Unit 3 Book 3 Happiness L. Difficult Sentences 1. When most people exist near the breadline, material progress does indeed make them happier. (1)What does"exist near the breadline "mean in this passage? ("Exist near the breadline"means"just have enough money to feed themselves. " 2)Paraphrase the sentence. (When a multitude of people in a so ciety only have money enough feed themselves, they would feel much happier if they can earn more money 2. But when material discomfort has been banished. extra income becomes much less important than our relationships with each other: with family, with friends and in the community (1)What does"material discomfort has been banished" mean? (This part means that people have enough money to meet everyday needs, they don't worry about their daily life anymore (2) Translate the sentence (=然而,物质上的匮乏一旦消除,收入的增加便不如亲情、友情、邻里 和睦等人际关系那么重要。) 3. the reason for this is that over time our standards and expectations rise to meet our income (1)What does "our standards and expectations rise to meet our Income”mean? (lt means"with the increase in our income, our standards and expectations also rise. (2) Translate the sentence. (=原因是随着时间的推移,我们的标准和期望随着收入的增加而上升。) 4. Since people are always comparing their incomes with what others have, or with what they are used to, they only feel better off if they move up relative to the norm (1)What does the norm"refer to in this sentence? (This word refers to"average income. (2) Paraphrase“ move up relative to the norm.” ( They earn more than the average income 5. Since society as a whole cannot raise its position relative to itself, the
1 Unit 3 Book 3 Happiness I. Difficult Sentences 1. When most people exist near the breadline, material progress does indeed make them happier. (1) What does “exist near the breadline” mean in this passage? (=“Exist near the breadline” means “just have enough money to feed themselves.”) (2) Paraphrase the sentence. (=When a multitude of people in a society only have money enough to feed themselves, they would feel much happier if they can earn more money.) 2. But when material discomfort has been banished, extra income becomes much less important than our relationships with each other: with family, with friends and in the community. (1) What does “material discomfort has been banished” mean? (=This part means that people have enough money to meet everyday needs, they don’t worry about their daily life anymore.) (2) Translate the sentence. (=然而，物质上的匮乏一旦消除，收入的增加便不如亲情、友情、邻里 和睦等人际关系那么重要。) 3. The reason for this is that over time our standards and expectations rise to meet our income. (1) What does “our standards and expectations rise to meet our income” mean?) (=It means “with the increase in our income, our standards and expectations also rise.”) (2) Translate the sentence. (=原因是随着时间的推移，我们的标准和期望随着收入的增加而上升。) 4. Since people are always comparing their incomes with what others have, or with what they are used to, they only feel better off if they move up relative to the norm. (1) What does ‘the norm” refer to in this sentence? (=This word refers to “average income.”) (2) Paraphrase “move up relative to the norm.” (= They earn more than the average income.) 5. Since society as a whole cannot raise its position relative to itself, the
effort which its members devote to that end could be said to be a waste the balance between leisure and work has been shifted inefficiently"towards work. (1)What does"the effort which its members devote to that end'refer to in this sentence (People make an effort to raise their social status or position by working harder or earning more. (2) What does"inefficiently"refer to in this sentence? It means useless, meaningless, that's to say, it's useless for people to sacrifice their leisure time to work (3) Why does the author think these efforts are meaningless at all? Because their increase in income would definitely be counterbalanced by increase in average income, so that they wouldn't feel happier than before by working harder or earning more 6. It is a zero-sum game: private life sacrificed in order to increase status is a waste from the point of view of society as a whole. (1)What does"a zero-sum game"refer to in this sentence? (e Linguistically it refers to"a situation in which you receive as much money or advantages as you give away. In this sentence, it means that you pay a lot to increase social status, for example private life, leisure time, even worse health. But what you gain seems equal to what you have paid (2) Translate the sentence. (=这是一种得失平衡的游戏:从整个社会看,为了提高地位而牺牲个人的 地位,是一种浪费。) 7. In an increasingly competitive society, life will become tougher for people in the bottom half of the ability range unless we develop broader criteria for respect. (1)What does"people in the bottom half of the ability range"mean? ( lt refers to"those people whose ability is below the average") (2) What kind of ability does this sentence mean in your opinion?) It may refer to a person's ability to earn money. 3What does"broader criteria for respect"refer to? =lt means that besides economic status more factors are considered to decide whether one person deserves our respect or not.) 8. We should respect people who co-operate with others at no gain to themselves and who show skill and effort at whatever level Paraphrase the sentence (We should respect people who work with others for no reward and
2 effort which its members devote to that end could be said to be a waste ⎯ the balance between leisure and work has been shifted “inefficiently” towards work. (1) What does “the effort which its members devote to that end” refer to in this sentence?) (=People make an effort to raise their social status or position by working harder or earning more.) (2) What does “inefficiently” refer to in this sentence? (=It means useless, meaningless, that’s to say, it’s useless for people to sacrifice their leisure time to work.) (3) Why does the author think these efforts are meaningless at all? (=Because their increase in income would definitely be counterbalanced by increase in average income, so that they wouldn’t feel happier than before by working harder or earning more.) 6. It is a zero-sum game: private life sacrificed in order to increase status is a waste from the point of view of society as a whole. (1) What does “a zero-sum game” refer to in this sentence? (= Linguistically it refers to “a situation in which you receive as much money or advantages as you give away.” In this sentence, it means that you pay a lot to increase social status, for example, private life, leisure time, even worse health. But what you gain seems equal to what you have paid.) (2) Translate the sentence. (=这是一种得失平衡的游戏：从整个社会看，为了提高地位而牺牲个人的 地位，是一种浪费。) 7. In an increasingly competitive society, life will become tougher for people in the bottom half of the ability range unless we develop broader criteria for respect. (1) What does “people in the bottom half of the ability range” mean? (=It refers to “those people whose ability is below the average”.) (2) What kind of ability does this sentence mean in your opinion?) (=It may refer to a person’s ability to earn money.) (3) What does “broader criteria for respect” refer to?) (=It means that besides economic status, more factors are considered to decide whether one person deserves our respect or not.) 8. We should respect people who co-operate with others at no gain to themselves, and who show skill and effort at whatever level. Paraphrase the sentence. (=We should respect people who work with others for no reward and
those who use their skills and work hard at jobs of whatever rank. It seems likely that the extra comforts we now enjoy have increased our happiness somewhat, but that deteriorating relationships have made us less happy (1)What extra comforts do we enjoy ? (The extra comforts may include a better living place, a more luxurious car. etc (2)What kinds of relationships have been deteriorating? (Relationships in the family, at work and in the community. (pAraphrase the sentence. (While our higher standard of living has probably been a source of some extra happiness, this has been offset by the worsening of our relationships brought about by the single-minded pursuit of wealth 10. We are left with no concept of the common good or collective meanIng (1)What does this sentence indicate? (lt indicates that we are not aware of and pay little attention to the concept of the common good and collective interests (2)What does "the common good and collective meaning" refer to?) It means the advantage of everyone in the society or the advantage of the whole society. 11. The old religious worldview is gone; so too is the postwar re ligion of social and national solidarity (1)Translate the sentence (=无论是古老的、虔诚的世界观,还是战后社会的团结精神和国家的凝聚 意识,皆荡然无存。) (2)What do"the old religious worldview and "the postwar religion of social and national solidarity"refer to? (Open-ended. But this question is worth discussing about Teachers can really hold a deep discussion about this ll. Words and Expressions unparalleled: adj. having no parallel or equal; unmatched New agricultural and industrial processes have boosted productivity to unparalleled heights (With the soar of energy costs, this country is confronted with an economic crisis unparalleled in its history. 2. depression: n
3 those who use their skills and work hard at jobs of whatever rank.) 9. It seems likely that the extra comforts we now enjoy have increased our happiness somewhat, but that deteriorating relationships have made us less happy. (1) What extra comforts do we enjoy?) (=The extra comforts may include a better living place, a more luxurious car, etc.) (2) What kinds of relationships have been deteriorating? (=Relationships in the family, at work and in the community.) (3) Paraphrase the sentence. (=While our higher standard of living has probably been a source of some extra happiness, this has been offset by the worsening of our relationships brought about by the single-minded pursuit of wealth.) 10. We are left with no concept of the common good or collective meaning. (1) What does this sentence indicate? (=It indicates that we are not aware of and pay little attention to the concept of the common good and collective interests.) (2) What does “the common good and collective meaning” refer to?) (=It means the advantage of everyone in the society or the advantage of the whole society.) 11. The old religious worldview is gone; so too is the postwar religion of social and national solidarity. (1) Translate the sentence. (=无论是古老的、虔诚的世界观，还是战后社会的团结精神和国家的凝聚 意识，皆荡然无存。) (2) What do “the old religious worldview” and “the postwar religion of social and national solidarity” refer to? (=Open-ended. But this question is worth discussing about. Teachers can really hold a deep discussion about this.) II. Words and Expressions 1. unparalleled: adj. having no parallel or equal; unmatched *New agricultural and industrial processes have boosted productivity to unparalleled heights. (=With the soar of energy costs, this country is confronted with an economic crisis unparalleled in its history.) 2. depression: n
(1)being depressed; low spirits 他一时想不开,自杀了。 (He committed suicide during a fit of depression Peter fell into a deep depression on hearing the news. (2 )a period when there is little economic activity, and high unemployment Lots of people were deprived of all these property the great Depression 3. priority (1)a)(state of) being more important (in rank) Japan enjoys priority over other countries in the field of microelectronics 政府将改革法制列为工作的重点 (The Government gave top priority to reforming the legal system. (2)the thing that is(regarded as) more important than others (You must decide what your priorities are Housework is low on her list of priorities. 4. breadline: n. a very low level of income which allows people to eat but not have any extra things For those people who exist near the breadline, this policy really Collocations be/live on the breadline 非常穷,勉强维持生活 be near/below the breadline接近低于最低生活标准 5. banish: v (1)to send sb away, especially out of the country, as a punishment She was convicted of heresy and banished from the kingdom. He was banished from his home land for life (2)to drive( thoughts, etc)out (of the mind) 她从心里打消了过一个宁静假日的想法 (she banished all thoughts of a restful holiday from her mind. 6. pursuit:n (1)the action of pursuing The pursuit of profit was the main reason for the changes. (she devoted her life to the pursuit of pleasure (2) an activity such as a sport or hobby, which you spend a lot of time doing 她一生献身于有意义的活动 ( She was engaged in worthwhile pursuits for her whole life
4 (1) being depressed; low spirits 他一时想不开, 自杀了。 (=He committed suicide during a fit of depression.) *Peter fell into a deep depression on hearing the news. (2) a period when there is little economic activity, and high unemployment *Lots of people were deprived of all these property in the Great Depression. 3. priority: n. (1) (a) (state of) being more important (in rank) *Japan enjoys priority over other countries in the field of microelectronics. 政府将改革法制列为工作的重点。 (=The Government gave top priority to reforming the legal system.) (2) the thing that is (regarded as) more important than others (=You must decide what your priorities are.) *Housework is low on her list of priorities. 4. breadline: n. a very low level of income which allows people to eat but not have any extra things *For those people who exist near the breadline, this policy really crushes them. Collocations: be/live on the breadline 非常穷，勉强维持生活 be near/below the breadline 接近/低于最低生活标准 5. banish: v. (1) to send sb. away, especially out of the country, as a punishment *She was convicted of heresy and banished from the kingdom. *He was banished from his homeland for life. (2) to drive (thoughts, etc) out (of the mind) 她从心里打消了过一个宁静假日的想法。 (=She banished all thoughts of a restful holiday from her mind.) 6. pursuit: n. (1) the action of pursuing *The pursuit of profit was the main reason for the changes. (=She devoted her life to the pursuit of pleasure.) (2) an activity such as a sport or hobby, which you spend a lot of time doing 她一生献身于有意义的活动。 (=She was engaged in worthwhile pursuits for her whole life.)
fThe world-famous scientist immersed himself in academic pursuits Collocations in pursuit of在追求…时 Pm always amazed at the things people do in pursuit of authentic love. in hot pursuit穷追不舍 The quarterback sprinted toward the end zone with Peter in hot pursuit. 7. intense: adj. (1)(of sensations) having a very strong effect or felt very strongly The heat was intense (2)(of emotions, etc)very strong *she can be so intense. It makes me exhausted 这个年轻的女士十分嫉妒 (This young lady was overcome by an intense feeling of jealousy 8. in the long run: later in the future, not immediately (The less you rely on painkillers now, the better it will be for your health in the long run We can't sacrifice our ecosystem to immediate economic growth. As in the long run, this decision would be disastrous 9. overall: (1adj]. including everything, taking everything into account (There's been an overall improvement recently My overall impression of his work is good. *What will it cost, overall?,generally (2)adv including everything 总的来说,价格仍在上升。 (Overall, the prices are stilling rising 10. in line with: in accordance to 养老金将会跟着通货膨胀的水平增长。) (Pensions will be increased in line with inflation Income tax fluctuates in line with the change in one's earning Collocations: line of business专业,行业 drop sb. a line给人写短信(便条 on the right lines正确,对的 in line with 与 致 be in sb. s line 是某人的专长 take a firm line on对某事采取坚定的态度 (Directions: ) Fill in the blanks with the expressions above
5 *The world-famous scientist immersed himself in academic pursuits. Collocations: in pursuit of 在追求……时 *I’m always amazed at the things people do in pursuit of authentic love. in hot pursuit 穷追不舍 *The quarterback sprinted toward the end zone with Peter in hot pursuit. 7. intense: adj. (1) (of sensations) having a very strong effect or felt very strongly *The heat was intense. (2) (of emotions, etc) very strong *She can be so intense. It makes me exhausted. 这个年轻的女士十分嫉妒。 (=This young lady was overcome by an intense feeling of jealousy.) 8. in the long run: later in the future, not immediately (=The less you rely on painkillers now, the better it will be for your health in the long run.) *We can’t sacrifice our ecosystem to immediate economic growth. As in the long run, this decision would be disastrous. 9. overall: (1)adj. including everything, taking everything into account (=There's been an overall improvement recently.) *My overall impression of his work is good. (2) adv. including everything; generally *What will it cost, overall? 总的来说，价格仍在上升。 (=Overall, the prices are stilling rising.) 10. in line with: in accordance to 养老金将会跟着通货膨胀的水平增长。) (=Pensions will be increased in line with inflation.) *Income tax fluctuates in line with the change in one’s earning. Collocations: line of business 专业， 行业 drop sb. a line 给人写短信（便条） on the right lines 正确，对的 in line with 与……一致 be in sb.’s line 是某人的专长 take a firm line on 对某事采取坚定的态度 (Directions:) Fill in the blanks with the expressions above