The life of George Washington was characterized by a high regard for punctuality (守时). For him, being on time was a way of showing 41 to others, and he 42 to be treated with the same
level of respect 43 .
Once Washington asked a man to bring some 44 he was interested in buying at five in the morning. 45 , the man arrived fifteen minutes late. Washington’s groom (马夫) told the man that the general (将军) had been 46 there at five, but had now moved on to other business. Washington said that he wouldn’t be able to 47 the horses again until the following week. The
man left with his horses, feeling a deep sense of 48 .
When he told Congress (国会议员) that he’d meet with them at noon, he could almost always be found walking into the meeting room just as the clock was 49 twelve.
Washington’s punctuality extended to his 50 as well. He ate dinner each day at 51 four o’clock. When he 52 members of Congress to dine with him, and they 53 late, they were often 54 to find the president halfway done with his meal or even leaving the table. To his shocked, late 55 he would say, “We are punctual here. My cook never asks 56 the guests have
arrived, but whether the hour has come.”
And when Washington’s secretary arrived late to a meeting, and blamed his 57 for his lateness, Washington quietly replied, “Then you must get another watch, or I another 58 .”
Washington, one of the most respected presidents in American history, is a good example to us all. Today, punctuality is still a(n) 59 part of the character of a nice person. So next time when you are struggling with arriving 60 , think of these stories about the punctual president.
41. A. appreciation B. concern C. pity D. respect
42. A. expected B. decided C. hated D. refused
43. A. in time B. in return C. in exchange D. in total
44. A. weapons B. horses C. Boots D. swords
45. A. Therefore B. Besides C. Otherwise D. However
46. A. searching B. looking C. waiting D. standing
47. A. raise B. examine C. ride D. feed
48. A. honor B. shame C. responsibility D. sorrow
49. A. striking B. pointing C. showing D. telling
50. A. study B. bedtimes C. work D. mealtimes
51. A. completely B. correctly C. exactly D. strictly
52. A. invited B. persuaded C. allowed D. reminded
53. A. called B. left C. started D. arrived
54. A. surprised B. disappointed C. calm D. excited
55. A. officers B. friends C. guests D. neighbors
56. A. when B. why C. whether D. where
57. A. phone B. bell C. alarm D. watch
58. A. assistant B. secretary C. colleague D. boss
59. A. active B. major C. essential D. leading
60. A. on time B. just now C. right away D. at last