高中英语外研版 选择性必修2 Unit1语篇1 The Age of Majority 成年年龄 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. 在大多数国家，年满18岁标志着成年阶段开始。但达到这个法定成年年龄的里程碑究竟意味着什么？你将完全掌控自己的人生，并能以令人兴奋的新方式表达自我吗？这种自由又将带来哪些新的责任？在此，三位年轻人向我们讲述了年满18岁对他们而言意味着什么，或曾经意味着什么。 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. 贝瑟妮，16岁，澳大利亚维多利亚州 我迫不及待想满18岁。一个重要原因是虽然毕业后我就开始工作，却仍无法参与下届大选投票。为什么？因为年龄依然不够。但既然已经到了能工作纳税的年纪，理应有权对政府如何使用税款发表意见！我还在上驾驶课，事实上18岁生日当天就要参加路考。妈妈总担心我开车———身为救护车司机的她目睹过太多青少年车祸，认为法定驾龄应提高到21岁。但我认为自己已足够成熟，明白开车意味着要对自身和他人生命负责。 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! 林宁，19岁，中国上海 上大学前夕， ... ...
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