Old Chinese live a younger life_社会生活

Old Chinese live a younger life

文章来源：文章作者：发布时间：2006-11-25 03:12 字体： [大中小]　进入论坛

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Chinanews, Hong Kong, Nov. 23 – When one walks on a street in any city in China, it is easy to see that every day, many old people are in high spirits and eager to compete with younger generation. People in a harmonious¹ society in China tend to become younger now, the Hong Kong-based Takungpao reported.

In some analysts²' point of view, the phenomenon that old people in disregard of their age are not solely³ promoted by their life aspirations⁴, as the old Chinese saying goes, “An aged⁵ steed in the stable still aspires⁶ to gallop⁷ one thousand miles”. Rather, the old traditions have, to some extent, become outdated⁸ today. It is an undisputed fact that nowadays, many “old” people, or people who are regarded as old by tradition, do not feel old at all.

Firstly, people's average life expectancy⁹ has greatly increased compared to the past. According to a World Health Report issued in 2006, by the end of last year Chinese people's average life expectancy was 72, with the average life expectancy for males being 70 and females being 74. People's average life expectancy is now double that of 1949, which stood at 35. In Beijing, the life expectancy of people living in urban areas already reached 79.6 two years ago, 26.8 years more than the figure in 1949, which was 52.8.

Secondly¹⁰, many senior citizens refuse to succumb¹¹ to old age for the very reason that people around them regard them as being old. Days ago, some people in their fifties felt upset about a piece of news posted on the Internet with a headline that reads “an old man aged 50 such and such…”. In fact, most people at this age group might still feel as young as in their 20s or 30s.

Lastly, the liberal political environment in society makes people feel relaxed mentally. Since China carried out the opening policy 28 years ago, people's living standard has been greatly improved, medical services have become much better, and great changes have taken place for people, especially those living in cities. These might all contribute to a prolonged life expectancy. But most important of all, Chinese people live in a more politically liberal society. Things like political taboos¹² or rights and wrongs become fewer and fewer. People can talk freely and choose the lifestyle they like. They enjoy a society that embraces all kinds of life values. This mental liberation might be the biggest reason for people to enjoy a long life.

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收听单词发音

1 harmonious
adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的
参考例句：
Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals.他们关系融洽的部分原因是他们有着相似的目标。 The room was painted in harmonious colors.房间油漆得色彩调和。

2 analysts
分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )
参考例句：
City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。 I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 solely
adv.仅仅，唯一地
参考例句：
Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。 The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。

4 aspirations
强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )；志向；发送气音；发 h 音
参考例句：
I didn't realize you had political aspirations. 我没有意识到你有政治上的抱负。 The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。

5 aged
adj.年老的，陈年的
参考例句：
He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。 He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

6 aspires
v.渴望，追求( aspire的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
The fame to which he aspires was beyond his reach. 他追求的名誉乃是他所不能及的。来自《简明英汉词典》 An old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand li. 老骥伏枥，志在千里。来自《简明英汉词典》

7 gallop
v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展
参考例句：
They are coming at a gallop towards us.他们正朝着我们飞跑过来。 The horse slowed to a walk after its long gallop.那匹马跑了一大阵后慢下来缓步而行。

8 outdated
adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时
参考例句：
That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。 Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

9 expectancy
n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额
参考例句：
Japanese people have a very high life expectancy.日本人的平均寿命非常长。 The atomosphere of tense expectancy sobered everyone.这种期望的紧张气氛使每个人变得严肃起来。

10 secondly
adv.第二，其次
参考例句：
Secondly,use your own head and present your point of view.第二，动脑筋提出自己的见解。 Secondly it is necessary to define the applied load.其次，需要确定所作用的载荷。

11 succumb
v.屈服，屈从；死
参考例句：
They will never succumb to the enemies.他们决不向敌人屈服。 Will business leaders succumb to these ideas?商业领袖们会被这些观点折服吗？

12 taboos
禁忌( taboo的名词复数 )；忌讳；戒律；禁忌的事物（或行为）
参考例句：
She was unhorsed by fences, laws and alien taboos. 她被藩蓠、法律及外来的戒律赶下了马。 His mind was charged with taboos. 他头脑里忌讳很多。

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