Detailed Study of the Text

1. Reading Skill：Understanding comparison and contrast

1) Comparison and Contrast:

to show similarities and differences between two subjects

to highlight essential characteristics of one or more subjects

2) Clues: synonyms or antonyms; connectives for comparison and contrast; point-by-point and subject-by-subject patterns

Point-by-point pattern: the author examines two things at the same time, discussing them one point after the other.

Subject-by-subject pattern: the author examines one thing thoroughly and then starts the other.

2. Structure of the text

Part I (Paras.1-2): My mom believed that I would be a B-students whether going to Harvard or the community college.

Part II (Paras.3-6): B-students know something about a lot of things and have the potential to become entrepreneurs in the future, while A-students know a lot about one thing and are more fit for future managers.

Part III (Paras.7-9): B-student entrepreneurs and A-student managers need each other, and there are exceptions to the A-student / B-student rule.

Part IV (Para.10): Only when B-student entrepreneurs and A-student managers work together under certain rules are they able to be more productive.

3. Words and phrases

1) trait (Para.4): n. a particular quality in your personality

e.g. Awareness of class is a typically British trait.

Your cover letter should add new information such as personal traits, work habits and why you’re interested in the job.

2) execute (Para.5): a. to do a piece of work, perform a duty, put a plan into action, etc.

e.g. They drew up and executed a plan to reduce fuel consumption.

他们起草并实施了一个降低燃料消耗的计划。

b. to kill sb., especially as a legal punishment

e.g. The prisoner were executed by firing squad.

3) span (Para.6): n. a. the length of time for which sth. lasts

e.g. I worked with him over a span of six years.

b. (of sth.) a range or variety of sth.

e.g.  Managers have a wide span of control.

4) constantly (Para.6): adv. all the time, repeatedly

e.g. He was constantly tormented with headache.

constant: adj. happening all the time or very often over a period of time

e.g. He suffers from constant headaches.

5) off course (Para.6): not going in the right direction

e.g. Don’t let petty things get you off course.

I went off course during the boat race and got disqualified.

我在划船比赛中偏离了航向，被取消了资格。

6) stick to (Para.6):  to continue doing sth. despite difficulties

e.g. We must stick to the principle.     I always stick to my promises.

7) run through (Para.7): a. (make) to perform, act or practice sth.

e.g. Could we run through Act 3 again, please?

b. to discuss, repeat or read sth. quickly

e.g. He ran through the names on the list.

c. to flow past or traverse

e.g. A crystal stream ran through the pasture.

8) propose (Para.7): v.

a. put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion

e.g. Then scientist proposed a new theory.

She proposed that the book be banned.

b. to plan or intend to do sth.

e.g. They propose to buy a new car.

c. to ask (sb.) to marry you

e.g. He proposed to the girl he had known for only two months.

9) be about to do (Para.7): be going to do

e.g. When one is about to act, one must reason first. 凡事要三思而后行。

10) out to lunch (para.8): uninformed, inattentive

e.g. Don’t listen to her. She is out to lunch.

He’s smart enough to know that if he gets involved with that crowd, he’s out to lunch.

他够聪明的，知道自己要是跟那帮人搅和在一起，就会落伍的。

11) a hell of (Para.9): (informal) a large number or amount of sth.

e.g. I still think it was a hell of an idea.

It'll take a hell of a lot of talking to settle this.  得费好多口舌来解决这个问题。

12) embrace (Para.10): v.

a. to accept (sth. or sb.) readily or gladly

e.g. He immediately embraced the offer.

b. to hold sb. in your arms as a way of expressing love or friendship

e.g. She embraced her son tenderly.

c. to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole

e.g. Charity embraces all acts that contribute to human welfare.

n. the act of holding sb. in your arms

e.g. He held her in a warm embrace.   She tries to avoid his embrace.

13) a slew of (Para.10): a large number of

e.g. We still have a slew of work to do on this project.