Section III
Maintaining a Sharp Eye

Passage II :   Read the Text
Begin Each Day with a Fresh Plan of Attack

You'd hoped that when you got in this morning, it would be gone. But that towering pile of work-everything from mail to memos-is right where you left it. The boss pops in to ask if you can spare a few minutes. You're drowning in a pile of papers, and she wants to know if you can spare a few minutes. All she's going to do is to give you more work anyway. This job is impossible!
Is that what your work life feels like day after day-an endless number of little tasks and big headaches? Preplan your day and this will help you feel good about yourself and your job!
It's 9:00 a.m., and you're sitting at your desk staring at a long report, performance reviews, three memos to answer and a press release. It has all got to be done, but you can't even decide where to begin. If only somebody could organize this mess. Well, somebody can-you!
In fact your mistake is trying to face this entire first thing in the morning without a plan of action and this is enough to ruin your whole day-maybe even a week. Instead, take the last thirty minutes of each day to examine what looms ahead the next. Write down everything you want to finish.
Now, divide projects into three smaller lists. Your A-list items are highest priority . Gather phone numbers and files you'll need so that you won't waste valuable time. Then draw up less immediate B list. If tasks are brief and easily done, you may get to some of these items the next day, but don't let them draw too much attention. Everything else should be C-listed.
Each list is flexible and subject to review at the end of the day, of course. Some items that were less important on Monday will move to Tuesday. Possibly, you can also slide in a less important task that's fun to do. Either way, it's important to begin each day with a fresh plan of attack, one that will get you to pass morning panic and right down to work.

1. But that towering pile of work --everything from mail to memos--is right where you left it. (para. 1)

Analysis:
from…to…gives examples for everything. Where-clause introduces a subject complement clause of the link verb is and right as an adverb is used here for emphasis.
可实际上这堆成山似的工作，什么邮件呀，备忘录呀仍旧在原来的地方摆着。
e.g. But that large sum of your papers----everything from compositions to lab reports is right where you put it.

2. All she’s going to do is to give you more work anyway. (para. 1)

Analysis:
In all she’s going to do…,all is the subject, and she’s going to do is the relative clause modifying all, with that omitted. To give you more work anyway isan infinitive clause acting as the subject complement. Anyway means in any case.
说到底，她是要你干更多的活。
e.g. All I’m going to do is to ask for your help anyway.

3. If only somebody could organize this mess. (para. 3)

Analysis:
without the main clause If only introduces a clause to express a wish or desire requiring the use of he subjunctive mood, thus could is used here instead of“can”
要是有人收拾这个乱摊子该多好！
e.g If only I could speak fluent English.

4. Instead, take the last thirty minutes of each day to examine what looms ahead the next. (para. 4)

Analysis:
Instead is anadverb used here to indicate that what has been said in the previous sentences is not proper while what follows is the right way.
相反，每日下班前半个小时，检查一下第二天要做的工作。
e.g. Instead, set aside one hour each day to review what you have learned.

5. Everything else should be C-listed. (para. 5)

Analysis:
C-listed means “put in the C list”
其余的事情列在C单上。
e.g. Everybody else should be B-leveled.

1. drown：淹死，淹没
FOR EXAMPLE
Hundreds of people drowned in the flood.
The houses and streets were drowned by the flood.
2. performance：performing or carrying out…；a staging or production
FOR EXAMPLE
Our football team’s performance has been excellent this year.
The band will give two more performances before leaving China.
3. mess：a confused or dirty state
FOR EXAMPLE
What a mess! Everything is on the floor.
They cleaned up the mess before they left.
4. action：doing things，deeds
FOR EXAMPLE
We must take actions before it is too late.
A man of action is not content just to talk.
5. divide：to separate into parts
FOR EXAMPLE
Scientists divide the peoples of the world into five races.
The class divides into four groups.
6. project（plan）：方案、计划；项目、工程
FOR EXAMPLE
The school children are willing to play a part in the Hope Project.
The new project this year is to build another highway.
7. item：a single thing among a set or on a list
FOR EXAMPLE
Please check the items in this bill.
He made a list of household items he needed to buy.（日常用品）
8. priority：prior to
FOR EXAMPLE
The priority of our company is to gain sales.
Their proposals gave priority to the needs of the children.（需要优先考虑的事务）
9. draw up：prepare, to form
FOR EXAMPLE
The contract has been drawn up, but hasn’t been signed yet.
I haven’t drawn up my vacation plans.
10. immediate：done or needed at once; nearest; next
FOR EXAMPLE
Please send an immediate reply.
Mr. Smith is my immediate supervisor.
11. flexible：(fig)(of people) easily changed；(of things)easily bend
FOR EXAMPLE
We can visit you any day of the week; our plans are flexible.
If you bend the piece, you will see it is flexible.
12. be subject to：be governed by someone or something；tending to be affected by
FOR EXAMPLE
Our plans are subject to the weather.
The schedule is subject to change without notice.（事先不通知）
13. slide：go smoothly over a surface；go silently and unnoticed
FOR EXAMPLE
The boat slid down the bank into the river.
No one know when she slid out of the room.