TED演讲:为了关闭监狱 就要创办学校(2)

 It was evident¹ when I would ask my 13-year-old, "Young man, where do you see yourself in five years?" 我问一个13岁的孩子，“年轻人，你认为五年后你会怎么样？”答案似乎显而易见。

And his response: "I don't know if I'm gonna live that long." 而他的回答是：“我不知道我能否活那么长时间。”

Or to have a young woman say to me that she had a lifelong² goal of working in a fast-food restaurant. 还有一位年轻女生对我说，她毕生的目标只是在快餐店工作。

To me, this was unacceptable. 对我而言，这实在难以接受。

It was also evident that they had no idea that there was a landscape of opportunity that existed beyond their neighborhood. 显然他们尚未意识到，在他们生活的地区之外，还有着大片广阔的机遇。

We call our students "scholars," because they're lifelong learners. 我们把我们的学生称为“学者”，因为他们是终身学习者。

And the skills that they learn today will prepare them for college and career readiness. 他们现在所学的技能将为他们今后的大学和事业打下坚实的基础。

I chose the royal colors of purple and black, because I want them to be reminded that they are descendants³ of greatness, 我选择象征皇室的紫色和黑色，因为我希望他们明白自己是伟大的后代。

and that through education, they are future engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs⁴ and even leaders who can and will take over this world. 通过教育，他们将成为未来的工程师，科学家，企业家甚至成为掌管这世界的领导者。

To date, we have had three graduating classes, at a 98 -- At a 98-percent graduation rate. 到目前为止，我们已有三届毕业班，有98的--有98%的毕业率。

This is nearly 200 children, who are now going to some of the most competitive⁵ high schools in New York City. 这意味着将近200个孩子，将有幸进入纽约市竞争最激烈的高中。

1 evident   

adj.明显的，显然的，明白的

参考例句：

• It's evident to me that they have no experience in this work.在我看来，他们干这项工作没有经验是显而易见的。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

2 lifelong   

adj.毕生的，终身的

参考例句：

• A childhood journey sparked his lifelong interest in railways.儿童时代的一次旅行引发了他对铁路持续终生的兴趣。
• A moment's error can bring a lifelong regret.一失足成千古恨。

3 descendants   

n. 后代，后裔 名词descendant的复数形式

参考例句：

• They were the direct descendants of the Dutch settlers. 他们是荷兰移民的直系后裔。
• They are the descendants of Queen Victoria. 他们是维多利亚女王的后裔。

4 entrepreneurs   

企业家( entrepreneur的名词复数 )； 主办人

参考例句：

• He is one of the entrepreneurs of the concert. 他是这场音乐会的主办人之一。
• Entrepreneurs are free to develop their businesses. 企业家们可以任意发展自己的企业。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件

5 competitive   

adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

参考例句：

• Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。