unit4 lecture notes.doc

Words and Expressions globalization: n. free flows of capital, labor, technology, and personal contact across national borders * Some see the spread of English as an international language as just another consequence of globalization. (=Thanks to globalization, the burger you buy in Moscow is exactly the same as the one you buy in New York.) sweep aside: clear away or get rid of suddenly or forcefully; refuse to pay attention to sth./ sb. says * Anyway, by then she was sure that Julius would simply have swept any curbs aside. 他们对所有的反对意见不予理睬。 (=They swept all the objections aside.) Pattern: sweep away 扫清, 迅速消灭 sweep out 扫掉; 清除 sweep over 眺望, 环视 sweep up 打扫干净, 收拾干净 strengthen: vt. become stronger or make sth. stronger We must strengthen the weak links. (=The Presidents first priority was to strengthen the economy.) asset: n. 1) (usu. pl) money or property that a person or company owns *Copyrights, patents, trademarks, brand names, and trade secrets are all part of a company’s intangible assets. 目前，他们的资产有623万美元。 (=Currently, they have $6,230,000 in assets.) 2) an advantage or a resource *The most powerful asset we have is our skilled, dedicated workforce. (=A sense of humor is an important asset for any teacher.) Collocation: capital/ fixed assets 资本/固定资产 cash assets 现金资产 liquid/ circulating/ current assets 流动资产 net assets 净资产 make no / little difference: have no / little effect (on), be of no / little importance (to) *That does not mean it makes no difference to social welfare which rules we settle upon. 姚明的缺席似乎对休斯顿火箭队没有太大的影响。 (=The absence of Yao Ming seemed to make little difference to the performance of the Houston Rockets.) identify…as: recognize and correctly name someone or sth. *His accent identified him as a Frenchman. (=The policeman identified him as the thief.) elite: n. a group of people who have a lot of power and influence because they have money, knowledge, or special skills *O