Part 4 Comprehensive Reading
In this part, you will read a longer and complete article and practice your comprehensive reading skills.
Before You Read
Task 5：Previewing Vocabulary
Read each of the target word below. Think about how well you know them and check (√) the appropriate column.
Task 6：Reading This Article
As you read the following selection, think about the answer to this question: How can you have a positive attitude towards work? Read the selection. Do not use a dictionary. Then do the exercise that following the reading.
Why Unhappy in Their Jobs
1 Why are so many people unhappy in their jobs? There are two primary reasons. First, some people are convinced that earning a living is wasting time that they could spend enjoying themselves or uncovering their true talents.
2 If this is the case with you, recall your last long vacation. Was it two weeks of complete enjoyment? More likely it was a week and a half of fun in the sun, with another half a week of “Boy, I can’t wait to get back to work.” If you didn’t feel such vacation blues, imagine taking a leave of absence. You could use it to work on a novel, enroll in classes or just sit around watching TV. At the end of three months, in all likelihood, your self-esteem would be at an all-time low. While all work and no play is not good, [1 ]. We need to feel we are accomplishing something. We also need some form of order in our lives.
3 The second and perhaps more prevalent reason for people not to like their work is that they feel trapped. Once you’ve been at a company for five years and have a spouse, a mortgage and a child, you often feel [2 ] if things aren’t turning out as you’d planned. A steady paycheck can be the biggest manacle of all. People resent having to do something because they have no other choice.
4 If you find yourself resenting your job because you can’t afford to quit, it may be time to prepare what one career counselor humorously calls a “cyanide capsule.” He recalls spy movies in which [3 ]. If he’s captured and tortured unbearably, he has an option. And having an option gives him the strength to hold on a little longer in the hope that the situation may change.
5 Rather than cyanide, your option takes the form of an up-to-date résumé. You might take a weekly glance through the help-wanted section, and make some visits to industry functions where low-key networking can take place. You’re not giving up on your current job. Rather, [4 ]. If things get unbearable at work, you could jump ship. Being in this position can do wonders for your attitude. It allows you to enjoy your work since, in reality, [5 ].
6 At the core of adopting a positive attitude to your work is, above all, assuming responsibility for your own situation. Most people feel controlled by their environment, but they really aren’t. They have to learn to manage that environment so they can get from it what they need.
(435 words)
There are five gaps in the text. Read the text carefully and predict what should be said to complete these sentences, and choose the best answer to fill in the gaps.
A. you are there only because you want to be
B. the secret agent has such a capsule hidden somewhere on his body
C. you have very little choice about jumping ship
D. you are providing yourself with an option
E. all play and no work is disastrous
Task 7：Predicting What Comes Next
There are five gaps in the text. Read the text carefully and predict what should be said to complete these sentences, and choose the best answer to fill in the gaps.
A. you are there only because you want to be
B. the secret agent has such a capsule hidden somewhere on his body
C. you have very little choice about jumping ship
D. you are providing yourself with an option
E. all play and no work is disastrous
Task 8：Comprehending the Whole Text
Fill in the blanks in no more than 3 words according to the text.
1. Some people don’t like to work because they believe that _________________ is a waste of time.
2. We need to have a sense of accomplishment, so all vacation without working will put our self-esteem at _________________.
3. The more common reason that people do not enjoy their work is that _________________.
4. The biggest obstacle that prevents people from changing their jobs is the ________________.
5. If you want to prepare for a change in your job, you can attend some _________________ and build some useful relations.
6. The key to having a positive attitude towards work is _________________ for yourself.
Task 9：Focusing on Vocabulary
A. Choose the correct definition for each word.
| 1. function | A. describes an event that is quiet and without a great show of excitement |
| 2. low-key | B. to start to use a new method, system, law, etc |
| 3. current | C. have great natural ability in something |
| 4. assume | D. an official ceremony or a formal social event, such as a party or a special meal, at which a lot of people are usually present |
| 5. adopt | E. common at a particular time, in a particular place, or among a particular group of people |
| 6. counselor | F. continuing or developing gradually or without stopping, and not likely to change |
| 7. enroll | G. to begin to take control of something |
| 8. prevalent | H. of the present time |
| 9. steady | I. someone whose job is to help and support people with problems |
| 10. talent | J. to officially arrange to join a school, university, or course, or to arrange for someone else to do this |
B. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the form where necessary.
mortgageresentdisastrous recall up-to-date vacationenrollprevalent quit likelihood |
1. He ___________ his job for a better position.
2. A ___________ fire in the city caused loss of life and money.
3. There is little ___________ now that interest rates will come down further.
4. They went to Europe on ___________.
5. He resents having to explain his work to other people.
6. I laid in bed and ___________ the things he had told me.
7. The use of feedback services is becoming more ___________ among small businesses.
8. You will be required to ___________ in four business courses for this major.
9. The Web is the only place to look if you need ___________ information immediately.
10. He raised a ___________ on a house from a bank.
Task 10：Focusing on Word Formation
The following affixes can be found in the text.
Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
re- | (in verbs and related nouns, adjectives and adverbs) again 又，再，重新 | reapply, reassuring, review, reappear |
all- | (in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) completely; in the highest degree 全部，完全，最高程度 | all-inclusive, all-out all-purpose, all-powerful |
Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
-hood | (in nouns) the state or quality of ……的状态或性质 | childhood, brotherhood neighborhood, parenthood |
