翻译

和远方的朋友保持联系不是一件容易的事。对我来说，情形就是这样。

离开旧街区和那里的朋友们已有几年了。我一直打算给他们写信，可是总有这样那样的事儿，似乎就是抽不出空。现在可以说我与他们失去联系了。但是我一直记挂着他们，我想我今后也一定会努力与他们保持通信联系的。

It is not easy to keep in touch with friends when they are far away. This is certainly true in my case.

It has been a couple of years since I left my old neighborhood and all the friends I had there. I've been meaning to write to them but something or other comes up and I just don't seem to find the time. Now I have kind of lost touch with them. They are always on my mind, however, and I think I will certainly make an effort to keep up correspondence with them in future.

Unit 3

很难想象我们的先辈们(forefathers)没有现代技术带来的这么多方便(conveniences)那日子是怎么过的。那个时候只有一小部分人享受一些舒适条件(comforts)。大部分人连饭都吃不饱，更不要说(not to speak of)接受教育的特权了。然而，许多人责怪现代技术，说它带来了很多问题。他们想减慢进步的速度。但是谁也不能阻止时代的前进。我们能做的是就技术向哪个方向发展做出明智的决定。

It is hard to imagine how our forefathers could do without so many conveniences that modern technology has brought about. Back then only a small proportion of the population enjoyed some comforts. The majority didn't even have sufficient food, not to speak of/ let alone the privilege of being educated. However, many people blame modern technology for the problems it has created. They want to slow down the rate of progress. But no one can put the clock back. The best we can do is to make informed decisions as to the direction in which technology is to develop.

Unit 4

托尼大学毕业后决定自己开业。一开始好多家银行都拒绝了他的贷款要求。但他毫不泄气，继续一个个拜访银行家寻求帮助。有一位银行家被他的决心和乐观精神所打动，最终答应贷款给他。如今他成了一位富商。在谈到所取得的令人惊奇的成就时，托尼强调了创造机遇而不是等待机遇的重要性。

After graduating from college, Tony decided to start his own business. At the beginning, many a bank turned down his request for a loan. But he was not a bit discouraged, and continued to call on one banker after another seeking help. Impressed by his determination and optimism, one banker finally agreed to loan him the money. Now he has become a wealthy businessman. Talking about his amazing achievement, Tony puts great emphasis on the importance of creating, rather than waiting for opportunities.

Unit 5

李大伯自己虽然并不富裕，但在别人需要帮助时他从不犹豫。退休前他从希望工

程那里得到两个家境贫穷但渴望求学的农村孩子的地址。此后他定期给他们汇款。这两个孩子后来都考上了大学，还获得了海外留学的机会。他们常常思念李大伯，一直跟他通信。每次重读他们的来信，李大伯就会脸绽笑容。他觉得这是自己一生最理智的投资。

Not rich himself, Uncle Li never hesitates to help others. Previous to/ Before his retirement, through Project Hope helocated the addresses of two country kids who grew up in poor families but has a keen desire to study. From then on he sent them money regulaly. Later the two made their way to college, and even got a chance to study overseas. They often thought of Uncle Li and kept corresponding with him. Whenever he read their letters, Uncle Li's face would broaden into a smile. He felt this to be the most sensible investment in his life.

Unit 5

1我不太清楚哪儿你能找个好木工（carpenter）--你最好四处打听。（ask around）I’m not sure where you can find a good carpenter—you’d better ask around.

2.他感到有点尴尬，赶紧清了清喉咙，抬头看着墙上的画。（embarrass）Feeling a little embarrassed, he quickly cleared his throat and looked up at the painting on the wall.

3.迈克尔去世了，留下了三个儿子，两个女儿和妻子伊丽莎白。（survive）Michael was survived by three sons, two daughters, and his wife Elizabeth.

4. 作为金融专家，威廉建议我们投资股票市场。（stock）

As a financial expert, William advised us to invest our money in the stock market.

5. 我们这些小零售商（retailer）无法和超市在价格和销售等方面竞争。（compete）

We small retailers can’t compete with supermarkets in pricing and sales.

Passage:

My dad is a hard-working executive of a manufacturing firm.

He works six days a week.

Every day he has to straighten out various kinds of problems so that he often stays up late/nights.

However, he tries his best to balance/maintain a balance between work and family.

On Sundays my dad usually stays at home and cares for us as much as he can.

To my greatest joy, he cooks our favorite dishes and plays ball with us.

Unit 6

1. 我上大学之前，祖父对我说的那几句充满智慧的话给我留下深刻印象。（wisdom）

Before I went off to university, my grandfather gave me a few words of wisdom which impressed me deeply.