Text B Are You A Workaholic.doc

Text B Are You A Workaholic?1. Reading SkillFinding Out Word MeaningsAs was introduced in Unit 2, we often can figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word through the clues provided by context. The context clues that might be helpful for you to recognize the meaning of a new word include:1) Some sentences give the definition for a difficult word with the help of punctuation such as commas, dashes or parentheses (插入语).2) Context sometimes gives examples to illustrate a difficult word rather than define it. We can use the examples to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.3) Synonyms (同义词) are words or phrases that are similar in meaning. A synonym is one type of context clue that helps you to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words.4) Antonyms (反义词) are words or phrases that have opposite meanings to other words or phrases. Antonym clues can help you understand new words.5) Sentences before or after a sentence that has a difficult word sometimes explain the meaning of the word.6) Sometimes we can use our own experiences, or our knowledge about a certain subject, to find out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.7) Word part clues. We can often figure out an unfamiliar word because we know the prefix or suffix attached to the root word, or the two words that make up a compound word.Here we pick out some examples from the passages we have learned to explain how this particular reading skill is used in practice.Example 1 Context clue: Context sometimes gives examples to illustrate a difficult word rather than define it. We can use the examples to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.Example: So says Dr. Robert S. Eliot, author of a new book titled From Stress to Strength: How to Lighten Your Load and Save Your Life. (Para. 3)Explanation: The word titled is used after the noun phrase “a new book”. Following it is a long string of words in italics with the initial letters in capitals. Clearly it is the name of a book. All this helps us to find out the meaning of the word titled, that is, “given a title of . or named or called”.Example 2 Context clue: Antonym (反义词) clues. Antonyms are words or phrases that have opposite meanings to other words or phrases. Antonym clues can help you understand new words.Example: This is due partly to the fact that the telephone service is superb here, whereas the postal service is less efficient. (L. 46, Unit 1-A, Book II)Explanation: Clearly there is a contrast in the sentence. Through the antonym clue, accompanied by word part clues, we can understand what the new word superb means: excellent.Example 3Context clue: We can often figure out an unfamiliar word because we know the prefix or suffix attached to the root word.Example: Perhaps it was unnoticeable at first, a little coughing in the morning as he lit his first cigarette upon getting out of bed. (L. 26, Unit 5-A, Book II)Explanation: We can find out the meaning of the new word unnoticeable, because we know that this adjective is formed by adding the prefix un- and suffix -able to the verb notice.Example 4Context clue: Sometimes we can use our own experiences, or our knowledge about a certain subject, to find out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.Example: Brazil is the home of the worlds largest jungle rain forest, the Amazon. (L. 29, Unit 2-A, Book II)Explanation: We can figure out the meaning of the new word jungle, because we have the knowledge about the rain forest in Brazil.Now read the following sentences to figure out the meanings of the underlined words and expressions by using context clues. Choose the answer that is the closest match. 1.Workaholics, on the other hand, are often disorganized, always find reasons for working more, feel lost without work to do, hide from problems through work, dont know how or when to relax, bring work home from the office, cant communicate well with fellow workers and family members, and have unbalanced, one-dimensional lives. (Para. 2)A. people who like to work too hardB. people who work hard for moneyC. people who have a large family to supportD. people who regularly work overtime2. Despite lip service to the contrary (“a balanced employee is a productive employee”), most employers want loyal employees who work longer hours, rewarding them with higher pay and better benefits. In many companies, workers unwilling to burn the midnight oil are at risk. Certainly, they hazard their jobs by working normal hours. (Para. 3)A. keepB. riskC. continueD. love3. It can fuel a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. (Para. 4)A. affectB. weakenC. run againstD. make stronger4. People with high energy that needs discharging. (Para. 6)A. giving upB. easing awayC. pouring outD. keeping under5. Those little thingsreading mystery novels, playing volleyball, spending time with family and friends, playing with the dog, going fishingmay seem relatively insignificant means to a healthy end. They can be at least as rewarding as work. (Para. 10)A. a way of getting a resultB. unimportant meaningC. a point to start fromD. effective management2. Text Reading1) other than (L. 3)Working hard involves being organized, focused, getting a lot of work done, knowing when to stop, and having a life other than work. (L. 2-3) 努力工作是指工作有条理、精力集中，完成许多工作，知道何时歇手，知道除了工作还有生活。We missed the last bus so there was no choice other than to walk home.我们错过了最后一班车, 因此除了步行回家,我们别无选择。(except)There is no ferry to the island. _(除了游泳，没有其他办法可以去那儿了).You cant get there other than by swimming. Hes a very organized man! He knows _(在工作之余如何享受人生).how to have a life other than work2) constantly (L. 8)Workaholics, like those who are constantly drunk, suffer from a controlling habit, usually defined as compelling behavior despite negative consequences. (L. 8-9) 工作狂，就像那些老是醉醺醺的人一样，有一种无法摆脱的习惯，这种习惯通常被定义为不顾消极后果的强迫性行为。We get envious of them, and constantly compare ourselves with them.我们很羡慕他们，老是拿自己与他们做比较。 (continuously)The old mans voice trembled and he _(一直看着) Louise for advice and support.constantly looked toAs I walked through the playground, I was _(不断想起以前的学校生活).constantly reminded of my school life3) consequence (L. 9)Workaholics, like those who are constantly drunk, suffer from a controlling habit, usually defined as compelling behavior despite negative consequences. (L. 8-9) 工作狂，就像那些老是醉醺醺的人一样，有一种无法摆脱的习惯，这种习惯通常被定义为不顾消极后果的强迫性行为。Now that you are an adult, you should always consider the consequences before you take action.既然你已经长大，就应该在采取行动前考虑后果。Such a mistake would perhaps lead to terrible consequences.这样的错误也许会导致灾难性的后果。常用搭配:as a consequence: as a result, therefore今天早上我没赶上公共汽车，因此，我上班迟到了。I missed the bus this morning and as a consequence was late for work. 温故知新：Consequently, they work hard at the task of saving time. (Unit1-A, Book II)4) to the contrary (L. 11)Despite lip service to the contrary (“a balanced employee is a productive employee”), most employers want loyal employees who work longer hours, rewarding them with higher pay and better benefits. (L. 11-13) 大多数雇主尽管口头上说得很漂亮（“生活作息保持平衡的雇员是效率高的雇员”），可他们需要的是忠心耿耿的、愿意超时间工作的雇员，并用高薪和更多的福利来奖励他们。I know shes unhappy, despite all her arguments to the contrary.尽管她竭力说她很快乐，可我知道她并不幸福。（表示或证明）相反地Although Bill was going to the movies, he _(告诉乔他不去).told Joe to the contrary词语辨析：to the contrary: ad. / a. 相反地/的on the contrary: ad. 相反地，反之（说明与前面叙述事物相反）我相信你喜欢你的工作。可我恰恰相反。I believe you like your job. On the contrary, I hate it!5) hazard (L. 14) Certainly, they hazard their jobs by working normal hours. (L. 14-15) 他们只在正常时间内工作就肯定是在那自己的饭碗冒险。He hazarded his life to save the drowning child. 他冒着生命危险去救那个落水的孩子。(vt. risk)She wouldnt hazard a guess about the reason why her parents separated.她甚至不敢想父母离婚的原因。_(这栋旧楼是危房); they should put barriers around it before it collapses on someone.The old building is a hazard (n. danger)6) tend to do (L. 15)Americans tend to become trapped in a working and spending consumption mode, driven by merchants, that leads them to rack up their expectations. (L. 15-16) 美国人往往会陷入一种由商人们所鼓吹的工作-花钱消费的模式之中，这种模式引诱他们抬高了自己的期望植。She will _(往往会生气) if her husband goes home late.tend to get angrySome people _(周末往往较迟起床), especially after a busy week.tend to get up later我们这儿（往往）冬季寒冷，夏季温暖干燥。We tend to get cold winters and warm, dry summers in this part of the country. 7) not necessarily (L. 19) And we get paid for it and praised for it, which produces good feelings we may not necessarily to able to attain in other parts of our lives. (L. 18-20) 我们还能因此得到报酬和表扬，这会给我们带来我们不一定能从生活的其他方面获得的良好感觉。Frustrations are not necessarily bad things in life.生活中的挫折未必就是坏事。(possibly but not certainly)You may love someone _(不一定想与他/ 她结婚).without necessarily wanting to marry him or herGetting older _(未必意味着) losing independence.does not necessarily mean8）discharge ( L. 28) People with high energy that needs discharging. (L. 28) 精力充沛、需要释放的人。The oil discharged into the sea seriously harmed a lot of birds and animals. 泄入大海的石油严重危害了大量鸟兽。 (v. give or send out)The factory was taken to court because it _(将废物排到了河里).discharged its waste into the river9)competitive (L. 29)Very competitive people who have a strong need to prove themselves and tie their self worth to their work. (L. 29-30) 竞争心很强、急需证明自己、并把自我价值和工作联系起来的人。He has always been ambitious and intensely competitive.他一向踌躇满志、争强好胜。我不愿与好胜心太强的人交朋友。I dont want to make friends with those who are too competitive.How will such a small company _(在竞争性的商业社会中生存)?survive in the competitive world of business10) deny ( L. 38) They deny the excessive time theyre devoting to work, and they rationalize that their schedule is for the family and essential to being promoted. (L. 38-39) 他们否认自己在工作上花了太多的时间，他们自我辩解地说他们的工作是为了家庭，同时对升值也至关重要。He denied knowing anything about it. 他说他对此事一无所知。 (v. 否认，不承认)Notice that if “deny” is followed directly by another verb, the second verb has to be in the -ing form.常用搭配:deny (doing) sth. 否认（做过）某事deny that(clause) 否认There is no denying that (clause) 很显然，你能否认你见过他吗?Do you deny having seen him? (=Do you deny that you have seen him.)很显然，她已知道事情的真相。There is no denying that she has known the truth.11) indispensable (L. 40)They also tend to view themselves and their work as indispensable and their working long hours as commitment to the company. (L. 39-41) 他们也往往认为他们本人几他们的工作对公司是不可或缺的，他们超时工作是对公司的一种承诺。Air, food and water are indispensable to life. 空气、食物和水是生命不可缺少的物质。 (a. 必不可少的, 绝对必要的)她是不错但并非对全队不可缺少，没有哪一个队员对全队是（不可缺少的）。Shes good but not indispensable for the team; no player is.Art is not the expression of mans emotions by external signs; it is not pleasure alone but it _(是人生必不可少的) and progress towards well being of individuals and humanity.is indispensable for the life12) ambition (L. 41) Of course there is nothing wrong with their commitment, ambition and durable energy. (L. 41-42) 当然他们的承诺、抱负和持久的精力均无可指责。My family is more important to me than political affairs and personal ambition. 我的家庭对我来说比政治和个人抱负更为重要。 (n. 抱负)他总是野心勃勃，想成为一名作家。Hes always had a burning ambition to be a writer._(他的远大志向是发现一条原理) which will enable us to predict the occurrence of earthquakes and control their consequence.His great ambition is to find a theory温故知新：This Central American country has one of the most ambitious programs in the world. (Unit2-A, Book II)13) means ( L. 52)Those little things-reading mystery novels, playing volleyball, spending time with family and friends, playing with the dog, going fishing-may seem relatively insignificant means to a healthy end. (L. 50-52) 那些小事情-如阅读神秘小说、打排球、花时间和家人及朋友在一起、跟狗一起玩耍、去钓鱼-对实现健康的目的而言，似乎是一些不太起眼的方法。Ive tried all possible means, but I cant persuade him.所有可能的方法我都试了，可还是不能说服他。 (n. method)使用录像是把活生生的语言带进教室的好方法。Video is an excellent means of bringing a living language into the classroom.Having had a bitter quarrel with her best friend, she tried to _(通过电子邮件进行解释).explain by means of E-mail (通过手段/方法)常见搭配：by all means 无论如何；（用于回答）当然可以by means of 以。by no means 一点也不by some means or other 想尽办法3. Revision 3. 1 Multiple Choice1. Beneath his pale and coolly reserved _something burned and melted, hardened; he was more than excited.A. exterior B. extraC. inferior D. interior2. Foreign language courses focus on speaking with special _ on being able to communicate well.A. concern B. interestC. hobby D. emphasis3. Sport provides a(n) _ for a teenagers feelings of aggression or frustration.A. exit B. exhaustC. outlet D. leak4. I also _ cooking in iron pans, as food can derive iron from the pan during the cooking process.A. propose B. promoteC. suggest D. recommend5. The problems requiring immediate solution will be given _ at the meeting.A. priority B. urgencyC. superiority D. emergency6. Americans may have to _ the number of privately owned cars and depend more on public transportation systems.A. break down B. cut downC. get down D. drop down7. Unfortunately, some children who see _ violence on TV can find a sanction for violent acts of their own.A. continuing B. consistentlyC. constant D. permanent8. As a public figure, he knows well enough what he does will have _ for society.A. effects B. resultsC. influences D. consequences9. The policy _ the islands and put the lives of the inhabitants at risk.A. hazarded B. harmedC. damaged D. fatigue10. He was given special medication to _ the stone in his kidney.A. discharge B. dismissC. dispose D. dissolve11. This crop does not do well in soils _ the one for which it has been specially developed.A. beyond B. rather thanC. outside D. other than12. It is well known that knowledge is the _ condition for expansion of mind.A. indispensable B. dependableC. accustomed D. responsible13. There are always some parts of your life _ which you can have little or no control.A. through B. overC. for D. by14. In these times of rising prices, we must all _ on our spending.A. cut off B. cut awayC. cut down D. cut into15. I was _ the chance of going to university when my parents business collapsed and they lost everything they owned.A. refused B. rejectedC. desired D. denied16. Color can be an important _ of communication for animals. Many birds and fish change colors, for example, to attract mates during the mating season. A. approach B. methodsC. means D. ways17. The international community imposed _ on that country for its terrorist actions.A. ban B. sanctionsC. attack D. prohibition18. The Chinese hope to see stronger_ from the world community for international working together in the fight to protect our common natural surroundings.A. comment B. commitmentC. promise D