Whether for school reports or office assignments, everyone is familiar with deadlines. A “deadline” is another term for a “due date,” a fixed day or time when a particular assignment needs to be finished. Where did this term come from? Originally, a “dead line” referred to a boundary around a prison camp. If prisoners tried to escape by crossing it, they risked being shot to death by guards. Thankfully, most deadlines are not so extreme these days.
In the early 1900s, the term was used in relation to frames on a printing press. Any text outside the “deadline” would not be printed. It was in the magazine and newspaper publishing industry of the 1920s that deadline first became associated with a time limit.
Most teachers and bosses consider deadlines essential for ensuring things get done in a timely manner. While deadlines can create discipline in a classroom or office, they can also create a lot of pressure, especially for people who procrastinate. Despite that, sociologists believe deadlines are good psychological motivators.
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First, if you miss a deadline, you risk the disapproval of others. Therefore, deadlines are useful for maintaining positive social relations. Successfully meeting a deadline can also provide a boost of confidence. With deadlines, we can meet goals and keep promises to ourselves and others. It’s important to remember that people respect others who keep their word.
By doing what you pledge to do, deadlines can even help you become the person you strive to be. Instead of fearing and panicking about deadlines, use them as tools to create proper work habits. If a deadline for a big project is causing you anxiety, consider this trick. Break your project down into smaller segments that you can manage bit by bit. That way, the final deadline won’t seem so ominous.
無論是學校報告還是辦公室工作，每個人對截止日期都很熟悉。「deadline」（截止日期）是「due date」的另一個詞，是特定任務需要被完成的固定日期或時間。這個詞是從哪裡來的呢？最初，「dead line」（死線）指的是戰俘營周圍的邊界。如果囚犯試圖越過它逃跑，他們就有被守衛槍殺的危險。值得慶幸的是，現在大多數的死線都不是那麼極端。
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1900年代初期，該詞被用來指有關印刷機上的邊框。落在「deadline」之外的任何文本都不會被印出來。就是在1920年代的雜誌和報紙出版業中，「deadline」這個字最先變得與時間限制有所關聯。
大多數的老師和老闆都認為，截止日期對於確保工作及時完成至關重要。雖然截止日期可以在教室或辦公室建立紀律，但它們也會產生很大的壓力，尤其是對拖延的人來說。儘管如此，社會學家認為截止日期是很好的心理動力。
首先，如果你錯過截止日期，你會有遭受他人不滿的風險。因此，截止日期對於維持正面的社會關係很有用。成功趕上截止日期還可以增強信心。有了截止日期，我們就可以達成目標並信守對我們自己和他人的承諾。重要的是要記住，人們尊重守信的人。
透過做你承諾要做的事情，截止日期甚至可以幫助你成為你努力想成為的人。與其對截止日期感到恐懼和恐慌，不如把它們用作養成正確工作習慣的工具。如果一個大計畫的截止日期造成你的焦慮，考慮一下這個訣竅。將你的計畫分解成你可以一點一點順利完成的較小部分。那樣的話，最後的截止日期就不會顯得那麼令人不安了。
What Did You Learn?
1. Which of the following are mentioned in the passage?
（多選題）
(A) The definition of a deadline.
(B) Reasons to ignore deadlines.
(C) How to successfully extend deadlines.
(D) Where the term deadline comes from.
(E) Why deadlines are a thing of the past.
(F) Disagreements sociologists have on deadlines.
2. Choose the options that are associated with deadlines, according to the passage.（多選題）
(A) A segment
(B) A time limit
(C) A boundary
(D) An open space
參考答案︰1. (A)、(D) 2. (B)、(C)
Words in Use
1. boundary n. 邊界，界線
The hotel is located on the boundary between the city and the countryside.
這間旅館位於城市與鄉村的邊界上。
2. cross vt. 越過；穿越
After you cross the bridge, you will see our school on the right.
過這座橋後你就會在右手邊看到我們的學校。
3. thankfully adv. 值得慶幸的是
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the explosion.
慶幸的是，沒有人在這場爆炸中受傷。
4. frame n. 邊框，框架
The frame of the window is made of iron.
這扇窗戶的框架是鐵做的。
5. publishing n. 出版業
Hans is looking to expand his publishing business.
漢斯想拓展其出版事業。
Practical Phrases
1. be familiar with. . . 熟悉……
The new worker isn’t familiar with the company rules yet.
那位新來的員工尚未熟悉公司的規則。
2. in relation to. . . 有關……
Christine said nothing in relation to the test she failed yesterday.
關於克莉絲汀昨天考不及格的測驗，她隻字未提。
3. in a timely manner 及時
Martin will reply to your inquiry in a timely manner, but he’s busy now.
馬汀會及時回覆您詢問的問題，但他現在在忙。
4. keep a promise 遵守承諾
keep one’s word 堅守某人的承諾
(此處word表「承諾」，是不可數名詞)
I hope you will keep your promise to finish your work before 10 o’clock.
我希望你能遵守諾言，在十點以前完成你的工作。
When Larry makes a promise, he always keeps his word.
賴瑞只要許下諾言就一定會遵守。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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