1、Read the transcript of a speech given at the students coming-of-age ceremony by their principal.Honoured guests,teachers and students,it is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you here today and present my thoughts on this special occasion.Students,the time has arrived for you to fully accept your
2、passage into adulthood.I have seen you grow from nervous Senior 1 students into confident young adults,who sit before me today,ready to embrace the next phase of your lives.You must be both excited and anxious about the new experiences that are in store for you.Dont worry,for you are all responsible
3、 young people,well prepared and well equipped to successfully manage the challenges of the years ahead.At school,you have gradually understood the importance of a well-developedsense of responsibility.You accept that you are responsible for your successes and your failures.Hopefully,you have learnt
4、to treat responsibility not as a weight that burdens you,but rather as a foundation which will support your future development.A ship without an anchor is at the mercy of the waves and winds;likewise,a person who has no sense of responsibility is at the mercy of their own careless and thoughtless be
5、haviour.mercy n.仁慈仁慈,宽恕宽恕 merciful adj.仁慈的仁慈的;宽大的宽大的 be merciful to sblat the mercy of.任由摆布;受控制lshow mercy to sb=have mercy on sb 怜悯某人lIts a mercy that.真是万幸 Captain White beat his crew without mercy.无情地 The boy was screaming and begging for mercy.求饶As students,you must take your studies seriously an
6、d accept responsibility for your own learning.This means meeting deadlines for your schoolwork,following your teachers guidance,and of course,always aiming for academic excellence.However,your responsibilities go far beyond your studies.As you go through your daily life,you will encounter many diffi
7、cult situations where things may go wrong.Instead of being quick to blame others,analyse the problem,and if it is indeed your own fault,be ready to admit yourmistake and then correct it.This way,you practise the virtue of courage.Always give your best in whatever you set out to do,however difficult
8、that might be.This way,you practise the virtue of determination.Be honest by saying what youmean and by meaning what you say.This way,you practise the virtue of integrity.Taking responsibility in all aspects of your everyday life,therefore,will help build a strong character.Apart from personal devel
9、opment,assuming responsibility for your actions is also important for the betterment of society.Society is an organic whole,and as social beings,we have a responsibility to make a contribution.You may have heard the story of a small boy who tried to save starfish left on the beach after astorm,by th
10、rowing them back into the sea.Passers-by told him that he was wasting his time,for he could not possibly save them all.However,the boy was not discouraged,believing that he could make a difference to the ones that he saved.discouraged adj.灰心的,泄气的 discouraging adj.令人灰心的，令人泄气的discourage vt.使灰心,使泄气；阻拦,
11、阻止discouragement n.泄气,灰心;打击,挫折;阻拦,阻止discourage sb from doing sth 阻止某人做某事;使某人失去做某事的信心 The weather discouraged people from attending the ceremony.使不愿出席As a result,the passers-by felt inspired and joined him in saving the starfish.Similarly,the little things you do can make a difference!For example,pic
12、king up garbage around your neighbourhood contributes to a cleaner environment.Reporting a speeding car helps ensure road safety.Being energy-efficient leads to savings of our precious natural resources.Doing volunteer work at a local nursing home brings love and warmth to the elderly.Just like the“
13、starfish boy”,you may even inspire people around you to do the same,which is an added bonus.Working together,we have the power to gradually but continuously advance our society.So,dear students,take your first step into the adult world by accepting your responsibilities,so that adulthood will be an
14、enjoyable and rewarding experience for both you and those around you.Sometimes,responsibilities may weigh heavily on you.weigh vt.称(重);重.;权衡 weight n.重量 weighty adj.沉重的;严重的I weighed the benefits of the plan against the risks involved.权衡Finally telling the truth was a great weight off my shoulders.如释
15、重负。However,just as the Chinese saying goes,“Jade is good-for-nothing if not carved.”A man cannot be perfected without trials.Sow the seeds of success today and your harvest will be great tomorrow.I wish you every success in your adult life!“Worry before all others worry;rejoice after all others have rejoiced.”This quote tells us that a person should act for the benefit of society at large.He rejoiced in her spontaneity and directness.因她为人率真直爽而欣喜He rejoiced to see his son well again.
