1) Complete your understanding of Steve Jobs’ motives and drive, as indicated by the example.

Use the informationfrom Text A you’ve just learned → To explain → That was how he approached failure.

— What’s interesting is what Jobs did with those failures. He learned from them, and he used them to make himself better. That was how he approached failure.

— We shouldn’t necessarily aspire to constant success. Failure can be an opportunity in disguise, freeing us to pursue what really matters. It teaches us how to follow what we love, and how to do it better. That was how he approached failure.

— It’s not just OK to fail. It’s essential. If we’re too risk-averse on the early, little things, we won’t get better. And not learning those lessons — about what we love, and about how to do it well — can keep us from succeeding on big things later. That was how he approached failure.

2) Divide the following expressions into two groups, as noted below. After that, say them out loud in class one by one.

— It leaves a lot to be desired.

— That’s the way I was told to do it.

— I was hoping for more.

— It’s not what I had in mind.

— That’s the way we’ve always done it.

— I’m doing the best I can.

— It’s not what I hoped for.

— You can’t get blood from a stone (别做根本办不到的事).

— I was just following orders.

— There are only so many hours in a day(时间有限).

— I expected something more.

— It’s a far cry from what I expected.

— This is (well) below par (在标准以下).

— Something unexpected came up.

3) Play the roles of Bella and her boss in the following dialogue, paying attention to the underlined expressions.

Bella: Anything wrong, boss?

Boss: Do you call this a report? It’s not what I had in mind.

Bella: Well, I did the best I could.

Boss: Oh really? You’d never know. You’ve made a real mess of this.

Bella: Have I?

Boss: It’s a far cry from what I expected. You had more than two weeks to get this done. That should have been enough to deliver satisfactory work. This is well below par.

Bella: I know I had plenty of time for the report, but you know, something unexpected came up.

Boss: Honestly, I really don’t care what happened to you. You have a responsibility to follow through on what you’re given, no matter what. Get staff support if you find yourself short. That’s not my affair.

Bella: There are only so many hours in a day. This report went way over the usual.

Boss: Still, it’s not even presentable. Certainly does leave a lot to be desired.

Bella: But isn’t this the way we’ve always done it, boss?

Boss: Oh, c’mon, you’ve got to be kidding! What excuse are you going to come up with next?! Are you planning to stay or leave?

Bella: Huh? Gee, sir, I truly had no idea things were so dire! Promise I’ll do better next time!

Give a short oral presentation on one of the following titles, using the text below as an example.

◎ Stay Hungry

◎ Stay Foolish

◎ Take Risks

Take Risks

      What is remarkable about Steve Jobs is that he took risks. He took on the toughest challenges but viewed them as great opportunities. He had the courage to risk failure, because he knew that every great accomplishment at first seems impossible. What he did tells us that only those who risk going too far can possibly find out just how far they can go. He is really an inspiration to us all.

      From Jobs, we’ve learned that if we’re too risk-averse on the early, little things, we won’t get better. And not learning those lessons — about what we love, and about how to do it well — can keep us from succeeding on big things later.

      With science or innovative work, we must be confident enough to steer for the high seas, abandoning sight of land for a while. We must accept, even value, risk for the possibility of greater discovery it offers if we stay the course.