历史上，人口过剩的问题从来没有比现在更加突出。

　　12、The rapid expansion of urban areas has in many cases encroached on valuable cultivatable land，and led to a general recognition that development must not be carried at the cost of agriculture.The government has attached greater importance to the problem and an increasing number of redundant projects are being terminated.

　　城区的迅速扩大在很多情况下侵占了宝贵的可耕地，使人们普遍认识到发展不能以牺牲农业为代价。政府更加重视这个问题，越来越多的不必要的工程被终止。

　　13、Perhaps the most dangerous phenomenon gripping the nation today is official corruption，which is pervasive in all levels of government.

　　也许当今困扰国家的最危险的现象是遍布各级政府的官员。

　　14、Inflation is yet another new and bitter truth we must learn to face.

　　通货膨胀又是一个我们必须学会面对的痛苦的新情况。

　　15、One of the most serious problems many people talk about centers on the lack of adequate housing space.

　　许多人谈论的一个最严重的问题集中在缺乏足够的居住空间。