Level5 Unit2 Part2 Listening

Light and Color

People have wondered about the nature of light and color since ancient times. Some people thought that light came from the eye rather than coming into the eye. To see, light was projected from our eyes to illuminate things as we look at them. Now we know that what we see is mostly reflected light, like the light from the moon which is reflected sunlight. Light comes from a light source, such as the Sun, and either enters our eyes directly or after it has reflected off something.

In 1666 Sir isaac Newton showed that when light passes through a prism, it separates into all the other colors. This clearly demonstrated that light is composed of many different colors. The difference between colors is due to their wavelength. A prism separates light into different colors because each color has a different wavelength. The angle at which a color bends in a prism depends on its wavelength.

Colors with shorter wavelengths bend more than colors with longer wavelengths. This explains why red light bends less than yellow light. The reason is because its wavelength is longer. Of the visible colors, violet light has the shortest wavelength, so it bends the most.

Color‘s Effect

If you have ever painted, you know that different colors can be combined to create new colors. For example, if you add white to a color, you lighten it. However, the three primary colors, red, blue and yellow cannot be made by mixing other colors. It isn't possible to mix any combination of colors to create red, blue or yellow. Mixing two primary colors creates a secondary color such as purple, which is made by mixing blue and red. Mixing three primary colors creates a tertiary color such as brown or gray.

Colors are wonderful to look at, but they also affect people in ways besides sight. They have a powerful effect on how people feel and behave. Artists know this and so do businesspeople who want to influence how people feel about their products and advertisements. For example, research has shown that people can be more productive if they are working in a blue room. The color purple is often linked to wealth and royalty and is seen as a mysterious, spiritual color. Some colors have even been associated with changes in blood pressure. Though color can influence how we feel and act, these effects may depend on personal and cultural factors. Therefore, it's important not to believe everything you hear about the effects of color.

Though there are differences between cultures, there is a general agreement about some colors. The color red, for example, is a warm color associated with energy and excitement in many cultures. In China red is associated with fire, energy and good fortune. On the other hand, one experiment showed that exposing students to red before taking a test can have a negative effect. In fact, of all the colors, research shows that red has the most powerful effect on human behavior.

Certainly, it's interesting and important to better understand the psychological effects of light and color. To gain a better understanding of these effects, more research is needed. (Different colors can be combined to form other colors.)

Level5 Unit2 Part2 Vocabulary

Verbs for Business

To promote, to move someone up in an organization usually because she has done a good job. We are going to promote her to manager. If we don't promote him, he'll probably be upset. The opposite of promote is demote. (We shouldn’t promote anyone unless they really deserve it, which means they have to prove themselves.)

To transfer, to move someone or something from one place to another. The company is going to transfer him to Shanghai next month. She doesn't want to be transferred because her husband is against moving to another city. (He likes working for us, but he wants to be transferred to a different place within the company.)

To motivate, to get someone interested and excited about doing something. She is really good at motivating her employees. One way to motivate someone is to encourage them by giving constructive feedback. (He’s not fool, so giving him an award without an increase in salary won’t motivate him.)

To postpone, to delay or put off something into a later date. We had to postpone the presentation, because she wasn't ready to give it. We can't continue to postpone the meeting, or they will cancel it completely. (We can’t postpone launching the product, so everyone will have to work harder to meet the deadline.)

To evade, to escape or avoid something. They are trying to evade taking responsibility for their failure. He was arrested for tax evasion. (They designed the airplane to evade detection by radar.)

To assign, to give someone a task to do. His boss assigned him to increase sales by 50%. Her company assigned her to find out more about the competition.

To penalize, to fine or punish someone for doing something wrong. They were penalized for breaking the rules. You will be penalized if you are late. 

To lay off, to fire or sack a worker because business is bad. The company was failing, so he was laid off. Our company had to lay off 50% of our employees. A company may have to lay off workers when business is bad.

To recruit, to look for new employees to hire. They are expanding their business, and recruiting new employees. She joined the company after she was recruited at a job fair.

To resign, to voluntarily quit one's job. His boss didn't like him, so he was asked to resign. She resigned from her job because of health reasons.

Level5 Unit2 Part2 Dialogue

Though In Love

WOW, you look different today.

You mean more beautiful?

What's with all the makeup?

I felt like dressing up today.

Don't you like it?

Do you want me to be honest?

Of course, but I know you.

You are so old fashioned.

I just think you don't need so much makeup to look beautiful.

That lipstick is like a fire engine.

Well, not everyone agreeswith you.

And I like looking different once in a while.

I'm glad I'm not a woman.

There are too many things to deal with.

Yes, you wouldn't be good at it.

You always wear the same old clothes, it's boring.

Maybe it's boring, but it's comfortable.

You're never going to find a new girlfriend if you don't change.

I'm not interested in woman anymore, you know that, there is nothing but trouble.

Am I trouble?

You and I are just opposites.

You are always doing something new, and I would rather just relax.

you sound like an old man.

You need to act younger.

You need to be more exciting.

And then what? find my soulmate?

Really, you sound so cynical.

Don't you believe in love?

Sure, in the movies maybe.

Love is an illusion.

It never last, and once it starts just difficult to break off.

Your problem is that you expect too much from love.

You are too romantic.

You need to be more practical.

I thought you were the romantic one.

I have a romantic side, yes, but I'm practical.

My man has got to be good looking, well dressed and hopefully rich.

Ah ha, then that lets me out.

Yes, you've got a lot to learn.

Now, where are we going for dinner?

Somewhere expensive?

OK, you've convinced me that your makeup isn't so bad.

But I think it's your turn to pay.

That's what you think.