VOA慢速英语--毕业演讲讨论世界问题,寻找解决办法

Graduation Speeches Discuss World Problems, Look for Solutions

Speeches have long been an important tradition at college and university graduation ceremonies in the United States.

Every spring, schools honor¹ students who have successfully completed their study programs. As part of the ceremonies, the schools often invite well-known and well-respected people to speak about their own life experiences and offer advice to the new graduates.

Leaders in the arts, business and politics are among those who are asked to speak. What they say sometimes gains national attention; their speeches often examine the problems and issues the world is facing.

This spring’s graduation speakers were no different.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke² at the graduation ceremony for the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington City, Virginia. He asked graduates to be thankful for all the people who helped them get to this point, including parents and teachers. He also discussed how technology helps today’s college students do much more than when he was in college.

Comparing today’s graduates to those of years past and reminding graduates to be thankful are commonly heard subjects in commencement speeches.

Yet Tillerson’s speech also included comments on how important truth is to democracy³.

Tillerson said, “It is only by a fierce defense⁴ of the truth and a common set of facts that we create the conditions for a democratic⁵ free society.”

He continued, “If our leaders seek to conceal⁶ the truth or we as people become accepting of alternative realities that are no longer grounded in facts, then we as American citizens are on a pathway to relinquishing⁷ our freedom.”

Some news reports took those comments as a criticism⁸ of President Donald Trump⁹. Tillerson did not mention the president by name. But phrases like “alternative facts” and “fake news” are terms that Trump and his representatives sometimes use when news organizations are critical of him.

Trump dismissed¹⁰ Tillerson from his position as secretary of state in March.

In a graduation speech in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, television star Oprah Winfrey also discussed problems caused by the spread of misinformation. She spoke during the ceremony of the school’s Annenberg School for Communication.

She called truth “our saving¹¹ grace¹².”

“Not only are you here, USC Annenberg, to tell it, write it, to proclaim¹³ it, to speak it, but to be it. Be the truth,” she said

Winfrey also made note of other pressing issues in America – including gun violence, climate change and economic and racial inequality. “You can’t go anywhere — you can’t stand in line at Starbucks, you can’t go to a party, you can’t go anywhere without everyone talking about how bad things are,” she said.

Chadwick Boseman, star of the hugely successful “Black Panther” movie, made similar comments in his speech at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Howard University is one of the top historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, in the country. Boseman attended Howard University himself.

The school has recently had its own problems. It faced a scandal¹⁴ and student demonstrations¹⁵ after school officials were caught misusing¹⁶ money meant for student aid earlier this year. Boseman spoke about the scandal and the deeper problems facing students -- especially as African Americans.

"Many of you will leave Howard and enter systems and institutions that have a history of discrimination and marginalization," he said.

But both Boseman and Winfrey also offered hope. Boseman suggested that the problems they will have to face will only make them better people in the end.

“I don’t know what your future is,” Boseman said. “But if you’re willing to take the harder way … the one with more failures at first than successes . . . then you will not regret it. … Remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.”

Winfrey offered clear advice for the USC graduates. She noted¹⁷ the power they can have simply by voting. If they feel their leaders are not doing what they want them to, they should vote those leaders out of office, she told them.

Winfrey also argued that for almost any problem, young people could find a solution. All they need to do is act.

“Pick a problem, any problem, and do something about it,” she said. “Because to somebody who’s hurting, something is everything.”

Christine Lagarde is managing director of the International Monetary¹⁸ Fund¹⁹. She gave the graduation speech at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. She asked graduates to look into their future to consider what effects their next choices and actions may have.

Lagarde also asked the graduates to think about how different the world is now compared to 10 years ago, and how different it may be in 10 more years. And she asked them how they planned on making sure the world goes in the direction they want it to.

“What kind of country, what kind of world, will you help build?” she asked. “What values will you respect? What will drive your life and the lives of others? Ten years from now, when the class of 2028 stands here and prepares to graduate, what will you have done to help them?”

However, not all the graduation speeches of 2018 had such a serious tone²⁰. Many speakers aim to use humor²¹ to build a connection with the graduates and make the ceremonies more enjoyable.

Actor and director Michael Keaton did just that in the final part of his speech at the school he attended: Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

“I’ve got two words that I want you all to remember ... I’m Batman,” he said. Keaton played the popular character in two Hollywood films.

I’m Pete Musto. And I’m Dorothy Gundy.

Words in This Story

graduation – n. a ceremony at which a document which shows that a person has finished a course of study are given out

commencement – n. a ceremony at which a document which shows that a person has finished a course of study are given out

conceal – v. to keep something secret

alternative – adj. existing or functioning outside of the established society

realities – n. true situations that exist

relinquish(ing) – v. to give up something

mention – v. to talk about, write about, or refer to something or someone, especially in a brief way

phrase(s) – n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence

saving grace – idm. a good quality that makes a bad or unpleasant person or thing better or more acceptable²²

scandal – n. an occurrence²³ in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong

marginalization – n. the act of putting or keeping someone in a powerless or unimportant²⁴ position within a society or group

tone – n. a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing

character – n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show

1 honor   

n.光荣；敬意；荣幸；vt.给…以荣誉；尊敬

参考例句：

• I take your visit as a great honor.您的来访是我莫大的光荣。
• It is a great honor to receive that prize.能拿到那个奖是无上的光荣。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 democracy   

n.民主政治，民主制度；民主精神，民主作风

参考例句：

• Democracy is based on good will and mutual understanding.民主建立在善意和相互理解的基础上。
• Did democracy have its beginnings in Athens? 民主制度是创始于雅典吗？

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

5 democratic   

adj.民主的；民主主义的，有民主精神的

参考例句：

• Their country has democratic government.他们国家实行民主政体。
• He has a democratic work-style.他作风民主。

6 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。

7 relinquishing   

交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃

参考例句：

• The international relinquishing of sovereignty would have to spring from the people. 在国际间放弃主权一举要由人民提出要求。
• We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. 我们很明白，没有人会为了废除权力而夺取权力。 来自英汉文学

8 criticism   

n.批评，批判，指责；评论，评论文章

参考例句：

• Some youth today do not allow any criticism at all.现在有些年轻人根本指责不得。
• It is wrong to turn a deaf ear to other's criticism.对别人的批评充耳不闻是错误的。

9 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

10 dismissed   

v.解雇( dismiss的过去式和过去分词 )；（使击球员或球队）退场；使退去；驳回

参考例句：

• Vegetarians are no longer dismissed as cranks. 素食者不再被视为有怪癖的人。
• He was dismissed for incompetence. 他因不称职而被解雇。

11 saving   

n.节省，节约；[pl.]储蓄金，存款

参考例句：

• Energy saving is term strategic policy of our country.节约能源是我国长期的战略国策。
• Old-fashioned housewives were usually very saving.旧时的家庭主妇通常都很节俭。

12 grace   

n.优雅，雅致，魅力，恩惠，慈悲

参考例句：

• She is a beautiful girl with the grace and poise.她是一位仪态优雅的佳丽。
• I hope the grace of God would descend on me.我期望上帝的恩惠。

13 proclaim   

vt.宣告，宣布，公布，声明，表明

参考例句：

• His manners proclaim him a scholar.从他的举止可以看出他是一个学者。
• His classic boyish looks seemed to proclaim his good humour and openness.他的长相非常孩子气，显得性情很好且诚实坦率。

14 scandal   

n.丑事，丑闻，流言蜚语，反感，愤慨

参考例句：

• Scandal and gossip are meat and drink to him.各种丑闻和流言蜚语是他最感兴趣的事。
• His theft from the shop caused scandal in the village.他因偷商店的东西引起全村的公愤。

15 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

16 misusing   

v.使用…不当( misuse的现在分词 )；把…派作不正当的用途；虐待；滥用

参考例句：

• This means we must stop misusing them. 也就是说，我们已必须停止滥用抗菌素不可了。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 预防生物武器
• Misusing organic fertilizer may cause a decrease in the soil's quality. 滥用有机肥料可能会导致土地的土质下降。 来自互联网

17 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

18 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

19 fund   

n.基金，资金，存款，财源，贮藏；vt.提供资金，积累

参考例句：

• They decided to set up a fund for this purpose.他们决定为此专立一项基金。
• This fund may not be drawn on without permission.这笔钱非经批准不得动用。

20 tone   

n.语气，音调，气度，色调；vt.（up）增强

参考例句：

• There was a tone of mockery in his voice.他说话的语气含有嘲笑的意味。
• Holmes used an informal,chatty tone in his essays.霍姆斯在文章中语气轻松随便。

21 humor   

n.(humour)幽默，诙谐

参考例句：

• He is distinguished for his sense of humor.他以其幽默感著称。
• American humor is founded largely on hyperbole.美式幽默主要以夸张为基础。

22 acceptable   

adj.可接受的，合意的，受欢迎的

参考例句：

• The terms of the contract are acceptable to us.我们认为这个合同的条件可以接受。
• Air pollution in the city had reached four times the acceptable levels.这座城市的空气污染程度曾高达可接受标准的四倍。

23 occurrence   

n.发生，出现，事件，发生的事件

参考例句：

• Two things account for its occurrence.发生这件事的原因有两个。
• For a military commander，winning or losing a battle is a common occurrence.胜败乃兵家常事。

24 unimportant   

adj.不重要的，无意义的

参考例句：

• Let's not quarrel about such unimportant matters.我们不要为这些小事争吵了。
• Money seems unimportant when sets beside the joys of family life.与天伦之乐相比，金钱显得微不足道。