全日制專業(yè)學(xué)位 碩士研究生英語課程口語材料

1、Unit TwoBorn to SellBy Maria BartiromoKathy Irelands metamorphosis from supermodel to supermogul started with a pair of socks. It was1993, and the beauty best known for showing off string bikinis in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues had just been asked to flaunt foot warmers. Pregnant with her

2、first child, Ireland contemplated her future and concluded that if it was going to involve socks, she would rather sell them than show them off.“Modeling was a wonderful experience, but I wanted to build something that wasnt fleeting,” says Ireland, now 43. “I knew my days there were numbered, and I

3、 wanted to move on to something else. Socks would be a great place to start.”They were. Kathy Ireland Worldwide, now a $1.4 billion lifestyle design company, recently sold its 100 millionth pair of socks.But achieving this level of success took determination and hard work, and Ireland has never been

4、 afraid to face a challenge. When she was 1, she applied for a paper route in her hometown of Santa Barbara, California. “My dad showed me the newspaper ad, which said, Are you the boy for the job? I wrote to the editor, I am not the boy for the job, but I am the girl for the job.”She started delive

5、ring papers on New Years Day, when they were bulging with post-holiday ad circulars and sales supplements. “I was a scrawny kid. As I approached this one customer, he started yelling, This is a boys job! What are you doing here?”Although discouraged, Ireland soon bounced back. “I needed to prove him

6、 wrong.” And she did: “For three years in a row, I was nominated carrier of the year.” That drive stood her in good stead through her turn as supermodel and, later, as she was launching her business.Ireland and the team that managed her modeling career had long held the idea of leveraging her looks

7、into something more lasting. “I felt that if women embraced our socks, we would be onto something, and it would be a good foundation for our brand,” Ireland says. “At first, people said, You cant build a brand based on socks. But just because it has never been done doesnt mean that it cant be done.”

8、 To turn the idea into reality took money and that was something Ireland was short of. She had tried earlier business ventures, but they had failed, making her a credit risk. Furthermore, she had to convince bankers that she was more than just a pretty face.“The modeling made people aware of me, but

9、 it made it more challenging for them to take my ideas seriously.” Eventually, a member of her team provided a personal loan of $50,000. The experience taught Ireland a valuable lesson: “Im always encouraging women, Build your relationship with bankers.”With the seed money, Ireland found a manufactu

10、ring partner, conducted family-based focus groups and researched and personally tested the product with her friends and family. Her husband, an emergency room physician, wore the socks to see how well they would stand up during his long hours on duty. He and Ireland donned them during backpacking tr

11、ips to evaluate the products blister propensity. The verdict: “These are great socks.”Ireland loaded up her bag with samples and hit the road. To save money, she booked red-eye flights and slept on planes and in airports. “I banged on a lot of doors and had a lot of doors slammed in my face,” says I

12、reland. “In a sense, modeling was a really good education for a business career because in the world of modeling, you are constantly facing rejection, and that continues in business.”The first year, the company made $80,000 in retail sales, primarily to sporting goods stores. “We were ecstatic,” Ire

13、land says, “but we were still in the red. Its expensive to start your own business, and you never have overnight success. It builds and it grows.”The big growth spurt started when Kmart came calling. After seeing the socks practically walk out of the store, Kmart offered Ireland her own clothing lin

14、e. The brand soon expanded from apparel to accessories, then to home furnishings. It now also includes kitchen and garden products, lamps and lighting extras and jewelry, in partnership with Elizabeth Taylors House of Taylor Jewelry. Today, Kathy Ireland products are sold in 19 countries and the com

15、pany numbers 37 employees, many of them from the same dedicated team that Ireland started with in her modeling days. “I never had a family business, but today we have a business family.”Ireland is no figurehead, though; not only is she the chief executive but, as chief designer, she also ensure that

16、 every product and every piece of advice offered on the firms website exemplifies the companys mission of finding solutions for families, especially busy moms.”But the desire to start her own company, coupled with the kind of loyalty she had in her longstanding team members, wasnt enough to jump-sta

17、rt the business. “The aha moment, the moment when I knew we had something, was when our mission statement crystallized,” says Ireland. She had just become a mom, and once she saw her little guy, Eric, face to face, it all started to gel. Things she had taken for granted taking a shower, going to a s

18、tore no longer fit so easily into her day. The vision of finding solutions for busy moms really hit home.From then on, the business took fight. Says Ireland, “I always knew I wanted to be a mom. Being able to be a mom of service to other moms thats my passion.” Vocabularymetamorphosis 7metE5mC:fEsis

19、n. (fml) a process in which something changes completely into something very different; transformation變形mogul 5mEuln. a businessman or businesswoman who has great power and influence in a particular industry顯要人物；有權(quán)勢的人bikinis bI5ki:nIn. a piece of clothing in two separate parts that women wear for sw

20、imming (三角褲與胸罩分開的)比基尼泳裝flaunt flC:ntv. to show your money, success, beauty etc so that other people notice it - used to show disapproval揮動, 夸耀, 炫耀, 飄揚(yáng)foot warmers. n. devices used to warm feet暖腳裝置pregnant 5prenEntadj. if a woman or female animal is pregnant, she has an unborn baby growing inside her

21、 body懷孕的 contemplate5kCntempleitv. to think about something that you might do in the future 預(yù)期involve in5vClvvt. to cause (someone or oneself) to become connected or concerned潛心于fleetingfli:tiNadj. usually before noun lasting for only a short time飛逝的；短暫的bulge bQldVv. to stick out in a rounded shape,

22、 especially because something is very full or too tight bulge with凸出, 膨脹circular 5sE:kjulEn. a printed advertisement, notice etc that is sent to lots of people at the same time and salessupplements. 函件nominate5nCmineitv. to officially suggest someone or something for an important position, duty, or

23、prize提名carrier 5kAriEn. a company that moves goods or passengers from one place to another郵遞員 drive draIvn. a planned effort by a group for a particular purpose 動力 leverage 5li:vEridVv to spread or use 應(yīng)用embrace im5breisvt. (fml) to eagerly accept a new idea, opinion, religion etc信奉 venture5ventFEn.

24、 a new business activity that involves taking risks 投機(jī), 風(fēng)險(xiǎn) convince kEn5vinsvt. to make someone feel certain that something is true使確信, 使信服seed money n. also seed capital, the money you have available to start a new business 經(jīng)種子基金don dCnvt. (literary) to put on a hat, coat etc. 穿上backpacking n. the

25、activity of travelling for pleasure, usually without very much money, and carrying a backpack 旅行slamslAmv. to shut loudly and with force砰地關(guān)上retail sale 零售primarily 5praimEriliadv. mainly主要地sporting goods 體育用品ecstatic eks5tAtikadj. feeling extremely happy and excited狂喜的, 心醉神迷的, 入迷的spurt spE:tn. a sho

26、rt sudden increase of activity, effort, speed, or emotion 突然迸發(fā) apparel E5pArEln. ( fml) clothes衣服, 裝飾 accessory Ak5sesErin. usually plural something such as a bag, belt, or jewellery that you wear or carry because it is attractive 小配件 furnishings 5f:nIFINzn. plural the furniture and other things, su

27、ch as curtains, in a room 家具,設(shè)備, 服飾用品,穿戴用品,室內(nèi)陳設(shè)品extra5ekstrEn. something which is added to a basic product or service that improves it and often costs more上等產(chǎn)品 dedicated 5dedIkeItIdadj. someone who is dedicated works very hard at what they do because they care a lot about it專注的, 獻(xiàn)身的figurehead 5fiEhe

28、dn. someone who seems to be the leader of a country or organization but who has no real power有名無實(shí)的領(lǐng)袖 exemplifyi5zemplifaivt. to be a very typical example of something作為.例子 mission 5miFEnn. C duty使命 longstanding lCNstAndIN;lR:N-adj. lasting for a long time(已持續(xù))長時(shí)間的,為時(shí)甚久的jump-start 5dVQmpstB:tv. to he

29、lp a process or activity to start or become more successful起動, 發(fā)動aha E5hB:int. used to show that you understand or realize something 啊哈 crystallize 5kristElaizv. if an idea, plan etc crystallizes or is crystallized, it becomes very clear in your mind明確 gel dVelv. if a thought, plan etc gels, it beco

30、mes clearer or more definite成凍膠 hit hitvt. if a fact hits you, you suddenly realize its importance and feel surprised or shocked 使意識到Phrases and expressionsbounce back vto become successful or confident again after having difficulties 俗 (遭受挫折后)很快恢復(fù)be in the red v. (infml.) to own money to the bank虧損

31、in a rowprep. continuously 連續(xù)地in a senseprep. in one way 從某種意義上說stand sb in good steadv. to be very useful to someone when needed 對某人有用， 給某人以好處onto something prep. (infml) to have discovered or produced something new and interesting發(fā)現(xiàn)或生產(chǎn)新的有趣的東西hit the road v. to start a journey 出發(fā)；啟程take the red eye

32、 planev. (AmE）（infml）to take a journey in a plane that continues all night乘紅眼飛機(jī)slam the door in sb's facev. to close a door hard when someone is trying to come in拒絕某人進(jìn)入in partnership with prep. doing business with與合伙be coupled with v. to join one thing or set of things with another 外加fit into v.

33、 to find time or place for sb. or sth.適合hit homev. to impress deeply深深打入 NotesMaria BartiromoThe host and managing editor of the syndicated program The Wall Street Journal Report as well as host of CNBCs Closing BellSports IllustratedIt is the most famous American comprehensive sports magazine. Each

34、 week the pages of it contain the most compelling and sought-after images in sport. 體育畫報(bào)Elizabeth TaylorDame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE (born 27 February 1932) is a two-time Academy Award-winning English American actress. House of Taylor Jewelry House of Taylor Jewelry, Inc. is a Los Angeles-bas

35、ed international jewelry company whose principal shareholders include Elizabeth Taylor, Kathy Ireland and members of the Abramov family. House of Taylor Jewelry serves fine jewelry retailers worldwide with diverse jewelry creations marketed under the prestigious House of Taylor Jewelry brand. The co

36、mpany markets fine jewelry products under its Elizabeth, House of Taylor, and Kathy Ireland Jewelry brands.Kathy Ireland WorldwideKathy Ireland Worldwide (KIWW) is the design and marketing firm founded in 1993 by CEO and Chief Designer, Kathy Ireland. The primary mission of KIWW is “finding solution

37、s for families, especially busy moms.” Forbes Magazine reports that KIWW is a “design empire which grosses over one billion dollars annually in retail sales.” KIWW products include flooring, rugs, home furniture, office and entertainment furniture, lighting, decorative accessories, window coverings,

38、 bedding, mattresses, candles, apparel, jewelry, blankets, hand painted porcelain, fire resistant products and top of bed fashions. Questions for discussion1. Why did Kathy say that she had never had “a family business” but now she had “a business family”?2. Does Kathy see a difference between model

39、ing and what she is now engaging? Whats the difference?3. Does modeling have an effect on her new business?4. What in Kathys point of view is important to start a new business?5. What is Kathy now most concerned about?6. Why does the author say that Kathy is born to sell? Vocabulary exercisesI. Fill

40、 in the blanks with the words chosen from the box. Change the form where necessary.nominate dedicate exemplify gel convince spurt flaunt jump-start bulge leverage slam metamorphosis extras fleeting embrace ecstatic1. It took me some time to undergo the _ from teacher to lecturer.2. The rich _ their

41、wealth while the poor starved on the streets.3. For one_ moment, Paula allowed herself to forget her troubles.4. He fell heavily to the floor, his eyes _ wide with fear. 5. She has been _ as Best Actress for her part in the film 'Forever Together'.6. Nobody should make the use of public fund

42、s to _ private investment.7. Most West European countries have _ the concept of high-speed rail networks with enthusiasm. 8. Baker had to _ jurors that his client had been nowhere near the scene of the murder.9. The champion received an _ welcome from the thousands who lined the streets 10. In a sud

43、den _ of anger, Ellen _ the door shut.11. Tinted windows and a sunroof are optional _, something that you can choose to have or not.12. The Woodland Trust is _ to preserving our native woodland. 13. The building _ the style of architecture which was popular at the time. 14. Congress hopes the tax cu

44、t will _ the economy.15. Don't start writing until the idea has _ in your mind, which will save much of your time.II. Match the phrases on the left column with the meanings on the right column1. onto something 2. in a row 3. bounce back4. hit the road5. hit home 6. in partnership with7. stand sb

45、 in good stead8. be coupled with 9. be in the red 10. slam the door in sb's facea) to start a journeyb) doing business with c) to close a door hard when sb. is trying to come ind) to impress deeply e) to be very useful to sb. when neededf) to own money to the bank g) continuouslyh) to have disco

46、vered or produced sth. new and interestingi) to join one thing or set of things with anotherj) to become successful or confident again after having difficulties Unit Four（I）Secrets of Success at an InterviewAs an interviewee, you have to impress the employer as someone who is hard working with a ple

47、asant personality and a real interest in the job. For this, preparation is essential. Find out all you can about the job you are applying for and the organization you hope to work for. Try to identify the employers problems and be ready to explain how you would be able to solve the problems. Many em

48、ployers made the same criticism of candidates. “They have vague notions of furthering the companys prospects, but have never taken the trouble to find out the actual tasks they will be required to do.” Do not let this be said of you. It shows an unattractive indifference to your employer and to your

49、 job. Write down and remember the questions you want to ask the interviewers so that you are not speechless when they invite your questions. Make sure that holidays and pay are not the first things you ask about. Ask questions that help you uncover the interviewer real needs or problems, such as “Co

50、uld you tell me more about that?” “Would you mind describing the job for me?” “What are the companys 5-year sales and profit projections?” “Could you explain your company philosophy/vision/values?” “Why the job is vacant now and how was it performed in the past?” “What problems need my immediate att

51、ention if I am hired?” “What do you look for in your employees?” “Are employees offered chances for further training?” if all your questions have been answered during the interview, reply: “In fact, I did have several questions, but you have already answered them all.”O(jiān)nce you know the type of perso

52、n your prospective employer is seeking, you are in a good position to explain your achievements in terms of interviewers needs. Think before answering. In your answer, try to convince the interviewer of your ability to help solve his/her problems. You may start by saying “One problem you have mentio

53、ned is similar to what I once encountered”. Then describe the problem you faced and how you have solved it.Make a good first impression. Aim to arrive five or ten minutes early before the actual interview, then you will have a little time in hand and will not panic if you are late. Dress in clean, n

54、eat, conservative clothes. If you have a bag or a case, put it on the floor beside your chair. Do not clutch it nervously or, worse still, spilling everything. Shake hands firmly- a weak hand suggests a weak personality. Maintain eye contact- nonverbal behavior may be more revealing than your actual

55、 words. Speak politely and naturally, ready to smile.If you are not definitely accepted or turned down on the spot, ask: “When may I expect to hear the results of the interview?” if you do receive a letter offering you the job, you must reply by letter as soon as possible. Good Luck!(II) The New Job

56、 Interview: Beyond the Trick QuestionMany interviewers have confessed to using offbeat strategies to smoke out the real person behind the tailored suit and word-perfect resume. They try to trick people by asking gimmicky questions: If you knew you had a year to live, what would you do differently? If you were an animal, what would you be? Can a man legally marry his widows sister? (Hint: If a man has a widow, he is too dead to marry anyone.) Or they go in search of the inner candidate using perso