英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0718 - 我们需要更严的禁烟令吗？

 Topic1 Security Staff on Public TransportationOn Wednesday, the Ministry¹ of Public Security holds an emergency national meeting, calling for better security on subways, buses and other public transportation.

The ministry also requires that security staff should be present on every subway train and every bus with necessary protection and safety gear.

Will the method better protected the public?

Topic2 Anti-smoking rules should be more specificBeijing is making a law on smoking control in public places, which is under review and expected to take effect next year.

While the public has shown big support for the effort, activists² say the law needs to be more specific.

What does it take this time for the smoking ban to really work?

Topic3 Butler academy opens in ChinaSo many people are becoming millionaires in China that a butler academy has opened to churn out the staff to wait on them.

International Butler Academy, the world's leading butler service training institute, has just opened its first branch in China in southwestern China's Chengdu.

The International Butler Academy China's inaugural³ class starts in July and is already full with 24 students. All of them are staff from 12 different five-star hotels in Chengdu.

Do you want to be a butler, or do you want to hire one?

Topic4 Are Shy Kids Being MarginalizedIn the admission interview of the famous foreign universities, as well as in the independent enrollment⁴ of some domestic elite⁵ universities, the examiners increasingly value "leadership" and "communication skills" a lot.

However, are we marginalizing the shy kids by valuing extroverted⁶ personality traits?

Topic5 Internet changes people's view of choosing partnersThe internet really has changed everything – maybe even what we find sexy.

A new study carried out by British researchers shows a link between internet access and the potential mates we find most attractive.

Has the internet changed your aesthetics⁷ standard?

What does the report say?

1 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。

2 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 inaugural   

adj.就职的；n.就职典礼

参考例句：

• We listened to the President's inaugural speech on the radio yesterday.昨天我们通过无线电听了总统的就职演说。
• Professor Pearson gave the inaugural lecture in the new lecture theatre.皮尔逊教授在新的阶梯讲堂发表了启用演说。

4 enrollment   

n.注册或登记的人数；登记

参考例句：

• You will be given a reading list at enrollment.注册时你会收到一份阅读书目。
• I just got the enrollment notice from Fudan University.我刚刚接到复旦大学的入学通知书。

5 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

6 extroverted   

a.性格外向的

参考例句：

• Do you think you are introverted or extroverted? 你认为你性格内向还是外向？
• Are you introverted or extroverted? 你个性内向还是外向？ 来自轻松英语会话---联想2000词(上)

7 aesthetics   

n.(尤指艺术方面之)美学，审美学

参考例句：

• Sometimes, of course, our markings may be simply a matter of aesthetics. 当然，有时我们的标点符号也许只是个审美的问题。 来自名作英译部分
• The field of aesthetics presents an especially difficult problem to the historian. 美学领域向历史学家提出了一个格外困难的问题。