1.There is undoubtedly an element of truth in assertions that capital punishment is necessary, but proponents seem to ignore the fact that the practice has failed to deter heinous crimes.

毫无疑问，主张极刑的必要性有正确的成分，但是，支持者似乎忽略了这种做法不能阻止令人发指的罪行这一事实。

2.Many people assume that the extinction of a plant or animal species is of little consequence. Careful examination, however, reveals that the extinction of any one species disrupts the food chain, and the loss of a plant species leads to the disappearance of a key ingredient which might yield a cure for cancer.

许多人想当然地认为一种植物或动物的灭绝产生的后果很小。然而，仔细的考察揭示出任何一个物种的灭绝会破坏食物链，一种植物的消失造成有可能生成治疗癌症的药物的关键成分的缺失。

3.At first glance, the characteristics of Bugs BUnny seem comical. However, a closer examination reveals the cartoon character never creates a problem, and instead simply hopes for quiet and peaceful life. This suggests that cartoons most often teach children the difference between good and evil.

乍一看，流氓兔的性格似乎滑稽。然而，仔细观察发现这个卡通人物从不制造麻烦，相反，它只希望过安静平和的生活。这说明卡通在大多数情况下教授给儿童好与坏之间的区别。

4.Logically, calls for a New World Order sound valid, and I whole-heartedly agree with some points, but the absurdity arises when considering that the world's 200-odd nations have diverse agendas when it comes to development and diplomacy.

从逻辑而言，要求形成新的世界秩序听似正确，而且我真心实意地同意一些观点，但是，考虑到世界上二百余个国家在发展和外交上有不同的议事日程，这种要求就显得荒谬了。

5.In spite of claims to the contrary, it is common knowledge that corporal punishment most often has the exact opposite affect intended.

尽管有相反的主张，但是大家都知道体法在多数情况下产生适得其反的效果。
6.We were brought up to believe that the role of a man was to provide and the role of a woman was to care for the household and family. Today, however, role reversal is becoming increasingly commonplace.

我们从小就相信男人的角色市提供生活所需，女人的角色是照顾家庭和子女。然而，今天，角色的互换变得越来越普遍。

7.Some people tend to tenaciously cling to the misguided concept of racial superioritty. Their persistence in doing so, however, does readily reveal the inferior mentality and social incompatibility of certain human beings.

一些人顽强地坚持种族优越性的错误观点。然而，他们坚持这样做正揭示了某些人自卑的心理和社会对立性。

8.Some people claim the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) far exceeds that of Western-style pharmaceuticals. More often than not, however, the exact opposite is true.

有的人声称中药的功效远远好于西药。但是，通常情况下，事实正好相反。

9.Workers commonly complain that causes for labor disputes rest solely on the shoulders of management. Quite likely the opposite is true.

工人经常抱怨劳资纠纷的责任完全在管理者的肩上。很可能正好相反。

10.There are those who claim that competition brings out the best in people. Others contend it simply forces one person to prove he/she is better than another. Advocates vociferously support one position or the other. I suggest the former proposition bears greater relevance than the latter.

有些人认为竞争促使人们发挥出最优秀的东西。另一些人认为它只是强迫一个人证明他/她比别人更优秀。提倡者叫嚣着支持其中的一个立场。我认为前一个立场比后一个立场更恰当。

11.While the inclination to procrastinate is common, one must fully consider the detrimental impact of unnecessary delays.

虽然拖延的倾向是普遍的，但是人们应该充分考虑到不必要的延误造成的有害影响。

12.The tendency to take things for granted is understandable, but the need for one to rationally evaluate the circumstances of any situation is absolutely essential.

想当然的倾向是可以理解的，但是，理智地估计任何情形的情况是完全必需的。

13.Most people are under the illusion that a college degree guarantees success. There is no such guarantee without hard work.

许多人错误地认为大学学位能保证成功。不努力工作就没有这样的保证。

14.Some stubbornly hold to the correctness of traditional practices, but in so doing they seem to totally ignore the fact that progress depends on change.

一些人固执地坚持传统做法的正确性，但是，他们这么做，似乎完全忽视了进步依靠变化的事实。

15.Generally speaking, previous parliamentary policy debates ignored the relevance of transparency.

总的来说，以前议会中针对政策的辩论忽视了透明度的重要性。

16.A precise definition of poverty is actually very difficult to determine. Where does one draw the line between those who are poor and those who are not?

对贫困的精确定义实际上是很难的。如何在贫穷和非贫穷的人之间划一条界限呢?

17.Admittedly, bribery and corruption are endemic to our political and economic systems, but it doesn't necessarily follow that all politicians and business people resort to illicit behavior.

诚然，贿赂和****在我们的政治和经济系统中很流行，但这并不是说所有的政府官员和商界人士都采取违法行为。

18.There's little doubt that a third World War is avoidable, but it is highly unlikely that regional conflicts will disappear in the foreseeable future.

毫无疑问，第三次世界大战是可以避免的，但是，在可预见的将来地区冲突消失是非常不可能的。

19.Some people assume that investing in stock is a safe pursuit, but their assumption fails to hold water when considering the substantial risk involved.

有的人想当然地认为投资股票是有把握的事情，但是，考虑到涉及的巨大风险，他们的想当然就说不通了。

20.Some people have called for accelerated across-the-board changes. Their approach quite frankly ignores the need for graduall but effective changes.

一些人要求更快速的全盘改变。他们的做法的确忽略了渐进而有效的改变的必要性。