英語必讀美文
隨着全球經濟一體化和科技的迅猛發展,英語作爲國際語言在現代社會中發揮着越來越重要的作用。下面是本站小編帶來的英語經典美文精選，歡迎閱讀!
KEVIN BRANDLEYS BIG INVESTMENT: PEOPLE
About 12 years ago， Kevin Bradley was on his way to the top. The young American stockbroker had a successful career， a comfortable salary and a promising future.
Then he gave it all up. He quit his job and walked away from his career. No， he didn't burn out， like so many other people in his fast-paced profession. He simply found a more important job-helping the poor ， more than a decade later， hundreds of families have been given a brighter future because of Bradley's help.
Bradley is no stranger to success. In high school， he was a star athlete. After graduating from college with a degree in economics， he went to work at a large investment firm. He was one of the youngest stockbrokers ever employed by that firm. But just as his career was taking off， something began to happen in his heart. He felt himself being drawn to the poor and homeless. He saw them each day as he walked to work. He often stopped to talk and buy them breakfast.
After four years at the investment firm， Bradley made a radical decision. He decided to start helping the poor people he had come to care about. Bradley believed he could make a difference by bringing his financial knowledge to those who needed it most.
In 1991， he quit his job and created the Community Outreach Center (now called the Arrow Outreach Foundation)。 This non-profit organization helps the poor get back on their feet and become productive citizens. It teaches them how to discover their potential and develop successful careers.
In the beginning， times were tough for Bradley. Because he no longer earned an income， he and his family lived off of their savings. At times， they had less food in their house than some of the people Bradley was helping.
Now， Bradley's Outreach Foundation enjoys phenomenal success. Hundreds of people have graduated from the foundation's employment-skills training course. About 75 percent of those graduates found jobs immediately.
The foundation also receives plenty of support from corporate sponsors. And Bradley， the former stockbroker， continues to invest wisely-in people's lives.
英語經典美文精選篇二Do birthdays really make people happy
Happy birthday! Do birthdays really make people happy? Of course they do. Birthdays celebrate the day we were born. Moreover, that extra candle on the cake represents another year of growth and maturity-or so we hope. We all like to imagine that we're getting wiser and not just older. Most of us enjoy observing the miracle of growth in others, as well. For instance, seeing our children develop and learn new things makes us feel proud. For Americans, like people in most cultures, growing up is a wonderful process. But growing old? That's a different story.
生日快樂!生日真能使人快樂嗎?這是當然的啊，慶生是慶祝我們來到世上的日子，除此之外，蛋糕上多加一支蠟燭也代表了另一年的成長與成熟——或者說至少我們希望能如此。我們都喜歡想象着自己能夠越來越有智能，而不只是變老，我們大部份人也同時較喜歡觀察別人成長的奇蹟。例如：看到我們的孩子長大並學習新的事物使我們感到驕傲。而對美國人而言，就像大部份其它文化中的人們一樣，長大是一個美好的歷程，但是變老呢?那可就是另外一回事了。
Growing old is not exactly pleasant for people in youth-oriented American culture. Most Americans like to look young, act young and feel young. As the old saying goes, “You're as young as you feel.” Older people joke about how many years young they are, rather than how many years old. People in some countries value the aged as a source of experience and wisdom. But Americans seem to favor those that are young, or at least “young at heart.”
在美國這個以年輕人爲中心的社會中，老化對人們而言並不是一件愉快的事，大部份的美國人都希望自己看起來年輕、行動年輕、並且感覺年輕，如一句古老的名言說：「你感覺自己有多年輕，你就有多年輕。」老年人說自己的年齡時常開玩笑說自己是多少 years young，而不說多少 years old .某些文化中的人視老年人爲經驗與智能的資源，可是美國人似乎比較喜歡年輕人，或者至少是「心裏年輕」的人。
Many older Americans find the “golden years” to be anything but golden. Economically, “senior citizens” often struggle just to get by. Retirement-typically at age 65-brings a sharp decrease in personal income. Social Security benefits usually cannot make up the difference. Older people may suffer from poor nutrition, medical care and housing. Some even experience age discrimination. In 1987, American sociologist Pat Moore dressed up like an older person and wandered city streets. She was often treated rudely-even cheated and robbed. However, dressed as a young person, she received much more respect. Of course, not all elderly Americans have such negative experiences. But old age does present unique challenges.
許多美國的老年人覺得他們的「黃金年代」一點都不黃金。在經濟上來說，老年人常是掙扎着勉強度日。退休——通常在六十五歲的時候——使個人收入驟減，而社會保障制度的福利並不能補足差額，老年人常遭遇營養、醫療照顧、和居住環境的問題。有些人甚至曾經碰到年齡歧視的問題，在一九八七年有一位美國的社會學家派特?摩爾裝扮成老人在街上游蕩，結果人們多半對她很粗魯，甚至騙她或搶她的東西，可是當她穿著年輕時，人們就對她尊重多了。當然也不是所有的美國老人家都有這樣糟糕的經驗，不過年紀大確實會遭遇一些特別的挑戰。
Ironically, the elderly population in America is expanding-fast. Why? People are living longer. Fewer babies are being born. And middle-aged “baby boomers” are rapidly entering the ranks of the elderly. America may soon be a place where wrinkles are “in.” Marketing experts are already focusing on this growing group of consumers. And even now the elderly have a great deal of political power. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), with over 30 million members, has a strong voice in Washington.
而很不幸偏偏美國老年人口又正在擴增中——很快速地擴增，爲什麼呢?因爲現在的人越來越長命，嬰孩的出生卻減少，而當初在嬰兒潮時出生現在是中年人的很快地就要進入老年階段了，美國恐怕馬上會成爲一個皺紋「很流行」的國度。行銷專家們已經開始注意這羣人口持續增加中的消費者，而這羣老年人現今甚至在政治上也相當有力，因爲美國退休人員協會擁有超過三千萬的會員，對華盛頓具相當的影響力。
A common stereotype of older Americans is that they are usually “put away” in nursing homes and forgotten about. Actually, only about 5 percent live in some type of institution. More than half of those 65 or older live with or near at least one of their children. The vast majority of the elderly live alone and take care of themselves. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 75 percent own their own homes. Over a million senior adults live in retirement communities. These provide residents with meals, recreation, companionship, medical care and a safe environment.
一般人對美國老人家的刻板印象是被「遣送到」養護院去，然後被人遺忘。然而事實上，只有百分之五的人住在此類機構中，超過半數的六十五或六十五歲以上老人，是與孩子同住或住在其中一個孩子的附近。絕大部份的老年人是自己住並自己照顧自己的，根據美國戶口調查局的統計，他們百分之七十五擁有自己的房子，超過一百萬名老年人住在退休者的社區中，這些社區爲其居民提供飲食、娛樂、友誼、醫療照顧、以及安全的環境。
Despite the challenges they face, Americans in their “twilight years” generally refuse to give up on life. They find a variety of ways to keep themselves active. To help them stay in shape, they may join mall walkers clubs, fitness programs and even the “Senior Olympics.” They can enjoy hours of entertainment at senior centers and adult amusement parks. Many enroll in continuing education programs to maintain their mental skills. For Americans, if you're going to grow old, you might as well do it gracefully.
縱然他們遭遇挑戰，處在遲暮之年的美國老年人通常還是不願意放棄他們的生活，他們尋求各種不同的方法使自己更有活力，爲了保持強健的身體狀況，他們參加購物中心的競走俱樂部、健身課程、甚至奧林匹克老人運動會。他們可以在老人中心和成人公園裏逍遙好幾個小時，許多人報名參加延伸制教育以維續他們的心智技能。如果你是將要進入老年期的美國人，你也可以優雅地做做這些活動
英語經典美文精選篇三Travel 美國旅遊風尚
It's summertime, and the livin' is easy. For many Americans, this is the season to travel. Why? Because school is out. Because the weather is great. And most of all, because we all deserve a break. When Americans take a break, they often head for their favorite vacation spot.
夏天到了，生活很愜意。對很多美國人來說，這是個旅遊的季節，爲什麼?因爲學校放假，因爲天氣很好，但最重要的是，休個假是我們所應得的。美國人休假時經常會去他們最喜歡的渡假地點。
Throughout their history, Americans have been people on the move. The early immigrants had to travel to get to the New World. Once they arrived, they settled along the East Coast. But they weren't content to stay there. Explorers and traders journeyed to the unknown western territories. Later, settlers moved west to develop these new areas. As a result of this westward migration, Americans eventually occupied the whole continent-from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put. Research says that the average American moves every five years.
縱觀整個歷史，美國人一直是個遷移的民族。早期的移民者必須長途跋涉才能抵達新大陸，他們一到達就沿着東岸定居，但卻不滿於長居那地，冒險家和商人旅行至未知的西部地區。稍後，移民者也向西遷移去開發這些新地區。由於向西遷移，美國人最後佔據了整塊新大陸——從大西洋到太平洋。即使到今天，美國人似乎仍然無法在一地久居。根據研究，美國人平均每五年要搬一次家。
Besides their habit of changing addresses, Americans are used to traveling. Some people make long-distance commutes to work daily. Their jobs may even require them to take frequent business trips. Most companies provide an annual vacation for their employees, and people often use that time to travel. Some people just visit friends or relatives in distant states. Others go on low-budget weekend excursions and stay in economy motels. Those with more expensive tastes choose luxurious resorts and hotels. Camping out in the great outdoors appeals to adventurous types. Some travel in recreational vehicles (RVs) to camp out in comfort, while others “rough it” by sleeping in tents.
除了搬家的習慣以外，美國人也很習慣旅行。有些人每天上下班得做長距離的通勤，工作上甚至經常需要因公旅行。大部分的公司每年會提供年假給員工，人們通常會利用這段時間去旅行。有些人去遠一點的別州拜訪朋友或親戚，有些則在週末有個經濟的小假期，並住在花費不高的旅館裏。品味較昂貴的人選擇豪華的渡假地點和飯店;絕佳的戶外露營則吸引冒險型的人。有些人開着旅行車出遊，以舒適的方式露營;有些人則睡帳篷嘗試野外生活。
Most Americans prefer to travel within their nation's borders. Why? For one thing, it's cheaper than traveling abroad, and there's no language problem. But besides that, the vast American territory offers numerous tourist attractions. Nature lovers can enjoy beaches, mountains, canyons, lakes and a wealth of natural wonders. Major cities offer visitors a multitude of urban delights. The convenience of modern freeways, railways and airplanes makes travel in America as easy as pie.
大部分美國人比較喜歡在國內旅遊，爲什麼呢?其中一個原因是，國內旅遊比國外旅遊便宜，也沒有語言不通的問題。但除此原因以外，佔地極廣的美國國土提供了許多能吸引遊客的地點。愛好大自然的人可以到海灘、山上、峽谷、湖泊和很多大自然奇景地區遊覽。大城市也提供給遊客們很多都市型態的娛樂。現代高速公路、鐵路和飛機使得在美國旅行很容易。
Many American vacations are as unique as the people who take them. Families often plan their trips with the kids in mind. More and more “family friendly” vacation resorts offer special programs for children. History buffs seek out famous historical sites and museums. Environmentalists prefer “green vacations.” These trips allow them to observe flora and fauna up-close without disturbing the sensitive balance of nature. Some people find sea cruises relaxing and refreshing. Others hit the water to go fishing, skiing or white-water rafting. Daring souls get the thrill of a lifetime on trekking expeditions and safaris in remote places from Africa to Asia.
很多美國假期非常特別，和參與此種假期的人一樣特別。全家出遊時通常會將孩子考慮在內，有愈來愈多「適合全家出遊」的渡假地點爲孩子提供特別的活動。對歷史有興趣的人會找一些著名的歷史據點和博物館。有環保意識的人喜歡「環保假期」，這樣的旅行使他們能近距離觀察動植物，並且不會擾亂了大自然敏感的生態平衡。有些人覺得海上旅遊能使心情放鬆並感到清爽，有些人則到水邊釣魚、滑水或泛舟。膽子大的人到亞洲和非洲去探險狩獵作長途旅行，享受一輩子難得一次的刺激。
Americans aren't the only people in the world who travel. International business, mass communication and jet airplanes have created a world of globetrotters. People all over the world enjoy going abroad to travel. And no matter where they live, people enjoy visiting scenic spots in their own country. But being on the go makes Americans what they are： people on the move. In America, almost every-body is a tourist sometime.
美國人不是世上唯一愛旅行的人。國際企業、大衆傳播與噴射機創造了一個環遊世界者的世紀。全世界的人都喜歡到海外旅遊，不管住在那裏，人們都喜歡去造訪自己國家內風景優美的地區。不過好動的本性使美國人變成今天的模樣：成爲愛遷移的人。在美國，幾乎每個人都有旅遊的經驗
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