2019 外研版选择性必修二全册课文英汉互译 Unit 1 Growing up Understanding ideas The Age of Majority In most countries, turning 18 marks the start of adulthood. But what does reaching this milestone, the age of majority, really mean? Will you be completely in charge of your own life and be able to express yourself in new and exciting ways? What new responsibilities will this freedom bring? Here, young people tell us what turning 18 means，or meant, to them. Bethany 16, Victoria, Australia I can’ t wait to be 18. For instance, I’ ve been working ever since leaving school, and yet I won’ t be voting in the next election. Why? Because I still won’ t be old enough. Surely, if you’ re old enough to earn a wage and pay taxes, you should be allowed to have a say on how the government spends them! I’ ve also been taking driving lessons, and in fact I will be taking my driving test on the very day I turn 18. My mum worries about me being behind the wheel. As an ambulance driver, she ‘ s seen a lot of car accidents involving teenagers and thinks the legal age for getting a driving licence should be 21. Bur I think I’m already mature enough to understand that driving a car also means taking responsibility for my life and the lives of other people. Li Ning 19, Shanghai, China I celebrated my 18th birthday just before I went to university. I expected to feel instantly different, as if I had closed the door on my childhood and stepped into a whole new adult world. But it wasn’t like that. When I woke up the next day, there were still rules to obey and lessons to attend. In fact, the change has been more subtle and gradual than I imagined. Instead of being the selfish ...
