本篇涵盖 2017年9月 上海高级口译考试，文章是 Money Program 和 Body Types。

1709 - Money Program

W: Do you know where your money goes? Do you spend more than you think you should? Do you never have quit enough cash to buy the things you want? Answering these questions and understanding the role money plays in your life is the first step of wise money management. Here in the studio for today's Managing Your Money program we have Prof.Peter Sampson, the University's Financial Consultant. Prof.Sampson is also dean of the School of Economics. Prof.Sampson, to start with, what advice would you give to our students regarding their finances?

M: Well, if you have money problems, and there's virtually no one who doesn't have some concerns about finances, the solution is to develop a budget. A budget is a formal plan that accounts and plans for expenditures and income. Although it is based on an uncomplicated premise, i.e. expenditures should not exceed income, budgeting is not simple, particularly when you are a student.

W: Is it very complicated to make out a balanced budget?

M: Budgeting is very personal: what is appropriate for one person doesn't work for another. For a few people, keeping track of their spending comes naturally; they enjoy accounting for every dollar that passes through their hands. For most people, though, developing a budget -- and sticking to it -- does not come easily. However, if you follow several basic steps, the process of budgeting is straightforward.

W: Can you elaborate on some of them?

M: Sure. First, you need to identify your financial goals. You need to ask yourself why you want more money. What would you spend it on? What would bring you the most satisfaction? Purchasing a new smart phone? Saving money for a vacation? Paying for college rather than taking out loans? You won't be able to develop a budget that will work for you until you determine your financial goals.

W: Then. what is the next step?

M: Second, you need to determine your expenditures and income. You need to make a list of everything you think you'll need to spend over the next year. Some items are easy to think of, such as rent and tuition payments, because they occur regularly and the amount you pay is fixed. Others are harder to budget for because they canvary substantially. For example, the cost of books varies considerably from one term to another.

    As for your income, apart from your monthly stipend it's as important to list other sources of income. List any support you receive from your family members. Also include any financial aid such as tuition reduction, loan payments or scholarship. If you've prepared and organized your budget, actually constructing your budget is as easy as adding 2 + 2. Well, the numbers will be larger. But all you need to do is add up your list of expenses, and your sources of income. In a perfect world, the numbers will be equal.

W: That sounds perfect. But most of the time, most of us find that expenditures are larger than our income. What are your suggestions?

M: Well, if you find you spend more than you make, there are only two things to do: decrease your spending or increase your income. It's often easiest to decrease expenditures, because your expenses tend to be more under your control. There are many things you can do, for example, control impulse buying, make major purchases only during big sales and so on. Furthermore, one of the best ways for students to save money is to get good grades. If you are forced to repeat a class because of a low grade, you'll have to take another course as a substitute, and that may be an added expense. Budgets can also be brought into balance by increasing income. The most direct way to increase income is to get a part-time job. Although working adds to the time-management challenges you will face, it does not mean that your grades will necessarily suffer. In fact, many students who work do better in school than those who don't work, because those with jobs need to be more disciplined and focused. In addition, a part-time job in an area related to your future career may prove to be helpful in getting a job after you graduate.

W: How about taking out a student loan?

M: Considering part-time work is often a better strategy for dealing with budget shortfalls. As student loans are relatively simple to get, it's easy to use them as a crutch. Loans can be a help in an emergency or if you couldn't afford to attend college without them. If you do take out a loan, remind yourself; one day soon you'll have to pay back. with interest.

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1709 - Three Different Body Types

Did you ever notice that some people can eat whatever they want and rarely ever become fat? Did you ever notice how some people gain fat a lot easier and a lot quicker than other people? Did you ever notice the same thing about gaining muscle? It's not your imagination. The reason for this is genetics.

You see, there are 3 different body types: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Maybe you have not heard of these terms before, so let me repeat and spell them for you: ectomorph, E-C-T-O-M-O-R-P-H, mesomorph, M-E-S-0-M-0-R-P-H and endomorph, E-N-D-O-M-O-R-P-H. If you have learnt about all three and if you know which of these different body types you are, you will understand why certain aspects of diet and workout are harder and slower or easier and quicker for you than they are for other people.

The main differences between the three body types are metabolism speed and bone structure. Let's look at them one at a time.

The first is ectomorph. It is the naturally skinny body type of the three different body types. Unlike them esomorph and the endomorph, the ectomorph is the person that has probably been very skinny their entire life. It's not because of a great diet or workout, it's because they are born with a super fast metabolism. This gives them the “ability” to eat pretty much whatever they want, pretty much whenever they want, and pretty much never get fat and never gain weight.

But, for those of you with one of the other different body types that might be a little jealous of the ectomorph right now, you should probably know that these genetics aren't quite as great as they sound.

The same quick metabolism and genetics that keeps the ectomorph naturally skinny and lean are the same quick metabolism and genetics that makes it extremely hard for an ectomorph to gain weight, and more importantly, gain muscle. And trust me, I know this first hand. I am an ectomorph.

I have to eat insane amounts of food to gain weight. When I say insane, I mean it. And, not only that, but to maintain any weight and muscle I have gained, I have to constantly and consistently eat like this. As an ectomorph, my metabolism is literally so fast that if I miss a meal here and there, I will lose weight. This works out fantastic for losing fat, but for gaining and maintaining muscle and weight, it takes quite a bit of dedication and effort.

The second is endomorph, which is the naturally fat body type. These are the people who could eat half as much as what an ectomorph or mesomorph eats and still gain weight. The endomorph is naturally “big boned” and has what some people might describe as a body that is roundly shaped.

The endomorph has the slowest metabolism of the three different body types and can therefore gain weight the quickest and easiest. This is great for gaining muscle and strength, but terrible for losing and keeping off fat. It's basically the complete opposite of the ectomorph.

The last but not at all the least: Mesomorph is the luckiest body type of the three different body types. The prototypical athlete, fitness model and body builder. Where the ectomorph and the endomorph both have a positive and negative side, the mesomorph has pretty much the best of both worlds. They gain muscle almost as well as an endomorph, yet can lose fat almost as well as an ectomorph.

The truth is, despite the fact that there are 3 different body types, you CAN make each body type do what you want it to do. You just need to tailor your diet and workout accordingly. The endomorph can lose weight. The mesomorph can do all of the above as well. Don't be mad at your ectomorph can gain weight and muscle genetics. Don't use them as an excuse. If you are naturally inclined to be fat, it's your fault if you actually become and stay fat. If you are naturally inclined to be very skinny and have very little muscle, it's your fault for actually becoming and staying that way.

You can't change your genetics. It's just not possible. However, you can change your weight. You can change your body fat percentage. You can change how much muscle you have. You can change how much fat you have. The only reason your body isn't what you want it to be is because of you and you alone. The different body types arejust a natural starting point for what your body is. But, whether you are an ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph, it is you, through hard work and dedication, proper diet and workout, that decide what your body will become.

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