1.New Coronavirus Creates Education Crisis Across Africa
新型冠狀病毒引發非洲教育危機
By Pete Musto
23 July 2020
There seems to be many choices for students in Africa to continue studying while schools remain closed because of the coronavirus crisis. Lessons are taught on television or over the radio. Math problems appear in newspapers. Classes are held on video conferencing services like Zoom or WhatsApp.
由於冠狀病毒危機，在學校停課的情況下非洲的學生似乎有很多選擇繼續學習。課程是通過電視或者廣播傳授的。數學問題出現在報紙上。課程在像Zoom或者WhatsApp的視頻會議服務上進行。
But the truth is that many students will fall behind and possibly drop out of school forever. If that happens, inequality will worsen across an already unequal continent.
但事實是，許多學生將會落後甚至可能永遠輟學。如果這些發生，不平等將會在一個已經不平等的大陸上惡化。
Mary Goretti Nakabugo is a literacy expert who runs a nonprofit education organization called Uwezo. It is based in Uganda.
Mary Goretti Nakabugo是一個識字專家，她經營著一個叫做Uwezo的非營利組織。總部建立在Uganda。
Nakabugo told The Associated Press, "I think education now is more of an emergency than the health issue. Children, she added, "are completely helpless at the moment."
Nakabugo對美聯社說：「我認為現在的教育比起健康更是一個緊急事件。」她還說小孩子們「目前完全無助。」
Nakabugo said that limited testing for COVID-19 means cases are likely undercounted in the East African country. But there have been no reported virus deaths in Uganda and just over 1,000 cases.
Nakabugo說，對COVID-19的有限檢測意味著在這個東非國家的病例可能被低估了。但是在Uganda沒有被報告的病毒死亡，只有1000多個病例。
The coronavirus crisis has created education difficulties around the world. But the schooling crisis is even more severe in Africa, where up to 80 percent of students are unable to connect to the internet. Electricity is also sometimes not dependable, making distance learning difficult or even impossible. And, in normal times, schools often provide safety to children and offer services that their families cannot pay for.
冠狀病毒危機在全世界範圍內造成了教育困境。但是在非洲，教育危機甚至更為嚴重，那裡高達80%的學生無法連接網際網路。電力有時也不可靠，這使得遠程學習變得困難甚至不可能。而且，在平時，學校經常為孩子們提供安全保障和家庭無法支付的服務。
Sub-Saharan Africa has more children who do not attend school than any other place in the world. The United Nations culture and education agency reports nearly one-fifth of children between the ages of six and 11, and over one-third of youth between 12 and 14, do not attend school.
撒哈拉以南非洲地區擁有的失學兒童比世界上任何地方都多。聯合國文化和教育機構報告說，將近五分之一的6歲至11歲的兒童和三分之一以上的12至14歲的青年人不上學。
In a report published this week, the charity organization Save the Children called the coronavirus crisis the "biggest global education emergency of our time." The report identified 12 countries in which children "are at extremely high risk of dropping out forever." Nine of them are in sub-Saharan Africa.
在本周發表的一份報告中，慈善組織「拯救兒童」稱冠狀病毒危機是「我們這個時代的最大全球性教育緊急事件」。報告指出，12個國家的兒童們「永遠輟學的風險極高」。其中9個國家在撒哈拉以南非洲。
With the help of outside groups, some African governments have announced measures to support learning from home. But many have been limited by a lack of dependable electricity and poor internet connectivity. Even publishing lessons in newspapers can be too costly for people in some places.
在外部團體的幫助下，一些非洲國家政府宣布了支持居家學習的措施。但是，許多人由於缺乏可靠的電力和網際網路連接不良而受到了限制。在某些地方，即使是在報紙上發表課程，對人們來說也太貴了。
Uganda's government has promised to provide 10 million radios and over 130,000 solar-powered television sets. But officials have failed to honor other promises during the crisis, including giving free face coverings to everyone.
Uganda政府承諾提供1000萬臺收音機和13萬臺太陽能電視機。但在危機期間，官員們沒有兌現其他承諾，其中包括給每個人免費的面紗。
In neighboring Kenya, schools for young children and teenagers will remain closed through 2020. Yet colleges and universities can reopen in September. The decision means Kenyan students will repeat a school year, a situation commonly described as a "dead year."
在鄰國Kenya，兒童和青少年的學校將在2020年前繼續關閉。然而，學院和大學可以在九月重新開學。這決定意味著肯亞學生將重修一個學年，這種情況通常被稱為「死亡之年」。
The effects of school closures will not be limited to learning. A report by the Norway-based Christian Michelsen Institute said, "The critical consequences may be related to health, water and nutrition." That is because schools provide important services to many African young people, the development research organization noted.
學校關閉的影響不僅僅在於學習。挪威基督教Michelsen研究所的一份報告說，「關鍵的結果可能與健康、水和營養有關。」這是因為學校為許多非洲年輕人提供重要的服務，發展研究組織指出。
School closures may deny students access to food and health programs -- and sometimes clean water.
學校的關閉可能會使學生無法獲得食物和健康項目——甚至是乾淨的飲用水。
Schools also provide protection for children from work and exploitation. Girls may especially suffer, says literacy expert Nakabugo. She noted several studies that have reported a rise in pregnancies among teenagers. The Norway-based group's report noted that the same thing happened during West Africa's Ebola crisis.
學校還保護兒童免受工作和剝削。識字專家Nakabugo說，女孩們可能特別遭難。她注意到一些研究報告稱青少年之間的懷孕率上升。在挪威的該組織的報告指出，在西非伊波拉危機期間也發生了同樣的事情。
The shutdown could also mean many schools close permanently and many teachers quit, worsening what is already the world's worst teacher shortage.
停課也可能意味著許多學校永久關閉以及許多教師辭職，這將使本已是世界上最嚴重的教師短缺問題更糟糕。
Media reports in Uganda point to school owners who are looking to sell their properties or have turned student housing into apartments in order to pay their loans.
Uganda媒體報導指出，為了償還貸款，一些學校的擁有者正打算出售自己的房產或將學生住房變成公寓。
In the West African nation of Senegal, education officials tried to keep children learning by broadcasting some classes on television after schools closed in March.
在西非國家Senegal，三月份學校關閉之後後，教育官員們試圖通過在電視上播放一些課程來保持孩子們的學習。
I'm Pete Musto.
Rodney Muhumuza reported on this story for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
________________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
conferencing – n. the act of meeting formally in order to talk about ideas or problems related to a given topic, such as medicine or business)
drop out – p.v. to stop attending a school or university before you have completed your studies
literacy – n. the ability to read and write
charity – n. the act of giving money, food, or other kinds of help to people who are poor or sick
global – adj. involving the entire world
solar – adj. of or relating to the sun
consequence(s) – n. something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions
access – n. a way of being able to use or get something
exploitation – n. the act of using someone or something in a way that is unfair
teenager(s) – n. someone who is between 13 and 19 years old
apartment(s) – n. a usually rented room or set of rooms that is part of a building and is used as a place to live
Tips
Mary Goretti Nakabugo：瑪麗·戈雷蒂·納卡布戈
Uganda：【國】烏幹達
Sub-Saharan：撒哈拉沙漠以南（非洲地區）的
The United Nations culture and education agency：聯合國文化和教育機構
Save the Children：拯救兒童基金會
Kenya：【國】肯亞
Ebola：伊波拉病毒
Senegal：【國】塞內加爾
2.Despite Coronavirus, K-pop Theater Show Seeks Performers
儘管有病毒，K-pop劇場仍在尋找演員
By Alice Bryant
23 July 2020
Most theaters in America may be closed, but one musical theater show is not letting that stop it from preparing.
大部分美國的劇場都關了，但是一些音樂劇場秀還是沒有停止準備。
KPOP" is a musical exploring the world of Korean pop music. The producers are doing a video-based casting call worldwide in hopes of being ready when live performances restart.
KPOP是一種韓國對pop音樂的探索。發行商仍在尋求全世界範圍內的演員，希望在舞臺重啟的時候做好準備。
Jason Kim is the playwright, or writer, of the musical. "We really hope as soon as possible to get into a room with all these people and see them in person," he told the Associated Press.
Producers are looking for Korean, Korean American and Asian American men and women in their 20s. They "must be excellent singers" with a strong pop sound and great dancers. Knowing K-pop music is, of course, helpful.
Jason Kim是這種曲風的作曲家。「我們真的希望立馬能與大家坐在一起，面對面。」他告訴美聯社。作曲家在尋找20歲的韓國人，韓裔美國人和亞裔美國人。他們「必須是優秀的歌手」，有著強大的pop嗓音和厲害的舞者。當然，要知道，K-pop音樂是很有幫助的。
Claire Burke is a casting director at Tara Rubin Casting in New York. She said she and her team have a "very tall ask." They are looking for performers who have all the energy and lovability of pop stars and also serious acting skills.
Claire Burke是New York的Tara Rubin Casting的角色導演。她說她和她的團隊有著「很高的要求」。他們尋找著能全身心、熱愛pop明星和重要的表演技巧的演員。
"It's about the shine and the performance and the dancing and the singing — that's huge," she said. But people also need to be able to really feel the emotion of it.
「這是關於光影、演技、舞蹈和歌曲——這很大」，她說。但是人們也需要能夠去真正地感受它的情感。
Those who hope to be in the musical are asked to send a video of themselves singing a pop or K-pop song and a video of their dance moves. Submissions have so far come from the United States, South Korea, Britain, Canada, Japan and Kazakhstan and other countries.
那些想加入的人被要求上交一個自己唱pop或者K-pop的時評，以及一個舞蹈動作的視頻。現在已經上傳的視頻來自於美國、韓國、英國、加拿大、日本和哈薩克斯坦以及其他國家。
When "KPOP" returns, it will represent a rare thing — a live theater production with a nearly all-Asian cast. The last time New York City had anything like that was in 2015 with "Allegiance." It was a musical based on American actor George Takei's life in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
當「k-pop」回歸的時候，它會代表一個稀有的東西——一個幾乎所有演員都是亞洲人的直播巨長秀。上次New York City有這樣的舞臺已經是2015年的Allegiance。這是一場以美國演員George Takei在二戰期間於日本拘留營中的生活為基礎的音樂劇。
Kim said he strongly believes the right performers are out there and have been "for a really long time."
Kim說他強烈認為正確的演員已經存在了，並且已經存在很久了。
"KPOP," which had its first showing in New York City in 2017, follows the lives of three sets of performers. It follows a boy band, a girl band and a young woman singer as they try to gain success in the American music market.
「KPOP」，首次出現於2017年的New York City，帶來了三種演員。一個男樂隊、一個女樂隊和一個年輕的女性歌手，因為他們嘗試在美國音樂市場中獲取一些成功。
Theater critics have had great things to say about "KPOP."
戲曲評論對KPOP評論了許多。
In the original musical, crowds followed different performers from room to room. Kim is rewriting it for a more traditional theater setting and songwriter Helen Park is adding new songs.
在最開始的音樂劇中，人群隨著不同的演員走到不同的房間。Kim正在為更傳統的劇院背景重新編寫劇本，詞曲作者 Helen Park 在增加新的歌曲。
The show is changing just as K-pop music is. In the years since it began, Americans have learned more about the music, including such groups as BTS, EXO and BLACKPINK. K-pop fans have also spoken online about everything from Black Lives Matter to Donald Trump.
表演就隨著KPOP音樂而變化。從它出現開始，美國人已經對此了解許多，包括一些組合BTS,EXO和BLACKPINK。Kpop粉絲在網上的討論也從黑人到了Donald Trump。
How casting is happening
如何選角
Kim has been helping the casting people go through hundreds of submissions to cast for 12 performers.
Kim已經在幫助選角的人在幾百份簡歷中尋找12名演員。
Candidates who the team likes are sent material from the show to record and submit. The next step is a live video meeting with the creative team. Then, if chosen, candidates receive a message that they will see everyone at rehearsals — whenever that happens.
這個團隊青睞的人都會被發送一些從表演中記錄和上交的材料。下一步是於這個有創造力的團隊視頻面談。譚厚，如果選上了，候選人會收到一個在彩排時見到大家的信息——不管這個彩排是什麼時候。
Burke's team is showing understanding about the quality of submissions because of the coronavirus crisis. The usual process has candidates in a room together learning dance moves at the same time. It also has a trained actor as an audition reader along with a person who knows the music. None of that is happening for the online process.
Burke的團隊表示對上交材料質量的理解，因為病毒疫情。一般的過程是讓候選人在房間裡一起學習舞蹈動作。還有訓練有素的演員作為試鏡的讀者和一個知道音樂的人。在線上過程中這些都無法實現。
Instead, the "KPOP" team has to deal with poor home microphones, bad lighting and the real chance that a candidate's mother or sister is holding the cellular phone to record.
不過，這個團隊還得處理不靈的家庭麥克風、差勁的燈光和候選人母親或者姐妹手舉手機錄像的情況。
I'm Alice Bryant.
The Associated Press reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.
________________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
pop - n. music that is popular
casting - n. assigning roles for a play, movie or something else
submission - n. a document, proposal, piece of writing, or something else that is given to someone to be considered or approved
internment - n. the act of putting someone in a prison for political reasons or during a war
band - n. a usually small group of musicians who play or perform music together
candidate - n. a person who is being considered for a job, position, award or something else
rehearsal - n. an event at which a person or group practices an activity (such as singing, dancing, or acting) in order to prepare for a public performance
audition - n. a short performance to show the talents of someone who is being considered for a role
Tips
Allegiance：音樂劇《忠誠》反映的是二戰期間,日裔美國人被集中拘押的事件。
Kazakhstan：【國】哈薩克斯坦
George Takei：喬治·竹井
3.Question Words
疑問詞
By John Russell
23 July 2020
A few years ago, On the American television show Saturday Night Live, actor Jerry Seinfeld answered questions from the audience. However, the people who asked them were not ordinary showgoers, but Hollywood stars.
幾年前，在美國電視節目《Saturday Night Live》上，演員Jerry Seinfeld回答了觀眾的提問。然而，詢問人們的不是不同的演員，而是好萊塢明星。
The questions were jokes that made fun of other actors. Tim Meadows asked if he could read from a magazine list of the worst actors to ever appear on the show.
這些問題都是嘲笑其他演員的笑話。Tim Meadows問他是否能從雜誌上讀到有史以來最差勁的演員的名單。
But let me just read who is dead last. And do we have a camera ready to cut to Robert Downey Jr.?
但讓我看看誰最後死了。我們有沒有準備好攝像機可以切到Robert Downey Jr.呢？
No, let's not do this, let's not do this! This is not a good idea. Other questions.
Oh! Bob Odenkirk here. Bob!
不，我們不要這樣，不要這樣！這不是一個好主意。其他問題。噢！Bob Odenkirk在這裡，Bob！
Jerry, when are we doing a tribute to the writers of SNL...?
Jerry，我們什麼時候想SNL的作家們致敬？
That short discussion provides examples of two of the most common kinds of questions in English - "yes/no" questions and "wh-" questions.
這個簡短的對話提供了英語中兩種最為常見的問題例子—「是/否」問題和「wh-」問題。
What are question words?
什麼是疑問句？
A yes/no question is one that can be answered simply with a yes or a no.
一個是否問題可以簡單地用「是」或者「不是」回答。
And do we have a camera ready to cut to Robert Downey Jr.?
我們有沒有準備好攝像機可以切到Robert Downey Jr.呢？
No, let's not do this...
不，我們不要這樣…
The "wh-" question requires a more detailed answer:
「wh-」問題需要更詳細的回答：
Jerry, when are we doing a tribute to the writers of SNL...?
Jerry，我們什麼時候想SNL的作家們致敬？
That question includes the word "when," which starts with "wh-." The words what, where or why are also used for "wh-" questions. This is where the "wh-" name comes from.*
這個問題包括以「wh-」開頭的單詞「when」，what、where或why也用於wh-問題。這就是「wh-」這個名字的由來。
"Wh-" questions follow a pattern. The question word comes first. Then come the subject and main verb. In some cases, there is a helping verb, such as do, have, or can, in between the question word and the subject.
「Wh-」問題遵守一種句式。疑問詞排在首端。然後是主語和主動詞。在某些情況下，問句和主語之間有助動詞，如do、have或can。
The pattern is Question word + (helping verb) + subject + main verb
Here are two examples, one in the present and one in the past:
Where does he work?
What did she say?
句式為疑問詞+（助動詞）+主語+主動詞
這裡有兩個例子，一個是現在的，一個是過去的：
他在哪裡工作？
她說什麼了？
Question words in answers
答案中的疑問詞
You might be thinking that this is all you need to know about question words. But question words are important for another reason: they can be used in answers.
你可能會認為這就是你需要知道的關於疑問詞的所有知識。但是疑問詞之所以重要還有另一個原因：它們可以用在答案中。
Question words often begin noun clauses - groups of words with a subject and a verb. These clauses act like a noun in the sentence.
疑問詞通常是名詞從句的開頭，名詞從句由一個主語和一個動詞組成的一組詞。這些從句在句子中充當名詞。
Think back to our examples:
Where does he work?
What did she say?
回到一下我們的例子：
他在哪裡工作？
她說什麼了？
In response to these questions, a person might say:
I don't know where he works.
I didn't hear what she said.
In the first example, where he works is a noun clause.
In the second example, what she said is a noun clause.
回答這些問題，一個人可能會說：
我不知道他在哪裡工作。
我沒聽見她說什麼。
在第一個例子中，他工作的地方是一個名詞從句。
在第二個例子中，她所說的是一個名詞從句。
Notice that the question word order is not used in the answer. The verb do does not appear in the noun clause in the answer.
請注意，答案中沒有使用問句的語序。動詞不出現在回答中的名詞從句中。
Where does he work?
I don't know where he works.
他在哪裡工作？
我不知道他在哪裡工作。
Closing thoughts
結束語
The next time you are listening or reading, try to find examples of question words – both in questions and in answers. Also pay attention to how speakers use intonation and word stress with question words.
下次聽或者讀的時候，嘗試去找出疑問詞的例子——無論是在問題中還是在回答中。也要注意說話直如何使用語調和單詞重音與疑問詞。
Then practice using them a lot.
在練習中經常使用他們。
There are only a small number of question words, and they are useful in almost any situation you can think of. If your goal is to improve your speaking skills, then you must use question words with ease.
只有少量的疑問詞，它們在你能想到的任何情況都很有用。如果你的目標是提高你的口語能力，那麼你必須輕鬆地使用疑問詞。
I'm John Russell.
John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.
* Not all so-called "wh-" questions begin with "wh-." 'How' is one example.
________________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
tribute – n. something that you say, give, or do to show respect or affection for someone
pattern – n. the regular and repeated way in which something happens or is done
intonation – n. the rise and fall in the sound of your voice when you speak
word stress – n. greater loudness or force given to a syllable or a word in speech
Tips
Saturday Night Live：周六夜現場
Jerry Seinfeld：傑瑞·宋飛
Tim Meadows：蒂姆·麥道斯
Robert Downey Jr.：小羅伯特·唐尼
Bob Odenkirk：鮑勃·奧登科克
SNL：周六夜現場(Saturday Night Live)
4.Calvin Coolidge: Silent
卡爾文·柯立芝：沉默
By Kelly
Jean Kelly
17 September, 2017
VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents.
Today we are talking about Calvin Coolidge. He was the vice president under Warren Harding. When Harding died suddenly a little more than two years into his term, Coolidge became president.
今天我們講講Calvin Coolidge。他是 Warren Harding的副總統。當 Warren Harding在任期兩年多一點的時候意外死亡時，Coolidge成為了總統。
Coolidge is linked to two opposing ideas. The first idea is quiet restraint.
Coolidge有兩種對立的想法。第一個是安靜地克制。
The president's nickname was "Silent Cal." He rarely took part in casual conversation. And as a leader, he often thought the best action was not to take any action.
這位總統的外號是「沉默的卡爾」。他很少參加非正式談話。並且作為領袖，他經常認為不行動就是最好的行動。
Many votSilent Calers liked his "cool" style. Coolidge quickly earned a public image as a serious man who did not spend money or words easily.
許多選民喜歡他「酷酷」的樣子。Coolidge很快獲得了一個嚴肅、不輕易花錢或開口的男子的公共形象。
But Coolidge is also linked to a period in U.S. history known as the Roaring Twenties.
In those years, the 1920s, the American economy was generally good. Many people spent money on exciting things – such as the still-new automobile – and on entertainment, including alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, and dancing. Creative expression such as jazz and Art Deco architecture became popular.
但是Coolidge還跟美國歷史上熟知的咆哮20年代有關。這這些年裡，1920年代，美國經濟普遍不錯。許多人花錢做些刺激的事情——比如摩託車——還有娛樂，包括飲酒、抽菸和跳舞。創造力表現如爵士和裝飾藝術建築變得流行了。
Calvin Coolidge is often given credit for helping fuel the Roaring Twenties with his pro-business economic policies.
Calvin Coolidge經常因為以推動經濟的方式促使咆哮20年代發展而受讚譽。
But some historians caution against remembering Coolidge's business freedom policies too fondly. They say he helped create the conditions for the severe economic depression that followed his presidency.
但是歷史學家警告說，不要過分天真地新人他的貿易自由政策。他們說他幫助創造了在他任期裡後面嚴重經濟危機的條件。
Early life
早期生活
Calvin Coolidge and his sister were born and raised on a farm in the northeast state of Vermont.
Calvin Coolidge和他姐姐出生並成長在Vermont一個東北農村家庭。
Coolidge spoke highly of both his parents.
Coolidge對他父母評價很高。
His father owned a store, and also held local political offices. He had a public image for honesty, public service, and thrift.
他父親有一家商店，還在當地擔任政治職務。他有著誠實、公共服務和借鑑的公眾形象。
Young Calvin Coolidge helped his father in the store, and hoped to be just like him.
年輕的Calvin Coolidge幫他父親打理商店，並想變成和他一樣。
Coolidge also admired his mother's strong character. He was 12 years old when she died, and he wrote that losing her was "the greatest grief that can come to a boy."
Calvin Coolidge也羨慕他母親強勢的性格。他12歲的時候她死了，並且他寫道，她的死是「對一個男孩來說最大的欺騙」。
Six years later, his sister also died.
六年後，他姐姐也死了。
Their deaths made young Calvin Coolidge even more serious than he already was.
他們的死讓年輕的Calvin Coolidge比曾經的他更為嚴肅。
But Coolidge was also known for his wit – a kind of humor that often depends on word play or intelligence. As a student at Amherst College in Massachusetts, Coolidge became known as an able and funny public speaker.
但是Calvin Coolidge也因其智慧而聞名——一種依靠語言藝術或者才智的幽默。作為Amherst College 的學生，Coolidge也因作為一個成功的有趣的公開演說者而聞名。
That skill helped him rise in politics. He began with lower-level offices in Massachusetts, and later served as that state's governor.
這項技能幫他在政壇中崛起。他開始在麻省只有個低職位，並且後來成為了州長。
Along the way, he married Grace Anna Goodhue, a teacher for the deaf. She was known to be warm and social, and the couple were reported to have a loving marriage. They went on to have two sons.
之後，他與 Grace Anna Goodhue結婚了，她是一位聾人老師。她因熱心和社交而出名，這對夫婦也被報導說真愛結婚。他們後來有了兩個兒子。
In 1920, the Republican Party nominated Coolidge to be its vice presidential candidate. In general, voters liked the Republican ticket. They were ready for a change after the reform policies and international engagement of Democrat Woodrow Wilson.
1920年，共和黨指名他成為他們的副總統候選人。一般來說，選民喜歡投給共和黨。他們為改革政策和民主黨 Woodrow Wilson參與國際事務後的改變做好了準備。
Sure enough, the Republicans won the election in a landslide.
確實，共和黨以壓倒性勝利贏得了大選。
But Coolidge did not enjoy the office of vice president very much. He had little power in the government. During meetings, he often remained silent.
但是Coolidge並不享受副總統的生活。他在政府沒什麼能量。在會議中，他經常沉默。
One summer night he and his wife were on vacation in Vermont. His father, Colonel Coolidge, woke them up in the middle of the night with some dramatic news: President Harding had died.
Reporters quickly gathered at the small farmhouse. Colonel Coolidge had not put electricity in the house. So everyone watched by the light of an oil lamp.
一個夏天的夜晚，他和妻子在Vermont度假。他的父親，Colonel Coolidge，在半夜叫他們起來，帶著一些戲劇性的新聞：總統Harding 死了。記者很快聚集在了這個小農莊。Colonel Coolidge沒有在家中通電。所以所有人都用油燈照亮來看。
Colonel Coolidge was a public official. He used the family Bible and a copy of the Constitution to swear in his son as the 30th U.S. president.
Colonel Coolidge是公共官員。他用家裡的聖經和一本憲法的副本宣誓就任第30屆美國總統。
Then the country's new leader did a very sensible thing: he went back to bed.
後來這個國家的新領導人做了個非常明智的事情：回去睡覺。
Presidency
任職
President Coolidge believed in limited government, especially limited federal government. He permitted state and Cabinet officials to decide as many issues as they could.
他相信一個有限的總統，尤其是有限的聯邦總統。他承認州和內閣官員來決定許多他們能決定的事物。
Coolidge used his authority to focus mostly on the country's economy.
Coolidge用他的權力來讓國家集中在經濟上。
At the time he took office, the U.S. was at the start of an economic boom. Coolidge tried to maintain that prosperity. He did not regulate businesses too much, and he sharply reduced taxes, especially on the wealthy.
在他任職期間，美國開始了經濟爆發。他試著保持這個樣子。他不規定太多，且急劇減少賦稅，尤其在財產上。
By nearly every measure, the economy grew.
通過幾乎所有措施，經濟增長了。
But the policies also widened the divide between rich and poor Americans, and put the country's economy in a risky situation.
但是政策也加劇了貧富差距，並且讓國家經濟走到了一個風險很高的情況。
More and more people began to invest their money in the stock market. Some put their dollars in dangerous investments.
越來越多的人開始投資在股票市場。一些人把他們的錢投入了高風險的投資中去。
And business owners produced more goods than most members of the public could really afford. Increasingly, people borrowed money on credit to pay for luxury goods.
At the same time, the economic situation of many American farmers was getting worse. The weather had been unusually dry in some places. And the price of food was falling.
而且公司老總生產了更多大多數人買不起的商品。逐漸地，人們貸款借錢來購買奢侈品。同時，經濟許多美國農場的經濟情況越來越糟。天氣在一些地方也變得異常乾燥。而且食品價格下跌了。
Farmers asked the federal government for assistance. But Coolidge rejected several bills that might have helped them. The bills had other problems, Coolidge reasoned, and he did not think that the federal government should intervene in the situation.
農民向政府尋求幫助。但是Coolidge拒絕了一些能幫到他們的提案。他說這些提案有其他的問題，並且他不認為聯邦政府應當插手這些事。
So the farmers continued to suffer.
所以農民只能繼續掙扎。
But most voters remained supportive of Coolidge. Even though the president was considered a quiet person, he spoke often on the radio, appeared in a talking film, met with reporters regularly, and posed in funny costumes for photographers.
但是大多數選民仍然支持他。即使這個總統被認為是一個安靜的人，他經常在收音機裡演講，在一個談話影片中出現，經常和記者會面，並且經常穿著奇裝異服拍照。
He easily won elected in 1924. Historians believe he could have won another term, too, in 1928. But Coolidge chose not to seek office.
他輕而易舉地贏得了1924年大選。歷史學家認為他還能在1928年贏得一屆。但是他選擇不參與。
Some believed he was too saddened by the death of his teenaged son. Shortly after Coolidge became president, the boy had been playing tennis and slightly wounded his toe. The wound became infected. The infection spread to the boy's blood. A few days later, he died.
一些人認為他因他年幼的兒子的死而難過。很快，在他成為總統之後，這個孩子玩網球的時候劃傷了腳趾。傷口被感染了。這個感染很快傳入了他的血液裡。幾天後，他死了。
Although Coolidge continued his presidency, he later said the joy had gone from the job.
But when he decided not to seek re-election, he did not talk about his feelings. Instead, he simply wrote a note to reporters saying: "I do not choose to run for President in 1928."
儘管Coolidge繼續做總統，他後來說快樂已經從工作中消失了。但是當他決定不再參加大選的時候，他沒有提及他的感受，相反，他簡單地寫了個字條給記者：「我不想參加1928的大選。」
His secretary of commerce, Herbert Hoover, was elected instead. Coolidge retired to his home in Massachusetts and led a quiet private life.
他的商業秘書，Herbert Hoover贏得了大選。Coolidge退休回到麻省的家，並且開始了安靜的私人生活。
Legacy
遺產
President Coolidge was well-liked by most Americans. Later presidents – including Ronald Reagan – sought to follow some of his economic policies.
他被大部分美國人所熱愛。後來的總統——包括Ronald Reagan——都想跟隨他的一些經濟政策。
But many historians have questioned those policies. They say that Coolidge did not pay enough attention to the situation of farmers. And they say the stock market was rising too fast.
Seven months after Coolidge left office, the U.S. economy collapsed.
但是許多歷史學家對這些政策有疑問。他們說他沒有對農民的情況有足夠的關注。而且他們說股票市場上漲太快了。他離職七個月後，美國經濟崩盤了。
The country was still deep in the Great Depression when Coolidge passed away. He died – quietly, of course – during an afternoon nap at the age of 60.
這個國家仍在他離職後深受大蕭條之害。他去世了——當然很安靜——在他60歲的午睡中。
His will was but a single sentence.
他的遺囑只有一句話。
I'm Kell
y Jean Kelly.
Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.
_____________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
casual - adj. happening by chance : not planned or expected
conversation - n. talking in an informal way
fondly - adv. in a loving way
thrift - n. careful use of money so that it is not wasted
grief - n. deep sadness caused especially by someone's death
wit - n. an ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny
ticket - n. a list of the candidates supported by a political party in an election
engagement - n. the act or state of being involved with something
sensible - adj. having or showing good sense or judgment
Tips
Calvin Coolidge：卡爾文·柯立芝
Warren Harding：沃倫·哈定
Art Deco：裝飾派藝術
Roaring Twenties：興旺的二十年代（指人們自信又快樂的 20 世紀 20 年代）
Vermont：【城】佛蒙特州
Amherst College：阿默斯特學院
Massachusetts：【城】麻薩諸塞州
Grace Anna Goodhue：格雷斯·安娜·古德休
Woodrow Wilson：伍德羅·威爾遜
Colonel Coolidge：科羅內爾·柯立芝
Herbert Hoover：赫伯特·胡佛
Ronald Reagan：隆納·雷根
And that is our program for today. Listen again tomorrow to learn English through stories from around the world. I'm Johnathan Evans, and I'm Ashley Thompson.
整理：小R
翻譯：玄水
Tips：qqqqqqwqqqqqq
校對：Megi