英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0305 - 大学英语成令学生最失望课程

 Topic1 Discipline of 2014 two sessionsMany provinces announced disciplines for their delegation¹ members to follow during the ongoing² National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from March 3rd to 12th. The rules include no going out and no napping.

Were there problems with some deputies going about their own ways while at the conference?

Topic2 Dongguan Mayor Chased by ReportersYesterday, Dongguan mayor Yuan Baocheng was all over the news as he was being followed everywhere by reporters.

This gives us a brief idea of what the scene was like. (clip)And when asked about the city's economic target this year, he used 3 chuckles³ to answer the reporters.

Why does he do that? Is it OK?

Topic3 English the Most Disappointing Course in CollegeRecently, the result of the College English Test Band 4 and Band 6 came out, which starts a new round of Tu Cao around students. According to a survey on Renren.com, only 20% of the college students passed the exam the first rime⁴. Another survey showed that, half of the students think their English course is very disappointing.

Why are students dissatisfied about college English education?

Topic4 McDonald's More Active in Franchising⁵ in ChinaMcDonald's is getting more active in launching franchises⁶ in China. It has been organizing promotional events at first-tier cities in the country, like Shenzhen and Shanghai.

Currently, franchised⁷ locations only amount to 5 percent of McDonald's total footprint in China and are largely situated⁸ in second- and third-tier cities.

So why the large scale move to franchising now?

Topic5 Chiang Mai locals resent Chinese touristsA survey in Thailand suggests that residents' of Chiang Mai consider Chinese tourists a nuisance they could live without.

The survey, conducted by Chiang Mai University's Social Research Institute, showed 80% of respondents thought Chinese tourists were a nuisance to the community.

In addition, 70% of respondents say they would prefer to enjoy their city without Chinese tourists.

Why the criticism?

1 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

2 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

3 chuckles   

轻声地笑( chuckle的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Father always chuckles when he reads the funny papers. 父亲在读幽默报纸时总是低声发笑。
• [Chuckles] You thought he was being poisoned by hemlock? 你觉得他中的会是芹叶钩吻毒吗？

4 rime   

n.白霜；v.使蒙霜

参考例句：

• The field was covered with rime in the early morning.清晨地里覆盖着一层白霜。
• Coleridge contributed the famous Rime of the Ancient Mariner.柯勒律治贡献了著名的《老水手之歌》。

5 franchising   

v.给…以特许权，出售特许权( franchise的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Franchising has costs as well as benefits for the economy. 对整个经济来说特许经销有利也有弊。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• Franchising, a practice adaptable to small business, has increased greatly in recent years. 近年来适用于小企业的特许经销发展得很快。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件

6 franchises   

n.（尤指选举议员的）选举权( franchise的名词复数 )；参政权；获特许权的商业机构（或服务）；（公司授予的）特许经销权v.给…以特许权，出售特许权( franchise的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• TV franchises will be auctioned to the highest bidder. 电视特许经营权将拍卖给出价最高的投标人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ford dealerships operated as independent franchises. 福特汽车公司的代销商都是独立的联营商。 来自辞典例句

7 franchised   

v.给…以特许权，出售特许权( franchise的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He is starting the first school himself,but subsequent ones will be franchised to use the Fujita method. 他已经自己开办了第一所学校，但是以后的学校将被特许使用富士达方法。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Driving tests for franchised bus are held on request by bus companies. 专营巴士的驾驶考试只在巴士公司要求下才举行。 来自互联网

8 situated   

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
• She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。