I open up my brown leather wallet and see the plastic card with the faint1 image of my smiling face. This card not only says who I am but it is the key to freedom. With it I can go anywhere I want and do the things I had never been able to do before. However， with this new found freedom there is new found responsibility. I must make sure to follow the rules and be safe on my travels. If I fail to follow these rules， then this key to freedom can become the key to captivity. Although it may seem flimsy2， this simple piece of plastic holds unlimited power.
　　我打开棕色皮夹，看到那张塑料卡，上面有我模糊的笑脸。这张卡片不仅表明我是谁，而且还是通向自由的钥匙。有了它，我可以去任何我想去的地方，做我以前从未做过的事情。然而，有了这个新发现的自由，就有了新发现的责任。我必须保证遵守规则和旅途安全。如果我不遵守这些规则，那么自由的钥匙就会成为囚徒的钥匙。虽然看起来很脆弱，但这简单的一片塑料有着无限的权力。
　　I ask my mother the forbidden question， “What’s for dinner？” She rolls her eyes and gives me an even more forbidden answer， “You’re on your own for tonight.” Usually this means I have to make myself something simple for dinner like eggs and toast or I’ll have to warm up some leftovers from the past few nights. However， I remember I now possess an item that can unlock the culinary3 universe for me， my license. I inform my mother of my new plan to go search for something to satisfy my hunger. The only problem is this will be my first time ever driving on my own and this makes my mom very nervous. But after a few minutes of persuasion I convince4 her to allow me to take her car on my quest for nourishment. I grab her keys and walk out to the car ready to start this new chapter in my life.
　　我问了母亲一个不许问的问题，“晚餐吃什么？”她转了转眼睛，给了我一个更不想听到的回答：“今晚你要靠自己了。”通常，这意味着我必须为自己做一顿简单的晚餐，比如鸡蛋和吐司，否则我将不得不加热头几个晚上的一些剩菜。然而，我记起我现在拥有了一个可以為我打开食物世界的东西，我的执照。我告诉母亲我的新计划，我要寻找一些东西来填饱肚子。唯一的问题是这是我第一次独自开车，这让母亲很紧张。但经过几分钟的劝说，我说服她允许我用她的车去找吃的。我拿着她的钥匙走到车前，准备开始我人生的新篇章。
　　I shift the car into reverse and break the seal5 to the outside world and into freedom. As the car creeps backward， my hands start to sweat from the nerves of my first solo6 drive and I begin to think about all the things that could go wrong. However， I know that I cannot let these thoughts affect my actions and I tell myself if I do the right then I will be okay. I reach the stop sign at the exit in my neighborhood and watch as cars zoom7 by. I wait for a break in the chaos and when it finally arrives I take it. Immediately， I am thrust into a whole new world full of freedom and responsibility. I tell myself that it isn’t so bad and that I had nothing to worry about. I arrive to my destination and line my car up perfectly in a parking spot. 　　我把车换到倒车档，打破了外界的封锁，进入了自由。当汽车向后开动时，我的手开始因第一次独自驾驶的紧张而出汗，我开始思考所有可能出错的地方。但是，我知道我不能让这些想法影响自己的动作，我告诉自己如果我做对了，我就会没事的。我到了附近出口处的停车标志处，看着车辆飞驰而过。我在混乱中等着休息了一会儿，最终开动了车。立刻，我被推进了一个充满自由和责任的全新世界。我告诉自己，情况还不错，没什么好担心的。我到达了目的地，在停车场把车完美地对齐。
　　I swing open the door to the business and immediately the smell of freshly baked bread overwhelms my senses. I order a turkey sandwich on wheat bread. I pay for the sandwich and walk out with a smile on my face because I have finally completed by quest for dinner. I start the car and once again I plunge into the world of freedom and responsibility. This time， however， I am more comfortable. When I finally pull into the driveway， I can see my mom overcome with relief. I walk into the house， set my food down， and devour8 my delicious sandwich.
　　我打开了店门，新鲜烤面包的味道立刻压倒了我的感官。我点了一个小麦面包的火鸡三明治。我付了钱，面带微笑走了出去，因为我终于完成了对晚餐的追求。我发动汽车，再一次进入自由和责任的世界。然而，这一次，我心情更舒畅。当我最终驶进私家车道时，可以看到母亲如释重负。我走进房子，放下食物，狼吞虎咽地吃着美味的三明治。
　　A driving license not only grants the privilege9 of driving but it also grants the privilege of a new life and experiences. However， in order to ensure I can keep this privilege I must follow the rules and make sure I am always safe. The possibilities of this piece of plastic are endless. Whether it is for a short run to subway or a cross country trip， I would not be able to go anywhere without the most important thing I carry， my license.
　　駕驶执照不仅授予驾驶特权，而且还授予了新生活和新体验的特权。但是，为了确保我可以保留这个特权，我必须遵守规则，确保我总是安全的。这片塑料的可能性是无穷的。无论是短途乘坐地铁还是越野旅行，如果我没有随身携带这个最重要的东西——我的驾照，我就任何地方都去不了。