英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0812 - 报亭为何一夜消失

 Topic1 News Stands Torn Down in BeijingBeijing is the cultural center of China. This is something we have been told since we were kids.

However, in this cultural center, some citizens may even have trouble buying newspaper. Recently, 72 newsstands in Beijing are torn down overnight and the owners even don't know why this happens.

Why is this happening? Is there anything wrong?

Topic2 Shandong further regulates¹ on construction qualityEastern China's Shandong Province has further regulated² on building quality.

According to the regulation, buildings should last no less than 50 years in general and 100 years at least if they are of special functions.

The regulation also tries to push forward a lifelong responsibility system among all parties that are related to the construction for as long as the building lasts.

Is the regulation necessary?

Topic3 To install cameras in the kitchenIn many Chinese restaurants, diners would rarely be allowed to enter the kitchen. And the old saying "out of sight out of mind" seems to describe people's helplessness toward food safety.

A "Sunshine Kitchen" project in Hangzhou might change this situation. The case here is that, a closed-circuit TV camera installed in the kitchen broadcasts in real-time, and makes it possible for customers to monitor the cooking process.

Is it a necessary step to ensure food safety?

Topic4 Shunfeng unveils experience storesSF Express or Shunfeng, China's largest private delivery services firm in the mid-end market, is combining express delivery services and convenience stores.

Since May, SF Express has opened at least 500 Heike — an online shopping service community store, across all Chinese provinces — except for in Tibet and Qinghai.

The stores provide pre-sales and allow customers to try out products from suppliers that have established partnerships³ with the company. Is this a model with a bright future?

Topic5 College Students Go for Drug TestsWe have an old saying that是药三分毒, or every medicine has some toxicity⁴. It is used to remind people not to take medication if not necessary.

However, some college students now do it as a part-time job to earn extra money. They are called the drug test subjects, or试药族.

But does money come that easily?

1 regulates   

控制( regulate的第三人称单数 )； 管理； 调整； 调节

参考例句：

• "Now, this handle here regulates your speed. “看着，这个把手是控制速度的。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• This valve regulates the flow of water. 这个阀门控制着水的流量。

2 regulated   

控制( regulate的过去式和过去分词 )； 管理； 调整； 调节

参考例句：

• The activities of credit companies are regulated by law. 信贷公司的业务受法律的制约。
• A person's behavior is often regulated by his circumstances. 人的行为常受其所处环境的约束。

3 partnerships   

n.伙伴关系( partnership的名词复数 )；合伙人身份；合作关系

参考例句：

• Partnerships suffer another major disadvantage: decision-making is shared. 合伙企业的另一主要缺点是决定要由大家来作。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• It involved selling off limited partnerships. 它涉及到售出有限的合伙权。 来自辞典例句

4 toxicity   

n.毒性，毒力

参考例句：

• The hoarse grunt or squeal is characteristic of toxicity.嘶哑的哼声和叫声是中毒的特征。
• Dieldrin is related to aldrin,and its toxicity to earthworms is similar.狄氏剂与艾氏剂有关，对蚯蚓的毒性是相似的。