考研英语二:衰退时代分享，希望对大家的学习有所帮助。
　　The great recession may be over, but this era (of high joblessness) is probably beginning. Before it ends, it will likely change the life course and character of a generation of young adults. And ultimately, it is likely to reshape our politics, our culture, and the character of our society for years.经济大萧条可能已经结束了，但高失业率时代可能也才刚刚开始。在其结束之前的这段时间里，可能会改变整整一代年轻人的生活历程和性格。也可能会改变我们长期以来形成的政治、文化和社会特点。
　　(1929-1933)经济大萧条时代>(2007年至2009年)经济衰退时代 No one tries harder than the jobless (to find silver linings in this national economic disaster.) Many said that unemployment, (while extremely painful,) had improved them in some ways: they had become less materialistic and more financially prudent ; they were more aware of the struggles of others. In limited respects , perhaps the recession will leave society better off. At the very least, it has awoken us from our national fever dream of easy riches and bigger houses, and put a necessary end to an era(of reckless personal spending.)silver lining : a consolingaspect of adifficult situation.
　　materialism:实利 唯物
　　idealism :空想唯心
　　prudent : sensible and careful when you make judgements and decisions. avoiding unnecessary risks.
　　struggle : sth thatis difficult for you to do or achieve.
　　leave :to make sth happen or remain as a result.
　　fever : a state of nervous excitement. 在这次全国性的经济衰退中，为了找到一丝希望，那些失业者比任何人都更为努力。 很多人觉得，失业虽然很痛苦，但还是能在某些方面让他们自己能够提升自己---让自己少些功利心，对待财务也更为审慎； 同时也更为理解别人的幸苦。 从某些方面来说，衰退可能会让社会发展的更好。 至少，衰退会让我们从一夜暴富和购买大房子这样的美梦中醒来，终结掉不顾后果的个人消费时代。 But for the most part, these benefits seem thin , uncertain, and far off. In The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth, the economic historian Benjamin Friedman argues that /both inside and outside the U.S., lengthy periods (of economic stagnation or decline) have almost always left society more mean -spirited and less inclusive, and have usually stopped or reversed the advance (of rights and freedoms.)Anti-immigrant sentiment typically increases, as does conflict (between races and classes.)thin: lacking credibility or adequacy.
　　moral : based on your own senseof what is right and fair, not on legal right or duties.
　　stagnation :the fact of no longerdeveloping or making progress.
　　mean : not willing to give or share things, especially money.
　　inclusive :including a wide range of people, things, ideas, etc.
　　conclusive :proving sth, and allowing nodoubt or confusion.