《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》96 A Glimpse of US Students' Social Life

　　Unit 96

A Glimpse of US Students' Social Life

Fun and Alcoholic 1

The unstated purpose of most American students' social life is to have "fun". For them, social life entails 2 going somewhere outside their house or apartment and "doing something", such as drinking in a bar or at a party, participating in some sport or recreational activity (To Americans, the word "drinking" refers to consuming alcoholic beverages 3.), having a picnic, going to a concert, or at least taking a walk. "Just staying home" and "visiting" or "playing games" would b the last resort of most Americans who want to socialize. A large amount of socializing among American students takes place in bars. Other common gathering 4 places are recreation facilities, parks, and places to eat.

Students from other countries generally seem far less interested in drinking, at least in public places. This fact erects 5 a significant barrier to socializing between American and foreign students, and serves to drive foreign students toward each other for social activities.

Chinese students who want to socialize with Americans but who do not want to drink alcohol can g to bars for conversation (although the noise level can make it difficult to bear others talking and the cigarette smoke can be irritating). They can drink something non-alcoholic or not drink anything. A good strategy is to order a club soda 6 with a lime twist, which looks like an alcoholic drink, called a gin and tonic 7, and will give the appearance that you are drinking alcohol. People who are drinking often feel more relaxed talking with other people who they think are also drinking.

Gay Life

"Gay" is a colloquialism 8 for homosexual, a person whose feelings of sexual attraction are toward members of their own sex. A "lesbian" is a homosexual woman. A "bisexual" is a person who feels attraction toward members of both sexes. On many American campuses gay students are becoming more open and visible. So are gay faculty 9 and staff members.

Organized Group Activities

Many free or low-cost activities take place on American campuses, and participating in them can lead to conversations with Americans. These include lectures, film showings, readings of literature or poetry, musical performances, and sports. Student organizations form around a wide array of interests, including chess, martial 10 arts, soccer, hiking, biking, folk dancing, various political issues or viewpoints, field-of-study or vocational areas, and many, many others. The web site of the school you will attend probably has a list of student organizations.

Many religious organizations have clubs or activities aimed at students. Some groups of students meet regularly for Bible study. Many Chinese students join a Bible-study group, even if they are not Christians 11, because the group gives opportunities for meeting people, improving English, and getting to know Americans in a setting without alcohol and loud noise.