1. 1. Nowadays Americans are working harder than ever before. 2. The more time we spend at work, the more we can achieve. Unit 6 Unit 6 Exercise 1 Answer the questions before reading the passage.

2. Text A Working Hard or Hardly Working? Text A Working Hard or Hardly Working? Working Hard or Hardly Working Hard or Hardly Working 1 According to a recent survey, employees in many companies today work longer hours than employees did in 1979. They also take shorter vacations. It seems that Americans are working harder today than ever before. Or are they? A management consultant, Bill Meyer, decided to find out. For three days, he observed an investment banker hard at work. Meyer wrote down everything the banker did during his long workday — the banker worked 80 hours a week. At the end of the three-day period, Meyer reviewed the banker’s activities with him. What did they find out? They discovered that the man spent 80 percent of his time doing busy work. Or are they? A management consultant, Bill Meyer, decided to find out. For three days, he observed an investment banker hard at work. Meyer wrote down everything the banker did during his long workday — the banker worked 80 hours a week. At the end of the three-day period, Meyer reviewed the banker’s activities with him. What did they find out? They discovered that the man spent 80 percent of his time doing busy work.find outwrote downfind outwrote down

3. For example, he attended unnecessary meetings, made redundant telephone calls, and spent time packing and unpacking his two big briefcases. 2 Apparently, many people believe that the more the morethe more time a person spends at work, the more she or he the more the more accomplishesaccomplishes. However, the connection between time accomplishes and productivity is not always positive. In fact, many studies indicate that after a certain point, anyone’s point 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 falling off. falling offfalling off

4. 3 Part of the problem is understandable. When employers evaluate employees, they often consider the amount of time on the job in addition to job performance. Employees know this. Consequently, they work longer hours and take less vacation time than they did nine years ago. Although many working people can do their job effectively during a regular 40-hour work week, they feel they have to spend more time on the job after normal working hours so that the people who can promote them see them. in addition to effectivelyso that in addition to effectivelyso that

5. 4 A group of head-hunters (people who search out executive personnel for companies) were asked their opinion about a situation. They had a choice of two candidates for an executive position with an important company. The candidates had comparable qualifications for the job. For example, they were both reliable. One could do the job well in a 40-hour work week. The other would do the same job in an 80-hour week just as well. According to a head-hunting expert, the 80-hour-a-week candidate would get the job. The time this candidate spends on the job may encourage other employees to spend more time at work, too. search outsearch out

6. Employers believe that if the employees stay at work later, they may actually do more work. 5 People do not work long hours only for more money. In such fields as advertising, show business, and journalism, the glamour and publicity are worth more than any monetary benefit. On the other hand, many employees are not willing to spend so much extra, unproductive time at the office. Once they finish their work satisfactorily, they want to relax and enjoy themselves. For these people, the solution is to find a company that encourages people to do both. In such fields as advertising, show business, and journalism, the glamour and publicity are worth more than any monetary benefit. On the other hand, many employees are not willing to spend so much extra, unproductive time at the office. Once they finish their work satisfactorily, they want to relax and enjoy themselves. For these people, the solution is to find a company that encourages people to do both.suchasbenefitsuchasbenefit

7. Working Hard or Hardly Working? e.g. He could hardly wait to hear the news. He could hardly wait to hear the news. There’s hardly any coal left. There’s hardly any coal left. hard ad. with great effort e.g. Look hard at this picture. Look hard at this picture. Think hard and work hard. Think hard and work hard. hardly ad. almost not

8. Compare “employee” with “employer”. The suffix “-ee”, when added to a verb, usually means a person who is being treated in a particular way or a person who is in a particular state. e.g. the payee (= someone who is paid) the payee (= someone who is paid) a trainee, (= someone who is being trained) a trainee, (= someone who is being trained) an absentee (= someone who is absent) an absentee (= someone who is absent)... than employees did in 1979.

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

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

11. find out: to learn or discover (a fact that was hidden or not known) e.g. I won’t tell you — you must find out for yourself ! I won’t tell you — you must find out for yourself ! Please find out whether there is an express train Please find out whether there is an express train at 10:00. at 10:00.

12. e.g. I can’t find my boots! I can’t find my boots! They found him somewhere to live. They found him somewhere to live. cf. find v. to discover, esp. by searching; get (someone or something that was hidden or lost) something that was hidden or lost)

13. e.g. Why not write down your ideas on a piece of Why not write down your ideas on a piece of paper before you start your essay? paper before you start your essay? I wrote down the address in the back of my diary. I wrote down the address in the back of my diary. Meyer wrote down everything the banker did during his long workday — the banker worked 80 hours a week. write down: to record in writing (esp. what has been said)

14. At the end of the three-day period, Meyer reviewed the banker’s activities with him. “... reviewed the banker’s activities” means “considered/studied the banker’s activities carefully in order to give an opinion on them”.

15. e.g. The task was finished at the end of 1995. The task was finished at the end of 1995. cf. at an end: finished e.g. The war was at an end. The war was at an end. He went on spending lavishly until his money was at an end. He went on spending lavishly until his money was at an end. in the end: at last in the end: at laste.g. It will turn out all right in the end. It will turn out all right in the end. at the end of: at the final point or the last part of

16. They discovered that the man spent 80 percent of his time doing busy work Note the pattern “spend time doing something”. e.g. I spent many years building up my collection. I spent many years building up my collection. He’s spent most of his life working for the same He’s spent most of his life working for the same company. company.

17. discover v. 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. Columbus discovered America in 1492. Columbus discovered America in 1492. I discovered a fly in my coffee. I discovered a fly in my coffee.

18. e.g. We soon discovered the truth. We soon discovered the truth. We discovered her to be a good cook. We discovered her to be a good cook. Did you ever discover who sent you the flowers? Did you ever discover who sent you the flowers? discover v. 2) to find out (a fact, or the answer to a question)

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

20. e.g. Themorethemore The more he gives his children, the more they want. Themorethebetter The more you practise, the better you can speak English. Themoretheless The more I see of him, the less I like him. the more/less, etc...., the more/less, etc....: used to indicate that the increase/decrease in the amount or degree of one thing affects the increase/decrease in the amount or degree of another

21. e.g. We tried to arrange a peace but accomplished nothing. We tried to arrange a peace but accomplished nothing. cf. finish v. to reach or bring to an end; reach the end of (an activity) (an activity)e.g. What time does the concert finish? What time does the concert finish? When do you finish your college course? When do you finish your college course? I haven’t finished reading that book yet. I haven’t finished reading that book yet. accomplish v. to succeed in doing; finish successfully; perform

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

23. e.g. It was at that point that I saw him leave the building. It was at that point that I saw him leave the building. I’ve come to the point where I can’t stand her arguing I’ve come to the point where I can’t stand her arguing any longer. any longer. point n. an exact moment; particular time or state

24. — In addition, it is not always easy for individuals to become aware of the fact that the quality of their performance is becoming worse. Furthermore, it is not always easy for individuals to realize that their performance is falling off.

25. e.g. The quality of performance has fallen off since last year. The quality of performance has fallen off since last year. Business fell off after Christmas. Business fell off after Christmas. Membership of the club has fallen off this year. Membership of the club has fallen off this year. The daily number of passengers by this airline falls off. The daily number of passengers by this airline falls off. fall off: to become worse or become less in quality, amount, etc.

26. —... they consider not only job performance but also the amount of time spent on the job. in addition to: as well as e.g. In addition to the apples you asked for, I bought you In addition to the apples you asked for, I bought you some oranges. some oranges. In addition to English, he has to study a second foreign In addition to English, he has to study a second foreign language. language.... they often consider the amount of time on the job in addition to job performance.

27. e.g. She works everything out effectively. She works everything out effectively. cf. effective having a noticeable or desired effect; producing the desired result the desired resulte.g. He made an effective speech. He made an effective speech. His efforts to improve the school have been very effective. His efforts to improve the school have been very effective. cf. efficient working well and without waste e.g. Our efficient new machines are much cheaper to run. Our efficient new machines are much cheaper to run. effectively ad. in an effective way

28. —... for the purpose of being seen by their employers. so that: in order that; with the aim that; with the result that e.g. She worked hard so that everything would be ready in time. She worked hard so that everything would be ready in time. Nothing more was heard from him so that we began to Nothing more was heard from him so that we began to wonder if he was dead. wonder if he was dead.... so that the people who can promote them see them.

29. — A group of people who are responsible for looking for and discovering executive personnel for companies were asked to give their opinion about a situation. A group of head-hunters (people who search out executive personnel for companies) were asked their opinion about a situation.

30. search out: to find (out) or uncover by searching e.g. The lawyer searched out the weaknesses in the The lawyer searched out the weaknesses in the witness’s statement. witness’s statement. He searched out the book and handed it to me. He searched out the book and handed it to me.

31. — The two candidates had similar qualifications for the job. comparable a. roughly similar (to something else) in quality, size, number, etc. size, number, etc. The candidates had comparable qualifications for the job.

32. — The other candidate would do the same job in 80 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.

33. — In the fields like advertising,... the glamour and publicity are more important than money. such... as: used when giving an example of something e.g. It’s one of those gourmet shops that sells such things as smoked salmon, coffee beans and expensive biscuits. In such fields as advertising,... the glamour and publicity are worth more than any monetary benefit.

34. e.g. He has had the benefit of first-class education. He has had the benefit of first-class education. I’ve done it for his benefit. I’ve done it for his benefit. It’s of great benefit to everyone. It’s of great benefit to everyone. benefit n. advantage; profit; good effect

35. e.g. He sold his house at a profit; he made a profit of He sold his house at a profit; he made a profit of $1000 on the sale. $1000 on the sale. There’s very little profit in selling land at present. There’s very little profit in selling land at present. cf. profit n. money gain; money gained by a business or a piece of business of business

36. on the other hand: (used for comparing different things or ideas) at an opposite point ideas) at an opposite pointe.g. I know this job of mine doesn’t earn much, but on the I know this job of mine doesn’t earn much, but on the other hand I don’t feel tired down. other hand I don’t feel tired down. On the other hand, many employees are not willing to spend so much extra, unproductive time at the office.

37. once: from the moment that e.g. Once you show any fear, he will attack you. Once you show any fear, he will attack you. Once printed, this dictionary will be very popular. Once printed, this dictionary will be very popular. Once they finish their work satisfactorily, they want to relax and enjoy themselves.

38. Exercise 3 Decide whether the statements are True (T) or 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. T T F T F

39. Exercise 4 Read the passage again. Give the main idea of each paragraph by completing the sentences. Paragraph Main Idea Para. 1 Para. 2 Para. 3 Americans ___________________________________, but _________________________________________. Time and productivity ____________________________. Employees ___________________________________, because employers _____________________________ ____________________________________________. work longer hours now take shorter vacations than they did in 1979 are not always connected positively. have 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 performance

40. Exercise 4 Read the passage again. Give the main idea of each paragraph by completing the sentences. Paragraph Main Idea Para. 4 Para. 5 If two people had equal qualifications, _______________ ____________________________________________. because ______________________________________ ____________________________________________. Many people work long hours ______________________, but others _______________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________. the one who works longer hours is more likely to get the job than the other the one who works longer 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 money don’t like to spend so much extra, unproductive don’t like to spend so much extra, unproductive time at the office. What they want is that once they finish their work satisfactorily, they want to relax and enjoy themselves.

41. Exercise 5 Translate the expressions into Chinese or English. 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 _______________ 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 survey 做价格调查 make 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

42. Exercise 5 Translate the expressions into Chinese or English. 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 ______________ 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 work 特别高的价格 extra large size 3 天的时间 40 小时的工作周 a ten-minute break twenty-four-hour service a 3000-metre race a five-star hotel

43. 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. appear apparent Apparently production product productive productivity

44. 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 ________. effective effect effectively satisfied satisfactory satisfaction

45. 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. management attractions investment investment personnel addition

46. 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. reliable connection solution employees employer

47. 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: Work hard and you will make great progress. The harder you work, the greater progress you will make.

48. 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 more...”. Make any proper changes where necessary. more...”. Make any proper changes where necessary. The more tickets you can sell, the better. 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 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 less I like him. The more I see of him, the less I like him.

49. Exercise 9 Rewrite the sentences using “so... that” or “such... that”. “such... that”. MODEL: The teacher speaks very clearly and everyone can understand her. The teacher speaks so clearly that everyone can understand her.

50. 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. The wind was so strong that it blew the roof off the house. She got such a shock that she dropped the bag. Her writing was so small that I could hardly read it. It proved to be such a difficult problem that nobody could solve it.