Many visitors find the pace at which American people move very troubling. One’s first 1 is likely to be that everyone is in a rush. City people always 2 to be hurrying to get where they are going and are very impatient if they are delayed even for a brief moment.
3 , this may seem unfriendly to you. But drivers will 4 you; storekeepers will be in a hurry as they 5 you; people will push you 6 they walk along the street. You will 7 smiles, brief conversations with people as you shop or dine away from home. Do not 8 that because Americans are in such a hurry they are 9 . Often, life is much slower outside the big cities, as is true in other countries 10 .
Americans who live in cities such as New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, often think that everyone is 11 in a hurry to get things done; they 12 others to “push back”, just as city people do in Tokyo, Singapore or Paris, for example. 13 when they discover that you are a stranger, most Americans become quite kind and will take great 14 to help you. Mary of them first came to the city as 15 and they remember how frightening a new city can be. If you need help or want to ask a question, 16 a friendly-looking person and say, “I am a stranger here. Can you help me?”
Most people will stop, smile at you, and help you find your 17 or answer your questions. But you must let them know that you need help. Otherwise they are 18 to pass you by, not noticing that you are new to the city and in 19 of help. Occasionally, you may find someone too busy or perhaps too rushed to give you aid. If this happens, don’t be 20 ; just ask someone else. Most Americans enjoy helping a stranger.
1. A. mistake B. discovery C. experience D. impression
2. A. chance B. appear C. pause D. come
3. A. At times B. In the end C. At first D. Now and then
4. A. rush B. load C. remind D. send
5. A. drive B. persuade C. employ D. serve
6. A. because B. as C. although D. before
7. A. wear B. enjoy C. miss D. trust
8. A. think B. shock C. watch D. attract
9. A. unhappy B. unexpected C. uncertain D. unfriendly
10. A. as usual B. as well C. in need D. in reply
11. A. equally B. generally C. endlessly D. frequently
12. A. forbid B. limit C. expect D. choose
13. A. Even if B. So C. And D. But
14. A. temper B. care C. step D. energy
15. A. rebellers B. experts C. strangers D. patients
16. A. choose B. reject C. disturb D. avoid
17. A. hotel B. way C. necessity D. duty
18. A. likely B. unable C. nervous D. terrible
19. A. face B. charge C. front D. need
20. A. gentle B. tired C. discouraged D. surprised
