Using Language 课文精读 · 留学：好主意还是坏主意（读者来信）
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
来信一（王丽，一对双胞胎女孩的母亲）
第1段
In the past few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people studying abroad. Although studying abroad can be beneficial, I think that it brings more disadvantages than advantages for young people.
过去几十年里，留学人数急剧增长。尽管出国留学大有裨益，但我认为，对年轻人来说它弊大于利。
第2段
To begin with, many students who study abroad face great economic pressure. That means studying abroad is just not possible for everyone. The tuition fees and living expenses are much higher than those in China, and most families end up spending a fortune. Studying at home is more convenient and costs less.
首先，许多留学生面临巨大的经济压力。这意味着留学并非人人可行。国外的学费与生活开销比国内高出许多，多数家庭最终要花一大笔钱。而在国内读书更方便，也更省钱。
第3段
Another important factor to consider is the tremendous pressure that comes with studying abroad. Students must learn to cope with the stress of living in a foreign country where the customs and language are different. While learning how to behave in new situations, some students might suffer from culture shock, while others may be too immature to deal with the challenges by themselves.
另一个需要考虑的重要因素是留学带来的巨大压力。学生必须学会应对在异国他乡生活的压力，那里的习俗和语言都不同。在学着如何在新环境中得体行事时，一些学生可能会遭受文化冲击，另一些则可能不够成熟，无法独自应对各种挑战。
第4段
A final point to consider is that while studying abroad does have potential benefits, young people who study in China also have a bright future! With the development of China, the educational environment has greatly improved, with world-class universities and excellent professors. These universities provide students with the opportunities to realise their potential and contribute to the development of our country.
最后要考虑的一点是：尽管留学确有潜在益处，但在中国求学的年轻人同样前途光明！随着中国的发展，教育环境已大幅改善，拥有世界一流的大学和杰出的教授。这些高校为学生提供机会，使其发挥潜力，并为国家的发展作出贡献。
第5段
To sum up, one cannot deny the fact that studying abroad has its disadvantages, so when you think about studying abroad, you should consider all the above factors.
总而言之，我们无法否认留学有其弊端这一事实，因此当你考虑出国留学时，应当把上述因素都考虑进去。
来信二（张毅，一个男孩的父亲）
第6段
Is studying abroad a good idea or not? There are certainly disadvantages, but in my opinion, the advantages are more important.
出国留学究竟是不是个好主意？留学当然有其弊端，但在我看来，利更重要。
第7段
The first advantage of studying abroad is personal growth. The education you gain and the experiences you have will help to build your character. For example, you must learn to be independent, as you will have to deal with all kinds of difficulties by yourself. Studying abroad also helps you to gain a global perspective and improve your foreign language ability.
留学的第一个好处是个人成长。你所接受的教育和拥有的经历将有助于塑造你的品格。例如，你必须学会独立，因为你要独自应对各种困难。留学还能帮你获得全球视野，提高外语能力。
第8段
Another advantage is the increased chance for cultural exchange. Chinese students can be seen as cultural envoys promoting friendship between China and other countries. Foreign students in China also bring their colourful cultures. Working and communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds helps us to view the world from different angles and thus learn more about our own culture.
另一个好处是获得更多文化交流的机会。中国留学生可被视为增进中外友谊的文化使者。在华外国留学生也带来了他们丰富多彩的文化。与不同文化背景的人共事交流，有助于我们从不同角度看待世界，进而更深入地了解自己的文化。
第9段
Finally, studying abroad provides a great opportunity to contribute to the development of our motherland. China’s global outlook, with projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, helps us to make connections with the world. Therefore, more talented young people with international vision, bilingual skills, and a global perspective are needed. Students who study abroad can develop such abilities and contribute to the building of a stronger China.
最后，留学是为祖国发展作贡献的好机会。中国以"一带一路"倡议等项目展现的全球视野，帮助我们与世界建立联系。因此，我们需要更多具备国际视野、双语能力和全球视角的优秀人才。留学生能够培养这些能力，并为建设更强大的中国贡献力量。
第10段
All in all, studying abroad helps to build character and increase people’s understanding of cultural diversity, which in turn enhances China’s soft power and benefits the world as a whole. I think this life-changing experience is definitely worthwhile, and I hope my child will study abroad in the future.
总之，出国留学有助于塑造品格、增进人们对文化多样性的理解，进而提升中国的软实力，造福整个世界。我认为这段改变人生的经历绝对值得，也希望我的孩子将来能出国留学。
二、重点单词
beneficial adj.：有益的；有利的。studying abroad can be beneficial
disadvantage n.：不利条件；缺点。more disadvantages than advantages
dramatic adj.：急剧的；显著的；戏剧性的。a dramatic increase（急剧增长）
tuition n.：学费。The tuition fees ... are much higher
expense n.：费用；开销。living expenses（生活开销）
tremendous adj.：巨大的；极大的。tremendous pressure
cope v.：应对；处理。cope with the stress
immature adj.：不成熟的。too immature to deal with
potential n. / adj.：潜力；潜在的。realise their potential
diversity n.：多样性。cultural diversity（文化多样性）
envoy n.：使者；代表。cultural envoys（文化使者）
perspective n.：视角；观点。gain a global perspective
enhance v.：增强；提升。enhances China’s soft power
worthwhile adj.：值得的；有价值的。definitely worthwhile
initiative n.：倡议；主动性。the Belt and Road Initiative（一带一路倡议）
soft power n.：软实力。China’s soft power
三、一词多义与熟词生义
dramatic 常见义"戏剧性的、戏剧的"，课文 a dramatic increase 指"急剧的、显著的（变化）"。
expense 常见义"花费、代价"，课文 living expenses 特指"生活开销、生活费"。
potential 常见义作形容词"潜在的"，课文 realise their potential 中作名词"潜力、潜能"。
perspective 常见义"透视、远景（美术）"，课文 global perspective 指"视角、视野、大局观"。
enhance 常见义"提高、改进"，课文 enhances soft power 为"提升（国家）软实力"的固定搭配。
四、重点词块
a dramatic increase in ……的急剧增长
study abroad 出国留学
more disadvantages than advantages 弊大于利
to begin with 首先；第一点
face economic pressure 面临经济压力
end up spending a fortune 最终花一大笔钱
another important factor to consider 另一个需要考虑的重要因素
cope with 应对；应付
suffer from culture shock 遭受文化冲击
too ... to 太……而不能
realise one’s potential 发挥某人的潜力
contribute to 为……作贡献
to sum up 总而言之
in my opinion 在我看来
personal growth 个人成长
gain a global perspective 获得全球视野
cultural exchange 文化交流
cultural envoy 文化使者
view ... from different angles 从不同角度看待……
all in all 总之；归根结底
cultural diversity 文化多样性
be worthwhile 值得的
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】In the past few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people studying abroad.
【主干】there has been a dramatic increase (in the number of people).
【分层】In the past few decades 为时间状语；there has been 为现在完成时的 there be 结构；of people studying abroad 中 studying abroad 为现在分词作后置定语修饰 people。
【译文】过去几十年里，留学人数急剧增长。
【考点】there be 的现在完成时；现在分词作后置定语。
【原句 2】Another important factor to consider is the tremendous pressure that comes with studying abroad.
【主干】Another factor is the pressure.
【分层】to consider 为不定式作后置定语修饰 factor；that comes with studying abroad 为定语从句修饰 pressure；comes with 意为"伴随……而来"。
【译文】另一个需要考虑的重要因素，是伴随留学而来的巨大压力。
【考点】不定式作后置定语；that 定语从句。
【原句 3】Students must learn to cope with the stress of living in a foreign country where the customs and language are different.
【主干】Students must learn to cope with the stress.
【分层】of living ... 为介词短语作后置定语修饰 stress；where the customs ... are different 为定语从句修饰 a foreign country，where 在从句中作地点状语。
【译文】学生必须学会应对在习俗和语言都不同的异国生活的压力。
【考点】where 引导定语从句；介词短语后置定语；learn to do。
【原句 4】With the development of China, the educational environment has greatly improved, with world-class universities and excellent professors.
【主干】the educational environment has improved.
【分层】With the development of China 为 with 复合结构作原因/伴随状语；句末 with world-class universities ... 为 with 复合结构作伴随状语，补充说明改善的体现。
【译文】随着中国的发展，教育环境已大幅改善，拥有世界一流的大学和杰出的教授。
【考点】with 复合结构（表原因/伴随）；现在完成时。
【原句 5】Chinese students can be seen as cultural envoys promoting friendship between China and other countries.
【主干】Chinese students can be seen as cultural envoys.
【分层】be seen as 为被动"被视为"；promoting friendship ... 为现在分词短语作后置定语修饰 envoys，表主动进行的动作。
【译文】中国留学生可被视为增进中外友谊的文化使者。
【考点】be seen as 被动；现在分词作后置定语。
【原句 6】All in all, studying abroad helps to build character and increase people’s understanding of cultural diversity, which in turn enhances China’s soft power and benefits the world as a whole.
【主干】studying abroad helps to build character and increase understanding.
【分层】studying abroad 为动名词短语作主语；build 与 increase 为并列宾语（to 后）；which in turn enhances ... 为非限制性定语从句，which 指代前面整件事。
【译文】总之，出国留学有助于塑造品格、增进人们对文化多样性的理解，进而提升中国的软实力，造福整个世界。
【考点】动名词作主语；并列不定式宾语；which 非限制性定语从句。
六、语法点清单
1. there be 的现在完成时
there has been a dramatic increase，强调"从过去持续到现在的变化"。
2. 现在分词作后置定语
people studying abroad；envoys promoting friendship。现在分词表主动、进行，修饰前面的名词。
3. 定语从句（that / where / which）
that comes with ...（限制）；where the customs ...（地点）；which in turn enhances ...（非限制，指代主句）。
4. 比较结构（more ... than）
more disadvantages than advantages；much higher than those in China。议论文中用于权衡利弊。
5. 让步与对比（although / while）
Although studying abroad can be beneficial ...；while studying abroad does have potential benefits ...；while others may be ...。while 表"尽管"或"而"。
6. 动名词作主语
studying abroad helps ...；Studying at home is ...；Working and communicating ... helps ...。留学话题的高频主语形式。
7. with 复合结构
With the development of China ...；with world-class universities ...。表原因或伴随。
七、逻辑链
来信一·王丽（立场：弊大于利）
现象：留学人数激增，但弊多于利
↓
分论点1：经济压力 → 非人人可行，国内更省更便
↓
分论点2：文化/适应压力 → 文化冲击、不够成熟难独立
↓
分论点3：中国同样前途光明（教育改善）→ 不必远渡
↓
结论：无法否认弊端，须权衡所有因素
来信二·张毅（立场：利大于弊）
立论：虽有弊，但利更重要
↓
分论点1：个人成长 → 独立、全球视野、外语
↓
分论点2：文化交流 → 做文化使者，反观自身文化
↓
分论点3：报效祖国 → 一带一路需要国际人才
↓
结论：塑造品格、增进理解、提升软实力，值得
这是一篇典型的"对立观点议论文"：两封信分别从"弊大于利"与"利大于弊"切入，均用"总—分—总"结构，借助 To begin with / Another / A final point / All in all 等衔接词层层推进，是议论文写作的范本。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：In the past few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in ...
课文：there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people studying abroad.
仿写：In the past few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in online learning.（过去几十年，在线学习人数急剧增长。）——用于现象引入。
模板 2：Although ..., I think that it brings more disadvantages than advantages.
课文：Although studying abroad can be beneficial, I think that it brings more disadvantages than advantages.
仿写：Although the Internet is convenient, I think it brings more disadvantages than advantages to young kids.（尽管网络方便，我认为对小孩弊大于利。）——用于亮明权衡立场。
模板 3：To begin with, ... Another important factor is ... A final point is ...
课文：To begin with, many students face ... Another important factor to consider is ... A final point to consider is ...
仿写：To begin with, cost matters. Another factor is safety. A final point is convenience.（首先看成本，其次是安全，最后看便利。）——用于分点论证。
模板 4：With the development of ..., ... has greatly improved.
课文：With the development of China, the educational environment has greatly improved.
仿写：With the development of technology, our daily life has greatly improved.（随着科技发展，日常生活大幅改善。）——用于背景/原因段。
模板 5：All in all, ... helps to ... which in turn ...
课文：studying abroad helps to build character ..., which in turn enhances China’s soft power.
仿写：All in all, reading widely helps to broaden horizons, which in turn improves our thinking.（总之，广泛阅读有助于开阔视野，进而提升思维。）——用于结尾升华因果链。
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