26、Large families were once seen as a blessing.Today，however，things are changing and an increasing number of Chinese parents realize that fewer is better.

　　大家庭曾经被看做是一种福气。然而，今天，情况改变了，越来越多的中国家长意识到家庭成员越少越好。

　　27、People used to place total reliance on the government.The so-called“iron rice bowl”prevailed in the past，but things are quite different today.

　　过去，人们习惯完全依靠政府。以前盛行所谓的“铁饭碗”，但今天的情况有很大的不同。

　　28、Several years ago，Chinese streets were filled with people wearing identical drab clothing.Today，however，things are quite different and the streets are awash with people wearing fashionable bright colored outfits.Why has the change taken place?

　　许多年前，中国大街上的人都穿一样的灰褐色衣服。然而，今天的情况大不一样了，街上满是一个个身穿色彩艳丽的时髦衣服的人。出现这种变化的原因是什么呢？

　　29、Years of observing human behavior has enabled me to conclude that the major difference between mediocrity and success lies solely with the individual concerned.Successful individuals consistently seek advancement，while their less industrious contemporaries are merely content with the status quo.

　　对人们行为的多年观察使我能够得出这样的结论：平庸和成功的主要区别仅仅在于相关的个人。成功的个人不断寻求进步，而他们比较懒惰的同时代人仅仅满足于现状。

　　30、Perhaps it is time to reexamine the idea that college degrees are a guarantee of intelligence.

　　也许现在是应该重新考虑大学为是智力的保证这种想法的时候了。