英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0915 - 国外租房有什么要注意的

 Topic1 Difference of Renting House in China and USRecently, an article complaining about the mess a Chinese professor left after he moved out of a rented apartment in the US became a hit on Wechat Moments. Is there something we should pay special attention to when renting an apartment abroad?

Topic2 Major Choice Just a Matter of LuckA university in central China is at the center of controversy¹ over making its students take part in a lottery² to find out which majors they can study after their first year. Why did the university make the decision? Is it fair?

Topic3 Museum crowds wait six hours to see ancient scrollThe Palace Museum is on the headlines again. An old royal vat⁴ in the Museum has been defaced by a couple who carved their names on it to display their love.

But after having complained about bad tourist behavior for so many times, we're not going to do that today. We're going to talk about art.

The appearance of a rare artistic⁵ treasure in Beijing over the weekend resulted in crowds waiting in line for six hours at the Palace Museum.

The crowds were eager to see Along the River During the Qingming Festival, the best-known scroll³ painting in Chinese art history, at the Hall of Martial⁶ Valor⁷. The work is sometimes referred to as China's Mona Lisa. While applauding⁸ the visitors' passion for art, should we also think about how to make their visiting experience better?

Topic4 No Betrothal⁹ Gift, No Marriage?

In traditional Chinese culture, betrothal gift given by the groom's family to the bride's family is a must. This custom has been preserved until today. However, if the groom's family cannot afford to give the amount of money the bride's family required, should the couple continue their marrying plan?

1 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。

2 lottery   

n.抽彩；碰运气的事，难于算计的事

参考例句：

• He won no less than ￡5000 in the lottery.他居然中了5000英镑的奖券。
• They thought themselves lucky in the lottery of life.他们认为自己是变幻莫测的人生中的幸运者。

3 scroll   

n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡

参考例句：

• As I opened the scroll,a panorama of the Yellow River unfolded.我打开卷轴时，黄河的景象展现在眼前。
• He was presented with a scroll commemorating his achievements.他被授予一幅卷轴，以表彰其所做出的成就。

4 vat   

n.(=value added tax)增值税，大桶

参考例句：

• The office is asking for the vat papers.办事处要有关增值税的文件。
• His father emptied sacks of stale rye bread into the vat.他父亲把一袋袋发霉的黑面包倒进大桶里。

5 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

6 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。

7 valor   

n.勇气，英勇

参考例句：

• Fortitude is distinct from valor.坚韧不拔有别于勇猛。
• Frequently banality is the better parts of valor.老生常谈往往比大胆打破常规更为人称道。

8 applauding   

v.鼓掌( applaud的现在分词 )；称赞，赞许

参考例句：

• A low and applauding murmur ran through the assembly. 会众中响起了一阵轻轻的赞美声。 来自辞典例句
• The audience showed its approval by applauding. 观众鼓掌以示赞许。 来自辞典例句

9 betrothal   

n. 婚约, 订婚

参考例句：

• Their betrothal took place with great pomp and rejoicings. 他们举行了盛大而又欢乐的订婚仪式。
• "On the happy occasion of the announcement of your betrothal," he finished, bending over her hand. "在宣布你们订婚的喜庆日。" 他补充说，同时低下头来吻她的手。