Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 23 to 27. Fill in the appropriate word in question 23
Many Americans believe that manners have gotten worse and official figures confirm this. In a recent survey, nearly 70% said that people are (23) _____________ than they were 20 or 30 years ago. This is true of both large and small towns, although 74% of (24) _____________ living in cities said that people have become ruder, compared with 67% in rural areas. However, few people believe that they have bad manners themselves! For example, only 8% in the questionnaire (25) _____________ they have ever used their cell phones in public in a loud or annoying way. Many people (26) new technology for our changing manners. Computers, MP3 players, and cell phones take us away from face-to-face contact, as well as being very annoying in public places. “All of these things result in a world with more stress, more chances for people to be rude to each other,” said Peter Post, an instructor on business manners.
But what can we do about it? Some people would like to see a rail car (27) _____________ for cell phone users so that the rest of us can travel in peace and quiet. In fact, one train company, Amtrak, has banned cell phones in one car of some trains, which is called a “Quiet Car”.
A. ruder
B. older
C. wiser
D. smarter
