Language Point 1
There’s a big distinction between working hard and being a workaholic. (Para. 1)
Meaning: There’s a big difference between working hard and being a workaholic; or: Working hard and being a workaholic are two totally different things.
Language Point 2
Working hard involves being organized, focused, getting a lot of work done, ... (Para. 2)
involve: vt. have as a necessary part or result; consist of
This war involved several countries. 这场战争牵涉到几个国家。
If “involve” is followed directly by a verb, the second verb is used in the -ing form. Examples:
The plan involves my living in London. 这项计划要求我住在伦敦。
The job involves traveling abroad for three months each year. 这个工作要求每年去国外旅行三个月。
Language Point 3
… and having a life other than work. (Para. 2)
other than:
1) instead of, except for
Have we anything to drink other than milk? 除了牛奶我们还有什么可以喝的？
You can’t get there other than by swimming.除了游泳，没有其他办法可以去那儿了。
2) not; anything but
She can hardly be other than grateful. 她不可能不感激。
The truth was quite other than what he thought. 事实真相和他所想的完全不一样。
Language Point 4
Workaholics … have unbalanced, one-dimensional lives. (Para. 2)
Meaning: Workaholics... lead unhealthy, incomplete lives. There’s nothing but work in their worlds.
Language Point 5
… one-dimensional lives. (Para. 2)
Meaning: ..., dull, uninteresting lives.
dimensional: a. of a particular factor
three-dimensional films 三维电影, 立体电影
dimension: n.
1) [C,U] measures of length, width, etc.
What are the dimensions of the suitcase? 这个手提箱的长宽高各是多少？
It will be a building of vast dimensions. 这将是幢巨大的建筑。
2) a particular side or part of a problem, subject, etc.; aspect
We should not forget that education has an important spiritual dimension. 我们不应忘记教育有其重要的精神因素。
His character has several different dimensions. 他的性格是多方面的。
Language Point 6
… like those who are constantly drunk, … (Para. 3)
constantly: ad. all the time, or very often
The direction of the wind is constantly changing. 风向老是在变化。
As I walked through the playground, I was constantly reminded of my school life. 走过操场时，我常常想起自己以前的学生生活。
drunk: a.
1) excited by alcoholic drink
They’ve put wine in her fruit juice to get her drunk. 他们把酒倒进她的果汁里，把她灌醉。
I was a bit drunk at the time so I don’t remember much. 那时候我有点醉了，所以现在我记不太清楚了。
2) (with) behaving in a strange, often unpleasant, way (because of the excitement of sth.)
She is drunk with power. 她醉心于权力。
Language Point 7
... suffer from a controlling habit, ... (Para. 3)
a controlling habit: a continuing habit (from which workaholics are unable to escape)
Language Point 8
… usually defined as compelling behavior despite negative consequences. (Para. 3)
Meaning: ... usually described as a type of behavior which workaholics are compelled to commit although they know it may bring harmful results.
Language Point 9
… negative consequence. (Para. 3)
consequence: n.
1) [C] sth. that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions
Such a mistake would perhaps lead to terrible consequences. 这样的错误也许会导致灾难性的后果。
These pilots must now face the consequences of their actions and be brought to trial. 这些飞行员必须为他们的行为承担后果并接受审判。
2) [U] importance
a man of great consequence 十分重要的人物
It is of little consequence to me. 这对我无关紧要。
Language Point 10
They are sometimes pushed into their habit by their work beliefs, by workaholic role models, and by a work system that automatically sanctions workaholism. (Para. 3)
Meaning: They sometimes acquire the habit of working excessively hard, partly because they are brought up to work hard, partly because they are encouraged by other successful workaholics and encouraged by an outside working environment that approves of all work and no play.
Language Point 11
… a work system … (Para. 3)
system: n.
1) an ordered set of ideas, methods, or ways of working
His new system for providing information works well. 他提供信息的新方法很管用。
The present system of funding for higher education is unsatisfactory. 现在为高等教育提供资金的体制不尽人意。
2) a group of related parts which work together forming a whole
a heating / air-conditioning system 供热 / 空调系统
the solar system 太阳系
the digestive system 消化系统
a computer system 计算机系统
Language Point 12
… that automatically sanctions workaholism. (Para. 3)
sanction: vt. officially accept or approve of sth.
They officially sanctioned the project. 他们正式批准了这项计划。
sanction: n.
1) approval, official approval for (sth.)
I need my parents’ sanction to stay out late. 我晚回家需要得到父母的许可。
They cannot marry without the court’s sanction. 没有皇室的同意他们不能结婚。
2) a law or rule that punishes or takes away sth. from sb.
The United States applied economic sanctions against Cuba. 美国对古巴实行经济制裁。
The international community imposed sanctions on that country for its terrorist actions. 国际社会因为那个国家的恐怖主义活动而对其实行制裁。
3) [C] a reason that stops people going against laws, rules, etc.
Is prison the best sanction against a crime like this? 监禁是对这类犯罪的最好约束吗？
Shame once served as an effective sanction against wrongdoing. 羞耻曾是一种防止不道德行为的有效约束力。
Language Point 13
Despite lip service to the contrary (“a balanced employee is a productive employee”), most employers want loyal employees who work longer hours,… (Para. 3)
Meaning: Although many bosses advocate that a worker living a balanced life is an efficient one, they support this idea only by empty words. On the contrary, most of them prefer faithful workers who are willing to work longer hours for their companies.
Language Point 14
Despite lip service to the contrary … (Para. 3)
lip service: support in words, not in fact
He pays lip service to feminism, but his wife still does all the housework. 他口口声声支持女权主义, 但他家的全部家务仍是他妻子的事。
to the contrary: showing that the opposite is true
I’ll come next month, unless you write to the contrary. 我下个月来，除非你写信叫我不要来。
I know she’s unhappy, despite all her arguments to the contrary. 尽管她竭力说她很快乐，可我知道她并不幸福。
Please compare: on the contrary (used for expressing strong opposition to what has just been said)
It isn’t a good thing; on the contrary, it’s a huge mistake. 这不是件好事，恰恰相反，这是个极大的错误。
I believe you like your job. On the contrary, I hate it! 我相信你喜欢你的工作。可我恰恰相反，我讨厌它。
Language Point 15
... a balanced employee is a productive employee ... (Para. 3)
Meaning: ... an employee who can balance work and other parts of his life is a highly efficient employee ...
Language Point 16
… loyal employees … (Para. 3)
loyal: a. true to one’s friends, group, country, etc.
A good friend is always loyal. 好朋友永远是忠诚的。
She has remained loyal to him throughout his misfortune. 在他遭受不幸期间，她自始至终对他保持忠诚。
Language Point 17
In many companies, workers unwilling to burn the midnight oil are at risk. (Para. 3)
Meaning: In many companies, employees who are not ready to work until late at night run the risk of being fired.
burn the midnight oil: work till very late at night
She takes her exams next week, so she’s burning the midnight oil. 她下星期要考试了, 所以在开夜车。
Language Point 18
Certainly, they hazard their jobs by working normal hours. (Para. 3)
Meaning: Surely, they run a risk of losing jobs as they never work longer hours.
hazard:
1) vt. risk, subject to danger
He hazarded his life to save the child. 他冒着生命危险去救那孩子。
His father hazarded all his savings in an investment. 他父亲用自己的全部积蓄去冒险进行投资。
2) n. a danger or risk
There are many serious health hazards associated with smoking. 许多严重危害健康的情况都与吸烟有关。
That big box of papers is a fire hazard. 那一大箱文件是引发火灾的隐患。
Language Point 19
Americans tend to become trapped in a working and spending consumption mode, driven by merchants, that leads them to rack up their expectations. (Para. 3)
Meaning: Americans are likely to get stuck in the pattern, created by business people, of working more and spending more, which leads Americans to spend more money and, therefore, they have to work harder to make money.
Language Point 20
… become trapped in … (Para. 3)
trap:
1) vt. cause to be in a bad situation from which one can’t escape
Julia found herself trapped in a dead-end job. 朱莉娅觉得自己陷入了一个没有前途的工作里。
2) n. a dangerous or unpleasant situation from which it is difficult or impossible to escape
The police set traps to make the thief tell where the money was. 警察设下圈套诱使小偷讲出了钱的下落。
Language Point 21
… leads them to … (Para. 3)
lead sb. to (do) sth.: influence or cause sb. to do sth.
Her expression led me to believe there was some problem. 她的表情让我相信她遇上了困难。
What led you to (reach) this conclusion? 是什么让你得出这个结论的？
Another verbal phrase is “lead to”, which is different in meaning from “lead sb. to do”.
lead to : result in
It’s sleeping late in the morning that leads to being late for work. 早上起晚了，所以上班迟到了。
Too much work and too little rest often leads to illness. 超负荷工作而不注意休息往往会得病。
Language Point 22
… to rack up their expectations. (Para. 3)
Meaning: ... to push up their expectations.
rack up: increase gradually, collect; gather
The team has racked up ten points to win the game. 这个队已得了十分，要赢这场比赛了。
Language Point 23
It can fuel a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. (Para. 4)
fuel: vt. provide fuel to
The car is being fuelled at the filling station across the street. 汽车正在街对面的加油站加油。
This verb is often used in its figurative sense.
His words only fuelled the argument further. 他那番话让争论更激烈了。
Language Point 24
… good feelings we may not necessarily be able to attain … (Para. 4)
not necessarily: possibly but not certainly
Good food is not necessarily expensive. 好的食品未必价钱贵。
“He was lying, of course .” “Not necessarily.” “他肯定在说谎。” “未必。”
Language Point 25
Workaholism is a problem that has been evident since the Stone Age — whenever people have sought to escape other parts of their lives through work. (Para. 5)
Meaning: Workaholism is a common reality which can be tracked even back to the Stone Age. Since that time, people have tried to use work to escape from something unpleasant in their lives.
Language Point 26
… that has been evident … (Para. 5)
evident: a. easily noticed or understood
It was evident that she had once been a beauty. 很显然，她当年是个美人。
Bob began eating his lunch with evident enjoyment. 鲍勃开始用午餐，显然吃得津津有味。
Language Point 27
Ours has more stress in it, especially in these days of rising competition and shrinking companies. (Para. 5)
Meaning: We have more mental stress in our work than our ancestors, and especially nowadays, competition gets more violent and companies smaller (by firing more and more employees).
Language Point 28
… rising competition … (Para. 5)
competition: n. a situation in which two or more people, groups, or companies are trying hard to get sth. that not everyone can have
There is eager competition for positions in the government service. 政府公职的角逐很激烈。
Sometimes there’s a lot of competition between children for their mother’s attention. 有时候孩子们为得到母亲的注意会争得很厉害。
Language Point 29
We seem to be more in the fast lane than ever before. (Para. 5)
Meaning: We seem to be living at a faster pace than ever before.
Language Point 30
People with high energy that needs discharging. (Para. 6)
Meaning: Very energetic people need an outlet for releasing their energy.
Language Point 31
… that needs discharging. (Para. 6)
discharge: vt.
1) send out (gas, liquid, smoke, etc.), or allow it to escape
The chimney discharges smoke. 烟囱往外排放烟尘。
The poison was discharged into the river and killed all the fish. 毒物排放到河里，把鱼都毒死了。
2) give official sanction for sb. to leave
Patients were discharged from hospital because the beds were needed by other people. 由于其他人需要床位，病人们被允许出院。
Because of the depressed economy, almost one third of our employees were discharged. 因为经济不景气，几乎三分之一员工被解雇了。
discharge: vi. give or send out
The oil which discharged into the sea seriously harmed a lot of birds and animals. 泄入大海的石油严重危害了大量鸟兽。
discharge: n. [U,C] sth. that is discharged
Thousands of fish were killed by a discharge from a nearby factory. 附近一家工厂的排放物造成了成千上万的鱼死亡。
Notice that if the verb “need” is followed directly by another verb, the second verb may be used in two forms: either the -ing form in the active voice, or the infinitive form in the passive voice. Both forms mean the same. For example:
The room needs cleaning. 这房间需要打扫了。
The room needs to be cleaned. (同上)
In English there are several other verbs which are used in the same way. They include: “require”, “want” (in the sense of need) and “deserve”.
Language Point 32
Very competitive people who have a very strong need to prove themselves and tie their self-worth to their work. (Para. 6)
Meaning: People who have a very strong wish to win in competition are eager to achieve success and link self-worth to hard work.
competitive: a. eager to be more successful than other people
He has always been ambitious and intensely competitive. 他一向踌躇满志、争强好胜。
I don’t want to play with Steve. He’s too competitive. 我不想和史蒂夫玩，他好胜心太强了。
Language Point 33
… such as grief, frustration or guilt. (Para. 6)
grief: n. great sadness, deep or violent sad feeling
His grief at the death of his mother was terrible. 他因为母亲去世极为悲伤。
The dog died of grief when its master did not return. 那条狗因为主人没有回来伤心而死。
Language Point 34
… have the same traits. (Para. 7)
trait: n. a characteristic, a particular quality in sb.’s character
Pride seems to be one of our family traits. 自傲是我们家族的一个特征。
There was a trait in his personality that encouraged people to trust him. 他的个性中有一种让人觉得可以信赖的特点。
Language Point 35
They can’t stand not being active. (Para. 7)
stand: vt. bear, accept successfully
Do you think she can stand the pace of work here? 你认为她能承受得了这里工作的节奏吗?
If “stand” is followed directly by a verb, the second verb is used in the -ing form. Examples:
I can’t stand seeing children smoking. 我一看见孩子抽烟就感到难受。
I never could stand people telling me what to do. 我从不能忍受别人摆布。
Language Point 36
They’re more comfortable being with fellow workers than with family and friends. (Para. 7)
Meaning: They’re more comfortable when they are with fellow workers than with family and friends.
In this sentence, “being with fellow workers than with family and friends” is used as an adverbial.
Language Point 37
They equate self-worth and success with hard work. (Para. 7)
equate… with …: connect in mind; consider as the same
Wealth should not be equated with happiness. 财富不应与幸福等同起来。
He equates poverty with misery. 他认为贫穷就是不幸。
Language Point 38
They’d rather be at work than elsewhere or doing anything else. (Para. 7)
Meaning: They prefer to work rather than go elsewhere or do other things.
would rather (... than) (sometimes: had rather): more willingly
I’d rather play tennis than swim. 与游泳相比, 我更喜欢打网球。
“Have a drink?” “No, I’d rather not.” “来杯饮料吗?” “不，不要。”
Language Point 39
Workaholics presumably view their work habits through denial and rationalization. (Para. 8)
Meaning: Most probably, people who work like crazy won’t admit that they have spent too much time on their jobs and they try to provide explanations for why they work so hard.
presumably: ad. used to say that you think sth. is likely to be true
If she can write, presumably she can read too. 她要是会写字，很可能也认识字。
The bomb was presumably intended to go off while the meeting was in progress. 那枚炸弹或许原本计划在会议进行时爆炸的。
Language Point 40
They deny the excessive time they’re devoting to work, and they rationalize that their schedule is for the family and essential to being promoted. (Para. 8)
Meaning: They say that they are not spending too much time on work, and they make excuse that they keep themselves busy just for the reason of the family and it’s also quite necessary for getting a rise in position.
Language Point 41
They deny the excessive time … (Para. 8)
deny: v. declare untrue; refuse to accept as a fact
He flatly denied the charge. 他断然否认该项指控。
He denied being a Christian. 他不承认自己是基督徒。
They denied this to be the case. 他们否认这是实情。
Notice that if “deny” is followed directly by another verb, the second verb has to be in the -ing form.
He denied knowing anything about the matter. 他说他对此事一无所知。
Language Point 42
… their schedule is for the family … (Para. 8)
schedule:
1) n. a plan of what sb. is going to do and when they are going to do it
She always has a full schedule. 她的日程表总是排得满满的。
The train was an hour behind schedule. 火车晚点了一个小时。
2) vt. plan activities by date and time
The play was originally scheduled for October, but had to be cancelled. 该剧原定于十月份上演，但不得不取消。
She is scheduled to arrive at ten tomorrow morning. 按计划她将于明天上午十点到达。
Language Point 43
They also tend to view themselves and their work as indispensable and their working long hours as commitment to the company. (Para. 8)
Meaning: They are also likely to regard themselves and their work as essential and the extended hours as their devotion to the company.
indispensable: a. completely necessary; without which or whom nothing can be done
Books are indispensable things in our way of life. 书籍对于我们的生活方式来说是必不可少的。
If you’re planning on going sightseeing around the old city, a guide is indispensable. 假如你想绕着老城观光，那么导游是一定不可少的。
Language Point 44
… their commitment, ambition and durable energy. (Para. 8)
ambition: n.
1) [C, U] the desire to be successful, rich or powerful
He’s not especially bright, but he has tremendous ambition. 他不是特别聪明，但倒是很有雄心壮志。
My family is more important to me than political affairs and personal ambition. 我的家庭对我来说比政治和个人抱负更为重要。
2) [C] a goal, objective
Of all my ambitions, the greatest is to be a teacher. 在我所有的愿望中，最大的抱负是当一名教师。
She has always had a burning ambition to be a film actress. 她总是雄心勃勃，想成为一名电影演员。
Language Point 45
… ambition and durable energy. (Para. 8)
durable: a. continuing for a long time
We desire a durable peace between two nations. 我们期盼两国之间实现持久和平。
The friendship between the two countries is durable. 我们两国的友谊将地久天长。
Language Point 46
... these things often come in at a high price to their health and the welfare of their families. (Para. 8)
Meaning: ... these things (that is, their commitment, ambition and durable energy) are often achieved at the high cost of their health and the happiness of their families.
welfare: n. health, comfort and happiness
promote the public welfare 发展公众福利
He has worked for the welfare of his people for 30 years. 他为了人民的幸福已经工作30年了。
Language Point 47
As workaholics tend to put all their eggs in one basket, their job, they can be helped by spreading these eggs into several baskets. ( Para. 9)
Meaning: Because workaholics tend to risk everything on one thing (that is, their work), it may be of some help to them if they spread the risk on several different things.
Language Point 48
… summarize some psychology experts. (Para. 10)
Here again there is a case of inversion.
summarize: vt. make a brief statement of the main points
He summarized the book in 10 pages. 他用了十页的篇幅把这本书作了归纳。
The interview was summarized on the front page of China Daily. 《中国日报》的头版总结了此次采访。
Language Point 49
Those little things … may seem relatively insignificant means to a healthy end. (Para. 10)
Meaning: Those small activities … may seem relatively unimportant ways to achieve a healthy body.
means: n. a method, system, object, etc. that you use as a way of achieving a result
They were charged with using dishonest means to achieve victory in the election. 有人指控他们采用不正当手段来取得竞选的胜利。
Video is an excellent means of bringing a living language into the classroom. 使用录像是把活生生的语言带进教室的好方法。
Notice that both the singular and plural forms of the noun “means” have the same spelling.
Language Point 50
They can be at least as rewarding as work. (Para. 10)
Meaning: Anyway, these sports and hobbies can be as beneficial as work.
at least: used to indicate an advantage that exists in spite of the disadvantage or bad situation that has just been mentioned
At least we know he is still alive. 至少我们知道他还活着。
If something awful happens to you, at least you can write it down. 如果你碰到了什么可怕的事情，至少你能把它写下来。
