unit 2. contents pre-reading questions pre-reading questions pre-reading questions background...

Unit 2Unit 2

ContentsContents

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions Background informationBackground information Structure analysisStructure analysis Comprehension questionsComprehension questions Language points of Text ILanguage points of Text I Grammatical itemsGrammatical items ExercisesExercises Comprehension questions of Text IIComprehension questions of Text II Oral activitiesOral activities Writing practiceWriting practice

Text I Tyranny of the UrgentText I Tyranny of the Urgent

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions

1. Do you often feel pressed by time? Do you hate meeting deadlines?

2. Do you think the busier you are, the more accomplished your life will be?

3. Do you usually wear a watch? Why or why not?

Background information (1)Background information (1) Charles E. HummelCharles E. Hummel Hummel died in August 2004. Hummel died in August 2004.

He was formerly director of faHe was formerly director of faculty ministries for InterVarsiculty ministries for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and pty Christian Fellowship and president of Barrington College resident of Barrington College in Rhode Island. He was the ain Rhode Island. He was the author of fifteen books and Bibuthor of fifteen books and Bible studies, including le studies, including The GalilThe Galileo Connection, Fire in the Fireeo Connection, Fire in the Fireplace, Genesis (in the LifeGuidplace, Genesis (in the LifeGuide Bible Study Series), and the be Bible Study Series), and the best-selling booklet, Tyranny of est-selling booklet, Tyranny of the Urgent.the Urgent.

Background information (2)Background information (2) Charles E. HummelCharles E. Hummel 的《缓急之辨》、这本讲时间的《缓急之辨》、这本讲时间

管理的小书，原书名管理的小书，原书名 Tyranny of the UrgentTyranny of the Urgent ，有，有人译为「急事的奴隶」，也有译为「燃眉的暴政」，人译为「急事的奴隶」，也有译为「燃眉的暴政」，是帮助忙碌异常的现代人，在许多紧急事情中分辨是帮助忙碌异常的现代人，在许多紧急事情中分辨先后的实用手册，资料显示此书已在国外销售百万先后的实用手册，资料显示此书已在国外销售百万多册，而因《与成功有约》闻名的柯维，更在天下多册，而因《与成功有约》闻名的柯维，更在天下最近帮他出的新书《与时间有约》引用本书内容，最近帮他出的新书《与时间有约》引用本书内容，诸此种种皆显示《缓急之辨》的重要。诸此种种皆显示《缓急之辨》的重要。 HummelHummel 最最新的一本中译著作则是《自伽利略之后》。新的一本中译著作则是《自伽利略之后》。

Background information (3)Background information (3)

Time and Time Management (quotations) Time and Time Management (quotations)

The organized person... makes the most of his The organized person... makes the most of his time and goes to his bed for the night perfectly time and goes to his bed for the night perfectly relaxed for rest and renewal. relaxed for rest and renewal.

George M. Adams George M. Adams


Time and Time Management (quotations) Time and Time Management (quotations)

The supply of time is a daily miracle. You wake The supply of time is a daily miracle. You wake up in the morning and lo! Your purse is magnificup in the morning and lo! Your purse is magnificently filled with 24 hours of the unmanufactured ently filled with 24 hours of the unmanufactured tissue of the universe of life. It is yours! The motissue of the universe of life. It is yours! The most precious of your possessions. st precious of your possessions.

Arnold BennetArnold Bennet


Time and Time Management (quotations)Time and Time Management (quotations) We shall never have more time. We have, and We shall never have more time. We have, and

have always had, all the time there is. No object have always had, all the time there is. No object is served in waiting until next week or even until is served in waiting until next week or even until tomorrow. Keep going.... Concentrate on tomorrow. Keep going.... Concentrate on something useful. something useful.

Arnold Bennett Arnold Bennett


Time and Time Management (quotations)Time and Time Management (quotations)

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. want to see.

John Burroughs John Burroughs

A poem about timeA poem about time

Time is too slow for those who wait,Time is too slow for those who wait, Too swift for those who fear, Too swift for those who fear, Too long for those who grieve,Too long for those who grieve, Too short for those who rejoice,Too short for those who rejoice, But for those who love,But for those who love, Time is eternity.Time is eternity.

Some expressions of timeSome expressions of time

Time flies.Time flies. Time is money.Time is money. Time heals most troubles.Time heals most troubles. Time cures all things.Time cures all things. Time is running out.Time is running out. Time is up.Time is up. Time never stands still.Time never stands still. Time works wonders.Time works wonders. Time will tell if we’re right.Time will tell if we’re right. Lost time is never found again. Lost time is never found again.

Talking about Your TimingTalking about Your Timing

Directions: Answer the following questions to Directions: Answer the following questions to see how efficiently you use your time. Compare see how efficiently you use your time. Compare your choices with those of other members in your choices with those of other members in your group. Find the person whose choices are your group. Find the person whose choices are most similar to yours. You will be shown one most similar to yours. You will be shown one possible interpretation of the results.possible interpretation of the results.

1) How would you describe the pace of your life in general?1) How would you describe the pace of your life in general? A. Natural. I just let things happen.A. Natural. I just let things happen. B. quite fast. But I do not stop to smell the flowers.B. quite fast. But I do not stop to smell the flowers. C. sometimes frantic, sometimes relaxed.C. sometimes frantic, sometimes relaxed. D. demanding, sometimes non-stop, but I like it that way.D. demanding, sometimes non-stop, but I like it that way. 2) How do you deal with what you have to do every day?2) How do you deal with what you have to do every day? A. I do first what attracts me most.A. I do first what attracts me most. B. I do the things that need the least time first.B. I do the things that need the least time first. C. There always seems to be too much or too little to do. I C. There always seems to be too much or too little to do. I

do what’s really urgent.do what’s really urgent. D. I deal with things in order of importance. D. I deal with things in order of importance.

3) Which of the following is nearest to your philosophy of l3) Which of the following is nearest to your philosophy of life?ife?

A.Go where life takes you.A.Go where life takes you. B. life is not a dress rehearsal. So don’t just play a role.B. life is not a dress rehearsal. So don’t just play a role. C. To everything there is a season.C. To everything there is a season. D. Do it now. D. Do it now. 4) What do you feel about punctuality?4) What do you feel about punctuality? A. I don’t waste energy worrying about being on time. A. I don’t waste energy worrying about being on time. B. Being on time is polite or efficient, and I try to be that wB. Being on time is polite or efficient, and I try to be that w

ay.ay. C. I’d love to arrive on time in theory. C. I’d love to arrive on time in theory. D. I’m always on time, and I get furious with people who aD. I’m always on time, and I get furious with people who a

re late. re late.

5) How many things have you begun and not finished in the last f5) How many things have you begun and not finished in the last few years.ew years.

A. Lots of things. I have sudden enthusiasms and then drop them.A. Lots of things. I have sudden enthusiasms and then drop them. B. One or two major things, but not too many.B. One or two major things, but not too many. C. Quite a few. I always seem to get distracted.C. Quite a few. I always seem to get distracted. D. There are no uncompleted projects in my life- I always finish tD. There are no uncompleted projects in my life- I always finish t

hings.hings. 6) How do you like to spend your leisure time?6) How do you like to spend your leisure time? A. I don’t know what to do with my time off-it just slip away.A. I don’t know what to do with my time off-it just slip away. B. I relax and recharge my batteries, and maybe follow a sport or B. I relax and recharge my batteries, and maybe follow a sport or

interest. interest. C. I do one or two little jobs, but nothing very energetic. This is C. I do one or two little jobs, but nothing very energetic. This is

my most enjoyable occupation.my most enjoyable occupation. D. I don’t have any leisure time. All my time is put to good use. D. I don’t have any leisure time. All my time is put to good use.

Interpretation of the ResultsInterpretation of the Results Mostly A . answers:Mostly A . answers: Your are daydreamer. Did you actually manage Your are daydreamer. Did you actually manage

to finish your quiz? You have little control over to finish your quiz? You have little control over your life. Chaos is your natural habitat. Perhaps your life. Chaos is your natural habitat. Perhaps you tell yourself that this is creative, but the you tell yourself that this is creative, but the truth is you hate discipline and you are truth is you hate discipline and you are frightened of it. Your abilities remain untested frightened of it. Your abilities remain untested and your dreams unfulfilledand your dreams unfulfilled ..

Mostly B. answers:Mostly B. answers: You represent balance. Your ability to manage You represent balance. Your ability to manage

time is impressive, but you respect yourself time is impressive, but you respect yourself enough to know when to relax, and you are enough to know when to relax, and you are clever enough to know that the best decisions clever enough to know that the best decisions are never made in an atmosphere of pressure. are never made in an atmosphere of pressure. Deadlines don’t worry you, and your work Deadlines don’t worry you, and your work seldom puts unbearable demands on you. You seldom puts unbearable demands on you. You look ahead and make sure crises don’t happenlook ahead and make sure crises don’t happen ..

Mostly C. answers:Mostly C. answers: You are like Cinderella waiting for a fairy You are like Cinderella waiting for a fairy

godmother who’s going to make time for all godmother who’s going to make time for all your dreams and so make everything alright for your dreams and so make everything alright for you. “If I get round to it,” you tell yourself. you. “If I get round to it,” you tell yourself. What you don’t tell yourself is that you alone What you don’t tell yourself is that you alone can provide the time you need to start those can provide the time you need to start those dreams happening. You are an expert at putting dreams happening. You are an expert at putting things off for the best reasons. Your excuses are things off for the best reasons. Your excuses are endless. Forget them. The right time is now. endless. Forget them. The right time is now.

Mostly D. answers:Mostly D. answers: You are achiever. You are a superman or You are achiever. You are a superman or

superwoman. You certainly know how to get a superwoman. You certainly know how to get a job done, and you are proud of your job done, and you are proud of your management of time. You are compulsive about management of time. You are compulsive about using every second of the day to good effect, using every second of the day to good effect, and you get irritable with people who take life at and you get irritable with people who take life at a slower pace. Relax a little. Remember that a slower pace. Relax a little. Remember that stress is a killer. stress is a killer.

Structure analysis of the text (1)Structure analysis of the text (1)

This is a well-organized argumentative essay. The This is a well-organized argumentative essay. The writer begins the essay by explaining that the writer begins the essay by explaining that the prolongation of time can not really help relieve prolongation of time can not really help relieve people of the pressure. Then he justifies the people of the pressure. Then he justifies the argument that the pressure in our life originates argument that the pressure in our life originates from the mishandled problems of priorities. In from the mishandled problems of priorities. In the concluding paragraph, the writer points out the concluding paragraph, the writer points out that we are slaves to “ the tyranny of the urgent.” that we are slaves to “ the tyranny of the urgent.”

Structure analysis of the text (2)Structure analysis of the text (2) Paragraphs 1-2Paragraphs 1-2 The first two paragraphs serve as an The first two paragraphs serve as an

introduction. In the first paragraph, the writer introduction. In the first paragraph, the writer mainly explains why people wish for a thirty-mainly explains why people wish for a thirty-hour day. In the second, he goes on to explain hour day. In the second, he goes on to explain why this extra time not help people much. why this extra time not help people much.


Paragraphs 3-5Paragraphs 3-5 This is the main body of the essay. The writer This is the main body of the essay. The writer

explains the problem of priorities and explores explains the problem of priorities and explores the cause of “ tyranny of the urgent”the cause of “ tyranny of the urgent”


Paragraph 6Paragraph 6 This is the concluding part. In this paragraph, This is the concluding part. In this paragraph,

the writer comes to the conclusion that we have the writer comes to the conclusion that we have become slaves to the “tyranny of the urgent”.become slaves to the “tyranny of the urgent”.

Comprehension questions (1)Comprehension questions (1)

Is hard work alone adequate alone for one to feel Is hard work alone adequate alone for one to feel a sense of achievement?a sense of achievement?

No. We must ensure we are working hard on No. We must ensure we are working hard on important things rather than those that are important things rather than those that are merely urgent. merely urgent.


What is the key to good time management?What is the key to good time management?

Learning to prioritize. We shouldn't let the Learning to prioritize. We shouldn't let the urgent crowd out the truly important things urgent crowd out the truly important things while merely doing those that are not really while merely doing those that are not really important. important.


Why is there a constant tension between the Why is there a constant tension between the urgent and the important?urgent and the important?

Because urgent things call for instant attention Because urgent things call for instant attention and immediate action while important things and immediate action while important things hardly do so. If we crowd out schedule with too hardly do so. If we crowd out schedule with too many urgent engagements, we will have less many urgent engagements, we will have less time to deal with truly important things. time to deal with truly important things.


What does the author imply about the impact of the What does the author imply about the impact of the technological development on our time management?technological development on our time management?

The development of modern science and technology, The development of modern science and technology, especially that of the modern means of communication, especially that of the modern means of communication, is accused as an accomplice of the tyranny of the is accused as an accomplice of the tyranny of the urgent. The telephone lines has tied us to the fast-urgent. The telephone lines has tied us to the fast-growing outside world to which we have to give instant growing outside world to which we have to give instant response. So our life has been cursed with endless response. So our life has been cursed with endless callings and intrusions, for which the development of callings and intrusions, for which the development of modern technology is partly responsible. modern technology is partly responsible.


Does the writer suggest that we should neglect Does the writer suggest that we should neglect urgent things?urgent things?

No. The message the writer wants to convey is No. The message the writer wants to convey is that we should not let urgent things crowd out that we should not let urgent things crowd out important things. He does not mean we should important things. He does not mean we should leave urgent things unnoticed. leave urgent things unnoticed.

Language points of Text I (1)Language points of Text I (1)

a trail of: a long line or series of a trail of: a long line or series of

He went inside, leaving He went inside, leaving a trail ofa trail of muddy muddy footprints behind him.footprints behind him.

The typhoon has left The typhoon has left a trail ofa trail of death and death and destruction across much of the area. destruction across much of the area.


haunt (v.): to be persistently and disturbingly present, ehaunt (v.): to be persistently and disturbingly present, esp in sb's mindsp in sb's mindThe decision to leave her children now The decision to leave her children now haunts haunts her. her.

[[haunthaunt(n. a place where sb often visits or spends lots of (n. a place where sb often visits or spends lots of time) time) hauntedhaunted(adj. believed to be visited by ghosts; sho(adj. believed to be visited by ghosts; showing worries eg a haunted look wing worries eg a haunted look 忧心忡忡的样子忧心忡忡的样子 ) ) hauhauntingnting(adj. beautiful sad or frightening in a way that can(adj. beautiful sad or frightening in a way that cannot be easily forgotten) not be easily forgotten) hauntinglyhauntingly(adv.)](adv.)]

. .


allotment(n.): an amount or share of sth such as money allotment(n.): an amount or share of sth such as money or time that is given to sb or sth; eg, the allotment of shor time that is given to sb or sth; eg, the allotment of shares ares 股票分配股票分配the process of giving sth to sb;the process of giving sth to sb;a small area of land in a town which a person can rent ia small area of land in a town which a person can rent in order to grow vegetables on itn order to grow vegetables on it[[allotallot(v. to give sth as a share of what is available to s(v. to give sth as a share of what is available to sb)]b)]


misgiving(n.): a feeling of doubt about what misgiving(n.): a feeling of doubt about what might happen (C. often pl.)might happen (C. often pl.)

We had We had misgiving misgiving about flying near mountains about flying near mountains in such weather.in such weather.

The plan seemed utterly impractical and I was The plan seemed utterly impractical and I was filled with filled with misgiving misgiving about it. about it.


crowd out: to keep out for lack of spacecrowd out: to keep out for lack of space

Pressure on study space has Pressure on study space has crowded outcrowded out new new students from many university libraries.students from many university libraries.

The article was The article was crowded outcrowded out of yesterday’s of yesterday’s edition. edition.


a reef of frustration: a metaphor describing the a reef of frustration: a metaphor describing the hidden, inescapable feeling of frustration caused hidden, inescapable feeling of frustration caused by unfinished tasks.by unfinished tasks.

. .


cotton-mill(adj.):cotton-mill(adj.): 棉纺厂的棉纺厂的


maxim(n.): a short saying that expresses sth that maxim(n.): a short saying that expresses sth that is usually true or a rule for good and sensible beis usually true or a rule for good and sensible behaviorhavior

Aesop’s fables illustrate moral Aesop’s fables illustrate moral maximmaxim..


rebuke(v.): to speak severely and angrily to sb crebuke(v.): to speak severely and angrily to sb cuz of sth wrong they've done; rebuke sb for sth/fuz of sth wrong they've done; rebuke sb for sth/for doing sthor doing sth[[rebukerebuke(n.)](n.)]

Her mother Her mother rebukedrebuked her for frightening her boss. her for frightening her boss. He was He was rebukedrebuked for cheating. for cheating.


breach(v.): to make an opening in a wall or fencebreach(v.): to make an opening in a wall or fence

The defenses were easily The defenses were easily breachedbreached..

breachbreach(n. a failure to do sth that must be done by law eg a (n. a failure to do sth that must be done by law eg a breach of contract; an action that breaks an agreement to breach of contract; an action that breaks an agreement to behave in a particular way; an opening) behave in a particular way; an opening)

TheyThey breached breached the agreement they had made with their e the agreement they had made with their employer. mployer.


imperious(adj.): expecting people to obey you and treatinimperious(adj.): expecting people to obey you and treating them as if they are not as important as you, too demandg them as if they are not as important as you, too demandinging

She sent them away with anShe sent them away with an imperious imperious wave of hand. wave of hand. From across the table he gave an imperious look. From across the table he gave an imperious look. [[imperiouslyimperiously(adv.) (adv.) imperialimperial(adj. connected with an empir(adj. connected with an empir

e or the system for measuring) e or the system for measuring) imperialismimperialism(n.) (n.) imperialisimperialistt(n.) (n.) imperilimperil(v. to put sth/sb in danger)](v. to put sth/sb in danger)]

Language points of Text I (12)Language points of Text I (12) in the light of: after considering, because ofin the light of: after considering, because of

In the light ofIn the light of recent incidents, we are asking the recent incidents, we are asking the customs to take particular care of their personal customs to take particular care of their personal belongs.belongs.

In the light ofIn the light of this information, it is now possible this information, it is now possible to identify a number of key issues. to identify a number of key issues.


Dilemma: a situation in which one has to make a Dilemma: a situation in which one has to make a difficult choice between two courses of action, difficult choice between two courses of action, both perhaps equally desirableboth perhaps equally desirable

The doctor’s The doctor’s dilemmadilemma was whether he should was whether he should tell the patient the truth or not.tell the patient the truth or not.

The president finds himself in a The president finds himself in a dilemmadilemma over over how to tackle the crisis. how to tackle the crisis.


priority: something that needs attention, priority: something that needs attention, consideration, service, etc, before others.consideration, service, etc, before others.

You have to learn to get your You have to learn to get your prioritiespriorities straight. straight. Getting your Getting your priorities priorities in order is an efficient in order is an efficient

way not to waste time on trivial or even way not to waste time on trivial or even meaningless pursuit. meaningless pursuit.


devour: to use up all of something; to eat devour: to use up all of something; to eat hungrily and in large quantities, so that nothing hungrily and in large quantities, so that nothing remainsremains

He job He job devoursdevours all her energy. all her energy. The young cubs hungrily The young cubs hungrily devoureddevoured the deer that the deer that

lion had killed. lion had killed.


prominence: the fact or quality of being well-prominence: the fact or quality of being well-known and importantknown and important

He came to He came to prominenceprominence during the World Cup in during the World Cup in Italy.Italy.

Most of the papers give Most of the papers give prominenceprominence to the same to the same story this morning. story this morning.


More exacting assignmentMore exacting assignment: demanding more : demanding more care, effort and attention.care, effort and attention.


The momentary appeal The momentary appeal of the tasks seems of the tasks seems irresistible and important … weighed on my irresistible and important … weighed on my mind; affected me. mind; affected me.


We realize we’ve We realize we’ve become slavesbecome slaves to the … : been to the … : been dominated by dominated by

Grammatical items (1)Grammatical items (1)

CoordinatorsCoordinators e.g not only… but also…e.g not only… but also… either … or…either … or… … …and …and … … …or… or… … …so…so… neither … nor …neither … nor …


并列连词连接两个分句时，其位置固定在所并列连词连接两个分句时，其位置固定在所引导的分句句首。引导的分句句首。

The dean left for Beijing yesterday, The dean left for Beijing yesterday, andand he will he will be back next week.be back next week.

Give the book to John, Give the book to John, or or you may just keep it.you may just keep it. He didn’t see me, He didn’t see me, butbut I saw him. I saw him. We must start early, We must start early, for for we have a long way to we have a long way to

go. go.


两个并列连词不可以连用，比如不可以说：两个并列连词不可以连用，比如不可以说： * The children can go to bed* The children can go to bed ，， and orand or they can they can

watch TV. watch TV. *He did not like your suggestion, *He did not like your suggestion, and butand but he rai he rai

sed no objection. sed no objection.


Sentence:Sentence:

It is futile to discuss the matter further, because __It is futile to discuss the matter further, because ___ going to agree upon anything today. (2003-5_ going to agree upon anything today. (2003-50)0)

A.A. neither you nor I are B. neither you nor me isneither you nor I are B. neither you nor me is

C. neither you no I am D. neither me nor you aC. neither you no I am D. neither me nor you are re

正确答案为正确答案为 CC 。。

Exercises (1)Exercises (1)Translation exercisesTranslation exercises 他时常想起孩提时代的往事。（他时常想起孩提时代的往事。（ haunthaunt ）） Memories of his childhood haunted him.Memories of his childhood haunted him. 需要更多的志愿者来完成这项辛苦的工作。需要更多的志愿者来完成这项辛苦的工作。

（（ exactingexacting ）） More volunteers are needed to finish the exactinMore volunteers are needed to finish the exactin

g work. g work.

Exercises (2)Exercises (2)

住房是我首先要解决的事情。（住房是我首先要解决的事情。（ prioritypriority ）） Housing ranks first on my list of priorities.Housing ranks first on my list of priorities. 父亲责骂儿子懒惰。（父亲责骂儿子懒惰。（ rebukerebuke ）） Father rebuked his son for being lazy. Father rebuked his son for being lazy.


富兰克林富兰克林 (Franklin)(Franklin) 在《致富之路》在《致富之路》 (The Wa(The Way to Wealth)y to Wealth) 中给了读者许多有关取得现世成中给了读者许多有关取得现世成功的格言。（功的格言。（ maximmaxim ））

In his In his The Way to Wealth, The Way to Wealth, Franklin gave readers Franklin gave readers many maxims on how to achieve earthly.many maxims on how to achieve earthly.

他的蛮横态度是我受不了的。（他的蛮横态度是我受不了的。（ imperiousimperious ）） His imperious manner was more than I could beHis imperious manner was more than I could be

ar. ar.


那次火灾烧毁了森林。那次火灾烧毁了森林。 (devour)(devour) The fire devoured the forests.The fire devoured the forests. 这份报纸不接受任何欺骗性的广告。这份报纸不接受任何欺骗性的广告。 (decepti(decepti

ve)ve) The newspaper won’t accept any deceptive adveThe newspaper won’t accept any deceptive adve

rtisements. rtisements.

Exercises (5)Exercises (5) Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase taken from the Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase taken from the

box in its appropriate form.box in its appropriate form.

assignment evaluate priority breachhaunt prominent desperate imperiousrebuke devour misgiving tyranny


The new housing estates are __________ landThe new housing estates are __________ landmark of the city. mark of the city.

The president _________ the House and Senate The president _________ the House and Senate for the failure to pass those bills within 100 days.for the failure to pass those bills within 100 days.

They are going to ___________ the agreement tThey are going to ___________ the agreement they made with their employer, aren’t they?hey made with their employer, aren’t they?

prominent

rebuked

breach


Fire engines and ambulances have ___________ Fire engines and ambulances have ___________ over other traffic. over other traffic.

A ghostly lady is said to ____________ the A ghostly lady is said to ____________ the stairway looking for her children. stairway looking for her children.

The schoolboys resent the _________ of the The schoolboys resent the _________ of the clock, which makes them get up when they don’t clock, which makes them get up when they don’t want to. want to.

priorities

haunt

tyranny


Her attitude may be ___________ at times but Her attitude may be ___________ at times but that is more than compensated by her bravery.that is more than compensated by her bravery.

The headmaster felt a sense of ____________ The headmaster felt a sense of ____________ at the prospect of retirement. at the prospect of retirement.

imperious

misgiving

Comprehension questions of Text II (1)Comprehension questions of Text II (1)

What is the writer’s mother’s view on time?What is the writer’s mother’s view on time? Time is eternity and men waste eternity by Time is eternity and men waste eternity by

wasting time.wasting time.


What does the clause “and which contains life, What does the clause “and which contains life, death, and this earth as the blue sea contains death, and this earth as the blue sea contains the fishes courting and swimming the fishes courting and swimming together”(Paragraph 2) means?together”(Paragraph 2) means?

It means that we believe that time contains life, It means that we believe that time contains life, death, and us, who are just like fishes in the sea death, and us, who are just like fishes in the sea busy living and seeking happiness. busy living and seeking happiness.


What does the fulfillment of expectation depend on?What does the fulfillment of expectation depend on? Generally speaking, the fulfillment of expectations Generally speaking, the fulfillment of expectations

depends on ourselves as well as the external depends on ourselves as well as the external circumstances. We need to work hard so as to realize circumstances. We need to work hard so as to realize our dreams, but sometimes we have to wait for the our dreams, but sometimes we have to wait for the opportunities to come. There are times when we depend opportunities to come. There are times when we depend more on time to bring us opportunities, and there are more on time to bring us opportunities, and there are others when we are better master of our own fate. others when we are better master of our own fate.


What is the author’s view on time?What is the author’s view on time? The writer believes that time is within us rather The writer believes that time is within us rather

than outside us. It is not that we live in time but than outside us. It is not that we live in time but that time is defined by our existence. Time is that time is defined by our existence. Time is nothing in itself; it depends on our nothing in itself; it depends on our consciousness. consciousness.


What is your view on time?What is your view on time?

Open for discussion. Open for discussion.

Oral activitiesOral activities

Organize yourselves into groups of five or six Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and discuss the following issue.and discuss the following issue.

Do you think the world is partly created by lazy

people??

Oral activitiesOral activities

Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and discuss the following issue:discuss the following issue:

In view of time management, do you think In view of time management, do you think efficiency is the best description of good time efficiency is the best description of good time management? What is the relationship between management? What is the relationship between efficiency and effectiveness? Which is more efficiency and effectiveness? Which is more important?important?

Writing practice (1)Writing practice (1)

Write a composition of about 200 words on the Write a composition of about 200 words on the following topic:following topic:

Time Time

..

Writing practice (2)Writing practice (2) Time Time Sample writing : Sample writing :

Time flies so fast that we waste time without knowing Time flies so fast that we waste time without knowing it. Time isit. Time is beyond our control. No matter how badly we beyond our control. No matter how badly we want to hold it back, it just flies away. Time is a thing want to hold it back, it just flies away. Time is a thing we can neither see nor touch. So when we realize that we can neither see nor touch. So when we realize that we have wasted our time, it is already too late. we have wasted our time, it is already too late.

Although we can’t prevent time from slipping off, we Although we can’t prevent time from slipping off, we can save it. In other words, we can do more things in a can save it. In other words, we can do more things in a certain period of time; by doing more, we are making certain period of time; by doing more, we are making good use of our time. One of the motivations for our good use of our time. One of the motivations for our inventors is that inventions can improve our work inventors is that inventions can improve our work efficiently and save time. efficiently and save time.

Writing practice (3)Writing practice (3)

Many people treasure time, thinking that time means Many people treasure time, thinking that time means money and that nothing can be more precious than time. money and that nothing can be more precious than time. For example, promptness is valued highly in American For example, promptness is valued highly in American life. If people are not prompt, they may be regarded as life. If people are not prompt, they may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible. If a person is five impolite or not fully responsible. If a person is five minutes late, he is expected to make a short apology.minutes late, he is expected to make a short apology.

Now it suddenly occurred to me that I have to offer an Now it suddenly occurred to me that I have to offer an apology for having wasted a lot of my readers’ time. I apology for having wasted a lot of my readers’ time. I really think that their time can be better employed doing really think that their time can be better employed doing something else rather than reading my opinion. something else rather than reading my opinion.

Good bye!Good bye!

unit 2. contents pre-reading questions pre-reading questions pre-reading questions background...

Documents

supply of time

lost time

time management quotationsi

time management quotationswe

adams background information

following questions

universe of life

bible studies