英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable1126 - 张杰和筷子兄弟的AMA之旅

 Topic1 Beijing to pass toughest smoking banBeijing will pass its strictest smoking control law this week, banning smoking in all indoor public places and eliminating smoking rooms at airports.

The Standing¹ Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress will vote Thursday on a final draft law of the smoking ban in workplaces and public transportation of all types.

Meanwhile, China is poised² to impose tougher laws on tobacco use as the State Council published a draft regulation on Monday, banning indoor smoking in all public places and certain smoking scenes in films and TV shows.

What's it for? Should we have our hopes high?

Topic2 AMA Awards See Chinese Winner and PerformersChinese singers have made it into the AMA ceremony! (clip)This is Pitbull introducing the Chopstick Brothers and their viral track Little Apple to the American Music Awards audience.

They also won the International Song Award while Zhang Jie, accepted the International Artist Award.

It has sparked controversy³ on the internet. Some net users think it is a good thing, others find it humiliating.

Is it a big deal?

Topic3 Self-Taught Drivers May Be Able to Get LicenseThe Ministry⁴ of Public Security is pushing forward a reform on the issuing of driver's licenses⁵ in a bid to curb⁶ corruption⁷ in vehicle management departments, according to a senior ministry official.

Is a reform necessary?

Topic4 Sci-fi PhD coursesAs much as Chinese moviegoers enjoy watching Hollywood sci-fi movies such as Interstellar, when it comes to science fiction studies, China still has much to catch up.

Good news is that Beijing Normal University is reportedly recruiting postgraduate⁸ PhDs focusing on science fiction studies starting from next year.

Is it a big deal? Why should we care?

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 poised   

a.摆好姿势不动的

参考例句：

• The hawk poised in mid-air ready to swoop. 老鹰在半空中盘旋，准备俯冲。
• Tina was tense, her hand poised over the telephone. 蒂娜心情紧张，手悬在电话机上。

3 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

4 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

5 licenses   

n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句

6 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

7 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

8 postgraduate   

adj.大学毕业后的，大学研究院的；n.研究生

参考例句：

• I didn't put down that I had postgraduate degree.我没有写上我有硕士学位。
• After college,Mary hopes to do postgraduate work in law school.大学毕业后， 玛丽想在法学院从事研究工作。