英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0227 - 语音助手沦为被调戏对象

 Topic1 Retirement¹ IndexA latest report released by Tsinghua University Employment and Social Insurance Research Center aggravates² people's worry on whether China is ready to tackle rapidly worsening aging population problem.

There were 194 million people over 60 years old in China by the end of 2012; the figure is estimated to reach 243 million in 2020 and surpass 300 million by 2025.

How can we define whether a country is ready to tackle the problems of an aging society?

Topic2 Award to parents who give up second childThis week, Beijing Municipal Commission of Population and Family Planning finally publicized the new amendment³ of family planning policy, allowing couples to have a second child if either of the parents is an only child.

The amendment stipulates⁴ that couples who are eligible⁵ but volunteer to give up the second child quota⁶ in written form will receive 500 yuan award respectively.

Why? Is it necessary?

Topic3 Chinese Have Too Many Credit CardsEach Chinese net user has an average of 1.7 credit cards at the end of last year as a growing number turn to non-cash transactions. This is according to a central bank report on China's banking⁷ payment services.

Is that too many?

Topic4 Apple sues over patent rightsApple is suing a Chinese government agency and a domestic company over patent rights for its "Siri" personal assistant.

Apple launched the case against the State Intellectual Property Office, which is in charge of patent rights protection in China, and Shanghai's Zhizhen Network Technology, which developed software similar to Siri.

The Beijing Number one Intermediate People's Court is set to hear the case on Thursday, although there is no indication that the court will make a final ruling at the time.

What's the case?

Topic5 Universities Delay New Semester for Debt TroubleFor most college students in China, a new year of learning begins right after the Lantern Festival. However, now it's already 10 days after the festival, some universities in Shandong still let their students stay at home. The schools explain that this will save them millions of yuan.

Is that why are they doing this, to save money?

Topic6 School cancels classes due to smog, authorities demand they resumeThe persistent⁸ smog is finally gone this morning after lingering in Beijing for almost a week.

But for the residents of the capital city and others in northern China, there is a lot to review about making plans for the smog and dealing⁹ with severe air pollution.

A high school in Beijing suspended classes for junior high school students on Tuesday amid an orange air pollution alert for heavy smog, then local education authorities required the school to resume classes.

Is the requirement justified¹⁰?

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 aggravates   

使恶化( aggravate的第三人称单数 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火

参考例句：

• If he aggravates me any more I shall punish him. 如果他再惹我生气，我就要惩罚他。
• Now nothing aggravates me more than when people torment each pther. 没有什么东西比人们的互相折磨更使我愤怒。

3 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

4 stipulates   

n.（尤指在协议或建议中）规定，约定，讲明（条件等）( stipulate的名词复数 )；规定，明确要求v.（尤指在协议或建议中）规定，约定，讲明（条件等）( stipulate的第三人称单数 )；规定，明确要求

参考例句：

• The trade contract stipulates for the settlement of balances in RMB. 贸易合同规定余额以人民币结算。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The contract stipulates for the use of seasoned timber. 合同上订明用干透的木料。 来自辞典例句

5 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

6 quota   

n.（生产、进出口等的）配额，（移民的）限额

参考例句：

• A restricted import quota was set for meat products.肉类产品设定了进口配额。
• He overfulfilled his production quota for two months running.他一连两个月超额完成生产指标。

7 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

8 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

9 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

10 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。