在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.ordeal 磨难 2.legislature 州议会 3.integrity 正直的 4.candidate 候选人 5.prominent 重要的 6.Emancipation Proclamation 奴隶解放宣言 7.Gettysburg Address 盖茨堡演说 8.defended 辩护 原文 Abraham Lincoln When historians are asked to choose the greatest President in the history of the United States，one of the names most frequently mentioned is Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was President during the greatest ordeal that ever faced the United States-the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in the state of Kentucky，but when he was a child，the family moved to the state of Indiana. Abraham's parents，Thomas and Nancy Lincoln，were farmers who were very poor，and they received only a few years of education. When Abraham was only 9 years old，his mother became ill and died. About one year later，Abraham's father remarried. As a young man，Abraham continued to work on the family farm，and he also worked as a laborer. During this time，the Lincolns moved to the state of Illinois. Abraham became known to the local people as an excellent athlete and story-teller. He educated himself by reading many books，most of which he borrowed from neighbors. Lincoln was interested in politics，and when he was in his mid-20s，he was elected to the Illinois state legislature. During this time，Lincoln also studied law，and soon became known as an excellent lawyer. People called Lincoln“Honest Abe”because of his personal integrity In 1842，Lincoln married a woman named Mary Todd. During the 1850s，Lincoln became the strongly opposed the expansion of slavery into the western parts of the United States. Lincoln had several famous debates against a supporter of slavery named Stephen Douglas. In 1860，Lincoln was a candidate in the election for the President of the United States. During this election，the issue of slavery and its expansion was very prominent. Lincoln won，but soon after，several of the southern states decided to secede from the United States，and form their own country. After a few months later，fighting started between those southern states and the federal government，which was supported by the northern states. Lincoln managed the Civil War with skill and determination. Gradually the North began to win the war. In 1863，Lincoln made the“Emancipation Proclamation”，which freed the slaves. Later that years，Lincoln gave his most famous speech，the Gettysburg Address. The Civil War had brought terrible suffering to many Americans，and people were very bitter after the war. But Lincoln wanted the country to become united again，and he urged people to forgive. However，in April of 1865，only months after the war ended，Lincoln was shot and killed by an assassin. Many people，even Lincoln's critics，mourned his death. In the generations that have passed since Lincoln's death，he has continued to be viewed as a great president. Some historians have criticized Lincoln for not being more strongly opposed to slavery，but others have defended him，saying that Lincoln's approach to the issue was realistic and humane. But nearly all historians agree that Lincoln was an honest and brave leader during the difficult period in American history.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.archduke 大公 2.assassinated 刺杀 3.dispute 争端 4.intensely patriotic 强烈爱国 5.enthusiastically 热情地 6.filthy trenches 肮脏的战壕 7.eagerness 渴望 原文 How the First World War Started During the summer of 1914，many people in the Europe felt very optimistic about the future. Modern technology was improving people's lives. Political freedom was gradually increasing in many countries. New artistic styles and scientific discoveries were being made. But later the summer，a terrible war begun. In the early twentieth century，the various countries of Europe competed with each other in an attempt to be the most powerful country on the continent. In each country，many of the political leaders wanted to control more land，more people，and more resources. The First World War began when the archduke of Austria-Hungary was assassinated. Austria-Hungary wanted to punish the assassin，who was from the small country of Serbia. This led to a serious dispute，and soon other countries were involved. Within a few weeks，a war had began. On one side were Germany and Austria-Hungary，and on the other side were Russian，France and Britain. The people in these countries at first welcomed the news of a war. Many people were intensely patriotic，and supported the war effort with thinking carefully about the reasons for the war. Some people thought that the war would bring adventure and glory to their lives，and they cheered enthusiastically in the streets. After the war started，it soon became clear that it was a terrible disaster. In the Western part of Europe，the opposing side fought many bloody battles. Soldiers in both sides lived in filthy trenches that had been dug out of the ground. Sometimes，hundreds of thousands of men were killed in battles that lasted only a few days. In most cases，these battle did not result in large gains or losses of territory The war continued for more than four years. When the war was finally over，millions of people finally had been killed. Many people realized that their eagerness to fight against other countries had led them into a greater disaster. This disaster did not end when the war ended in 1918. During the next thirty years，there would be many violent revolution in Europe，and a second major war that would be even more worse than the first. Today，people in most European countries no longer view other countries as enemies. They have no interest in fighting war with their neighbors. Instead，they are interested in trading with other countries，and in visiting those countries as tourists. The lessons of the twentieth century have reminded people that wars can have terrible consequences.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.salmon 鲑鱼 2.canoes 独木舟 3.totem poles 图腾柱 4.mythical 神话的 5.spiritual 精神的 6.signficance 意义 7.plain 平原 8.buffalo 水牛 9.bison 野牛 10.prairie 草原 11.squash 南瓜 12.herds 牧群 13.portable 轻便的 14.weaving 编织 15.fortified 设防的 16.inhabited 居住 17.primarily 主要的 原文 North American Indians The first people who lived in North America were the Indians. The name“Indians”are not very accurate，because the people are not from India. But when the first Europeans came to North America，they mistakenly believed that they have reached India，so they referred the people as Indians. In different parts of North America，the Indians have very different cultures and very different ways to making a living. On the west coast of North America，many large rivers flow into the Pacific Ocean. In these rivers is an abundance of fish，such as salmon. The Indians in these areas obtained much of their food by fishing. They lived in settled village，and became experts in carving the wood from the tall trees of the area. They carved large canoes for travelling on the rivers and oceans，and they also carved tall“totem poles”. Totem poles were carvings of various animals and human figures，and often the poles had a mythical or spiritual significance for the people who carved them. Many beautiful totem poles can be seen in the cities such as Vancouver or Victoria，in the Canadian state of British Columbia；or Seattle，in the American state of Washington. The Plains Indians lived in the central prairie of North America. The various nations of the Plains were lived by hunting the large animals called buffalo，or bison. Horses brought to North America in sixteenth century by the Spanish. The Indians lived in the prairies areas had learned to become experts at riding horses，and on horseback they could hunt the giant herds of bison. They followed the buffalo from place to place. The Plains Indians lived in portable houses called“teepees”，which were made by sewing together buffalo skins，and holding them in place with wooden poles. In the southwestern United States，some Indians lived by farming. In this dry areas，the Indians raised several crops，such as corn，beans，and squash. Many of the Indians in these areas lived in large settlements，where the houses were made by stones or dried mud. The people were experts at weaving，and they made clothes and blankets that had beautiful artistic designs. Near the eastern coast of North America，many Indians lived by a combination of farming and hunting. These people lived in a fortified villages，some of which were inhabited for many years at a time. In some places，they built large earthwork that can still be seen today. In the forests of northern Canada，the Indians lived primarily by hunting，fishing and gathering. Like the Indians of the prairie regions，they often moved from place to place in search of game animals to hunt. Today，the Indians in North America no longer live in their traditional ways. However，several Indians languages are still spoken by many thousands of people. Also，many Indians in the United States and Canada are very interested in maintaining the cultural traditions of their ancestors.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.hemisphere 半球 2.formerly 原先 3.communist 共产主义的 4.overthrew 推翻 5.cigars 雪茄 6.descendant 后代 7.diverse 多种多样的 8.destinations 目的地 原文 The Islands of Caribbean The Caribbean Sea is the large body of water that lies north of the northern tip of South America. Within the Caribbean Sea are many islands that have played an important role in the history and culture of the Western hemisphere. By far the largest island in the Caribbean is Cuba. Cuba was formerly a colony of Spain，but became independent in 1902. Cuba became a Communist country in 1959，when a revolution overthrew an unpopular government. After the revolution，many Cubans fled to the United States. Today，the American city of Miami，in the state of Florida，has been greatly influenced by Cuban culture. Tobacco is widely grown in Cuba，and the country is famous for the cigars that are produced in the capital city，Havana. The island of Hispaniola is located just east of Cuba. This island is divided into two countries. In the west is Haiti，where the people speak a variety of the French language that has been influenced by African languages. In the east is the Dominican Republic，where the people speak Spanish. Another important Caribbean island is Puerto Rico. This was previously a Spanish colony，but it is now governed by the United States. Many people from Puerto Rico have moved to the mainland United States，especially the New York area. In many other islands in Caribbean，English is the main language. The largest of these islands is Jamaica，which is located just south of Cuba. Most Jamaicans are the descendants of African people who were brought to work as slave on sugar plantations. Jamaica is famous as the birthplace of the style of music called“reggae”，which was popularized in other countries by Bob Marley，a famous Jamaican musician. Another important English-speaking Caribbean island is Trinidad. This island is located just north of South America. The population of Trinidad is very diverse. The largest groups of people are descended from people who came from Africa and India，but there are many other nationalities also. Trinidad is very famous for a style of music known as“calypso”，and for musicians who produce pleasant sounds by playing steel drums. There are many other smaller islands in the Caribbean，each with its own unique features. Many of these islands possess fine beaches，and are popular tourist destinations. The warm weather of the Caribbean makes it a popular place for Northern American people who must live through cold winters！

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.navigator 领航员 2.engages in 从事 3.mischief 恶作剧 4.fence 栅栏 5.moral 道德的 原文 Samuel Clemens，or Mark Twain Mark Twain was the author of some of the greatest works of American English literature，such as Tom Sawyer，Life on the Mississippi，and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Longhorn Clemens. He used Mark Twain as his“pen name”. Samuel Clemens was born in the American state of Missouri in 1835. As a child he enjoyed many outdoor activities，such as swimming and fishing. When Samuel was eleven years old，his father died，and he began to work to support his family. As a young man，Samuel Clemens began to write stories for newspapers. However，he took a job working as a navigator on the steamboats that travelled up and down the Mississippi River. Clemens greatly enjoyed this period of his life，during which time he gained much knowledge about life on the river. He also leaned much about human behavior by observing the many people on the boats and along the river. It was as a result of this time that Clemens began using his pen name，Mark Twain. This name was taken from a term that was used by the men who worked on the river. It is used to describe the water that is just deep enough to be navigated safely. The earliest Mark Twain's famous novels was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. This novel describes a boy who engages in much mischief，but who has a kind heart. The story contains several scenes that are quite funny. In one of these，Tom is working at the boring task of painting a fence. He persuades some other boys to help him，by pretending that painting the fence is a fun and enjoyable activity. Another famous novel by Mark Twain was Life on the Mississippi. This book describes many interesting characters similar to those that Mark Twain actually observed while working on a steamboat. This story gives the reader a vivid image of the people who lived and worked along the Mississippi River. Probably the best novel by Mark Twain was The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn. This novel tells a story of a boy who runs away from his violent father. The boy，whose name is Huckleberry Finn，is joined in his escape by a man named Jim. Jim is a slave who has decided to run away from his owners. Huck and Jim travel north along the Mississippi，hoping to reach the areas where slavery is not allowed. In this story，the reader can experience the moral sense of Huckleberry，who must make several important decisions during the escape. Mark Twain died in 1910，after writing many more novels and many stories of his travels around the world. Twain's works are still widely read today. His books are appreciated for their humor，for their interesting descriptions of life in nineteenth century America，and for showing both the good and evil that people can do. Many critics consider Twain to have been the greatest American writer.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.clerk 文书 2.workhouse 济贫院 3.court 法院 4.parliament 议会 5.carol 颂歌 6.stingy 吝啬的 7.donate 捐献 8.tale 历险记 9.upheaval 剧变 10.sacrifice 牺牲 11.assembled 集合 原文 Charles Dickens Charles Dickens is considered one of the greatest writer in the history of English literature. Dickens wrote his many novels during the nineteenth century，but those novels remain popular even today. Literary experts admire his genius at describing lives and personalities of the many characters in his books. Charles Dickens was born in England in 1812. His father was a clerk who worked for the Navy. Unfortunately，his father was not good at managing money，and the family soon went deeply into debt. In those days ，people who owed money were sent to prison，and his families were sent to places called“workhouses”. When Charles's father was unable to pay the debts，Charles was sent to a workhouse，where he had to work for long hours，and Charles's father was sent to prison. After a few years，the families regained its freedom，but the experience had a lasting effect upon Charles. As a young man，Charles Dickens worked as a journalist in the law courts and in Parliament. But he soon began writing stories for newspapers. These stories were very popular with the readers. Soon，Dickens began writing entire novels for the newspapers. Each month，newspaper would publish another chapter of Dickens's latest novel One of Dickens's most famous early novels is called Oliver Twist. This is the story of a young man who is poor and alone in the city of London，and becomes involved in criminal activities to support himself. The characters in this novel have a very wide range of personalities，but seem very real to the reader. This book exposed the conditions that faced the poor people of London，and helped to encourage reforms aimed at improving those conditions. Perhaps Dickens's most popular novel is A Christmas Carol. In this story，a rich but stingy old man，Ebenezer Scrooge，refuses to give his employee a day off work at Christmas，and refuses to donate his money to help the poor. But，while sleeping，Scrooge is visiting by ghosts from his past，present and future These ghosts show Scrooge how badly he has behaved. When Scrooge wakes up，he becomes a kind and generous man who fully appreciates the spirit of the Christmas holiday. Another famous novel of Dickens's is A Tale of Two Cities. This is a story of the violence and upheaval during the French Revolution. The story is famous for the heroic act of sacrifice that is made by one character for the benefit of the others. Dickens was famous as a public speaker，and large crows assembled to hear his performances. When he died in 1870，he was a very famous man. The novels of Charles Dickens allow readers to experience the life of nineteenth century London，showing the poverty and injustice that were so common. The characters of these novels show the range of human behavior，from cruelty and selfishness to kindness and love. It is no surprise that Dickens is viewed as one of the great figures of English literature.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.democratic elections 民主选举 2.widow 寡妇 3.assumed 假定 4.behalf 利益 5.possess 拥有 6.discipline 纪律 7.suffrage 选举权 原文 Women and the Right to Vote In most countries today，people think it is obvious that all adults should have the right to vote in democratic elections. But it was not as so long ago that women did not have this right. Only after a long struggle did women gain the right to vote. By the early nineteenth century，modern democratic forms of government were appearing in the United States，Great Britain，and some European countries. In these countries，most adult men have the right to vote in democratic elections. Some men were denied this right if they were poor or if they were belong to a racial minority group，but gradually this right was extended to all men. It took much longer for women to gain this right to vote. Only in special cases，such as that of a widow who owned land，could a women be allowed to vote. Many men believed that it was not necessary for women to vote，because they assumed that the husband should decide on behalf of his wife. Some men believed that women did not possess the intelligence or the discipline to vote carefully. Some women also believed that women should not be involved in politics，but many others wanted the right to vote. By about the year of 1850，some women began to organize in an effort to change the laws regarding women and the vote. This movement was known as the“women suffrage”movement，because the word“suffrage”means voting. Leaders such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton brought attention to this issue，and persuaded many people that women should vote. The first part of the United States to recognize women's right to vote was Wyoming，in the year 1869. During the following decades，many other states recognized women's right to vote，particularly in the western part of the country，where the women had a high social statues. However，the United States was not the first country to recognize the women's right to vote at the national level. The first country to recognize the women's right to vote was New Zealand，in 1893. Soon after，Australia also allowed women to vote，and so did the Scandinavia countries of northern Europe. But in countries such as the United States，Canada，and Great Britain，women could not yet vote. Women in those countries struggled to gain the vote. For example，in Great Britain，Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters participated in hunger strikes. During World War One（1914-1918），women's work efforts were very important to winning the war，and people's attitudes increasingly in favor of women having the right to vote. Women then gained the right to vote in Canada，the United States，and Great Britain. Gradually，other democracies around the world also recognized women's right to vote. Today，it seems difficult to believed that women were not allowed to vote only a few generations ago. But there is still a progress to be made. In many countries，women are under-represented among political leaders. Perhaps the day will soon come when women are elected as often as men.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.glamorous 迷人的 2.derived 获得 3.hub 重心 4.shores 海岸 5.minor trading post 小型贸易战 6.lamp 灯 7.atmosphere 气氛 8.notorious 臭名昭著的 9.prohibition 禁令 10.mobsters 匪徒 11.smuggling 走私 12.liquor 烈酒 13.rival gangs 敌对帮派 14.poverty 贫穷 15.racial conflict 种族冲突 16.prospered 繁荣的 17.institute 机构 18.aquarium 水族馆 19.district 地区 原文 Chicago Chicago is one of the most famous American cities. Some cities in the United States-such as New York，Los Angeles，and San Francisco-may be more glamorous，but many people agree that Chicago is the city that best represents the United States. Located in the middle of North America，Chicago has derived much benefit from its geography. The city's central location has made its O'Hare International Airport the“hub”for most airlines in the United States. Its location on the shores of Lake Michigan has made it a major port and business center，where the agricultural and industrial products of the American Midwest are shipped overseas. Until about the 1830s，Chicago was a minor trading post. But then it grew rapidly as the most important town in the rapidly developing areas of the Midwest United States. In the 1871，the city was destroyed by a fire. It is often said that the fire started when a cow knocked over an oil lamp. It took about 20 years for the city to be completely rebuilt，but it continued to expand. In 1882，the first skyscraper was built in Chicago. Around the turn of the century，the population of Chicago was growing quickly. Many African-American people moved to Chicago from southern United States，and many immigrants from Eastern Europe also arrived in Chicago during this time Because of the busy and active atmosphere of the city，an American poet described Chicago as“the city of broad shoulders”. Chicago became notorious for organized crime during the Prohibition Era of the 1920s，when the sale of alcohol was illegal. Mobsters such as AI Capone became rich by smuggling liquor，and many people were killed in conflicts between rival gangs of criminals. But the influence of organized crime later became weaker. In the decades following World War Two，Chicago experienced some problems with crime，poverty，and racial conflict. However，the city has recently prospered，and social conditions have improved for many people in Chicago. Compared with other large cities，Chicago is viewed an affordable place to live，with a high quality of life. The city has an efficient transportation，and many beautiful parks along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Chicago is famous for its many attractions，including the Art Institute of Chicago，the Field Museum of Natural History，the Shedd Aquarium，the Sears Tower，and the“Miracle Mile”shopping district. Indeed，Chicago is one of the most interesting cities in the United States.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.borders 国界 2.Belgium 比利时 3.humanitarian assistance 人道援助 4.ethnicity 民族 5.famines 饥荒 6.surgeons 外科医生 7.anesthists 麻醉师 8.logistics 后勤 9.participating 参与 10.abide 遵守 11.ethics 伦理 12.duration 持续时间 13.insured 投保 14.vaccination 接种疫苗 15.sanitation 卫生 原文 Doctors Without Borders In 1999，the Nobel Prize for Peace was won by the organization known as“Doctors Without Borders”. This is the English name of the organization，based in Belgium，which won the prize for its humanitarian assistance to people around the world，in areas that have been struck by disaster. The fundamental ideas of Doctors Without Borders is that people who suffer from a disaster have the right to receive the professional help as soon as possible. The organization helps people regardless of their national，race，religion，ethnicity，sex，or political opinions. Also，the assistance provided by Doctors Without Borders is given in response to all kinds of disasters，such as famines，earthquakes，and wars. The people who belong to Doctors Without Borders are experienced medical workers who volunteer their time，effort，and skills in an attempt to help people who are in need. These volunteers include doctors，nurses，surgeons，anesthetists，laboratory technicians，and other medical workers. There are also some non-medical volunteers who work for Doctors Without Borders in position of administration or logistics. Volunteers must first take a course before participating in a humanitarian mission. They promise to abide a code of professional ethics，and they promise to remain neutral in any conflicts within a disaster area. A mission typically last about six months，but the duration varies. The volunteers are insured by the organization，but they are not paid in any way for their work. When Doctors Without Borders began in 1971，it consisted of only a few French doctors who wanted to provide humanitarian aid to people in disaster areas. Over years，it grew rapidly，and by 2001，Doctors Without Borders had 2500 volunteers and working in 80 countries around the world. They have helped people by providing emergency health care，vaccinations，medicine，water，and basic food，and also by developing improved water and sanitation systems. In many areas，Doctors Without Borders has also helped to provide basic medical training to local people. Although Doctors Without Borders remain neutral in any conflicts within a disaster area，the organization dose speak out against abuses of human rights. By remaining independent of the influence of governments and corporations，Doctors Without Borders is able to criticize the people and organizations who cause suffering. The volunteers are witnesses who tell the world about the cruelty that is conflicted upon innocent people. Obviously，the work of Doctors Without Borders is extremely important. The volunteers of this organization are brave and selfless people whose efforts have received the suffering of millions of people.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.literature 文学 2.draining 流 3.silt 淤 4.boundary 分界 5.halves 一半（half的复数） 6.claim 宣称 7.paddle 桨 8.gateway 入口 9.arch 拱门 10.monument 纪念碑 11.Mardi Gras 狂欢节 原文 The Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the longest river within the United States，and the fourth longest river in the world. This river holds a special place in American history and literature，and in the imagination of the ordinary Americans. The Mississippi River begins in the hill of northern Minnesota，near the Canadian border，and flows southward about 3700 kilometers，through ten states，before draining its water and silt into the Gulf of Mexico. Traditionally，the river is viewed as a natural boundary between the eastern and western halves of the United States. Until the year of 1803，the areas to the west of the Mississippi River，and the areas around the mouth of the river，were claimed by Spain and by France. In that year，the French emperor，Napoleon，decided to sell this land to the United States of America. This sale，which was called the Louisiana Purchase，was very important for the United States. By controlling the Mississippi River，the Americans would be able to use it for transporting goods and people in this rapidly developing area. For many years ，river-boats were the main method of long distance transportation for the people living near the Mississippi. Steam-power boats，with large“paddle-wheels”that pushed the boats forward，were very popular in the time before cars and airplanes. One of the most famous cities along the Mississippi River is St. Louis. This city is known as the“gateway to the west”. During the nineteenth century，St. Louis was the last large town that people would pass through on their way to the new farmland to farther west. Today，St. Louis is famous for the“Gateway Arch”，a tall monument that welcomes people to the west. St. Louis is also known as the city where the music known as“the Blues”began Near the mouth of the Mississippi River is another famous city，New Orleans.. In terms of the style of the buildings，New Orleans is said to be the most unusual American city，because it is influenced so strongly by Spanish and French traditions. Even today，the traditional festival of“Mardi Gras”is celebrated in New Orleans each year. New Orleans and the surrounding areas of the state of the Louisiana are famous for spicy“Cajun”food. This style of cooking was developed by the French-speaking settlers of Louisiana The Mississippi River is famous for many stories of American literature. For example，The Adventure of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn，which were written by the author Mark Twain，are both set along the Mississippi River. Today，the federal and government of the United States are working to preserve the natural environment along the Mississippi River. People recognize the importance of keeping this river healthy and clean.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.permissive 放任的 2.sexual intercourse 性交 3.prostitution 卖淫 4.contraceptive 避孕 5.norms 标准 6.promiscuous 淫乱的 7.reversed 翻转 8.conservative 保守的 9.monogamous 单配的 10.exclusively 唯一地 11.spouse 配偶 12.commit adultery 通奸 原文 Sexual Attitudes and Behavior During the past several decades，there have been major changes within most Western countries in people's attitudes toward sex，and in sexual behavior. For people who have lived throughout this period，the changes have seemed quite remarkable. Until the early twentieth century，people in most Western countries did not have permissive attitude regarding sexuality. For the most part，young people were expected to wait until marriage before having sexual intercourse. Of course，some premarital sexual did occur，and prostitution was not rare However，sexual behavior was relatively restricted. As the twentieth century progressed，there was a gradual trend toward liberalization of attitudes toward sex. However，this trend was greatly speeded after 1960，when the first birth control pills became available. These contraceptive pills made it possible for women to engage in sexual intercourse without much risk of an unwanted pregnancy. As a result，many women were more willing to have premarital sex than was previously the case. Also during the 1960s，Western countries were reaching high levels of wealth and education. A new and very large generation of young people was approaching adulthood，and there was a mood of rebellion against traditional norms. There was an increase in the number of people who engaged in sex before marriage，and also a greater openness about such behavior. By the 1970s，sexual attitudes had became quite liberal，and many young people were very promiscuous in their sexual behavior. However，this pattern reversed somewhat during the 1980s. There was increased concern about sexual transmitted diseases，including AIDS；moreover，many young women had been uncomfortable with the idea of unrestricted sexual behavior. As a result，sexual attitudes became slightly more conservative during the 1980s and 1990s although they remained much more liberal than in previous decades. In the early twenty-first century，most young people in Western countries begin having sex during their high school years，although some people waited until they are considerably older. Some young people are promiscuous，but most engage in monogamous relationships that typically last for a period several months or a few years. When one relationship ends，another usually begins soon after. This pattern usually continues until marriage. After marriage，most people have sex exclusively with their spouse；however，some people do commit adultery. Sexuality has changed a great deal in recent decades. It will be very interesting to see how people's sexual attitudes and behavior will change in the future.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.profoundly 深刻地 2.ignition 点火装置 3.ignites 点火 4.vapor 蒸汽 5.cylinder 气缸 6.piston 活塞 7.shaft 轴 8.fumes 烟雾 9.paved 铺 10.emission 排放物 原文 The Automobile，or Car In many ways，the automobile has been one of the most important inventions of the modern age. People have been able to travel much more freely，and across much greater distances，than was possible in the past. The automobile，which most people refer to as the“car”，has also had some harmful consequences，such as pollution and accidents. However，it is clear that life has changed profoundly as a result of the car. Modern cars are very complicated，but the basic idea of how a car works can be described briefly. When the keys are turn in the ignition of the car，this creates a spark that ignites some gasoline vapor inside a cylinder. Then，the rapid expansion of the vapor pushes against a part called a piston. The movement of the piston then causes a turning motion in a shaft that is connected to the wheels. The wheels turn，and the car moves. The invention of the car，and the engines used by cars，happened gradually in the late nineteenth century，mainly in France and Germany. In the early twentieth century，an American engineer named Henry Ford developed a new way of making cars. Instead of having one worker produced an entire car，he had each worker perform one part of the production of many different cars. This system was very efficient and allowed the mass production of cars. The first car to be produced in large numbers was called the“Model T”. The Model T Ford and other cars that were soon produced in large numbers were cheap enough that many people could afford to buy them. Many new roads were built and paved throughout North America to allow car to be driven from town to town. People were able to travel much more easily and to visit places that had previously been difficult to reach. Some problems also came with the widespread use of cars. One of these problems was air pollution，because car engines burn gasoline，which produces poisonous exhaust fumes. Gradually，new laws and new technology have led to reductions in the air pollution that is caused by cars. Moreover，cars today are much more “fuel efficient”than they were in the past，requiring less gasoline to travel a given distance. However，this pollution is still a problem because of the many millions of cars that are used each day. Another problem has been car accidents，which have caused many thousands of deaths each year. During the 1960s，some journalist brought attention to the unsafe features of many cars. As a result，the safety of the cars has been greatly improved. In addition，the use of seat belt is now required by law. However，car accidents continue to be a serious problem. The future is likely to bring many interesting new changes to the car. Improvements in the safety of cars，in fuel efficiency，and in the cleanliness of car emissions are continuing to be made. Also，the increasing use of the car in economically developing countries will probably have important effect upon people's lives around the world.