Unit 1
Section A
Time-Conscious Americans
1. Americans believe that no one can afford to stand still. If you don't strive for progress, you fall behind. This attitude has made the United States a nation dedicated to research, experimentation, and exploration.
2. People often say, "only time can dominate us." Time seems to be treated as a tangible thing. We arrange, save, waste, squeeze, kill, and justify the use of time. We even charge for the time we give.
3. Foreigners' first impression of the United States might be that everyone is in a rush—always under pressure. City dwellers seem to rush to their destinations, expectantly waiting for clerks to serve them quickly in stores, or pushing others aside to get things done faster. This sense of urgency is reflected in the way people eat during the day, which in turn shows the pace of life in the country.
Unit 2
Inviting Friends to a Party
I invited my friends to liven up the party and add some cheer, ignoring the fact that most of them were emotionally tired. Instead of saying "Please don't bring gifts," I shouted, "Please bring gifts!"
Unit 3
An Impressive English Lesson
If I am the only parent who still corrects his child's English, then perhaps my son is right. To him, I am a tedious oddity: a father he has to listen to and a man absorbed in grammar, which my son seems allergic to.
Unit 4
At the Central Station Inquiry Office
The digital clock above the desk at the central station inquiry office read: six minutes to six. John Brenford, a young, tall officer, stared at the big clock to catch the exact time. Six minutes later, he was to meet a woman who had occupied a special place in his life for the past 13 months—a woman he had never met but who had consistently given him strength through her letters. Shortly after he volunteered for the army, he received a book from this woman. Since we often assess and understand others through work rather than social interaction, we got straight to the point. Thus, time ticks away in our minds. Hence, we invent a series of labor-saving devices. We communicate quickly with others through faxes, phones, or emails rather than through direct contact. Although face-to-face contact is pleasant, it takes more time, especially when the roads are crowded. Accompanying the book was a letter wishing him bravery and peace. He found that many of his friends who had also joined the army had received the same book from a woman named Hollis Menell. Therefore, we schedule most personal visits for after work hours or on weekends during social gatherings.
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