英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0923 - 爱老友记的N个理由

 Topic1 More space sought for cyclists, pedestriansMonday marked China's Car-Free Day. Chinese cities are asked to provide more public space for cyclists and pedestrians¹ amidst a growing number of automobiles² on the road.

China's top urban planning authority says the needs of cyclists and pedestrians should be considered during urban development, and developers should take these needs into account when building or improving roads.

Is there a problem?

Topic2 No umbrella for pupils in ZhengzhouOn rainy days, would you prefer umbrellas or raincoats? Recently, some primary schools in Zhengzhou regulate that primary school students should wear raincoats instead of using umbrellas, which aroused heated discussion on the Internet.

Why do schools regulate that? And does that make sense?

Topic3 Historical building relocated in NanjingA historical construction in Nanjing has recently been lifted, moved and relocated as a whole in order to make room for building an underground parking lot at its site.

The building used to be a Young Men's Christian³ Association venue⁴ during the period of Republican China from 1911 to 1949.

This is the first such relocation happening to a building from that era.

Is it necessary for a building to be lifted and relocated?

Topic4 Friends' 20 Years AnniversaryYesterday marks two decades since we first met our favorite Central Perk⁵ gang. As a way to celebrate the 20th premiere anniversary of "Friends," American cable TV TBS is throwing a 20-episode marathon. For the Chinese, the influence of this sitcom⁶ is similarly strong, or even stronger, considering it's many people's most important source of English learning materials.

Is it just a sitcom or much more than that?

Topic5 Catching⁷ sparrow is illegal in ZhumadianDo you know that catching sparrows can be illegal?

On a wild animals' protection meeting in Zhumadian, the local government announced that it will crack down excessive hunting of animals and reward informers. The whole city will be no-hunting zone and more than 1,700 kinds of animals, such as sparrow, frog, gecko, toad⁸, cannot be caught again.

Why? Is there legal ground?

1 pedestrians   

n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Several pedestrians had come to grief on the icy pavement. 几个行人在结冰的人行道上滑倒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Pedestrians keep to the sidewalk [footpath]! 行人走便道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

5 perk   

n.额外津贴；赏钱；小费；

参考例句：

• His perks include a car provided by the firm.他的额外津贴包括公司提供的一辆汽车。
• And the money is,of course,a perk.当然钱是额外津贴。

6 sitcom   

n.情景喜剧，（广播、电视的）系列幽默剧

参考例句：

• This sitcom is produced in cooperation with Hong Kong TV.这部连续剧是同香港电视台联合制作的。
• I heard that a new sitcom is coming out next season.我听说下一季会推出一个新的情境喜剧。

7 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

8 toad   

n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆

参考例句：

• Both the toad and frog are amphibian.蟾蜍和青蛙都是两栖动物。
• Many kinds of toad hibernate in winter.许多种蟾蜍在冬天都会冬眠。