reading：Buying a House
John and Linda are worried about their future. They both have good jobs, but they are concerned about the economy. Of the two of them, Linda is the most worried. She wants the security of owning her own home. Her husband disagrees. As a result, they often fight about money. They live in a nice apartment, but the rent goes up every year. So now they are trying to decide whether or not to buy a house.
約翰和琳達擔心他們的未來酝锅。他們都有好工作弱恒，但他們關(guān)心經(jīng)濟坷牛。其中校摩，琳達最擔心。她想要擁有自己家的安全感遂唧。她丈夫不同意盲泛。因此霞扬，他們經(jīng)常為錢而爭吵。他們住在一套漂亮的公寓里翼闹，但租金每年都上漲斑鼻。所以現(xiàn)在他們正試圖決定是否買房。
Linda wants to buy a house, but John is against the idea. He thinks prices are too high, and he doesn't want to be trapped. If they owned a house, it would be more difficult to move somewhere else if things changed. For example, what would happen if he lost his job??If he lost his job, they might want to move to another city or country.?If they owned a home or flat, it would be more difficult to move.?If they decided to move, they would probably have to sell.?If prices had risen, they would be okay.?In fact, they might even make a profit. However, if prices were down when they had to sell, they would lose money.
琳達想買房子猎荠，但約翰反對這個主意坚弱。他認為價格太高，他不想被困住关摇。如果他們有房子，如果情況發(fā)生變化，搬到別的地方會更困難杠氢。例如昂勉，如果他失業(yè)了會怎么樣？如果他失業(yè)了宪睹，他們可能想搬到另一個城市或國家去愁茁。如果他們有房子或公寓，搬家會更困難横堡。如果他們決定搬家埋市，他們可能不得不賣掉。如果價格上漲了命贴，就沒問題了道宅。事實上，他們甚至可以盈利胸蛛。然而污茵，如果價格下跌時，他們不得不出售葬项，他們會賠錢泞当。
Last week John got some bad news.?His company is downsizing and moving its head office to another city.?It's moving because it can no longer afford to do business where they are now. Expenses are too high, especially salaries, so it's more difficult to compete with other companies. In fact, several other companies will be moving out too. Office space is expensive in the area, along with the cost of living for employees. As a result, it's becoming more difficult to hire good employees.?Nobody wants to live there unless their salary can support a good standard of living.
上周約翰有個壞消息。他的公司正在裁員民珍，并將總部遷往另一個城市襟士。它在移動盗飒，因為它再也負擔不起現(xiàn)在的業(yè)務了。費用太高陋桂，尤其是工資逆趣，所以與其他公司競爭更為困難。事實上嗜历，其他幾家公司也將遷出宣渗。這個地區(qū)的辦公空間很貴，員工的生活費也很貴梨州。因此痕囱，雇傭優(yōu)秀員工變得越來越困難。沒有人愿意住在那里暴匠，除非他們的工資能維持良好的生活水平鞍恢。
With all of these changes, John thinks there's a good chance that he will be transferred to the new head office. This could happen fairly soon.?If so, it would be foolish to buy a house at this time.?Linda still disagrees about buying a house, but she is willing to wait a year to see what happens. She hopes that they won't have to move, but they may have to unless John is willing to change companies. She would prefer not to move, because she doesn't want to lose her job.
有了這些變化，約翰認為他很有可能被調(diào)到新的總公司巷查。這可能很快就會發(fā)生有序。如果是這樣的話，在這個時候買房是愚蠢的岛请。琳達仍然不同意買房旭寿，但她愿意等一年看看會發(fā)生什么事。她希望他們不必搬家崇败，但除非約翰愿意改變公司盅称，否則他們可能不得不搬家。她寧愿不搬家后室，因為她不想失業(yè)缩膝。
Now they have to consider what they'll do if he's transferred.?John has to decide whether or not he should begin to look for a new company.?If he?could?find another job in the area, it?would?put?less stress on his wife. If they stay and can wait for a while, maybe housing prices will begin to come down. If prices don't come down, then he and his wife will continue to disagree about buying a house. Sooner or later they are going to have to make a decision and stop fighting about it.
現(xiàn)在他們得考慮如果他被調(diào)走了他們會怎么做。約翰必須決定是否應該開始尋找一家新公司岸霹。如果他能在這個地區(qū)找到另一份工作疾层，他妻子的壓力就會減輕。如果他們留下來等一段時間贡避，也許房價會開始下降痛黎。如果房價不降下來，那么他和妻子在買房的問題上會繼續(xù)存在分歧刮吧。他們遲早會做出決定湖饱，不再為之爭吵。
Dialogue : AI Girlfriend
Are you having any luck finding a new girlfriend?
No, I'm not. I haven't found anyone I like.?So far they are all?after my money and a fancy lifestyle.?What will happen to?real love?
I don't know. The same thought has occurred to me lately. I'm afraid I'm becoming a bit of?a cynic.
I was just reading about some new robots called AIs.?They have artificial intelligence or AI.
Yes, AIs. I've heard about it, and they've been in some movies too.
你找到新女朋友了嗎杀捻？
不井厌，我沒有。我沒找到我喜歡的人。到目前為止仅仆，他們都在追求我的錢和奢侈的生活方式器赞。真愛會怎樣？
我不知道蝇恶。最近我也有同樣的想法拳魁。恐怕我有點憤世嫉俗了撮弧。
我剛看到到一些被稱為AI的新機器人。他們有人工智能或人工智能姚糊。
是的贿衍，AI。我聽說過救恨，他們也出現(xiàn)在電影中贸辈。
Evidently, these new AIs can be very attractive companions. What do you think about that?
You must be kidding! Relating to a smart robot? It sounds sick to me.
I don't know, maybe not. I wonder what it would be like to have an AI girlfriend.?Maybe you could program it to be like your dream woman.
A dream woman, hoho.?Well, it's an interesting idea but hard to imagine the reality. I guess it could be fun for a while, but then it would get boring, don't you think?
For sure, no real emotion.?Everything would be mechanical and artificial, even the language!?There wouldn't be a soul inside, just an empty machine.
顯然，這些新的AI可以是非常有吸引力的朋友肠槽。你覺得怎么樣擎淤？
你一定在開玩笑吧！與智能機器人戀愛秸仙？聽上去很惡心嘴拢。
我不知道，也許不是吧寂纪。我想知道有一個人工智能女朋友會是什么樣子席吴。也許你可以把它編程成你的夢中情人。
夢中情人捞蛋，呵呵孝冒。好吧，這是一個有趣的想法拟杉，但很難想象實現(xiàn)是怎么樣庄涡。我想，有段時間會很有趣搬设，但之后會很無聊穴店，你不覺得嗎？
當然焕梅，沒有真正的感情迹鹅。一切都將是機械和人工的，甚至是語言贞言！里面沒有靈魂斜棚，只有一臺空機器。
Well, not necessarily.?That would depend on how intelligent it is.?There are some who say that AIs are going to be more intelligent than we are!
?Hmm, I've heard of that too. In fact, they may even be a threat to us, right?
Anyway, if it were possible, would you want a woman you could control?
A woman I could control?
No, I can't imagine it. Most of the women I've been with have tried to control me!
嗯，不一定弟蚀。這將取決于它有多聰明蚤霞。有人說AI會比我們更聰明！
嗯义钉，我也聽說過昧绣。事實上，它們甚至可能對我們構(gòu)成威脅捶闸，對吧夜畴？
不管怎樣，如果可能的話删壮，你想要一個你能控制的女人嗎贪绘？
一個我能控制的女人？
不央碟，我無法想象税灌。大多數(shù)和我在一起的女人都試圖控制我！
Well, that's one of the differences between men and women. We see things differently.
We never measure up to their standards! hahaha.
However, if there is real love, the bonds between two people can be very deep.?It may not happen very often, but I've seen it.
Yes, that's what I'm looking for!?I hope it's not just a dream.
If that's what you want you are probably not going to find her in the bar.
嗯亿虽，這是男人和女人的區(qū)別之一菱涤。我們的看法不同。
我們從來沒有達到他們的標準洛勉！哈哈哈粘秆。
然而，如果有真愛坯认，兩個人之間的聯(lián)系會很深翻擒。可能不常發(fā)生牛哺，但我見過陋气。
是的，這就是我要找的引润！我希望這不僅僅是一個夢巩趁。
如果那是你想要的，你可能不會在酒吧里找到她淳附。
Maybe I'll just let people know I'm looking for someone nice.
Be sure they don't tell her you're rich. Maybe I can help you find someone.
You have my permission.
And just for fun, I'll start checking out some of those smart robots!?It sounds crazy, but I'm curious!
With all the lonely people out there, it may turn out to be a huge business!
也許我該讓別人知道我在找一個不錯的人议慰。
別告訴她你很有錢。也許我可以幫你找個人奴曙。
你得到許可了别凹。
為了好玩，我會去看看那些智能機器人洽糟！聽起來很瘋狂炉菲，但我很好奇堕战！
有那么多孤獨的人在外面，這可能是一個巨大的生意拍霜！
reading：Mysteries of the Mona Lisa
Without a doubt, one of the world's most recognizable pieces of art is the Mona Lisa. Painted in the 16th Century by Leonardo da Vinci, it continues to attract?crowds of people who are?captivated?by the?mysterious woman in the portrait. Her enigmatic?smile and?penetrating gaze reach out through the ages as if she were?alive?today.
毫無疑問嘱丢，世界上最著名的藝術(shù)品之一是蒙娜麗莎。這幅畫是16世紀達芬奇的作品祠饺，它繼續(xù)吸引著被畫中神秘女子迷住的人群越驻。她神秘的微笑和敏銳的目光歷久彌新，仿佛她今天還活著道偷。
Critics and art lovers still argue about her identity.One theory is that the way she posed suggests that she was with child.Another theory argues that her hairless face - no brows or lashes - indicates that she was a prostitute.
評論家和藝術(shù)愛好者仍在爭論她的身份缀旁。一種理論認為，她的姿勢表明她有孩子勺鸦。另一種理論認為诵棵，她的無毛臉——沒有眉毛和睫毛——表明她是一名妓女。
It seems?that in 16th Century Italy women?working?in the world's oldest?profession?had hairless?faces in?order?to make themselves more sexually?arousing.There is, however,evidence?that at one time the woman in the portrait had thick eyebrows. Perhaps they were inadvertently?erased?when the painting was?cleaned. Nobody knows?for sure.
在16世紀的意大利祝旷，從事這個世界上最古老職業(yè)的女性為了讓自己更性感，似乎都沒有頭發(fā)嘶窄，然而怀跛，有證據(jù)表明，有一段時間柄冲，畫像中的女性眉毛很粗吻谋。也許他們是在這幅畫被清洗時不經(jīng)意間被擦掉了。沒人確切知道现横。
The painting itself has an interesting history. With the death of Leonardo, it went to his friend King Francois , and then to Louis XV and the Palace of Versailles. It wasn't until 300 years after its completion that it was recognized as a masterpiece. For a time, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte hung it in his bedroom.Eventually, it found a permanent home when it was?added?to the collection of the Louvre in Paris. In 1911 it was?stolen?by a museum?employee?and two?accomplices. This??theft?made the painting famous all over the world. During World War II it was taken away and?hidden from the Nazis, as were many important works of art. Today the painting resides?at the Louvre,captivating a whole new?generation.Whoever she was, the?mysteries?surrounding the Mona Lisa continue to engage?our imaginations.
這幅畫本身有一段有趣的歷史漓拾。列奧納多死后，它被送到他的朋友弗朗索瓦國王那里戒祠，然后又被送到路易十五和凡爾賽宮骇两。直到畫成300年后，它才被公認為杰作姜盈。有一段時間低千，拿破侖·波拿巴皇帝把它掛在臥室里，當它被添加到巴黎的盧浮宮收藏中時馏颂，終于找到了一個永久的家示血。1911年，它被一名博物館職員和兩名同伙偷走救拉。這次盜竊使這幅畫聞名于世难审。第二次世界大戰(zhàn)期間，它被納粹奪走并隱藏起來亿絮，許多重要的藝術(shù)作品也是如此告喊。今天麸拄，這幅畫被收藏在盧浮宮，吸引了整整一代人葱绒。不管她是誰感帅，圍繞著蒙娜麗莎的神秘故事繼續(xù)吸引著我們的想象力。
reading2：Mr.G and Jellybean
This is the story of a donkey named Jellybean and a goat named Mr.G. For ten years they lived together on a farm owned by a woman who loved animals but could barely care for herself. She had dozens of animals, but the living conditions for all of them were deplorable. Finally, an animal rescue organization came and took the animals away, relocating them to animal sanctuaries.
這是一個關(guān)于在一個農(nóng)場里生活了十年的一頭名叫果凍豆的驢和一只名叫G先生的山羊的故事地淀，這個農(nóng)場的主人是一個喜歡動物但幾乎不能照顧自己的女人失球。她有幾十只動物，但它們的生活條件都很糟糕帮毁。最后实苞，一個動物救援組織來了，把這些動物帶走烈疚，轉(zhuǎn)移到動物庇護所黔牵。
Throughout their years at the farm, Jellybean and Mr.G had been inseparable. Wherever the donkey was, the goat was never far away. For some reason, they had bonded, and nobody suspected how strong the bond had become.
在農(nóng)場的這些年里，果凍豆和G先生一直形影不離爷肝。無論驢在哪里猾浦，山羊都不遠。由于某種原因灯抛，他們之間有了聯(lián)系金赦，沒有人懷疑這種聯(lián)系有多牢固。
When Jellybean was taken to a local animal?rescue?center, Mr.G was moved to a center far away. When he arrived, he?refused?to eat. Not only did?he refuse to eat, but?he refused to get up or move around. He?spent his days?lying?in a corner of the barn, barely lifting?his head. The?staff?at the center tried feeding him treats, including apples and sweets, but nothing?worked.
當果凍被帶到當?shù)氐膭游锞戎行臅r对嚼，G先生被轉(zhuǎn)移到了很遠的一個中心夹抗。當他到達時，他拒絕吃東西纵竖。他不僅不肯吃飯漠烧，而且不肯起來走動。他整天躺在谷倉的角落里靡砌，幾乎抬不起頭來已脓。中心的工作人員試著喂他吃的東西，包括蘋果和糖果乏奥，但什么也沒用摆舟。
As the days went by, he continued to weaken. The staff had to move him physically to ensure he didn't spend too long lying down. Worried that he was ill, they gave him a series of health examinations, but none showed anything wrong. Finally, they realized that he was depressed and mourning the loss of his best friend.
日子一天天過去，他身體繼續(xù)虛弱邓了。為了確保他不會躺得太久恨诱，工作人員不得不把他從身體上挪開。他們擔心他病了骗炉，給他做了一系列的健康檢查照宝，但沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)任何問題。最后句葵，他們意識到他很沮喪厕鹃，為失去最好的朋友而悲痛兢仰。
With his condition getting worse, drastic measures were required. A volunteer at the center?offered?to make the 14-hour round-trip?journey?to fetch Jellybean so the two could be?reunited.
隨著他的病情惡化，需要采取嚴厲措施剂碴。該中心的一名志愿者主動提出把将，要進行14小時的往返旅程，去帶上果凍豆忆矛，這樣兩人才能團聚察蹲。
Once Jellybean arrived and the goat?sensed?his presence, he?rose?to his feet, breathed in deeply andrushed?to his friend's side. Shortly after that, he began to eat,moving?the entire staff to?tears. Such a beautiful reunion was?inspiring- an amazing?testimonial?to the depth of?nonhuman?emotions.
當果凍豆到達，山羊感覺到他的存在催训，他站起來洽议，深呼吸，并沖到他的朋友的身邊漫拭。不久亚兄，他開始吃東西，感動得所有員工都哭了采驻。如此美麗的重逢令人振奮——這是對非人類情感深度的一個令人驚嘆的證明审胚。
Since the video of the?reunion?was?posted?on the Internet, it?has?been?viewed?by millions. and from now on, the two friends will?remain?together.
自從這段重聚的視頻在網(wǎng)上發(fā)布以來，已經(jīng)有數(shù)百萬人觀看了它礼旅。從現(xiàn)在起菲盾，這兩個朋友將繼續(xù)在一起。
