最新四级晨读主题美文100篇 14（在线收听）

Student Rags

Student rags is a ‵well established practice｜associated ‵particularly with older Universities of students｜mounting some sort of pageant｜and collecting money for charity. From the students’ point of view｜it is a ‵festive occasion. They ‵think up themes｜and ‵decorate a float｜(a truck with a flat loading area)｜to represent their concept — perhaps a pirate ship, an operating theatre, a coal mine｜or something topical and humorous. Then the group of students｜ associated with that float｜‵dresses up to sustain the impression. The Rag Day is ‵often held in February｜when it is ‵still decidedly cold, but this does ‵not seem to deter the girls｜from dressing in the flimsiest of garments as mermaids or grass-skirted Nawacan maidens, or the lads from turning out as cave men｜and the like. There is usually a ‵magazine for the occasion; its contents being ‵mainly humorous｜and vulgar, for students feel｜that they are given license｜for some mild misbehavior.

In this connection｜they indulge in ‵certain stunts, for example the ‵kidnapping of local personalities｜or people of the entertainment world — who ‵rather like the publicity anyway, or climbing public buildings, for example to put a ‵chamber pot on top｜of a steeple. The authorities can be vexed with｜the ‵more outrageous of the capers, for example｜painting statues, for it is ‵expensive to clean off the paint, but ‵lesser liberties｜such as throwing bags of flour｜at policemen are tolerated — ‵only just. So, students ‵let off steam｜and ‵enjoy a sense of camaraderie, the public is entertained｜and contributes by buying magazines｜or putting money in collecting boxes. And ‵eventually the cash collected finds its way｜into local charitable organizations. The students ‵usually have a Grand Ball｜which is often fancy dress ‵too, and this finishes off a strenuous day.

There was a time｜when student life was ‵more privileged and leisurely, and perhaps the pressures today｜give ‵less scope for participation. Also many students ‵lack the will｜to accept social burdens, so there is ‵always something of a struggle these days｜to find volunteers for the work involved. Nevertheless ‵each year sees effort coalescing｜so that in the end the ‵familiar procession｜winds its way through the streets, the public lines the route, ‵weirdly dressed students thrust collecting boxes｜under citizens’ noses｜and ‵cajole them to part with some money.
学生破衣节

学生破衣节这种做法早已固定下来，与一些老牌大学特别有关系，学生们准备游行和筹集慈善款。从学生的观点看，这是节日场面。他们构思出各种主题，装饰彩车(一般是平板卡车)来表现自己的想法——也许是海盗船、手术台、煤矿，或是某种反映现实而幽默的东西。然后与那辆彩车有关的一组学生，打扮化装起来，加强效果。破衣节往往在2月间举行，那个时候天气仍十分寒冷，但这似乎阻挡不住姑娘们穿上极薄的衣服，打扮成鱼美人，或身披草裙的纳瓦肯少女，小伙子们也冒着天寒装扮成穴居人之类。节日期间通常会编有一本专门的杂志，内容大都幽默庸俗，学生们感到得到了做些许小出格行为的许可。

在这一点上，他们热衷于某种噱头，例如绑架当地名流，或娱乐界人士——这些人本来就颇喜欢抛头露面嘛，或者攀登公共建筑物，如把夜壶放在教堂尖塔上。当局对那些过分的恶作剧(例如涂抹塑像，清除油漆花费很大)可能大为恼火，但小一点的冒犯(如向警察扔面粉袋)还是能够被忍受的——仅此为止。就这样，学生们拼命地发泄，尽情享受着友情，公众得到了娱乐，通过买杂志或捐款来捧场。筹得的现款最终归于当地的慈善机构。学生们常举行盛大舞会，通常是化妆舞会，以此结束这令人兴奋的一天。

学生生活曾经一度享有特权，颇为悠闲。然而也许是因为如今过大的压力使得学生没有机会过多的参与其中，而且许多学生缺乏接受社会重担的意志，所以近年来寻找有关工作的志愿者总是很费事。然而每年都有人齐心协力，最后那条熟悉的游行队伍总会绕过大街小巷，公众总是夹道欢迎。身穿奇装异服的学生们把募捐箱塞到公民的鼻子底下，哄骗他们慷慨解囊。