Americans believe so much in moving ahead that they are _1_ researching, experimenting and exploring. They treat time as if it _2_ real — a precious resource. They budget it, save it, waste it, steal it, kill it, cut it, account for it and charge for it. A foreigner’s first impression _3_ the U.S. is that everyone is in a rush and often _4_ pressure. City people always appear to be hurrying to get where they are going, restlessly seeking attention or elbowing others. Foreigners who miss smiles, brief conversations, or leisurely exchanges with strangers should not feel hurt by this. Americans value time so highly, they dislike anyone “wasting” it _5_ an appropriate amount. New arrivals to the States will miss the custom of social talk during a business call because Americans generally _6_ or enquire about their visitors professionally rather than socially. They start talking business very quickly; time is always ticking in their heads. They work hard at saving time _7_ labor-saving devices so they communicate rapidly by fax, phone or email rather than through _8_ contact. The impersonality of electronic communication has _9_ to do with the significance of the matter _10_ hand.
1. A. engaged to B. committed to C. devoted themselves to D. contribute to
2. A. were B. is C. was D. are
3. A. in B. on C. of D. to
4. A. under B. by C. in D. on
5. A. on B. to C. in D. beyond
6. A. assess B. assure C. assume D. access
7. A. in B. of C. to D. through
8. A. personnel B. personal C. personality D. impersonal
9. A. little B. no C. less D. least
10. A. of B. to C. at D. in
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