a) Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look at the world straight in the face.
b) Confidence is courage at ease.
c) Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
d) I quit being afraid when my first venture failed and the sky didn’t fall down.
e) Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do this or that. That’s nonsense. Never let anyone persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.
Your partner may wish to challenge your opinion. He may need expressions from the Useful language box on page 13.
Unit 4
Six ways to overcome procrastination
Lead-in
Ex. 1. Work in pairs to answer the quiz below. For each statement choose the answer that best describes you. When you have finished, score your results.
1) I tend to delay finishing things, even when I know they are important.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
2) Whenever I face a deadline, I always wait until the very last minute.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
3) I have a tough time getting started, particularly with things that I don’t enjoy doing.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
4) When something is difficult or I am not sure how to do it, I tend to put it off until later.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
5) I like to make plans and to-do lists and I also follow through on them.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
6) I often myself stressed out by things I need to get done at the last minute.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
7) I regularly wait until the last moment to pay bills.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
8) “Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow” sounds like my motto.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
9) I’d like to improve my time management skills and habits, but it just seems like too much work.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
10) When I’m working, I like to indulge in “time wasters” like playing online games, repeatedly checking my email, or browsing social networking websites.
a) Yes b) Sometimes c) No
Study the Results interpretation table.
| Results | Comment |
| Mostly As | If you have answered A on most of the questions, then you probably have a serious problem with procrastination. Your habit of putting things off might be having a negative impact on multiple areas of your life, including your personal life, work, and social life. |
| Mostly Bs | If you have answered B on most of the questions, then you probably don’t have a terribly serious problem with procrastination. Sure, you might find yourself dawdling on certain things, but you have managed to avoid making a habit out of dithering. |
| Mostly Cs | If you have answered C on most of the questions, then you are not much of a procrastinator. You are good at organizing your time. You enjoy tackling projects and crossing them off your to-do list. |
Ex. 2. Work with your partner. Compare your answers with those of the partner.
Do you both agree with the results?
Give arguments to support your opinion.
While expressing your viewpoint and providing evidence, make use of the phrases given in the Useful language boxes on pages 5-6.
Focus on speaking I
Ex. 1. Split into two groups. Those who have answered A on most of the questions (group 1 students) make a list of disadvantages of being procrastinators. Those who have answered C on most of the questions (group 2 students) make a list of advantages of being well-organized and punctual people.
Ex. 2. Take it in turns to name merits of well-organized people and drawbacks of procrastinators. If necessary, support your opinion with some examples.
While enumerating advantages or disadvantages, make use of the phrases given in the Useful language boxes on pages 5-6.
Ex. 3. Work in pairs.
Student A. - You have a serious problem with procrastination and you can’t overcome your habit of putting things off. Ask your partner for advice. Student B. – You are a well-organized person. Give some pieces of advice to your groupmate.
Focus on reading
Ex. 1. Read the title of the text. What is the topic?
