新编实用英语电子教案Unit 4(5)

Passage II Are you punctual?

Information related to the reading passage

People around the world treat time differently. In Canada and the United States, meetings are well organized and people get down to business quickly. People don’t spend much time developing a relationship with clients. In contrast, Latin Americans have a more relaxed sense of time, often arriving to a meeting or an event one-half to one hour after the scheduled time.

In Europe, people like to be punctual. Visitors are advised to be on time, or nearly on time, when invited to a party or a home dinner. Business relations are similar to those in North America. Appointments may be made weeks in advance.

In the Middle East, business people may come one hour late to an appointment. Much time is spent in socializing and general conversations.

In Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore or Indonesia, visitors are advised to be on time or even early for a meeting. However, In Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, or the Philippines, you can expect people to be late, especially for social events.

Language Points 1 Explanation of difficult sentences

1. (Para. 2) Those traveling or doing business abroad should always find out the answer to this

question.

Analysis: Traveling or doing business abroad (= who travel or do business abroad) is a present participle clause used as the post-modifier of those.

Translation: 到国外旅行或做生意的人对这个问题都应该找出自己的答案。

Example: Those doing research or working on a project should have a serious attitude towards their work.

2. (Para. 3) It is also supposed etiquette to arrive a little late for a party, which I have never ever

understood.

Analysis: Supposed is a past participle, used as an adjective here. Which introduces a non-restrictive relative clause and which itself refers to the whole main clause.

Translation: 准时赴约是礼节。参加派对晚到一会也是公认的礼节，这一点我就是永远

也弄不明白。

Example: It is supposed good speaking manners to have eye contact, which I have always kept in