英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0403 - 代客扫墓

 Topic1 EU to make visa rules easier for Chinese visitorsIn the future, it will become easier for Chinese travelers to apply for visas to go to Europe.

The European Union is proposing to simplify visa rules in an effort to stimulate¹ the economy by wooing global tourists, especially from China.

The move is expected to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic² hurdles³, such as cumbersome⁴ rules and long wait times.

Is it good news?

Topic2 Banks Grace PeriodSometimes when Chinese customers try to buy a wealth management product in a bank, they are instead coaxed⁵ by the tellers⁶ into buying some insurance products that claim to be investment-oriented.

To avoid such problems from happening again, the authorities recently issues a new regulation, giving the customers a 15-day grace period to rethink about their decisions.

First of all, is there a problem with some insurance products sold in banks?

Topic3 Personally-tailored tomb-sweeping servicesTomb-Sweeping Day is approaching. People are flocking to pay respects to their family members that have passed away. However, for those who can't be at the cemetery⁷, they can hire somebody to do the work for them.

This is very similar to the plot in Feng Xiaogang's film Personal Tailor. Let's have a listen. (clip)What is this service?

Topic4 Another escalator mishap⁸ in ShanghaiThirteen people were injured Wednesday when an escalator at Jing'an Temple Station in Shanghai suddenly changed directions.

The accident once again triggered discussion about escalator and elevator safety in the country's public venues⁹.

Should we worry about this accident?

Topic5 Cameras Installed Near Baby IslandRecently, Shenzhen has completed the construction of its safety island for unwanted babies. There are 3 surveillance cameras installed both inside and outside the room.

In the meantime, Yinchuan in Ningxia is also building its abandoned baby island, and claims there won't be any cameras.

Which one is better, with or without the camera?

Topic6 Pepper Spray in Beijing SubwayThis Tuesday, a female passenger was stopped by security guards when she tried to enter Beijing subway Line 2 with a pepper spray. The passenger was unhappy about it so she sprayed onto a bomb blanket, causing panic in the crowd.

This raises a discussion of why pepper spray is being banned. Is there a problem with bringing pepper spray onto public transport?

1 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

2 bureaucratic   

adj.官僚的，繁文缛节的

参考例句：

• The sweat of labour washed away his bureaucratic airs.劳动的汗水冲掉了他身上的官气。
• In this company you have to go through complex bureaucratic procedures just to get a new pencil.在这个公司里即使是领一支新铅笔，也必须通过繁琐的手续。

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 cumbersome   

adj.笨重的，不便携带的

参考例句：

• Although the machine looks cumbersome,it is actually easy to use.尽管这台机器看上去很笨重，操作起来却很容易。
• The furniture is too cumbersome to move.家具太笨，搬起来很不方便。

5 coaxed   

v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱

参考例句：

• She coaxed the horse into coming a little closer. 她哄着那匹马让它再靠近了一点。
• I coaxed my sister into taking me to the theatre. 我用好话哄姐姐带我去看戏。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 tellers   

n.（银行）出纳员( teller的名词复数 )；（投票时的）计票员；讲故事等的人；讲述者

参考例句：

• The tellers were calculating the votes. 计票员正在统计票数。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The use of automatic tellers is particularly used in large cities. 在大城市里，还特别投入了自动出纳机。 来自辞典例句

7 cemetery   

n.坟墓，墓地，坟场

参考例句：

• He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
• His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。

8 mishap   

n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸

参考例句：

• I'm afraid your son had a slight mishap in the playground.不好了，你儿子在操场上出了点小意外。
• We reached home without mishap.我们平安地回到了家。

9 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网