英语角-圆桌会议RoundTable0801 - 读小说，治愈or致郁？

 　　Topic1-More students of high scores go to cram¹ schools to retake the Gaokao next year

　　Media reports have revealed that Guangzhou is seeing an increasing number of students who are not satisfied with their high scores in this year’s Gaokao or National College Entrance Examination, and decide to go to cram schools to retake the examination next year, so they can get the ticket to a better university.

　　Another whole year preparing for arguably the most grueling examination on the planet? Why would they want to put themselves through it again?

　　Topic2-Should elderly people take up Tai Chi

　　"Martial² arts," is usually associated with kicking, punching, fighting, and body contact. Not slow, rhythmic³, and meditative⁴ body movements designed to achieve relaxation⁵ and spiritual peace. And that’s exactly what the martial art of tai chi is all about.

　　Another benefit of Tai Chi has been spotted⁶ recently. As Tai Chi can also help prevent the elderly from falling!

　　Topic3-Can Novels Heal You?

　　A forum⁷ titled “Can Novels Heal You?” was held during a literary event “Read new Horizon”. Critics, playwrights⁸, and writers shared their opinion on the visceral effects of novels on readers.

　　Can novels inspire you, comfort you, or even heal you emotionally?

1 cram   

v.填塞，塞满，临时抱佛脚，为考试而学习

参考例句：

• There was such a cram in the church.教堂里拥挤得要命。
• The room's full,we can't cram any more people in.屋里满满的，再也挤不进去人了。

2 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。

3 rhythmic   

adj.有节奏的，有韵律的

参考例句：

• Her breathing became more rhythmic.她的呼吸变得更有规律了。
• Good breathing is slow,rhythmic and deep.健康的呼吸方式缓慢深沉而有节奏。

4 meditative   

adj.沉思的，冥想的

参考例句：

• A stupid fellow is talkative;a wise man is meditative.蠢人饶舌，智者思虑。
• Music can induce a meditative state in the listener.音乐能够引导倾听者沉思。

5 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

6 spotted   

adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的

参考例句：

• The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
• Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。

7 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

8 playwrights   

n.剧作家( playwright的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• We're studying dramatic texts by sixteenth century playwrights. 我们正在研究16 世纪戏剧作家的戏剧文本。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Hung-chien asked who the playwrights were. 鸿渐问谁写的剧本。 来自汉英文学 - 围城