英語角-圓桌會議 RoundTable0923 - 愛老友記的N個理由

Topic1 More space sought for cyclists, pedestrians Monday marked China's Car-Free Day. Chinese cities are asked to provide more public space for cyclists and pedestrians a midst a growing number of automobiles 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 Zhengzhou On 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 Nanjing A 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 Christian Association venue 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 Anniversary Yesterday marks two decades since we first met our favorite Central Perk 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 sitcom 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 Catching sparrow is illegal in Zhumadian Do 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, toad, cannot be caught again.

Why? Is there legal ground?