Passage 1

There are people who are especially attracted to the notion of "climbing the ladder" so as toincrease their status, financial position, and sense of self-worth. In part, as a result of the work ethic,these people are internally "driven" to work. Not infrequently, foreign visitors have observed thatAmericans spend an inordinate amount of time working and, as a consequence, Americans havelittle time for leisure or personal relationships. In American English a new word "workaholic" hasbeen created to describe an individual who is as addicted to work as an alcoholic is to liquor.

There are conflicting points of view about workaholics. Those concerned with problems ofmental stress believe workaholics abuse themselves physically and mentally. Others hold thatworkaholics are valuable members of society because they are extremely productive. The Americansculture values achievement, efficiency, and production--a workaholic supports these values.

Despite the presence of workaholics, there is a growing realization in the United States thatexcessive work demands can be physically and mentally harmful. Many people have been rebellingagainst the work ethic, claiming that when a job is so important, personal relationships suffer andrelaxation becomes secondary. Consequently there has been a shift in values, with more emphasisbeing given to personal relationships and non-work activities.

Increased leisure time in the United States has not changed the idea that work and play aredistinct activities. "There is a belief that it is desirable" to work hard and play hard, and undesirable tocombine the two. In many offices, stores and factories socializing among employees is discouraged.

An employee under pressure at work often cannot afford to respond to social calls and visits.

However, the amount of personal contact on the job depends on the nature of the work.

People are ambivalent toward work; it is, at the same time. glorified and belittled. In the wordsof former President Richard Nixon: "The ′work ethic′ holds that labor is good in itself; that a manor woman becomes a better person by virtue of the act of working. America′s competitive spirit, thework ethic′ of this people, is alive and well ..." Another viewpoint is expressed in an Anacincommercial:"I like my job and am good at it, but it sure grinds me down sometimes, and the lastthing I need to take home is a headache."

The reason why some people don′ t socialize with their co-workers on the job is that__________ .

• A.they consider work and play separate activities
• B.they have nothing in common with their fellow workers
• C.they feel that socializing with them well create problems at home
• D.they feel that socializing with them may result in emotional problems