地道美语
A: You should have seen the T.V. show that was on last night, the topic it covered was really interesting; animal rights.

B: Do you really believe in that? If they are going to focus on something, they should do it on civil rights.

A: Yes, but we can’t deny that animals are vulnerable, defenseless, and are completely at the mercy of human beings.

B: I understand your point, but we continue to have transgressions against human rights. If so much attention weren’t devoted to the topic of animals, we would then concentrate more on saving a human being instead of protecting a koala.

A: You can’t compare apples and oranges; I believe that both topics are important and that we can’t ignore them, the mistreatment of animals can cause a great environmental imbalance. I believe that governments should prohibit activities like poaching.

B: Well, you are right on that point. This is the reason that I don’t buy leather and I try to buy synthetic products.

A: At least you’re doing your part. My contribution is to have a pet in the house that I treat like a member of the family.

B: As long as you don’t treat it better than your wife, it’s fine.

词汇注释
civil rights 公民的权力

vulnerable a.易受伤的，脆弱的

defenseless adj. 无防备的

at the mercy of 任凭…的摆布，完全受…支配

transgression n. 违反, 犯罪

apples and oranges 将两种不同的事物进行不公平的对比

poach vt.偷猎
Fred was caught poaching hares. 弗雷德因偷猎野兔被捉。

synthetic adj.合成的；人工合成的

do your part 帮助完成某个目标
【拓展词汇】

biodegradable adj. 生物所能分解的

drought n.干旱，旱灾

famine n. 饥荒

biosphere n.生物圈

cloning n. 克隆

参考译文
A:你应该看看昨晚的电视秀，它包含的话题很有意思：动物权力。

B:你真的相信那个吗？如果他们应该关注点东西，他们应该关注公民权力。

A:是的，但是我们不能否认动物容易受到伤害，没有防备能力，而且完全受人类摆布。

B:我知道你所说的，但是我们总是有侵犯人权的事件。如果人们不关注动物，我们应该关注如何救一个人而不是包含一只考拉。

A:你不能将不同的事物进行不公平的对比。我相信2个话题都很重要，我们都不能忽视。虐待动物能导致环境的失调。我相信政府应该继续制止像偷猎这样的行为。

B:你说到点子删了。那就是我为什么不买皮制品的原因，我买人工合成的用品。

A:至少你也在帮着实现目标。我的贡献是在家里养了个宠物，我对待宠物和对待家庭成员一样。

B:只要你对待宠物不超过对待你妻子那样好，就是合适的。