英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0408 - 下辈子你想做哪儿人

 Topic1 Liu Xiang retiresLiu Xiang, China's Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler, announced his retirement¹ on Tuesday.

Liu has been one of China's brightest sports stars since he startled the athletics² world by winning gold in the 110-meter hurdles³ at the 2004 Athens Olympics, matching the world record at that time. But his career had been hampered⁴ by injuries in recent years, and hopes of a comeback this year were dashed in February, when his longtime coach announced that his vulnerable Achilles tendon had reacted badly to training.

What was your first reaction after hearing the news?

Topic2 Government Supports Beijing Firms Hiring LocalsThe Beijing city government plans to offer incentives⁵ to employers who hire locals as part of efforts to rein⁶ in the population of the crowded capital.

But it's a move academics say would be discriminatory.

What's the plan? What's it for?

Topic3 Blacklist for Bad TouristsThis Monday, A new measure has been introduced by the China National Tourism Administration aimed at ending inappropriate behavior by Chinese tourists. Those who are in the travel blacklist in the future may not be allowed to travel abroad.

Will it work?

Topic4 Beijing IKEA Says No to Sleeping CustomersIKEA no longer wants to put up with napping Chinese customers in its stores. According to the Beijing Youth Daily, Ikea staff at a Beijing store are trying to implement⁷ a new rule—no sleeping while shopping.

IKEA was once known for its laid-back stance on slumbering⁸ shoppers. What made it change its mind?

Why the ban?

1 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

2 athletics   

n.运动，体育，田径运动

参考例句：

• When I was at school I was always hopeless at athletics.我上学的时候体育十分糟糕。
• Our team tied with theirs in athletics.在田径比赛中，我们队与他们队旗鼓相当。

3 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

4 hampered   

妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions. 恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
• So thought every harassed, hampered, respectable boy in St. Petersburg. 圣彼德堡镇的那些受折磨、受拘束的体面孩子们个个都是这么想的。

5 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

6 rein   

n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治

参考例句：

• The horse answered to the slightest pull on the rein.只要缰绳轻轻一拉,马就作出反应。
• He never drew rein for a moment till he reached the river.他一刻不停地一直跑到河边。

7 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

8 slumbering   

微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• It was quiet. All the other inhabitants of the slums were slumbering. 贫民窟里的人已经睡眠静了。
• Then soft music filled the air and soothed the slumbering heroes. 接着，空中响起了柔和的乐声，抚慰着安睡的英雄。