26. 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。
27. 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。
28. 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？
29. 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。
30. 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。
31. 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？
32. 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。
33. 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。
34. 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。
35. 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。
36. 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。
37. 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。
38. 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。
39. We must seek immediate solutions for problems leading to the rapid depletion of the earth's 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。
40. 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。
41. China needs to reexamine the results of political and social modernization in order to ascertain the benefits and indeed the detrimental aspects from a new perspective . Otherwise , various perceived accomplishments might in fact prove to be far from beneficial .中国需要重新检查政治和社会现代化带来的结果以便从新的角度明确它们的好处，甚至是有害的方面。否则，许多我们以为取得的成就实际上可能完全不会带来好处。
42. It is essential to heed warnings of potentially catastrophic consequences associated with the Year 2000 computer bug and , in turn , to attach top priority to finding effective solutions to ensure a smooth transition into the new century .我们必须注意有关计算机千年虫可能带来的灾难性结果的警告，并且相应地优先考虑寻找有效的解决办法以确保顺利过渡到新世纪。
43. It is high time we put an end to the deplorable practice of infanticide.我们早该杜绝杀婴这种应遭谴责的做法。
44. There is little doubt that immediate action is required to eliminate the scourge of corruption once and forever .毫无疑问，必须立即采取行动彻底消除腐败的祸害。
45. In short , we must work diligently to make the world a better place for coming generations . We must not persist in pursuits harmful to the environment .简而言之，我们必须勤奋工作，为了下一代把世界变成更美好的地方。我们不应该坚持对环境有害的追求。
46. We must avoid overindulgence and conspicuous consumption . We must instead continue to recognize the benefits of thrift in order to protect our newfound prosperity .我们必须避免过分放纵和铺张浪费。相反，我们应该继续发扬节俭的优点以守护我们新获得的繁荣。
47. It is absolutely essential to reverse the irrational misuse of nonrenewable resources . For example , fuel-efficient motor vehicles must be developed to reduce oil consumption and alternative energy sources must be found to replace coal .彻底改变对不可再生资源的非理性滥用是绝对有必要的。例如，必须开发节能的机动车减少汽油的消耗量，并且必须找到可替代能源取代煤。
48. While achieving success is easier said than done , persistence does in fact pay off . One of the most important traits of a successful person is self-confidence , another is desire , and still another is determination .获得成功说起来比做起来容易，然而坚持不懈确实会有好结果。成功人士的最重要的特征之一是自信，第二是渴望，还有一个是决心。
49. Recognizing a problem is the first step in finding a solution .认识到问题是找到解决办法的第一步。
50. Many of the explanations offered thus far are at least to a certain extent valid , but none fully address the problem and the issue must be examined in a wider context .目前提供的许多解释至少在一定程度上是正确的，但是，没有一个解释能完全处理问题，这件事情必须放在更广阔的背景中考虑。
