英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0728 - 语言恐惧症，你有吗？

 Topic1 Call for changes to inheritance lawChina's law on inheritance is being called seriously outdated¹. Experts are calling for a major amendment³ to the law, which took effect in 1985 when China was still a planned economy with its people possessing much fewer private properties.

Do we need to amend² the country's inheritance law?

Topic2 Why Chinese spend the most on international vacationsAs the biggest spenders on travels overseas, the Chinese are crowding once again the entry and exit offices across the country during this year's summer travel peak.

The number of outbound Chinese tourists has already surpassed 50 million this year, an 18-percent rise compared to the first half of last year.

Is it that big of a deal?

Topic3 Kids outsmart college students in figuring out gadgetsEver wonder why children can so easily figure out how to work the TV remote? Or why they "totally get" apps on your smartphone faster than you? If you've noticed that kids seem to be better at figuring out these things, you're not alone.

It turns out that young children may be more open-minded than adults when it comes to solving problems. Why do this happen?

Are kids smarter in gadgets⁴ than adults?

Topic4 One-Hour Delivery in ChinaLately several start-up delivery companies appeared in China. Cooperating with local convenient stores and others, they promise to deliver goods to customers within an hour. Most of them deliver fresh foods, drinks and vegetables, etc. While this sounds like a convenient service for a lot of people, does it have a good future in China?

How does it work?

Topic5 Verbal Communication PhobiaNow there is a new modern mental condition called语音恐惧症, or verbal communication phobia. People who have this condition prefer to talk to others in written rather than oral forms.

When the concept was invented earlier this week on weibo by a big V weibo user, it arouses echo among many net users.

Do you have it? What is it?

Topic6 Anonymous⁵ Social NetworkingThe American anonymous social network Secret launched in China recently. In the meantime, about 20 similar apps developed by domestic companies are also available for mobile users.

Why are these types of apps so popular? Have you tried them?

1 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

2 amend   

vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿

参考例句：

• The teacher advised him to amend his way of living.老师劝他改变生活方式。
• You must amend your pronunciation.你必须改正你的发音。

3 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

4 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

5 anonymous   

adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的

参考例句：

• Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行为。
• The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公开。