High 3 · Reading series
Lesson 33 · A Claim That Sounded Like a Cure
Audio track 33
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A short video claimed that one drink could “cure stress” during exams. The speaker described a difficult month and said the drink had changed everything. Her story sounded sincere, and that was exactly why I wanted to share it with a worried friend.
Before sending it, I noticed that the video linked to a shop. The speaker's experience might have been genuine, but it could not show what would happen to everyone, and the word “cure” made a much larger claim. I asked our health teacher where to find reliable information and how to help a friend who seemed overwhelmed.
Instead of forwarding the video, I asked my friend how she was doing and whether she wanted help speaking with a trusted adult at school. She did not need me to solve her situation with a product. She needed room to say what was happening.
A personal story can deserve respect without becoming medical evidence for strangers. I kept the concern for my friend and let go of the promise attached to the drink.
Check your understanding
After reading, state the main idea in one sentence and find a line that supports it.
Chinese translation
一条短视频声称，某种饮料能在考试期间“治好压力”。讲述者谈起艰难的一个月，说饮料改变了一切。她的经历听起来真诚，正因如此，我很想分享给一位忧心的朋友。
发送前，我注意到视频附有商店链接。讲述者的经历或许是真的，却不能说明每个人喝后会怎样；“治好”更是远大于个人经历的断言。我问健康课老师哪里能找到可靠资料，以及怎样帮助看起来不堪重负的朋友。
我没有转发视频，而是问朋友近况，问她是否愿意让我陪她找学校里可信赖的成年人谈谈。她不需要我用一种产品解决处境，而需要有空间说出正在发生什么。
个人故事值得尊重，却不能因此变成适用于陌生人的医学证据。我保留了对朋友的关心，放下了饮料附带的承诺。
Key words and expressions
Key terms have Chinese explanations. Hover over dotted words in the English passage for word help and pronunciation when available.
- claimed
- 声称；视频许诺疗效。
- cure
- 治愈；比个人经历大的断言。
- stress
- 压力；朋友在考试期感到不安。
- sincere
- 真诚的；叙述感人不等于证据。
- genuine
- 真实的；经历可能是真的。
- evidence
- 证据；不能由一人推广到所有人。
- reliable
- 可靠的；向老师寻找资料。
- overwhelmed
- 不堪重负的；朋友可能需要支持。
- forwarding
- 转发；学生最后没有这么做。
- product
- 产品；不能替代倾听。
Background notes (Chinese)
视频把个人体验推成产品疗效，还附带销售链接；学生选择关心朋友并寻找可靠支持。