Unit One Section A Time-Conscious americans I. Background information 1.Time Orientation Americans place considerable value on punctuality. Because they tend to organize their activities by means of schedules, they may seem harried, always running from one thing to the next and unable to relax and enjoy themselves. Since Americans are so time conscious, the pace of life may seem very hectic( 5k B]). Being on time is regarded as very important, and in the U.S.most people make an effort to arrive on time. Not all Americans are punctual, but almost everyone is conscious of time. Different types of activities have different conventions. One should arrive at the exact time specified for meals, and for appointments with professors, doctors, and other professionals. You can arrive any time between the hours specified for parties, receptions, and cocktail parties. Plan to arrive a few minutes before the specified time for public meetings, plays, concerts, movies, sports events, classes, church services, and weddings. If you are unable to keep an appointment, it is expected that you inform the other party that you will be late or unable to arrive 2. Hourglass a glass container holding fine sand for measuring time, which is narrow in the middle like a figure 8 so that the sand inside can run slowly from the top half to the bottom taking exactly one 沙漏:一种装上细沙以用来测量时间的玻璃容器,其颈部细小,形状象一个8字,使得上半部 的沙子能缓慢地流到下半部中,其时间正好是一个小时。 3. Proverbs of time Read the following proverbs. Have you ever learnt them? What are the Chinese versions for them? 1). Time works wonders.时间创造奇迹 2) Time tries truth.时间检验真理 3) Time is the best healer.时间是治愈创伤的良药 4). Time and tide wait for no man.时间不等人。(时不我待。) 5). All time is no time when it is past.机不可失,时不再来 6) An inch of time can not be bought by an inch of gold.寸金难买寸光阴 II. Text Analysis Understanding the organization of the text Main idea of the text Americans value time and save time carefully. In their eyes, time is regarded as precious resource a person who tends to waste his own time or that of others is never accepted in American culture Consequently, Americans try every means to save time in their daily life business and work so as to make every minute count. Besides, to solve a problem or fulfill a job with speed in U.S. A is taken s a sign of skillfulness or being competent. Structure Part One-( paras. 1-2) Americans value time and save time carefully. Time is regarded as _ precious resources Part Two-(paras. 3-7)Unit One Section A Time-Conscious Americans I. Background information 1.Time Orientation Americans place considerable value on punctuality. Because they tend to organize their activities by means of schedules, they may seem harried, always running from one thing to the next and unable to relax and enjoy themselves. Since Americans are so time conscious, the pace of life may seem very hectic(紧张的). Being on time is regarded as very important, and in the U.S. most people make an effort to arrive on time. Not all Americans are punctual, but almost everyone is conscious of time. Different types of activities have different conventions. One should arrive at the exact time specified for meals, and for appointments with professors, doctors, and other professionals. You can arrive any time between the hours specified for parties, receptions, and cocktail parties. Plan to arrive a few minutes before the specified time for public meetings, plays, concerts, movies, sports events, classes, church services, and weddings. If you are unable to keep an appointment, it is expected that you inform the other party that you will be late or unable to arrive. 2. Hourglass A glass container holding fine sand for measuring time, which is narrow in the middle like a figure 8 so that the sand inside can run slowly from the top half to the bottom taking exactly one hour. 沙漏：一种装上细沙以用来测量时间的玻璃容器，其颈部细小，形状象一个8字，使得上半部 的沙子能缓慢地流到下半部中，其时间正好是一个小时。 3. Proverbs of time Read the following proverbs. Have you ever learnt them? What are the Chinese versions for them? 1). Time works wonders. 时间创造奇迹。 2). Time tries truth. 时间检验真理。 3). Time is the best healer. 时间是治愈创伤的良药。 4). Time and tide wait for no man. 时间不等人。（时不我待。） 5). All time is no time when it is past. 机不可失，时不再来。 6).An inch of time can not be bought by an inch of gold. 寸金难买寸光阴。 II. Text Analysis Understanding the organization of the text Main idea of the text Americans value time and save time carefully. In their eyes, time is regarded as precious resource. A person who tends to waste his own time or that of others is never accepted in American culture. Consequently, Americans try every means to save time in their daily life, business and work so as to make every minute count. Besides, to solve a problem or fulfill a job with speed in U.S.A is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent. Structure Part One―( paras. 1―2) Americans value time and save time carefully. Time is regarded as precious resources. Part Two―(paras.3―7)