一单元One way of summarizing the American position is to state that wevalue originality and independence more than the Chinese do.The contrast between our two c ultures can also be seen in terms of the fears we both harbor.Chinese teachers are fearful that if skills are not acquired early,they may never be acquired;there is,on the other hand,no com parable hurry to promote creativity.American educators fear that unless creativity has been ac quired early,it may never emerge;on the other hand,skills can be picked up later. However,I do not want to overstate my case.There is enormous creativity to be found in Chin ese scientific,technological and artistic innovations past and present.And there is a danger of exaggerating creative breakthroughs in the West.When any innovation is examined closely,its reliance on previous achievements is all too apparent(the"standing on the shoulders of giants "phenomenon).But assuming that the contrast I have developed is valid,and that the fostering of skills and cr eativity are both worthwhile goals,the important question becomes this:Can we gather,from t he Chinese and American extremes,a superior way to approach education,perhaps striking a b etter balance between the poles of creativity and basic skills?美国人的立场可以概括起来这么说，我们比中国人更重视创新和自立。

我们两种文化的差异也可以从我们各自所怀的忧虑中显示出来。

中国老师担心，如果年轻人不及早掌握技艺，就有可能一辈子掌握不了；另一方面，他们并不同样地急于促进创造力的发展。

美国教育工作者则担心，除非从一开始就发展创造力，不然创造力就有可能永不再现；而另一方面，技艺可于日后获得。

但我并不想夸大其辞。

无论在过去还是在当今，中国在科学、技术和艺术革新方面都展示了巨大的创造力。

而西方的创新突破则有被夸大的危险。

如果仔细审视任何一项创新，其对以往成就的依赖则都显而易见（“站在巨人肩膀之上”的现象）。

然而，假定我这里所说的反差是成立的，而培养技艺与创造力两者都是值得追求的目标，那么重要的问题就在于：我们能否从中美两个极端中寻求一种更好的教育方式，它或许能在创造力与基本技能这两极之间获得某种较好的平衡？第二单元Yet, I feel nothing more than a passing whim to attain the material things so many other people have.My 1999 car shows the wear and tear of 105,000 miles.But it is still dependable.My apartment is modest but quiet and relaxing.My clothes are well suited to my work, which is primarily outdoors.My minimal computer needs can be met at the library.In spite of what I don't have,I don't feel poor.Why?I've enjoyed exceptionally good health f or53years.It's not just that I've been illness-free,it's that I feel vigorous and spirited.Exercising is actually fun for me.I look forward to long,energizing walks.And I love the"can do"attitude t hat follows.I also cherish the gift of creativity.When I write a beautiful line of poetry,or fabricate a joke that tickles someone,I feel rich inside.I'm continually surprised at the insights that come throu gh my writing process.And talking with so many interesting writer friends is one of my main so urces of enjoyment.然而想要得到其他那么多人都有的物质的东西对我来说只不过是转瞬即逝的念头而已。

我的汽车是1999年的产品到现在开了十万五千英里已经很破很旧了但是它依然可靠。

我的住房不大但是很安静住着挺舒心。

我的衣服很适合于我的工作主要都在户外。

我对计算机的很少的需求可以在图书馆得到解决。

尽管有些东西我没有我并不感到贫穷。

这是为什么五十三年来我一直非常健康。

我不但不生病而且精力充沛情绪饱满。

锻炼对我而言是确确实实的快事我乐意长距离步行越走越有劲。

我喜爱步行后随之产生的一种“什么都干得了”的心态。

我还十分珍惜我的创作才能。

当我写出美丽的诗句或编造出能把人逗乐的笑话时我内心感到很富有。

通过写作而获得的洞察力不断地令我惊奇。

而与那么多写作朋友交谈是我乐趣的主要源泉之一。

第四单元I'd never realized how important daily routine is:dressing for work,sleeping normal hours.I'd never thought I relied so much on co-workers for company.I began to understand why long-ter m unemployment can be so damaging,why life without an externally supported daily plan canlead to higher rates of drug abuse,crime,suicide.To restore balance to my life,I force myself back into the real world.I call people,arrange to m eet with the few remaining friends who haven't fled New York City.I try to at least get to the gy m,so as to set apart the weekend from the rest of my week.I arrange interviews for stories,do ctor's appointments -- anything to get me out of the house and connected with others.But sometimes being face to face is too much.I see a friend and her ringing laughter is intoler able -- the noise of conversation in the restaurant,unbearable.I make my excuses and flee.I re-enter my apartment and run to the computer as though it were a place of safety.I click on the modem,the once-annoying sound of the connection now as pleasant as my favo rite tune.I enter my password.The real world disappears.以前我从未意识到日常的生活起居是多么重要，如穿戴整齐去上班，按时就寝。

以前我从未想过自己会那么依赖同事做伴。

我开始理解为什么长时间的失业会那么伤人，为什么一个人的生活缺少了外部支持的日常计划就会导致吸毒、犯罪、自杀率的增长。

为了恢复生活的平衡，我强迫自己回到真实世界中去。

我给别人打电话，与所剩无几的仍然住在纽约城的几个朋友安排见面。

我至少设法去去健身房，以便使周末与工作日有所不同。

我安排采访好写报道，预约看医生——安排任何需要我出门与他人接触的活动。

但有时面对面地与人相处实在难以忍受。

我与一位朋友见面，她那种响亮的笑声让人忍无可忍——饭店里的噪杂谈话声也让人受不了。

我找了个藉口逃之夭夭。

我重新回到我的公寓，冲向电脑，似乎那儿才是一个安全的地方。