早读任务：读背下面的短文
John was annoyed because his appointment with the client had been rescheduled at the last minute, leaving him barely any time to prepare. With the deadline for the project approaching fast, he felt increasingly depressed and desperate. Not only did he have to maintain discipline, but he also had to stay focused despite the constant distractions. The client, demanding and unbending, kept asking for changes, forcing John to stay defensive yet cooperative. He appreciated the clarity of the contract, but the pressure of the commitment he had made was overwhelming. Exhausted from chasing perfection, he was on the edge of collapse. However, thanks to his careful time management, which allowed him to conserve some energy, and the timely assistance of a colleague, he managed to push through.The outcome, though not ideal, was enough to gain the client’s approval. It was this experience that taught John the importance of balancing constant effort with self-care. 约翰感到非常恼火，因为他与客户的预约在最后一刻被重新安排，这让他几乎没有时间准备。随着项目截止日期的迅速临近，他变得越来越沮丧和绝望。他不仅需要保持自律，还必须在不断的干扰中保持专注。客户要求苛刻且固执，不断提出修改意见，迫使约翰在保持防御的同时还要表现出合作态度。他欣赏合同的明确性，但承诺带来的压力让他不堪重负。对完美的追求让他精疲力竭，他几乎快要崩溃了。然而，多亏了他精心的时间安排，让他保留了一些精力，再加上一位同事的及时帮助，他最终挺了过来。结果虽然并不完美，但足以获得客户的认可。正是这次经历让约翰明白了在持续努力和自我关怀之间保持平衡的重要性。
早读检测
John was annoyed because 1_____ at the last minute, leaving him 2______ any time to prepare. 3______ the deadline for the project approaching fast, he felt 4______ depressed and desperate. Not only 5_____ discipline, but he also had to stay focused 6______ the constant distractions. The client, 7______, kept asking for changes, forcing John to stay defensive yet cooperative. He 8______ the clarity of the contract, but the pressure of the commitment 9______ was overwhelming. Exhausted from 10_______, he was on the edge of collapse. However, 11_______ his careful time management, which allowed him to conserve some energy, and the 12________ of a colleague, he managed to 13_______.The outcome, 14________, was enough to gain the client’s approval. 15________ that taught John the importance of balancing constant effort with self-care.