Chinese Elders' Habit on Saving and Spending
　　Thriftiness has always been a traditional Chinese virtue, especially among the elders. Recently a survey was conducted in X city among people over 60, on their disposal of incomes apart from daily expenses. Not surprisingly, 70% of the interviewees replied that they would deposit the money, while only about 20% and 10%, respectively, said they would spend it or use it for investment.
　　Why is the situation so? On the one hand, the senior citizens are accustomed to a simple way of life and sometimes don't know what to buy besides necessities. On the other hand, they like to save up for a rainy day, as illnesses often come with age. While putting the money in banks generates steady interests, with the interest rate rising, investment seems rather risky.
　　Personally, I think the elders should spend more. First, they can enjoy life better after years of hard work, as a reward. Second, it can also boost national economy. The senior citizens constitute a growing proportion of the population, so their contribution in total consumption is considerable. In this sense, a penny spent will actually be "a penny gained".     (188 words)

结构剖析
　文章分为三段
　第一段说明节俭是中国的传统美德，同时对老年人的调查显示老年人的花费很小。
　第二段以提问开头，为什么是这种情况。然后从两个方面解释了原因。
　第三段是结尾部分，作者表达了自己的个人观点。

 


中国老年人的储蓄和消费习惯
　　节俭一直是中国人的传统美德，尤其是在老年人当中。针对除了日常花费外收入的支配，我们最近对X市60岁以上的老年人做了一份调查。意料之中，70%的受访者回答，他们会把钱存起来，而只有大约20%和10%的人，分别表示他们会花掉或用于投资。
　　为什么是这种情况呢？一方面，老年人习惯了简单的生活方式，而且有时候不知道除了必需品还要买什么。另一方面，他们喜欢存钱以备不时之需，因为疾病通常会与年老相伴。而把钱存到银行能产生稳定的利息，随着利息率的上调，投资看起来就相当冒险了。
　　以我看来，我认为老年人应该多花点。首先，经过多年的辛苦劳动，他们能享受更好的生活作为回报。其次，这同样能促进国民经济的繁荣。老年人在中国人口中占的比例在增加，所以他们对总消费的贡献是相当大的。从这个意义上来说，事实上一分钱的消费将会有"一分钱的收获"。

thriftiness  n. 节俭
virtue  n. 美德，品德
conduct  v. 实施;处理;经营
deposit  v. 存钱
in this sense 在这个意义上
senior citizens  n. 老人
be accustomed to 习惯/适应......
rainy day 艰难时刻，以防万一
boost  v. 推动;帮助;促进

1. Recently a survey was conducted in X city among people over 60, on their disposal of incomes apart from daily expenses.   针对除了日常花费外收入的支配，我们最近对X市60岁以上的老年人做了一份调查。
2. The senior citizens constitute a growing proportion of the population, so their contribution in total consumption is considerable.
　老年人在中国人口中占的比例在增加，所以他们对总消费的贡献是相当大的。