1.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。
　　These days we often hear aboutthe widening gap between the rich and poor.Some arguethe developed world has totally ignored the problem. But has it?Close examination fails to bear out the argument.

　　2.我们经常被告知世界处于毁灭的边缘。但事实真是这样吗?
　　We’re often told thatthe world is tethering on the brink of destruction.But is this really the case?

　　3.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。
　　One of the most serious problems many people talk about centers onthe lack of adequate housing space.

　　4.也许当今困扰国家的最Σ险的现象是遍布各级政府的官员。
　　Perhaps the most dangerous phenomenon gripping the nation today isofficial corruption, which is pervasive in all levels of government.

　　5.世界上越来越多的人认识到加强环境保护的必要性。
　　There is a growing worldwide awareness ofthe need for strengthened environmental protection.

　　6.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。
　　Traditional ways of thinking have changed dramatically. The pendulum has swungand people are exhibiting greater open-mindedness and a burning desire to determine their own destiny.

　　7.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ô人们û能意识到财富不一定带来幸福呢?
　　There has beenundesirabletrend in recent years towardsthe worship of money.A recent survey showed that X percent of respondents rankedgetting richas their top priority, compared to X percent only a few years ago. Why do people fail to realize thatwealth does not necessarily bring happiness?

　　8.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。
　　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 casesinvolving people driving under the influence of alcohol.

　　9.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。
　　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.

　　10.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。
　　We must avoidoverindulgence and conspicuous consumption.We must insteadcontinue to recognize the benefits of thrift in order to protect our newfound prosperity.

　　11.为什ô越来越多的中国老人不和他们的孩子住在一起?原因之一是年轻一代的上进心增强了。另一个原因是社会上老人的机会增加了。然而，主要的原因可能是传统观念发生了巨大变化。
　　Why are an increasing number of elderly Chinese parents living apart from their children?One reason isthe increasing upward mobility of the younger generation.Another isexpanding social opportunities for the elderly.Perhaps the main reason, however, centers ondramatic changes in traditional concepts.

　　12.什ô引发了人们对锻炼越来越浓的兴趣?一方面，人们更加清楚地意识到保持身体健康的必要性。另一方面，不断提高的生活水平使中国人能够支付增加的娱乐支出。最主要的可能在于锻炼带来的保健和心理上的好处。
　　What has sparked the increasing interest inexercise?For one thing, people have gained a greater awareness of the need for physical fitness.For another, the constantly improving standard of living enables Chinese people to patronize the increasing number of recreational venues.The main thing perhaps centers onthe healthcare and psychological benefits exercise provides.

　　13.要找到涉及许多复杂因素的新现象的原因远非一件易事。例如，一些科学家把环境的恶化归结为一些自然因素，而另一些人把责任都推到人类不适当的行为上。
　　Identifying the reasons for an emerging phenomenon which involves several complicated factors is far from an easy task. For example, somescientistsattributeenvironmental deteriorationtoa series of natural factors,while others place the blame solely oninappropriate human behavior.

　　14.对上升的少年自杀率的解释涉及很多复杂的因素。有的人把上升的原因归结为过分强调少年时期的成功，有的人指出是因为不断增长的同伴之间的压力，还有人认为是对不断变化的社会价值的迷ã造成的。
　　The explanation for the phenomenon ofthe rising teenage suicide rateinvolves many complicated factors. Some attributethe risetoan overemphasis on early success,others point tomounting peer pressure,and still others toconfusion over changing social values.

　　15.儿童的发展取决于很多因素，包括生理的和心理的。从婴儿期到青春期的正确的家长教育决定一个成熟的个人的体质及智力的状况。
　　Child developmentdepends on a number of factors, bothphysicalandpsychological. Correct parental nurturing from infancy through adolescencedetermines boththe physicalandmental profile of a mature individual.