同济大学英语四级班期末考试必背课文
同济大学2020级英语专业大学英语(4)期末试卷(七)
What are you? Are you a pessimist, who thinks negatively about the world and the future? Or are you an optimist, who thinks things are getting better and better? These questions are important to you and how you live your life. They are also important to scientists who do research in psychology. In this article, I will introduce the findings of these researchers. I will also point out some things that you can do in order to change your life for the better.Consequences of Optimism and PessimismA fast-growing body of research －104 studies so far, involving some 15,000 people －is proving that optimistic thinking can help you to be happier, healthier and more successful. Pessimistic thinking leads, by contrast, to hopelessness, sickness, and failure, and is linked to depression, loneliness and painful shyness. “If we could teach people to think more positively,” says the psychologist Craig A. Anderson of Rice University in Houston, “it would help them fight against these mental illnesses.”One’s Belief in Success“Your abilities do count,” explains psychologist Michael F. Scheier of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, “but the belief that you can succeed affects whether or not you will.” In part, that’s because optimists and pessimists deal with the same challenges and disappointments in very different ways.Take, for example, your job. In a major study, psychologist Martin E.P. Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania and his colleague Peter Schulman surveyed sales representatives at a life insurance company. They found that the positive-thinkers among longtime representatives sold 37% more insurance than did the negative thinkers. Of newly hired representatives, optimists sold 20% more.Impressed, the company hired 100 people who had failed the standard industry test but had scored high on optimism. These people, who might never have been hired, sold 10% more insurance than did the average representative.The Secret to an Optimist’s SuccessHow did they do it? The secret to an optimist’s success, according to Seligman, is in his “explanatory style”. When things go wrong, the pessimist tends to blame himself. “I’m no good at this,” he says, “I always fail.” The optimist looks for other things to blame. He blames the weather, the phone connections, even the other person. That customer was in a bad mood, he thinks. When things go right, the optimist takes credit while the pessimist sees success as the result of good luck.同济大学2020级英语专业大学英语（4）期末试卷（七）Part II Reading Comprehension (35points)Section A (Fast Reading). (10points)Directions: In this section, you will have to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions. For questions 32-38, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) B), C) and D) and write your answers on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 39-41, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage and write your answers on Answer Sheet 2.Craig Anderson once had a group of students give phone calls to strangers and ask them to give blood to the Red Cross. When they failed on the first call or two, pessimists said, “I can’t do this.” Optimists told themselves, “I need to try a different approach.”Negative or positive, it was a self-fulfilling statement. “If people feel hopeless,” says Anderson, “they don’t bother to acquire the skills they need to succeed.”A sense of control, according to Anderson, is the test for success. The optimist feels in control of his own life. If things are going badly, he acts quickly, looking for solutions, forming a new plan of action, and reaching out for advice. The pessimist feels like he is fate’s plaything and moves slowly. He doesn’t seek advice, since he assumes nothing can be done.Effects of Optimism and Pessimism on HealthOptimists may think they are better than the facts would justify－and sometimes that’s what keeps them alive. Dr. Sandra Levy of the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute studied women with advanced breast cancer. For the women who were generally optimistic, there was a longer disease-free interval, the best predictor of survival. In a pilot study of women in the early stages of breast cancer, Dr. Levy found the disease came on sooner among the pessimists.Optimistic thinking won’t cure the incurable or create miracles, but it may prevent some illnesses. In a long-term study, researchers met with and examined the health histories of a group of Harvard graduates, all of whom were in the top half of their class and in fine physical condition; yet some were positive thinkers, and some negative. Twenty years later, when researchers met with them again, there were more middle-age diseases among the pessimists than the optimists. Clearly, pessimistic and optimistic thinking had an effect on their health.Many studies suggest that the pessimist’s feeling of helplessness undermines the body’s natural defenses, the immune system. Dr. Christopher Peterson of the University of Michigan has found that the pessimist doesn’t take good care of himself.Feeling passive and unable to escape life’s blows, he expects poor health and other misfortunes, no matter what he does. He eats bad food, avoid exercise, ignores the doctor, and drinks too much alcohol.Causes of Optimism and PessimismMost people are a mix of optimistic and pessimistic thinkers, but they are inclined in one direction or the other. It is a pattern of thinking learned “at your mother’s knee”, says Seligman. It grows out of thousands of warnings or encouragements, negative statements or positive ones. Too many “don’ts” and warnings of danger can make a child feel incompetent, fearful and－pessimistic.As they grow, children experience small triumphs, such as learning to tie their shoes or riding a bicycle. Parents can help turn these successes into a sense of control, and that breeds optimism. Ways to Change for OptimismPessimism is a hard habit to break－but that can be done. In a series of landmark studies, Dr. Carol Dweck of the University of Illinois has been working with children in the early grades ofschool. As she helps students to change the explanations for their failures－from “I must be stupid” to “I didn’t study hard enough”－their academic performance improves.Pittsburgh’s Dr. Levy wondered if turning patients into optimists would lengthen their lives. In a pilot study, two groups of cancer patients were given the same medical treatments, but some were also given psychological help to encourage optimism. Results showed that this worked. Now a major study is planned to determine whether this psychological change can alter the course of the disease.So, if you’re a pessimist, there’s reason for optimism. You can change. Here’s how:·Pay careful attention to your thoughts when bad things happen. Write down the first thing that comes to mind, unedited.·Now try an experiment. Do something that’s contrary to any negative reactions. Let’s say something has gone wrong at work. Do you think “I hate my job, but I could never get a better one”? Act as if that weren’t so. Send out resumes. Go to interviews. Look into training and check job leads.·Keep track of what happens. Were your first thoughts right or wrong? “If your thoughts are holding you back, change them,” says Hollon, “it’s trial and error, no guarantees, but give yourself a chance.”Positive thinking leads to positive action. What you expect from the world, as the evidence suggests, is what you’re likely to get.29.From the first paragraph we learn that one’s attitude toward life affects .C. 37%D. 100%32.What are pessimists inclined to do when things go wrong?A.To blame themselvesB. To blame their bad luckB.have longer disease-free intervalsC.justify themselvesD.prevent all illnessesSection B (Reading in Depth). (5points)Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please write the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 . You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.becomes bored, their work begins to show a lack of continuity in its appeal and it becomes difficult to sustain the attention of the public. After their enthusiasm has dissolved, the public simply movesunfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You shouldThe key transportation technology for the opening years of 21st century will be telecommunications. What do telecommunications have to do with international transportation? The obvious linkage is helping ships and aircraft navigate more efficiently, cutting time and operating expenses. This means lower costs of imported goods and cheaper travel for business and pleasure.A less obvious connection is the ability of a clothing manufacturer, for instance, to know the exact location anywhere in the world of materials and finished goods so that inventories(细帐)－and the associated transport, storage, and handling costs—are reduced sharply.The explosive aspect of the telecommunications / transportation revolution is coming in traditional service industries and functions: technical services, data entry, financial management, software programming, etc. Consider Fidelity Investments of Boston, whose British subsidiary (子公司) sells shares in German companies to German investors by telephone from London. Cheap telecommunications provides the global transportation “highway” for the work that is performed by Fi delity’s customer representatives, Irish call center technicians, Indian software engineers, and Jamaican data entry clerks.These white-collar activities, many of them paying well above average wages, are becoming steadily more important in all econom ies. Moreover, they now are “contestable” by any country in the world that has a decent telecommunications system and an appropriately skilled labor force.What this means is that the last major barrier to international trade —distance—is being eliminated for an increasing portion of the global economy. Transportation costs no longer will protect inefficient producers. Buyers of goods and services—software, document processing,B. white-collar workers’ wage is more than the average wageC. distance as the last barrier to international trade is being eliminatedD. white-collar activities are facing challenges from all over the world54. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?A. Transportation costs will protect efficient producers.B. Inefficient producers will have no protection in the global economy.C. Inefficient producers will no longer consider transportation costs.B. white-collar workers are being replaced by computersC. clothing manufacturers will earn less money than beforeD. distance will disappear due to global telecommunications56. What is the main topic of the passage?A. The development of transportation technology.B.The connection between international transportation and telecommunications.C. The advances of traditional service industries.D. The influence of telecommunications on international trade.For the weekend, I am alone in my own house. There were no kids saying “I’m hungry” or my thoughts and enjoy the quiet, immersing(沉浸) myself to the point of getting sick of it.I think I’ve succeeded. Twelve hours into my solitude, I’m a bit bored and lonely, a situation unfathomable (深不可测的)a mere day ago. I’m ready for some activity around me, ready for some kids traipsing( 漫步)in and out and slamming doors, bringing dirt with them on their shoes. I am even ready for a few completely unreasonable requests, such as that I make them dinner. Mostly I’m ready for some laughter and conversation.Despite these conflicting feelings, I find this experience highly clarifying. With the house finally quiet enough for me to hear myself think, I am left with the cozy(舒适的)notion that I love the frenzy( 狂暴)of my busy life, that the quiet I often long for is nice, but only for a little while. That life just about me even for a day is not all it’s cracked up to be, and that joy comes from interacting with others and getting things done.I have another day of solitude tomorrow, but it won’t be so lazy. I’ll crank up(开动)the stereo, get to work on some long-neglected projects and connect with a friend. One day of quiet is quiteA.going window-shoppingB.seeing a filmC.emptying her thoughts and enjoying the quietD.telephoning one of her friends for lunch60.Which of the following statement is NOT true?A.The author has longed to live alone for a long time.B.The author no longer likes to have quiet moments in her life.C.The author feels very lonely after being alone for a day.D.The author feels still enjoys the busy life with her family.D.newly-married lady who wants to live by herselfPart III Cloze (10points)Directions: There are 20 blanks in the following passage. For each blank there are four choices marked62.A. What B. Which C. When D. Such63.A. remains B. represents C. maintains D. offers64.A. when B. why C. where D. what65.A. at B. to C. in D. with66.A. come up B. come to C. come across D. come at67.A. necessarily B. essentially C. especially D. remarkably68.A. besides B. in addition C. except D. but69.A. challenging B. rewarding C. considering D. compensating70.A. correspond B. attach C. owe D. contribute71.A. exclusively B. intimately C. ultimately D. individually72.A. notify B. identify C. access D. witness73.A. respects B. prospects C. purposes D. aspects74.A. rise B. emerge C. occur D. appear75.A. rewarding B. interesting C. relaxing D. responding76.A. look into B. look after C. look at D. look out77.A. necessity B. opportunity C. reality D. probability78.A. reply B. enforce C. attach D. apply79.A. advisable B. acceptable C. available D. considerable80.A. suitable B. possible C. approachable D. valuable81.A. to B. in C. from D. onPart IV Translation (10points)Directions: Complete the sentences on Answer Sheet 2 by translating into English the Chinese given in brackets.Part V Writing (15points)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic of Shopping Online. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese:1.目前网上购物很流行2.网上购物有利有弊3.作为大学生我的看法大学英语（4）期末试卷（七）参考答案Part II Reading Comprehension (35 points)Section A (10 points 每个1 分)32. C 33. B 34. C 35. A 36. D 37. B 38. C39.warnings of danger40.academic performance41.holding you back67 C 68 D 69 A 70 D 71 C72 D 73 B 74 C 75 A 76 C77 B 78 D 79 C 80 D 81 APart IV Translation (10 points) 本题共5 小题，每小题2 分，共10 分。
大学英语四级作文模板背诵材料期末背诵材料
CET Writing1Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and then express your views on e-reading. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.参考范文E-reading Cannot Be SimplifiedIn this cartoon,a boy is talking with his mother about his teacher's reading assignment; whereas,he seems to have some misconceptions about e-reading. From my perspective, e-reading is good but it cannot be simplified as reading Facebook and text messages online.For one thing,with the advent of the smart phone, e-reading has enjoyed increasing popularity among young people in recent years. Despite the fact that e-reading takes up so much time we spend on traditional reading, I don't think it's a bad thing considering that e-reading offers us more chances to read at least. For another. however, it should be clarified that e-reading means reading books or articles in electronic form, which cannot be confined to reading text messages or browsing social networks such as Facebook. But I am regretful to find some young people immersing themselves in social networks sometimes.Therefore, in the era of the Internet, we must be well aware of what e-reading truly means and what is really worth our time and attention.2Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose there are two views on the key to becoming a talented person: One is personal abilities and the other opportunities. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. 参考范文The Key to Becoming an EliteDifferent people hold quite different opinions about the key to becoming a talented person. Many people assert that personal abilities count for much. They maintain such an opinion because a lot of people stand out in their peers for their remarkable capacities. However, others believe that opportunities play a vital role in one's success, which helps to explain why some people become prominent while others with similar talent are left behind.As far as I’m concerned,personal abilities are much more important than opportunities for a person to become an elite. First, there are various chances in the world but only those who are adequately prepared can make good use of them and achieve their goals. Second, without a ready mind, golden opportunities may slip through one's fingers. Last but not least, whether there are favorable opportunities or not, what we should do is to learn and improve ourselves constantly.In a word, we can take advantage of opportunities to achieve success but never can they be a precondition for success. Comparatively speaking, Personal abilities are more important for a person to become an elite.3Directions: Suppose you have just read of a vacancy(salesman advertised on the website of a company in your city. As a new graduate, write an application letter to the HR of the company for the position. You should give appropriate reasons and write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.参考范文Dear Sir or Madam,I'm writing to apply for the position as a salesman that was advertised on the website of your company. My name is Li Hua and I major in marketing management in Beijing University. Here are some qualifications of me to obtain this job.First of all, I have excellent academic performance that wins me many scholarships at school. Although knowledge from textbooks cannot guarantee success in practice, it helps at least.Besides, I have worked as an intern at Lenovo for two months last summer vocation and this internship endowed me with many good qualities such as persistence, teamwork, and communicational skills, all of which paved the way for my career in the future. Finally, I’m quite outgoing and love making friends with others. Therefore, the position of salesman is just what I desire to start my career with for I hope to accumulate as much experience as possible when I'm young.I would appreciate it if you could offer me an opportunity to work in your company. I am looking forward to your reply.Yours sincerely,Li Hu 4Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the following question. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Suppose you plan to start your own business after graduating from college, what business do you want to start and how to run it?参考范文Running a Book-caféIt is a common belief that college students should hunt for a good job once they graduate from college. Those who get offers from well-known companies are always seen as lucky dogs with a bright future. However, starting my own business has always been my dream and what I want to do most is to run a book-café.It is common to find cafés in a big city. Maybe nowadays you can read some magazines in a café, but it is still too far away from a real "book- café". Once I run a book- café, I would try to collect various kinds of books and put them on big shelves where customers can easily reach.They could always find something they are interested in and spend their time reading and enjoying coffee as well.What's more, I will also ask for advice from different customers about their favorites and adjust to their needs anytime.All in all, I do need to get well prepared. Faced with unknown challenges, I am audacious enough to embark on a perilous journey5Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Developing Electric Cars following the outline given below. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.1.目前电动汽车的开发受到政府重视2.分析这一现象的原因3.提出建议参考范文Developing Electric CarsThe electric car is an inspiring invention. Currently, the government is attaching more and more importance to the development of electric cars.It is not hard for us to find the reasons why priority is given to electric cars. The primary reason, I think, lies in the fact that electric cars can save nonrenewable gasoline, which will somewhat lessen the pressure of energy crisis. The second reason is that electric cars also contribute to environmental protection if we take into consideration the fact that they release no fumes.Given that consumers are still in favor of cars powered by gasoline, the government should take measures to promote the development and use of electric cars. The government can invest more money in the development of electric cars. In addition, the publicity and education of environmental protection should be strengthened to enhance people’s awareness of environmental protection.CET Translation1几千年来,丝绸之路精神薪火相传,推动了人类文明的进步,是促进沿线各国繁荣发展的重要纽带。
大学期末英语考试大学英语4综合教程unit15课后段落翻译
Unit 1攻势已经持续了三天，但是我们并没有取得多少进展。
我们在前线与敌人交战的部队遇到了强力的抵抗。
师长（DIVISION COMMANDER）命令我们营（BATTALION）绕到敌人后方发起突然袭击。
然而，要绕到敌人后方，我们必须越过一片沼泽地（MARSHLAND）。
我们很多人担心会陷入泥潭之中。
我们营长决定冒一下险。
我们在夜幕掩盖下出发，不顾困难，奋勇向前。
幸运的是，夜间温度突然下降到摄氏零下20度，烂泥地都结上了冰。
由于这寒冷的天气，我们于天亮前到达并从敌人后方发起进攻。
这一下扭转了战局。
敌人没有戒备，不久便投降了。
The offensive had already lasted three days,but we had not gained much ground.Our troops engaging the enemy at the front were faced with strong/fierce/stiff resistance.T he division commander instructed our battalion to get around to the rear of the enem y and launch a surprise attack.To do so,we had to cross marshland and many of us we re afraid we might get bogged down in the mud.Our battalion commander decided t o take a gamble.We started under cover of darkness and pressed on in spite of great difficulties.By a stroke of luck,the temperature at night suddenly dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius and the marsh froze over.Thanks to the cold weather,we arrived at ou r destination before dawn and began attacking the enemy from the rear.This turned t he tide of the battle.The enemy,caught off guard,soon surrendered.Unit 2汽车在二十世纪改变了世界，尤其是在美国和其他工业国家。
英语四级背诵短文
01 The Language of MusicA painter hangs his or her finished pictures on a wall, and everyone can see it. A composer writes a work, but no one can hear it until it is performed. Professional singers and players have great responsibilities, for the composer is utterly dependent on them. A student of music needs as long and as arduous a training to become a performer as a medical student needs to become a doctor. Most training is concerned with technique, for musicians have to have the muscular proficiency of an athlete or a ballet dancer. Singers practice breathing every day, as their vocal chords would be inadequate without controlled muscular support. String players practice moving the fingers of the left hand up and down, while drawing the bow to and fro with the right arm—two entirely different movements.Singers and instruments have to be able to get every note perfectly in tune. Pianists are spared this particular anxiety, for the notes are already there, waiting for them, and it is the piano tuner’s responsibility to tune the instrument for them. But they have their own difficulties; the hammers that hit the string have to be coaxed not to sound like percussion, and each overlapping tone has to sound clear.This problem of getting clear texture is one that confronts student conductors: they have to learn to know every note of the music and how it should sound, and they have to aim at controlling these sound with fanatical but selfless authority.Technique is of no use unless it is combined with musical knowledge and understanding. Great artists are those who are so thoroughly at home in the language of music that they can enjoy performing works written in any century.01语言的音乐画家,他或她的成品的照片挂在墙上,每个人都能看到它。
喵~~~综合教程4英语期末考课本内容
unit 11. 我安排他们在小酒吧见面, 但那个小伙子一直都没有来。
(turn up)I had arranged for them to meet each other at the pub, but the young man never turned up.2. 你无法仅凭表象判断形势是否会变得对我们不利。
(tell from appearance) You cannot tell merely from appearances whether things will turn out unfavourable to us or not.3. 那个士兵每次打仗都冲锋在前, 从而赢得了国家的最高荣誉。
(stand in the gap)The soldier, who stood in the gap in every battle, gained the highest honors of the country.4. 主席讲话很有说服力, 委员会其他成员都听从他的意见。
(yield to) The chairman spoke so forcefully that the rest of the committee yielded to his opi nion.5. 他们现在生活富裕了，但也曾经历坎坷。
(ups and downs)They are well-to-do now, but along the way they had their ups and downs.6. 这次演讲我将说明两个问题。
(address on eself to)There are two questions to which I will address myself in this lecture.7. 我们正筹划为你举办一次盛大的圣诞聚会。
(in sb.' s honour) We are pla nning a big Christmas party in your honour.8. 听到那个曲子，我回想起了儿童时代。
2024年大学英语四级写作必背经典
COLLEGE STUDENTS SHOULD ATTEND PHYSICAL EXERCISE
Physical exercise is a necessary part of college life. However, still some college students do not like to attend sports activities, they think those activities waste their time and influence their study. Indeed, it is very unwise for college students to keep distance from physical exercise because physical exercise is not harmful but good to them.
This extravagant spending is mainly causd by the following factors: First of all, nowadays, most students are the only children of their families. They are the apple in their family's eyes and naturally get more care and pocket money. Secondly, with the improvement of living standards, parents can afford higher expenditures of their children. Thirdly, some students like to pursue fashion and trends, which tends to need more money. Finally,campus love is also a possible factor causing extravagant spending.
期末考试范围课文
Unit OneTRAITS OF THE KEY PLAYERSDavid G. Jensen核心员工的特征大卫·G．詹森1 What exactly is a key player? A "Key Player" is a phrase that I've heard about from employers during just about every search I've conducted. I asked a client - a hiring manager involved in a recent search - to define it for me. "Every company has a handful of staff in a given area of expertise that you can count on to get the job done. On my team of seven process engineer and biologists, I've got two or three whom I just couldn't live without," he said. "Key players are essential to my organization. And when we hire your company to recruit for us, we expect that you'll be going into other companies and finding just that: the staff that another manager will not want to see leave. We recruit only key players."1核心员工究竟是什么样子的?几乎每次进行调查时，我都会从雇主们那里听到“核心员工”这个名词。
英语四级 必背 短文
英语四级必背短文Here are some examples of short passages that can be used for memorization for English level 4, following the given requirements:Passage 1:I'm so excited for the weekend! Planning to catch up on some movies and maybe even try out a new recipe. Life's been busy lately, but it's always good to take a break.Passage 2:I love exploring new places. Last weekend, I visited this cute cafe that had the best coffee and pastries. Definitely worth checking out if you're ever in the area.Passage 3:I can't believe it's already the end of the semester!Time flies when you're having fun, but also when you're studying hard. Now it's time to focus on exams and prepare for the next adventure.Passage 4:I just finished reading this amazing book. It was so inspiring! I can't wait to share it with my friends and discuss all the ideas it sparked.Passage 5:The weather has been so nice lately. I've been goingfor walks in the park after dinner and it's been such agreat way to unwind after a long day.Passage 6:My friend invited me to this concert and it was a blast!。
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【Unit 1】The icy defender①In 1941, Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, launched an attack against the Soviet Union, as Russia then was called. Hitler's military might was unequaled. His war machine had mowed down resistance in most of Europe. Hitler expected a short campaign but, like Napoleon before him, was taught a painful lesson. The Russian winter again came to the aid of the Soviet soldiers.②The elements of nature must be reckoned with in any military campaign. Napoleon and Hitler both underestimated the severity of the Russian winter. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures took their toll on both invading armies. For the Russian people, the winter was an icy defender.【Unit 3】Get the Job You Want①Had he checked with his university to see if there were any graduates working at Mackay whom he could interview? Had he asked any friends to grill him in a mock interview? Did he go to the library to find newspaper clippings on us?②Did he write a letter beforehand to tell us about himself, what he was doing to prepare for the interview and why he'd be right for the job? Was he planning to follow up the interview with another letter indicating his eagerness to join us? Would the letter be in our hands within 24 hours of the meeting, possibly even hand-delivered?【Unit 5】A Friend in Need①For thirty years now I have been studying my fellowmen. I do not know very much about them. I shrug my shoulders when people tell me that their first impressions of a person are always right. I think they must have small insight or great vanity. For my own part I find that the longer I know people the more they puzzle me.②"He didn't move. He went rather pale. He hesitated for a moment and then he told me that he had had bad luck at cards for some time. He hadn't been willing to stick to bridge, he'd been playing poker, and he'd got trimmed. He hadn't a penny. He'd pawned everything he had. He couldn't pay his hotel bill and they wouldn't give him any more credit. He was down and out. If he couldn't get something to do he'd have to commit suicide.【Unit 7】The Nightmare and the Dreams①I am struck, as I always am when I'm on it, that I am walking on one of the engineering wonders of the world. And I was struck yesterday that I was looking at one of the greatest views in the history of man's creation, Manhattan at sunrise.②I wonder if unemployed people on the train look at the tags around the other peoples' necks and think. Soon I hope I'll have one too. I wonder if kids just getting their first job at 17 will ever know that in America we didn't all use to be ID'd. Used to be only for people who worked in nuclear power plants or great halls of government. Otherwise you could be pretty obscure. Which isn't a bad way to be.【Unit 2】Smart cars①The automobile industry ranks as among the most lucrative and powerful industries of the twentieth century. There are presently 500 million cars on earth, or one car for every ten people. Sales of the automobile industry stand at about a trillion dollars, making it the world's biggest manufacturing industry.②Promoters of this computerized highway have great hopes for its future. By 2010, telematics may well be incorporated into one of the major highways in the United States. If successful, by 2020, as the price of microchips drops to below a penny a piece, telematics could be adopted in thousands of miles of highways in the United States. This could prove to be an environmental boon as well, saving fuel, reducing traffic jams, decreasing air pollution, and serving as an alternative to highway expansion. 【Unit 4】America as a Collage①The mere fact that America still attracts millions of people is evidence that it is not in decline. People aren't attracted to a place of decline. Signs of decline are sure to be found in a place as complex as America: debt, crime, the homeless, drugs, dropouts. But the main characteristic of America, the first and most enduring impression, is dynamism, energy, aggressiveness, forward movement.②It is not only the better living standard. What attracts immigrants to America is the essential characteristic of American culture: the chance to try. There is a combination of two things that are important: culture and space. The culture allows you to try to be somebody -- to find yourself, your place, your status. And there is space not only in a geographical sense, but in the sense of opportunity, of social mobility. In societies that are in crisis and in societies which are stagnant -- or even in those which are stable -- there is no chance to try. You are defined in advance. Destiny has already sentenced you.【Unit 6】Old Father Time Becomes a Terror①In most cases, technology has not saved time, but enabled us to do more things. In the home, washing machines promised to free women from having to toil over the laundry. In reality, they encouraged us to change our clothes daily instead of weekly, creating seven times as much washing and ironing. Similarly, the weekly bath has been replaced by the daily shower, multiplying the hours spent on personal grooming.②A third reaction to time famine has been the growth of the work-life debate. You hear more about people taking early retirement or giving up high pressure jobs in favour of occupations with shorter working hours. And bodies such as Britain's National Work-Life Forum have sprung up, urging employers to end the long-hours culture among managers and to adopt family-friendly working policies.。