攻势已经持续了三天，但是我们并没有取得多少进展。我们在前线与敌人交战的部队遇到了强力的抵抗。师长（DIVISION COMMANDER）命令我们营（BATTALION）绕到敌人后方发起突然袭击。然而，要绕到敌人后方，我们必须越过一片沼泽地（MARSHLAND）。我们很多人担心会陷入泥潭之中。我们营长决定冒一下险。我们在夜幕掩盖下出发，不顾困难，奋勇向前。幸运的是，夜间温度突然下降到摄氏零下20度，烂泥地都结上了冰。由于这寒冷的天气，我们于天亮前到达并从敌人后方发起进攻。这一下扭转了战局。敌人没有戒备，不久便投降了。
The offensive had already lasted three days, but we had not gained much ground. Our troops engaging the enemy at the front were faced with strong/fierce/stiff resistance. The division commander instructed our battalion to get around to the rear of the enemy and launch a surprise attack. To do so, however, we had to cross a marshland and many of us were afraid we might get bogged down in the mud. Our battalion commander decided to take a gamble. We started under cover of darkness and pressed on in spite of great difficulties. By a stroke of luck, the temperature at night suddenly dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius and the marsh froze over. Thanks to the cold weather, we arrived at our destination before dawn and began attacking the enemy from the rear. This turned the tide of the battle. The enemy, caught off guard, soon surrendered.
Unit 2
汽车在二十世纪改变了世界，尤其是在美国和其他工业国家。汽车确实对我们大有用处，但也带来了一些危害，比如声音污染、空气污染以及公路死亡事故。据报导汽车事故被列为全世界导致死伤的主要原因之一。可庆幸的是，现代发明家们正在重新发明汽车。新的推进系统（PROPULSION SYSTEM）、燃料、设计以及制造汽车的手段在过去的十年中得到迅速发展。例如，通过使用卫星辅助的全球定位系统，汽车里的计算机能给汽车精确定位；随着遥感器的应用，智能汽车能排除不少汽车事故。
Automobiles changed the world during the 20th century, particularly in the United States and other industrialized nations. They are indeed of great use to us, but they have brought some hazards as well, such as noise and air pollution, and highway fatalities. It is reported that automobile accidents rank among the leading causes of death and injury throughout the world. Fortunately modern innovators are reinventing the automobile. New propulsion systems, fuels, designs, and means of manufacturing cars have all developed rapidly in the past decade. For example, by using the satellite-aided global positioning system (GPS), a computer in the automobile can locate the vehicle's precise position, and with the application of sensors, smart cars can eliminate most car accidents.
常言道，好的开端是成功的一半。在求职时，求职者事先做好充分的准备是非常重要的。我认为，事先作不作准备常常会影响求职者的成功机会。
我的一位朋友在一家计算机软件公司供职，年薪十万美元左右。他根据自己的经历告诉我说，那些对未来的雇员具有录用决定权的人喜欢有充分准备的人。那些没有在了解未来的雇主方面尽全力的人很难有成功的希望。
Well begun is half done, as the saying goes. It is extremely important for a job applicant to do his homework while seeking employment. From my standpoint, whether or not one has done his homework clearly makes a difference in his chance of success.
I have a friend who is earning somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 thousand dollars a year in a large computer software company. He told me that from his own experience the decision makers who interview prospective employees like people who are well prepared. Those who make no endeavor to learn as much about his prospective employer as possible don't have much of a chance of success.
Unit 4
亨廷顿（Huntington）教授的论文使我深受启发。他认为，在一个多元化社会里，不同意见是不可避免的。关键在于怎样正确对待不同意见，使之发挥建设性、而非破坏性的作用。
他还说，在一个多元化社会里，我们必须注重人际关系，强调合作，多从他人视角考虑问题。如果某些群体自视高人一等，不尊重其他种族或宗教，那么整个社会有可能陷入瘫痪。
我相信，要是我们把上述想法付诸实践，那我们就有可能创造出一种新的文明。
Professor Huntington's paper greatly inspired me. According to him, in a plural / pluralistic society, there will inevitably be different opinions. The key is to deal with them in such a way that they can play a constructive rather than destructive role.
He argues that in a plural/pluralistic society we must stress/attach importance to interpersonal relationships, cooperation, and looking at issues from the perspective of other people. If some groups regard themselves as superior and treat other ethnic groups or religions with disrespect, the whole society may be paralyzed.
I am convinced that if we put into practice the ideas mentioned above, then there is the possibility of creating a new civilization.
