全新版大学英语第二版综合教程2课文译文.docx

Unit 1One way of summarizing the American position is to state that we value originality and independence more than the Chinese do. The contrast between our two cultures can also be seen in terms of the fears we both harbor. Chinese teachers are fearful that if skills are not acquired early, they may never be acquired; there is, on the other hand, no comparable hurry to promote creativity. American educators fear that unless creativity has been acquired early, it may never emerge; on the other hand, skills can be picked up later.美国人的立场可以概括起来这么说，我们比中国人更重视创新和自立。

我们两种文化的差异也可以从我们各自所怀的忧虑中显示出来中国老师担心，如果年轻人不及早掌握技艺，就有可能一辈子掌握不了；另一方面，他们并不同样地急于促进创造力的发展美国教育工作者则担心，除非从一开始就发展创造力，不然创造力就有可能永不再现；而另一方面，技艺可于日后获得However, I do not want to overstate my case. There is enormous creativity to be found in Chinese scientific, technological and artistic innovations past and present. And there is a danger of exaggerating creative breakthroughs in the West. When any innovation is examined closely, its reliance on previous achievements is all too apparent (the "standing on the shoulders of giants" phenomenon).但我并不想夸大其辞。

无论在过去还是在当今，中国在科学、技术和艺术革新方面都展示了巨大的创造力而西方的创新突破则有被夸大的危险如果仔细审视任何一项创新，其对以往成就的依赖则都显而易见(“站在巨人肩膀之上”的现象)But assuming that the contrast I have developed is valid, and that the fostering of skills and creativity are both worthwhile goals, the important question becomes this: Can we gather, from the Chinese and American extremes, a superior way to approach education, perhaps striking a better balance between the poles of creativity and basic skills?    然而，假定我这里所说的反差是成立的，而培养技艺与创造力两者都是值得追求的目标，那么重要的问题就在于：我们能否从中美两个极端中寻求一种更好的教育方式，它或许能在创造力与基本技能这两极之间获得某种较好的平衡?Unit 2Yet I feel nothing more than a passing whim to attain the material things so many other people have. My 1999 car shows the wear and tear of 105,000 miles. But it is still dependable. My apartment is modest, but quiet and relaxing. My clothes are well suited to my work, which is primarily outdoors. My minimal computer needs can be met at the library.然而，想要得到其他那么多人都有的物质的东西，对我来说，只不过是转瞬即逝的念头而已。

我的汽车是1999年的产品，到现在开了十万五千英里，已经很破很旧了，但是它依然可靠我的住房不大，但是很安静，住着挺舒心我的衣服很适合于我的工作，主要都在户外我对计算机的很少的需求，可以在图书馆得到解决In spite of what I don't have, I don't feel poor. Why? I've enjoyed exceptionally good health for 53 years. It's not just that I've been illness-free, it's that I feel vigorous and spirited. Exercising is actually fun for me. I look forward to long, energizing walks. And I love the "can do" attitude that follows尽管有些东西我没有，我并不感到贫穷这是为什么？五十三年来我一直非常健康我不但不生病，而且精力充沛，情绪饱满锻炼对我而言是确确实实的快事，我乐意长距离步行，越走越有劲我喜爱步行后随之产生的一种“什么都干得了”的心态。

I also cherish the gift of creativity. When I write a beautiful line of poetry, or fabricate a joke that tickles someone, I feel rich inside. I'm continually surprised at the insights that come through my writing process. And talking with so many interesting writer friends is one of my main sources of enjoyment我还十分珍惜我的创作才能当我写出美丽的诗句或编造出能把人逗乐的笑话时，我内心感到很富有通过写作而获得的洞察力，不断地令我惊奇而与那么多写作朋友交谈，是我乐趣的主要源泉之一Unit 4I'd never realized how important daily routine is: dressing for work, sleeping normal hours. I'd never thought I relied so much on co-workers for company. I began to understand why long-term unemployment can be so damaging, why life without an externally supported daily plan can lead to higher rates of drug abuse, crime, suicide以前我从未意识到日常的生活起居是多么重要，如穿戴整齐去上班，按时就寝。

以前我从未想过自己会那么依赖同事做伴我开始理解为什么长时间的失业会那么伤人，为什么一个人的生活缺少了外部支持的日常计划就会导致吸毒、犯罪、自杀率的增长To restore balance to my life, I force myself back into the real world. I call people, arrange to meet with the few remaining friends who haven't fled New York City. I try to at least get to the gym, so as to set apart the weekend from the rest of my week. I arrange interviews for stories, doctor's appointments — anything to get me out of the house and connected with others.为了恢复生活的平衡，我强迫自己回到真实世界中去我给别人打，与所剩无几的仍然住在纽约城的几个朋友安排见面。

我至少设法去去健身房，以便使周末与工作日有所不同我安排采访好写报道，预约看医生——安排任何需要我出门与他人接触的活动But sometimes being face to face is too much. I see a friend and her ringing laughter is intolerable — the noise of conversation in the restaurant, unbearable. I make my excuses and flee. I re-enter my apartment and run to the computer as though it were a place of safety.但有时面对面地与人相处实在难以忍受我与一位朋友见面，她那种响亮的笑声让人忍无可忍——饭店里的噪杂谈话声也让人受不了我找了个藉口逃之夭夭我重新回到我的公寓，冲向电脑，似乎那儿才是一个安全的地方I click on the modem, the once-annoying sound of the connection now as pleasant as my favorite tune. I enter my password. The real world disappears我点击鼠标，打开调制解调器，曾经听了就烦的连接声此刻听起来就如同最心爱的曲子那么悦耳。

我键入密码真实世界转瞬便消逝了Unit 5The runway felt different this time. It startled him for a brief moment. Then it all hit him like a wet bale of hay. The bar was set at nine inches higher than his personal best. That's only one inch off the National record, he thought. The intensity of the moment filled his mind with anxiety. He began shaking the tension. It wasn't working. He became more tense. Why was this happening to him now, he thought. He began to get nervous. Afr。