2018雅思考试阅读精选材料整理（1）

 

　　在经济停滞时期还能有增长的领域并不多，人们对社会日趋不平等的怨念便是其中之一。供职于美国全国广播公司财经频道CNBC的罗伯特·弗兰克(Robert Frank)是研究美国富豪的专家，他担心富豪们正日渐自成一国。从记者转身成为政客的克里斯提亚·弗里兰(Chrystia Freeland)为"全球新型超级富豪"的崛起以及其他所有人的没落而忧虑。美国最悲观的社会学家查尔斯·默里(Charles Murray)警告说，随着富人们退避至重门深户内，社会正在"分崩离析"。

 

　　At the top of the income scale, however, a small counter-trend is observable. Never before have so many people been able to get access to the accoutrements of tycoonery -private planes, luxury yachts, fancy cars and interior-designed, exclusive homes. There is only so much comfort to be had from the fact that it is easier for the merely rich to lay claim to the lifestyle of the super-rich. But as a result of a combination of new technologies and businesses, that is nonetheless what is happening.

 

　　然而，在顶层收入群体中，却可观察到一个小小的逆趋势。从来没有那么多人可以享用到大亨式的行头装备--私人飞机、豪华游艇、炫目豪车，以及装潢考究的高档住宅。小富之人愈加容易拥有巨富的生活方式了，这一点带给人们的安慰颇为有限。不过，由于一系列新科技和新业务的结合，这确实是正在发生的事。

 

　　Tycoon living begins with a private jet. Whereas yachts are dispensable (not everyone wants to float around for weeks with the same dinner companions) private jets are necessities for the aspiring billionaire. They save valuable time. Even first-class passengers have to wait an hour or so for their flights. Private-jet owners can turn up when they want and climb on board. The planes can double as flying offices, and you don't have to worry about other passengers eavesdropping on your deals or objecting to your spreading papers. The flight is smoother (private jets typically fly at 45,000 feet), the seats are more throne-like, and you can bring your pets.

 

　　要享受大亨式的生活首先得有一架私人飞机。游艇是可有可无的(并非每个人都喜欢花上好几周时间漂游海上，天天和同一群人用餐)，但对于未来的亿万富翁而言，私人飞机则是必需品。拥有飞机可以节省宝贵的时间。即使头等舱乘客也得为航班等候一小时左右，而私人飞机机主则可随心所欲地即时登机。飞机可以充当空中办公室，不必担心其他乘客听到你谈的交易，摊开报纸也不会有人提意见。飞行也更顺畅平稳(私人飞机一般在45,000英尺的高度飞行)，座椅更加豪华舒适，乘客还可以带上宠物。