Unit TwoUnit TwoUnit TwoUnit TwoTyranny of the Tyranny of the

urgent urgent

Teaching ObjectivesPre-reading QuestionsGlobal ReadingDetailed ReadingExtended knowledge

Teaching Objectives

• Discuss how to be a master of time.

• Appreciate, analyze and learn a thought-provoking argumentation.

Pre-reading Questions

• Do you often feel pressed by time? Give some example(s).

• Do you think the busier you are, the more accomplished your life will be?

Global Reading

Be aware of the development of the logical reasoning in this article.

What are the role of examples in this writing?

Detailed Reading

Paragraph 1-2

Paragraph 3-5

Paragraphs 6

Paragraph 1-2Questions:

Do you believe that more time definitely mean more freedom?

Do you agree on the author’s view about experience? Why or why not?

Language work:

Tremendous: adj. Extremely large in amount, extent, or degree; enormous:

a tremendous task

trail: n. Something that hangs loose and long

Trails of ticker tape floated down from office windows. 悬挂飘扬在办公室窗口的彩色纸带

The senator was followed by a trail of reporters. 被一长串记者尾随的参议员

exacting: adj

1. (of a person or piece of work) demanding much care, effort and attention

an exacting task

The trains used in the Channel Tunnel have to conform to exacting fire safety standards.

2. Making severe demands; rigorous:

an exacting instructor.一名严格得近乎苛求的指导者

Paragraph 3-5

Questions:

• How do you define “priorities” in your life?

• Do you indeed have a strong sense of frustration when you fail to meet demands?

misgiving n. A feeling of doubt, distrust, or apprehension.

reef: n. A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water. 礁，暗礁

Language workapart from prep.

1. With the exception of; except for 除…外Apart from his nose, he’s quite good-looking. 他除了鼻子以外，哪都很好看。

2. beside; in addition to 除…外还Apart from the injuries to his face and hands, he broke both legs.他除了脸部和双手受伤以外，两条腿也断了。

crowd v.intr.

1. To congregate in a restricted areaThe children crowded around the TV. 孩子们聚集在电视机周围

2. To advance by pressing or shovingA bevy of reporters crowded toward the candidate.一群记者涌向候选人

Paragraphs 6

Questions:

Are you a slave to “tyranny of the urgent”?

Language work

momentary adj.

1 Lasting for only a moment.

2 Occurring or present at every moment in momentary fear of being exposed

3 Short-lived or ephemeral, as a life.

devour: v.tr.

1 To eat up greedily

2 To take in eagerlydevour a novel

3 To prey upon voraciously was devoured by jealousy

in (the) light of:

1 In consideration of; He reviewed his decision in the light of recent developments.

2 in relationship toI always have looked upon her in the light of a niece. He views progress in the light of scientific achievement.

Extended knowledgein (the) light of and due to

in (the) light of: In consideration of; in relationship to

due to: Because of

First of all, to introduce a cause is not the main usage of “in (the) light of” though in some contexts, it can be interpreted as “because of” as in text I.

When referring to a cause, it is emphasized that a certain existing cause leads to a somewhat unavoidable result or decision.

Extended knowledgeFor example:

In the light of his determination to resign, the board of the committee have to select a new candidate to take his place.

The board of the committee have to select a new candidate to take his place due to his determination to resign.

Post-reading practice

Word derivation1. Every increased possession loads us with a

new _________ (weary).2. God promises a safe landing but not a calm

_________ (pass).3. Relaxation means releasing all concern and

_________ (tense) and letting the natural order of life flow through one’s being.

4. After several rounds of cross-examination, the suspect made a total __________ of guilt. (confess)

5. You are just _____ yourself if you carry on believing that she loves you. (deceptive)

6. He feels a ______ obligation to his job as a journalist. (priority)

7. Everyone should take time to be alone, to ________ and meditate (priority)

8. The gallery is planning to increase the amount of space __________ to traditional Chinese paintings. (allotment)

9. He came five minutes prior to the meeting. Now almost 30 minutes passed and it had not started yet. He was becoming ________ of the delay. (weariness)

Phrasal verb

• Age is opportunity no less than youth itself, though in another dress, and as the evening twilight fades _________, the sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

• You’re getting married? This calls _________ a celebration!

• Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing _________ authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory.

• Many people were, with much regret, crowded _________ the lecture hall due to the lack of space.

• He left________ an important detail in her account.

Grammar Exercises

Part A: Fill in the blanks using the following linking expressions:

apart from, in addition, in the light of, with regard to, due to

1. _____ his poor work performance and light-

hearted work attitude, he was sacked.

2. ________ insufficient government spending on the project, the results have come to no avail.

3. Sorghum is the least demanding grain _________ water, soil and climate.

4. _____ her blond prettiness, she is smart and helpful.

5. We had a great time during the journey, ______ the unfavorable weather.

Part B: Fill in the blanks with prepositions

in, for, off, on /upon

• This sort of work calls ____ a lot of practice.

• After three days of searching, the police chief called _____ the hunt for the escaped prisoner.

• The Opposition called ___ the Prime Minister to stop the arms deal.

Part B: Fill in the blanks with prepositions

in, for, off, on /upon

4. She had to called________ all her courage to accept her child’s death.

5. The declaration called _______an immediate cease-fire.

6. The makers have called _____some cars with dangerous faults.

Translation

• 中国有句俗话说：“鱼和熊掌不可兼得”，我们常常发现自己处于这样的两难之中。 (dilemma)

• 作为一个保守的基督教徒，他常常倾向于从宗教的角度来看待很多问题。 (perspective)

• 是留在学校继续读书深造还是找工作，他处于进退两难的境地。 (dilemma)

• 对伊拉克战斗的回忆将萦绕他的余生。 (haunt)• 肝脏手术需要高超的技术和格外的专心。 (exact)• 飓风所到之处都带来了死亡和破坏。 (trail)• 一位成功的企业家应能够审时度势做出精明决策。 (in the light of)• 他突然想到好象在什么地方见过这个人。 (hit)• 那老外看着自己盘子里的鸭舌，一脸狐疑。 (misgiving)• 人不可貌相。（ deceptive）