英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0805 - 暖男为什么这么火？

 Topic1 AIDS Patients Refused by AirlinesRecently, Spring Airlines becomes a target of public criticism as it refuses 3 passengers on board after knowing one of them is an AIDS patient.

People say it is not only ignorance but also discrimination.

What happened?

Topic2 Hangzhou to sterilize¹ stray catsHangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, is launching a program in September to control its population of stray cats.

The city advocates Trap-Neuter-Return, a humane² method widely practiced in other countries to control the cat population.

Is it a good idea for the local government to take this initiative?

Topic3 Warm nice guy the new boyfriend type?

Lately an article discussing "暖男Nuan Nan", literally³ translated as warm guys, has been very popular on social networking sites.

The article defines a Nuan Nan as a guy who is tender, considerate and understanding. They may not be as tall, rich and handsome as others, but they prove to be very attractive to women.

Does it make sense that Nuan Nan has become the new perfect boyfriend type?

Topic4 China's new code of conduct for students triggers debateChina's Ministry⁴ of Education is soliciting⁵ public opinions on a new draft of the code of conduct for primary and middle school students.

Instead of encouraging students to act bravely as good Samaritans, the draft has asked students to learn how to protect themselves and seek help under some dangerous circumstances.

The draft has triggered a heated public debate.

Is the change good?

Topic5 Gaokao Candidates' Parents Kneel DownLast week, more than 40 parents of this year's gaokao candidates kneel down in front of the Department of Education of Shenyang, as their kids can't be admitted by any colleges.

This Monday, around 20 parents petitioned in front of the education department again, but so far they haven't got a satisfactory answer.

What happened?

Topic6 Surnaming babies, after whom?

Recently, a "family name revolution" in Changfeng, Anhui, has been brought into spotlight⁶. As a pilot county of UN's Gender⁷ Equality Project, Changfeng awards 1000 yuan to families who surname babies after their mother, raising heated discussion on the Internet.

So how should we see it?

1 sterilize   

vt.使不结果实；使绝育；使无效；杀菌，消毒

参考例句：

• Antiseptic is used to sterilize the skin before giving an injection.杀菌剂被用于在注射前给皮肤消毒。
• He pricks the blister on his heel with a sterilize needle.他用一根消过毒的针扎破他脚后跟上的水泡。

2 humane   

adj.人道的，富有同情心的

参考例句：

• Is it humane to kill animals for food?宰杀牲畜来吃合乎人道吗？
• Their aim is for a more just and humane society.他们的目标是建立一个更加公正、博爱的社会。

3 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

4 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

5 soliciting   

v.恳求( solicit的现在分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求

参考例句：

• A prostitute was soliciting on the street. 一名妓女正在街上拉客。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• China Daily is soliciting subscriptions. 《中国日报》正在征求订户。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

6 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

7 gender   

n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性

参考例句：

• French differs from English in having gender for all nouns.法语不同于英语，所有的名词都有性。
• Women are sometimes denied opportunities solely because of their gender.妇女有时仅仅因为性别而无法获得种种机会。