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UNIT 1
Text A
PRE-READING TASK
Exercise 1
Before reading the passage, try to answer the questions.
1. Do you know what public relations is?
2. What is the usual abbreviation for public relations?
3. Why do companies use public relations?
Now compare your answers with your neighbours'.
Public Relations
1. When the founders of the United States wrote the Declaration of Independence, they said that a "decent respect" for the opinion of people everywhere required the American colonies to tell the world why they were freeing themselves of British rule. The American founder believed that their cause could not win unless they had the confidence of other peoples.
2. Public relations, too, tries to win the confidence and goodwill of people. No company, government agency, school, hospital, or other institution can flourish if it pays no attention to what the people think of it. Public relations is the activity of giving a business or other organisation information about how its actions might affect public opinion -- or how public opinion might affect its actions. It is also the job of the public relations officer to tell the public about a company's activities, plans, or ideas. This is necessary because people are likely to have more confidence in a company if they know something about it.
3. There is not just one big public whose opinion a company has to worry about if it is to survive and grow. Only a few organisations, such as a national government, are so large that all the public has some opinion about their actions. Most companies and organisations have to think about the opinions of smaller groups -- their customers, for instance, or their workers or their shareholders. A company must also have the trust and goodwill of its neighbours in the places where it has factories and offices. The company must be on good terms with the government, because every business can be seriously affected by government laws or regulations.
4. Gaining the confidence of others requires, first of all, thoughtfulness about other people's beliefs, interests, and feelings. Public relations begins by planning one's actions so as to respect the rights and beliefs of other people. Unless a public relations program takes these things into account, it can do little to help a company. Not all the money in the world, nor the most skilful writers or speakers, can make a company look as if it cares about other people if the company really does not care. Most companies, therefore, consider how any action, such as moving to a new location or buying another business, will affect public opinion. Having made a decision, the company wants everyone to understand the decision and the reasons it was made.
5. Most large companies have a public relations department, which tells the public about the company's plans and activities. The department is made up of writers, editors, photographic and picture experts, and researchers.
6. There are many ways to reveal a company's activities and character. A very effective one is through speeches by officials of the company before organisations such as the local chamber of commerce and various clubs. The speeches are usually reported in the newspapers and are often reprinted for distribution to government officials, educators, journalists, and others who might be interested in the company's views. Printed pamphlets and booklets, including the company magazine and the annual report of the management to the shareholders, also help inform the public about a company. Motion-picture films are often used to show people something about a company. A company may also, as a public service, undertake projects not directly connected with its business, to help make society better.
7. Besides using their own public relations staffs, many companies hire independent public relations firms, which work for several clients at once. Specially trained outsiders often see trends or problems that people inside a company might miss because they are too close to the situation.
8. Anyone who plans to do public relations work should get as broad an education as possible. In addition to a college education, work in some area of the communications field -- on a newspaper or with a broadcasting station -- is useful for the future public relations officer.
New Words
declaration
n. a formal announcement 宣言，宣布
decent
a. 1. proper; socially acceptable 得体的，合乎礼仪的
2. satisfactory; quite good 令人满意的，像样的
goodwill
n. 1. 友好,亲善
2.(商店，企业等的)信誉
flourish
v. to be successful, very active 茂盛,繁荣
action
n. 行动，做法
affect
v. to have an influence on (something) 影响
survive
v. to continue to exist or live 生存,幸存
serious
a. 1. important because of possible danger or risk 严重的
2. solemn and thoughtful 严肃的,深思的
seriously
ad. 严重地,厉害地
regulation
n. (usu. pl.) the rule or restriction made by an authority 规章,条例,法令
thoughtful
a. 1. caring about other people 体贴的,关心的
2. thinking 思考的,沉思的
thoughtfulness
n. 考虑周到
skil(l)ful
a. having or showing skill 灵巧的,熟练的
writer
n. the person whose job is to write books, stories, etc. 作者,作家
location
n. a place or position 场地,场所,位置
editor
n. 编辑
photographic
a. 摄影的
reveal
v. to make (facts, etc.)known 揭示，透露，泄露
character
n. 特征，特点
chamber
n. 1.(商业资本家联合组织的)会所
2.寝室
commerce
n. trade (esp. between countries) 商业，贸易
club
n. 俱乐部，社团
distribution
n. (instance of) giving or being given to each of several people, etc. 分发,分配
educator
n. the person who educates (esp. professionally) 教育工作者
journalist
n. 新闻工作者，记者
pamphlet
n. 小册子
booklet
n. a thin book, usu. in paper covers 小册子
annual
a. 1. happening every year 一年一次的
2. calculated for the rear 按年计的
motion
n. moving 移动,运动
motion-picture
n. a cinema film 电影
undertake
v. 1. to (start to) make oneself responsible for (something) 担任,从事
2. to agree or promise to do something 同意(做),答应(做)
staff
n. (pl.) 全体工作人员,全体职员
outsider
n. a person who is not (or is not accepted as) a member of a society, group, etc. 外人,局外人,非会员
Phrases and Expressions
free...of
免除,解除
pay (no) attention to
（不）注意
(be) on good terms with
同某人关系好
so as to
为的是,以便
take...into account
对...加以关注,考虑
care about
关心
be made up of
由...组成
inform...about/of
把...告诉某人
Proper Name
the Declaration of Independence
(美国)《独立宣言》
Text B
PRE-READING TASK
Exercise 1
Here are some typical interview questions. Think about what you might say in reply.
1. Why have you selected this kind of work?
2. If you had your choice of a job and company, what would you most like to do and where?
3. Would you be willing to work overtime?
Now read the passage to learn more about the interview.
The Interview
1. Let us suppose that your letter of application for a job has been received by your prospective employer and you have been asked to go to the office for an interview. How do you prepare yourself and behave during this interview? The following advice should help you get through this most important first step towards getting a job.
2. First of all, do everything you can to prepare for the interview as soon as you know it is arranged. Make a list of all the points you want to ask about if you have the chance. Equip yourself with all your certificates and other relevant documents, a list of all the examinations you have passed, denoting subjects and credits, all the schools you have attended, sports you have played and any positions of responsibility held at school. If you have had a job before, then you should list details of this as well and your reasons for leaving. You may already have supplied these details but you should have a copy with you in case you are asked for it. It shows efficiency on your part.
3. Secondly, find out all you can about your prospective employer. What exactly the firm does, where it is and how long it has been in existence. At the same time check the times of buses and ferries so that you are sure to arrive on time. In fact, if you can, be a little early. No one wants to employ a member of staff who is always late!
4. Thirdly, make a little extra effort with your appearance. Is your hair tidy? Your shirt freshly pressed? Your dress clean? Shoes polished? So, your preparations complete, you have arrived at the office on time and are waiting to be called for the interview. If you are feeling a little nervous, take a few deep breaths and let them out slowly. Read through your curriculum vitae again so that it is fresh in your mind.
5. When the interviewer or a secretary invites you in, try to show courtesy in your appearance and manner. Stand until you are invited to sit and then sit straight in the chair, do not lounge. Relax and smile.
6. The interviewer will begin by asking you questions about yourself, your curriculum vitae and even perhaps what you hope the future holds. Answer the questions simply, directly and honestly. Do not show impatience if you feel the interviewer is repeating things or asking questions that have no relevance to the matter in hand. He or she probably just wants to know if you have opinions of your own, and whether you can speak sensibly and coherently. Look straight at the interviewer when you answer questions and if asked about your family or school speak with loyalty and affection. Call the interviewer "Sir" or "Madam" or use a name if you have been asked to do so. Keep your certificates and other documents until they are asked for. If you failed an exam or had a job before do not be afraid to talk about it. If you are asked what salary you expect, state the figure mentioned in the advertisement you replied to.
7. If you sense that the interview is coming to an end, be ready with your queries. The interviewer may ask you if you have any questions but if you are not asked, wait for a suitable moment. You have as much right to be concerned about your future work as the interviewer has about your ability to do the job. Do not lay undue emphasis on questions about holidays, days off, lunch breaks, sports facilities, etc. Ask first of all about promotion prospects, other examinations you can take to get ahead and so on.
8. When the interview is at an end, stand up, wish the interviewer "Good morning" or "Good afternoon", and walk out.
New words
application
n. a formal request 申请，请求
prospective
a. future or possible; expected to be or to occur 未来的，有希望的，预期的
behave
v. 1. to act or conduct oneself in the specified way 表现，举动
2. to show good manners; conduct oneself well 举止适当，有礼貌
arrange
v. 1. to plan the details of (a future event); organise in advance 准备，筹备，安排
2. to put (something) in order; make tidy, neat or attractive 排列，整理，布置
equip
v. to supply with what is needed, for a particular purpose 装备，配备
relevant
a. 有关的
document
n. the paper, form, book, etc. giving information about something 文件，公文
denote
v. 表示，代表
credit
n. 1. 学分
2. 信用贷款,赊欠
detail
n. a small, particular fact or item 细节,详情
ferry
n. 渡船
polish
v. rub something so that it shines 擦亮,磨光
polished
a. shiny from polishing 擦亮的,磨光的
preparation
n. 1.准备，预备
2. 准备工作,准备措施
nervous
a. fearful; worried 神经紧张的,情绪不安的
curriculum
(pl. curricula vitae)resume (求职者等写的)简历,履历
interviewer
n. the person who conducts an interview (对求职者)进行口头初审的人,(对应试者)进行面试的人
secretary
n. an employee in an office, usu. working for another person, dealing with letters, typing, filing, etc. 秘书,书记
courtesy
n. 礼貌的举止，文雅的仪态
lounge
v. to sit or stand in a lazy way 懒洋洋地坐或站
patience
n. being calm when you are waiting or when you have trouble, problems, etc. 耐心,忍耐
impatience
n. 不耐烦，不耐心
relevance
n. 有关
sensible
a. right and good; wise 合情理的;明智的
sensibly
ad. in a sensible way 合情理地,切合实际地
coherently
ad. 条理清楚地,前后一致地
loyalty
n. being true and faithful 忠诚
affection
n. the feeling of fondness; love 喜爱,热爱
madam
n. (also Madam) 夫人,女士
salary
n. the fixed regular (usu. monthly) payment to employees doing other than manual or mechanical work 薪水
query
n. a question or doubt 问题; 质询
undue
a. more than is right or proper; excessive 不适当的,过分的
emphasis
n. (pl. emphases) 强调
promotion
n. 1. the raising or being raised to a higher rank or position 提升,晋升
2. the encouragement or aid to the progress of (a cause) 促进,提倡
prospect
n. 1. (pl.) the chance of success 前景;前途
2. the reasonable hope that something will happen; the expectation 希望,期望
Phrases and Expressions
get through
通过
prepare for
为...作准备
make a list of
造表列出,把...列入一览表
equip...with
装备,配备
as well
也
in case
万一
on someone's part / on the part of someone
由某人表现出来的,由某人所作出的
on time
准时
in hand
处理中的,执行中的,手头有的
come to an end
结束
wait for
等待
be concerned about
关心
lay (undue) emphasis on
(过分)强调
get ahead
有进展
and so on
等等
at an end
结束,完毕
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