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Unit 2
Human Behavior
After-Class Reading
PASSAGE I When to Keep Your Mouth Shut
The owner of a New Jersey printing business was delighted when another company wanted to buy one of his used printing machines. After careful calculations, he fixed a price of $2.5 million and formulated his arguments.
When he sat down to negotiate, however, an inner voice told him, "Wait." The buyers quickly filled the silence with a rundown of the machine's strengths and weaknesses.[1] The seller said nothing. Then the buyers said, "We'll give you $3.5 million, but not a penny more." Less than an hour later, the deal was made.
Opportunities to improve a situation by "zipping your lip" come up all the time in everyday dealings with others. Sometimes the benefit of keeping your mouth shut may be that you won't have to eat your words. Take my friend Ben.[2] Like many of us when we are unsure of ourselves or trying to be polite, Ben sometimes blurts out things that come back to haunt him.[3]
The first time he was invited to dinner by his brother's new wife, she served tomato aspic. Ben hated the stuff but wanted to compliment her. So he raved, "This aspic is great!" She was so flattered that she remembered-and served it to him every time he visited for the next 15 years!
Sometimes an unthinking remark, no matter how innocently made, can have serious consequences. Harold and his wife once ran into neighbors in their apartment building late at night. Startled, he tried to be friendly and said, "I hear congratulations are in order.[4]" There was an awkward silence. Later Harold's wife reminded him that the woman had recently miscarried. "Nowadays," Harold says, "if I'm momentarily thrown[5], I count to ten before I say anything."
Not only is there wisdom in knowing when to keep your mouth shut; there are practical advantages as well. Lawyers tell a story about a man accused of biting off another fellow's ear in a brawl. A defense attorney spent the morning challenging the prosecution's main witness. He thought he had destroyed the man's story but couldn't resist one final verbal blow.[6]
"You've admitted that you were not very close to the scene of the alleged crime and that you didn't see my client bite off the ear. How can you possibly testify against him?" the defense attorney demanded.
The witness paused, then smiled and said, "I saw him spit it out."
As the saying goes, "Few men have ever repented of silence." Or few women.
My husband was under so much pressure at work when our first child was born that he became somewhat distant from me and the baby. After a few weeks of this, I was exhausted and burning to vent my feelings.
One day I wrote him an angry letter. Then, I don't know why exactly, I put the letter aside. The next day my husband offered to change the baby's diaper. "I guess it's about time I learned to do these things,"[7] he said.
I never did find out what caused his change of heart.[8] I'm glad I gave him time. A blowup would have accomplished nothing, and he was great after that.
Waiting Is a strategy that is too often overlooked in all kinds of situations. Sometimes it's a wonder what a small dose of determined silence can do.
My mother recalls the time she accompanied her friend Mary Ann to return a gift during the after-Christmas sales. The scene at the department store was pandemonium. Mary Ann asked for a refund, but the busy clerk said the dress couldn't be returned and walked away to assist another customer. Mary Ann simply plunked down the dress by the cash register and waited.
Ten minutes later, the clerk returned. Mary Ann smiled and continued to wait. The clerk busied herself at the register. Several more silent minutes passed. Then, without a word, the clerk picked up the dress and disappeared. After about three minutes she returned-with the money! Mary Ann's patient and polite silence had paid off where a loud harangue might well have failed.[9]
There are, of course, times when it is important not to keep our mouths shut-to counter injustice, to soothe a friend, to straighten out a misunderstanding. At such moments, we are obligated to speak, but the task is to find the right words. Here, too, a moment's reflection can make your remarks more precise-and effective.
Michele, my college roommate, was raised as a Quaker, but she had Jewish grandparents who died in a Nazi concentration camp. Last year, friends who were unaware of Michele's background complained that their son had married a Jewish woman. They had refused to meet their daughter-in-law and were making their son miserable. Weighing a friendship she still valued against her discomfort at blatant bigotry, Michele decided to speak up.[10] "I'm proud of my heritage, and I'm sorry you feel the way you do," she told them, "but your comments are making me very unhappy."
Stunned, Michele's friends apologized. They also took her words to heart and, not long after, made peace with their daughter-in-law.
Michele had carefully considered the effect of her words; then she spoke to them honestly and forthrightly. The result was better understanding. This is the single most important rule to remember in deciding whether or not to speak: ask yourself if what you are going to say will improve a situation or relationship.
In the past, psychologists used to say that we should "talk things out" with others. But, increasingly, I find that getting along with another human being sometimes demands tolerance and silence.
Adele Faber, co-author of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, tells how silence conquered the nightly battle over bedtime between a mother and her eight-year-old son, Jonathan.
One night Jonathan came downstairs as usual after being tucked into bed. "Mom, I can't sleep!" he said.
"Oh, you can't sleep. Hmmm," his mother replied. She stopped, looked at him with compassion and waited. A full minute passed without a word.
At last Jonathan spoke. "I think I'll put on my favorite pajamas," he said. "Then I'll sleep better." And off he went to bed.
It's not always easy to let those you love experience pain, frustration or anger. You want to relieve their problems instead of letting them find their own solutions.
Joanna, Faber's teenage daughter, came home one day looking distressed. Faber said, "Joanna, something happened," and her daughter burst into tears. "We sat on the sofa, and I held her while she sobbed," recalls Faber. "Ten minutes later she took a deep breath, looked at me and sighed. 'Thanks, Mom,' she said. Then she got up and left."
Faber never did find out what was wrong. A long, attentive, loving embrace was what Joanna wanted most. Then she would solve her problem on her own.
"Your silent support can provide the soil in which the other person's solutions begin to grow,"[11] says Faber. "Silence is not withdrawal. Silence comes out of respect. It says, 'I'm here for you, but I'm not going to get in the way.'"
Like a composer who knows that the space between the notes is as important as the notes themselves, each of us must realize that our silences can be as expressive as the words we choose. The result is greater harmony and effectiveness. (1233 words)
Proper Names
Adele Faber
（女子名）阿黛尔.费伯
Ben
（男子名）本
Harold
（男子名）哈罗德
Joanna
（女子名）乔安娜
Jonathan
（男子名）乔纳森
Michele
（女子名）米歇尔
New Jersey
新泽西州（美国）
Quaker
a member of the Society of Friends, a Christian denomination (宗教派别) founded by George Fox in 1650 公谊会（又称教友会或贵格会）教徒
New Words
allege
v. state or claim something without proof or before finding proof (无证据或发现证据之前)指控，宣称
e.g. Nearly 1, 000 public officials were alleged to be members of an illegal secret society.
alleged
adj. declared or stated to be as described 被指控的，嫌疑的
e.g. Nine people were arrested after a police investigation into an alleged attempt to steal ￡40 million from British Aerospace.
aspic
n. clear and shiny jelly made from meat or vegetable juices (花色)肉冻
bigotry
n. extreme intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own 偏执的行为、态度或信念
e.g. This male judge has taken his bigotry into court.
blatant
adj. shameless, offensively noticeable 无耻的，露骨的
e.g. The manager was nearby and must have observed the blatant theft.
blowup *
n. (informal) a violent argument, outburst of temper or the like 激烈的争论，脾气爆发
e.g. I think they've had a blowup again.
brawl
n. noisy quarrel or fight 争吵，打架
e.g. His two front teeth were knocked out in a brawl.
burning
adj. intense; passionate 强烈的，热烈的，迫切的
e.g. Suddenly she felt a burning desire to tell him the truth.
calculation *
n. a way of using numbers in order to find out an amount, price, or value 计算，推算，估计（的结果）
e.g. Our calculations show that the firm made a profit of over $ 1 million last year.
dealings
n. (plural) personal or business relations （私人或商务）交往、关系
e.g. I've had dealings with him, but I don't know him very well.
diaper
n. (AmE) a piece of folded cloth or other absorbent material worn as underpants by a baby 尿布
effectiveness *
n. the state of being adequate to accomplish a purpose or producing the intended result 有效，能产生预期效果
e.g. Methods vary dramatically in effectiveness.
embrace
1) n. an encircling hug with the arms 拥抱，怀抱
e.g. They greeted us with warm embraces.
2) v. put arms around someone and hold them tightly to show love or affection 拥抱，怀抱
e.g. Before she could embrace him he stepped away.
forthrightly
adv. clearly and honestly; straightforwardly 言行坦诚地，直率地
e.g. He has a reputation for criticizing others forth-rightly.
harangue
n. a loud long speech that criticizes or blames people, or tries to persuade them 慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话
e.g. Whenever they started their harangue, he simply sat back and stopped listening.
innocently *
adv. without intentions of offending others无恶意地，无害地
e.g. Innocently, I asked her what her feelings about the strike were.
miscarry
v. (of a woman) to have a miscarriage 流产
e.g. Emma miscarried and nearly died.
momentarily
adv. temporarily, for a very short time 短暂地，瞬间地，片刻地
e.g. Rosie paused momentarily, then clearing her throat she continued.
Nazi
adj. of or relating to the Nazis 纳粹党的
nightly
adj. coming or occurring each night or at night 夜间的，每夜的
e.g. I was watching the nightly television news.
obligate *
v. (usually passive) make someone feel or understand that some action is morally or legally necessary(在法律或道义上)强制......做某事，使负有责任，负有义务
e.g. Ha was obligated to carry out his current orders and felt he had no choice.
pajamas
n. a soft loose-fitting pair of trousers and short coat worn in bed, especially by men 睡衣裤
pandemonium
n. a state of wild and noisy disorder大混乱，嘈杂骚乱（的场面）
prosecution *
n. (used with the) the group of people who represent the person bringing a criminal charge against someone in court 控方，代表原告的律师
e.g. I) I appeared as a witness for the prosecution in a trial at the court.
II) The public interest required fairness to the prosecution as well as the defence.
rave
v. talk or write with great or too great enthusiasm 极力夸奖，狂热赞扬
e.g. The car magazines have been raving about the new model.
relieve
v. lessen or remove (pain, anxiety, trouble, etc.) 缓解，减轻，解除（痛苦，忧虑，麻烦等）
e.g. I) By writing down all the birthdays you relieve yourself of the burden of remembering them.
II) Costs and delays are increasing and there appear to be no extra resources to relieve these problems.
repent
v. (formal) feel sorry for and wish one had not done something bad 懊悔，后悔
e.g. He repented of his sins just hours before he died.
rundown
n. a point-by-point summary 扼要报告，总结
e.g. We should give Charlie a quick rundown on what we've done so far.
sofa
n. a comfortable seat with raised arms and a back, wide enough for 2 or 3 people (长)沙发.
stun
v. shock or surprise (somebody) very greatly, especially with something unexpected 使震惊，使目瞪口呆
e.g. I) I was stunned by the news of his death.
II) News of the disaster stunned people throughout the world.
testify
v. give evidence, declare as a witness, especially in court 作证（尤指出庭）,证明
e.g. I) Two witnesses testified against her and one in her favor.
II) He testified that he had seen the man leaving the building around the time of the murder.
tolerance
n. willingness or ability to bear somebody or something 容忍，忍受
e.g. I) He has a sense of humor plus tolerance and patience.
II) My tolerance of heat is considerably greater after having lived in the Far East for 2 years.
unthinking
adj. said, done, etc. without proper consideration; thoughtless 考虑不周的，疏忽的
e.g. What annoys me about these people is their unthinking hostility to anything foreign or unfamiliar.
withdrawal *
n.
1) social or emotional detachment (社交场合或情绪方面的)冷漠
e.g. Despite the apparent willingness to cooperate, he sensed a withdrawal in her eyes.
2) an amount of money someone takes from his bank 取款,提款
e.g. The bank became suspicious after several large withdrawals were made from his account in a single week.
zip
v. close or open with or as if with a zipper (用拉链或像拉链那样)合上或打开
Phrases and Expressions
in order
1) appropriate, desirable 合适的，适宜的
e.g. Congratulations are in order for Evelyn Hamilton who has won the Luard Scholarship, which gives her a year of study in England with all expenses paid.
2) properly organized, in proper state or condition 整齐，有条不紊
e.g. Thousands of trees have been planted in order to create new woodlands for the future.
blurt out
say something suddenly and without thinking 脱口而出
e.g. I) She suddenly blurted out, "I'm not going."
II) He burst into tears, blurting out his guilt before his horrified parents.
come up
arise, become available, take place
e.g. I) We'll let you know if any vacancies come up.
II) When the opportunity to run a major film studio came up, she took it immediately.
eat one's words
admit that what one said was wrong, take back humbly something one has said 承认说错，收回前言
e.g. I) I was made to eat my words when the scheme turned out to be a great success.
II) They said he'd never win another tournament, but a year later he forced them to eat their words as he won the US Open.
in the way
causing inconvenience or an obstruction 妨碍，阻碍
e.g. I) He tried to get to the door, but the table was in the way.
II) I couldn't see the stage because there was a pillar in the way.
make peace with someone
put an end to a quarrel with someone 和解，言归于好
e.g. She went to her mother's room to make peace with her.
run into someone
meet someone by chance 偶然遇见某人
e.g. I ran into an old neighbor of mine at the garage this afternoon.
speak up
say publicly and freely what one thinks 明确而坦率地发表意见
e.g. I) Never be frightened of speaking up for your beliefs.
II) We all agreed to speak up at the next town meeting about the poor bus service.
straighten out
settle or resolve, remove difficulties from (something) 处理，解决，整顿
e.g. I) A legal contract does help to straighten out the mess when things go wrong.
II) There are a few matters I need to straighten out with you before we start.
take... to heart
be deeply affected by, grieve over 对......深为感动，为......而悲痛
e.g. I) I took your criticism very much to heart.
II) You needn't take a little incident so much to heart.
weigh... against...
compare two facts or situations when you are making a decision in order to decide which is more important 权衡，掂量，斟酌
e.g. I) You must weigh one fact against the next to arrive at an answer.
II) Weighing the advantages of the operation against the risks involved, he decided to take some medicine instead.
zip one's lip
stop talking, keep a secret 缄口不言，不露风声
e.g. They told her to zip her lip if she didn't want trouble.
PASSAGE II Overcoming Procrastination: A Practical Approach
Do you find that you often begin correspondence with a phrase like, "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you,"[1] or, "My apologies for the delay in responding"? This may be an indication that you're in the habit of putting things off. Similarly, a desk of files filled with projects which you have yet to begin or which are partially completed but inactive,[2] is another sure sign that there's a problem. If you are one of those people who insists on cleaning up all the little projects awaiting you, in order to remove those "bothersome little things" before you begin a major project, you are actually engaging in procrastination by allowing yourself to fall victim to the "tyranny of the trivial." [3]
Reasons for Procrastinating
Like many issues involving time management, procrastination is a behavioral problem, and like all such problems it can, with sufficient motivation, be changed. In order to change a behavioral pattern, however, it is necessary to understand the reasons for that behavior.
Don't know where to start. If you think about it, the tasks which you tend to postpone will generally fall into two categories. The first of these is the fairly large or complex task. Such tasks are generally important in their outcome, which only adds to the pressure to do a good job, and yet their very complexity makes it difficult to know just where or how to begin. The result is that the task is put off until it simply has to be dealt with.
An unpleasant task. The second category of task commonly postponed is that which is either unpleasant to do or may have unpleasant consequences.[4] This may be some aspect of your work that you simply don't enjoy, or it may be something like a negative job appraisal for an employee, for which you know there will be repercussions. Again, the task is put off until other pressures make it necessary for it to be tackled.
Fear of failure. On a bit more "psychological" note,[5] there are those who put off tasks because they have a subconscious fear that they will not be able to perform them satisfactorily. Related to this are those who hold themselves to the standard of perfection for all work they do.[6] If they suspect that their work will be less than perfect they may be inclined to put it off.
Excusing sub-standard performance. At the opposite end of the spectrum are those who use procrastination (generally not on a conscious level) as a means of excusing work which they know is of poor quality.[7] " I could have done better if I'd had more time," is the general refrain of such people,[8] though on closer examination it may be found that they didn't have time because they chose to procrastinate. Keep in mind, of course, that there are some projects which do come up as emergencies and for which you really don't have sufficient time, so don't assume that this refrain is always a sign of a procrastination problem.
Overcoming Procrastination
It is important that you take the time to recognize which reasons apply most to you or to your staff members. By doing so you will be able to select from the solutions that follow, the one or more that will best help you to overcome procrastination.[9]
Use the SWAP approach. If you analyze an overwhelming task that is currently facing you, you will probably find that it can be broken down into a number of smaller, more manageable pieces. A logical order will emerge for completing each part, or you may have to impose such an order on the component parts. You can then SWAP-Start With A Part. And if you've listed the various parts in writing-which is recommended-you can have the pleasure of crossing them off step by step, and seeing a visual representation of the fact that as you complete each step you bring your-self closer to the completion of the overall project.
The importance of deadline. We tend to see deadlines as a cause of stress rather than as a solution. This is because they are often unrealistic, and they are often imposed by others. Actually, when you face a project of which no deadline has been established, you should establish one. This helps you to focus on a project, and it helps you plan your time. Deadlines should not be set only for the completion of the project, but for the various steps along the way as well. Be sure, however, that your deadlines are realistic, or you will only increase the pressure which deadlines-strange as it may seem-have the power to reduce.
The power of priorities. When is procrastination not procrastination? When you have postponed low priority tasks in order to complete tasks of a higher priority. Not everything we do has the same importance and we must recognize this and use it in setting priorities. We must also remember that priorities must constantly be reevaluated and recorded as circumstances change. If you find that the tasks you are postponing are consistently of low importance, don't worry. Sometimes, though, you may find that high priority items are the very ones you seek to avoid, while filling your time with "comfort tasks." If this is the case you may choose to give yourself a reward. It may sound trivial, but it works.
Tell someone else. If you have a big project to work on, let someone else know about it, and let them know what your deadline is. It may be a co-worker, it may be a family member, it may be a friend. The fact is that while we often don't mind disappointing ourselves, we are far less likely to disappoint others. Thus, we have the incentive to work on the project, if for no other reason than that we would be embarrassed to have to admit to a friend, family member or co-worker, that we have failed.[10]
Avoid momentum busters. It is imperative that you build-and maintain-momentum in working on a project.[11] As Newton tells us, "A body at rest tends to remain at rest, while a body in motion tends to remain in motion." Newton wasn't talking about procrastination, but he might have been. Surely the most important step in completing any project is to start it, by whatever means necessary. Once you've started, then you have to try to avoid things that will bring you to a halt again. The worst of these is interruptions. If at all possible,[12] try to remove yourself from the source of interruptions. It's all right to say to a friend that you can't talk because you're working on an important project. And as far as the interruptions you can't avoid, be sure that you return to the project immediately after you have dealt with them. Don't stop when you're facing a difficulty, because you won't be inclined to return to the project and face that same difficulty the next time.
Breaking habits requires the creation of other, better habits in their place, and this is never an overnight process. Nor should it be an overwhelming one.[13] The surest route to failure is to look at this list of solutions and attempt to put them all into effect at once. Select a single solution which seems to have the greatest impact on your specific pattern of procrastination behavior, and begin to put that into effect immediately. Recognize that it will take some time before these new behaviors become ingrained in your regular work process. Once they have, however, you can add additional solutions and change additional behaviors, always being careful to avoid the temptation to become obsessed with the subject. There are, and there always will be, things that you should postpone until later, and you must differentiate these from cases of true procrastination. (1332 words)
Proper Names
Newton
牛顿(1642-1727)英国物理学家、数学家和天文学家
New Words
appraisal
n.
1) the estimate or considered opinion of the nature, quality, importance, etc. 对......作出的评价、鉴定、评估
e.g. I) How do I obtain a proper appraisal of my work?
II) Remember that the appraisal you will receive will be the judgement of a professional publisher, exactly the person your work must convince.
2) the act of estimating or judging the nature or value of something or someone 评价，鉴定，评估
e.g. The boss is busy with the annual appraisal of the employees' work.
bothersome *
adj. troublesome, annoying 引起麻烦的，令人厌烦的
e.g. Aircraft noise is particularly bothersome here since we're close to Heathrow Airport.
buster
n. (AmE) a person or thing that destroys or stops something 起破坏、制止作用的人或物
e.g. He's been a crime buster (侦破罪案的侦探) for years.
completion *
n. the state of having been finished or completed 完成
e.g. I) His work was still far from completion.
II) On successful completion of the course, students should be in a position to contribute significantly to a wide range of industrial research.
imperative *
adj. absolutely necessary or required 必要的，紧急的
e.g. It is imperative that we make a quick decision.
incentive
n. something that arouses someone to action, stimulus 刺激，鼓励
e.g. I) The promise of a bonus (奖金) acted as an incentive to greater effort.
II) He had no necessity to write, and therefore no incentive to go on practicing
his spelling.
ingrained
adj. firmly fixed or established, difficult to change 根深蒂固的，牢固的
e.g. The belief that you should own your house is deeply ingrained in British society.
interruption *
n. an act or instance of making a break or causing to stop, or the state of being broken off 打断，阻碍，中断
e.g. I) She hates interruptions when she's working.
II) I wish it was possible to work without interruption in this office.
manageable *
adj. that can be managed, easily controlled 可管理的，可处理的，易控制的
e.g. I) Books and documents are manageable in small numbers.
II) They want a house big enough to have friends and family to stay, but compact enough to be manageable.
momentum
n. force that increases the rate of development of a process; impetus 动力，冲力，势头
e.g. I) The trend towards political change in South Africa was gathering momentum.
II) The firm has been growing rapidly, but you can't keep that kind of momentum up forever.
procrastinate
v. keep delaying something that must be done 拖延，耽搁
e.g. I know I have to deal with the problem at some point-I'm just procrastinating.
recommend
v.
1) suggest (a course of action, treatment, etc.), advise 建议，劝告
e.g. I) I recommend that you resign.
II) We strongly recommend reporting the incident to the police.
2) commend, present... as worthy of confidence, acceptance, or use 推荐，举荐
e.g. I) Can you recommend any reasonably-priced hotel in Amsterdam?
II) I asked my friends to recommend a doctor who is good with children.
repercussion
n. an effect or result of some previous action, event or decision (间接的)影响、后果
e.g. They can't foresee the complex repercussions of the changes they seek to introduce.
representation *
n. the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way or as being of a certain nature 表现，描述，描绘
e.g. I) The painting is a representation of a storm at sea.
II) Her work is a subjective representation of the external world.
subconscious *
adj. existing or operating in the mind beneath or beyond consciousness 下意识的，潜意识的
e.g. Our subconscious mind registers things which our conscious mind is not aware of.
trivial
adj. that has little value or importance 不重要的，琐碎的
e.g. I) You may consider this sort of information trivial.
II) Don't waste your strength on trivial things until you have done the important ones.
unrealistic *
adj. not practical 不切实际的，不现实的
e.g. I) This demand is unrealistic and unworkable.
II) It was unrealistic to expect changes to be made overnight.
Phrases and Expressions
break down... into...
separate into component parts 把......分解为、分（类）为
e.g. I) Chemicals in our body break our food down into useful substances.
II) The negotiators (谈判者) are likely to break down their delegations into sub-committees in an attempt to deal with each problem separately.
bring ... to a halt
stop the forward movement or progress of something 使停止，使停顿下来
e.g. I) There are still concerns that the negotiation could again be brought to a halt.
II) The work has been slowed down and we'll be brought to a halt whether we like it or not.
clean up
1) finish, put an end to 做完，完成
e.g. He kept at the job until he had cleaned it up.
2) clean thoroughly and remove anything unwanted 彻底扫除，收拾干净
e.g. It will help you clean up rubbish such as cans and picnic packaging (包装物).
3) make free from crimes and other unwanted activities 整治，清除
e.g. The authorities are coming to clean up the country's crime epidemic (频频发生), which threatens to ruin the vital tourist industry.
cross... off
remove. . . by drawing a line through. . . 划掉，勾销
e.g. I) If you don't want to play in the match, cross your name off.
II) Well, we've bought the drink for the party, so I can cross that off the shopping list.
fall victim to
suffer because of or as a result of... 成为......的受害者、牺牲品
e.g. I) The company has fallen victim to increased competition.
II) The child fell victim to her parents' unhappy marriage.
put... into effect
cause... to happen in practice 实行，实现，使生效
e.g. I) These measures ought to have been put into effect in 1995.
II) You need to gather more detailed information to help you put you plan into effect.
PASSAGE III How We Can Change Our Wasteful Habits
For 34 years, I have kept a lonely watch on waste in Washington. I have seen misspent millions disappear down the federal drain, appalling sums wasted on foolish projects, huge amounts lavished on programs adopted more for expediency than effectiveness.[1]
I have reported on widespread duplication and disorganization in government purchasing programs. Our national government frequently buys with its right hand what it already holds in its left. Millions are spent, for example, to reduce farm surpluses-exceeded only by the millions spent to make farmland more productive.[2] Tax dollars are blown to the winds and blasted into space with little attention to actual needs.[3]
Every disappearing tax dollar is painfully extracted from citizens who don't begrudge money for the nation's needs but hate to see it wasted. Yet the spendthrift habit of Washington merely reflects the wasteful ways of the populace.[4] After consulting scores of experts in such diverse fields as energy conservation, consumer affairs and finance, I have selected our most wasteful habits.
The relentless rise of gas prices still hasn't persuaded most Americans to abandon their extravagant driving habits. During the morning and evening rush-hours, for example, traffic jams of near-empty cars burn up gas, oil and tires. Statistically, each commuter car carries 1.3 persons, which means the driver is the sole occupant in four of five cars.
The average American drives off in his car seven times a day, usually on spur-of-the-moment trips or unnecessary errands. Better kitchen planning, for example, could cut down on the number of trips to the supermarket. These could also be combined with visits to doctors and other merchants. Just a little foresight, if practiced on a national scale, could bring huge savings.
The typical American also won't give up his fuel-inefficient super-model,[5] which consumes twice the amount of gas necessary to run a smaller car. Last year, Americans purchased large cars that averaged 13 to 15 miles a gallon, although smaller cars were available that got 30 to 35 miles a gallon.[6]
A typical consumer runs up his grocery bill by purchasing items he neither needs nor intends to buy. An astonishing 75 percent of all grocery shoppers make at least one impulse purchase every time they enter the supermarket. This is the estimate of Barbara Salsbury, who has spent 20 years studying food marketing.
The packaging and displays are designed to lure consumers into buying products they don't need. About a third of these impulse purchases, says Salsbury, are made because the item is attractively wrapped.
While millions starve elsewhere, Americans throw away food. Agriculture Department studies indicate that the average housewife dumps huge quantities of leftovers down the garbage disposal or lets them spoil in the refrigerator.
One survey determined that as much as one-third of the food hauled home from the grocery store eventually is thrown out. The worst offenders, other studies note, are persons who habitually load their plates with more than they can eat.
The story is the same at the nation's restaurants, which often try to justify steepening prices by adding a little to the portions.[7] Thus an appalling amount of uneaten food winds up in the garbage.
The fast-food places, where an increasing number of Americans eat, also are wasteful. Consumers spend twice as much for takeout food than if they prepared the food at home.[8]
The American fondness for dogs, cats and birds has produced a multibillion-dollar industry that encourages owners to pamper their pets. The pet-food industry alone grosses $ 4 billion a year,[9] much of it spent on treats for pets and "enriched" food products.
For whatever sociologists wish to make of it,[10] we spend more for pet foods than for baby foods. Out of a weekly grocery budget of $ 48.33, according to a study by a research concern [11]called Supermarket Business, the average family spends 77 cents to feed its pets but only 17 cents to feed the baby, excluding cereals and packaged milk and milk substitutes.
The poodle parlor business is also booming, with doting customers paying as much as $ 500 million a year for Fifi's hairdos, shampoos and grooming aids. Another $1.5 billion goes for pet accessories such as clothing and toys. At the end, pet cemeteries take in about $ 3 million a year. It costs a grieving owner about $ 250 for an average coffin and burial site.
Every day, trees must be chopped down to fulfill each individual's need for paper. Yet too many Americans use paper as a dispensable product and throw away several pounds per day. In Los Angeles alone, millions of pounds of paper are discarded or burned daily rather than saved for recycling.
Americans also have a bad habit of tossing waste paper and other rubbish in parks, on streets and in streams, ignoring clearly marked trash containers. The cost of picking up all this litter, exclusive of regular garbage collections, totals about $ 1 billion a year.
Water shortages are beginning to bother many areas. The main cause of the diminishing supply: the bathrooms of America. Americans love to run hot water down the drain while they shower and shave. If every American would merely shorten his daily shower by five minutes, the savings in both water and energy would be enormous.
The biggest water waster of them all, however, is the home toilet. Every flush, say engineers, uses about 4 gallons. This great flood is often summoned to swirl away a lonely cigarette butt or a used facial tissue.[12] (Inexpensive devices are obtainable for householders to reduce the water flow.)
America generates more hot air than any nation on earth-at a terrible cost in fuel and money. In response to all the official appeals to save energy, there has been a patriotic rush to seal windows and doors. But Energy Department officials tell me that patriotism ends if we have to sacrifice comfort; most Americans simply won't keep their thermostats down in the winter and up in the summer.[13]
If Americans would adjust their thermostats just one degree, say the officials, it would save more energy than all the insulation in the world.[14] For the big savings can come only in the homes, which consume twice the energy burned by America's factories and office buildings.
Great savings would be possible in buildings, of course, by eliminating central heating and lighting. Sometimes all the lights in a building are kept on all night in order to light a few rooms. But it's the millions of homes, with furnaces or air-conditioners running full blast, that cause the problem. A couple of $20 window fans, for example, could keep a bedroom cool on summer nights and save as much as 40 percent on the energy bill.
We belong to a bloated, throwaway society[15] that constitutes only 4.2 percent of the world's population but consumes 40 percent of its resources. It is up to us, the people, to stop the national wasteful habits.[16] (1154 words)
Proper Names
Agriculture Department
农业部
Barbara Salsbury
(女子名)芭芭拉.萨丝波瑞
Energy Department
能源部
Los Angeles
洛杉矶
New Words
accessory
n.
1) an article of dress, such as gloves or belts, that completes or enhances one's basic outfit (为全套衣服增加完善感、美感的)服饰，小件
e.g. I) She wore a green wool suit with matching accessories.
II) Use new accessories to brighten up an old outfit (套服).
2) an extra part that improves or completes the basic part 附件，附属品
e.g. Accessories for the top-of-the-range car include a compact disc player, electric windows and a sunroof.
air-conditioner
n. a machine that controls the temperature of the air in a room or building 空调器
appalling
adj. causing fear and hatred, very great or severe 骇人的，严重的
e.g. I) They have been living under the most appalling conditions for two months.
II) He suffered every winter from appalling chilblains (冻疮), his fingers swelling up like so many fried sausages.
begrudge
v. give unwillingly or resentfully 吝啬，舍不得给
e.g. Nobody begrudges a single penny spent on health.
bloated
adj. excessively wealthy and pampered 极其富裕娇惯的
e.g. the bloated captains of industry (实业巨头)
boom
1) v. grow rapidly in activity, value, or importance 激增，繁荣，迅速发展
e.g. I) The gardening industry is booming.
II) Here, as elsewhere, the leisure industry is booming.
2) n. a period of sudden growth or increase 激增，繁荣，迅速发展
e.g. I) This year has seen a boom in book sales.
II) They were born in the post-war baby boom and grew up in the fifties.
burial
n. burying, especially of a dead body, funeral 埋葬，葬礼
e.g. I) The Mayor announced plans to turn a burial ground into a golf course.
II) Authorities were expected to reveal the exact cause of his death after his body was released for burial.
butt
n. a large, thick, or bottom end of something 柄，底端，蒂头
e.g. The ashtray was overflowing with cigarette butts.
cemetery
n. a burial ground for dead people 墓地，公墓
e.g. We visited her grave in the town cemetery.
collection
n.
1) the act or process of collecting something 收取，取走，收集
e.g. I) There are two collections a day from this mailbox.
II) Computer systems have been developed to speed up collection of information.
2) a set of things of the same type that have been collected 收藏品，收集的东西
e.g. I) David was steadily filling the house with a magnificent collection of old farm tools.
II) This building houses the University's excellent collection of books and journals for the study of education and other subjects.
conservation
n. prevention of loss, waste, damage, destruction, etc. 保存，保护，避免浪费
e.g. I) Conservation of water is of great importance, especially in desert areas.
II) The project includes the conservation of 200 paintings, 15,000 books and quantities of furniture, ceramics and textiles.
disorganization *
n. the absence of organization or orderly arrangement 无组织，无秩序，混乱
e.g. I've never known such disorganization in a working environment-I don't know how they cope.
dispensable
adj. not necessary or essential 不必要的，不重要的，可省去的
e.g. Hodgson's work is good, but he is dispensable.
disposal
n.
1) a small machine under the kitchen sink which breaks vegetable waste into small pieces (装在厨房洗涤槽排水管内的)弃菜碾碎器
e.g. The kitchen was fitted with an electric waste disposal.
2) the act of getting rid of something 清除，处置，处理
e.g. I) There is the problem of the safe disposal of radioactive waste.
II) Local people are objecting to the land being used as a disposal site for household waste.
doting
adj. showing great or too much affection 溺爱的，宠爱的
e.g. We saw photos of the doting father (宠爱孩子的父亲) with the baby on his knee.
dump
v.
1) put (something unwanted) in a place and leave as rubbish 丢弃，倾卸，倾倒
e.g. I) Several old cars had been dumped near the beach.
II) Sealed containers of nuclear waste have been dumped in the sea.
2) sell large quantities of goods, usually abroad, at prices far below their real value in order to gain a bigger market share 倾销，抛售
e.g. I) These countries have been dumping cheap fertilizers on the UK market.
II) Drugs or chemicals that are banned in Western countries are often dumped in Third World countries.
duplication *
n. an act or process of repeating, performing again, or making a copy 重复，复制
e.g. Lack of communication between the two offices led to a wasteful duplication of effort.
errand
n. a short journey to take a message, buy or deliver goods, etc. (短程的) 差事，差使（如送信，买东西等）
e.g. I'm in a hurry-I've got some errands to do.
exclude
v. leave (something) out, not include 将......排除在外，不包括
e.g. I) Concentrate on and do one thing at a time. Try to exclude from your mind the other things waiting to be done.
II) If we exclude uncompleted projects from the calculations, the total spent is still more than $ 15 billion.
exclusive
adj.
1) not including 不包括的，不算在内的
e.g. I) Is the total exclusive of service charge?
II) The ship has a crew of 57, exclusive of officers.
2) used or owned only by one person or group and not shared with anyone else 独有的，独享的
e.g. I) You should have informed us that it was your exclusive property.
II) The reporter managed to get an exclusive interview with the Prime Minister.
expediency
n. doing what is convenient or profitable rather than what is proper or moral 权宜之计
e.g. I) The government is torn between principle and expediency.
II) We are sacrificing the long-term interest to short-term expediency.
facial *
adj. of or for the face 面孔的，面部用的
e.g. I) Her facial expression changed to happiness when she heard the good news.
II) The paper we collect from customers is used to produce either toilet and facial tissues (卫生纸和面巾纸), or office writing paper.
Fifi
n. a common name for an expensive pet dog 一种名贵的宠物狗
finance
n.
1) the commercial or government activity of managing money, debt, credit, and investment 财务管理，财政，金融
e.g. I) He studied finance in school, and worked for a bank after graduation.
II) Graduates should be well prepared to pursue diverse careers in accountancy, banking, insurance, finance, industry, commerce, teaching, local government and other fields.
2) the money, loans, credits, or grants that are used for a project or purpose 财源，资金
e.g. I) Obtaining finance from him may be vital to the whole enterprise.
II) A United States delegation is in Japan seeking finance for a major scientific project.
flush
n.
1) an act of washing with a rush of water 冲刷/洗
e.g. I) The pipe is blocked; give it a good flush.
II) A notice on the toilet tells you to press quickly for a short flush and press and hold down for a long flush.
2) a red color in the face, especially as a result of strong emotions, heat or alcohol 脸泛红
e.g. "How can you tell?" he said as a flush crept up his cheeks.
fondness *
n. liking and affection 喜爱，深情
e.g. I) He had a fondness for his nephew and helped him with loans.
II) His wife had a great fondness for French paintings.
foresight
n. the ability to be prepared for future events 先见之明，深谋远虑
e.g. She'd had the foresight to sell her house just before house prices came down.
gallon
n. a unit for measuring liquids 加仑（液量单位）
e.g. The little red car would do fifty miles per gallon (每加仑汽油开50英里).
groom
v. take care of (horses, dogs etc.), especially by rubbing, brushing and cleaning them 刷洗，照看（马、狗等）
e.g. The boy grooms the horses every morning.
haul
v.
1) carry (goods) in a vehicle (用车等)运送，拖运
e.g. Several trucks haul sand to build a new road.
2) pull something heavy with a continuous, steady movement （用力）拖，拉
e.g. The fishermen were hauling their nets.
householder
n. someone who owns or is in charge of a house 房主，户主
e.g. The letter was addressed to "The Householder, 1 River Lane".
insulation *
n. material which prevents heat, sound or electricity from going through 隔热、隔音、绝缘材料
e.g. The animal's thick fur provides very good insulation against the arctic cold.
lavish
v. give to or spend on generously or wastefully 滥用，挥霍，慷慨地给予
e.g. Everything was lavished on her one and only child.
leftovers
n. (plural) food that has not been eaten at the end of a meal 剩饭菜
e.g. The only food I got was the family's leftovers and dry bread.
litter
1) n. rubbish, such as paper, cans, and bottles, that is left lying in an open or public place (尤指乱扔在公共场所的) 杂物，垃圾
e.g. There were piles of litter in the streets.
2) v. make (a place) untidy with rubbish 乱丢东西于......, 使......一片凌乱
e.g. The park was littered with bottles and cans after the concert.
lure
v. tempt to do something or to go somewhere, especially by offering some form of reward 引诱，诱惑，吸引
e.g. I) The company aims to lure smokers back to cigarettes.
II) She was lured into the job by the offer of a high salary.
marked
adj. very noticeable, easily seen 明显的，易见的
e.g. This year's results, in marked contrast to last year's, are very encouraging.
marketing
n. the action or business of promoting and selling products or services including market research and advertising 销售，经销
e.g. The company's direct marketing approach allows it to undercut rivals by 12 per cent or more (该公司的直销策略使其能以低于竞争对手12%或更低的的价格出售).
obtainable *
adj. able to be obtained 能得到的，可获得的
e.g. To do this, use the application form D1, obtainable from post offices.
occupant *
n. somebody who is in a room, vehicle, etc. at a particular time 居住者，占用者
e.g. Neither of the car's two occupants was injured.
offender *
n. a person who commits a sin, crime, or fault 犯罪者，犯错误者
e.g. Among causes of air pollution, car exhaust fumes （废气） may be the worst offender.
package
1) v. put into a box or wrapping, especially for sale 包装，把 ...... 装盒/袋（尤其为出售）
e.g. I) Their products are always attractively packaged.
II) Most packaged foods have to show a list of ingredients in order of weight.
2) n. an object or group of objects wrapped or tied together, or put in a case 包，包裹，包在一起的东西
e.g. I) She sent him a large package of books.
II) He kissed her ear, and drew a plastic-wrapped package from the bag.
painfully *
adv. with a lot of effort and trouble, in a way of causing pain 困难地，麻烦地，痛苦地
e.g. I) All the knowledge that he had was painfully acquired.
II) One of the men was old and bent, moving painfully as he got out of the cab.
parlor
n. (AmE) a shop providing certain goods or services 专营 ...... 的店
e.g. He took her into an ice-cream parlor and ordered two big chocolate ice-creams.
patriotic
adj. having a great love of one's country 爱国的，有爱国心的
e.g. That was an era when many Americans felt it was their patriotic duty to support the war effort.
poodle
n. a dog with thick curling hair, often cut in special shapes 长鬈毛狗
populace
n. (formal) the common people, masses 百姓，平民，大众
e.g. Some studies show that workers in the nuclear industry are more likely than the general populace to get cancer.
recycle
v. process used material so that it can be used again 回收利用（废物等）
e.g. I) Fossil fuels cannot be recycled. Once they are gone they are gone forever.
II) We recycle everything we can in our business and manufacturing operations.
spendthrift
n. a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way 挥霍者，败家子
spur
1) n. something that encourages someone 刺激（物），激励
e.g. I) We hope these criticisms will act as a spur to increased effort.
II) The shortage of labor acts as a powerful spur to more economical methods of production.
2) v. give an incentive or encouragement to someone 激励，鞭策，促进
e.g. I) She spurred her team on to greater efforts.
II) Her approval spurred him to enter a poetry contest.
Statistically *
adv. from a viewpoint of statistics, in the field of statistics 根据统计数据来看，从统计学的观点看
e.g. I) The variation is not statistically significant.
II) Statistically, no children at all now listen to Radios 2, 3 and 4.
steepen *
v. (of a price or amount) make or become extremely or excessively high 使（物价或数额）过高，（使）变得昂贵
e.g. We have to face the steepening membership fees if we want to join the golf club.
surplus
1) n. extra or unused amount 剩余，过剩
e.g. I) Surpluses of food can be sold for cash.
II) There is a surplus of staff in some departments of the company.
2) adj. more than what is needed or used 剩余的，过剩的
e.g. I) Farmers are feeding all their surplus wheat to pigs.
II) There was always enough surplus food stored there to meet emergencies such as poor harvests and unexpected hailstorms.
thermostat
n. a device that automatically regulates the temperature 恒温器
throwaway
adj. discarding things after use, being wasteful 用后即扔的，浪费的
e.g. The farewell from the throwaway society cannot be achieved without a major effort.
widespread
adj. existing or happening in many places or situations, or among many people 普遍的，广泛的
e.g. I) There were reports of widespread flooding in northern France.
II) There was a widespread belief that the newspapers had not told the truth.
wrap
v. cover or enclose something 包，裹
e.g. I) The food must be wrapped so that all air is excluded.
II) I have wrapped up the parcels and they're ready to be posted.
Phrases and Expressions
burn up
burn completely, destroy or be destroyed by burning or very strong heat
e.g. I) A car of this size burns up a lot of fuel.
II) The spacecraft finally burned up in the atmosphere of Venus.
cut down on (informal)
reduce something, usually out of necessity 减少，削减
e.g. I) The doctor told him to cut down on his consumption of fat.
II) He has cut down on his spending since he finished filming (拍电影).
exclusive of
not including; not counting 不包括，不算在内
e.g. The price of the holiday is exclusive of accommodation.
(at) full blast
(working or moving) as much or as quickly as possible 全力地，全速地，开足马力地
e.g. We are working at full blast to complete the order before the holidays.
lavish ...on/upon
give to or spend on generously or wastefully 滥用，浪费，慷慨地给予
e.g. I) He lavished most of his fortune on impractical business ventures.
II) The public lavish their praises on that young singer.
lure into
deceive . . . into entering or doing something 诱骗...进入（某处）或做（某事）
e.g. I) Cheese is often used to lure mice into traps.
II) They can lure the owner into leaving the house unlocked so that they can steal the jewels.
spur-of-the-moment
(informal) done, made, or happening without preparation or planning 即兴的，一时兴起的
e.g. Someone suggested that it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
run up
allow (a bill, debt, etc.) to accumulate 积欠（账款、债务等）
e.g. I) You will run up a huge gas bill if you leave the heater on.
II) He ran up a lot of debts while he was unemployed.
wind up
finally be in a particular place, state, or situation, especially without having planned it 落得......下场，以......告终
e.g. I) He'll wind up bankrupt if he's not careful.
II) If he carries on like this he's going to wind up in prison.
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