12) I often buy processed foods. They may not be so fresh, but it’s really time-saving.

13) We need to find some companies to sponsor the contest we’re going to hold because we won’t be able to cover all the expenses.

14) In the past two years, she’s stayed at home looking after her baby. She is hoping to resume her career soon.

15) The Department of Public Health has issued strict instructions that no one should enter the epidemic area (疫区) without permission.

16) He contracted such bad habits as smoking and drinking when he was fifteen, and now it is hard for him to get rid of them.

2 In the boxes below are some of the expressions you have learned in this unit. Do you know how to use them in the proper context? Now check for yourself by doing the blank-filling exercise. Change the form where necessary.

Text A at one’s best attribute … to by contrast take advantage of Text B at risk bring … to an end make room for set aside

1) It’s a fine day. You should take advantage of the good weather to paint the fence.

2) He almost failed in the math exam, but his twin brother, by contrast, did very well.

3) There are two more people coming — can you make room for them to sit down?

4) I’m tired of their endless quarrels. I wonder how I can bring their disagreement to an end .

5) The gymnast has performed poorly for the past few days. I wonder when she will be at her best ?

6) The doctors in that hospital have attributed the cause of his illness to an unknown virus.

7) The children were taken care of by their aunt because their father was violent and they were believed to be at risk .

8) I repeatedly warned him not to do it, but my warnings were never considered — they were simply set aside .

Increasing Your Word Power

1 Cross out the verb that CANNOT go together with the target word or expression in the circle.

Example: a. improve b. regain c. ruin d. raise your health

1) a. process b. apply c. establish d. follow the basic principles

2) a. detect b. fulfill c. alter d. match your body’s patterns

3) a. operate b. control c. monitor d. restrict your food intake

4) a. gain b. maintain c. lose d. subtract weight

5) a. tackle b. address c. accelerate d. identify sleep problems

6) a. suffer b. encounter c. practice d. contract gender prejudice

7) a. achieve b. enhance c. coordinate d. reduce

work efficiency

8) a. face b. exercise c. represent d. pose a threat to health

2 Study the prefix “self-”, and put down the Chinese meaning after each given word.

Prefix Meanings Examples

self- 1) by means of oneself or itself He’s self-taught.

2) of, to, with, for, or in oneself or itself a self-addressed envelope

Chinese meanings

self-centred a. 自我中心的，自私的

self-conscious a. (过于在乎别人的看法等而)忸怩的；自觉的 self-confident a. 自信的 self-evident a. 显而易见的 self-discipline n. 自律，自我约束 self-esteem n. 自尊(心)，自信 self-image n. 自我形象 self-pity n. 自怜

Now translate the Chinese given in brackets into English with words from the above list.

1) Young adolescents tend to feel very self-conscious about their appearance (非常在意自己的外表).

2) You’ll need plenty of self-discipline to fight against laziness (需要好好约束自己，与惰性斗争) if you’re going to work from home.

3) You couldn’t help admiring the self-confident way (会禁不住佩服那自信的样子) she stood up to speak to the big crowd.

4) Roland was becoming ever more self-centred (越来越自私了), paying no attention to the needs of his roommates.

5) These health risks may seem self-evident (看起来是不言而喻的), yet many people choose to disregard them.

6) Instead of burying/indulging themselves in self-pity (沉溺于自怜中), they should do something positive to improve their situation.

7) The critical newspaper reviews were a blow to his self-esteem (对他自尊心的极大打击), and he began to doubt his values.

8) Children who are bullies often have a poor self-image (自我形象差) and they try to make themselves feel better by punishing other children.