Unit 5 The Company Man. 1.Text one 2.Text two 3.Oral activity 4.Exercises content

Unit 5

The Company Man

1. Text one

2. Text two

3. Oral activity

4. Exercises

content

Text one• Pre-reading questions

• Background information

• Vocabulary

• Structure analysis

• Comprehension questions• • Language points of Text I

Text I The Company Man

• Pre-reading questions

1. What do you think is the life of a typical workaholic like?

2. How important do you think work is to a person?

3. What drives people to overwork?

Background information (1)

• About the text and the author

• Ellen Goodman(1941 – ), journalist and columnist who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1980 for commentary. She has written for Newsweek, the Detroit Free Press, and the Boston Globe. Her works include Turning Points (1979), Close to Home (1979), and At Large (1981).


• Ellen Goodman is an American original. Her abundant talents, intellect, wit, style, news judgment, set her apart with an élan uniquely her own. Her Pulitzer Prize winning commentary appears in more than 375 newspapers

Background information (3)• Goodman has been an innovative force in American

journalism. She once said, “I think readers need to be less alienated from editorial pages” and made them so by expanding the debate on op-ed pages. She has commented on the tumult of social change and its impact on families, and shattered the mold of men writing exclusively about politics.

• Goodman brings new readers to editorial pages. She is widely acclaimed as a voice of sanity, and readers depend on her to help them make sense of their changing lives and relationships. “I have always read Ellen Goodman,” a Sarasota, Fla., reader says. “She writes on issues that concern me, no matter where I’ve lived or where I moved.”


• In 1980, Goodman was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Commentary.

• Goodman’s work has won many other awards, including the American Society of Newspaper Editors Distinguished Writing Award in 1980. She received the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights in 1988. In 1993, at its Seventh Annual Exceptional Merit Media Award Ceremony, The National Women’s Political Caucus gave her the President’s Award. In 1994, the Women’s Research & Education Institute presented her with their American Woman Award.


•Pulitzer Prize• Any of several awards established by

Joseph Pulitzer and conferred annually for accomplishment in various fields of American journalism, literature, and music.

Background information (6)• 1. work while you work play while you play this is

the way to be cheerful and gay• 2. Never put off the work till tomorrow what you can

put off today. 今日事，今日毕• 3. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. 只会

用功不玩耍，聪明孩子也变傻• Work smarter, not harder. 更有技巧地工作，而不

是更努力地工作。• Work has a bitter root but sweet fruit.--German

proverb 工作虽苦 , 果实却甘 -- 德国谚语• Many hands make light work. 众人拾柴火焰高 ; 人

多好办事。• Work makes the workman. 熟能生巧。

Structure analysis of the text (1)• Paragraph 1

• This is an introductory paragraph. • Paragraphs 2-6• This part reports how devoted the man was to his

work.• Paragraphs 7-13• This part describes Phil’s role in his family.• Paragraph 14-16• This is the concluding part. After the cause of

Phil’s death being restated, the author goes on to report the company president’s inquire for his successor.

Structure analysis of the text (2)

• In a colloquial style, the author paints an ironic picture of the cutthroat life of a company man and his family. The man was a workaholic who died of a heart attack, which surprised no one. His wife lost him years ago to his work, and his children did not know him well. To make her writing more effective, the author uses repetition and parallelism.

Structure analysis of the text (3)

• Besides, she deliberately varies the length of the sentences. By mixing some unusually short sentences with the long ones, the author varies their weight and achieves emphasis and impact. For example, in Paragraph 3, the short sentence “Phil knew that.” Follows two long sentences. This helps avoid monotony is narration and emphasize Phil’s awareness of the cutthroat competition.

Comprehension questions (1)

• 1. what is meant by the sentence “she would be well taken care of” in Paragraph 8?

• Key: It means that the company Phil worked for would provide some financial help for his wife so as to relieve her of any possible worries about finance.


• 2. why is the phrase “dearly beloved” repeated when referring to his children in Paragraph 9?

• Key: The phrase “delay beloved” is repeated to create a sarcastic effect for his relationship with his children was far from being close and intimate and he devoted too little to his children.


• 3. What do you think is the relationship like between Phil and the three children?

• Key: Refer to Paragraphs 9—12. Successful as his was as a corporate man, Phil was a failing father. Is eldest son knew so little about him that he had to research his father by asking the neighbors what he was like. His daughter had nothing to say when staying along with him. And his younger son, also his favorite, remarked bitterly that his father and he only boarded at the home. The relationship between Phil and his children was distant and estranged.


• 4.what is the implication of the ending?

• Key: It implies the story of Phil sees no end: He will soon be replaced by an equally hardworking guy who may following in his steps and repeat the same tragedy. Bosses are always on the lookout for workaholics and they are never in short supply. The ending is full of sarcasm and bitterness.


• 5. Do you think it is a sheer waste of life to die so young for working so hard? How can you learn from the story of Phil?

Vocabulary

• 1. obituary: 1) [C] a published notice of death, sometimes with a brief account of the dead person’s life.

• 2) adj. an obituary notice

讣告• 深圳市公安边防支队战士艾伟同志在执行海上缉私

任务中因公边艇遭走私快艇撞击而负伤，因伤重抢救无效，于 2005 年 11 月 7 日 22 时 20 分以身殉职，光荣牺牲，年仅 20 岁。

• 艾伟同志的追悼会定于 2005 年 11 月 12 日上午 10时在深圳市殡仪馆 1 号大厅房举行。

• 地址：深圳市龙岗区深惠公路沙湾路段• 特此讣告• 深圳市公安边防支队艾伟同志治丧委员会• 2005 年 11 月 9 日• 联系人：关立志• 联系电话：（ 0755 ） 83350816 － 22182134287975

79

Funeral notice• CANSON, Joyce Rea

Sept 5, 1941-Oct 12, 2006…. Mother of Robert Beverly, Richard Beverly, and Sheila Daniels. Mother-in-law to Sheryl Beverly, Kim Beverly, and Darius Daniels. Beloved ''Granny'' to Robert, Anjalee, Sheila, Clarissa, Raven, and Kathryn. Sister to Charlotte Smith, Gloria Johnson (husband Ronald), and the late Jimmy Thorntona (late wife Polly). Daughter to the late Charles Canson and Emma Johnson. Survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and good friends. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Joyces life, Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 12 pm at Sierra 2 Center, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818.

• 2. coronary thrombosis: blocking of a coronary artery by a clot of blood, damaging the heart and possibly causing death; heart attack.

• 3. workaholic: [C] a person who works obsessively and finds it difficult to stop.

• -holic: suffix. means be addicted to– E.g. alcoholic

• [U] workaholism:

• 4. conceivably: adv. in a manner that can be imagined or believed.– E.g. He might conceivably have missed the bus.

• conceivable: adj. – E.g. 简直难以想象瘦小的他能跑得这么快。– It is hardly conceivable that he can run so fast.– 她千方百计得挣钱。– She earned money by every conceivable means

• conceive: • 1) We didn't conceive such a tragedy could occur.• To be of the opinion that; think:• 2) We have to conceive a plan to increase profits. • To form or develop in the mind; devise:• 3) I couldn't conceive the meaning of that sentence,

although he explained again.• To apprehend mentally; understand• 4)The baby was conceived in February and born in

November.• To become pregnant with (offspring).

• 5. executive: 1) [C] a person or group having administrative or managerial authority in an organization.

• 2) adj. Of, relating to, capable of, or suited for carrying out or executing:– E.g.He was a man of great executive ability.

• Vt. execute:– 1) A government executes the decisions of the

ruling party.– To put into effect; carry out– 2) The victim’s relatives expected to execute the

killer.– To put to death, especially by carrying out a

lawful sentence.

• 6. survive: vt. To live longer than; to outlive.– E.g. My father survived my mother by/for

five years

• 7. board: vi. to pay to( or to make somebody) sleep and eat meals in somebody’s house.– E.g. She arranged to board some students

from the university.

• 2) Food or meals considered as a whole:– E.g. Each student has to pay $100 a month

for board and lodging.

• 8. widow: [C] a woman whose husband has died, and who has not married again.

• widower: a man whose wife has died, and who has not married again

• widow: vt. to make a widow or widower of sb.

• 9. deceased: [C] somebody who has died, especially

• Adj. dead.• Vi/ [U] decease:

– E.g. Upon your decease the house will pass to your wife.

• 10.lineup:[c]A group of people, organizations, or things enlisted or arrayed for a purpose:– E.g. a candidate has an impressive lineup

of supporters.

• a line of people who has died, especially recently.

Language points of Text I (1-1)

• 1.work himself to death: died from self-motivated overwork.

• 2. finally: imply the doomed ending of the workaholic.

• 3. precisely: exactly– E.g.They arrived at five o’clock precisely.

• Note: Some of its synonyms are exactly, accurately, definitely

• Emphasize his devotion to work.


• 4. Why isn’t the name mentioned?

• 1) get the readers involved in finding out the character.

• 2) suggest the fact that workaholism has become a common/ubiquitous phenomenon. workaholics lost their individuality while they are busy in the wok.


• 5. juxtapositions: putting contradictory actions or ideas together.

• E.g. work to death on Sunday morning, which creates am image of a workaholic.


• 1. What type of man was the deceased?

• 2. Were Phil’s friends all greatly saddened by his sudden death?


• 2. overweight: weighing more than is normal, necessary, or allowed, especially having more body weight than is considered normal or healthy for one’s age or build.

• Compare: fat, obese, fleshy, stout, pudgy, plump, chubby

• These adjectives mean having an abundance and often an excess of flesh.

• Fat implies excessive weight and is generally unfavorable in its connotations:

• e.g. Charlie is not merely overweight but downright fat.

Language points of Text I (4-2)• obsess implies gross overweight:• e.g. “… a woman of robust frame … though

stout, not obsess”• fleshy suggests a not necessarily excessive

abundance of flesh:• e.g. Susan quite likes her boyfriend’s firm,

fleshy arms.• Stout is sometimes used as a polite term to describe

fatness. In stricter application stout refers to a person with a thickset, bulky figure:

• e.g. Even slim girls can become stout matrons.


• Pudgy means short and fat:

• e.g. His pudgy fingers look really funny.

• Plump applies to a pleasing fullness of figure:

• e.g. Everybody loves Rita, the plump, rosy little girl.

• A chubby person is round and plump:

• e.g. a chubby toddler; chubby checks

Language points of Text I (5)

• 3.survive: to live longer than; to outlive• e.g. It’s amazing that she should have

survived all her children and grandchildren.• My father survived my mother by four years.• 4.marketable: wanted by purchasers or

employers.• e.g. They have failed to launch a marketable

model for years.• It is a good idea to list your marketable

skills before heading for the job fair.


• 5. widow: a woman whose husband has died, and who has not married again.

• widower: a man whose wife has died, and who has not married again.

• Widow v. to make a widow or widower of somebody.

• e.g. She calls her windowed father/mother nearly everyday.


• 6.straighten out: to solve or settle: to remove difficulties from something or the doubt or ignorance in somebody’s mind.

• e.g. we need someone capable of straightening out all the confusion.

• I was then muddled about the registration procedures. Luckily, she came in time to straighten me out.


• 7. inquiry: a request for help or information; an investigation

• e.g. There have been many inquires about the new degree program we offer.

• Don’t hesitate to check with our workers at the inquiry desk/office when in doubt.


• 1. a heart-attack natural: a person suited by nature for heart-attack.

• 2. pick out: select


• Why the author repeat the sentence three times?

• The author relates the two contradictory ideas—work to death on Sunday morning.

• Thus reveals Phil’s personality and suggests that he is destined to be exhausted.


• 1. discreetly: self-restraint in speech.

• 2. taste: faculty of discerning what is excellent and appropriate.

• 3. replacement: substitute.

• It is contradictory to the Paragraph 13.

• It was the same quality, leading to Phil’s death, that the president was seeking in the replacement.


• what is the implication of the ending?• Key: It reveals handwork is the deciding factor in

determining whether one will be promoted. It is also an inner drive to hard work.

• It implies the story of Phil sees no end: He will soon be replaced by an equally hardworking guy who may follow in his steps and repeat the same tragedy. Bosses are always on the lookout for workaholics and they are never in short supply.

• The ending is full of sarcasm and bitterness.

Comprehension questions of Text II (1)

• 1.What is a kind of fundamental malaise which seems very common and which poses difficult problems for the social reformer?

• People are troubled by a feeling of boredom and discontent, so they seem to yearn for something that may help to boost their spirits. The rich often feel depressed and professional men often feel hopelessly thwarted.


• 2. What is the first of the two causes that prevent people from being as happy as one might expect?

• It is the necessity of readiness to submit to others in some large organization. Conformity is encouraged and submission is a virtue. If you are bubbling with energy and laden with ideas, you constantly find yourself in trouble. You are bossed about by some big man at the top who is elderly, weary and cynical. The bright people always suffer from the impossibility of doing anything they believe to be right.


• 3. What is the major cause that prevents people from being happy as much as possible?

• Most people act on some principles rather than on impulse. They believe in a general theory on how to make one happy, but the theory is basically false. A competitive struggle dominates life in which happiness lied in getting ahead of those who are your neighbors, colleagues or friends. They forget joys devoid of competitive elements. Though it is true that you are mad if you always yield to impulse, it is no less true that you may dry up by soft degrees if you never yield to impulse. If you desire to live a healthy and happy life, you should allow impulse to have sufficient scope to remain alive and you should preserve a range of interests. However, if you live merely on principle, you can hardly feel happy.


• 4. How do you understand the statement that a life which is all principle is a life on rails?

• In such a life, one may score earthly achievements in a fairly fast manner, but he may succeed in attaining his particular goal at the cost freedom, which is an indispensable element in happiness.

Oral activities

Organize yourselves into groups of three to five and discuss the following issue:

How can Phil avoid his tragedy

Exercises

• 1. Word transformation: P60

• 2. Paraphrase: P61

• 3. Present perfect or present perfect progressive tense: P61-62

• 4. translation: P48

• 5. Writing practice

Exercises (1)Translation exercises• 1. 我的顶头上司是一个典型的工作狂，一年

到头每天工作 10 个小时以上。 (workaholic)• My immediate boss is typical workaholic, for he

works for over ten hours each day all the year round.

• 2. 校长十分注重课外活动。他认为，课外活动有助于培养学生对外部世界的极大兴趣。(extracurricular)

• The principal attaches much importance to extracurricular activities and he believes that they will help to cultivate students’ tremendous interest in the external world.

Exercises (1)• 3. 星期一早上，他总是快速冲个澡，胡乱吃个

三明治，接着赶搭出租车去上班。 (grab)• He always grabs a shower, a sandwich and then a

taxi to go to work every Monday morning.• 4. 既然你要离开公司了，你要在本周内清算帐

目。 (straighten out)• Since you are leaving the company, you should

straighten out the accounts within the week.• 5. 为了及时完成他的博士论文，他经常熬夜。

(stay up)• He often stays up late at night in order to finish

writing his Ph. D. dissertation on time.

Exercises (1)• 6. 没有什么东西可以取代内心深处最深切的爱。

(replace)• He is considered a natural for the post of the president,

for he has been an excellent vice-president for almost ten years.

• 7. 他被认为是总裁职位的当然人选，因为他已经做了近 10 年出色的副总裁。 (natural)

• He is considered a natural for the post of the president, for he has been an excellent vice-president for almost ten years.

• 8. 他实在太普通了，在人群中不会被挑选出来。（ pick out ）

• He is just too common to be picked out from the crowd.

Exercises (2)• Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word taken

from the box in the proper form.

board discreetly precisely classicexecutive survive conceivably grabwidow deceased obituary workaholic

Exercises (2)• 1. The woman _________ her husband by

nine years.

• 2.The plot of the novel _________ the reader.

• 3. Not wanting to draw any attention, Roy went __________ into the lecture hall.

• 4. We learned about her ________ father by reading his ________ in The Times.

survived

grabs

discreetly

deceased

obituary

Exercises (2)• 5.I do not understand how the arranged marriage

could ___________ work out in the more traditional societies.

• 6. The old couple plans to __________ some students from the university .

• 7. The new business writing course is oriented towards _________ and managers who wasn’t the individual attention and focused training that will help them write with impact and effectiveness.

• 8. Upper-intermediate English learners are often encouraged to read the _________ of the English and American literature.

conceivably

board

executives

classics

Writing practice (1)

Write a composition of at least 200 words on the following topic.

Career or Family: which is more important?

Sample writing

•Career or Family: which is more important?

• Sample:

• When asked about their opinion of career and family, people always respond differently. Some people deem it more important to pursue their career, while there are always other people who argue that family should be the number one in one’s life.

• It goes without any question that career plays a key role in our life. In the very first place, career can give us an aim to live on. Without career, much of our living time will be certainly wasted. What’s more, career can provide us with a means to live on. Most of the people earn their income from a job. On the other hand, family is also an indispensable part of life, as many people will admit. Family is always regarded as a place where we can escape from troubles in life. In addition, we can obtain a sense of belonging to from family. Without it, anyone will feel lonely and desperate.

• In my opinion, career and family are not in opposition to each other. Rather, they can enhance each other so that one’s life can become better and better. Therefore, it’s not a choice between right and wrong, but one between ideal and practical.

Documents

Unit 5 The Company Man. 1.Text one 2.Text two 3.Oral activity 4.Exercises content