【英语趣味课堂】德国-Germany

I am going to talk about the time I have spent in Germany and also in France. I did a degree in French and German and as part of my degree it was compulsory¹ to spend one year abroad. I decided² to go to Germany because my German was not as good as my French. When I got to Germany, I found that people were really hospitable³. People often invited me out and they invited me to their houses and they would often take me out to different places and sometimes we would go to cafes and have coffee and cake.

 

Some of my German friends used to think that British people have coffee - sorry - have tea and cake and scones⁴ at 4 o'clock every day. I think that's really funny, because I don't know anybody in Britain who has tea and scones and cake at 4 o'clock every day.

 

One day when I was in Germany I went for a walk. I lived in a village and I went just for a wander about really and I found myself in France and I was really surprised because I didn't know I was living quite so close the border.

 

And that year, really, I really fell in love with France and Germany. I love croissants and I've got some really good friends in France and I also have a pen friend. I think I also like the French weather because it seems to be so much warmer and sunnier than the weather in Britain, so I really like that too.

 

学习内容：

 

degree

 

I did a degree in French and German, and I went to Germany as part of that. 

Your 'degree' is the area of study that you specialize⁵ in at university. Notice the following:

 

His degrees were in English and mathematics.

How many years will it take to finish your degree?

compulsory

 

As part of my degree, it was compulsory to spend one year abroad. 

If something is 'compulsory' it is 'mandatory⁶' or you must do it because it is an obligation⁷. Notice the following:

 

We all have to go to a compulsory meeting today after work.

This class is compulsory, but I think I would want to take it anyway.

hospitable

 

When I got to Germany, I found that people were really hospitable. 

A 'hospitable' person is very warm and welcoming. He wants to make you feel comfortable and at home. Notice the following:

 

Thank you for being so hospitable during my time here.

The employees at our bed an breakfast are extremely hospitable and want to do everything they can to make your stay more comfortable.

wander

 

I lived in a village and I just went for a wander about and I found myself in France. 

When you 'wander about' it means that you walk around without any specific destination. Notice the following:

 

Don't wander too far or you might get lost.

You could spend hours wandering around this city.

pen friend

 

I've got some really good friends in France and Germany, and I also have a pen friend. 

A 'pen friend' is a person you communicate with through writing. It the past it was communication through letters or postcards, but now it can be through email. Many times a 'pen friend' can be someone that you have never actually met in person, but only know through writing. Notice the following:

 

I'm sorry. I'm not a very good pen friend because I'm too lazy to go to the post office.

My cousin in Norway has been my pen friend for almost ten years now.

1 compulsory   

n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的

参考例句：

• Is English a compulsory subject?英语是必修课吗？
• Compulsory schooling ends at sixteen.义务教育至16岁为止。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 hospitable   

adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的

参考例句：

• The man is very hospitable.He keeps open house for his friends and fellow-workers.那人十分好客，无论是他的朋友还是同事，他都盛情接待。
• The locals are hospitable and welcoming.当地人热情好客。

4 scones   

n.烤饼，烤小圆面包( scone的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• scones and jam with clotted cream 夹有凝脂奶油和果酱的烤饼
• She makes scones and cakes for the delectation of visitors. 她烘制了烤饼和蛋糕供客人享用。 来自辞典例句

5 specialize   

v.专化，特化 ；(in)专攻；专门研究

参考例句：

• What did you specialize in?你的主修科目是什么？
• After his first degree he wishes to specialize.获得学士学位之后，他希望专攻某科。

6 mandatory   

adj.命令的；强制的；义务的；n.受托者

参考例句：

• It's mandatory to pay taxes.缴税是义务性的。
• There is no mandatory paid annual leave in the U.S.美国没有强制带薪年假。

7 obligation   

n.（法律、道德上的）义务，责任

参考例句：

• Every player is under an obligation to keep the rules.每个选手都必须遵守这些规则。
• It is the obligation of citizens to perform military service.服兵役是每个公民的义务。