2014年6月英语四级作文预测：家庭与两代关系

 　　家庭与两代关系：

　　As can be seen from the picture, the department in a store which sells nutritive products for children is surrounded by crowds of parents, making the salespeople¹ extremely busy. In contrast, the neighboring department that sells similar products for the elderly seems rather deserted² by customers. Its saleswoman feels so bored that she can not resist falling asleep.

　　The picture mirrors a common social phenomenon from a unique angle — people tend to care more for the next generation than the previous one. On the one hand, young couples dote on children, most of whom are the “only children”. Parents endeavor to prepare their kids for a bright future by raising them healthily. On the other hand, young couples fail to spend time with their old parents, and some of them are even too mean to provide the old with at least a decent living environment.

　　I think such a trend is quite abnormal and distressing³. Filial duty used to be the most highly prized virtue⁴ among the Chinese for over two thousand years. Busy as people are, the duty should not be easily shirked. Supplying our old parents with material and emotional supports is not only a repayment⁵ to them, but can also set a good example to educate the youth.

　　参考译文：

　　从图中我们可以看到，一家商店中的儿童营养品专柜前挤满了父母们，以至于售货员几乎要忙不过来了。而隔壁的老年营养品专柜看起来似乎已经被顾客们遗忘了。这个售货员甚至无聊得睡着了。

　　这幅图从一个独特的视角反映了一个普遍的社会现象，即人们对于下一代的关心超过了上一代。一方面，年轻的夫妇们把大部分的注意力都放在他们的独生子女身上，让他们健康地成长并为他们创造美好的未来。另一方面，年轻夫妇们没能花时间和他们的老父母们在一起，有一些人甚至吝啬得不肯给父母提供像样的居住环境。

　　我认为这是一个非常不正常和令人沮丧的现象。子女孝敬老人的义务一直是中国两千多年的历史中最为推崇的美德。现代人即使非常忙，但也不应该把这一义务抛之脑后。为父母们提供物质和精神上的关爱和支持不仅是对他们的回报，也为教育年轻一代树立了榜样。

1 salespeople   

n.售货员，店员；售货员( salesperson的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The shop usually employs additional salespeople for the Christmas toy trade. 这家商店通常雇一些临时售货员来做圣诞节玩具生意。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Under our new system, salespeople sit down with each of our dealers. 根据新的制度，销售人员应逐个地同承销商洽商。 来自辞典例句

2 deserted   

adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的

参考例句：

• The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
• The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。

3 distressing   

a.使人痛苦的

参考例句：

• All who saw the distressing scene revolted against it. 所有看到这种悲惨景象的人都对此感到难过。
• It is distressing to see food being wasted like this. 这样浪费粮食令人痛心。

4 virtue   

n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力

参考例句：

• He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
• You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。

5 repayment   

n.偿还，偿还款；报酬

参考例句：

• I am entitled to a repayment for the damaged goods.我有权利索取货物损坏赔偿金。
• The tax authorities have been harrying her for repayment.税务局一直在催她补交税款。