Book Knowledge vs. Experien

　　Knowledge can be acquired from many sources. These include books, teachers and practical experience, and each has its own advantages. The knowledge we gain from books and formal education enables us to learn about things that we have no opportunity to experience in daily life. We can study all the places in the world and learn from people we will never meet in our lifetime, just by reading about them in books. We can also develop our analytical skills and learn how to view and interpret the world around us in different ways. Furthermore, we can learn from the past by reading books. In this way, we won’t repeat the mistakes of others and can build on their achievements.

　　Practical experience, on the other hand, can give us more useful knowledge. It is said that one learns best by doing, and I believe that this is true, whether one is successful or not. In fact, I think making mistakes is the best way to learn. Moreover, if one wants to make new advances, it is necessary to act. Innovations do not come about through reading but through experimentation. Finally, one can apply the skills and insights gained through the study of books to practical experience, making an already meaningful experience more meaningful. However, unless it is applied to real experiences, book knowledge remains theoretical and, in the end, is useless. That is why I believe that knowledge gained from practical experience is more important than that acquired from books.

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　　书本知识与实际经验

　　获得知识的来源有很多，其中包括书本、老师，以及实际经验，而每一种都有其优点。从书本上及正规教育中所获得的知识使我们知道在日常生活中没有机会亲身去体验的事。通过读书，我们可以研究世界各地的资料，还可以向不曾谋面的人学习。我们也可以培养分析的技巧，并学习如何以不同的方式去观察并理解周围的世界。此外，我们可以通过读书，从历史中获取教训。如此一来，就不会再重复别人的错误，并且能够以他人的成就作为我们行动的基础。

　　另一方面，实际经验能够给我们更多有用的知识。大家都说从做中学的效果最好，我也认为的确如此，无论一个人成功与否。事实上，我认为犯错是最好的学习方式。此外，如果想要有新的进展，就必须要付诸行动。想要创新，只靠阅读是不够的，必须要去实践。最后，我们可以将通过读书所获得的技巧和见解应用于实际经验中，使得原本有意义的经验变得更有意义。不过，除非我们能将书本知识运用于实际经验中，否则书本知识终究仍只是理论，毫无用处。那就是为什么我会认为从实际经验中获得的知识比从书本中所得到的知识更为重要。

The Influence of Television and Movies 　　There is no doubt that watching television and movies can influence the way that people behave. Moreover, it seems that people are spending more and more time watching some sort of visual entertainment, whether it is television, a video tape or a DVD. Therefore, the effects of visual media cannot be ignored. 　　One obvious effect of the these media is that watching them induces people to buy certain products. television advertising is widespread and, nowadays, even movie theaters permit advertisements. Another way TV and the movies affect people is that they give people either a broader view of the world or a distorted one, depending on what type of program they watch. Those who watch news and educational program can learn many new things while those who watch primarily entertainment shows may come to believe that most people in the world possess great wealth and good looks. It may make them become dissatisfied with their own lives. Finally, perhaps the most susceptible viewers are children, who may be unable to tell fact from fiction and may try to imitate acts that they see on TV or in the movies. 　　With the every-increasing popularity of video entertainment, society must pay attention to these effects. Television and movies, while entertaining and informative, cannot take the place of real experience. 　　参考译文： 　　电视和电影的影响 　　电视和电影无疑会影响人们的行为举止。此外，人们似乎在花越来越多的时间去观看一些视觉娱乐节目，无论是电视、录像带，或是DVD。因此，视觉每体的影响是不容忽视的。 　　这些每体所造成的最明显的影响是，人们在观看之后会被诱使去购买某些产品。现在电视广告非常普遍，即使是电影院，也允许播放广告。另外一个电视及电影会影响人们的方式是，它们能使人们对世界有更广阔的见解或是扭曲的看法，而这取决于人们所观看的是什么样的节目。凡是观看新闻性及教育性节目的人可以学习许多新事物，而主要观看娱乐节目的观众可能就会认为，世界上大多数的人都很有钱，而且长得都很好看，这可能会使他们对自己的生活感到不满意。最后，儿童可能是最容易受影响的观众。他们可能无法分辨真实与虚构，而且可能会试着模仿在电视或电影中所看到的行为。 　　由于视觉娱乐越来越普遍，所以社会大众必须注意其可能造成的影响。尽管电视及电影兼具娱乐性和知识性，但还是无法取代实际的经验。 　　Living Longer 　　In the past it was not uncommon for a man to die at forty, having lived a full life. But now we consider a lifespan of forty years to be very short. It is not unusual for people to live into their eighties and nineties, and some even reach 100. What’s more, people are living long, healthy lives and are active well into their “golden years”. 　　Mankind’s longevity is due mainly to advances in science and technology. Medical breakthroughs have eradicated many fatal diseases that were once common. Perhaps more importantly, better general health means that people are less likely to contract infections in the first place. Better health also helps people prevent slowly debilitating conditions, such as heart disease, which can take their lives at an early age. And as civilization has advanced, our living environment and sources of food have become more sanitary. Furthermore, work is now safer and not as taxing on the human body. We do not wear out after just a few years of very hard work. 　　There are many reasons why people are now living longer than ever before. But what is more important is that they are living better as they live longer. It is my opinion that we have scientific and technological development to thank for this progress. 　　参考译文： 　　活得更久 　　以前的人活到40岁就过完一生而死亡是很平常的。但是现在，我们认为40岁的寿命很短。人们活到八十几岁、九十几岁，有些甚至到100岁，是很平常的。而且，人们还能活得久而且又健康，精力充沛地迈入他们的“黄金时代”（退休期）。 　　人类会长寿主要是因为科学及科技的进步。医学上的重大突破已经根除了以前十分普遍的致命疾病。而更重要的也许是，大众健康的改善首先意味着人们不大可能得传染病。人们变得更健康也有助于预防罹患一些会使身体状况日益衰弱的疾病，例如心脏病。这些疾病常会夺走年轻的生命。又因为文明的进步，我们的生活环境以及食物来源已经变得比较卫生。此外，现在的工作比较安全，且对人体而言没有那么繁重。我们不会因为只辛苦工作几年就变得疲惫不堪。 　　现代人比以前长寿的原因有很多，但更重要的是，人们活得更久，而且也活得更好。我的看法是，我们进提那的进步得益于科学和科技的发展。