Amparo Lasén, the Spanish sociologist who conducted the study found that Londoners use their cell phones the least in public. If they are with others, they prefer to let calls be answered by voice mail (a recorded message) and then they check for messages later. If the English do answer a call on the street, they seem to dislike talking with others around. They tend to move away from a crowded sidewalk and seek out a place (26) ________ they cannot be heard, such as the far side of a subway entrance or even the edge of a street. They seem to feel that the danger of the traffic is (27) ___________ to the risk of having their conversation be overheard. This has led to a behavior that Laser has called "clustering." At a busy time of day on the streets of London, you may find small crowds of cell phone users grouped together, each one talking into a cell phone. Even when it is raining—as it is often in London—people still prefer not to hold their conversations where others could hear. They talk (28) _____________ their umbrellas or in a doorway.
In Paris, however, there are stricter rules about how and when to use cell phones. It is not considered polite to use a phone in a restaurant, (29) ______________, though it might be acceptable in the more informal setting of a café. One special custom that has developed in cafés seems unique to Paris. Young women often place their cell phones on the table beside them to signal that they are expecting someone. When the friend arrives, the phone is (30) _____________. In fact, the French are generally very disapproving of phone use in public and are quick to express that disapproval, even to strangers.
(Adapted from “Advanced Reading Power” by Beatrice S. Mikulecky and Linda Jeffries)
Question 26: A. which B. when C. where D. what
Question 27: A. preferable B. prefer C. preference D. preferential
Question 28: A. on B. under C. in D. after
Question 29: A. for examples B. moreover C. nevertheless D. for instance
Question 30: A. put away B. put back C. put down D. put aside
