英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0205 - 什么样的单身人士最受青睐？

 Topic1 Over physical examIn recent years, health awareness¹ seems to have grown substantially in China. Almost all health experts would suggest annual physical check-up for people, or at least people over a certain age. Southern Metropolis² Weekly reports that Chinese people are have unnecessary physical examination due to increasing awareness of health and worsening environmental, food safety and anxiety problems.

But are such frequent physical examinations necessarily good for you?

Topic2 Should kids get paid for doing houseworkFor grownups, 2,600 yuan is not a very big amount of money. However, for an 11 year old boy, it is a fortune. A third grader just made it in 2 years' time by doing housework for his parents.

Of course this is purely³ a family matter, but it touches upon the topic of paying kids to do housework. Do you think it's a good idea for kids to get paid for doing household chores?

Topic3 Family RulesThe Spring Festival, which we are in middle of, is all about family.

In China, there is a traditional saying that goes like this, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules.国有国法家有家规.

The rules of each Chinese family might vary, but there is another saying most Chinese share a belief in, "nothing can be accomplished⁴ without norms or standards." 没有规矩不成方圆.

What exactly is Jia Gui, or family rules? Before answering this question, let's first listen to a CCTV street interview about it.

Topic4 Game Consoles Available in ChinaConsoles manufactured in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone may now be legally sold in China if they are inspected and approved by Chinese authorities.

In practical terms little has changed -- most game consoles and handhelds have long been unofficially available on the Chinese gray market to anyone who knows where to look.

Is this good news for gamers in China?

Topic5 Do mainland singers have worse singing skills than HK and TW singers?

The new season of TV singing competition show I Am A Singer still appeals to music fans and arouses debate on whether singers from Taiwan and Hong Kong are better than their mainland counterparts in terms of basic singing skills.

What are basic singing skills?

Topic6 Most Popular Singles in ChinaThe first half of February is always filled with a romantic atmosphere in the run-up to the Valentine's Day which can be a bittersweet experience.

For the singletons, this time of year comes as an annual reminder⁵ that the hunt is still going on for a true love.

Now a leading online dating website in China has come up with a survey helping⁶ locate the most popular single women and men in this vast country.

There's a geographical⁷ preference when it comes to the most ideal boyfriend/girlfriend? Does the survey contain any truth?

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 metropolis   

n.首府；大城市

参考例句：

• Shanghai is a metropolis in China.上海是中国的大都市。
• He was dazzled by the gaiety and splendour of the metropolis.大都市的花花世界使他感到眼花缭乱。

3 purely   

adv.纯粹地，完全地

参考例句：

• I helped him purely and simply out of friendship.我帮他纯粹是出于友情。
• This disproves the theory that children are purely imitative.这证明认为儿童只会单纯地模仿的理论是站不住脚的。

4 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

5 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 geographical   

adj.地理的；地区(性)的

参考例句：

• The current survey will have a wider geographical spread.当前的调查将在更广泛的地域范围內进行。
• These birds have a wide geographical distribution.这些鸟的地理分布很广。