The way we handle time can express both intentional and unintentional messages. For instance, in a culture like ours that values time highly, waiting can be an indicator of status. "Important" people (whose time is supposedly more valuable than that of others) may be seen by appointment only, whereas it is acceptable to intrude without notice on lesser beings. To see how this rule operates,
consider how natural it is for a boss to drop into a subordinate's office unannounced, whereas the subordinate would never intrude into the boss's office without an appointment. A related rule is that low-status people must never make high-status people wait. It would be a serious mistake to show up late for a job interview, whereas the interviewer might keep you cooling your heels in the lobby. Important people are often whisked to the head of a restaurant or airport line, whereas presumably less exalted masses are forced to wait their turn. The use of time depends greatly on culture. In some cultures, punctuality is critically important, whereas in others it is barely considered. Punctual mainlanders often report welcoming the laid-back Hawaiian approach toward time. One psychologist discovered the difference between North and South American attitudes when teaching at a university in Brazil. He found that some students arrived halfway through a two-hour class and that most of them stayed put and kept asking questions when the class was scheduled to end. A half-hour after the official end of the class, the psychologist finally closed off discussion because there was no indication that the students intended to leave. This flexibility of time is quite different from what is common in North American colleges! The author seems to have a bias against
a. South American students.
b. so-called important people.
c. low-status people.
d. Hawaiians.
B
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III. ¡A corregir!Tienes un amigo que tiene problemas con el pretérito y te pide que le ayudes a corregir su composición. Busca los cinco errores y corrígelos. El jueves pasado mi hermano Roberto me llamó y decidimos ir a acampar cerca del lago el sábado y domingo con unos amigos. Yo llego al apartamento de Roberto el sábado a las nueve y tocé la puerta, pero Roberto no la abrió. Yo esperar quince minutos y entonces Roberto vuelve del supermercado. Salimos para el lago y nos encontramos con nuestros amigos. Pescamos y jugamos al voleibol. Me diverto mucho, pero estaba muy cansado al llegar a casa. (1) ____________
What will be an ideal response?
La mayoría de las oraciones siguientes necesita un verbo conjugado en presente de indicativo. Seleccione la forma correcta en cada caso.
¿Sabe cuánta gasolina _______________ este coche en condiciones normales? a. ha consumido b. consume c. consuma
What does beginning with an anecdote mean?
a. Using a story b. Starting with a quote c. Asking a question d. Explaining the topic
Which paragraph takes a strong stand, supporting that stand by offering convincing reasons or supporting points?
a) cause and effect b) comparison and contrast c) persuasive