Unit 1 Section A Time -conscious Americans

1. New Horizon College English §Book 2 Unit 1 Section ATime-conscious Americans Background information Text analysis Summary of the passage Grammar & Language points Difficult sentences & translation Writing skills after-reading discussion

2. I. Background Information • Introduction of time-measurements in history 1. Farmers told time by looking at the sun. 2. During 1500-1300 BC, Sundial first used in Egypt to measure the time of day by the sun's shadow. 3. In400 BC, Greeks used a water clock, which measured the outflow of water from a vessel, to measure time. A sundial

3. I. Background Information Introduction of time-measurements in history 4. In 1088Mechanized astronomical clock making developed from 200 to 1300. One of the most elaborate clock towers was built by Su Sung and his associates inChina.

4. I. Background Information Introduction of time-measurements in history 5.In 980, Alfred the Great (a Saxon king) used burning candles to measure time. 6. In 1000, (Sung dynasty), candle and incense burning was used to mark time in China. 7. In 1400s,mechanical clocks were built in Europe, using a mainspring & balance wheels. 8. In 1657, Christiaan Huygens(克里斯蒂安·惠更斯 ) invented the 1stpendulum clock(摆钟), capable of far greater accuracy than any preceding timekeepers. 9. In 1759, John Harrison built a clock, that loses only 5 seconds on a voyage from England to Jamaica. Navigators cheered, and Harrison got rich.

5. I. Background Information Introduction of time-measurements in history 10.In 1850s, Regional time zone was established in New England to coordinate railroad schedules, halting confusion due to using local (sun) time at every station. 11. In 1884, Twenty-five countries accept Greenwich, England, as the prime meridian (子午线, or:0 degrees longitude). The prime meridian gradually becomes the basis for time throughout the world.

6. I. Background Information Introduction of time-measurements in history 12. In1928, W.A. Marrison of Bell Laboratories built the first quartz clock, accurate to within 1-2 thousandths of a second per day. Quartz technology is later adapted for use in wrist watches

7. I. Background Information Introduction of time-measurements in history 13.In 1945, Physicist Isador Rabi suggests making a clock based on the study of atoms, using a method called atomic-beam magnetic resonance. 14.In 1949, National Bureau of Standards builds the first atomic clock, using ammonia. • Cultural phenomenon, indication of civilization.

8. I. Background Information Proverbs concerning time: • Time is money. • Time and tide wait for no man. • Time passes swiftly and never returns. • All time is no time when it is past. • Time lost is never regained. • The waste of time should amount to the loss of life. • Once the sands have run out of a person’s hourglass, they cannot be replaced. • An inch of time cannot be bought by an inch of gold. • He who gains time gains all things.

9. II. Text Analysis • What is the main idea of the text? Americans value and save time carefully. In their eyes, time is regarded as precious resource. A person who tends to waste his own or somebody else’s time is never accepted in American culture. Consequently, Americans try every means to save time in their daily life, business and work so as to make every minute count. Besides, to solve a problem or fulfill a job with speed in America is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent.

10. II. Text Analysis: Structure By making contrast between Americans’ viewpoint on time and that of those from other cultures, the author emphasizes the main idea : In American culture, it is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent to solve a problem or fulfill a job with speed. The author comes straight to the point: Americans’ attitudes towards time: Americans value time and save time carefully. Time is regarded as precious resources. Americans try every means to save time. This is illustrated by the foreigner’s first impression of the U.S.. They save time in their daily life, business and work as well. They also create a series of devices to improve efficiency. General idea of the whole passage(Para 1-2) Illustrations of the general idea (Para 3-7) Restatement and emphasis of the general idea(Para 8)

11. III. Summary of the passage Americans believe so much in moving ahead that they are ____________researching, experimenting and exploring. They treat time as if it _____ real — a precious resource. They budget it, save it, waste it, steal it, kill it, cut it, account for it and _______ for it. A foreigner’s first impression ___ the U.S. is that everyone is in a rush and often _____ pressure. City people always appear to be ________ to get where they are going, restlessly seeking attention or elbowing ______. Foreigners who miss smiles, brief conversations, or leisurely exchanges with strangers should not feel _____ by this. committed to were charge of under hurrying others hurt 下一页

12. III. Summary of the passage highly Americans value time so _______, they dislike anyone “wasting” it beyond an ___________ amount. New arrivals to the States will miss the custom of social talk _______ a business call because Americans generally ______ or enquire about their visitors professionally rather than socially. They start talking business very quickly; time is always _______ in their heads. They work _____ at saving time through labor-saving devices so they communicate rapidly by fax, phone or email rather than ________ personal contact. The _____________ of electronic appropriate during assess ticking hard through impersonality 上一页 下一页

13. III. Summary of the passage communication has_____ to do with the significance of the matter _____ hand. __________ a job or solving a problem rapidly in the U.S. is considered a sign of ____________. little at Finishing skillfulness 上一页

14. IV. Grammar & Language Points • stand still • result in • Participial Absolute Structure • nothing but • account for • much less • given • save for • at hand • in person • be worthy of

15. IV. Grammar & Language Points no one stands still…. (Para 1, L1) Here “stand” is used as a linking verb, and followed by adjectives or adjective-like phrases. • American believe no one stand still. 美国人认为没有人会停止不前。 • The room stands idle. 这房间正空闲置着(没人住)。 • They stand opposed to the new law.=be against • Stand firm! Don’t let them tell you what to do. 立场坚定点!别让他们对你指手划脚。

16. IV. Grammar & Language Points result in: cause, have … as a result (L2) • The accident resulted in the death of two and the injury of several others. 这次事故造成两人死亡，若干人受伤。 • Acting before thinking always results in failing. 　做事不先考虑总会导致失败。 result from: be caused by • His death resulted from an overdose of drugs. 　他是因过量服药造成死亡的。　 • Any damage resulting from negligence must be paid by the borrower. 　由于粗心大意造成的任何损坏须由借用者赔偿。

17. IV. Grammar & Language Points Markers of Cause and Effect:

18. IV. Grammar & Language Points Participial Absolute Structure: n. / pron.+ v-ing; n.+v-ed (L3) ***此外，有的分词短语在句中没有逻辑主语，它们实际上已经变成习惯用语。常见的有：judging from…, generally speaking, talking of …, assuming…, etc. • Generally speaking, your pronunciation is better than your spelling. ***当n. /pron. 与动词在逻辑上呈主谓关系时应用 –ing; 当n./ pron. 与动词在逻辑上呈动宾关系时应用-ed. • Time is one of the two elements …, the other being labor. (Para 1, L3) 时间是美国人注意节约的两样东西之一，另一样是劳力。 • We went to the classroom, he remaining behind. • Water changed into a solid, we call it ice. ***分词的独立主格结构有时也可以由with/ without引出。 • I could hardly did it well with the others watching us. 在众目睽睽下我难以做好这件事情。 • 总的来说，你的发音好过你的拼写。 • Judging from what you say, she has done her best. • 从你所说的来判断，她已经尽力了。 • Assuming that everyone has read the drafted plan, let’s put it to the vote. • 假如大家都看过草拟计划的话，我们就投票表决吧。

19. IV. Grammar & Language Points nothing but: only (L5) • We are slaves tonothing but the clock. 只有时间才能支配我们。 • The report contains nothing but lies. 这篇报导尽是谎言。 • She's nothing but skin and bones! 她瘦得只剩下皮包骨了。 • He’s nothing but a criminal. 他只不过是个罪犯。

20. IV. Grammar & Language Points account for: give an explanation about (L6) • The man charged with the crime couldn’t account for where he was and what he did at the time the murder occurred. 被告无法解释谋杀发生时他在哪里，在干什么。 • As an accountant, he must account for how every penny is spent in the company. 作为会计，他必须解释清楚公司的每个便士是怎么花的。

21. IV. Grammar & Language Points much less: and even less likely (L28) • The old man can hardly walk, much less run. 这位老人几乎不能走，更不用说跑了。 • They are always short of water to drink, much less to bathe in. 他们连喝的水也总是不够，更别提洗澡了。 • She wouldn’t take a drink, still less/ much less stay for dinner. 她连水也不肯喝一口，更别说留下来吃饭了。 ***See Ex VII on P10

22. IV. Grammar & Language Points given: prep. taking into account (L35) • Giventheir inexperience, they’ve done a good job. Or: Given that they are inexperienced, they’ve done a good job. 考虑到他们缺乏经验，他们算做得不错了。 ***given + a noun phrase ***given that + a clause. • Given her interest in children, teaching should be the right career for her. 看她对孩子的兴趣，教书应是适合她的职业。

23. IV. Grammar & Language Points save for: keep sth for future use (L35) • Save your strengthfor hard work you’ll have to do later. 养精蓄锐以应付你不得不做的繁重工作。 • Can you save your story for later? 你能不能把你的故事留着以后告诉我？ • I’m trying to save as much of my income as I can for my old age. 我尽可能把收入留着以备养老。

24. IV. Grammar & Language Points at hand: 1) under discussion /being considered 2) near in time and place (L35) • Her question isn’t related to the matter at hand. 　 她提的问题与正在考虑的事情无关。 • The final exams are at hand now. 　期末考试即将到来。 • Having the right equipment at hand will be very helpful. 手头有合适的设备可用将非常有帮助。 ***at hand/ near at hand/ close at hand: 临近/在即/在手头/边

25. IV. Grammar & Language Points in person: physically present; by oneself (L40) • I can’t attend the meeting in person, but I’m sending someone to speak for me. 　我不能亲自出席会议，但我会派人代表我发言。 • You can contact him either by letter or in person. 　你可以通过写信 或者亲自前往与他取得联系。

26. IV. Grammar & Language Points be worthy of: deserve值得的，配得上的 (L50) • I’ve bought five pence worth of fish for supper. In other words, the fish I bought for supper is worth of 5 pence. • He is worthy of our praise. 他值得我们表扬。 • You know, I’m not really worthy of her. 你知道，我的确配不上她。 ***be worthy 后还可接不定式： • She is not worthy to talk to a man like you. 她不配和像你这样的男人说话。 Compare: be worth of (doing) sth • 　我买了五便士的鱼晚餐吃。换句话说，我买来晚餐吃的鱼价值5便士。 • This book is very interesting. It’s really worth reading. • 　这本书很有趣，真值得一读。 • The rarer it is, the more it is worth. • 　物以稀为贵。

27. V. Difficult sentences & translation • This attitudes results in a nation of people committed to researching, experimenting and exploring. (L1-2) = As a result of this attitude, Americans tend to devote their time and energy to researching, experimenting and exploring. 译：这种态度招摇过市造就了一个决心投身于研究、实验和探索的民族。 commit …to: devote … to • The government decided to commit more money to improving the National Health Service. 投入更多的资金来改善…

28. V. Difficult sentences & translation Once the sands have run out of a person’s hourglass, they cannot be replaced.(L8-9) =The whole sentence is a metaphor, which means: Once time has passed, it will not return. 译：一旦人生的光阴逝去，就不能复返了。 hourglass: a glass container holding find sand for measuring time, which is narrow in the middle like a figure 8 so that the sand inside can run slowly down from the top half to the bottom taking exactly one hour.

29. V. Difficult sentences & translation City people…restlessly seeking attention in a store, or elbowing others… (L11-13) =City people …impatiently trying to get service in a store, or pushing others out of the way by using their elbows as they try to complete their shopping. 译：城里人… 在商店里焦躁不安地指望店员能马上来为他们服务，或者为了想赶快遅完东西，用肘来推搡他人。 attend: serve, wait on • Are you being attended? =Is there anybody offering service to you?

30. V. Difficult sentences & translation They will miss the ritual interaction that goes with a welcoming cup of tea or coffee that may be a convention in their own country.(L23-25) =They will miss the usual exchanges (with sb who invite you) that go with a welcoming cup of tea/coffee. These usual exchanges may be a common and regular practice on similar occasions in their own country. 译：他们也会怀念那种喝着茶或咖啡招待客人的礼节性交往，这也许是他们自己国家的一种习俗。 go with: exist or take place at the same time伴随 • poor health often goes with poverty. 健康欠佳与贫穷常常如影相随。

31. V. Difficult sentences & translation Since we generally assess & probe professionally rather than socially, we start talking business very quickly. (L29-30) =Since we, in most cases, evaluate our visitors and ask them questions from a professional point of view instead of a social one, we start talking business very quickly (and there is no need in our eyes to spend time on small talk and the like) 译：既然我们通常是通过工作而不是社交来评估和了解他人的，我们就开门见山地谈正事。

32. V. Difficult sentences & translation To us the impersonality of electronic communication has little or no relation to the significance of the matter at hand. In some countries no major business is conducted without eye contact, requiring face-to-face conversation. (L37-39) =When we communicate through electronic means, which may seem not involving human feelings, it does not mean that we regard the matter under discussion unimportant. 译：就我们而言，电子交流的缺乏人情味与我们手头上事情的重要性之间很少有或者完全没有关系。而在有些国家里，没有当面接触就做不成大生意,需要面对面的交谈。 被动语态的翻译： • 英译汉时多数被动句都可译为主动句 • 或：将主语还原成宾语(见上句)

33. V. Difficult sentences & translation Unless a certain amount of time is allowed to elapse, it seems in their eyes as if the task being considered were insignificant, not worthy of proper respect.(L49-50) =If a certain amount of time is not allowed to pass, it will give the impression, in their opinion, that the task being considered is not important or not properly respected. 译：在他们看来，一件事情好像无足轻重，不值得给予应有的重视似的，除非花一定的时间来处理这件事情。 被动语态的翻译： • 英译汉时多数被动句都可译为主动句 • 或：将主谓结构还原成动宾结构(见上句) One more example: • Assignments are, consequently, felt to be given added weight by the passage of time. (L50-51) =As a result, people don’t think a certain task/job gains additional importance if people don’t spend a long time dealing with it. 译：人们觉得用的时间长会增加所做事情的重要性。 (将主谓结构还原成动宾结构)

34. V. Difficult sentences In the U.S., however, it is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent to solve a problem , or fulfill a job successfully, with speed.(L51-53) =In the U.S., however, if you can solve a problem or do a job quickly, you will be considered as a person with skill or ability. 译：然而在美国，能迅速又成功地解决问题或完成工作被视为是有水平、有能力的标志。 被动语态的翻译： • 英译汉时多数被动句都可译为主动句 • 或：将主谓结构还原成动宾结构 • 亦或：直接翻译成被动句(见上句)

35. VI. Writing ---paragraph structure analysis Paragraph development by deduction(Para. 3) General statement: Everyone is in a rush. In what ways is everyone in a rush? Specific details of how everyone is in a rush. 1. City people always … 2. Others … 3. Drivers will be abrupt and people will push past you. 4. People have no time for small exchanges with … Why is it that everyone is in a rush? The reason: People value time highly, and resent sb else “wasting” it beyond a certain appropriate point.

36. VI. Writing --- paragraph writing pattern General statement supported by specific details and reasons How to prove your general statement？ General statement Specific details to support the general statement What cause what you state in the GS？ The reason for the statement

37. VI. Writing --- sample writing General statement supported by specific details and reasons. Your task Write a paragraph with the following sentence as your general statement: Mike is very popular in his class. Your specific details to support your statement The reason why Mike is popular.

38. VI. Writing --- sample writing Mike is very popular in his class Mike is very popular in his class. On the hand, he is very kindhearted and friendly to all his classmates. When others are in trouble, he is always ready to offer his hands. On the other hand, he is one of the top students in his class and gets A’s in most tests. Many of his classmates often ask him to help them with their lessons. What’s more, he is good at sports, especially ball games. After class, he plays ball games with his friends. Most important of all, he has a sense of humor. Laughter can be heard wherever he appears. People all like him simply because he is excellent in many ways.

39. VII. After-reading discussion • Topics for after-reading discussion: Tips: Americans believe … Americans have an acute sense of … Americans are always … Americans treat time as It’s taken as a sign of … to … quickly, rush, hurry to, restlessly, race through, under pressure, anxious, … • Work in pairs and make a dialogue on the topic “How do Americans treat time?”. Use as many words & phrases learnt in Section A as possible. • American’s idea on time is quite different from that of the Chinese. Discuss with your group members, then make a report on the differences between the two ideas. Tips: Americans … while Chinese … Americans are always … while Chinese … Americans treat time as … while Chinese regards time as …