Using English at Work：21 Working at My Desk(2)

At home, if you are messy like me, you may need to clear off your dining room table - that is, move your newspapers, books, and other things so that you'll have room to eat your meal.

I said, "I clear off a few stacks² of paper."

A "stack¹" (stack) is a pile, or a group of things that are placed on top of each other.

A "stack of papers" is many pieces of paper placed on top of each other, but we can also talk about stacks of books, stacks of coins, stacks of folded towels - all of these are stacks.

Next, I open the computer file that I've been working on for the past week.

When we talk about papers, a "file" is a group of papers that are kept together because they're related³ to the same topic.

But here I'm talking about a "computer file," which is information stored electronically on a computer, a CD, or some hard drive.

This course has audio⁴ files that are stored on a computer or on a CD.

When I open the computer file, I'm opening a document.

A "document," here, is the same as a computer file; it's information stored electronically with one name on your computer or CD.

We often talk about Microsoft Word documents and Excel⁵ documents.

It's something that has information on it, usually on one specific topic.

The document I'm working on is a report that is due next week and the deadline is fast approaching.

A "deadline" is the date when something must be finished.

My report is due next week, meaning that the deadline is next week; I must complete it by next week.

When I say the deadline is fast approaching, I mean that we have a lot of work to do in a very short period of time between now and the deadline; the deadline is "coming up soon," we could also say.

Something that is fast approaching can be something positive or negative.

1 stack   

n.堆叠，堆；vt.堆积，成叠放在；vi.堆成一堆

参考例句：

• There's a whole stack of bills waiting to be paid.有一大堆账要付呢。
• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。

2 stacks   

n.大量( stack的名词复数 )；大烟囱；（图书馆或书店的）书架v.堆积( stack的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Thus, emissions from all stacks are considered only in the aggregate. 这样一来，来自所有烟囱的排放都被认为是一个整体。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
• Smoke poured out of the stacks of the factory. 烟从工厂的烟囱里喷出来。 来自辞典例句

3 related   

adj.有关系的，有关联的，叙述的，讲述的

参考例句：

• I am not related to him in any way.我和他无任何关系。
• We spent days going through all related reference material.我们花了好多天功夫查阅所有有关的参考资料。

4 audio   

n./adj.音频(响)(的)；声音(的)，听觉(的)

参考例句：

• Often,the meeting is recorded on audio or video media for later reference.通常这种会议会以视频或者音频形式记录下来，供以后查阅。
• You don't even have to pay for audio programs.你大可不必为自己听这些节目付费。

5 excel   

v.胜过，优于，杰出，善于，擅长于

参考例句：

• If your talent combines with diligence,you can excel in your pursuit.如果你把天赋与勤奋结合起来，你所追求的事业便会出类拔萃。
• He is working hard to excel his predecessors.他正努力超越他的前任。