今天的话题：提高公共健康的好方式。

　　A problem of modern societies is the declining level of health in the general population, with conflicting views on how to tackle this worrying trend. One possible solution is to provide more sports facilities to encourage a more active lifestyle.

　　Advocates of this believe that today’s sedentary lifestyle and stressful working conditions mean that physical activity is no longer part of either our work or our leisure time. If there were easy-to-reach local sports centres, we would be more likely to make exercise a regular part of our lives, rather than just collapsing in front of a screen every evening. The variety of sports that could be offered would cater for all ages, levels of fitness and interests: those with painful memories of PE at school might be happier in the swimming pool than on the football pitch.

　　However, there may be better ways of tackling this problem. Interest in sport is not universal, and additional facilities might attract the already fit, not those who most need them. Physical activity could be encouraged relatively cheaply, for example by installing exercise equipment in parks, as my local council has done. This has the added benefit that parents and children often use them together just for fun, which develops a positive attitude to exercise at an early age.

　　As well as physical activity, high tax penalties could be imposed on high-fat food products, tobacco and alcohol, as excessive consumption of any of these contributions to poor health. Even improving public transport would help: it takes longer to walk to the bus stop than the car.

　　In my opinion, focusing on sports facilities is too narrow an approach and would not have the desired results. People should be encouraged not only to be more physically active but also to adopt a healthier lifestyle in general.

　　当代社会的问题之一是大众健康水平的下降，而人们对于如何处理这一令人担心的趋势各持己见。一种可能的解决方法是提供更多的体育设施以鼓励更积极的生活方式。

　　主张这一观点的的人们认为今天久坐不动的生活方式和压力重重的工作状况意味着体育活动不再是我们工作或休闲的一部分。如果当地有方便到达的体育中心，我们会更有可能让锻炼成为生活的常规部分，而不是仅仅每天晚上瘫坐在屏幕前。提供的运动种类应该满足所有年龄层、不同健康水平和兴趣的人们的需要；那些对学校体育课有着痛苦记忆的的人们在游泳池里会比在足球场上快乐。

　　但是，也许有更好的方法可以解决这个问题。不是每个人都对体育感兴趣，额外的设施可能只会吸引原来就身体健康的，而不是那些需要的锻炼的人们。可以用相对便宜的方式鼓励体育活动，例如在公园安装健身器材，就像我们本地的市政委员会所做的那样。这样做的附带好处是父母和子女经常会为了好玩而一起使用这些器材。这可以让孩子从小就培养对锻炼的积极态度。

　　除了体育活动以外，可以对高脂肪食品、烟草和酒类征收高税收罚款。因为过度消费这些东西有碍健康。改善公共交通甚至也会有帮助：步行去公交车站要比去开车走更多的路。

　　在我看来，着重体育设施这一做法太狭隘，可能不会达到预期效果。应该鼓励人们不仅锻炼身体，而且要拥有更健康的生活方式。

　　"There’s an enormous disparity between the million-dollar incomes of top executives and the modest paychecks most people earn.

　　Shirley and Jason don’t let the disparity in their ages weaken their marriage, but Jason’s mother isn’t happy with a daughter-in-law her own age.

　　a. a combination. b. a gap. c. a closeness.

　　The owners of the failing store hoped that the huge sale would bring in enough cash to forestall bankruptcy.