Manners Are Important
As one looks about, it becomes very easy to conclude that good manners seem to be a thing of the past. More and more people seem to be discourteous to one another, more indicative of a “survival of the fittest” attitude than of living in a civilized society. Although much of what was considered good manners at the turn of the last century may no longer be appropriate, common courtesy and acceptable behavior are still necessary to make life pleasant, especially as our cities become more and more crowded. Although common courtesy is the underlying framework, good manners are manifested in two distinct area, business and social relationships. The world of business has become increasingly impersonal over the years. The fast development of computers has removed the personal touch from many business dealings. It is not uncommon, when phoning a company, to get a recorded message telling us which number to press. When we finally do get a live person on the other end, he often seems uncaring. Good business sense, though, would dictate the importance of getting back to the personal touch. The speaker should identify himself by name to the caller and make every effort to be courteous and helpful. Above all, he should take great pains to assure the call is not disconnected. In addition, he should make certain that the caller is connected to his party and not kept waiting long while listening to canned music. Good manners will assure happy, loyal customers.
Good manners are, perhaps, most frequently associated with social relationships. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Unfortunately, here again they seem to be in decline. Giving up one’s seat on a crowded bus to an elderly person, a pregnant woman, or an obviously tired person seems to be a thing of the past. People also seem to have forgotten how to behave as an audience. It is not uncommon to see people putting their feet up on the seats in front of them or talking loudly during a movie or play. Even restaurants are not immune from the lack of good manners. Young parents do not seem to care that their children are roaming throughout the restaurant or are crying and disturbing the other guests. These examples touch only the surface of the rapid decline of good manners.【正确答案】：
     GOOD MANNERS IN THE MODERN TIMES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE COMFORTABLY AND PEACEFULLY WITH EACH OTHER IN EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES. AS OUR CITIES ARE GROWING MORE AND MORE CROWDED IT IS THE GOOD MANNERS THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE LEARN TO SELF REGULATE THEIR BEHAVIOR TO MAKE THEMSELVES SUITABLE IN THE SOCIETY, AND, MOREOVER, IT IS THE GOOD MANNERS THAT WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CIVILIZED SOCIETY AND A JUNGLE. WE MUST ALL BE ABLE TO EXPECT CERTAIN TYPES OF BEHAVIOR OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, OR THE QUALITY OF LIFE WILL RAPIDLY DETERIORATE.
【题目解析】：根据文章第一段可以列出全文的提纲：Ⅰ. Good manners are manifested in two distinct area, business and social relationships.Ⅱ. Good manners are manifested in business area.Ⅲ.Ⅳ. Unfortunately, here again they seem to be in decline.由提纲可知缺失的段落应该是良好的举止在人际关系中的表现。 Good manners in the modern times are essential for people to live comfortably and peacefully with each other in every aspect of their lives. As our cities are growing more and more crowded it is the good manners that will help people learn to self regulate their behavior to make themselves suitable in the society, and, moreover, it is the good manners that will make the difference between a civilized society and a jungle. We must all be able to expect certain types of behavior of our fellow citizens, or the quality of life will rapidly deteriorate. 在现代社会，良好的礼仪对于人们在生活的各个方面都能舒适地和平相处是必不可少的。随着城市越来越拥挤，良好的礼仪将帮助人们学会自我调节自己的行为，使自己适合于社会，而且，文明社会和丛林之间的差异也就在于良好的礼仪。我们必须期待所有市民同胞都遵循此类行为规范，不然生活质量将极速下降。