英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0204 - 独自就餐不再是异类

 Topic1 Nanjing government cadres should report marital¹ changesThe local government of Nanjing in East China has publicized new requirements for promoting government officials, asking cadres to report to their superiors about their marital changes within five days in writing.

Immigration plans of their families should also be reported.

The rules are putting an emphasis on the moral integrity of government officials rather than solely² on their abilities and performances.

Is it new? Why should we care?

Topic2 Will Smarthome Become Popular in China?

Year 2014 is regarded as the "smarthome year" globally. On the 2015 International CES (国际消费类电子产品展览会) in Las Vegas, smarthome technology dwarfed³ many other new projects, marking the trends of scientific and technological⁴ industry in the coming year. In China, although smarthome industry is springing up, consumers still seem lukewarm.

Is the idea of smart-home catching⁵ on in China?

Topic3 Good to Be an Additive⁶ in Chinese LiquorThe National Health and Family Planning Commission publishes a statement soliciting⁷ opinions about the proposal to add gold as a food additive to baijiu, or Chinese liquor. This sparks huge controversy⁸ on the internet.

Why? Is gold necessary in liquor?

Topic4 School's canteens will be banned in the HanchuanHanchuan of Hubei Province will close the retail⁹ shops in schools for food safety and administrative¹⁰ concerns. Within two years all shops on the campus of primary and junior middle schools will be gradually closed.

Why are the shops in school banned? Is there a good reason?

Topic5 Eating AloneThe dinner table is more than a place to sit down and enjoy food. It's a social place. Business deals are inked there. Strangers become lovers there. But what if you abandon the social function of a meal by eating alone? A New Yorker article talks about the rising number of people who eat alone or cook alone, and are enjoying it.

Do you eat alone?

1 marital   

adj.婚姻的，夫妻的

参考例句：

• Her son had no marital problems.她的儿子没有婚姻问题。
• I regret getting involved with my daughter's marital problems;all its done is to bring trouble about my ears.我后悔干涉我女儿的婚姻问题, 现在我所做的一切将给我带来无穷的烦恼。

2 solely   

adv.仅仅，唯一地

参考例句：

• Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。
• The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。

3 dwarfed   

vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The old houses were dwarfed by the huge new tower blocks. 这些旧房子在新建的高楼大厦的映衬下显得十分矮小。
• The elephant dwarfed the tortoise. 那只乌龟跟那头象相比就显得很小。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

5 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

6 additive   

adj.附加的；n.添加剂

参考例句：

• Colour is often an additive in foods.颜料经常是各种食物中的添加物。
• Strict safety tests are carried out on food additives.对食品添加剂进行了严格的安全检测。

7 soliciting   

v.恳求( solicit的现在分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求

参考例句：

• A prostitute was soliciting on the street. 一名妓女正在街上拉客。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• China Daily is soliciting subscriptions. 《中国日报》正在征求订户。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

8 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。

9 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

10 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。