英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0402 - 世界自闭症日

 Topic1 World Autism Awareness¹ DayToday marks the World Autism Awareness Day.

The day is particularly memorable² as it marks the 7th anniversary of the occasion which was first designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 to recognize the need to help improve the lives of those with autism and to raise awareness about autism and autism spectrum³ disorder⁴.

We have invited Sun Zhong Kai, development officer for Stars and Rain, China's first non-governmental educational organization dedicated⁵ to serving children with autism.

So first of all, what is autism?

Topic2 Chinese City TiersA new list of Chinese city rankings is quite popular on the internet. According to the list, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Tianjin are considered first-tier cities. 30 cities including Hangzhou and Taiyuan are second-tier ones, and Lhasa is considered a 5th tier city.

Is this a reliable list?

Topic3 Seeing Eye Dogs Allowed in Public TransportShanghai issues a new regulation which takes effect yesterday, permitting blind residents to take their guide dogs to public places or on board public transport.

This is not the regulation in the country that allows seeing-eye dogs in public places. However, blind residents are still refused by public transportation frequently if they take the dogs with them.

What does regulations, national or local, say about seeing-eye dogs?

Topic4 Toy LibraryThe first toy library opened in Beijing recently. The 300 square meter library can allow around 50 people to play at the same time. With only 200 yuan deposit, each child can borrow at most 2 books and 2 toys at a time. And the longest borrow period is 2 weeks.

What is a toy library?

1 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

2 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

3 spectrum   

n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列

参考例句：

• This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
• We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。

4 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

5 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。