A
The Chinese version of the French book, Pourquoi les Chinois ont-ils le temps (Why Chinese People have Time), has been recently published by SDX Joint Publication Co. The author, Christine Cayol, who has lived in China for more than 20 years, shares her observations in her writing on Chinese wisdom towards "time".
In the western world, the concept of time is often measurable, which can date from the Industrial Revolution. This view of time always reminds people of progress, improvement and efficiency.
Unlike the western "race mode", the Chinese view of time is more like a "flowing water mode". In Cayol's eyes, Chinese people can become friends with time. "For the Chinese, time is neither a flying arrow at the target nor an hourglass measuring quicksand, but running water," she said. "Water can devour us, but it carries us and holds us as well; it seems weak, but is strong actually, and nothing can stop it from flowing into the sea."
Cayol used to be uncomfortable with the way Chinese dealt with time when she first came to China: They never make appointments, and always change the time for a meeting. However, as she became more familiar with Chinese culture, Chinese wisdom has been gradually understood by her.
Life in China led Cayol to experience a different view of time, which invites people to listen to their heart, to think and to love. Time in China seems to be internal, beneficial and cherished. It is life itself: It can be solid and liquid, fast and slow, hard and soft at the same time.
Now, Cayol likes spending five hours with friends making dumplings or noodles. She believes it's a way to get along with each other, and no one will measure the time it takes. "I'm not introducing a method; I just want to reveal a new view of time, which is completely different from that in the West. Adopting it will be just like using a foreign language - it gives us greater freedom in the modern world," Cayol said. She hopes that Pourquoi les Chinois ont-ils le temps can be a cure for Westerners' worried hearts.
21. The western view of time can have the following features EXCEPT______________.
A. the mode of raceB. the flowing water mode
C. the focus on efficiencyD. the focus on progress
22. The underlined word "devour" in Paragraph 3 probably means______________.
A. helpB. shelterC. trackD. destroy
23. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
A. The Chinese tend to feel worried about time.
B. Cayol studied people's different attitudes towards time in China.
C. On arriving in China, Cayol admired the way Chinese dealt with time.
D. How the Chinese treat time is closely related to the Chinese culture and wisdom.
24. What type of writing is the passage?
A. A travel journal.B. An introduction to a book.
C. A summary of a book.D. An advertisement for a book.