 Having the Time of Your Life Are clocks the chains of our modern existence? Instructions: Match the activity on the right with the appropriate time span on the left.
Instructions: Read the text and complete the comprehension and writing questions that follow. Have you ever felt starved for time? Are you spending your time rushing from one activity to the next with barely a moment to breathe? If you are, you’re not alone. Why are we victimized by this accelerated lifestyle? Despite earlier predictions that technology would free us from tedious tasks, we find ourselves even further enslaved in the clutches of time. Statistics show that on average Canadians work longer weeks today than they did 30 years ago. Furthermore, there have been numerous studies that report more than 50% of Canadians experience unhealthy levels of stress. Modern, western civilization runs on a system governed by clocks, but was it always this way? Once, time was viewed as a process of change often related to what was taking place in the natural world. Instead of the tick of a clock, time was measured by the falling of leaves, the planting of seeds, the harvesting of crops and the thawing of streams. Primitive devices for measuring time such as the sundial and the hourglass, were somewhat inexact and under certain conditions, ineffective. As a result, time was viewed in larger, more flexible units than it is today. With the invention of modern clocks, time became a commodity which could be regulated, bought and sold like any other commodity. In his essay “The Tyranny of the Clock”, George Woodcock states that: “It is a frequent circumstance of history that a culture or a civilization develops the device that will later be used for its destruction.” 1 Scholars believe that clocks first appeared in monasteries during the eleventh century as a means to call monks to worship. In the fourteenth century, clocks became relatively common features in many public buildings throughout Europe, particularly Germany. Early clocks operated using weights, but it was not until the invention of the pendulum in 1657 and the subsequent addition of the minute-hand, that satisfactory accuracy was attained. Social philosopher Lewis Mumford has suggested that the clock was the key invention that spawned the Industrial Revolution for “its influence on techniques and for its influence on the habits of men”. Because time was no longer loosely marked by the passing of the seasons, smaller units of time became somewhat tangible and in a sense, a commodity to be controlled. One of the key slogans of capitalist ideology is: time is money. 2 When the workers left the factories after their shift, they escaped to the timeless world outside the factory – the pub! There was almost a backlash as these ‘constrained’ workers were finally able to kill time doing whatever they wanted at their own pace. This freedom from time would soon end when nineteenth century religion began to equate time with morality. It became a sin to waste time. 3 With the mass production of clocks in the 1850s, churches, schools and offices fell under the control of regulated time. 4 Fast forward to today and a life of hurried meals, scrambling for buses, and eating our lunch at the desk. Have we become a society of clock watchers? No one denies the valuable necessity of modern timing devices and how they allow us to co-ordinate our day-to-day activities. The question is, have we become servants of our own invention? 1. The word “starved” (in the 1st paragraph) is: (a) an adjective (b) a verb (c) a noun (d) an adverb 2. Find an antonym in the 4th paragraph for the expression “short-lived”. ___________________ 3. Why is the definite article used in the following phrase? in the eleventh century (see the 3rd paragraph) _________________________________________________________ 4. What does George Woodcock mean when he says: “It is a frequent circumstance of history that a culture or a civilization develops the device that will later be used for its destruction.”? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT: (a) Many Canadians feel the pressure of modern life. (b) Lewis Mumford was instrumental in the development of the pendulum. (c) In the Industrial Revolution, time became a commodity. (d) Primitive timing devices were not always accurate. 6. The author has removed the following sentence from the article: In the early factories, clocks became essential fixtures that regulated the working environment and enslaved the workers. Indicate where this sentence logically belongs by circling the square # to add the sentence to the paragraph.
7. The verb “was attained” (in the 3rd paragraph) is: ? Extension Questions for Writing top Answer the following questions using sentence format. 8. When I’m feeling overwhelmed by time constraints/pressures, I like to _____________________ 9. In your opinion, what does the expression “time is relative” mean? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 10. Most modern clocks/watches are digital rather than the ones which have an hour and minute hand. How as this change affected our perception of time? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 2 Follow-up Interview Activity top Interview two of your classmates (not members of your group) and ask them the following questions. When you have finished, share your data with the other members of your group.
ž Grammar Exercise: top Have you ever done something on the spur of the moment? Have you ever sat around just killing time? If you have, then you are probably well aware of numerous idioms we use every day which are related to time. So, sit back and take your time because the time is right to complete some exercises involving time idioms. Instructions: Match the idioms on the left with the correct definition on the right.
Instructions: Complete the sentences using the idioms from above. Be careful, you might have to change the verb form of the idiom! 1. [A] Did you enjoy your vacation down South? [B] Oh yes. The kids just had ________________ visiting Disneyland and swimming in the ocean. 2. [A] You were running really late this morning. Were you late for your 9 o’clock meeting? [B] Fortunately, I caught the streetcar and as a result, I made it to work ________________. 3. [A] I’m such an organization freak. I just hate it when Carlos springs something on me at the last moment. [B] You know Yvette, sometimes it’s exciting doing something _______________________. You really should learn to just let your hair down every once in a while. 4. [A] I’m really exhausted. I don’t think I can look at these figures for another minute! [B] I know exactly how you feel. Let’s just ________________. 5. [A] Congratulations on your promotion. [B] Thanks so much. Wow, an editor at The Globe & Mail, I guess I finally made ______________! Instructions: Choose any two time idioms and compose your own sentences. 1. Idiom: ____________________________________________________________________ Sentence: __________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________
2. Idiom: ____________________________________________________________________ Sentence: __________________________________________________________________ |
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