(选自外研版选择性必修第二册 Unit 1) In most countries，turning 18 marks the start of adulthood.But what does reaching this milestone，the age of majority，really mean Will you be completely in charge of your own life and able to express yourself in new and exciting ways What new responsibilities will this freedom bring Here，three young people tell us what turning 18 means，or meant，to them. Bethany 16，Victoria，Australia I can’t wait to be 18.One reason is that although I’ve been working ever since leaving school，I won’t be voting in the next general election.Why Because I still won’t be old enough.Surely，if you’re old enough to earn a wage and pay taxes，you should be allowed to have a say on how the government spends them! I’ve also been taking driving lessons，and in fact I will be taking my driving test on the very day I turn 18.My mum worries about me being behind the wheel.As an ambulance driver，she’s seen a lot of car accidents involving teenagers and thinks the legal age for getting a driving licence should be 21.But I think I’m already mature enough to understand that driving a car also means taking responsibility for my life and the lives of other people. Lin Ning 19，Shanghai，China I celebrated my 18th birthday just before I went to university.I expected to feel instantly different，as if I had closed the door on my childhood and stepped into a whole new adult world.But it wasn’t like that.When I woke up the next day，there were still rules to obey and lessons to attend.In fact，the change has been more subtle and gradual than I imagined.Instead of being the selfish teenager I used to be，I have begun to feel more aware of other people and to develop a stronger sense of social responsibility.To give an example，I will be signing an organ donation agreement this time tomorrow.This was a big decision for me and I made it without asking my parents (although I knew they would approve)．Turning 18 also changed the way that society viewed me.I was really surprised when a bank contacted me with a credit card offer.Of course，I would like to have more freedom with money and no doubt I will be getting a credit card at some point，but I currently don’t have a steady income，so getting a credit card might tempt me to spend more money than I have! Morgan 20，Florida，the US People say that 18 marks a new chapter in our lives，and that we should become more independent.I used to believe this，but the reality for me has been very different.I assumed I’d already have a well paid job and that I’d be moving into a rented apartment as soon as I turned 18，but how wrong I was! My librarian’s salary means that I’ll be living at home with my parents for a while longer.Because I contribute to the household bills and my commute to work is quite expensive，I find it hard to save any money.I’ll be starting a new job next month，however，so maybe things will get easier.I know I could get a bank loan to pay the deposit on my very own apartm ... ...
