读故事

　　There is not much difference in how young people date nowadays in contrast with the past.Boy meets girl, they see each other, and go out in a continual way.However, when it's time to pay the bill, some contrast will appear.The boy and girl now often share the bill, while the convention was that the boy paid for everything.There are controversies about whether it's acceptable, since it's a contradiction to what some people believe.But it certainly conveys the message that modern women have broken away from conventional ideas.The differences between men and women are contracting, and women don't depend on men any more.On the contrary, women are taking the leading role in many respects.Also, society has provided women with more conveniences, which enables them to make more contribution to society in return.Marriage becomes a contract of equals.It's no longer controversial for women to serve in the army or things like that, and conversely, they are regarded as capably as men, if not more.Although there are continuous arguments that women should return to their families, the contrary is true.Perhaps men need to convert their attitudes so they can accept what might be contrary to traditional beliefs.

　　Luckily, I can contrast the above with the behavior and attitudes of my husband, who, by contrast, is almost perfect.He does the housework, is a good cook, and insists on contributing to the family in every way I could want.You might think I live a charmed life, but it would be perfect, if only he wouldn't act to the contrary whenever I want to buy more clothes.

　　记单词

　　continual 1. 不间断的，不停的; 2. 多次重复的，频频的

　　continuous 连续不断的，不断延伸的

　　contract 合同，契约

　　1. 缩小，收缩; 2. 订合同，订契约vt 1. 感染(疾病)，染上(恶习); 2. 订(约)

　　contradiction 1. 矛盾，不一致; 2. 否认，反驳

　　contrary (to)相反的，对抗的

　　n [the～]相反，相反事物

　　on the contrary正相反

　　to the contrary相反的(地)

　　contrast 1. 对比，对照; 2. 悬殊差别，反差

　　对比，对照

　　vi (with)形成对比，对比之下显出区别

　　by/in contrast对比之下

　　in contrast to/with与…对比起来，与…形成对比

　　contribute 1. 捐款，做出贡献; 2. (to)有助于，促成; 3. 投稿vt 捐，捐献

　　contribution 1. 贡献，促成作用; 2. 捐款，捐献物; 3. (投给报刊等的)稿件

　　controversial 引起争论的，有争议的

　　controversy 争论，辩论

　　convenience 1. 方便，合宜; 2. 便利设施，方便的用具

　　convention 1. 习俗，惯例; 2. 公约，协议; 3. (正式)会议，(定期)大会

　　conventional 1. 普通的，习惯的，常规的; 2. 符合习俗的，因循守旧的

　　conversely 相反(地)

　　convert 1. (使)转变，(使)转化; 2. (使)改变信仰(或态度等)

　　convey 1. 表达，传达，传递; 2. 运送，输送

　　与从前相比，现在的年轻人的约会没有什么变化。男孩女孩相遇、见面，然后频频外出。不过，到了付账的时候，就会出现一些差别。现在男女双方常常共同付账，而按习俗却是男孩全包了。对于AA制是否可以接受还有争论，因为这与某些人的看法有些矛盾，但它的确传递了这样一个信息：现代妇女已经和因循守旧的思想决裂了。男女之间的差异在不断缩小，女人不再依附于男人。相反，在许多方面妇女都扮演着主角。同时，社会为妇女提供了更多的便利，这使妇女反过来又能对社会做出更大的贡献。婚姻已成为一种平等的契约，对妇女在军队中服役之类的事情也不再有争论了，相反，她们被认为和男人一样有能力，如果不是更有能力的话。虽然社会上还有连续不断的争论，认为妇女应该回到家庭中去，但事实却恰恰相反。也许男人们得改变态度，接受这些可能与传统想法相反的思想。

　　幸运的是，我丈夫的行为和态度却与上述情况形成对比。对比之下，他几乎无可挑剔。他包揽家务，又会做饭，并且坚持按照我的想法为家庭做贡献。你们可能认为我生活得不错，但如果在我想买衣服的时候他不唱反调，那就十全十美了。