Vocabulary Idioms & Phrases Reading~ Paragraphs 4-6 Post-reading

Listen to paragraphs 4-6. Skip

Now, answer the following questions.

( ) An easy assignment turns out to be a rather hard task because the speaker ______. (A) watches TV programs meant for children (B) spends too much time in calling his friends (C) spends lots of time thinking up weak excuses (D) always puts it off, instead of doing it when it is assigned D

( ) According to the reading, the speaker may get rid of procrastination by ______. (A) being one step behind in life (B) being organized and prompt (C) doing tomorrow’s homework (D) getting satisfaction from his task B

Reading

Procrastination also causes me to waste time when I finally get down to the task I’ve been avoiding.

The simplest task takes on extreme proportions in my mind because of the panic I feel for having put it off for so long. proportions ： the (extreme large) size or scale (of something) 幅度 an ecological tragedy of enormous proportions a fall in silk prices of catastrophic proportions It may reduce the task to more manageable proportions. Next

The simplest task takes on extreme proportions in my mind because of the panic I feel for having put it off for so long. The simplest task takes on extreme proportions in my mind because of the panic I feel for having put it off for so long. → I panic because I have avoided an assignment for such a long time, and the feeling of fear and nervousness turns the easiest assignment into a big task on my mind.

I become an irrational, unclear thinker when I am rushed, and this causes me to be much slower at any task. I become an irrational, unclear thinker when I am rushed, and this causes me to be much slower at any task. → When I rush/hurry into doing the assignment, I cannot think sensibly or clearly, which makes me much slower in doing any task.

However, the clock ticks on; it does not stop for procrastinators like me. the clock ticks on → time flies

Furthermore, being one step behind in life leaves me trying to catch up on what should have already been done. 不完全及物動詞 + O + O.C. should have + V-en 過去應該做 卻未做之事 Next

Furthermore, being one step behind in life leaves me trying to catch up on what should have already been done. Furthermore, being one step behind in life leaves me trying to catch up on what should have already been done. → In addition, because I am a procrastinator, I find myself always trying to do things that I should have already done.

While most other students diligently do tomorrow’s homework, I diligently do homework from the night before, or even last week. While most other students diligently do tomorrow’s homework, I diligently do homework from the night before, or even last week. → When most other students do homework that is due to hand in tomorrow, I work hard to do homework that is supposed to be finished last night, or even the week before.

Because I can never seem to do a task when it is assigned, I never get the satisfaction that comes with getting things done on time, with being on top of everything. get + O + OC (V-en) 的句型中， get 可用較正式的 have 替代。 I will get/have the work done in a week. I got/had my watch repaired. I got/had my room cleaned. Next

Because I can never seem to do a task when it is assigned, I never get the satisfaction that comes with getting things done on time, with being on top of everything. 原句＝ → Because it seems that I can never do an assignment when it is given, I never gain/feel the satisfaction from getting things done on time, or from being in control of everything.

Rather, I always end up feeling as if I am at the bottom of a pit, trying to climb out— one late assignment at a time. end up: finish up 最後變成，以 … 告終 The careless maid ended up locked in the attic. The thief ended up in jail. The boy may end up dead if he keeps using drugs. He worked hard and ended up (as) manager of the department. Next

Rather, I always end up feeling as if I am at the bottom of a pit, trying to climb out— one late assignment at a time. as if + 直說語氣 He talks as if he is a millionaire. ( 可能真的是百萬富翁 ) as if + 假設語氣 He talks as if he were a millionaire. ( 實際上確實不是百萬富翁 ) Next

Rather, I always end up feeling as if I am at the bottom of a pit, trying to climb out— one late assignment at a time. one late assignment at a time 乃表「頻率」的副詞片語. I will answer your questions one at a time. You may cross the bridge one person at a time. Next

Rather, I always end up feeling as if I am at the bottom of a pit, trying to climb out— one late assignment at a time. Rather, I always end up feeling as if I am at the bottom of a pit, trying to climb outone late assignment at a time. → More truly, whenever I do an assignment that should have already been done, I always finish up feeling as though I am at the bottom of a very large hole and try to climb out.

However, since I am always behind, catching up on my work is like trying to walk up the down escalator—very difficult and nearly impossible. the down escalator ： the moving staircase which takes people down to a lower level Next

However, since I am always behind, catching up on my work is like trying to walk up the down escalator—very difficult and nearly impossible. 原句＝ → Nevertheless, because I am always one step behind in life, it is very hard and almost impossible for me to do all the things that should have already been done, which is like trying to walk up the down escalator.

Because of procrastination, I am never free to live in the present; instead, I always find myself trapped by unfinished business from the past. sb be free to do sth 某人可隨己意做某事 You are free to go or stay. The children are free to decide which activity they would like to do. 不完全及物動詞 + O + O.C. Next

Because of procrastination, I am never free to live in the present; instead, I always find myself trapped by unfinished business from the past. Because of procrastination, I am never free to live in the present; instead, I always find myself trapped by unfinished business from the past. → Owing to/Due to my putting things off, I always find myself doing late assignments, instead of living in the present as I want to.

Thus, procrastination continues to rob me of time. sth/sb + rob + sb + of sth His passion for her had robbed/deprived him of his judgment. The young man robbed the old woman of her gold necklace.

My life is continually interrupted by spurts of anxiety and desperation as one due date or another flies by. another 使用的時機是： when you cannot be specific about what kind of things or people you mean 。 All the kids in this class have learned difficulties of one sort or another. All of these industries have one time or another been linked to cancer.

I have yet to grasp the concepts of organization and promptness. have yet to V ： have never done something 尤其是用於敘述「不合常理」或 「負面」的事情。 He has yet to pass any of the entrance exams. The actor has been nominated three times for Oscar but has yet to win. She has yet to spend a Christmas with her husband. Next

I have yet to grasp the concepts of organization and promptness. I have yet to grasp the concepts of organization and promptness. → I have never completely understood the idea of being organized and prompt.

I hope that I will grasp them soon; otherwise, I will be doomed to a life in the procrastinator’s prison that I have built for myself. 原句＝ → I hope that I will completely understand the idea of being organized and prompt in a short time. If not, I will be destined for a life”in prison” that I have built for myself. Back

Reading for the Main Idea □ 1. It is common for people to put off things. □ 2. A procrastinator may feel anxious and depressed. □ 3. Procrastination wastes time and leads to anxiety, so people should try to avoid it. □ 4. If people cannot be prompt and well-organized, they may be put in jail.

Discussion 1: Are you a procrastinator? Have you ever put your assignment off? If so, how did you feel when the due date drew near, and what finally happened to you?

Reference answer: Yes, I have. Once, I put off doing an assignment until the deadline was near. The night before, I felt anxious and nervous because time was running out. I was afraid that my teacher would blame me and that I might get a poor grade.

Reference answer: What’s worse, worry made me impatient. That night, I even yelled at my mother when she suggested I go to bed early. In the end, I upset all the people around me.

Discussion 2: What other bad habit do you have? Talk about how it influences your daily life.

Reference answer: Being late for school is another bad habit that I have. Every morning, I oversleep, and my mom has to wake me up.

Reference answer: She always says to me, “If you could stop being such a lazy boy and get out of bed right away, you might become a good student and probably a great man in the future.” I don’t want to let her down, so all I say is “Sure, you just wait and see.”

Reference answer: The same dialogue is repeated almost every day. Every morning, because of my getting up late, I cannot enjoy my breakfast at home. I often take a sandwich to school and eat it after the first class.

Reference answer: Every time, when I enter the classroom late, my teacher stares at me, and some of the classmates laugh at me, which makes me feel very embarrassed. Back