Not all Americans worship sports, but athletics are an important part of their culture. Throughout their school life, Americans learn to play many sports. All students take physical education classes in school. Many people also enjoy non-competitive activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping or hunting. To communicate with American sports nuts, it helps if you can talk sports.
　　并非所有的美国人都崇拜运动，但运动的确是他们文化当中极为重要的一部份。在他们的学校生活当中，美国人学习许多运动。所有的学生都必须在学校修体育课。许多人也喜欢从事一些非竞争性的活动像健行、骑单车、骑马、露营或打猎。要和美国运动迷沟通，最好是能畅谈运动。

　　Many sports were imported from other countries. European immigrants brought tennis, golf, bowling and boxing to America. Football and baseball came from other Old World games. Only basketball has a truly American origin. Even today some formerly "foreign" sports like soccer are gaining American fans. In 1994 the U.S. hosted the World Cup for the first time ever.
　　许多的运动是从外国引进来的。欧洲移民把网球、高尔夫、保龄球和拳击带进了美国。橄榄球和棒球则源自其它的欧洲传统比赛。只有篮球是唯一真正源自美国本土。即使在今日，一些原本是外来的运动例如英式足球也吸引了许多的美国运动迷。在一九九四年，美国首次负责举办世界杯足球赛。

　　The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means, and the exercise of ordinary qualities. The common life of every day, with its cares, necessities, and duties, affords ample opportunity for acquiring experience of the best kind. They who are the most persistent, and work in the truest spirit, will usually be the most successful.
　　人生最大的成就通常是靠简单的方法和运用一般的才干获得的。普通的日常生活以及其中的忧虑、各种不可避免之事和种种职责提供了取得最好经验的很多机会。那些最坚毅而又最诚挚地工作的人常常是最成功的人。

　　Fortune has often been blamed for her blindness; but fortune is not so blind as men are. Those who look into practical life will find that fortune is usually on the side of the industrious, as the winds and waves are on the side of the best navigators. The commoner qualities are the most useful--such as common sense, attention, application, and perseverance.
　　人们经常指责运气是盲目的；但是运气并不像人那样盲目。那些观察实际生活的人会发现运气通常支持勤劳的人，正如风浪支持最优秀的航海家一样。较普通的素质是最有用的——诸如常识、专心、勤奋和锲而不舍。