1. Nowadays Americans are working harder than ever before.

2. The more time we spend at work, the more we can achieve.

Unit 6Unit 6Exercise 1Exercise 1 Answer the questions before reading the passage.Answer the questions before reading the passage.

Text AText A Working Hard or Hardly Working??

1 1 According to a recent survey, employees in many According to a recent survey, employees in many

companies today work longer hours than employees did in companies today work longer hours than employees did in

1979. They also take shorter vacations. It seems that 1979. They also take shorter vacations. It seems that

Americans are working harder today than ever before. Americans are working harder today than ever before.

Or are they? A management consultant, Bill Meyer, Or are they? A management consultant, Bill Meyer,

decided to decided to find out. For three days, he observed an . For three days, he observed an

investment banker hard at work. Meyer investment banker hard at work. Meyer wrote down

everything the banker did during his long workday — the everything the banker did during his long workday — the

banker worked 80 hours a week. At the end of the banker worked 80 hours a week. At the end of the

three-day period, Meyer reviewed the banker’s activities three-day period, Meyer reviewed the banker’s activities

with him. What did they find out? They discovered with him. What did they find out? They discovered

that the man spent 80 percent of his time doing busy that the man spent 80 percent of his time doing busy

work. work.

For example, he attended unnecessary meetings, made For example, he attended unnecessary meetings, made

redundant telephone calls, and spent time packing and redundant telephone calls, and spent time packing and

unpacking his two big briefcases.unpacking his two big briefcases.

22 Apparently, many people believe that Apparently, many people believe that the more

time a person spends at work, time a person spends at work, the more she or he she or he

accomplishes. However, the connection between time . However, the connection between time

and productivity is not always positive. In fact, many and productivity is not always positive. In fact, many

studies indicate that after a certain studies indicate that after a certain point, anyone’s , anyone’s

productivity and creativity begin to decrease. productivity and creativity begin to decrease.

Furthermore, it is not always easy for individuals to Furthermore, it is not always easy for individuals to

realize that their performance is realize that their performance is falling off..

33 Part of the problem is understandable. When employePart of the problem is understandable. When employe

rs evaluate employees, they often consider the amount rs evaluate employees, they often consider the amount

of time on the job of time on the job in addition to job performance. Employjob performance. Employ

ees know this. Consequently, they work longer hours and ees know this. Consequently, they work longer hours and

take less vacation time than they did nine years ago. Althtake less vacation time than they did nine years ago. Alth

ough many working people can do their job ough many working people can do their job effectively du du

ring a regular 40-hour work week, they feel they have to sring a regular 40-hour work week, they feel they have to s

pend more time on the job after normal working hours pend more time on the job after normal working hours

so that the people who can promote them see them.the people who can promote them see them.

4 4 A group of head-hunters (people who A group of head-hunters (people who search out execexec

utive personnel for companies) were asked their opinion autive personnel for companies) were asked their opinion a

bout a situation. They had a choice of two candidates for about a situation. They had a choice of two candidates for a

n executive position with an important company. The n executive position with an important company. The

candidates had comparable qualifications for the job. For candidates had comparable qualifications for the job. For

example, they were both reliable. One could do the job weexample, they were both reliable. One could do the job we

ll in a 40-hour work week. The other would do the samll in a 40-hour work week. The other would do the sam

e job in an 80-hour week just as well.e job in an 80-hour week just as well. According to a heaAccording to a hea

d-hunting expert, the 80-hour-a-week candidate would get d-hunting expert, the 80-hour-a-week candidate would get

the job. The time this candidate spends on the job may enthe job. The time this candidate spends on the job may en

courage other employees to spend more time at work, too.courage other employees to spend more time at work, too.

Employers believe that if the employees stay at work later, Employers believe that if the employees stay at work later,

they may actually do more work.they may actually do more work.

55 People do not work long hours only for more money. People do not work long hours only for more money.

In In such fields fields as advertising, show business, and advertising, show business, and

journalism, the glamour and publicity are worth more than journalism, the glamour and publicity are worth more than

any monetary any monetary benefit. On the other hand, many employees . On the other hand, many employees

are not willing to spend so much extra, unproductive time at are not willing to spend so much extra, unproductive time at

the office. Once they finish their work satisfactorily, they the office. Once they finish their work satisfactorily, they

want to relax and enjoy themselves. For these people, the want to relax and enjoy themselves. For these people, the

solution is to find a company that encourages people to do solution is to find a company that encourages people to do

both.both.

Working Hard or Hardly Working?Working Hard or Hardly Working?

e.g.e.g. He could He could hardlyhardly wait to hear the news. wait to hear the news.

There’s There’s hardlyhardly any coal left. any coal left.

hardhard ad.ad. with great effort with great effort

e.g. e.g.

LookLook hard hard at this picture.at this picture.

Think Think hardhard and work hard. and work hard.

hardlyhardly ad.ad. almost not almost not

Compare “employee” with “employer”. The suffix “-ee”, Compare “employee” with “employer”. The suffix “-ee”, when added to a verb, usually means a person who is when added to a verb, usually means a person who is being treated in a particular way or a person who is in a being treated in a particular way or a person who is in a particular state.particular state.

e.g. e.g.

the the payeepayee (= someone who is paid) (= someone who is paid)

a a traineetrainee, (= someone who is being trained), (= someone who is being trained)

an an absenteeabsentee (= someone who is absent) (= someone who is absent)

... than employees did in 1979.... than employees did in 1979.

— — Or are they really working harder today than Or are they really working harder today than ever before?ever before?

Or are they?Or are they?

Note “a management consultant” and “Bill Meyer” are Note “a management consultant” and “Bill Meyer” are in apposition.in apposition.

e.g. e.g.

The defendant, a woman of thirty, denied kicking the The defendant, a woman of thirty, denied kicking the policeman.policeman.

A management consultant, Bill Meyer, decided to find out.A management consultant, Bill Meyer, decided to find out.

find out:find out: to learn or discover (a fact that was hidden or not known)to learn or discover (a fact that was hidden or not known)

e.g. e.g.

I won’t tell you — you must I won’t tell you — you must findfind outout for for yourself !yourself !

Please Please findfind outout whether there is an express train whether there is an express train at 10:00.at 10:00.

e.g.e.g.

I can’t I can’t findfind my boots! my boots!

They They foundfound him somewhere to live. him somewhere to live.

cf.cf. find find v. v. to discover, esp. by searching; get (someone or to discover, esp. by searching; get (someone or something that was hidden or lost)something that was hidden or lost)

e.g. e.g.

Why not Why not writewrite downdown your ideas on a piece of your ideas on a piece of paper before you start your essay?paper before you start your essay?

I I wrotewrote downdown the address in the back of my diary. the address in the back of my diary.

Meyer wrote down everything the banker did during his long Meyer wrote down everything the banker did during his long workday — the banker worked 80 hours a week.workday — the banker worked 80 hours a week.

write down:write down: to record in writing (esp. what has been said)to record in writing (esp. what has been said)

At the end of the three-day period, Meyer reviewed the At the end of the three-day period, Meyer reviewed the banker’s activities with him.banker’s activities with him.

““... reviewed the banker’s activities” means ... reviewed the banker’s activities” means “considered/studied the banker’s activities “considered/studied the banker’s activities carefully in order to give an opinion on them”.carefully in order to give an opinion on them”.

e.g. e.g. The task was finished The task was finished at the end ofat the end of 1995. 1995.

cf.cf. at an end: at an end: finishedfinishede.g.e.g. The war was The war was at an endat an end.. He went on spending lavishly until his money was He went on spending lavishly until his money was at an at an endend..

in the end:in the end: at lastat laste.g. e.g. It will turn out all right It will turn out all right in the endin the end..

at the end of: at the end of: at the final point or the last part of at the final point or the last part of

They discovered that the man spent 80 percent of his time They discovered that the man spent 80 percent of his time doing busy workdoing busy work

Note the pattern “spend time doing something”.Note the pattern “spend time doing something”.

e.g.e.g.

I I spentspent many years building up my collection. many years building up my collection.

He’s He’s spentspent most of his life working for the same most of his life working for the same company.company.

discoverdiscover v.v. 1) to find (something existing but not known 1) to find (something existing but not known before, often a place or a scientific fact)before, often a place or a scientific fact)

e.g. e.g.

Columbus Columbus discovereddiscovered America in 1492. America in 1492.

I I discovereddiscovered a fly in my coffee. a fly in my coffee.

e.g. e.g.

We soon We soon discovereddiscovered the truth. the truth.

We We discovereddiscovered her to be a good cook. her to be a good cook.

Did you ever Did you ever discoverdiscover who sent you the who sent you the flowers?flowers?

discover discover v.v. 2) to find out (a fact, or the answer to a question)2) to find out (a fact, or the answer to a question)

— — It is plain/apparent/clear that many people It is plain/apparent/clear that many people believe that a person will surely do much more believe that a person will surely do much more work if he/she spends more time on his/her work.work if he/she spends more time on his/her work.

Apparently, many people believe that the more time a Apparently, many people believe that the more time a person spends at work, the more she or he accomplishes.person spends at work, the more she or he accomplishes.

e.g.

TheThe moremore he gives his children, thethe moremore they want.

TheThe moremore you practise, thethe betterbetter you can speak English.

TheThe moremore I see of him, thethe lessless I like him.

the more/less, etc. ..., the more/less, etc. ...: the more/less, etc. ..., the more/less, etc. ...: used to indicate that the increase/decrease in the amount or used to indicate that the increase/decrease in the amount or degree of one thing affects the increase/decrease in the amount degree of one thing affects the increase/decrease in the amount or degree of anotheror degree of another

e.g. e.g.

We tried to arrange a peace but We tried to arrange a peace but accomplished accomplished nothing.nothing.

cf.cf. finish finish v.v. to reach or bring to an end; reach the end of to reach or bring to an end; reach the end of (an activity)(an activity)

e.g.e.g.

What time does the concert What time does the concert finishfinish?? When do you When do you finishfinish your college course? your college course? I haven’t I haven’t finishedfinished reading that book yet. reading that book yet.

accomplish accomplish v.v. to succeed in doing; finish successfully; perform to succeed in doing; finish successfully; perform

— — In fact, many studies show that after a certain In fact, many studies show that after a certain period of time, everybody’s efficiency/working rate period of time, everybody’s efficiency/working rate and creativity begin to decrease.and creativity begin to decrease.

In fact, many studies indicate that after a certain point, In fact, many studies indicate that after a certain point, anyone’s productivity and creativity begin to decrease.anyone’s productivity and creativity begin to decrease.

e.g. e.g.

It was at that It was at that pointpoint that I saw him leave the building. that I saw him leave the building.

I’ve come to the I’ve come to the pointpoint where I can’t stand her arguing where I can’t stand her arguing any longer.any longer.

point point n.n. an exact moment; particular time or state an exact moment; particular time or state

— — In addition, it is not always easy for individuals In addition, it is not always easy for individuals to become aware of the fact that the quality of to become aware of the fact that the quality of theirtheirperformance is becoming worse.performance is becoming worse.

Furthermore, it is not always easy for individuals to Furthermore, it is not always easy for individuals to realize that their performance is falling off.realize that their performance is falling off.

e.g. e.g.

The quality of performance has The quality of performance has fallenfallen offoff since last year. since last year.

Business Business fellfell offoff after Christmas. after Christmas.

Membership of the club has Membership of the club has fallenfallen offoff this year. this year.

The daily number of passengers by this airline The daily number of passengers by this airline fallsfalls offoff..

fall off:fall off: to become worse or become less in quality, amount, etc.to become worse or become less in quality, amount, etc.

— — ... they consider not only job performance but also the ... they consider not only job performance but also the amount of time spent on the job.amount of time spent on the job.

in addition to:in addition to: as well asas well as

e.g. e.g. InIn additionaddition toto the apples you asked for, I bought you the apples you asked for, I bought you some oranges.some oranges.

InIn additionaddition toto English, he has to study a second foreign English, he has to study a second foreign language.language.

... they often consider the amount of time on the job in addition ... they often consider the amount of time on the job in addition to job performance.to job performance.

e.g. e.g. She works everything out She works everything out effectivelyeffectively..

cf.cf. effective effective having a noticeable or desired effect; producing having a noticeable or desired effect; producing the desired resultthe desired result

e.g. e.g. He made an He made an effectiveeffective speech. speech.

His efforts to improve the school have been very His efforts to improve the school have been very effectiveeffective..

cf.cf. efficientefficient working well and without wasteworking well and without waste

e.g. e.g. Our Our efficientefficient new machines are much cheaper to run. new machines are much cheaper to run.

effectivelyeffectively ad.ad. in an effective way in an effective way

— — ... for the purpose of being seen by their employers.... for the purpose of being seen by their employers.

so that:so that: in order that; with the aim that; with the result thatin order that; with the aim that; with the result that

e.g.e.g.

She worked hard She worked hard soso thatthat everything would be ready in everything would be ready in time.time.

Nothing more was heard from him Nothing more was heard from him soso thatthat we began to we began to wonder if he was dead.wonder if he was dead.

... so that the people who can promote them see them.... so that the people who can promote them see them.

— — A group of people who are responsible for looking A group of people who are responsible for looking for and discovering executive personnel for for and discovering executive personnel for companies were asked to give their opinion about a companies were asked to give their opinion about a situation.situation.

A group of head-hunters (people who search out executive A group of head-hunters (people who search out executive personnel for companies) were asked their opinion about a personnel for companies) were asked their opinion about a situation.situation.

search out:search out: to find (out) or uncover by searching to find (out) or uncover by searching

e.g. e.g.

The lawyer The lawyer searchedsearched outout the weaknesses in the the weaknesses in the witness’s statement.witness’s statement.

He He searchedsearched outout the book and handed it to me. the book and handed it to me.

— — The two candidates had similar qualifications for the The two candidates had similar qualifications for the job.job.

comparable comparable a.a. roughly similar (to something else) in roughly similar (to something else) in quality, quality, size, number, etc.size, number, etc.

The candidates had comparable qualifications for the job.The candidates had comparable qualifications for the job.

— — The other candidate would do the same job in 80 The other candidate would do the same job in 80 hours a week just as effectively as the first candidate.hours a week just as effectively as the first candidate.

The other would do the same job in an 80-hour week just as well.The other would do the same job in an 80-hour week just as well.

— — In the fields like advertising, ... the glamour and In the fields like advertising, ... the glamour and publicity are more important than money.publicity are more important than money.

such ... as:such ... as: used when giving an example of somethingused when giving an example of something

e.g. e.g.

It’s one of those gourmet shops that sells It’s one of those gourmet shops that sells suchsuch things things asas smoked salmon, coffee beans and expensive biscuits.smoked salmon, coffee beans and expensive biscuits.

In such fields as advertising, ... the glamour and publicity are In such fields as advertising, ... the glamour and publicity are worth more than any monetary benefit.worth more than any monetary benefit.

e.g.e.g.

He has had the He has had the benefitbenefit of first-class education. of first-class education.

I’ve done it for his I’ve done it for his benefitbenefit..

It’s of great It’s of great benefitbenefit to everyone. to everyone.

benefitbenefit n.n. advantage; profit; good effect advantage; profit; good effect

e.g.e.g.

He sold his house at a He sold his house at a profitprofit; he made a profit of ; he made a profit of $1000 on the sale.$1000 on the sale.

There’s very little There’s very little profitprofit in selling land at present. in selling land at present.

cf.cf. profit profit n.n. money gain; money gained by a business or a piece money gain; money gained by a business or a piece of businessof business

on the other hand:on the other hand: (used for comparing different things or (used for comparing different things or ideas) at an opposite pointideas) at an opposite point

e.g. e.g.

I know this job of mine doesn’t earn much, but I know this job of mine doesn’t earn much, but on the on the otherother hand I don’t feel tired down. hand I don’t feel tired down.

On the other hand, many employees are not willing to spend On the other hand, many employees are not willing to spend so much extra, unproductive time at the office.so much extra, unproductive time at the office.

once:once: from the moment thatfrom the moment that

e.g. e.g.

OnceOnce you show any fear, he will attack you. you show any fear, he will attack you.

OnceOnce printed, this dictionary will be very popular. printed, this dictionary will be very popular.

Once they finish their work satisfactorily, they want to relax Once they finish their work satisfactorily, they want to relax and enjoy themselves.and enjoy themselves.

Exercise 3 Decide whether the statements are True (T) or Exercise 3 Decide whether the statements are True (T) or False (F) according to the passage. False (F) according to the passage.

1. Many people believe that more time means more work.

2. Sometimes it may be difficult for individuals to realize that

their performance is decreasing.

3. In order to get the job, the two candidates first had their

qualifications for the job compared.

4. Besides money, there may be some other reasons why

people are working long hours.

5. People want to find a company where they can both work

hard and work well.

TT

TT

FF

TT

FF

Exercise 4 Read the passage again. Give the main idea of each Exercise 4 Read the passage again. Give the main idea of each paragraph by completing the sentences. paragraph by completing the sentences.

ParagraphParagraph Main IdeaMain Idea

Para. 1Para. 1

Para. 2Para. 2

Para. 3Para. 3

Americans ___________________________________,but _________________________________________.

Time and productivity ____________________________.

Employees ___________________________________,because employers _________________________________________________________________________.

work longer hours nowwork longer hours nowtake shorter vacations than they did in 1979take shorter vacations than they did in 1979

are not always connected positively.are not always connected positively.

have to spend more time on the jobhave to spend more time on the job often consider the amount of time often consider the amount of time on the job in addition to job performanceon the job in addition to job performance

Exercise 4 Read the passage again. Give the main idea of each Exercise 4 Read the passage again. Give the main idea of each paragraph by completing the sentences. paragraph by completing the sentences.

ParagraphParagraph Main IdeaMain Idea

Para. 4Para. 4

Para. 5Para. 5

If two people had equal qualifications, ___________________________________________________________.because __________________________________________________________________________________.

Many people work long hours ______________________,but others _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

the one who works the one who works longer hours is more likely to get the job than the otherlonger hours is more likely to get the job than the other the employers believe that if the employees stay the employers believe that if the employees stay at work later, they may actually do more work.at work later, they may actually do more work.

in order to get more moneyin order to get more money don’t like to spend so much extra, unproductivedon’t like to spend so much extra, unproductivetime at the office. What they want is that once they finish their time at the office. What they want is that once they finish their work satisfactorily, they want to relax and enjoy themselves.work satisfactorily, they want to relax and enjoy themselves.

Exercise 5 Translate the expressions into Chinese or English.Exercise 5 Translate the expressions into Chinese or English.

1. social survey ___________1. social survey ___________

____________ ____________ 市场调查 make a survey of the prices ___________make a survey of the prices ___________

________________________ ________________________ 对形势作调查

2. an expert carpenter _______________2. an expert carpenter _______________

an expert at mathematics ____________an expert at mathematics ____________

an expert in skin diseases ____________an expert in skin diseases ____________

an expert on international trade ____________an expert on international trade ____________

社会调查market surveymarket survey

做价格调查make a survey of the situationmake a survey of the situation

手艺高超的工匠数学专家皮肤病专家国际贸易专家

Exercise 5 Translate the expressions into Chinese or English.Exercise 5 Translate the expressions into Chinese or English.

3. extra pay _____________3. extra pay _____________

__________ __________ 额外的工作 an extra high price _____________an extra high price _____________

__________________ __________________ 特大尺码

4. a three-day period ______________4. a three-day period ______________

a 40-hour work week ______________a 40-hour work week ______________

__________________ __________________ 10分钟的休息 _____________________ _____________________ 24小时的服务 __________________ __________________ 3 000米赛跑 ___________________ ___________________ 五星级宾馆

额外的工资extra workextra work

特别高的价格extra large sizeextra large size

3天的时间40小时的工作周

a ten-minute breaka ten-minute break

twenty-four-hour servicetwenty-four-hour service

a 3000-metre racea 3000-metre race

a five-star hotela five-star hotel

Exercise 6 Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions Exercise 6 Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions given. Change the form if necessary.given. Change the form if necessary.

1. appear, apparent, apparently

a. He tried to ________ honest and reliable.

b. The results of your hard work will soon be ________.

c. ________, the government has made every possible

effort to solve the housing problem.

2. product, production, productive, productivity

a. We have introduced a number of such ________

lines.

b. This scheme is the ________ of our careful thought.

c. It is said that desert can be turned into ________ land.

d. We should concentrate our efforts on increasing the

__________ of labor.

appearappearapparentapparent

ApparentlApparentlyy

productionproduction

productproduct

productiveproductive

productivityproductivity

Exercise 6 Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions Exercise 6 Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions given. Change the form if necessary.given. Change the form if necessary.

3. effect, effective, effectively

a. The measure turned out to be very ________.

b. The ________ of some medicine are not immediate.

c. In order to deal ________ with air pollution, we will set

up a special committee.

4. satisfy, satisfaction, satisfactory

a. It was obvious that the royal family were not _______

with the present situation.

b. The management of the business is not ________ ––

it needs improving immediately.

c. I hope I will be able to do everything to your

________.

effectiveeffective

effecteffect

effectivelyeffectively

satisfiedsatisfied

satisfactorysatisfactory

satisfactionsatisfaction

Exercise 7 Fill in each blank with the proper form of Exercise 7 Fill in each blank with the proper form of the word given.the word given.

1. The failure of the scheme was due to bad __________

(manage).

2. One of the main __________ (attract) of the job is its

high salary.

3. He made a lot of money from an ________ (invest) in

government securities.

4. Developing countries are generally in need of technical

________ (person).

5. In ________ (add) to the required courses, there are

some courses to be freely chosen.

managementmanagement

attractionsattractions

investmentinvestment

personnelpersonnel

additionaddition

Exercise 7 Fill in each blank with the proper form of Exercise 7 Fill in each blank with the proper form of the word given.the word given.

6. Mr. Smith has been hunting for a ________ (rely) and

efficient assistant.

7. There is some ________ (connect) between cigarette

smoking and certain diseases.

8. In my opinion, perhaps economy is the ________

(solve)

to his monetary problems.

9. The number of his ________ (employ) has increased

three times recently.

10. The elderly gentleman worked for the same ________

(employ) all his life.

reliablereliable

connectionconnection

solutionsolution

employeesemployees

employeremployer

Exercise 8 Rewrite the sentences by using “the more ... the Exercise 8 Rewrite the sentences by using “the more ... the more ...”. Make any proper changes where necessary.more ...”. Make any proper changes where necessary.

MODEL: MODEL:

Work hard and you will make great progress.

The harder The harder you work, you work, the greater the greater progress you will progress you will make.make.

1. He tried hard but he seemed to make little progress.

2. We won’t feel happier unless we do more for the people.

3. If you have more friends, you will feel happier.

4. Whenever I see of him, I don’t like him.

5. It will be good if you can sell as many tickets as possible.

Exercise 8 Rewrite the sentences by using ‘the more ... the Exercise 8 Rewrite the sentences by using ‘the more ... the more ...”. Make any proper changes where necessary.more ...”. Make any proper changes where necessary.

The more tickets you can sell, the better.The more tickets you can sell, the better.

The harder he tried, the less progress he seemed to make.The harder he tried, the less progress he seemed to make.

The more we do for the people, the happier we will feel.The more we do for the people, the happier we will feel.

The more friends you have, the happier you will feel.The more friends you have, the happier you will feel.

The more I see of him, the more I dislike him. /The more I see of him, the more I dislike him. / The more I see of him, the less I like him.The more I see of him, the less I like him.

Exercise 9 Rewrite the sentences using “so ... that” or Exercise 9 Rewrite the sentences using “so ... that” or “ “such ... that”.such ... that”.

MODEL:MODEL:

The teacher speaks very clearly and everyone can The teacher speaks very clearly and everyone can understand her.understand her.

The teacher speaks The teacher speaks so so clearly clearly that that everyone can everyone can understand her.understand her.

Exercise 9 Rewrite the sentences using “so ... that” or Exercise 9 Rewrite the sentences using “so ... that” or “ “such ... that”.such ... that”.

1. The wind was very strong and it blew the roof off the house.

2. She got a shock and she dropped the bag.

3. Her writing was very small. I could hardly read it.

4. It proved to be a very difficult problem. Nobody could solve it.

5. We had a very good time. We didn’t want to go home.

We had such a good time that we didn’t want to go home.We had such a good time that we didn’t want to go home.

The wind was so strong that it blew the roof off the house.The wind was so strong that it blew the roof off the house.

She got such a shock that she dropped the bag.She got such a shock that she dropped the bag.

Her writing was so small that I could hardly read it.Her writing was so small that I could hardly read it.

It proved to be such a difficult problem that nobody could solve it.It proved to be such a difficult problem that nobody could solve it.