演讲实例：The Advantages of Being Young

The Advantages of Being Young

There are so many advantages of being young that I think it would take me several hours to mention them all in detail. However, in my allotted time, I could list the principal ones.
Firstly, one good thing about being young is that one can make great plans for the future.
Next in order, I think, is the fact that when one is young, one’s mind is fresh and it is much easier to absorb new knowledge.
Thirdly, one can participate in all sorts of sports, including some of the very strenuous ones, without fear of the many serious consequences that elderly people would have to fear. But this, of course, also depends on one’s physical condition. No matter how young a person may be, if he is not physically fit, he must be on guard against over-straining himself.
Finally, when one is not yet advanced in age, one looks much more attractive in personal appearance. When he looks at himself in the mirror, he does not find the many ugly wrinkles on the face and neck, white hair on his head (or no hair at all), and dirty stains on his skin that make old people wince when they look at themselves.
Yes, it’s truly wonderful to be young and fit. I sometimes wish that I could always maintain my youth like Peter Pan and never grow old.

年轻的好处

年轻有许多好处。我想，要把它们全部详细说出，得花好几个钟头。不过，在我所分配到的时间内，我可以列出主要的几项。
首先，年轻的一个好处是能为未来作远大的计划。
按照次序，我想第二点是个事实，一个人年轻时，他的心不但活泼且容易吸收新知。
第三点，一个人可以从事各种运动，包括一些很费力的运动，而不用担心很多老年人害怕的严重后果。但这当然也须视个人的身体状况而定。无论一个人多年轻，如果身体不是健康，就必须小心不要让自己过度操劳。
最后，一个人若未上了年纪，容貌要动人多了。当他揽镜自照，看不到脸上、脖子上许多丑陋的皱纹、头上的白发（甚至没有头发），以及令老人们自己看到都要皱眉的斑点。
是的，年轻、健康真是太美妙了。有时我盼望能像小飞侠般年轻、永保青春。

allot v. 分配
principal a. 主要的
strenuous a. 费力的
over-strain v. 过度操劳
advanced a. 老的