英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0417 - 英国学士学位四大等级揭秘

 Topic 1: Yunnan Baiyao admits toxic¹ ingredientWhat has long been suspected but never officially confirmed about China's most famous medicine came to light recently when drug maker² Yunnan Baiyao (云南白药) changed the labeling of its products. On April 4th, for the first time, the toxin³ aconitum is now a listed ingredient in Baiyao's packaging inserts.

This, of course, raises the question of how safe it is to use.  But, more importantly perhaps, why did it take so long for them to publish their active ingredient?

What is aconitum and how is it used in Yunnan Baiyao's products?

Topic 2:  Chinese students not getting top degrees at UK universitiesMost of us assume that since Chinese students consistently score high on math and science exams that no matter what school they go to, they will succeed.

Unfortunately, that's not completely true. According to Higher Education Statistics Agency in UK, while nearly 68% of all students graduated with a higher degree in the country last year, this was true of only 42% of students from China.

 First of all, how exactly do degrees work in the UK?

Topic 3:  Death by overworkRecently, another young man's life was claimed by what his family is calling death from overwork.  He neither smoked cigarettes nor drank alcohol and yet was found dead by his coworkers.  Police have ruled out homicide and are calling it a sudden death case although the cause of death is still unclear.

Did he die from overwork?

Topic 4: Beijing ranked most global city on the mainlandEven as its pollution remains⁴ to hazardous⁵ levels, Beijing has jumped into the top 10 global cities.

A new survey has shown that Beijing has beaten out Seoul, Brussels, Singapore, and its US counterpart, Washington DC, to earn a place among the world's most globally influential⁶ cities.

According to the 2014 A.T. Kearney Global Cities Index (GCI) released earlier this week, the Chinese capital was ranked eighth, ascending⁷ into the top 10 for first time.

 Do you think that Beijing really is more global than Washington DC?

Topic 5: Job Succession in SOERecently, thousands of employees and their relatives gathered in front of the gate of Daqing Oilfield in NW Heilongjiang protesting against the new recruitment rule.

In the past, children of Daqing Oilfield employees can join the company as long as they graduate from college.

But this year, graduates who studied other majors instead of Oil in secondary and third level colleges must accept one year training and pass an examination to get the job. English language skill is another new job requirement.

 Why are they complaining and why did Daqing change their policy?

Topic 6:  Popular Science Writers100,000 Whys, or Shi Wan⁸ Ge Wei Shen Me is a very popular science book series in China. Last year, the 6th edition of the books sold out quickly after publication.

However, according to an editor, it has become harder and harder to publish popular science books.

Is it true that popular science is dying?

1 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

2 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

3 toxin   

n.毒素，毒质

参考例句：

• Experts have linked this condition to a build-up of toxins in the body.专家已把这一病症与体内毒素的积累联系起来。
• Tests showed increased levels of toxin in shellfish.检验表明水生有壳动物的毒素水平提高了。

4 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

5 hazardous   

adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的

参考例句：

• These conditions are very hazardous for shipping.这些情况对航海非常不利。
• Everybody said that it was a hazardous investment.大家都说那是一次危险的投资。

6 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

7 ascending   

adj.上升的，向上的

参考例句：

• Now draw or trace ten dinosaurs in ascending order of size.现在按照体型由小到大的顺序画出或是临摹出10只恐龙。

8 wan   

(wide area network)广域网

参考例句：

• The shared connection can be an Ethernet,wireless LAN,or wireless WAN connection.提供共享的网络连接可以是以太网、无线局域网或无线广域网。