英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0724 - 看美剧算不算兴趣爱好？

 Topic1 Shenzhen Maglev¹ Project Raises DebateResidents in Shenzhen have expressed concern over a proposed maglev railway line that they fear will cause severe radiation and damage their health.

On July 8, many citizens in Shenzhen gathered in front of the office building of the Shenzhen Metro² Company, protesting against a proposal to construct the city's No.8 railway line, which suggested adopting maglev technology. Such technology uses magnets to levitate³ a train above a track and can produce a certain level of radiation.

The protest ended after a company executive came out to explain the project to the public. But, doubts and disputes remain. Is the concern valid⁴?

Topic2 Driver's license⁵ requires more than passing driving testsA central Chinese city has required local driving school students to serve as assistants to traffic police in order to get their drivers' licenses⁶.

The traffic police authority in Xiangyang of Hubei Province has refuted media reports about the compulsory⁷ rule, adding that it's just an optional activity.

Do they have a point in offering this option, though?

Topic3 Chinese are too busy for a hobbyMany Chinese people say they are so busy with work that they don't have any time for their hobbies.

A recent survey shows that 51% of some 4,000 respondents say their busy work schedule has made it difficult for them to develop a hobby or an interest.

Are work and hobbies contradictory⁸?

Topic4 Xiaomi on the Decline?

Xiaomi is one of the biggest phone makers⁹ in China and is often called the "Apple of China" by the western press.

This Tuesday, it released its newest flagship smartphone, which sparks a big controversy¹⁰ on the internet. Is this the start of the company's decline?

Topic5 Will Free Campus Wifi Produce More Phubbers?

Recently, some colleges set up free wireless¹¹ network on campus, so that students can use wi-fi in class. As a result, there are more and more classroom phubbers.

Is there a problem of students using phones in class?

1 maglev   

n.磁力悬浮列车；adj.磁力悬浮列车的

参考例句：

• The engine for maglev trains is rather in noticeable.磁悬浮列车的车头是相当值得注意的。
• The high speed maglev railway is a new-style traffic system. 高速磁悬浮铁路是一种新型的交通方式。

2 metro   

n.地铁；adj.大都市的；(METRO)麦德隆(财富500强公司之一总部所在地德国，主要经营零售)

参考例句：

• Can you reach the park by metro?你可以乘地铁到达那个公园吗？
• The metro flood gate system is a disaster prevention equipment.地铁防淹门系统是一种防灾设备。

3 levitate   

v.升在空中

参考例句：

• I often dream that I can levitate.我经常梦想我能够飞起来在空中飘浮。
• The guru claimed that he could levitate.这位宗教领袖声称他能够浮在空中。

4 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？

5 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

6 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

7 compulsory   

n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的

参考例句：

• Is English a compulsory subject?英语是必修课吗？
• Compulsory schooling ends at sixteen.义务教育至16岁为止。

8 contradictory   

adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立

参考例句：

• The argument is internally contradictory.论据本身自相矛盾。
• What he said was self-contradictory.他讲话前后不符。

9 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 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。

11 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。