College English

College English

教师：刘卓[email protected]

2Unit 3 Leisure Activities

Listening

Lead in Listen to the passage and fill in the blanks. Key words and expressions: spare time gig,

club, society, come on, guys, prefer to do, stay in the dorm, make new friends, would rather do, hang out, bored


Listening

TGIF (Thank God it’s Friday)! What’s your ___time gig? ___and societies? ___? Basketball? Come on, guys! We are the best of CUBA! (I love this game!) Prefer to stay in the dorm listening to ___? What’s that? Michael Learns to Rock or Backstreet Boys? ___time again. Meet people and new friends. Oh? You’d rather just ___? You won’t be bored anyhow…

Answers: spare, Clubs, societies, Sports, music, Party, Meet, make, hang out, bored


Dialogue Sample Listen to the dialogue Key words and expressions: concert, talk about, favorite, pop music group, nice to see you here, fan, not exactly, introduce…to…, more than, have been doing, in line, at the Coliseum, a ticket to, kinda, sellout, fade off, chance, kid, deny, hot, agree, I’m not sure, especially, fun


Reading A: Warm Up

Questions: 1. What do you usually do in your leisure time on

campus? 2. What do the students at Oxford do to pass the

time? 3. Can you name some clubs and societies at

Oxford?


Background information about the text:OUSU 　 OUSU is the Oxford University Student Union, a completely separate organization from the Oxford Union. It is there to support students from all the affiliated Oxford Colleges in a number of ways by, for example, offering various student support services such as the Student Advice Service and The Oxford Legal Student Advice Scheme. OUSU also produces its own publications like The OUSU Living Out Guide, The Oxford Directory, The Welfare Directory and Freshers' Guide.


Freshers' Fair 　 Freshers' Fair is one of the most important events in the student calendar, and the focal point of freshers' week. It offers Oxford's 6 500 new students a unique opportunity to sample some of the activities going on in the city and University. It also gives the 350+ student societies that exist the chance to recruit eager new members.


There are rooms and a large marquee set aside for companies offering student services to display their products and attract potential customers. Stalls are set out by category, such as sporting clubs, international societies, and religious organizations. It is entirely organized and run by OUSU, and takes place in the major rooms of Examination Schools on the High Street, on Thursday and Friday the first week in October each year.


The Oxford Union The Oxford Union is the world's foremost debating society, with a deserved reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. Since its foundation in 1823, the Oxford Union has been the only central student venue in the City and remains the social focus in this fragmented college system. The Union's aim is to serve its members by providing numerous facilities. It has a restaurant, two bars, two full-size snooker tables, the largest lending library for students in Oxford, and the only late-night student bar. In short, with over 10 000 resident members and roughly 85% of new students joining every year, the Union is the centre of University life in Oxford.


The Guild Society The Guild is the largest student society in Oxford, with over 2000 members drawn from all around the University. It aims to give its members the best view of the working world available without actually experiencing it first hand. It attracts all the top graduate recruiters, from all areas. And what makes this all the more remarkable is that the Society and all its subsidiary organizations are entirely run by students, the members of the society. No other student society, anywhere, can offer as much exposure to the real working world, and graduate recruiters are increasingly aware of this fact. The Guild can give you the edge when it comes to interviews.


The Oxford DirectoryThe Oxford Directory is the definitive guide to the 300+ clubs and societies that exist at Oxford. Whether you're into Aikido or want to be an OU Young Farmer, there's a club in here for you. In addition, there's information about OUSU, your student union, and the services it offers. There are sections on University departments and agencies such as the Careers, Computing and Counseling Services.


Reading A: Para 1-3

Para 1: Parties, drinking, eating - oh, and working - all help pass the time, but deep down there's something you're really eager to find, but you can't quite put your finger on. What you have been looking for, my friend, is the chance to throw yourself into the world of University Societies, and discover the huge range of activities which thrive in a city like Oxford.


1. Parties, drinking, eating-oh, and working-all help pass the time, but deep down there's something you're really eager to find, but you can't quite put your finger on.Parties, drinking, eating, and working can all help pass the time. Nevertheless, you really want to find some good ways to fill your spare time, without knowing what they are. 聚会、喝酒、吃饭 -- 哦，还有工作 -- 都让时光流逝，但你内心深处确有一些很想追寻的东西，却无法弄清楚是什么。


put one's finger on: (infml) to find or show exactly (the cause of trouble) Examples: Something is wrong with this room, but I can't put my finger on what it is.这房间有点不对劲，但我弄不清到底是啥不对劲。 I could not quite put my finger on what was different about Simone.我说不清西蒙到底有什么不同。


2. throw oneself into: to do or take part in actively and energetically Examples: Since her husband died, she has thrown herself into her work.自从她丈夫去世后，她一直埋头于自己的工作。 The National Day is coming; they have thrown themselves into the organising of Celebration Activities. 国庆节快到了，他们积极投身于庆祝活动的组织工作。


Para 2: Whether you want to pursue an existing interest or develop new ones, your first move should be to check out the bewilderingly large array of clubs at the OUSU Freshers’ Fair. With your Freshers’ Fair ticket, you can get your hands on a brand-new edition of the comprehensive guide to all things at Oxford. If you miss the Fair, don't despair: you can see what societies are offered in the Oxford Directory, a handbook issued to you in Freshers’ Week. Take a while to browse through --- it's your one major chance to find out about what goes on in the University.


3. get one's hands on: catch, or obtain Examples: Wait until I get my hands on him! 等着瞧，我会抓住他的！ I'd like to get my hands on a nice pair of cowboy boots. 我想得到一双帅气的牛仔靴。


4. browse through: look through Examples: I was browsing through the newspaper when I spotted your name. 我在浏览报纸时发现了你的名字。I've spent one whole week browsing through Hemingway's works, trying to understand his unique style of writing. 我花了整整一个星期浏览海明威的作品，试图理解他独特的写作风格。


5. find out: to learn or discover (a fact that was hidden or not known) Examples: I won't tell you - you'll have to find out by yourself. 我不会告诉你的 - 你得自己去弄明白。 I found out by chance that she was actually a freshman from London University. 我偶然发现她实际上是伦敦大学的一年级学生。


Para 3: The degree to which people get involved in societies varies a great deal. Some totally immerse themselves in a club, hardly speaking to anyone who isn't a member of that group for the next three years and rising to become a leader of the organization. Others prefer to take a more eclectic approach, being members of several societies and taking part in whichever of their events seem interesting. Many people, perhaps foolishly, completely ignore University societies and just hang out with mates in college.


6. vary: 1) [~ in] to be different; have the qualities that are not the same as each other Examples: The flowers are the same in color but vary in shape. 这些花的颜色相同但形状各异。2) [~ from] to be different Example: Roses vary from daisies. 玫瑰不同于雏菊。 3) [~ from ... to ] to change, esp. continually Example: Human IQ's vary from under 50 to over 200. 人类的智商从 50 以下到 200 以上变化不等。


7. Some totally immerse themselves in a club, hardly speaking to anyone who isn't a member of that groups for the next three years and rising to become a leader of the organization. Others prefer to take a more eclectic approach, being members of several societies and taking part in whichever of their events seem interesting. Here the present participle phrases "hardly speaking to ..." and "being members of ..." are used as adverbials introducing the secondary action of the sentence subject. 有的完全沉醉于一个俱乐部，在接下来的三年里几乎不跟非本俱乐部成员说话，直至成为该组织的领导者。其余的人更愿意选择更灵活的方式，参加几个社团，参与凡是他们感兴趣的活动。


Examples: She was very shy, hardly speaking even to her best friends.她很害羞，甚至和最好的朋友都不太交谈。 They were very athletic, being members of many sports clubs and teams.他们很爱好运动，是许多体育俱乐部和球队的成员。


immerse oneself in: 1) to put deep into a body of liquid e.g. He lay immersed in a hot bath. 他（让自己）泡在热水里。 Immerse your foot in ice cold water to reduce the swelling. 把你的脚泡在冰水里以便消肿。 2) to cause (oneself) to enter deeply into an activity; absorb in it or be absorbed by it e.g. I immersed myself in work so as to stop thinking about her. 我让自己沉醉于工作，以便不去想她。 I think it is important to immerse oneself in a language learning environment, if you want to learn English well.我认为如果你想学好英语的话，重要的是使自己沉浸于语言学习环境之中。


8. Many people, perhaps foolishly, completely ignore University societies and just hang out with mates in college.It may not be very wise, but many students join no groups on campus and just spend time together casually.还有许多人，也许有点笨，完全无视大学社团的存在，只是与大学里的伙伴们在一起打发时间。 ignore: to take no notice of; refuse to pay attention to e.g.: My advice was completely ignored.　　我的建议完全被忽视了。 The government would be unwise to ignore the complaints of its people. 政府对民众的抱怨置之不理是不明智的。


hang out: (infml) to live or spend lots of time in a particular place or with particular people casually Examples: Why do you just hang out in bars? Why don't you hang out with me instead? 你为何只去泡酒吧？跟我一起玩儿不好吗？You should give your children more opportunities to have personal time and space to hang out with friends or do whatever they want.你应该给孩子们更多的机会，使他们有自己的时间和空间与朋友一起玩或者做他们想做的事。


Reading A: Para 4-6

Para 4: Societies offer a great chance to meet people from outside college, which, especially for arts students, is something it is sometimes difficult to do. But don't forget that most colleges have their own flourishing societies, which you may be able to join in your college during Freshers’ Week. Music and drama are often popular and it is very easy to get some mates together and start something up. If you have ambitions to open up your new Shakespearian Rap Society to the whole University, you can register it with the University Proctors, who give out start-up grants and loans, among other benefits.


Para 5: One of the downsides, especially with larger societies, is the hacking which takes place. 'Hack' is the negative term applied to those seeking advancement (usually to President) in whatever Club or Society, and some clubs such as the Oxford Union or the Guild Society tend to attract those with the spark of ambition more than others. When students suddenly remember their blank CVs which are supposed to secure them a highly paid job once they graduate, hackery is almost inevitable. Do not be afraid, though: the vast majority of students tend to avoid such self-seeking behaviour and get on with life.


9. "Hack" is a negative term applied to those seeking advancement (usually to President) in whatever Club or Society, and some clubs such as the Oxford Union or the Guild Society tend to attract those with the spark of ambition more than others.When students are said to "hack" they join various groups and try to become leaders, hoping to improve their resumes."钻营 "指的是有些学生在俱乐部或社团里追求职位的提高（通常是要做主席），有些社团，比如牛津学生会或同业协会总能吸引那些比别人更雄心勃勃的人。


hack: 1) to cut (up), esp. roughly, violently, or in uneven pieces Example: He hacked the limb from the tree with an axe.他用斧头从树上砍下树枝。 2) to do successfully Example: This assignment is too hard, I just can't hack it. 这个作业太难，我做不出来。


3) to enter a computer system without permission Example: The students who hacked their way into the academic records were punished. 未经许可进入成绩档案（计算机系统）的学生受到了惩罚。4) to seek office in a group without caring about the group's success Example: He tried to hack his way to the presidency of every club on campus. 他竭力钻营，试图在学校的每一个俱乐部寻求主席职位。


apply: 1) [~ to, for ] to request sth., esp. officially and in writing Examples: I applied to four universities and was accepted by all of them. 我申请了四所大学，四所大学都录取了我。Rex applied for the post of Eliot‘ secretary. 瑞克斯申请艾略特的秘书职位。 2) [~ to] to bring or put into use or operation Examples: New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process. 新技术正被应用于几乎每一个工业过程中。The term "mat" can be applied to any small rug. "mat" 这个词可用来表示任何小的地毯。


tend to: to have a tendency; be likely (to do or be sth.); to do or be often or usually Examples: Sally tends to interfere in other people's business. 萨利常常干涉别人的事。 People tend to gain weight on holidays.人们常常在假期长胖。


10. Do not be afraid, though: though: (not used at the beginning of a clause) in spite of the fact; neverthelessExamples: It's hard work; I enjoy it, though.这事很难，不过我喜欢。 He's had two heart attacks in a year. It hasn't stopped him smoking, though. 他一年中两次心脏病发作。但这并没有使他停止吸烟。


Para 6: With over 300 registered societies there really is something for everyone. Apart from the obvious political parties and sports clubs there are groups for all the main religions; societies interested in the society and culture of countries from China to Bulgaria, and UK regions from Scotland to Essex; charities for those interested in voluntary work, literature, music, drama and sci-fi; and a fair number of strange groups such as the LMH Pudding Society, the Oxford Stunt Factory and the Pooh Sticks Society. You won't get bored.


11. apart from: 1) without considering; except for Examples: Quite apart from the cost, there is the question of your health to be considered. 除费用外，健康的问题也要考虑。Apart from the occasional visit, what does Allen do for his kids? 除了偶尔的一次探视，爱伦还为他的孩子做些什么？


2) as well as; in addition to Examples: Apart from their obvious beauty, the clean air of the mountains was good for me. 不仅是满目的美景，山里的干净的空气对我也大有好处。Apart from her intelligence, her hard work was the key to her success.除智商外，辛勤的工作也是她成功的关键。


12. bore: to make (someone) tired or uninterested, esp. by continual dull talk Examples: I'm sorry I spoke for so long-I hope I didn't bore you.对不起，我说了这么久 - 但愿没有让你感到厌烦。 My father is always boring us with his stories of the war.父亲总是用他的战争故事来磨我们。


bored: [~ with] tired and uninterested Examples: I'm bored with the same old routine day after day. 我厌倦了这日复一日的一成不变的日常工作。She is getting really bored with her job.她真的厌倦了自己的工作。


boring: dull or uninteresting; tedious Examples: I always thought ancient history was deadly boring.我一直认为古代史极其乏味。 Her husband is the most boring person I've ever met. 她丈夫是我见过的最没趣的人。


Exercises: Content Awareness

Answer the following questions:1. How can you find out about the activities

that take place in a university like Oxford?2. How can you find out what clubs and

societies are on offer at Oxford?3. Do people get involved in societies to the

same degree?4. What kind of people do some high status

clubs such as the Oxford Union or the Guild Society tend to attract? Why?

5. Does the author generally encourage students to join clubs and societies? Why?


Complete the following statements based on the information from the passage. At the Freshers’ Fair, a freshman can learn __________. A) how to pursue an existing interestB) how to develop some new interestsC) how to check out the large array of clubs and societiesD) how to throw yourself into the world of University Societies


If a student takes an eclectic approach to clubs and societies, we can say that he __________. A) joins several groups and takes part in interesting eventsB) hangs out with members of just one club or societyC) completely ignores University SocietiesD) is sure to become a leader in at least one group


The easier way to make new friends is __________. A) to attend the Freshers’ FairB) to join some clubs and societiesC) to open up a new societyD) to enjoy music and drama


According to the passage, “to hack” means __________. A) to enter a computer system and make changes without permissionB) to seek advancement in every club or society a person joinsC) to get involved in societiesD) to display one’s ambition


Some students try to hack in the clubs because __________. A) they have the ambition of becoming the President of the clubB) they want to get grants and loans and other benefits from the University ProctorsC) they would have a great chance to meet people from outside collegeD) they would build their CVs which may help promote their future careers


Exercises: Language Focus

Part IV Fill in blanks with given words.apply 　 avoid 　 behavior 　 bore 　 highly 　 ignorenegative 　 culture 　 secure 　 tend1. The sort of music he listens to varies, but it ___ to be popular music. 2. Language is the medium of ___, and when we learn a foreign language, we are exposed to a culture quite different from ours. 3. Scientific discoveries are often ___ to industrial process. 4. I hope you are not getting ___listening to me.


5. Can you ___ me two good seats for the concert?

6. This is a ___ amusing film. You'll regret if you miss it.

7. He gave a ___ answer to my request. I felt quite confused and disappointed.

8. She was annoyed by the young man's impolite ___.

9. Ever since that unhappy incident, I have tried to ___ any further conflict with him.

10. The driver ___ the traffic light, and as a result, he ran into another car.


Answers: 1.tends 2.culture 3.applied 4.bored5.Secure 6.highly 7.negative 8.behavior,9.avoid 10.ignored


Part V Complete the following sentences1. They normally ___ in the pub to kill time. 2. I've been trying to ___ the restaurants in my new neighborhood to find the best one.3. Bob took a part-time job ___ handbills (传单 ) for a cosmetic ( 化妆品 ) company. 4. Back from the holiday, she eagerly ___ the production of a new film.5. I ___ work so as to stop thinking about her.


Answers: 1.hang out 2. check out 3. giving out

4. threw herself into 5. immersed myself in


Part VI Complete following sentences.1. The American space agency has drawn up

a shortlist of ten research projects that will form the basis of an ___ program to explore the planet Mars next year. (ambition)

2. As the saying goes, “___ we stand, divided we fall.“ (union)

3. Eugene O'Neill wrote more than 35 plays and was the first American ___ awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature. (drama)

4. I am retired and now working as a ___ in an organization helping orphans. (voluntary)


5. Compared to some other developing countries, the cell phone market in China is ___. (flourish)

Answers: 1. ambitious 2. United 3. dramatist 4. volunteer 5. flourishing


Part VII Translation1. 这钢琴有些不对劲，但是我无法说清楚。 (put one's finger on)2. 这条裤子不但太大，而且也与我的夹克不相配。 (apart from)3. 不论理由是什么，反正我喜欢流行音乐。 (whatever)4. 他对外国文化怀有浓厚的兴趣，经常博览群书以寻找有用的信息。 (browse through)5. 在是否要创办一个新社团的问题上，我们意见很不一致。 (vary)


Answers:1. Something is wrong with the piano, but I

can't put my finger on what it is.2. Apart from being too large, the trousers

don't match my jacket, either.3. I love pop music, for whatever reasons.4. He has great interest in foreign cultures,

often browsing through piles of books to look for any useful information.

5. Opinions on whether we should open up a new society vary a great deal.


Reading B : Warm up

Questions:1. In your opinion, what is more important,

study and work, or leisure-time activities?2. What is a well-balanced life according to

the author?


Background information about the text:Walt Whitman (1819~1892)

Walt Whitman was born in 1819 in Long Island, New York. He attended grammar school in Brooklyn and took his first job with the Long Island Patriot. Between 1841 and the summer of 1859, Whitman held editorial positions on seven different newspapers. During the spring of 1855, at his own expense, Walt Whitman published the first edition of Leaves of Grass. Today it is considered a masterpiece of world literature and Whitman is recognized as America's national poet.


Robert Frost (1874~1963)Robert Frost was born in San Francisco in 1874. He moved to New England at the age of eleven and became interested in reading and writing poetry during his high school years in the town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. His first professional poem, "The Butterfly," was published on November 8, 1894, in the New York newspaper The Independent. By the nineteen-twenties, he was the most celebrated poet in America, and with each new book-including New Hampshire (1923), A Further Range (1936), Steeple Bush (1947), and In the Clearing (1962)-his fame and honors (including four Pulitzer Prizes) increased.


The Road not Taken by Robert FrostTwo roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.


Reading B: Para 1-2

Para 1: A well-balanced life is necessary to live in today's world. Without a well-balanced life a person can neither function properly nor develop into a well-rounded individual. Without some sort of balance in life people tend to be unfulfilled and unhappy.


1. Without a well-balanced life a person can neither function properly nor develop into a well-rounded individual.A well-balanced life is needed for a person to develop and function properly.生活中心态失衡，既无法很好地工作，心身也不能得到全面的发展。 "Neither... nor..." is used between two or more choices to negate both or all of them. Examples: He neither drinks, smokes, nor eats meat.他既不喝酒、吸烟，也不吃肉。 The equipment is neither accurate nor safe.这设备既不规范也不安全。


develop into: to become or bring gradually to a larger, more complete, or more advanced state; (cause to) grow into Examples: In less than ten years, it will develop from a seed into a full-grown tree. 在不到 10 年里，它已从种子长成了大树。James has developed into a charming young man.詹姆士已成长为一个风度翩翩的年轻人。


well-rounded: 1) (of a person) having a full, pleasantly curved shape Examples: Even after the birth of her three children, she still keeps a well-rounded figure. 即使生了三个孩子，她的身材仍保持良好的曲线。She is well-rounded and attractive. 她不仅身段好，而且很迷人。


2) (esp. of a person's experience) full of different types of activity; complete and varied Examples: She has a well-rounded background in management. 她在管理方面有丰富的经验。Distance learning helps to provide a well-rounded education for all the people.远程教育有利于给所有人提供完备的教育。


Para 2: I've experienced great stress in my study and work. And I've tried every means to adjust myself and relieve my stress. Finally I found a way out in my leisure time. Leisure time is very important and necessary for me. Without it I am sure I would go insane. I spend most of my extra time reading, listening to music, talking to my real life friends, or talking on the Internet with people I meet. I really enjoy going out into a quiet place and reading poetry or books by Walt Whitman and Robert Frost. If I did not make time for all of this I would not be able to handle everything else in life. Along with reading to relax, listening to music is very important to me. If I feel sad, I listen to slow songs, while if I am happy I like listening to fast songs. Music is the universal language and it can express different feelings. It can relate to the soul, or in fact I think it is the soul of feelings.


2. And I've tried every means to adjust myself and relieve my stress. try every means: do everything possible Examples: He's tried every means to get a new job.他想方设法试图找到一个工作。 She's tried every means to find a husband. 她千方百计要找到一个丈夫。


adjust: to change slightly, esp. in order to make right or make suitable for a particular purpose or situation Examples: You can adjust the color on the TV by turning this knob.你可以按这个钮调节电视的色彩。 They'll soon settle in-kids are very good at adjusting.他们很快就安定下来了 -- 孩子总是善于适应。


relieve: to lessen (pain, anxiety, or trouble) Examples: Volunteers were recruited to relieve the acute labor shortage.招募了许多志愿者以缓解劳力短缺。I went for a walk to relieve the boredom of the day. 我出去散步以缓解一天的倦怠。


3. handle: 1) to pick up, touch, or feel with the hands Examples: When the children handled the kittens, it made the mother cat restless. 当小孩子抚弄小猫时，母猫变得躁动不安。 Customers are asked not to handle the goods in the shop. 商店不许顾客乱动商品。2) to deal with; control Examples: She couldn't handle the pressures of her new job. 她无法应付新工作给她带来的压力。The windsurfer handled his board with great skill. 这位风浪板运动员熟练地控制他的风浪板。


4. If I feel sad, ..., while if I am happy ... while: 1) but; though; whereas Examples: While I understand what you say, I can't agree with you.虽然我理解你说的话，我还是不同意。 That region has plenty of natural resources while this one has none.那个地区有大量的自然资源，但这里却什么也没有。


2) at the same time as Examples: Nero fiddled while Rome burned.在罗马城遭受大火焚毁时，罗马皇帝尼禄拉着小提琴欢庆。 I like to listen to music while I read.我喜欢边阅读边听音乐。


5. Music is the universal language and it can express different feelings.Almost everyone understands music, especially to express their feelings.音乐是人类共同的语言，能表达不同的情感。


6. It can relate to the soul, or in fact I think it is the soul of feelings.It (music) can deeply affect the human spirit, even becoming identical with it.音乐能触及灵魂，确切地说，我认为音乐表达的实际上就是心灵的感受。 relate to: 1) to concern; be about or be directed towards Examples: These proposals are only related to agricultural land.这些建议只涉及到农业用地。 You must carefully deal with the secret documents relating to the plan of our company. 　　　　　　　　　　　　你必须小心处理涉及到我们公司的秘密文件。


2) to have a connection with Examples: The cost relates directly to the amount of time spent on the job. 费用与工作所耗的时间直接相关。The heart attack could be related to his car crash last year. 他心脏病发作与去年的车祸有关。


Reading B: Para 3-5Para 3: My real life friends and my Internet

friends are also part of my leisure and social time. Friends have always been important to me. They are the backbone in everything I do. The good friends that I have are always there for me in every situation I am in. Without them I would not have led a healthy, balanced life. Not so long ago I went through a short time of depression. I fell behind in all my work and stopped talking to my friends. After a week of acting this way, one of my good friends pulled me aside and invited me to go for a walk with her. We talked about what was going on in my life and she helped me to figure out what I wanted to do. I do not know what would have happened if she had not been there.


7. The good friends that I have are always there for me in every situation I am in.My good friends are always available whenever I need help.不论我处于什么情况，我的好朋友们总是支持着我。


8. Not so long ago I went through a short time of depression.Recently I experienced a brief depression.不久之前，我经历了一小段时间的失意。 go through: to suffer or experience; endure Examples: Disappointment in love is something most people must go through.爱情上的失意是多数人都要经历的。 Men don't know what it's like to go through childbirth.男人不知道生孩子是什么样的经历。


9. figure out: come to understand or discover by thinking Examples: We still haven't figured out how to do it.我们仍然没有弄清楚该怎么做。 Have you figured out what the problem really is? 你是否已弄明白到底是什么问题？


10. I do not know what would have happened if she had not been there.I couldn't have handled the situation without her help.真不知道如果她不在我身边，我会怎么样。 This sentence is in subjunctive mood. It means that an imaginary situation is used to emphasize something important about the real situation. Examples: I don't know where I'd be today if it had not been for my family. 我不知道要是没有我的家人我今天会怎样。 I would not have been able to finish the task on time if you hadn't helped me. 没有你的帮助，我不可能按时完成这个任务。


Para 4: Many things add to having a well-balanced life. Stress can be a very dangerous and tiresome experience. It can lead to depression and unhappiness. But when it happens, you can do something other than wait, like talking to your friends or listening to music. Then you may not think you should have been so stressed and depressed.

Para 5: A well-balanced life is important to maintain. Without some sort of balance it is hard to get by in everyday life. And the creative use of leisure time plays a vital role.


11. Many things add to having a well-balanced life.Many things contribute to having a well-balanced life.许多事情都有助于你调节心态。 add to: 1) to increase Examples: The unexpected storm added to the difficulty of the construction of the road.这出乎意料的暴风雨增加了修路的难度。 The exhaustion of the oil deposits adds to the disadvantage of our economic development.石油储藏的枯竭对我们的经济发展更为不利。


2) contribute to (sometimes expressed as "add up to") Examples: His varied skills add to his being a good athlete.他的多项技能他成为一位优秀运动员。 Good study habits add (up) to academic success. 好的学习习惯能促进学习成功。


12. lead to: to result in Examples: This will lead to trouble in the future.这会导致将来的麻烦。 His carelessness led to his failure in the examination. 他的粗心导致了他考试的失败。


13. But when it happens, you can do something other than wait, ...But when it happens you don't have to wait, there are some other choices.但如果真有了压力，你应该做点什么而不光是等待… other than: except, apart from Examples: There was nothing we could do other than hope for the best. 我们所能做的就是希望最好的。There's no good cooking other than your mother's cooking. 除了你母亲的烹饪，再没有好的烹饪了。


14. maintain: to continue to have, do, etc., as before; keep up Examples: He took the lead, and maintained it until the end of the race.他领先了，并一直保持领先，直到赛跑终点。 She maintains good relations with her business partners.她与生意伙伴保持良好的关系。


15. get by: to have enough money for one's needs or way of life Examples: I don't know how to get by if I lose this job.我不知道要是失去了这工作该怎么办。 It has been quite difficult for her to get by since her husband died last year. 自从她丈夫死后，她很难度日。


16. vital: [~ to, for ] very necessary; of the greatest importance Examples: It is vital for us to learn how to relax ourselves after a day's hard work.学会在辛苦地工作了一天后如何放松自己十分重要。 Investment is vital for the development of a company. 投资对一个公司的发展很重要。


Exercises: Content Awareness

Part 11 Choose the best answer to each question based on the information from the passage.

What does the author mainly tell us in the passage? A) A well-balanced life is not easy to have in today's world.B) She has experienced great stress in her study and work.C) Satisfying work is crucial to having a well-balanced life.D) Leisure time plays a vital role in maintaining a well-balanced life.


What does the author mean by saying "Finally I found a way out in my leisure time"? A) She found leisure time could help relieve her stress and maintain a well-balanced life.B) She found a way to enjoy herself in her leisure time.C) She got to know how to spend her leisure time.D) She came to understand what "a well-balanced life" means


When does the author listen to slow music? A) When she is happy. B) When she is lonely.C) When she is sad.D) When she is trying to work.


How important are good friends to the author? A) They usually help her lift the physical burden with their strong backbone.B) They support her in everything she does and help her in every situation she is in.C) They often pull her aside and invite her to go for a walk.D) They will do everything that she wants them to do.


What main suggestion does the author give us in the passage on how to relieve stress? A) Talking to friends.B) Listening to music.C) Reading poetry.D) Pursuing some leisure activities.


Part 12 Answer the following questions.1. According to the author, what is the

significance of a well-balanced life?2. Why does the author try every means to be a

better-adjusted person?3. What does the author spend most of her extra

time doing?4. When the author went through a short period

of depression, what did one of her friends do to help her?

5. What’s your opinion of a well-balanced life?


Exercises: Language Focus

Part 13 Fill in blanks with given words.adjust 　 depress 　 handle 　 leisure 　 maintainrelax 　 relieve 　 social 　 stress 　 vital1. She is very busy; she doesn’t have much ___ time. 2. He is under a lot of ___, because his wife is very ill. 3. He ___ himself very quickly to changes in culture when he came to the country. 4. What about going to the concert with me? The music will help you ___.


5. Your support is ___ to the success of my plan. 6. The thought of having to take the examination again ___ me. 7. A little ___ drinking does no harm; but don’t drink too much. 8. The drug ___ my toothache. It was really effective. 9. It was a difficult situation but he ___ it very well. 10. To ___ a happy mood is very important in one’s study and work.


Answers: 1. leisure 2. stress 3. has adjusted 4. relax5. vital 6. depressed7. social 8. relieved 9. handled 10. maintain


Part 14 Complete the following sentences.1. The country ___ too many wars, causing great suffering and poverty. 2. I lost my job, and the rise in power costs ___ our difficulties.3. The scandal ___ the resignation (辞职 ) of the President.4. I can not ___ on such a small salary.5. I can not ___ why she said she no longer loved me.


Answers: 1.went through 2. added to 3. led to 4. get by 5. figure out


Part 15 Translation1. 要去那座岛，除了搭船以外，别无他法。 (other than) 2. 有些学生疯狂地迷恋流行音乐，而另外一些人则更喜欢经典音乐 (classical) 。 (while) 3. 传媒 (media) 在引领时尚方面正起着越来越重要的作用。 (play a ... role) 4. 我千方百计想弄到一张他新发行 (issue) 的唱片 (album) ，却未能如愿。 (try every means) 5. 要是没有朋友的鼓励和帮助，我可能已经辍学了。 (If ... not / Without)


Reference Answers: 1. You can't get to the island other than by boat.2. Some students are crazy about pop music

while others prefer classical music.3. The media are playing an increasing role in

leading clothing fashions.4. I tried every means to get a copy of his newly

issued album, but failed.5. Without the encouragement and help of my

friends, I would have quit school.

Documents

College English