Lesson 3 · The Cost of Going to College · 人生故事系列第三课
第一部分 英文故事
Everyone Was Talking About College, but I Was Worried About Money
A few days after my final exams, I began to notice that almost every conversation with my former classmates eventually turned to college. Some had already received acceptance letters. Others were comparing programs, discussing campus life, or asking each other where they planned to live during the school year. Whenever I checked our class group chat, someone seemed to be sharing news about an application, a scholarship, or a university open house.
At first, I tried to avoid thinking too much about it. I had already decided to look for a summer job while researching my education options. That plan still made sense to me. But the more my classmates talked about college, the more I wondered whether I was making a mistake by not applying immediately.
One afternoon, I met Daniel at a small café. He had been accepted into a business program at a local college, and he was excited about starting a new chapter of his life.
"Have you decided where you're going?" he asked.
"I'm still looking at different programs," I replied. "I'm not sure I can afford college right now."
Daniel looked surprised. "Can't you apply for student loans?"
"I can look into them," I said. "But a loan is still money I'll have to pay back. I don't want to borrow a lot without understanding how much everything will cost."
He nodded. "That's fair. My parents are helping me with some of the expenses, but I'll probably need a part-time job, too."
His answer made me think. Even students who had already made their plans were still trying to work out how to pay for them. I had been imagining that everyone else had everything figured out, but perhaps they were facing some of the same questions I was.
When I got home, I searched for information about the cost of attending college. I had known that tuition could be expensive, but I had never calculated the full amount. I started a spreadsheet and listed the expenses I might have to cover.
Tuition was the first item. Then I added textbooks, transportation, food, rent, a phone plan, and other personal expenses. If I lived with my parents, I could save a considerable amount on housing. If I moved closer to campus, however, I would have to pay rent and utilities. Even a relatively small monthly expense could become a large amount over an entire school year.
I looked at the numbers and felt my excitement disappear. The total was much higher than I had expected.
I had always thought of college as the natural next step after high school. Teachers talked about it, parents encouraged it, and many of my classmates treated it as something everyone was supposed to do. But I was beginning to understand that going to college involved more than choosing a program and filling out an application. It required a financial plan.
The next day, I discussed the issue with my parents. We sat at the kitchen table after dinner, and I showed them the spreadsheet.
My father looked through the figures carefully.
"You've included tuition and living expenses," he said. "That's a good start. Have you checked whether the program has additional fees?"
"Not yet. I need to look at the details."
My mother asked, "Have you considered scholarships or financial assistance?"
"I've seen some information online, but I don't know which ones I might qualify for."
My father put down the papers. "You should research all the options before deciding that college is impossible. But you also shouldn't assume that borrowing money is always the answer."
I agreed. I didn't want to rule out education simply because the first estimate looked expensive. At the same time, I didn't want to make a financial commitment that I might struggle to manage later.
Over the next few days, I learned that there were several ways students could pay for their education. Some scholarships were based on academic achievement. Others considered community involvement, leadership, financial need, or particular areas of study. There were also grants, bursaries, student loans, and work opportunities.
I had heard these words before, but I had never understood the differences between them.
A scholarship generally provides financial support that does not need to be repaid, although eligibility conditions may apply. Grants and bursaries can also provide assistance, often based on financial need or other specific requirements. Student loans, on the other hand, must be repaid according to the applicable terms.
The more I read, the more important it became to check the details rather than assume that every form of financial assistance worked the same way.
I also discovered that some colleges offered payment plans. Instead of paying the entire amount at once, students might be able to divide certain fees into installments. This would not necessarily reduce the total cost, but it could make payments easier to manage.
I began comparing two programs that interested me. One was closer to home, which meant I could continue living with my parents. The other was farther away and offered courses that sounded attractive, but the cost of housing would make it considerably more expensive.
I didn't want to choose a program based only on its price. The quality of the education, the subjects being taught, the practical training available, and the employment opportunities after graduation all mattered. But I also knew that an interesting program would not automatically be a good financial decision.
That weekend, I visited a college website and registered for an online information session. A student adviser explained the application process, the estimated costs, and the kinds of financial assistance students could investigate. I wrote down several questions and asked about the possibility of studying part-time while working.
The adviser explained that part-time study could offer more flexibility, although it might affect the time needed to complete a program and the availability of certain financial assistance. I would need to check the requirements carefully.
After the session, I felt more informed. I still didn't have enough information to make a final decision, but at least I understood what questions to ask.
I also started thinking about how much money I could realistically earn during the summer. If I found a part-time job and worked consistently, I could save some of my income. I wouldn't be able to pay for an entire college education, but I might be able to cover books, transportation, and some personal expenses.
I opened a new page in my notebook and wrote down a simple monthly budget. I estimated how much I might earn, how much I would need for basic expenses, and how much I could put into savings. I also included a small amount for unexpected costs.
For the first time, I began to understand that earning money and managing money were two different skills. Getting a paycheque would be useful, but spending it without a plan would not bring me any closer to my goals.
A few days later, Daniel sent me a message. He had been looking into scholarships and had discovered that the application process involved more paperwork than he expected.
"Have you found any financial assistance?" he asked.
"I'm researching scholarships and grants," I replied. "I'm also comparing the total cost of two programs."
"That sounds like a lot of work."
"It is," I wrote back. "But I think it's better to understand the costs now than to discover later that I can't afford to continue."
Daniel agreed. He said he was planning to look for a part-time job near campus and would try to keep his expenses under control.
Our conversation made me feel less alone. We were taking different routes, but both of us were learning that becoming independent involved more than simply making our own decisions. It also meant understanding the financial consequences of those decisions.
I still wanted to continue my education. I was interested in learning new skills, meeting people, and preparing for a career. But I no longer believed that I had to rush into college simply because my classmates were doing so.
I decided to give myself the rest of the summer to gather information, apply for jobs, and compare the available programs. I would check scholarship deadlines, find out which expenses could be reduced, and discuss a realistic contribution with my parents.
I also made one rule for myself: I would not take out a loan until I understood the repayment terms, the total amount I might owe, and how the payments could affect my future budget.
That evening, I looked again at the spreadsheet. The numbers were still intimidating, but they no longer seemed impossible to understand. Each expense had a name. Each financial option could be researched. Each decision could be examined before I committed to it.
I realized that worrying about money was not necessarily a bad thing. It could be a warning that I needed to plan more carefully. What mattered was not allowing that worry to stop me from learning about my choices.
My classmates were talking about dorm rooms, orientation days, and new friendships. I was thinking about tuition, rent, scholarships, and savings. Our conversations were different, but we were all trying to prepare for the same uncertain stage of life.
I closed my laptop and added three tasks to my calendar: contact the college about financial assistance, finish comparing the two programs, and continue applying for summer jobs.
I didn't know yet whether I would start college in the fall or wait until the following year. But I was beginning to understand that a good decision required more than excitement. It also required honest calculations, realistic expectations, and the willingness to take responsibility for the costs.
For now, I would keep moving forward, one application and one careful decision at a time.
第二部分 英文故事完整中文翻译
同学们都在谈论大学，而我开始担心钱的问题
期末考试结束几天后，我开始注意到，几乎每次和以前的同学聊天，话题最终都会转到大学上。有些人已经收到了录取通知书，另一些人则在比较不同的专业、讨论校园生活，或者互相询问开学后准备住在哪里。每当我打开班级群聊，似乎总有人在分享申请进展、奖学金消息，或者大学校园开放日的信息。
起初，我尽量不让自己想得太多。我已经决定，一边寻找暑期工作，一边了解继续接受教育的各种选择。这个计划在我看来仍然合理。但是，同学们谈论大学的次数越多，我就越怀疑，自己没有立即申请大学是不是犯了错误。
一天午后，我在一家小咖啡馆见到了丹尼尔。他已经被当地一所学院的商科课程录取，对即将开始人生新阶段感到非常兴奋。
“你决定去哪里了吗？”他问。
“我还在了解不同的课程。”我回答，“我不确定自己现在是否负担得起大学的费用。”
丹尼尔显得有些惊讶。“你不能申请学生贷款吗？”
“我可以了解一下。”我说，“但贷款终究是需要偿还的钱。我不想在还没有弄清楚全部费用之前，就借下一大笔钱。”
他点了点头。“这也有道理。我父母会帮我承担一部分费用，不过我可能也需要找一份兼职工作。”
他的回答让我开始思考。即使是那些已经作出升学决定的学生，也仍然在想办法解决费用问题。我之前总以为其他人都已经安排妥当，但也许他们和我一样，正在面对类似的难题。
回到家后，我开始搜索有关大学费用的信息。我知道学费可能很贵，但以前从未真正计算过全部开销。我打开电子表格，列出了自己可能需要承担的各种费用。
第一项是学费。接下来，我又加入了课本、交通、食品、房租、手机套餐以及其他个人开销。如果我继续和父母住在一起，就能省下一大笔住房费用。但如果搬到校园附近，就必须支付房租和水电等费用。即使每个月只增加一笔不大的开销，整个学年累计起来也会成为一笔可观的金额。
我看着表格里的数字，原本的兴奋感逐渐消失了。总费用比我预想的高得多。
我一直认为，高中毕业后上大学是顺理成章的下一步。老师们经常谈论大学，父母鼓励孩子继续读书，许多同学也把上大学看成每个人都应该做的事情。但我开始明白，读大学并不只是选择一个专业、填写一份申请表那么简单。它还需要一份财务计划。
第二天，我和父母讨论了这个问题。晚饭后，我们坐在厨房的餐桌旁，我把电子表格给他们看。
父亲仔细查看了里面的数字。
“你把学费和生活费用都列进去了。”他说，“这是个不错的开始。你查过这个课程是否还有其他附加费用吗？”
“还没有，我需要再仔细看看具体规定。”
母亲问：“你考虑过奖学金或者其他经济援助吗？”
“我在网上看到了一些信息，但不知道自己符合哪些申请条件。”
父亲放下资料。“在认定自己上不起大学之前，你应该先把所有选择都研究清楚。不过，也不要认为借钱总是解决问题的办法。”
我同意他的看法。我不想因为第一次估算出来的费用很高，就直接放弃继续接受教育的机会。同时，我也不想作出一项将来可能难以承担的财务承诺。
接下来的几天里，我了解到，学生可以通过多种方式支付教育费用。有些奖学金根据学业成绩发放，另一些则会考虑社区参与、领导能力、经济需要或者特定的学习领域。此外，还有助学金、经济补助、学生贷款以及勤工助学机会。
这些词我以前都听说过，但从来没有真正弄清楚它们之间的区别。
奖学金通常不需要偿还，但可能附带资格条件。助学金和经济补助也可以提供资金支持，往往根据经济需要或其他特定条件发放。学生贷款则不同，借款人必须按照适用的条款偿还。
我读得越多，就越意识到必须仔细核实具体规定，不能想当然地认为所有经济援助都采用相同的方式。
我还发现，有些学院提供分期付款计划。学生不一定要一次性支付全部费用，而是可以把某些费用分成几期缴纳。这并不一定能降低总费用，但可以让付款安排更容易管理。
我开始比较两个自己感兴趣的课程。一个离家较近，我可以继续和父母住在一起。另一个距离更远，课程内容听起来很吸引人，但住房费用会使整体开销明显增加。
我不想只根据价格选择课程。教育质量、教学内容、实际培训机会，以及毕业后的就业前景都很重要。但我也明白，一个听起来很有趣的课程，并不自动意味着它在经济上就是明智的选择。
那个周末，我访问了一所学院的网站，并报名参加线上说明会。一位学生顾问介绍了申请流程、预计费用，以及学生可以了解的经济援助种类。我记下了几个问题，还询问能否一边工作，一边以兼职学生的身份学习。
顾问解释说，兼职学习可以提供更大的时间灵活性，但可能延长完成课程所需的时间，也可能影响某些经济援助的申请资格。我需要仔细核实具体要求。
说明会结束后，我觉得自己掌握的信息更多了。虽然还不足以作出最终决定，但至少我已经知道应该询问哪些问题。
我也开始考虑，自己在暑假期间究竟能够挣到多少钱。如果能找到一份兼职工作，并且持续工作一段时间，就可以存下一部分收入。我不可能靠这笔钱支付全部大学费用，但也许能够承担课本、交通和部分个人开销。
我翻开笔记本的新一页，写下了一份简单的月度预算。我估算了可能获得的收入、基本生活开支，以及能够存下多少钱。我还专门留出了一小笔钱，用来应付意外开销。
我第一次真正明白，挣钱和管理钱是两种不同的能力。拿到工资当然有用，但如果没有计划就把钱花掉，距离自己的目标仍然不会更近。
几天后，丹尼尔给我发来消息。他也在研究奖学金，发现申请过程需要准备的文件比自己原先想象的多。
“你找到什么经济援助了吗？”他问。
“我正在研究奖学金和助学金。”我回答，“也在比较两个课程的全部费用。”
“听起来要做不少功课。”
“确实如此。”我回复，“但我觉得，现在弄清楚费用，总比以后才发现自己付不起、不得不放弃课程要好。”
丹尼尔表示赞同。他说自己打算在校园附近找一份兼职工作，并尽量控制开销。
我们的谈话让我觉得自己不再那么孤单。我们选择了不同的道路，但都开始明白，走向独立不仅意味着自己作出决定，还意味着理解这些决定会带来怎样的经济后果。
我仍然希望继续接受教育。我对学习新技能、结识不同的人以及为未来职业作准备都很感兴趣。但我不再认为，仅仅因为同学们都准备上大学，自己就必须匆忙作出同样的决定。
我决定利用整个夏天剩余的时间搜集信息、申请工作，并比较现有的课程项目。我会查看奖学金的申请截止日期，了解哪些费用可以减少，并与父母商量自己能够合理承担多少费用。
我还给自己定下了一条原则：在没有弄清楚贷款的偿还条款、未来可能欠下的总金额，以及还款对个人预算的影响之前，我不会申请贷款。
那天晚上，我再次查看了电子表格。那些数字仍然让人有些紧张，但它们已经不再显得完全无法理解。每一项开支都有明确的名称，每一种经济援助都可以进一步调查，每一个决定也都可以在作出承诺之前仔细评估。
我意识到，担心钱并不一定是坏事。它可能是在提醒我，需要更加认真地规划。真正重要的是，不要让这种担忧阻止自己了解各种选择。
同学们谈论的是宿舍、迎新活动和新的友谊，而我考虑的是学费、房租、奖学金和储蓄。我们的谈话内容不同，但大家都在为人生中同一个充满未知的阶段作准备。
我合上笔记本电脑，在日历上增加了三项任务：联系学院了解经济援助，完成两个课程的费用比较，并继续申请暑期工作。
我仍然不知道自己会在今年秋天开始上大学，还是等到明年再入学。但我开始明白，一个好的决定不能只靠一时的兴奋。它还需要诚实的计算、现实的预期，以及愿意为费用承担责任的态度。
现阶段，我会继续向前走，一份申请接着一份申请，一个决定接着一个决定。
第三部分 核心词汇精讲
1. tuition
发音：/tuːˈɪʃən/
意思： 学费，尤其是学校或大学的教学费用。
常见搭配：
- tuition fees：学费
- pay tuition：支付学费
- tuition costs：学费开支
- tuition increase：学费上涨
- annual tuition：年度学费
例句：
Tuition is one of the biggest expenses for college students.
学费是大学生最大的一笔开支之一。
I need to find out how much tuition costs.
我需要了解学费到底是多少。
2. affordable
发音：/əˈfɔːrdəbəl/
意思： 负担得起的；价格可以承受的。
常见搭配：
- affordable housing：负担得起的住房
- an affordable price：可以承受的价格
- reasonably affordable：价格相对合理
- make something affordable：使某事变得负担得起
例句：
I'm looking for an affordable college program.
我正在寻找一个费用能够负担得起的学院课程。
Living with my parents makes college more affordable.
和父母住在一起可以降低上大学的经济负担。
注意：
- afford 是动词，表示有能力承担。
- affordable 是形容词，表示价格或费用可以承受。
- affordability 是名词，表示可负担性。
3. expense
发音：/ɪkˈspens/
意思： 费用；开支。
常见搭配：
- living expenses：生活费用
- personal expenses：个人开支
- monthly expenses：每月开支
- reduce expenses：减少开支
- cover expenses：承担费用
例句：
I need to calculate my monthly expenses.
我需要计算每个月的开销。
Rent is my biggest monthly expense.
房租是我每个月最大的一笔开支。
4. scholarship
发音：/ˈskɑːlərʃɪp/
意思： 奖学金。
常见搭配：
- apply for a scholarship：申请奖学金
- receive a scholarship：获得奖学金
- academic scholarship：学术奖学金
- scholarship application：奖学金申请
- scholarship requirements：奖学金申请条件
例句：
I'm applying for several scholarships.
我正在申请几项奖学金。
She received a scholarship based on her academic performance.
她凭借学业成绩获得了一项奖学金。
5. grant
发音：/ɡrænt/
意思： 补助金；拨款；资助。
在教育领域，grant 通常指符合条件的学生获得的一笔资助，具体申请条件和是否需要偿还，要根据项目规定判断。
常见搭配：
- apply for a grant：申请补助金
- receive a grant：获得补助
- government grant：政府补助
- education grant：教育补助
例句：
I want to find out whether I qualify for an education grant.
我想了解自己是否符合教育补助的申请条件。
6. loan
发音：/loʊn/
意思： 贷款；借款。
常见搭配：
- student loan：学生贷款
- take out a loan：申请贷款
- repay a loan：偿还贷款
- loan repayment：贷款还款
- loan interest：贷款利息
例句：
I don't want to take out a large student loan.
我不想申请一笔数额很大的学生贷款。
You should understand the repayment terms before accepting a loan.
接受贷款之前，你应该了解还款条款。
7. budget
发音：/ˈbʌdʒɪt/
意思： 预算；预算安排。
常见搭配：
- monthly budget：月度预算
- create a budget：制定预算
- stay within budget：不超出预算
- budget for something：为某事安排预算
- limited budget：有限的预算
例句：
I need to create a monthly budget before starting college.
上大学之前，我需要制定一份月度预算。
I'm trying to stay within my budget.
我正在努力控制开支，不让自己超出预算。
8. installment
发音：/ɪnˈstɔːlmənt/
意思： 分期付款的一期；分期付款。
常见搭配：
- pay in installments：分期付款
- monthly installments：每月分期付款
- installment plan：分期付款计划
- the first installment：第一期付款
例句：
The college allows students to pay certain fees in installments.
学院允许学生分期缴纳某些费用。
9. qualify
发音：/ˈkwɑːlɪfaɪ/
意思： 符合资格；具备条件。
常见搭配：
- qualify for a scholarship：符合奖学金资格
- qualify for financial assistance：符合经济援助资格
- meet the requirements：满足要求
- eligibility requirements：资格要求
例句：
I don't know whether I qualify for financial assistance.
我不知道自己是否符合经济援助的申请条件。
10. repayment
发音：/rɪˈpeɪmənt/
意思： 偿还；还款。
常见搭配：
- loan repayment：贷款偿还
- repayment schedule：还款计划
- repayment terms：还款条款
- monthly repayment：每月还款额
例句：
I need to understand the repayment schedule before borrowing money.
借钱之前，我需要了解还款计划。
第四部分 重点短语与真实用法
英语短语 中文意思 例句
afford to do something 有经济能力做某事 I can't afford to move out yet. 我现在还负担不起搬出去住。
pay for something 为某事付钱 Who will pay for my education? 谁来支付我的教育费用？
work out the cost 算清楚费用 I need to work out the total cost. 我需要算清楚总费用。
financial assistance 经济援助 I'm looking for financial assistance. 我正在寻找经济援助。
apply for a scholarship 申请奖学金 She applied for a scholarship. 她申请了一项奖学金。
take out a student loan 申请学生贷款 He doesn't want to take out a student loan. 他不想申请学生贷款。
pay back money 还钱 I'll have to pay back the money. 我以后必须把钱还上。
living expenses 生活费用 My living expenses are quite high. 我的生活费用相当高。
cut down on expenses 削减开支 I need to cut down on unnecessary expenses. 我需要减少不必要的开支。
put money aside 把钱存起来 I'll put some money aside every month. 我每个月都会存下一些钱。
make ends meet 收支相抵；维持生计 Many students work to make ends meet. 许多学生通过工作维持日常开销。
pay in installments 分期付款 The fees can be paid in installments. 这些费用可以分期支付。
be eligible for 符合……资格 I may be eligible for a grant. 我可能符合申请补助金的资格。
compare the costs 比较费用 I compared the costs of two programs. 我比较了两个课程的费用。
financially responsible 在财务上负责任的 I want to become more financially responsible. 我想学会更加负责任地管理钱财。
特别注意三个表达：
- afford 通常强调经济能力：I can't afford it. 我负担不起。
- cost 强调某物需要多少钱：How much does it cost? 它多少钱？
- spend 强调某人花了多少钱：I spent $100 on books. 我买书花了100加元。
例如：
I can't afford to rent an apartment, because it costs too much and I don't want to spend all my savings.
我负担不起租公寓，因为费用太高，而且我不想把全部积蓄都花掉。
第五部分 重点句型与语法
1. I'm not sure I can afford college right now.
我不确定自己现在是否负担得起大学费用。
结构：I'm not sure + 从句。
这是表达不确定时非常自然的说法。
- I'm not sure I can finish this work today. 我不确定今天能否完成这项工作。
- I'm not sure I can afford a new car. 我不确定自己是否买得起新车。
- I'm not sure I want to study business. 我不确定自己是否想学商科。
2. The more I read, the more important it became to check the details.
我读得越多，就越觉得核实细节十分重要。
结构：The + 比较级……，the + 比较级……。
本课再次出现这一结构。它可以用来表达两个变化之间的关系。
- The more I save, the more confident I feel. 我存的钱越多，就越有信心。
- The longer I wait, the harder the decision becomes. 我等得越久，决定就越难作出。
- The more I learn about money, the better I can manage it. 我对金钱了解得越多，就越能管理好自己的钱。
3. I would need to pay rent and utilities.
我需要支付房租和水电等费用。
结构：would need to + 动词原形。
用于描述某种假设条件下需要承担的事情。
- I would need to find a part-time job. 我需要找一份兼职工作。
- I would need to pay for transportation. 我需要支付交通费用。
- I would need to save more money. 我需要存更多的钱。
4. Instead of paying the entire amount at once, I could divide certain fees into installments.
我可以不一次性支付全部费用，而是把某些费用分成几期缴纳。
结构：instead of + 名词或动名词。
instead of 后面如果接动词，通常使用 -ing 形式。
- Instead of buying a new phone, I'll repair my old one. 我不买新手机了，准备修理旧手机。
- Instead of taking a loan, I'll try to save money. 我不打算贷款，而是尽量存钱。
- Instead of spending everything, I'll save part of my income. 我不会把钱全部花掉，而是存下一部分收入。
5. I didn't want to make a financial commitment that I might struggle to manage later.
我不想作出一项将来可能难以承担的财务承诺。
这里的 might 表示可能性，that 引导定语从句，修饰 financial commitment。
- I don't want to make a decision that I'll regret later. 我不想作出将来会后悔的决定。
- I need a plan that I can actually follow. 我需要一个真正能够执行的计划。
- She found a job that offered flexible hours. 她找到了一份工作时间灵活的工作。
6. I would not take out a loan until I understood the repayment terms.
在没有弄清楚还款条款之前，我不会申请贷款。
结构：not...until...，表示“直到……才……”。
- I won't buy a car until I have enough savings. 直到存够钱，我才会买车。
- I won't sign the contract until I read it carefully. 在仔细阅读合同之前，我不会签字。
- I didn't understand the problem until I asked for help. 直到我寻求帮助，才明白这个问题。
第六部分 近义词辨析
1. tuition 与 fee
tuition 主要指教学费用、学费。
fee 是更广泛的费用，可以指申请费、注册费、活动费等。
例句：
The tuition is expensive.
学费很贵。
There is also an application fee.
另外还有一笔申请费。
2. scholarship 与 grant
scholarship 通常译为奖学金，可能依据成绩、特长或其他条件发放。
grant 通常译为补助金或资助，常与经济需要或特定项目有关。
两者的具体资格和条件取决于资助机构，不能仅凭名称判断是否需要偿还。
3. loan 与 debt
loan 是贷款或借款，强调借钱这一安排。
debt 是债务，强调已经欠下、需要偿还的金额。
例句：
I took out a student loan.
我申请了学生贷款。
I don't want to get into too much debt.
我不想背负太多债务。
4. income 与 expense
income 是收入，钱从哪里来。
expense 是支出，钱花到哪里去。
例句：
My monthly income is $2,000.
我的月收入是2000加元。
My monthly expenses are $1,500.
我的月支出是1500加元。
5. save 与 invest
save 是储蓄、存钱，重点在保留资金。
invest 是投资，重点在投入资金以期获得回报，同时也可能承担损失。
例句：
I'm saving money for college.
我正在为上大学存钱。
I want to learn how to invest responsibly.
我想学习如何理性投资。
6. cheap 与 affordable
cheap 表示便宜，有时还可能暗示质量较差。
affordable 强调价格在个人经济能力可以承受的范围内。
例句：
This laptop is cheap, but it may not be reliable.
这台笔记本电脑很便宜，但可能不太可靠。
This laptop is affordable and meets my needs.
这台笔记本电脑价格合理，也符合我的需求。
第七部分 实用情景对话
情景一 和丹尼尔讨论大学费用
Daniel: Have you figured out how much college will cost?
你算清楚上大学需要多少钱了吗？
Me: I'm still working on it. Tuition is only part of the total cost.
我还在计算。学费只是全部费用的一部分。
Daniel: What else have you included?
你还计算了哪些费用？
Me: Textbooks, transportation, food, rent, and personal expenses.
课本、交通、食品、房租和个人开销。
Daniel: Are you planning to live on campus?
你打算住在校园里吗？
Me: I'm not sure. Living with my parents would save me a lot of money.
我还不确定。如果继续和父母住在一起，可以省下很多钱。
Daniel: Have you looked into scholarships?
你了解过奖学金吗？
Me: Yes. I'm checking the eligibility requirements now.
了解过。我现在正在核实申请资格。
Daniel: You should also check whether the college offers financial assistance.
你还应该了解一下学院是否提供经济援助。
Me: That's a good idea. I don't want to rely entirely on student loans.
这是个好主意。我不想完全依赖学生贷款。
Daniel: Neither do I. I'd rather work part-time and save some money.
我也不想。我宁愿做兼职，存下一些钱。
Me: We should compare our options before making a decision.
我们应该在作出决定之前比较各种选择。
情景二 与父母讨论家庭经济安排
Father: Have you decided whether you want to attend college this fall?
你决定今年秋天是否去上大学了吗？
Me: Not yet. I'm interested in two programs, but I need to understand the costs first.
还没有。我对两个课程感兴趣，但需要先弄清楚费用。
Mother: Have you checked the tuition and additional fees?
你查过学费和其他附加费用了吗？
Me: Yes. I've also estimated transportation, textbooks, and personal expenses.
查过了。我还估算了交通、课本和个人开支。
Father: What about housing?
住房费用呢？
Me: If I stay here, I can save quite a bit. Moving out would make everything more expensive.
如果我继续住在这里，就能省下不少钱。搬出去住会让所有开销都增加。
Mother: We may be able to help with some expenses, but we need to discuss what is realistic.
我们也许可以帮你承担部分费用，但需要讨论一下实际能做到多少。
Me: I understand. I don't want to assume you'll pay for everything.
我明白。我不想认为所有费用都应该由你们承担。
Father: Have you considered applying for scholarships?
你考虑过申请奖学金吗？
Me: Yes. I'll check the deadlines and requirements this week.
考虑过。我这周会查看申请截止日期和条件。
Mother: That's a good start. Take your time and make an informed decision.
这是个不错的开始。慢慢来，掌握足够的信息后再作决定。
情景三 向学院顾问询问经济援助
Me: Hello. I'm interested in applying for one of your programs, but I'd like to know more about the costs.
您好。我对贵学院的一个课程感兴趣，但想进一步了解相关费用。
Adviser: Certainly. Have you reviewed the tuition information on our website?
当然可以。你看过我们网站上的学费信息吗？
Me: Yes, but I'm not sure whether there are additional fees.
看过了，但我不确定是否还有其他费用。
Adviser: Some programs have additional costs for materials, equipment, or other services.
有些课程需要额外支付材料、设备或其他服务费用。
Me: Are there scholarships or grants available for new students?
新生可以申请奖学金或补助金吗？
Adviser: There may be several options, depending on the program and your eligibility.
根据课程和你的申请资格，可能有几种不同的选择。
Me: Where can I find the application requirements?
我在哪里可以找到申请条件？
Adviser: You can visit our financial assistance section or contact the student financial services office.
你可以查看我们网站的经济援助栏目，也可以联系学生财务服务办公室。
Me: Thank you. I'd also like to know whether part-time study is possible.
谢谢。我还想了解是否可以选择兼职学习。
Adviser: Yes, some programs offer that option. You should check the course schedule and financial assistance requirements.
可以，部分课程提供这种选择。你需要查看课程安排以及经济援助的申请要求。
Me: That's very helpful. I'll review the information before making a decision.
这很有帮助。我会在作出决定之前仔细研究这些信息。
第八部分 今日额外朗读
主题：Money, Independence, and Responsibility · 金钱、独立与责任
Learning to Manage My Own Money
For most of my life, money was something I didn't have to think about very much. My parents paid the household bills, bought groceries, and took care of most major expenses. If I needed something for school, I usually asked them. Sometimes they said yes immediately. Other times, they asked whether I really needed it or suggested that I wait until a better time.
I didn't always understand their questions. When I wanted a new pair of shoes or a better phone, I focused on the price of the item. I rarely thought about how that purchase would affect the rest of the household budget. I assumed that adults simply knew how to pay for everything.
Now that I'm preparing to work and possibly attend college, I'm beginning to see money differently. I understand that every dollar has a purpose. Money comes in through income, and it goes out through expenses. If I spend more than I earn, I will eventually have a problem, even if I don't notice it immediately.
The first thing I need is a realistic budget. I should know how much money I expect to earn, how much I need to spend, and how much I can save. A budget doesn't mean I can never enjoy myself. It means I decide in advance how much I can afford to spend without creating problems later.
I also need to distinguish between needs and wants. Food, transportation, and basic clothing are usually necessary. A new gaming system, expensive headphones, or eating out several times a week may be enjoyable, but they are not always essential. Learning to recognize the difference can help me avoid unnecessary purchases.
Another important lesson is that small expenses add up. Buying coffee every morning may not seem expensive. Ordering food because I'm too tired to cook may feel convenient. But when I add those costs together over a month, I may discover that I've spent a surprising amount of money.
I don't want to become someone who worries about every dollar. I still want to enjoy life, meet friends, and occasionally buy something I like. However, I want to make those decisions consciously instead of spending money without thinking.
Saving money will also require patience. If I receive my first paycheque, I may feel tempted to spend it immediately. I might want new clothes, better electronics, or a weekend trip. But I need to remember why I started working. Part of my income should go toward my future education and unexpected expenses.
I have also learned that having a credit card is not the same as having extra income. A credit card allows me to borrow money for purchases, but I still have to pay the balance. If I spend more than I can repay, interest charges can make ordinary purchases much more expensive. I need to understand the terms before using credit.
Financial independence doesn't happen overnight. It develops through everyday decisions: checking prices, comparing options, paying bills on time, avoiding unnecessary debt, and saving regularly. These habits may seem ordinary, but they can make a major difference over several years.
I know I will make mistakes. I may spend too much one month or forget to account for an expense. When that happens, I shouldn't ignore the problem. I should review my budget, understand what went wrong, and make adjustments.
My goal isn't to become wealthy immediately. I want to become capable of supporting myself, making informed choices, and handling financial responsibilities without constantly depending on my parents.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that earning money is only the beginning. Knowing how to use it wisely is just as important.
One day, I hope to look at my bank account and feel confident that I understand where my money comes from, where it goes, and what I am working toward. That may not sound exciting, but it would be an important step toward becoming independent.
中文完整翻译
学会管理自己的钱
在我人生的大部分时间里，金钱并不是一件需要我特别操心的事情。父母支付家庭账单、购买食品，并承担大部分重要开支。如果我在学校需要什么东西，通常会向他们提出。有时候，他们会立即答应；有时候，他们会问我是不是真的需要，或者建议我等到更合适的时候再买。
我以前并不总能理解他们为什么这样问。当我想买一双新鞋或者一部更好的手机时，我只关注商品的价格，很少考虑这笔消费会怎样影响家庭的整体预算。我总觉得成年人自然知道如何支付所有费用。
现在，我即将开始工作，也可能进入学院学习，我看待金钱的方式正在发生变化。我明白了，每一块钱都有它的用途。收入带来资金，支出则消耗资金。如果花的钱超过挣的钱，最终就会出现问题，即使一开始没有立即察觉。
我首先需要的是一份现实的预算。我应该知道自己预计能挣多少钱，需要花多少钱，以及能够存下多少钱。制定预算并不意味着我永远不能享受生活，而是提前决定自己能够花多少钱，才不会给未来带来麻烦。
我还需要区分需要和想要。食品、交通和基本衣物通常是生活必需品。新的游戏主机、昂贵的耳机，或者每周多次外出吃饭，虽然能带来快乐，却并不总是必不可少的。学会分辨两者，可以帮助我避免不必要的购买。
另一个重要的教训是，小额开支累积起来也会变成大数目。每天早晨买一杯咖啡，似乎花不了多少钱。因为太累而点外卖，也许会让人觉得很方便。但如果把一个月的费用加起来，我可能会发现自己花掉了一笔意想不到的钱。
我不想变成一个每花一块钱都忧心忡忡的人。我仍然希望享受生活、和朋友见面，偶尔也买一些自己喜欢的东西。不过，我希望自己是在经过考虑之后作出这些决定，而不是不加思索地花钱。
存钱同样需要耐心。如果我拿到第一张工资支票，可能会很想立即把钱花掉。我也许想买新衣服、更好的电子产品，或者安排一次周末旅行。但我需要记住自己为什么开始工作。收入中的一部分应该用于未来的教育和应付意外开支。
我还学到，拥有一张信用卡并不等于拥有额外收入。信用卡允许我先借钱购物，但我仍然需要偿还欠款。如果花掉的钱超过了自己能够偿还的金额，利息就可能让普通消费变得昂贵得多。在使用信用之前，我必须了解相关条款。
经济独立不会在一夜之间实现。它来自日常生活中的一个个决定：查看价格、比较选择、按时支付账单、避免不必要的债务，以及定期储蓄。这些习惯看起来很普通，但经过几年之后，可能产生很大的影响。
我知道自己会犯错。某个月我可能花钱过多，也可能忘记计算某项开支。发生这种情况时，我不应该假装问题不存在。我应该重新检查预算，弄清楚哪里出了问题，然后作出调整。
我的目标不是立即变得富有。我希望自己有能力养活自己，作出经过充分考虑的选择，并且能够承担经济责任，而不是事事依赖父母。
我越是思考，就越意识到，挣钱只是第一步。懂得如何明智地使用金钱，同样重要。
我希望有一天，当我查看自己的银行账户时，能够清楚地知道钱从哪里来、花到哪里去，以及自己正在为什么目标努力。这听起来也许不够令人兴奋，但它将是迈向独立的重要一步。
用英语表达自己的经济计划
请用英语回答以下问题，尽量使用完整句子。
1. Why are you worried about the cost of going to college?
为什么你担心上大学的费用？
2. What are the biggest expenses you would have as a college student?
如果你成为大学生，最大的开支会有哪些？
3. Would you prefer to live with your parents or rent an apartment?
你更愿意和父母住在一起，还是租公寓？
4. What would you do if you couldn't afford your preferred college program?
如果你负担不起自己喜欢的课程，你会怎么办？
5. How much of your monthly income would you try to save?
你打算每个月存下多少收入？
参考回答：
I would prefer to live with my parents while attending college because it would help me reduce my living expenses. I would also look for scholarships and part-time work. I don't want to borrow more money than I can reasonably repay. My goal is to receive a good education while keeping my financial responsibilities under control.
中文翻译
如果上大学，我更愿意继续和父母住在一起，因为这样可以减少生活费用。我也会寻找奖学金和兼职工作。我不想借下超过自己合理偿还能力的钱。我的目标是在接受良好教育的同时，控制好自己的经济责任。
本课学习重点
- 学会谈论学费、房租、生活费用和教育成本。
- 掌握 scholarship、grant、loan、budget、expense 等常用词汇。
- 学会使用 afford、qualify for、pay in installments 等实用表达。
- 理解收入、支出、储蓄和贷款之间的区别。
- 能够用英语讨论上大学的经济准备和个人财务计划。