新东方背诵文选 L23 Ford
时间：2018-12-15 作者：英语课 分类：新东方背诵文选
英语课
Although Henry Ford 1's name is closely associated with the concept of mass production, he should receive equal credit for introducing labor 2 practices as early as 1913 that would be considered advanced even by today's standards. Safety measures were improved, and the work day was reduced to eight hours, compared with the ten-or twelve-hour day common at the time. In order to accommodate the shorter work day, the entire factory was converted from two to three shifts.
In addition, sick leaves as well as improved medical care for those injured on the job were instituted. The Ford Motor Company was one of the first factories to develop a technical school to train specialized 3 skilled laborers 4 and an English language school for immigrants. Some efforts were even made to hire the handicapped and provide jobs for former convicts.
The most widely acclaimed 5 innovation was the five-dollar-a-day minimum wage that was offered in order to recruit and retain the best mechanics and to discourage the growth of labor unions. Ford explained the new wage policy in terms of efficiency and profit sharing. He also mentioned the fact that his employees would be able to purchase the automobiles 6 that they produced - in effect creating a market for the product. In order to qualify for the minimum wage, an employee had to establish a decent home and demonstrate good personal habits, including sobriety, thriftiness 7, industriousness 8, and dependability. Although some criticism was directed at Ford for involving himself too much in the personal lives of his employees, there can be no doubt that, at a time when immigrants were being taken advantage of in frightful 9 ways, Henry Ford was helping 10 many people to establish themselves in America.
1 Ford
n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过
- They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
- If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。
2 labor
n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦
- We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
- He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。
3 specialized
adj.专门的，专业化的
- There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。
- These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。
4 laborers
n.体力劳动者，工人( laborer的名词复数 )；（熟练工人的）辅助工
- Laborers were trained to handle 50-ton compactors and giant cranes. 工人们接受操作五十吨压土机和巨型起重机的训练。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- Wage-labour rests exclusively on competition between the laborers. 雇佣劳动完全是建立在工人的自相竞争之上的。 来自英汉非文学 - 共产党宣言
5 acclaimed
adj.受人欢迎的
- They acclaimed him as the best writer of the year. 他们称赞他为当年的最佳作者。
- Confuscius is acclaimed as a great thinker. 孔子被赞誉为伟大的思想家。
6 automobiles
n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )
- When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
7 thriftiness
节俭，节约
- Taoism has always advocated thriftiness and plain life. 道教历来倡导节俭、朴素的生活。
- That's a positive feeling. Now I added only to my thriftiness but also independence and endurance. 通过这事，我不仅长了点经济头脑，也变得更加独立，更具忍耐力了。
8 industriousness
n.勤奋
- Aunt Harriet could not find words to praise Bessie's industriousness and efficiency. 哈丽特不知该用什么言辞来赞扬贝西的勤奋与高效。 来自新概念英语第三册
- They have brought to our country an industriousness that boosts our economy. 他们带来的勤奋精神促进了我们经济的发展。