Unit Seven Sam Adams, Industrial Engineer

一、学习目标
1. 四、六级词汇和短语
absent-minded, achieve, amaze, assembly, background, basis, boring, decrease, dull, efficiency, expert, findings, fire, flow, frequent, inspect, major, management, miss, neat, productive, promotion, quality, relieve, suggestion, whatsoever
find out, turn out, quality control, as a result, except for, go on strike, hold up, result in, talk over, keep up with
2. 结构与句式
3. 同义辨析
1) base, basis, foundation
2) clean, neat, tidy
3) decrease, reduce, diminish
4) hire, salary, wage, pay
4. 提高英语听力（六）
5. 阅读理解阅读技巧 （六）
6. 提高英语写作 （六） 句子写作 （六）

二、学习特点
这篇文章以第一人称叙述了“我”大学毕业后承接的一项工作。全文可分为四段。第一段为前四段，主要叙述了“我”从小就是全家人的效率专家；第二段为五六段，讲述了“我”
大学毕业后被邀请做一家工厂的顾问。第三段为七至十段，叙述“我”对在这家工厂的所见非常惊讶。最后一段写“我”的改进建议，以及建议被采纳的情况。文章朴实无华，主题鲜明深刻。文章前六段写得兴趣盎然，建议背诵。

三、学习策略和方法
（一） 词汇记忆
1. industrial adj. 工业的，产业的；产业工人的；工业高度发达的
[例句] industrial workers产业工人
industrial development 工业发展
an industrial country / society 工业国家/社会
[派生] industry n. 工业
industrialize v. (使)工业化
industrialist n. 工业家，实业家
industrialism n. 工业主义
2. elementary adj. 初级的；基本的，基础的
[例句] an elementary class 初级班
elementary mathematics 基础数学
[同义] basic, primary, simple, introductory
[反义] advanced, complex
[派生] element n.要素，特色
3. sock n. 短袜
[比较] stocking 长筒袜
4. drawer n. 抽屉
[搭配] close / push in a drawer 关抽屉
open / pull out a drawer 开抽屉
[记忆] drawer = draw + er，抽屉是要拉(draw)出来的。另外，drawer还有“绘图者”，“制图者”的意思。
5. bureau n. (美)衣柜，五斗柜；局，处，署
[例句] the travel bureau 旅行社
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (美国)联邦调查局
6. underwear 内衣
[记忆] underwear = under + wear穿在里面的东西 à 内衣
7. pants n. (美)裤子；(英)内裤
[同义] trousers
[词组] in long pants / short pants 成年/未成年
8. utensil n. 用具，器皿(尤指)家庭日用的
[举例] writing utensils 书写用具
cooking / kitchen utensils烹调/厨房用具
[同义] implement, tool
9. foundation n. 创立，设立；根基，基础；根据，依据；基金会
[例句] The foundation of a nursing home is her great ambition.
创办一所疗养院是她的伟大抱负。
[同义] basis, ground, warrant, establishment
[词组] lay solid foundation for 为… 打下坚实基础
[派生] found v. 创立，设立
founder n. 创立者，创办人
10. efficiency expert 效率专家
[注意] 名词＋名词构成的词组在本课还有
work flow 工作流程
quality control inspection 质量检验
assembly line 装配线
machine operator 机器操作人员
11. career n. 职业；生涯
[搭配] enter on a business career 投身企业界
pursue a career in 从事… 行业
wreck a career 断送前程
a brilliant career 辉煌的事业生涯
[例句] It’s interesting to learn much about the careers of great men.
多了解伟人的生平是很有趣的。
12. engineering n. 工程学，管理
[举例] civil engineering 土木工程
[派生] engineer n. 工程师 v. 设计，建设
13. unfortunately adv. 不幸地，遗憾地
[例句] Unfortunately, he didn’t pass the examination.
[派生] fortune n. 运气
fortunate adj. 幸运的
unfortunate adj. 不幸的
14. bossy adj. 霸道的，爱指挥人的，专横的
[派生] boss n. 老板 v. 指挥
[举例] a bossy person / manner 好发号施令的人/霸道的态度
15. project n. 项目，规划，工程，计划，方案
v.计划，企化；投影，放射
[举例] a building project / a project to establish a new school
A new bridge has been projected.
16. bachelor n. 学士；单身汉
[联想] master 硕士 doctor 博士
17. graduation n. 毕业
[派生] graduate v. 毕业 n. 毕业生
[搭配] graduate from 从… 毕业
18. short-term adj. 短期的
[举例] a short-term planning / loan 短期计划/贷款
[反义] long-term adj. 经过长时间的，长期的
19. shipment n. 船运，运送；装载的货物
[举例] safe shipment by air 安全空运
a shipment of grain for West Africa 运往西非的一批谷物
[派生] ship
20. button n. 钮扣，按钮
[联想] zip 拉链 belt 腰带
[搭配] lose a button 掉了钮扣
press / push a button 按电钮
sew on a new button 缝上一个新钮扣
do one’s buttons up 扣上钮扣
21. collar n. 衣领，领子；(狗等的)项圈
[举例] The wind was so cold that he turned his coat collar up.
风太冷了，所以他把外套的领子翻起来。
[派生] collared adj. 有领圈的
collarless adj. 无领的
collarbone n. 锁骨
[词组] blue / white collar workers 蓝/白领工人
22. sleeve n. 袖子
[举例] He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt before he washed dishes.
他洗碗前把衬衫袖子卷了起来。
[词组] have sth up one’s sleeve 暗藏一手，私下准备着
laugh up one’s sleeves 窃喜
roll up one’s sleeves 准备工作或打架
wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve 流露真情
23. irregular adj. 不规则的，不稳定的，不定期的
[举例] a coast with an irregular outline 曲折的海岸线
an irregular pulse 不均匀的脉搏
[同义] uneven, occasional, random
[反义] regular
[派生] irregularity n. 不整齐，不规则， 不规律
[联想] 前缀in- 意为not, 在b, m, p前写为im-, 在l, r前分别为il-, ir-。如，
immortal 永垂不朽的 impassable 不能通行的
immovable 不能移动的 impolite 不礼貌的
impossible 不可能的 illegal 不合法的
illogical 不合逻辑的 irresistible 不可抗拒的
irrational 不合理的 irresponsible 不负责任的
24. oral adj. 口(头)的
[同义] spoken, vocal
[反义] written
[举例] an oral examination 口试
stories passed on by oral tradition 口头流传的故事
[比较] aural 耳的，听觉的
25. redesign v. 重新设计
[派生] design 设计；计划
26. beautify v. 美化；装饰
[同义] decorate, ornament
[派生] beauty n. 美；美人
beautiful adj. 美丽的
27. setting n. 环境；(故事)发生地
[同义] surroundings, background; scene, spot
28. co-owner n. 共同所有者
[记忆] 前缀co- = together, jointly意为“共同”。又如，
cooperation 合作 coeducation 男女同校制
coauthor 合著者 coexist 共存

（二）课文学习
Suggested activity
Group Discussion
Suppose you are working as consultants in Mr. Hobbs’ factory. Please first discuss the problems and then suggest cures for them.

四 、课文辅导
（一）内容概述
本文讲述的是一位天生的工业管理工程师萨姆亚当斯的事。他从小在家里就显示出他整整齐齐，有条不紊，做事有效率的素质。这些素质为他日后成为工业管理工程师奠定了良好的基础，也在他大学毕业后做一家衬衫厂的顾问工作时发挥了作用。通过一周的调查，他发现该厂生产中的诸多问题，并向工厂老板提出许多提高生产力的意见。老板接受了他的建议并赠送他一百美元和一件衬衫。

（二）背景知识
1. 工业管理工程学
工业管理工程学详细分析劳动力、原材料和设备的成本，以期提高生产力，增加收益和提高效率。搞这种分析的人叫做工业管理工程师。他们的主要职责就是协调人力资源、原材料和机械设备的关系并制定一套最行之有效的生产方案。
最初主要是制造业用工业管理工程学的分析技术来改善生产方法，确立生产控制程序，决定工作标准，制定工资支付计划等，逐渐地像建筑、交通运输、农场、餐厅和饭店等非制造业也开始采用这种技术了。尽管工业管理学的应用领域正在日益拓宽，它仍然主要应用于制造业。
2. 美国教育体制
美国联邦政府并不主管教育，教育是各州自己的事。因此，各州的教育体制也不尽相同，但大体上都是这样的：Kindergarten(幼儿园)，五岁以前；Elementary School(小学)，一至六年级，六到十一岁；Junior High School(初中)，七至八年级，十二到十三岁；Senior High School(高中)，九至十二年级，十四到十七岁；College(学院)，四年本科，主要授予B.A.(Bachelor of Arts文学士)和B.S.(Bachelor of Science理学士)两种学位；University(大学)，大学除了授予B.A.和B.S.等学士学位外，主要还授予M.A.(Master of Arts文科硕士)，M.S.(Master of Science理科硕士)和PhD(Doctor of Philosophy哲学博士)。要注意的是博士生无论专业通称为Doctor of Philosophy。

（三）重点词汇精讲
1. efficiency n. [U] 效能，效率
[例句] It would improve our efficiency if we use more up-to-date methods.
如果我们多采用一点现代化的方法，我们的效率就可以提高。
[反义] inefficiency n. 无效，效率低
[派生] efficient adj. 效率高的
inefficient adj. 无效的，效率低的
efficiently adv. 高效地
[例句] She is a quick efficient worker. 她是个工作效率高的快手。
He is efficient at his work.
[比较] effective adj. 有效的，效果好的
effectiveness n. 有效
2. neat adj. 整齐的，整洁的；简洁的
[例句] a neat cupboard / room / row of books
整洁的橱柜/房间/一排书
[同义] clean, orderly
[派生] neatly adv. 整齐地，整洁地
neatness n. 整齐，整洁
3. expert n. 专家，能手
[用法] expert + at / in / on (doing) sth
[举例] an agricultural expert农业专家
an expert in psychology / at playing golf
心理学专家/打高尔夫球能手
adj. 熟练的，老练的；需有专门知识或技术的
[用法] expert + at / in / on (doing) sth
[举例] according to expert advice根据专家的意见
He is expert at / in cooking good cheap meals.
他善于烹制又好吃又便宜的饭菜。
4. quality n. 质量，品质；特质，特性，优点
[举例] products of quality = quality products优质产品
goods of the highest quality 质量最高的货物
For study, quality is more important than quantity.
就学习而言，质比量更重要。
Kindness is a human quality which everyone admires.
仁慈是人人称赞的人类品质。
[同义] character, property, merit
[比较] quantity 数量
5. curious adj. 好奇的，富于好奇心的；引起好奇的奇异的
[用法] ＋ about / to do sth / wh-; It is curious that …
[举例] He is a curious boy who is always asking questions.
他是个求知欲很强的孩子，老是问这问那。
Children are naturally curious about everything around them.
小孩子对周遭的事情感到好奇是很自然的。
I’m curious to know what is written in his letter.
我很想知道他在信中写些什么。
I’m curious how he will do it.
It is curious that he should have failed to do so.
他竟然没赢得比赛，真是奇怪。
curious behavior 奇怪的举止
[派生] curiously adv. 好奇地，奇怪地
curiosity n. 好奇心；奇物
[搭配] arouse / excite one’s curiosity引发某人的好奇心
6. shift n. 改变，转变 (+in sth)；轮班
[举例] the day / night shift 日班/夜班
work an eight-hour shift 八小时轮班工作
working in shifts 轮班工作
a shift worker 轮班工作的人
There has been a shift in fashion from formal to more informal dress.
服装的式样已经有了改变，以前很拘谨，现在较随便。
7. operate v. 工作；运转；起作用；操作；经营；做手术
[举例] The machine operates night and day.
这台机器日夜运转。
The kettle is operated by electricity.
这水壶是电热的。
Several causes operated to bring about the war.
那场战争的起因有好几个。
They operate three factories and a huge warehouse.
他们管着三个工厂和一个大仓库。
The doctor decided to operate on her immediately.
医生决定立刻给他动手术。
[派生] operation n. 运转；操作；手术
operator n. 操作者; 话务员
operational adj. 操作的；行动的
8. basis n. 基础；根据；基本原则；
[举例] What is the basis of / for your opinion?
你的看法有什么根据？
Is it safe to predict the result on the basis of one opinion poll?
根据一次民意测验来预测结果可靠吗？
The workers are paid on an hourly basis.
工人们按终点计酬。
She works for us on a part-time basis.
她以兼职形式为我们工作。
9. amaze v. 使… 吃惊，使… 惊奇
[例句] It amazed us to hear that you were leaving.
听说你要走，我们都大为吃惊。
His idleness amazed me. 他懒得令我惊讶。
[同义] surprise, astonish
[派生] amazement n. 吃惊，惊讶
amazed adj. 吃惊的，惊异的
amazing adj. 惊人的，了不起的
[惯用法] To one’s amazement 使某人惊奇的是
It amazes sb to hear / see 听/看到… 大吃一惊
be amazed at 对… 感到惊奇
It amazes sb that 使某人感到惊奇的是
10. whatsoever adj. (又作whatever) ＝ at all任何的
[用法] 用于名词后；用于疑问句和否定句；常用于no + n. , nothing, none之后，以加强语气。
[例句] I have no money whatsoever.
我一点钱也没有。
There can be no doubt whatsoever about it.
这件事毫无疑问。
11. inspect v. 检查，视察；查看，审视
[例句] The customs officer inspected my passport suspiciously.
海关官员颇为怀疑地检查了我的护照。
Nobody inspected my ticket before I got on the train.
我上火车前，没有人查看我的车票。
inspect an object for fingerprints 察看一物件以寻找指纹
[派生] inspection n. 检查，视察
inspector n. 检察员，视察员
12. relieve v. 减轻，缓解；调剂
[举例] a drug that relieves headaches 缓解头痛的药物
[惯用法] relieve … of 解除… 的负担
[举例] Let me relieve you of that heavy parcel / of some of the housework.
我来帮你拿这好沉的一大包东西吧；我来帮你做些家务吧。

The general was relieved of his command.
这位将军的指挥权被解除了。
13. boring adj. 无趣的，单调的，乏味的
[举例] a boring conversation / job / book / party
枯燥乏味的谈话/工作/书/聚会
[派生] bore v. 使 … 感到厌烦；钻孔
n. 讨厌的人，麻烦事
bored adj. 感到厌烦的
14. workroom n. 工场
[举例] a photographic workroom 摄影室
[联想] classroom n. 教室 restroom n. 厕所
bedroom n. 卧室 sitting-room n. 起居室
15. dull n. 阴暗的；无聊的，烦人的；愚笨的
[举例] a dull grey 暗灰色
a dull lecture 乏味的演讲
[同义] dark, dim; boring, flat, uninteresting; stupid, unintelligent, dimwitted
16. flow n. 流动，流淌，流过
[举例] The flow of traffic is always slow at rush hours.
在交通高峰时间，路上的车流总是很慢的。
Her questions interrupted his flow of thought.
她的不断提问打断了他的思路。
[同义] current
v. 流，流淌，流过
[举例] The river flowed along rapidly.
这条河流得很快。
Blood was flowing from his wound.
血从他的伤口流出。
[同义] stream, move, run, rush
17. absent-minded adj. 心不在焉的
absent adj. 缺席的，不在的；漫不经心的；缺乏的
[反义] present
[举例] How many students are absent from class today?
今天有多少学生出席？
an absent expression on his face 他脸上漫不经心的表情
[派生] absence n. 缺席，不在，缺少
absently adv. 茫然地，心不在焉地
18. assemble v. 集合，聚集，收集; 装配，组合
[举例] The whole school (was) assembled in the main hall.
全校在大礼堂集合。
assemble evidence / material 收集证据/材料
assemble the parts of a watch 装配表的零件
[派生] assembly n. 集合，集会；装配，安装
[举例] Morning assembly is held in the school hall.
晨会在学校礼堂举行。
The assembly of cars is often done by machines.
汽车常由机器装配。
[词组] assembly line 装配线
19. fire v. 解雇(＝ dismiss); 射击；点火 n. 火
[举例] He was fired for stealing money from the shop.
他因为从商店偷钱而被解雇。
The police fired several rubber bullets into the crowd.
警察向人群射出数发橡皮子弹。
20. major adj. 重要的，较大的，主要的
[举例] The car needs major repairs. 这车需要大修。
Shipbuilding used to be our major industries.
造船过去是我们的主要工业。
[反义] minor
21. achieve v. 完成(事情)，成就；达成(目的)，赢得
[举例] No one can achieve anything without effort.
没有人能够不努力而有所成就。
He achieved his goal. 他达到了他的目标。
achieve success 获得成功
[派生] achievement n. 完成，达到，成就，成功；业绩
achievable adj. 可完成的，可达到的
22. decrease v. 减少；减退
[举例] The number of traffic accidents has decreased.
交通事故的次数已经减少。
decrease the speed of a train减低火车的速度
[同义] reduce, decline, diminish
n. 减少，减少量
[举例] There has been a decrease in the number of students this year.
今年学生人数已减少。
[词组] on the decrease 在减少中
decrease to 减少到
decrease by 减少了
[反义] increase
23. productive adj. 有生产力的，多产的；生产的，有收获的；产生… 的
[举例] a productive mine 出产量多的矿场
a productive writer 多产作家
productive land 肥沃的土地
The meeting was very productive. 那会议成果很丰硕。
[派生] produce v. 生产，制造；产生 n. 农产品
production n. 生产，制造；产生
product n. 产物，制品；作品；成果
productively adv. 有成果地；丰富地
productivity n. 生产力，生产性；多产
24. frequent adj. 经常的，屡次的，频繁的；惯常的，习惯的
[举例] He made frequent visits to the gallery.
他经常去那家美术馆参观。
v. 常去，时常出入于…
[举例] He used to frequent the library.
他过去经常到那所图书馆去。
[派生] frequency n. 屡次，频繁；频率
frequently adv. 屡次地，频繁地
25. promotion n. 提升，晋级；促销
[举例] There are good chances of promotion in this firm.
这家公司里提升的机会很多。
This year’s sales promotions haven’t been very successful.
今年的促销活动不是很成功。
[派生] promote v. 提升，升级；筹划，创立；推销，促进
promoter n. 促进者，发起者；创办者，筹划人

（四）重点词组
1. find out = learn, discover 查明，发现 (尤指经过研究、努力的结果); 揭发某人的真面目
[举例] You should find out the answer for yourself.
你应该自己去找答案。
It was found out that the disease was curable.
那种疾病业已知道可以治疗。
You may get away with dishonesty for a while, but you’ll be found out sooner or later.
不诚实只能蒙蔽一时，迟早会被发现的。
2. turn out 1) + adv. / adj. / to do / that 结果是
[举例] Everything turned out well. 一切顺遂。
The rumor turned out (to be ) true.
那谣言后来证明是真的。
It turned out that two travelers had been killed.
后来证实/查明有两位旅客丧生。
2) 生产，出产
The factory can turn out 1000 cars a day.
这家工厂一天能生产1000辆汽车。
3. as a result 作为结果，因此
[举例] Tom didn’t study hard, as a result, he failed in the final examination.
汤姆学习不用功，因此期末考试没及格。
He was late as a result of traffic jam.
由于交通阻塞，他迟到了。
[比较] as a result of = because of, owing to因为，由于
4. except for = apart from; with the exception of 除了… 外
[举例] The bus is empty except for an old woman.
Your composition is good except for some spelling mistakes.
[比较] except 除了
We go there every day except Sunday.
besides 除了… 还有
There were three more visitors besides me.
除了我之外还有三位访客。
5. hold up 1) 阻止，使延误；停顿
[举例] We were held up on our way to the airport in a traffic jam.
我们在前往机场的路上因为堵车而延误了。
The steel strike may hold up the production of cars for several months.
钢铁工人罢工可能会使汽车生产停滞好几个月。
2) 举起，拿起
hold up one’s hand
3) 抢劫，拦截
hold up a bank
4) 举出… 作榜样
The old man always held up his youngest son as a model of hard work.
那位老人总是举出自己的小儿子作为勤奋工作的榜样。
6. result in = have as a result; cause结果是，导致
[举例] The accident resulted in three deaths.
这起事故导致三人死亡。
His careless speech resulted in much argument.
他发言过于草率，因而引来许多争议。
[比较] result from = to be the result of; happen because of 起因于
The terrible accident resulted from his carelessness.
那桩可怕的意外事件因他的疏忽大意而引起。
7. talk over = discuss商量，讨论
[例句] I must talk over the plan with him.
Leaders of the two countries have talked the situation over.
两国领导人已就这个局势进行了磋商。
8. keep up with = go or move as fast as, catch up with跟上
[例句] He walked so fast that she could not keep up with him.
他走得很快，使得她无法跟上。
Keep up with the changes in fashion跟上时尚的变化，跟上潮流

（五）句子
1. Sam set out to improve efficiency at the shirt factory, but, as we find out later in this unit, his plans turned out not quite as he had expected.
萨姆着手提高衬衫厂的生产效率，但是，我们将在本单元稍后发现，他的计划结果跟他预料的并不完全一样。
set out to do sth = set about (doing) sth开始，着手，准备
I set out to knit a sweater but in the end it became a vest.
我一开始想织一件毛衣，但最后却织成一件背心。
He set about his homework right after supper.
他晚饭后立刻开始做家庭作业。
2. If you ask my mother how I happened to become an industrial engineer, she’ll tell you that I have always been one.
如果你问我母亲我怎么偏偏就成了一位工业工程师的，她会告诉你我一直就是。
happen to 碰巧，偏偏。如，
How did you happen to develop an interest in French poetry?
你怎么偏偏对法国诗歌感兴趣？
3. … I was the efficiency expert for the whole family.
我是全家的效率专家。
expert efficiency 是一个专门术语，在本课中，作者用这个短语幽默地说明他小时候把家里的事安排得有条不紊。
4. I used to organize my father’s tools, my mother’s kitchen utensils, my sister’s boy friends.
父亲的工具、母亲的厨房用具以及姐姐的男朋友全由我统一安排。
句型used to do sth指过去的习惯和状态。如，
I didn’t use to like opera, but now I’m getting interested.
我过去不喜欢歌剧，但现在慢慢地感兴趣了。
[比较] get / be used to 习惯于 如，
I’m not used to getting up so early.
我不习惯起得这么早。
5. You’ll see what I mean when I tell you about the first project I ever did after I finished my bachelor’s degree at the university.
等我把我在大学获得学士学位后承办的第一项工程的情况告诉你以后，你就会明白我的意思了。
此句中共有四个从句，其中when引导时间状语从句，它本身又含有一个定语从句(I ever did)和一个状语从句(after I finished my bachelor’s degree at the university)。
6. Most curious of all, there was no quality control whatsoever.
最让人感到奇怪的是，厂里根本没有质量管理。
Most curious of all 是独立成分，称为插入语，相当于what is most curious of all。插入语包括独立不定式，独立分词，由to引导的短语以及诸如frankly, on the whole, honestly, what is worse, worst of all, most important of all等副词或短语。插入语的功能在于表达句子中间的某种递进、顺序、承接关系，作者对某一问题的解释、总结，或者作者对某一问题的看法、态度。如，
To tell the truth, I don’t like her. 说实话，我不喜欢她。
Strictly speaking, he is not qualified. 严格地说，他没有资格。
其它还有: so to speak, to be frank with you, needless to say, judging from等等。
7. Workers beyond him in line on his shift had to wait with nothing to do.
装配线上在他后面的工人只好等在那儿无事可干。
此句中with nothing to do 是with引导的独立结构，作状语。另如，
With a book in his hand, the teacher went into the classroom.
With the problem solved, they all went home.
He stood there, with nothing to say.

五、同义辨析
1. base, basis, foundation
a. base 基础，基地，用于指具体事物，指事物的根基；用于指抽象事物，指事物的发展起点；
b. basis 复数bases，根据，基础，多用于抽象事物，如理论、观点、论证等的依据或基础；
c. foundation 基础，根据，意思更为具体，指大建筑物等的地下基础；也可指抽象事物发展的根本。
[举例] the base of a mountain / statue / pillar 山脚/塑像的底座/柱子的基础
a military / naval base 军事/海军基地
There is no scientific basis for these claims.
这些主张没有科学根据。
The rumor was completely without foundation.
这谣传完全没有事实根据。
The foundation of a building 建筑物的根基
2. clean, neat, tidy
a. clean 清洁的，干净的，指没有尘土污垢，纯洁无污点；
b. neat 整洁的，简洁的；
c. tidy 整洁的，整齐的，指东西摆放有条理，不杂乱；也可指人们思维清楚，不混乱。
[举例] Are your hands clean?
a spotlessly clean room 一尘不染的房间
neat handwriting 工整的笔迹
a neat description 简洁的描述
a tidy room / desk / garden 整整齐齐的房间/书桌/花园
have a tidy mind 思维有条理
3. decrease, reduce, diminish
a. decrease 减少，下降，指一事物的数量因某种缘故而不断减少；
b. diminish 减少，减小，降低，强调持续性地失去一部分，而使事物的量受到削弱；也可指某物价值的降低、贬值；
c. reduce减少，降低，指人为地减少或降低某物的量，比较常用。
[举例] Interest in the sport is decreasing.
人们对此项运动的兴趣已逐渐淡薄。
Student numbers have decreased by 500.
学生人数减少了500名。
His strength has diminished over the years.
经过这许多年月，他的体力不如从前了。
The opposition are trying to diminish our achievements.
反对党企图贬低我们的成就。
The shirt was greatly / drastically reduced in the sale.
这种衬衣在大减价时降价很多。
4. hire, salary, wage, pay
a. hire指临时雇佣所付的工资，不可数名词；
b. salary指按星期、月、季、年发放的薪水，其支付期间的间隔较长，主要是指靠脑力劳动所得的工资，可作可数或不可数名词；
c. wage指按日或星期来计算的工资，主要指体力劳动者所得的工资，一般用复数；
d. pay 是普通名词，含义较广，可与salary或wage换用，不可数名词。
[举例] He is worth his hire. 给他那些工钱是值得的。
They get their wages at the end of each week.
Clerks in that company receive a salary of $ 1000 a month.
On what day does he receive his pay?


六、学习误区警示
1. consult 的用法
a. vt. 查阅(书籍)，(向专业人员)咨询；请教
consult sb / sth (about sth)
[举例] to consult one’s lawyer / a map / a dictionary
请教律师/查看地图/查阅词典
I consulted a doctor about my pain.
我找过医生诊治病痛。
b. vi. consult with sb (很少用被动语态)与某人商量事情；与某人磋商
[比较] look up = find information in a book查阅
[举例] Look up the word in the dictionary.
[派生] consultant n. 顾问
consultation n. 协商会，审议会；商量，咨询
consultative adj. 咨询的，顾问的
2. observe的用法
observe在作“注意，观察”讲时属感官动词，用法多样：既可及物也可不及物；做及物动词时后可接名词，that从句，wh-从句，sb do sth/ sb doing sth。但需注意在被动语态中动词不定式不可省略to。
另外，observe还有“遵守；庆祝；评论”的意思。具体用法请参照例句。
[举例] 1) He observes keenly, but says little.
他观察敏锐，但是很少说话。
observe the behavior of birds 观察鸟类的行为
She observed that he’d left but made no comment.
她看见他离去，但未置一词。
The woman was observed to follow him closely.
有人看到那女子紧跟着他。
The police observed the man entering / enter the bank.
警方监视着那男子进入银行的情况。
2) observe the speed limit 遵守速度限制规定
observe the laws of the land 遵守该国法律
3) Do they observe Christmas Day in that country?
那个国家的人过圣诞节吗？
4) He observed that we would probably have snow that afternoon.
他说那天下午可能会下雪。
[派生] observer n. 观察者；遵守者；评论者
observant adj. 善于观察的，机警的
observation n. 观察，注意
observatory n. 天文台；气象台；观察台
observable adj. 看得见的，觉察得到的
observance n. 遵守；奉行；宗教仪式
3. miss 的用法
miss不可跟不定式，可跟动名词。如，
I don’t want to miss seeing that film on television tonight.
我不想错过今晚电视播放的影片。

We narrowly missed being killed by the explosion.
我们差一点被炸死。
4. major, minor 都不和than用作搭配比较；
superior, inferior, senior, junior可用作比较，后接to而不是than。
[举例] You must be superior to me in this skill.
你在这项技术上一定胜过我。
His position is inferior to hers.
他的地位比她低。
He is senior to me by two years. = He is two years senior to me.
他比我大两岁。
She is four years junior to him.
她比他小四岁。
5. compliments n. = good wishes 祝贺，问候
[举例] That was an excellent dinner ----- my compliments to the chef!
这晚饭真丰美，我向厨师致意！
[比较] compliment n. 恭维话，贺词，赞扬 v. 恭维，称赞
complement n. 补足物，补充；足数；补语 v. 完善，补充，补足
[举例] 1) He was showered with compliments on his excellent performance.
他出色的表演使他大受赞扬。
She said how nice my dress was, so I returned the compliment and said I liked hers.
她称赞我的衣服好看，我便回敬说我也很喜欢她的衣服。
I must compliment you on the way you handle the meeting.
我应当夸奖你主持会议的方法。
2) A fine wine is a complement to a good meal.
美食加美酒才算完备。
At last the English Department has its full complement of teachers.
英语系的教师定员终于满额了。
Our local bus and rail services complement each other very well.
我们这里市内公共汽车与市郊列车互相补充，使交通极为便利。

七、课后作业（答案在下一讲）

I. Vocabulary and structure

1. Sam set out to improve ________ at the shirt factory, but he failed at last.
A. efficiency B. sufficiency C. affect D. effect
2. Maybe you will ask my mother how I _______ to become an industrial engineer.
A. proposed B. happened C. risked D. considered
3. I liked to keep my underwear, ________, in the bottom drawer.
A. neatly folding B. neatly folded C. neat folding D. neat folded
4. I was the efficiency expert for the whole family, I used to organize my mother’s kitchen _____.
A. instruments B. appliances C. tools D. utensils
5. These qualities gave me a good foundation for a career in industrial engineer. ________, I was also a bit bossy.
A. Perfectly B. Unfortunately C. Otherwise D. Suddenly
6. After I had spent a week looking around and making notes, I was really amazed at _____ I saw.
A. that B. what C. which D. where
7. ________ a half hour at lunchtime, there were no breaks in the day to relieve the boring work.
A. Besides B. beside C. Except for D. Except
8. I was amazed that the workers had not gone _________ strike.
A. on B. on a C. to D. to a
9. The working conditions were poor. ________, the work flow was irregular.
A. However B. Nevertheless C. Although D. Furthermore
10. Big Jim ________ sit behind me in math class in high school.
A. has used to B. be used to C. get used to D. used to
11. Excellent work should _______ frequent pay increase and promotions.
A. result from B. result in C. cause by D. be the result of
12. Workers beyond Big Jim in line _______ his shift had to wait with nothing to do.
A. on B. in C. beside D. at
13. As a manager, he has paid a lot of attention to the ______ in his factory.
A. capability B. efficiency C. sufficiency D. effect
14. In the past twenty years our country has got great achievement in ____ field.
A. industry B. industrial C. industrious D. industrialist
15. _________ nonsense the newspapers print, some people always believe it.
A. Whatever B. Whoever C. Whichever D. Wherever
16. She often sleeps during the day time, because her work is on night _____.
A. turn B. shift C. change D. move
17. The little fox was not clever enough to miss _____ by the hunter.
A. catching B. caught C. being caught D. to be caught
18. An expert is _____ who has knowledge, skill or training.
A. that B. one C. which D. such
19. Nobody in the neighborhood likes her, for she always behaves as if she _____ a queen.
A. was B. were C. is D. had been
20. The building of the road has been ____ up by the heavy rain.
A. broken B. drew C. hung D. held
21. Along with the rapid development of the art of medicine, the birth rate in our country increase, the death rate ______ at the same time.
A. diminishes B. reduces C. decreases D. lessens
22. Jack had done a very good job, so people paid him a well-deserved ___.
A. complement B. compliment C. compartment D. complaint
23. Although he is over eighty, he has a _____ head.
A. neat B. mixed-up C. tidy D. clean
24. Agriculture is the ______ of the national economy.
A. fountain B. foundation C. framework D. frontier
25. Before we can accept the management’s offer we must _____ the workers again.
A. consult with B. consult C. look up D. advise
26. The medicine the doctor gave him ____ his headaches.
A. freed B. refreshed C. released D. relieved
27. I slept through her ____ speech.
A. interesting B. odd C. internal D. dull
28. The pile of papers couldn’t catch ____ by itself.
A. burning B. flames C. fire D. heat
29. This room was _____ for the children.
A. projected B. schemed C. designed D. described
30. The company ____ the rock group’s new record by playing it often on the radio.
A. promoted B. promised C. progressed D. proceeded

II. Reading comprehension

Passage one
Telephone, television, radio, and telegraph all help people communicate with each other. Because of these devices, ideas and news of events spread quickly all over the world. For example, within seconds, people can know the results of an election in another country. An international football match comes into the homes everyone with a television set. News of a disaster such as an earthquake or a flood can bring help from distant countries. Within hours, help is on the way. Because of modern technology like the satellites that travel around the world, information travels fast.
How has this speed of communication changed the world? To many people. The world has become smaller. Of course this does not mean that the world is actually physically smaller. It means that the world seems smaller. Two hundred years ago, communication between the continents took a long time. All news was carried on ships that took weeks or even months to cross the oceans. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, it took six weeks for news from Europe to reach Americas. This time difference influenced people’s actions. For example, one battle, or fight, in the War of 1812 between England and the United States could have been avoided. A peace agreement has already been signed. Peace was made in England, but news of peace took six weeks to reach America. During this six weeks, the large and serious Battle of New Orleans was fought. Many people lost their lives after a peace treaty had been signed. They would not have died if news has come in time. In the past, communication took much more time than it does now. There was a good reason why the world seemed so much larger than it does today.
1. News spread fast because of___________-.
A. modern transportation
B. new technology
C. the changes of the world
2. According to this passage, _____ is very important to people in disaster area.
A. fast communication
B. modern technology
C. latest news
D. new ideas
3. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The world now seems smaller because of faster communication
B. The world is actually smaller today
C. The world is changing in size
D. The distance between England and America has changed since the War of 1812.
4. Two hundred years ago, news between the continents was carried ______.
A. by telephone and telegraph
B. by land
C. by air
D. by sea
5. The New Orleans Battle could have been avoided if the peace agreement had been signed ___.
A. by both sides
B. in time
C. in America
D. in England
Passage two
What do you do if you are hit in the mouth and one of your teeth is knocked out? A dentist may be able to put the tooth back in for you, but you have to get to the dentist first. In the meantime, you have to store the tooth so that it will stay healthy.
The simplest thing to do is to put the tooth back into your mouth, or you could put it in milk. Frank Courts, a dentist at the University of Florida, worked with other researchers to find the safest way of keeping knocked-out teeth. He tried putting teeth into milk, into water, and into cell-culture medium (细胞培养液). He also tried just drying the teeth in the open air. He used teeth that had to be removed from people’s mouth for various reasons. The teeth were put into one of the solutions(溶液) or stored in the air for an hour. Then cells from the root of the teeth were scraped(刮) off the teeth. Dr Courts and the others then studied how healthy these cells were.
The cell-culture medium worked best to keep a knocked-out tooth healthy outside the mouth. However, few people keep cell-culture medium handy(手边的) at home or in school. The next best thing was milk. But Dr Courts said that the best thing of all was to wash the tooth and put it right back into its socket(牙槽) in the mouth. For some people, though, this is just too painful or upsetting(令人心烦意乱的). So milk will do, until you get your tooth (and your mouth) to a dentist.

1. This passage is mainly about _______.
A. how a dentist can save a knocked-out tooth
B. how to keep a knocked-out tooth healthy
C. how Dr Courts and other researchers made their experiments
D. how to put a knocked-out tooth into its socket
2. Dr Courts tested __________.
A. man-made teeth
B. teeth dried in the open air
C. teeth pulled for various reasons
D. teeth put back in their sockets
3. The best way to keep a knocked-out tooth healthy outside the mouth is to store it _________.
A. in cell-culture medium
B. in milk
C. in water
D. in the open air
4. Milk can be used instead of cell-culture medium to put a knocked-out tooth in because ______.
A. milk works better to keep the tooth healthy
B. milk causes less pain
C. cell-culture medium is not usually handy
D. cell-culture medium is more expensive
5. “Dr Courts said that the best of all was to wash the tooth and put it right back into its socket in the mouth.” In the sentence, the word “best”means __________.
A. cheapest and healthiest
B. least painful and cheapest
C. quickest and least painful
D. easiest and healthiest

八、英语技能训练

（一）提高英语听力，训练应试技能 （六）
一、听力考试中的短文应试技巧
四、六级听力测试中的Section B部分一般由二至三篇短文组成，由于短文信息量大、篇幅长(每篇短文约150－250词)，题材广泛(主要涉及英语国家的政治、教育、地理、历史、科技、人物传记、文化风俗、日常生活等诸方面)，而且语速较快，且只读一遍(四级为130－150词/分钟，六级为150－170词/分钟)，所以学生普遍感到短文是听力测试中最难的部分。实际上，如果我们对听力短文部分加以分析，就可以得出一些规律性的东西。根据出题类型，短文可分为说明型、描述型、叙事型及对话型四种。
1. 说明型
说明型短文主要用于介绍某一事物的产生、演变过程及特征、性质、操作程序等。此一类型的短文通常通过举例、对比、解释、逻辑推理等方法来解释某事物。我们在听音时，应注意听清文章的大致结构，尤其是主题句、中心句等关键句子。在平时练习时要尽量熟悉各种常用的说明方法，如按时间顺序、因果关系、类比等方法进行的说明。例如，
1. A) For protection against other animals.
B) For protection against other dogs.
C) Just for fun
D) For the purpose of guarding the house.
2. A) Because they did not eat other animals.
B) Because they were useful for protection.
C) Because they were good hunters.
D) Because they always obey their master.
3. A) For companionship.
B) For amusement.
C) For protection against robbery.
D) For hunting.
4. A) The city can be a lonely place.
B) Life in the west can be very dangerous.
C) People in the west are fond of animals.
D) The dog is a useful and friendly animal.
You will hear:
When you take a walk in any of the cities in the west, you often see a lot of people walking dogs. It is still sure that a dog is the most useful and faithful animal in the world, but the reasons why people keep a dog have changed. In the old days people used to train dogs to protect themselves against attacks by other beasts. Later, they came to realize that a dog was not only useful for protection but willing to obey his master. For example, when people used dogs for hunting, the dogs would not eat what was caught without permission. Now people in the city need not protect themselves against attacks of animals. Why do they keep dogs, then? Some people keep dogs to protect themselves from robbery. The most important reason is for companionship. For a child, a dog is his best friend when he has no friends to play with. For young couples, a dog is their child when they have no children. For old couples, a dog is also their child when their real children have grown up. So the main reason why people keep dogs has changed from protection to friendship. (CET-4, 91.6, Section B, Passage 3)
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the passage you have just heard.
1. According to the passage, what were dogs trained for in the past?
2. Why were dogs used for hunting?
3. What is the most important reason for people in the city to keep dogs now?
4. What is the main idea of this passage?
如今，西方人养狗的目的已与过去有所不同，过去人们养狗是为了免遭野兽的侵袭，后来又为了猎捕，但现在人们养狗是为了防遭抢劫，而更多的人养狗是与狗为伴，这便是本文的主要内容。
本文的主要结构是主题句在文章开头的第二句中 “… but the reasons why people keep a dog have changed .”然后再按时间顺序说明这种变化的原因：
1. In the old days ---- protect themselves against beasts;
2. And later---- hunting dogs;
3. But now ---- protect from robbery; companionship.
有了这条线索后，再回答后面的问题便轻松多了。我们在考试时，应做到抓住主题、边听边记，这样才不至于听完后忘了主要信息。
文后有四个问题，第一题要求辨认信息，在文中可直接找到答案A。第二题也可从原文中直接获取信息，正确答案为D。第三题也是针对内容本身的提问，较易，根据记录可知答案为A。最后一题要求概括全文内容，此题需在理解全文的基础上作出选择，短文的首尾都点出了本文的主要内容，此题正确答案为D。

（二）阅读理解阅读技巧 （六）
领会作者的观点、意图和态度
与掌握所读材料的主旨和大意类似，领会作者的观点、意图和态度也是阅读理解中比较难解答的问题。回答这类题首先要在阅读过程中注意体会和觉察作者的观点、意图和态度。这种信息有时是直接的表达，但更多的是间接、含蓄的流露。不过，作者的这种主观情感和态度往往和全文的主题和要点相关联。所以，在根据主题和主旨的同时，应注意揣测作者的观点、意图和态度。
下面是这类题的一些常用的提问方式：
1. The author’s main purpose in this passage is ________.
2. The author’s purpose of writing this passage is ________.
3. In this passage the author’s attitude toward … could best be described as _______.
4. What is the author’s attitude toward … ?
5. The author’s main thought is that _________.
6. The author probably feels that ___________.
7. The author appears to feel that ___________.
8. Which of the following does the author want to illustrate in discussing … ?
9. In this passage the author looks on … with an attitude of ___________.
10. What is the tone of this passage?
11. What is the author’s opinion about … ?
12. The author uses the example of … to show that _________?
例，
We find that bright children are rarely held back by mixed-ability teaching. On the contrary, both their knowledge and experience are enriched. We feel that there are many disadvantages in streaming pupils. It does not take into account the fact that children develop at different rates. It can have a bad effect on both the bright and the not-so-bright child. After all, it can be quite discouraging to be at the bottom of the top grade!
Besides, it is rather unreal to grade people just according to their intellectual ability. This is only one aspect of their total personality. We are concerned to develop the abilities of all our pupils to the full, not just their academic ability. We also value personal qualities and social skills, and we find that mixed-ability teaching contributes to all these aspects of learning.
In our classrooms, we work in various ways. The pupils often work in groups: this gives them the opportunity to learn to cooperate, to share, and to develop leadership skills. They also learn how to cope with personal problems as well as learning how to think, to make decisions, to analyze and evaluate, and to communicate effectively. The pupils learn from each other as well as from the teacher.
Sometimes the pupils work in pairs; sometimes they work on individual tasks and assignments, and they can do this at their own speed. They also have some formal class teaching when this is appropriate. We encourage our pupils to use the library, and we teach them the skills they need in order to do this efficiently. An advanced pupil can do advanced work: it does not matter what age the child is. We expect our pupils to do their best, not their least, and we give them every encouragement to attain this goal.
1. In the passage the author’s attitude towards “mixed-ability teaching ” is _______.
A. critical B. questioning C. approving D. objective
2. The author argues that a teacher’s chief concern should be the development of the student’s ________.
A. personal qualities and social skills
B. total personality
C. learning ability and communicative skills
D. intellectual ability
3. The author’s purpose of writing this passage is to _________.
A. argue for teaching bright and not-so-bright pupils in the same class
B. recommend pair work and group work for classroom activities
C. offer advice on the proper use of the library
D. emphasize the importance of appropriate formal classroom teaching
第一题考核学生是否读懂作者的对混合编班的态度。要回答该问题，首先要弄清四个选项的不同含义。选项A表示作者持“批评的”态度, 选项B表示作者持“怀疑的”态度，选项C表示作者持“赞同的”态度，选项D表示作者持“客观的”态度。根据文章第一段的内容，可以看出作者是持“赞同的”态度，所用的人称代词也是 we, 因此答案是选项C。如果是持“客观的”态度的话，则人称代词不会用 we。
第二题要求根据文章的意思推测作者的观点。根据第二段内容，可以看出学生的total personality(总体素质)包括了academic ability or intellectual ability, personal qualities 和social skills。也就是说这些能力都是total personality的方方面面。再看一下这一段的二、三两句，可以得出正确的答案是B。其它几个选项的意思都不全面，都不能反映作者的充分开发学生的全面能力的主张。
第三题要求读者了解作者写这篇文章的意图是什么。文章讨论了两种上课的方式：streaming pupils 把学生按能力分班进行教学，和mixed-ability teaching把程度不齐的学生混班上课。并对比列举了前者的弊端和后者的种种优点。因此A项是正确的答案。而选项B、C、D中提到的几种做法均为mixed-ability teaching的具体做法，都不能看作是作者写这篇文章的目的。这个题目要看懂全文才能够答对。

（三）写作基础
六、有关断句的错误
并列分句之间必须有并列连词连接，或者用分号断开；主句和从句之间要有从属连词连接。但是有的学生在写作中，不管句子之间的关系如何，一概用逗号连接。这种错误通常被称作断句错误。看例句：
1. [误] We all went home after the picnic, it had started to rain.
2. [误] The food was fine except the cake, I did not like it.
3. [误] We were looking for a shady spot, we could not find one.
4. [误] The work was finished, the workers packed their tools and went home.
5. [误] They finally found a satisfactory place, it was breezy but quiet.
6. [误] He was the only candidate, therefore he was elected.
纠正这一类错句的方法须根据有关分句或从句的逻辑关系而定。上述错句可以纠正如下：
1. [正] We all went home after the picnic because it had started to rain.
2. [正] The food was fine except the cake which I did not like.
3. [正] We were looking for a shady spot, but could not find one.
4. [正] As the work was finished, the workers packed their tools and went home.
5. [正] They finally found a satisfactory place; it was breezy but quiet.
They finally found a satisfactory place, which was breezy but quiet.
6. [正] He was the only candidate; therefore he was elected.
He was the only candidate. Therefore he was elected.
断句错误有时也表现为“融合句”(Fused Sentence), 即两个以上的句子在一起使用，没有标点符号将它们隔开，也没有连词将它们连接起来。如，
7. [误] At first I wondered if I should speak to her she seemed so absorbed in her thoughts.
8. [误] I entered the house I smelt something burning.
纠正这种病句的方法仍然是从逻辑关系上对其进行分析，或者对原句的结构作适当的调整，或者给原句加上适当的标点符号。上述错句可以纠正如下：
7. [正] She seemed so absorbed in her thoughts that at first I wondered if I should speak to her. .
8. [正] I entered the house and smelt something burning.
As I entered the house, I smelt something burning.
Exercises:
找出并纠正下列句子中的断句错误：
1. This kind of food is usually rich and plentiful, it would be unfortunate not to enjoy it.
2. Vacations at sea are within the reach of many people today they were a luxury for privileged class not so long ago.
3. Some people like an ocean voyage in winter, they want to escape the frost and snow at home.
4. They did not win the game so far as I could see they did not even try.
5. His bedrooms seemed empty there were only two chairs, a small desk and a bed.
6. We must try our best to improve our writing it will be useful for our future work.
Unit 5写作基础练习答案：
1. china is no longer what she / it used to be.
2. Although she is only nine years old, …
3. … there were only fifteen people coming to
或 … there were only fifteen people who / that came to
4. Reading is a process of mentally interpreting written symbols.
5. Old people are faced with many problems, such as …
6. The picture is about a poor little boy who lived in Old China.

(九) Unit 5 练习答案

I. Vocabulary and structure
1. B 2. D 3. A 4. A 5. A
6. C 7. B 8. C 9. B 10. C
11. D 12. B 13. B 14. C 15. C
16. A 17. B 18. C 19. D 20. D
21. D 22. A 23. C 24. A 25. C
26. C 27. D 28. C 29. A 30. A

II. Reading comprehension
1. C 2. C 3. B 4. C 5. A
6. C 7. A 8. D 9. B 10. D