英語學習論壇的“聽力練習區”正式與大家見面啦。歡迎大家來這里練習聽力，交流經驗，共同進步。

本練習區的音頻文件選自英語點津的“聽中國日報”、“VOA常速”、“流行金曲”及“名人演講”等欄目，題材豐富，難度各異，適合不同階段的英語學習者。

英語點津會定期發布音頻材料，大家可以在跟帖中貼出自己聽寫出的音頻文字稿。每個音頻材料的標準文字稿會在帖子發布兩天后公布。

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The cost of returning home for the Spring Festival has become such a burden for young people that many are choosing not to make the trip.

"The high costs of the Spring Festival are a financial burden for me," Song Pingyang, who works in Chongqing, said.

Due to the economic recession, Song has not made a lot of money. With his monthly salary dropping from 5,000 yuan ($732) to 3,000 yuan, he has already been squeezing his tight budget. But according to local tradition, Song must distribute a gift of money to the children and old people in his big family.

"I've got more than 6,000 yuan, yet the gift money alone would cost me more than 4,000," Song said.

The young man's worries were echoed by many of his friends online, who instead decided to tour Yunnan province together during the holidays.

"Not heading back home for the festival relieves me of the financial, as well as psychological burden," he said.

"There are more and more urban residents who don't dare go back home for the festival as they face increasing pressure and competition," said Zhu Wanli, a psychologist.

Li Yong, who comes from Wushan county, is in a similar situation. He said the expenses of returning home and celebrating the Spring Festival are too much for him, although he misses his family a lot.

Liu Yali, a native of Anhui province who works in Chongqing, said she would just tell her parents that the company requires them to work during the holidays.

An online survey showed that 43 percent of interviewees will give up heading back home for the festival because they cannot afford it. Among them, 80 percent are single and 90 percent have a monthly income below 5,000 yuan.

Another survey shows average expenses for the festival are 4,000 yuan.

However, some people still insist on going back home for the vacation despite the expenses and a tight budget.

Wu Yi, director of the plastic surgery department in the Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, said family matters most and people should think more of their parents.

"Affection between family members always comes first," he said, "We should think of our parents more, rather than how much we will spend."

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for China Daily for one year.