英语角-圆桌会议RoundTable1117 - 电商巨头纷纷转战线下，线上已经这么拥挤了么？

Topic1-Internet Giants Venture Offline

In a surprising move to connect with more customers, China's internet giant Alibaba is building its first brick-and-mortar megamall in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang Province. The store, scheduled to launch in April 2018, will be a demonstration¹ piece for Alibaba founder² Jack³ Ma's vision of "new retail⁴." Why is the internet behemoth taking a turn for the offline and is this move going to be successful?

RoundTable's Happy Place

In our weekly segment called "RoundTable's Happy Place", we'll share what's made us happy this week.

Topic2-Are we using too many memes or stickers

Here's an anecdote⁵ that’s widely shared on Chinese social media. A man and a woman were introduced online by a mutual⁶ friend. The two hit it off immediately, memes, emojis and stickers flying in the conversation. Is he the one? She’s amazing! But, when they finally meet in person, a conversation could hardly go on for more than a minute.          

1 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

2 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

3 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

4 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

5 anecdote   

n.轶事，趣闻，短故事

参考例句：

• He departed from the text to tell an anecdote.他偏离课文讲起了一则轶事。
• It had never been more than a family anecdote.那不过是个家庭趣谈罢了。

6 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。