英语角-圆桌会议 设“人口天花板”是灵丹妙药吗？

Topic1-Population Control a Must in Big Cities?

The Beijing government will "strictly¹ control the city’s population growth" during the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan (the next 5 years). Officials also mentioned that the population should be contained within 23 million by the end of 2020. Is population control a panacea² for China’s mega cities?

Topic2-Chinese netizens choose print books over digitalAs books have moved from tangible³ products to electronic media, many longtime readers still appreciate the value of traditional reading.

A recent survey covering nearly 30,000 respondents found that Chinese internet users prefer printed books over digital books on mobile phones, personal computer and kindle⁴. Which one do you prefer?

Topic3-Southern cities dominate latest list of places friendly to eldersA study of 150 cities across China has shown that southern coastal⁵ cities are more elderly-friendly than those in the north. The popular tourist resort of Xiamen in Fujian province ranks first.

Topic4-Chinese students spend twice as long on homework as global peersA recent report shows that Chinese primary students spend three hours every day on average doing homework, twice as much as the global average. What’s more, it’s three times the level in France, four times that in Japan and six times that in South Korea. Most Chinese primary students sleep less than 7 hours every night. Why is it? Is it reasonable?

1 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

2 panacea   

n.万灵药；治百病的灵药

参考例句：

• Western aid may help but will not be a panacea. 西方援助可能会有所帮助，但并非灵丹妙药。
• There's no single panacea for the country's economic ills. 国家经济弊病百出,并无万灵药可以医治。

3 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

4 kindle   

v.点燃，着火

参考例句：

• This wood is too wet to kindle.这木柴太湿点不着。
• A small spark was enough to kindle Lily's imagination.一星光花足以点燃莉丽的全部想象力。

5 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。