9 These days we often hear about....

They claim / argue / say that....

But has / is it?

Close examination / analysis / scrutiny doesn't bear out the claim. / argument.

9.1 These days we often hear about "the classless society". They say that all men are equal, and they can enjoy the same educational and job opportunities, and the distinction between rich and poor has lost. But has it? Close examination doesn't bear out the claim.

近来我们一直听到关于“无阶级社会”的说法。他们称人人平等他们都享受同等的教育机会和工作机会；穷人和富人的界限已经消失。果真如此吗？略细分析一下，就证明这种观点站不住脚。

9.2 These days I have heard many exasperated students and working adults alike express a strong desire to take an English course and a computer course. They believe that such knowledge will enhance their job opportunities or promotion opportunities. But will it? The information I've collected over last few years leads me to believe that this knowledge may be less useful than most people think.

这些日子我听到不少因学习或工作而感到痛苦的学生和工人表示要上英语课或电脑课的强烈愿望。他们认为这些知识会增加他们找工作、晋级的机会。是这样吗？从我最近几年得到的材料来看，我认为这些知识并不像大多数人认为的那么有用。