英語角-圓桌會議 RoundTable - 語言恐懼癥，你有嗎

Topic1 Call for changes to inheritance law
China's law on inheritance is being called seriously outdated. Experts are calling for a major amendment to the law, which took effect in 1985 when China was still a planned economy with its people possessing much fewer private properties.

Do we need to amend the country's inheritance law?

Topic2 Why Chinese spend the most on international vacations
As the biggest spenders on travels overseas, the Chinese are crowding once again the entry and exit offices across the country during this year's summer travel peak.

The number of outbound Chinese tourists has already surpassed 50 million this year, an 18-percent rise compared to the first half of last year.

Is it that big of a deal?

Topic3 Kids outsmart college students in figuring out gadgets
Ever wonder why children can so easily figure out how to work the TV remote? Or why they "totally get" apps on your smartphone faster than you? If you've noticed that kids seem to be better at figuring out these things, you're not alone.

It turns out that young children may be more open-minded than adults when it comes to solving problems. Why do this happen?

Are kids smarter in gadgets than adults?

Topic4 One-Hour Delivery in China
Lately several start-up delivery companies appeared in China. Cooperating with local convenient stores and others, they promise to deliver goods to customers within an hour. Most of them deliver fresh foods, drinks and vegetables, etc. While this sounds like a convenient service for a lot of people, does it have a good future in China?

How does it work?

Topic5 Verbal Communication Phobia
Now there is a new modern mental condition called語音恐懼癥, or verbal communication phobia. People who have this condition prefer to talk to others in written rather than oral forms.

When the concept was invented earlier this week on weibo by a big V weibo user, it arouses echo among many net users.

Do you have it? What is it?

Topic6 Anonymous Social NetworkingThe American anonymous social network Secret launched in China recently. In the meantime, about 20 similar apps developed by domestic companies are also available for mobile users.

Why are these types of apps so popular? Have you tried them?

1 outdated

adj.舊式的，落伍的，過時的;v.使過時

參考例句：

That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那個通訊錄已經(jīng)沒用了，許多地址已經(jīng)改了。

Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我們許多人都遵循祖先立下的過時習俗。

2 amend

vt.修改，修訂，改進;n.[pl.]賠罪，賠償

參考例句：

The teacher advised him to amend his way of living.老師勸他改變生活方式。

You must amend your pronunciation.你必須改正你的發(fā)音。

3 amendment

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

參考例句：

The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.這項修正案以207票對143票被否決。

The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反對黨已經(jīng)就該議案提交了一項修正條款。

4 gadgets

n.小機械，小器具( gadget的名詞復數(shù) )

參考例句：

Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 當然。設(shè)想是房屋不再充滿小配件。 來自超越目標英語 第4冊

This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 這意味著要設(shè)計出更多的裝置，做更多的實驗。 來自英漢非文學 - 科學史

5 anonymous

adj.無名的;匿名的;無特色的

參考例句：

Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行為。

The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公開。