英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0111 - 麦当劳中国“卖身”了！

Topic 1-McDonald's sells its China franchise¹

 

Global fast food giant McDonald's has just sold its China franchise to state-owned CITIC Group and U.S.-based private equity² firm Carlyle Group.

 

How will this transaction affect McDonald's business in China?

 

Topic 2-Online shop owner sentenced to jail for illegal click farming

 

An online shop owner on Alibaba's e-commerce site Taobao.com has been sentenced to jail for hiring internet trolls to smear³ the reputation of his competitor through click farming.

 

Does the online marketplace need some new ground rules?

 

Topic 3-Score bank for students

 

Have you been worried about failing exams? In Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, a bank of students' scores might help you to alleviate⁴ stress. This system allows students to loan the score points needed to pass exams, but they will have to pay back later.                  

1 franchise   

n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权

参考例句：

• Catering in the schools is run on a franchise basis.学校餐饮服务以特许权经营。
• The United States granted the franchise to women in 1920.美国于1920年给妇女以参政权。

2 equity   

n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票

参考例句：

• They shared the work of the house with equity.他们公平地分担家务。
• To capture his equity,Murphy must either sell or refinance.要获得资产净值，墨菲必须出售或者重新融资。

3 smear   

v.涂抹；诽谤，玷污；n.污点；诽谤，污蔑

参考例句：

• He has been spreading false stories in an attempt to smear us.他一直在散布谎言企图诽谤我们。
• There's a smear on your shirt.你衬衫上有个污点。

4 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。