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一片关于love的阅读理解，建议先做题（5道选择题），然后再仔细读文章，然后参考后面的文章翻译。答案在最后。（题目来源于上海市高级口译笔试真题）
Journalists who write about families as well as social and cultural issues can count on receiving an annual barrage of public relations pitches for Valentine's Day. The PR blitz begins right after Christmas and continues almost until the big day itself. Daily, sometimes hourly, e-mails pop up on my computer screen, as publicity agents propose stories on a variety of love-rated subjects.
Some suggest traditional topics: How about interviewing the author of a new book on how to find the perfect mate? Or what about a story offering ideas on the best gifts to give to your heartthrob? Other suggestions take a thoroughly modern approach to romance. Publicists would be happy to provide information about the newest matchmaking website or the hottest dating coach. There's even a \"psychic medium\" who promises to tell radio and television audiences about their \"current and future relationships.\"
Individually, these story promotions could be taken for what they are: just another day, another client, another dollar in the life of publicity agents. But collectively, they signal more than simply a desire to capitalize on a holiday that has mushroomed into a $17 billion industry. In their varied forms, these promotions reflect the urgency of the quest for love and companionship in a society where one-quarter of all households now consist of single people.
These pitches also serve as a measure of how much Valentine's Day itself has changed. They can impel long-married observers to look back with a certain nostalgia to a time several decades ago when Feb. 14 didn't carry such intensity-and when courtship didn't cost quite so much. That was a time before men were expected to spend two months' worth of their salary for an engagement ring, before men and women decided they would settle for nothing less than a \"soul mate,\" and before it was necessary to seek advice from an army of self-help gurus bearing titles such as \"relationship and interpersonal communication expert.\" That was also an era when many hopeful Prince Charmings could show their love with a card or a heart-shaped box of drugstore chocolates, and when even a single rose could melt a young woman's heart.
What a contrast to today, when anything less than a dozen long-stemmed roses can risk making a sender appear frugal, and when an ardent suitor who wants to make an impression will buy chocolates from Belgium, whatever the cost. This year the average man will spend $120 and the average woman $85, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
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Is this love, or obligation? For some men, it might even include a bit of guilt. As Tracy Mullin, CEO of the NRF, notes, presumably with tongue planted firmly in cheek, some men \"may be looking at Valentine's Day as a way to make up for that HDTV they splurged on for the Super Bowl.\" As one public radio station announcer put it during a Valentine's Day fundraiser offering long-stemmed roses. \"This is a perfect way to fulfill your Valentine's obligations.\" Another host making a similar appeal urged listeners to \"take care of your Valentine's Day duties.\"
And if you don't? One relationship expert quoted in a Valentine's Day press release offers the stern warning that \"if a guy doesn't come through on Valentine's Day, it means he doesn't care about you,\" so just say goodbye and move on. But assuming he does care, another PR firm suggests a high-tech approach to the day. \"This year, think outside the box and send a Video Valentine!\" the e-mail pitch begins. \"Too shy to say those three little words in person? Profess your love on video! Or use your cellphone to record yourself shopping for the perfect gift.\" Diamonds, anyone?
Whatever the approach, couples might do well to follow the advice of a group of husbands in Japan who say they know the answer to wedded bliss. In an effort to communicate better with their wives, they offer Three Principles of Love: Say \"sorry\" without fear, say \"thank you\" without hesitation, and say \"I love you\" without shame. It's a trio of sentiments that women could adopt as well.
Tomorrow all the unsold Valentines with their declarations of love and affection will disappear from card racks, to be replaced by Easter messages featuring eggs and bunnies. Long stemmed roses will begin to open, boxes of chocolate will be nibbled away, and cards with sentimental messages will be propped on desks and dressers. Whatever hopes and expectations are fulfilled-or not-today, the celebration offers a touching reminder that when it comes to matters of the heart, the approaches might change, but the yearning for love and companionship doesn't. Above all, it offers this comforting reassurance: Cupid lives. 1. The author introduces the \"story promotions\" before Valentine's Day _______. (A) to show the continuation of this long tradition
(B) to display the busy life of journalists in the western world (C) to highlight the commercialization of a traditional holiday (D) to reveal the rapidly changing patterns of holiday celebrations
2. The word \"pitches\" used in the passage can best be paraphrased as _______. (A) phrases of promotion (B) commending remarks (C) objective descriptions
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(D) terms of courtship
3. In describing how people celebrated Valentine's Day a few decades ago, the author _______.
(A) tells us that dating is a nice experience
(B) reminds people how much the practice has changed (C) hints that companionship should be cherished (D) argues that social progress is inevitable
4. When the author is asking \"Is this love, or obligation?\"(para. 6), he is implying that _______.
(A) obligation could be taken as equal to love (B) the changing pattern will not be popular (C) love cannot be replaced by obligation (D) the changing attitude is not healthy
5. The last sentence of the passage \"Cupid lives.\" _______.
(A) serves as a concluding remark summarizing the main idea of the passage (B) is used as a contrast to the prevailing practice of Valentine's Day celebration (C) shows the author's belief in human yearning for love and companionship (D) is used as a fierce attack against the changing human relationship
中英文对照版本（来自网络，仅供参考）
Journalists who write about families as well as social and cultural issues can count on receiving an annual barrage of public relations pitches for Valentine's Day. The PR blitz begins right after Christmas and continues almost until the big day itself. Daily, sometimes hourly, e-mails pop up on my computer screen, as publicity agents propose stories on a variety of love-rated subjects.
专写家庭问题的的记者，连同社会文化记者每年情人节准会收到大批来信。这些关于处理人际关系的信件狂潮从刚过圣诞节延续到情人节当天。每天，甚至每小时都会有电子邮件出现在我的电脑屏幕上，广告商们也推荐文章，给爱情评级。
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Some suggest traditional topics: How about interviewing the author of a new book on how to find the perfect mate? Or what about a story offering ideas on the best gifts to give to your heartthrob? Other suggestions take a thoroughly modern approach to romance. Publicists would be happy to provide information about the newest matchmaking website or the hottest dating coach. There's even a \"psychic medium\" who promises to tell radio and television audiences about their \"current and future relationships.\"
有的广告商老调重弹：有本新书讲述如何找到绝佳配偶，请作者做个访谈怎么样？要不就讲讲如何给梦中情人购买礼物？有的却用完全新潮的方式解读爱情。推广商们乐于提供各种最新的交友网站或推荐最热门的约会教练。甚至还有灵媒现身，说能告诉观众 “现在和将来的爱情运势”。
Individually, these story promotions could be taken for what they are: just another day, another client, another dollar in the life of publicity agents. But collectively, they signal more than simply a desire to capitalize on a holiday that has mushroomed into a $17 billion industry. In their varied forms, these promotions reflect the urgency of the quest for love and companionship in a society where one-quarter of all households now consist of single people.
我个人觉得，这些故事宣传本身并无新意：对于广告商来说，无非就是日复一日的宣传，只不过更换了时间和宣传对象的挣钱方式而已。但是对于大众来说，这可不仅仅是一种膨胀成了一个170亿美元产业的消费愿望。不管进行何种包装，这些推广故事都反映出在每四个家庭就有一个单亲家庭的社会里，人们对于爱情和伴侣有多么热切的向往。
These pitches also serve as a measure of how much Valentine's Day itself has changed. They can impel long-married observers to look back with a certain nostalgia to a time several decades ago when Feb. 14 didn't carry such intensity-and when courtship didn't cost quite so much. That was a time before men were expected to spend two months' worth of their salary for an engagement ring, before men and women decided they would settle for nothing less than a \"soul mate,\" and before it was necessary to seek advice from an army of self-help gurus bearing titles such as \"relationship and interpersonal communication expert.\" That was also an era when many hopeful Prince Charmings could show their love with a card or a heart-shaped box of drugstore chocolates, and when even a single rose could melt a young woman's heart.
这些推销故事也能够衡量出圣诞节本身的变迁。它们令结发夫妻回首往事，想起几十年前单纯的，无需一掷千金来示爱的情人节。而现在，男人们需要花两个月的工资就才买得到一只订婚戒指，然后男女结合，成为 “灵魂伴侣”，还得从 大批“爱情及人际关系专家”军团那里得
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到有关 “自助结婚”的建议。而几十年前，满怀期待的求婚者们只消一张卡片或者一个装满巧克力的心形纸盒，甚至只要一支玫瑰就能让少女们神魂颠倒。
What a contrast to today, when anything less than a dozen long-stemmed roses can risk making a sender appear frugal, and when an ardent suitor who wants to make an impression will buy chocolates from Belgium, whatever the cost. This year the average man will spend $120 and the average woman $85, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
今非昔比，如今凑不满一打长茎玫瑰就显得寒酸了，要想表达热烈的爱意就非得不计代价，从比利时购买巧克力才行。根据全国零售协会调查，今年情人节平均每个男性都要花上120美元，女性平均85美元。
Is this love, or obligation? For some men, it might even include a bit of guilt. As Tracy Mullin, CEO of the NRF, notes, presumably with tongue planted firmly in cheek, some men \"may be looking at Valentine's Day as a way to make up for that HDTV they splurged on for the Super Bowl.\" As one public radio station announcer put it during a Valentine's Day fundraiser offering long-stemmed roses. \"This is a perfect way to fulfill your Valentine's obligations.\" Another host making a similar appeal urged listeners to \"take care of your Valentine's Day duties.\"
这是表白爱情还是尽义务？对于有些人来说，甚至有点赎罪心理。正如全国零售协会的执行官Tracy Mullin半开玩笑所说那样，有些男人把情人节看作是补偿机会，好弥补他们为看橄榄球赛添置的昂贵高清电视。情人节募款发放长茎玫瑰的活动中，一个公共广播电台主持人说，“此时正是尽情人义务的最佳时机。” 另一个主持人也怂恿听众 “在情人节上忠于职守。” And if you don't? One relationship expert quoted in a Valentine's Day press release offers the stern warning that \"if a guy doesn't come through on Valentine's Day, it means he doesn't care about you,\" so just say goodbye and move on. But assuming he does care, another PR firm suggests a high-tech approach to the day. \"This year, think outside the box and send a Video Valentine!\" the e-mail pitch begins. \"Too shy to say those three little words in person? Profess your love on video! Or use your cellphone to record yourself shopping for the perfect gift.\" Diamonds, anyone?
否则会怎样？一篇情人节专稿引述情感专家的严厉警告说：“男人没有给你一个像样的情人节，意味着他并不在乎你，”建议你赶紧放手，好寻觅真爱。但是假若他真的在乎你，另一个情感公司建议可以使用高科技手段过节。他们的电邮广告说，“今年，我们要突破传统束缚，过上视频情人节！” “这小小的三个字，你是否羞于当面启齿？利用视频技术，大胆的示爱吧！拿起电话，录下你挑选礼物的过程。”还有人需要钻石吗？
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Whatever the approach, couples might do well to follow the advice of a group of husbands in Japan who say they know the answer to wedded bliss. In an effort to communicate better with their wives, they offer Three Principles of Love: Say \"sorry\" without fear, say \"thank you\" without hesitation, and say \"I love you\" without shame. It's a trio of sentiments that women could adopt as well.
不管用什么手段，对于那些深知如何经营婚姻的日本丈夫的建议，情人们还是会听从的。为了跟妻子们更好的沟通，他们提出三条爱的箴言：勇于说出 “很抱歉”；勤于说 “谢谢你”，敢于说 “我爱你”。女人们同样可以懂得这些温柔的三字经。
Tomorrow all the unsold Valentines with their declarations of love and affection will disappear from card racks, to be replaced by Easter messages featuring eggs and bunnies. Long stemmed roses will begin to open, boxes of chocolate will be nibbled away, and cards with sentimental messages will be propped on desks and dressers. Whatever hopes and expectations are fulfilled-or not-today, the celebration offers a touching reminder that when it comes to matters of the heart, the approaches might change, but the yearning for love and companionship doesn't. Above all, it offers this comforting reassurance: Cupid lives. 很快，,那些没有售出的情人节礼物，连同上面的爱情宣言都会从架子上撤下，换上复活节彩蛋和小兔子。长茎玫瑰就要盛开了，盒装巧克力也会被吃的一口不剩，写着甜言蜜语的卡片被丢在书桌和梳妆台上。不管今年有没有实现情人节的愿望，这样的庆祝活动总能够温馨的提示我们，在关乎内心情感的事情上，形式可以改变，对爱情，对伴侣的渴望长存。不管怎样，我们总算安心的知道，爱神还活在人间。 答案：CABCC
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