英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0221 - 你在社交媒体上转发些什么？

 Topic1 Shoe Factory ProtestEarlier this week, thousands of migrant workers gathered in front of a government building in Wenling city. They were protest against the forced shutdown of some 4,000 local shoe factories in a fire safety campaign.

It is understandable that the government wants to improve the production safety, however, can they just simply close those factories?

Topic2 Free Mobile Phones for Employees?

Retired¹ policeman Zhao Ming reported corruption² of a grass-root level court in Dalian which gave out free cell phones to its workers.

Zhao says the court spent 400,000 yuan on cell phone purchase. Higher ranking officials get better phones than lower ranking workers. Official who is above vice-president can get a phone of over 4,000 yuan from the court.

Is it corruption?

Topic3 Private Teachers of CelebritiesWithout professional cutter and polisher, diamond is just a rough stone. Of course a shining entertainment star also needs polishers to shape their bodies, improve their language skills and perfect their temperament⁴. Therefore, teachers of celebrities³ are a group of people that attracts curiosity from the public as well.

Who are they?

Topic4 Beijing to Ban Subway EatingBeijing just issues the first draft of Beijing Subway Safety Law, which stipulates⁵ that passengers who eat in subway elevators, walkways and carriages can be fined up to 500 yuan.

Many people are very supportive, while some others express their concern about the feasibility.

Actually, this is a comprehensive regulation. Before we talk about the controversial terms, let's just go through it. What does it aim to do?

Topic5 Beijing Regulates Taxi-hailing AppsBeijing's transport authority has requested the city's taxi drivers to use just one electronic device to check taxi-hailing apps.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport says the regulation aims to ensure transport safety.

Drivers are often distracted while driving as they listen to voice broadcasts from different apps and weigh which passenger order to take, a concern shared both by the transport authority and passengers.

Are the concerns valid⁶?

Topic6 Forwarding Messages on Social NetworksUsers of social media websites and such apps have access to all sorts of information readily available every day.

You can read them, like them, forward them, or simply ignore them as you wish.

One would possibly take it for granted that those messages that got forwarded the most should indeed be worth doing so. But it turns out it might not be the case.

What are the messages being forwarded?

1 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

2 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。

3 celebrities   

n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉

参考例句：

• He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
• a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目

4 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

5 stipulates   

n.（尤指在协议或建议中）规定，约定，讲明（条件等）( stipulate的名词复数 )；规定，明确要求v.（尤指在协议或建议中）规定，约定，讲明（条件等）( stipulate的第三人称单数 )；规定，明确要求

参考例句：

• The trade contract stipulates for the settlement of balances in RMB. 贸易合同规定余额以人民币结算。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The contract stipulates for the use of seasoned timber. 合同上订明用干透的木料。 来自辞典例句

6 valid   

adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的

参考例句：

• His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
• Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗？