1. When asked about the ongoing uproar involving U.S. President Bill Clinton , most people say the affair involves a purely private matter . But many other people regard his actions as deplorable . I personally think the president committed impeachable offences

　　当被问及对现在有关美国总统比尔·克林顿的沸沸扬扬的议论有什么看法时，大多数人认为这种暧昧关系纯属私事。但是，还有很多人认为他的行为应当受到谴责。我个人认为总统犯了这些过错，应该被指控。

　　2. 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 vehicles.

　　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。

　　3. 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。

　　4. 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。

　　5. 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。

　　6. 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。

　　7. 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？

　　8. 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。

　　9. 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。

　　10. 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？

　　11. 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。

　　12. 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。

　　13. 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。

　　14. 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。

　　15. 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。

(责任编辑：李静玉)