英语四级听力材料

Punctuality means observing regular or appointed time. A man who gets up at seven o'clock every morning is punctual. A man who has promised to call on a friend at five o'clock in the afternoon and actually does so at that hour is also punctual.

Punctuality is a good habit, and unpunctuality is a bad one. A few minutes delay may not be a serious matter, but it may have bad results. Getting up five minutes later than usual may upset the plan of the day. Calling on a friend five minutes later than the appointed time may cause him some unexpected trouble. Moreover, habitual unpunctuality leads to indolence and even failure in life. One delay after another makes a man unable to trust himself. It also proves him to be untrustworthy.

Those who are unpunctual should try their best to get rid of their bad habit. In doing this, they should avoid making any kind of exception. They should never say to themselves:"A few minutes delay does not matter this time. I shall never be unpunctual again." Those who think in this way will find excuses for delay from time to time, and will at least give up the attempt to cultivate the good habit.

Like all other good habits, punctuality becomes second nature with those who have duly cultivated it.