2016年托福考试写作话题语料库_第5页

　　五、生活习惯类话题语料库

　　1、The attachments some enjoy with individuals outside the family circle are enough to carry them through life. Classmates and workmates become close friends and figurative family. There is a tendency to be closer to "strangers," than our own blood. Families rarely live in the same city, thus family dinners are no more, and annual reunions are a thing of the past. With the influx of people relocating to different parts of the country, and the passing of older ones, who were the nucleus of some families, many realize that family closeness is fading. We drift apart from that special cousin, and daily calls to grandparents become weekly chores.

　　对于家庭圈外人的依属感贯穿了很多人的一生。同伴同学和同事成为了好朋友，成为了意义上的家人。我们倾向于对陌生人比自己的亲人更加亲近。一家人很少住在一个城市了，家庭晚宴也不在可能了，年度聚会也是过去的事情了。随着大家不断的搬居到其他地方，随着过去家庭核心成员老年人的去世，很多人意识到家人的亲近度在降低。我们逐渐对表亲疏远，给祖父母打电话也变成了每周任务。

　　3、My Grandparents actively practiced simplicity. They both grew up in very large families and lived through the Great Depression. Saving for a rainy day and avoiding rampant consumerism was integral to their life philosophy. Rather than seeking fulfillment through material items they chose to spent quality time together, with family, and in nature.

　　1. Save extra cash by living small.

　　Home-ownership is one of the largest expenses in America. By living in a small home, you can save a lot of extra cash. Here’s what David Crook, a Wall Street Journal columnist, has to say about home-ownership:

　　“You can easily end up spending three times the purchase price of a house. Today’s buyer of a typical $300,000 single-family home who takes out a 30-year loan will end up paying the price of the house again just in interest. Add 30 years of property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, regular maintenance and a couple of big-ticket repairs or improvements, and the total cost of buying the home could easily top out at well over $1 million.”

　　2. Plant a garden.

　　My Grandparents lived in a small home, but had a huge garden. They loved gardening because it reduced their grocery bill, improved their health, and gave them an excuse to be outside. Even if you live in a small home or apartment you don’t have to forgo gardening. Vertical gardening, community gardens, and window farming are all options to consider.

　　3. Avoid lifestyle creep.

　　Lifestyle creep is when we try to keep up with the mythical Joneses and end up unhappy and in debt. My Grandparents avoided lifestyle creepy by paying for their own home in cash and building it themselves. They also reused and recycled everything. For instance, they drove the same car for over 15 years and didn’t buy anything new until their stuff was worn out.

　　4. Living well on less isn’t about self-deprivation.

　　My Grandparents taught me that living a simple life isn’t about self-deprivation. Instead, it’s about giving yourself the time, freedom, and money to pursue your dreams. Becoming debt free, downsizing to a smaller home, and going car-lite are a few ways to take control of your life and start pursuing your dreams.

　　5. Take action.

　　If you’re thinking of living a simpler lifestyle take action! Below are a few tips to get you started:

　　Consider starting a vertical gardening project or join a community garden in your neighborhood.

　　Add up the amount you spend on housing and transportation every month. Brainstorm ways you can cut those expenses.

　　The next time you have the urge to go shopping ask yourself if your really “need” more stuff. Be mindful of your consumption choices and remember your priorities.

　　我的祖父母一直都遵循简单原则。他们都是在大家族环境下成长的，并且都经历了大萧条的年代。未雨绸缪和杜绝浪费是他们人生信条中不可或缺的理念。比起通过物质来追求满足，他们更愿意用更多的时间和家人在一起来享受满足。

　　1. 简约生活节约开销

　　买房在美国是一项最大的开销。住小一点的房子，能节省很多额外的支出。华尔街日报的专栏作家，David Crook，这样写到：

　　”你可以轻松地告别买一个房子却要支付3倍房价的生活。如今，如果一个家庭买一套30万美元的房子，当支付完30年的贷款，光支付的利息就够再买一套这样的房子了。除此之外，还要支付30年的财产税、房屋财产保险费、日常维护费，在加上偶尔几次的大修理或改建，你花在这个房子上的钱很容易就超过100万美元了。”

　　2. 种植自己的花园

　　我祖父母的房子虽然小，但花园很大。他们热爱园艺，因为这不仅能减少杂物开销，还能锻炼身体，并且是一个非常好的户外活动的引子。就算你住在一个小房子或者小公寓，你也不能放弃园艺。纵向园地、社区花园、窗台农场都是可以考虑的选择。

　　3. 活着就要有底气

　　生活没底气就好像你试图去向你周围的人的生活看齐，但这些人的生活又是你自己假想出来的，最终就会很不开心，还会负债。我祖父母就避免了这样，他们买房子没有贷款，并且自己盖房子，而且还尽量把所有的东西都重复和循环利用。比如，他们的车一开就是15年，其他东西也是没有罢工之前绝不买新的。

　　4. 自在活而自苦活

　　我祖父母教育我说，过简单的生活并不是自己亏待自己，而是给自己时间、自由、金钱去追求自己的梦想。没有负债，减少房子面积，减少用车频率，这些都是控制生活成本的方式，这样就可以开始追寻你的梦想了。

　　5. 行动起来

　　如果你正在思考过简单的生活，那就开始行动吧。下面是给你的几点提示：

　　考虑一下纵向花园吧，或者加入你周围的社区花园。

　　计算出你每个月花在房子和交通上的支出，头脑风暴的方式可以帮你减少这些花销。

　　下次你急着去超市的时候，问问自己你是不是真的需要这些东西。慎重对待你的消费选择，切记你的优先级。