2013年公共英语考试二级阅读材料（七）

G. At 42, Shafer is a quiet man with a boyish face and the unclouded brow of a man who seems satisfied with his choices.

Over the years, Shafer has built and sold 10 houses and dozens of house plans, which cost about $1,000. But the real story is that he’s become a poster boy for simple living. 1 So what’s behind the rush to look inside Shafer’s small living room and ask him about his lifestyle?

"Our society has been based on excess for so long, and it is still a quite new idea to live simply," he explained with a light smile. 2 But he is also someone who clearly has gone to great lengths to live life according to his own ideas. A power seems to shine in his eyes and in his explanations. He does sometimes speak out words like "excess". 3 In fact, he just insists that it is not for him to judge the needs of others.

4 Shafer said. "Maybe it means 4,000 square feet, if that’s what it takes to suit their needs. The idea is that the house is being well-used. Some people need more space than others." Even when asked about the likes of Larry Ellison (who is planning to build a house bigger than a city block), he said, 5