英语 朗诵比赛文章

英语 朗诵比赛文章 Passage 1 A Greek to Remember Diogenes was a famous Greek philosopher of the fourth century B. C., who established the philosophy of cynicism. He often walked about in the daytime holding a lighted lantern, peering around as if he were looking for something. When questioned about his odd behavior, he would reply, "I am searching for an honest man." Diogenes held that the good man was self-sufficient and did not require material comforts or wealth. He believed that wealth and possessions constrained humanity's natural state of freedom. In keeping with his philosophy, he was perfectly satisfied with making his home in a large tub discarded from the temple of Cybele, the goddess of nature. This earthen tub, called a pithos, and formerly been used for holding wine or oil for the sacrifices at the temple. One day, Alexander the Great, conqueror of half the civilized world, saw Diogenes sitting in this tub in the sunshine. So the king, surrounded by his countries, approached Diogenes and said, "I am Alexander the Great." The philosopher replied rather contemptuously, "I am Diogenes, the Cynic." Alexander then asked him if he could help him in any way." Yes, "shot back Diogenes, "don't stand between me and the sun." A surprised Alexander then replied quickly, "If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes." 1 Passage 2 Saying Good-bye to Cambridge Again Very quietly I take my leave As quietly as I came here; Quietly I wave good-bye To the rosy clouds in the western sky. The golden willows by the riverside Are young brides in the setting sun; Their reflections on the shimmering waves Always linger in the depth of my heart. The floating heart growing in the sludge Sways leisurely under the water; In the gentle waves of Cambridge I would be a water plant! That pool under the shade of elm trees Holds not water but the rainbow from the sky; Shattered to pieces among the duckweeds Is the sediment of a rainbow-like dream? To seek a dream? Just to pole a boat upstream To where the green grass is more verdant; Or to have the boat fully loaded with starlight And sing aloud in the splendour of starlight. But I cannot sing aloud Quietness is my farewell music; Even summer insects keep silence for me Silent is Cambridge tonight! Very quietly I take my leave As quietly as I came here; Gently I flick my sleeves Not even a wisp of cloud will I bring away 2 Passage 3 A Psalm of Life Tell me not in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined and our way; But to act, That much to-morrow. Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and time is fleeting. And our hearts, though stout and brave. Still , like muffled drums , are beating Funeral marches to the grave。 In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no future. howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act, act in the living Present! Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing Learn to labour and to wait. 3 Passage 4 A Forever Friend "A friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out." Sometimes in life, You find a special friend; Someone who changes your life just by being part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop; Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world. Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. This is Forever Friendship. when you're down, and the world seems dark and empty, Your forever friend lifts you up in spirits and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full. Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times, and the confused times. If you turn and walk away, Your forever friend follows, If you lose your way, Your forever friend guides you and cheers you on. Your forever friend holds your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay. 4 Passage 5 If I were a Boy Again (1) If I were a boy again, I would practice perseverance more often, and never give up a thing because it was hard or inconvenient. If we want light, we must conquer darkness. Perseverance can sometimes equal genius in its results. “There are only two creatures,” says a proverb, “who can surmount the pyramids—the eagle and the snail.” If I were a boy again, I would school myself into a habit of attention; I would let nothing come between me and the subject in hand. I would remember that a good skater never tries to skate in two directions at once. The habit of attention becomes part of our life, if we begin early enough. I often hear grown up people say “I could not fix my attention on the sermon or book, although I wished to do so”, and the reason is, the habit was not formed in youth. If I were to live my life over again, I would pay more attention to the cultivation of the memory. I would strengthen that faculty by every possible means, and on every possible occasion. It takes a little hard work at first to remember things accurately; but memory soon helps itself, and gives very little trouble. It only needs early cultivation to become a power. 5 Passage 6 If I were a Boy Again (2) If I were a boy again, I would cultivate courage. “Nothing is so mild and gentle as courage, nothing so cruel and pitiless as cowardice,” says a wise author. We too often borrow trouble, and anticipate that may never appear.” The fear of ill exceeds the ill we fear.” Dangers will arise in any career, but presence of mind will often conquer the worst of them. Be prepared for any fate, and there is no harm to be feared. If I were a boy again, I would look on the cheerful side. Life is very much like a mirror: if you smile upon it, it smiles back upon you; but if you frown and look doubtful on it, you will get a similar look in return. Inner sunshine warms not only the heart of the owner, but of all that come in contact with it. “Who shuts love out, in turn shall be shut out from love.” If I were a boy again, I would school myself to say no more often. I might write pages on the importance of learning very early in life to gain that point where a young boy can stand erect, and decline doing an unworthy act because it is unworthy. If I were a boy again, I would demand of myself more courtesy towards my companions and friends, and indeed towards strangers as well. The smallest courtesies along the rough roads of life are like the little birds that sing to us all winter long, and make that season of ice and snow more endurable. Finally, instead of trying hard to be happy, as if that were the sole purpose of life, I would, if I were a boy again, I would still try harder to make others happy. 6 Passage 7 Love Your Life However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are richest. The fault-finder will find faults in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poor-house. The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the alms-house as brightly as from the rich man's abode; the snow melts before its door as early in the spring. I do not see but a quiet mind may live as contentedly there, and have as cheering thoughts, as in a palace The town's poor seem to me often to live the most independent lives of any. Maybe they are simply great enough to receive without misgiving. Most think that they are above being supported by the town; but it often happens that they are not above supporting themselves by dishonest means, which should be more disreputable. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage .Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Turn the old, return to them. Things do not change; we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts. 7 Passage 8 Think it Over Today we have higher buildings and wider highways, but shorter temperaments and narrower points of view; We spend more, but enjoy less; We have bigger houses, but smaller families; We have more compromises, but less time; We have more knowledge, but less judgment; We have more medicines, but less health; We have multiplied out possessions, but reduced out values; We talk much, we love only a little, and we hate too much; We reached the Moon and came back, but we find it troublesome to cross our own street and meet our neighbors; We have conquered the utter space, but not our inner space; We have higher income, but less morals; These are times with more liberty, but less joy; We have much more food, but less nutrition; These are the days in which it takes two salaries for each home, but divorces increase; These are times of finer houses, but more broken homes; That's why I propose, that as of today; You do not keep anything for a special occasion. Because every day that you live is a SPECIAL OCCASION. Search for knowledge, read more, sit on your porch and admire the view without paying attention to your needs; Spend more time with your family and friends, eat your favorite foods, visit the places you love; Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment; not only about survival; Use your crystal goblets. Do not save your best perfume, and use it every time you feel you want it. Remove from your vocabulary phrases like "one of these days" or "someday"; Let's write that letter we thought of writing "one of these days"! Let's tell our families and friends how much we love them; Do not delay anything that adds laughter and joy to your life; Every day, every hour, and every minute is special; And you don't know if it will be your last. 8 Passage 9 You Are My Life There was a boy who was sent to a boarding school. He used to be the brightest student in his class. He was at the top in every competition. But things changed after that. His grades started dropping. He hated being in a group. He was lonely all the time. He felt worthless and that no one loved him. His parents began to worry. But even they did not know what was wrong. So his dad decided to visit the school and talk with him. They sat on the bank of the lake near the school. The father started asking him casual questions about his classes, teachers and sports. Then he asked, “Do you know, son, why I am here today?” The boy said, “To check my grades?” “No, no,” his dad replied. “I am here to tell you that you are the most important person for me. I want to see you happy. I don’t care about grades. I care about you. I care about your happiness. YOU ARE MY LIFE.” Now the boy had everything he wanted. He knew there was someone on this Earth who cared for him deeply. He meant the world to someone. Thanks a lot, Dad. YOU ARE MY LIFE. 9 Passage 10 Why I Love You Every time I think about you, I'm reminded of the reasons why I love you From the deep of my heart and soul. And I wonder what I'd do without you, Without your healing smile, Your words of faith, The caring and sensitive way you touch me, Lifting me just when I need it most. Without you, What would I have? What would I be? I can't imagine existing in a world Where someone doesn't love me the way you do. You're the only one Who’s ever understood me and accepted me for who I am. And I think you're nothing short of amazing. Your love has always been and will always be Life’s greatest gift to me! Love is the best and most beautiful thing in the world, though it cannot be seen or even touched-it must be felt with the heart. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage. Love is like the sun coming out of the clouds and warming your soul. 10