The railroad was not the first institution to impose regularity on society, or to draw attention
to the importance of precise timekeeping. For as long as merchants have set out their wares at
daybreak and communal festivities have been celebrated, people have been in rough
agreement with their neighbors as to the time of day.
The value of this tradition is today more apparent than ever. Were it not for public acceptance
of a single yardstick of time, social life would be unbearably chaotic: the massive daily
transfers of goods, services, and information would proceed in fits and starts; the very fabric
of modern society would begin to unravel.
The Question :
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. In modern society we must make more time for our neighbors.
B. The traditions of society are timeless.
C. An accepted way of measuring time is essential for the smooth functioning
of society.
D. Society judges people by the times at which they conduct certain activities.
2. According to the second paragraph, the phrase “this tradition” refers to
A. the practice of starting the business day at dawn
B. friendly relations between neighbors
C. the railroad’s reliance on time schedules
D. people’s agreement on the measurement of time
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