it remains to be seen whether or not environmental deterioration can be controlled , the current prospects are far from encouraging . People around the world must act immediately to prevent the situation from deteriorating even further .

环境恶化是否能得到控制这个问题仍然没有答案，但目前的前景一点儿也不乐观。全世界的人必须立即行动，防止情况进一步恶化。

When it comes to the increasing use of motor vehicles in Beijing , some people think that use should be limited . Others argue that the opposite is true . There is probably some truth to both arguments,but emission controls must be instituted regardless of the number of

涉及北京机动车使用量增加这一问题，有的人认为应该限制使用。另一些人持相反意见。也许双方的观点都有一定道理，但是，无论车辆多少，必须对废气排放实行控制。

There is a general debate nowadays about the problem of itinerant workers . Those who object to the rising migrant population argue that increasing numbers lead to rising crime rates and harm social stability . They believe that strict limits should be placed on migrants entering China s cities . But people who favor the influx of the cheap labor force , on the other hand , maintain that migrants are needed to support the massive urban infrastructure construction program .

目前，针对流动工人的问题展开了普遍的争论。反对流动工人增加的人认为这会导致犯罪率升高，从而危害社会稳定。他们主张应该严格限制进入中国城市的流动工人。但是，另一方面，支持廉价劳动力流入的人主张，为了支持大规模的城市基础设施建设规划，流动人口是必需的。

It is widely acknowledged that extensive deforestation contributed to heavy summer flooding . Experts argue that China must introduce a massive afforestation program . But I doubt whether afforestation alone will solve the problem .

人们普遍认为过度砍伐造成了夏季特大洪水。专家认为中国必须推行大规模的植树造林计划。但我对仅仅植树造林就能解决问题表示怀疑。

Most people are of the opinion that wealth provides solutions to all problems . But in spite of the material benefits wealth provides , I believe one should abandon the pursuit of materialism and instead concentrate on the pursuit of happiness .

大多数人认为财富为所有问题提供解决的办法。但是，我认为，尽管财富提供物质上的利益，一个人应该放弃物质至上的追求，而是集中精力追求幸福。

Many people believe that capital punishment deters crime . But although criminologists have conducted exhaustive research regarding the subject , little evidence exists to support the claim .

很多人相信极刑能阻止犯罪。但是，虽然刑事学家就这一课题做了详尽的研究，几乎没有证据能支持这种说法。

An increasing number of people are joining the Information Age via the Internet . In reaction to the phenomenon , some say the Internet has removed barrters and provided people with immediate access to the world . But do they raelize that rapidly advancing information technology can also lead to intrusions of privacy ?

越来越多的人通过互联网进入了信息时代。针对这一现象，一些人认为互联网消除了障碍，为人们提供了与世界即时链接的途径。但是，他们有没有意识到迅速发展的信息技术也能导致侵犯隐私?

The use of guanxi is a widespread method for conducting business , but is it a wise one ? The method is now being challenged by more and more people .利用关系是做生意的普遍做法，但这种做法明智吗?现在，越来越多的人对这种方法提出了质疑。

These days we often hear about the widening gap between the rich and poor . Some argue the developed world has totally ignored the problem . But has it ? Close examination fails to bear out the argument .

最近，我们经常听到贫富差距扩大了的说法。一些人认为发达世界完全忽略了这个问题。事实是这样吗?细致的调查无法证实这一观点。

We re often told that the world is tethering on the brink of destruction . But is this really the case ?

我们经常被告知世界处于毁灭的边缘。但事实真是这样吗?

One of the pressing problema facing our nation ( China ) today is overcoming disparities in urban and rural income levels .

我们国家(中国)如今面临的紧迫问题之一是克服城乡收入水平之间的差距。

One of the most serious problems many people talk about centers on the lack of adequate housing space .

许多人谈论的一个最严重的问题集中在缺乏足够的居住空间。

Perhaps the most dangerous phenomenon gripping the nation today is official corruption , which is pervasive in all levels of government .

也许当今困扰国家的最危险的现象是遍布各级政府的官员腐败。

Inflation is yet another new and bitter truth we must learn to face .

通货膨胀又是一个我们必须学会面对的痛苦的新情况。

The rapid expansion of urban areas has in many cases encroached on valuable cultivatable land , and led to a general recognition that development must not be carried at the cost of agriculture . The government has attached greater importance to the problem and an increasing number of redundant projects are being terminated .

城区的迅速扩大在很多情况下侵占了宝贵的可耕地，使人们普遍认识到发展不能以牺牲农业为代价。政府更加重视这个问题，越来越多的不必要的工程被终止。

There is a growing worldwide awareness of the need for strengthened environmental protection .

世界上越来越多的人认识到加强环境保护的必要性。

There has been a dramatic increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS in recent years , with a new study projecting that the dreaded disease will affect over 30 million people worldwide by the year 20XX .

近年来，艾滋病蔓延的幅度进一步扩大，一项新的研究预测，到20XX年，世界上有超过三千万人将感染这一可怕的疾病。

Working with the disabled cannot help but leave one impressed with their indefatigable desire .

与残疾人一起工作使一个人不得不对他们坚持不懈的渴望印象深刻。

Perhaps no issues are more controversial than euthanasia and abortion , both of which involve taking the life of a human being .

也许没有问题比安乐死和人工流产更有争议性，它们都涉及结束一个人的生命。

Never before in history has the issue of overpopulation been more evident than now .

历史上，人口过剩的问题从来没有比现在更加突出。

Perhaps it is time to reexamine the idea that college degrees are a guarantee of intelligence .

也许现在是应该重新考虑大学为是智力的保证这种想法的时候了。

A growing number of people are beginning to realize that wealth is not the sole prerequisite for happiness .

越来越多的人开始意识到财富不是幸福的惟一先决条件。

In spite of the extraordinary progress made in science and technology , problems remain in terms of guaranteeing that achievements benefit the greatest number of people .

尽管科学技术取得了非凡的进步，但是在保证进步成果使尽可能多的人受益这方面还存在一些问题。

A famous thinker once wrote that the greatest threat to mankind is mankind itself ! If this is indeed the case , then the current situation should make us ponder our futuer existence .

一位著名的思想家曾经写道：对人类最大的威胁是人类自身!如果事实确实如此，那么，现状应该促使我们对我们未来的生存进行思索了。

President Harry Truman once remarked : The buck stops here ! His view has been confirmed by numerous world leaders who have assumed full responsibility for their actions .

美国总统杜鲁门曾经说过：责任止于此!(意为勿再把责任往别处推，这是杜鲁门办公室桌上的座右铭)他的观点得到了很多对自己的行动承担完全责任的世界领袖的肯定。

Large families were once seen as a blessing . Today , however , things are changing and an increasing number of Chinese parents realize that fewer is better .

大家庭曾经被看做是一种福气。然而，今天，情况改变了，越来越多的中国家长意识到家庭成员越少越好。

People used to place total reliance on the government . The so-called iron rice bowl prevailed in the past , but things are quite different today .

过去，人们习惯完全依靠政府。以前盛行所谓的铁饭碗，但今天的情况有很大的不同。

Several years ago , Chinese streets were filled with people wearing identical drab clothing . Today , however , things are quite different and the streets are awash with people wearing fashionable bright colored outfits . Why has the change taken place ?

许多年前，中国大街上的人都穿一样的灰褐色衣服。然而，今天的情况大不一样了，街上满是一个个身穿色彩艳丽的时髦衣服的人。出现这种变化的原因是什么呢?

Years of observing human behavior has enabled me to conclude that the major difference between mediocrity and success lies solely with the individual concerned . Successful individuals consistently seek advancement , while their less industrious contemporaries are merely content with the status quo .

对人们行为的多年观察使我能够得出这样的结论：平庸和成功的主要区别仅仅在于相关的个人。成功的个人不断寻求进步，而他们比较懒惰的同时代人仅仅满足于现状。

Traditional way of thinking have changed dramatically . The pendulum has swung and people are exhibiting greater open-mindedness and a burning desire to detemine their own destiny .

传统的思维方式有了显著的变化。舆论发生了剧变，人们表现出更开放的思想以及决定他们自己命运的强烈愿望

There has been undesirable trend in recent years towards the worship of money . A recent survey showed that X percent of respondents ranked getting rich as their top priority , compared to X percent only a few years ago . Why do people fail to realize that wealth does not necessarily bring happiness ?

近年来出现了对社会有害的拜金主义倾向。最近的一项调查表明，X%的调查对象把致富作为他们的首选，相比之下，就在几年前，只有X%的人这样想。为什么人们没能意识到财富不一定带来幸福呢?

Some months ago , a friend of mine was killed in a tragic automobile accident involving a drunk driver . The incident was far from rare , and was in fact typical of thousands of cases involving people dricing under the influence of alcohol .

几个月前，我的一个朋友死于一场与酒后驾车有关的悲惨车祸。这件事情一点儿也不罕见，事实上是数以千计的案件的典型，这些案件与在酒精作用下开车的人有关。

I recently read a newspaper article on the rampant spread of child abuse . The deplorable problem of the widespread abuse of innocent children has aroused public concern nationwide .

最近，我在报纸上读到一篇关于虐待儿童现象变得猖獗的文章。普遍虐待无辜儿童的问题令人深感遗憾，它已经引起了全国公众的关注。

Should parents spare the rod and spoil the child ? Opinions concerning strict parental discipline vary widely . Some view strict discipline as nothing more than a form of abuse , while others argue it is an essential factor for instilling appropriate social behavior .

家长应不应该闲了棍子、惯了孩子?针对严厉的家教的看法大相径庭。有的人就是把严厉的管教看成一种虐待，而另外的人认为这是逐渐灌输得体的社会行为的要素。

What do you think of the increasing openness accompanying the ongoing sexual revolution ? Do you ever fantasize ? Answers to these questions should be based on a determination between appropriate and inappropriate behavior .

你如何看待对现在的性革命越来越开放的态度?你曾经想像过吗?回答这些问题之前应先界定得体和不得体的行为。

Why do some governments persist in spending billions of dollars on space exploration when starvation and poverty continue to grip many countries throughout the world ? This particular question is being raised by an ever increasing number of people .

既然世界上许多国家仍被饥饿和贫困所困扰，为什么有的政府还坚持花费数十亿美元用于太空探索?现在越来越多的人提出这个问题。

Judging from the reams of evidence presented , we can safely conclude that the Three Gorges Project will change the lives of an untold number of people forever .

根据现有的大量证据，我们可以有把握地得出这样的结论：三峡工程将永远改变无数人的生活。

The ample evidence presented enables us to reasonably conclude that the scourge of AIDS will be brought under control in the foreseeable future .

提出的充分证据使我们能够合理地得出这样的结论：艾滋病的祸害在可预见的将来就能得到控制。

We must seek immediate solutions for problems leading to the rapid depletion of the earths ozone layer . If allowed to proceed unchecked , the problem will undoubtedly exacerbate global warming and threaten life as we know it today .

我们必须寻求立即解决引起地球臭氧层快速损耗的问题的办法。如果任其自由发展，这一问题无疑会加剧全球升温，并且正如今天我们所知道的那样危及生命。

Quite obviously , immediate action is needed to extricate 80 million Chinese people from the grips of poverty in order to remove the danger of social unrest and ensure continuing stability .

很明显，需要立即采取行动使八千万中国人摆脱贫困，从而消除社会动荡的危险，确保持续的稳定。