一、学短语，记短语

Around/round the clock 昼夜不停地

As far as/so far as 远至，到…程度

At a loss 困惑，不知所措

At stake 在危险中，利害攸关

Be beyond dispute 不容争议，无可争议

二、练短语、用短语（用上面5个短语的适当形式填在下面5个句子里使句意通顺，请注意时态，语态哦！）
1. By the mid 1980s, Americans had found themselves （） over their fading industrial competitiveness.

2. They had been working （） for a couple of days hoping to get the design out before their competitors did.

3. （） I am concerned, his politics are rather conservative compared with other politicians.

4. That the plates are moving （）.

5. The future of this company is （）: many of its talented employees are flowing into more profitable net based businesses.

答案揭晓：
Key：
1. By the mid 1980s, Americans had found themselves at a loss over their fading industrial competitiveness.
截至20世纪80年代，美国人发现衰退的工业竞争力令他们感到困惑。
2. They had been working round the clock for a couple of days hoping to get the design out before their competitors did.
他们昼夜不停地干了几天，希望先于竞争者把设计搞出来。
3. As far as I am concerned, his politics are rather conservative compared with other politicians.
据我所知，他的政治策略比其他政治家的策略更为保守。
4. That the plates are moving is beyond dispute.
板块在移动，这是无可争议的事实。
5. The future of this company is at stake: many of its talented employees are flowing into more profitable net based businesses.
该公司的未来岌岌可危，因为很多有才干的雇员正流向获利更高的网络公司。