One of the most important roles that the study of historyplays in solving the currenthuman affairs is that it functions as a“review mirror”. It shows what is behind you so that you can move forward easily. History is, inessence, the people and their activities, both physical and psychological, in the past. If we acceptthat the past and the present are not entirely separated, then we have to admit the value ofhistory. Our ancestorshave suffered the same troubles, such as disease, disaster, or devil, as whatwe are confronted with, and their experiences, knowledge, and understanding of nature provide uswith invaluablewisdom.

　　It is true that a fewer people claim that history helps people little in unlocking the currentproblems. They might give a long list of assumed“evidence”. For instance, they say thatenvironmental issues are new, globalization unprecedented, political or economical conflicts fresh,and the like. Nevertheless, they have failed to see that in essence these problems are what ourforefathers have experienced. Today people are suffering the same old trouble of poverty, wars,and mental crisis.

　　Therefore, reading history, at least we can find some cluesto solve these problems.本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑。