 10. D

　　Promptness is important in American business, academic, and social settings. The importance of punctuality is taug ht to young children in school. Tardy slops 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 busi ness 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 schedule appointments is considered polite and is often ex pected. 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. Respecting deadlines is also important in academic and professional circles. It is expected that deadlines for class assignments or business reports will be met. Students who hand in assignments late may be surprised to find that the professor will lower their grades or even refuse to grade their work. Whether it is a question of arriving on time or of meeting a deadline, people are culturally conditioned to regulate time。

　　1. The best title for this passage is ________。

　　A. Promptness

　　B. Time

　　C. Deadlines

　　D. Etiquette

　　2. In the United States the child who must go to bed early, be prompt at school, or bring a tardy slip if he is late_____

　　A. is learning the importance of time and punctuality in his culture。

　　B. Is learning to disobey his parents and teachers。

　　C. Is being punished for disobeying his mother and school officials。

　　D. Is being punished for playing too much。

　　3. If a person is late for a business meeting, he may be _____

　　A. criticized

　　B. fired

　　C. made to pay

　　D. given a pay rise

　　4. Social etiquette in the United States allows people______

　　A. to be a few minutes late for interviews and business meetings。

　　B. to come early to parties

　　C. to be up to a half-hour late for some parties。

　　D. to call a date when he is thirty minutes late。

　　5. The last sentence means ______

　　A. people everywhere regulate time in the same way。

　　B. Conditions decide how people spend time。

　　C. Regular timetable is important in every culture。

　　D. Different cultures have different customs concerning time。

　　參考答案：AACCD