日常口语练习

1. 旅游篇

---Do you love traveling? What places of interest have you ever been to? Please share your traveling experiences with your partner and tell him or her what you learn from it.

---Yes, I like traveling. Firstly, I believe that traveling is always educational. The people you meet along the way are from all walks of life. You can always learn a lot from them. Secondly, traveling can enable me to release stress from study and work and temporarily get rid of some annoying daily routine. I wish I were able to travel more.

I have been to Hong KONG, and it was a fantastic trip. The city is busy and crowed, but so well-organized at the same time compared with my hometown. We call HK “oriental shopping paradise”, and I must admit that I wasn’t disappointed with all the massive modern malls everywhere. I also went to Sanya, Hainan province, in southern China. It was very relaxing, and the beach there is picturesque. I also visited Xi’an---an ancient city in history and culture. I was quite marveled at terra-cotta warriors in Qin dynasty and its museums.

1.Do you enjoy traveling?For sure!I love traveling but I don’t get many chances to do so.As a student, Idon’t

have much time during the school year, and I don’t have muchmoney to spend on holidays. However, last summer, I went to Beijing with mybest friend, and I must say it was really a cool trip.I visited all themajor tourist destinations, and got to see all the monuments that make Beijingso famous. It’s a stunning city!This year, I would like to head to Yunnan Province. Ihear it is a spectacular region.

2. Haveyou ever been abroad?

No, I haven’t. I have never had the chance to go. Myparents and I have only traveled in Fujian Province.My parents neverwent abroad either. You know, it costs a lot of money to go on holidaysoverseas. You’ve got to fly and you need to get a visa. And more importantly,if you really want to enjoy your trip, you need time, but my parents never getmore than 5 or 6 days off in a row.

3. If youcould go to any foreign country for a holiday, where would you go?

I would love to go to America!it’s a huge countryand there is so much to see.Iwould like to visit New York City, you know, to see theStatue of Liberty, Times Square,Wall Street, and do some shopping on the 5`" Avenue.Then I would liketo fly west to Yellowstone National Park. I learned about Yellowstone in themovie called 2012 that cameout a few months ago.There’s a giganticunderground volcano, and you can see some small eruptions. There are hundredsof small lakes, with a stunning mix of colors:blue, green, red.It would be neat to see all this.

4. Whichother cities have you visited in your country?

I have been to Hong Kong, and it was a fantastic trip.The city is so busyand crowded, but also so well-organized at the same time compared to myhometown. We call HK “shopping paradise” in the mainland, and I must admit thatI wasn’t disappointed with all

the massive modern malls everywhere. I also visitedShanghai.I found Shanghai veryinteresting, because it’s such a mix of old and new. Insome neighborhoods, people stilllive in old buildings, wash their clothes on thesidewalk, and hang everything on the street.People seem veryrelaxed. On the other hand, a few blocks away, you can see businessmenrushing to ameeting from one skyscraper to another. It’s a fascinating place!I also wentto Sanya,Hainan Province, in southern China. It was very relaxing, and the beach thereis picturesque.

5. Whendid you last go on a trip?

On Labor Day in May this year, I went to Huang Shan, youknow, the Yellow Mountain in Anhui Province. I spent 4 days there, and it was amemorable trip.First, the scenery was breathtaking all the way up. It takes a few hoursto walk to the top, but it is really worthit. And you know,it’s a famous place, many emperors have climbed the Yellow Mountain and Ilearned quite a bit about our culture and Chinese history. In addition, Ivisited some gorgeous little villages around the mountain. Each house is veryold, and I got to see traditional architecture. I went with my parents. We werelucky with the weather. We got some great pictures of the whole trip.

6. Whodo/would you prefer to travel with?

It would definitely be great to travel with friends. Itwould be a lot of fun.Traveling can bring people closer together, and I am surethat if I were traveling with my best friend we would learn a lot from eachother. We are actually planning a trip together for the October holiday. Weintend to go to Xi’an.

7. What doyou like to do on holiday?

Well, I like to go back home and spend time with myrelatives during the holidays.My university is located pretty far away from myhometown, so I don’t get to see my parents at any other time. My mother usuallycooks a lot of great food for me. I usually go for a walk with my Dad. Thethree of us sometimes go shopping.I generally take advantage of the vacation to take iteasy and recharge my batteries.

8. Do youthink it’s good for young people to travel?

Yes, definitely! Traveling is a great opportunity foryoung people to see somethingnew and learn about different cultures.In addition, theycan meet new people, and open up their minds to the world. They need to realizethe differences between their daily lives andother people’s routines andcustoms. On top of this, if they get to travel by themselves, it’s a goodopportunity for them to make decisions on their own, and as a result becomemore independent and mature.

9. What doyou think people can learn from traveling?

There’s a lot to learn when traveling. First of all, ifwe go to some historical places like Beijing or Xi’an, we can obviously learnabout the local history and culture. In addition,if we go to thecountryside or visit some of the stunning mountains in my country, we canrealize howbeautiful China really is, and we can also find out about local legends andfolklore.Finally, we can learn about ourselves too, because we can compare otherpeople’sideas to ours, and plus we have to make decisions as wellto plan the trip. We definitely get to think a lot, and learn how to appreciatethings back home too when we get back.

10. Do youever read books or magazines on traveling?

Occasional.I sometimes read articles in the newspaper about some touristdestinations.Before traveling, I usually buy a guide book too. I often go on a websitecalledNational Geographic, and I really enjoy looking atpictures of landscapes on the Internet.Most of theirphotos are spectacular.

11. Whywere the Beijing Olympic Games important for China?

The Olympics were significant for many different reasons.First of all, thisinternational event attracted thousands of tourists from all over the world. Asa result,it really boosted the national economy. In addition, itwas a great chance for China to spread its culture, since everyone throughoutthe world got to learn about China. What’s more, the government invested a lotof money in new infrastructures and facilities.The country reallymodernized thanks to the Games. Finally, the Olympics brought our people closertogether. They created a feeling of patriotism as China competed against othercountries.

Describe an important river/lake in your country

You should say:

Where it is located?

How big/long it is?

What it looks like?

And explain why it is important?

It didn’t take me more than a few shakes of a lamb’s tail to decide what to talk about for this topic today. Hailing from rugged and rural Scotland, there could be only one choice: Loch Ness. The term ‘loch’ might seem a bit confusing to the uninitiated but it’s the old Scots dialect word for lake. Perhaps this is common knowledge but I just wanted to make doubly sure that there's no misunderstandings.

This loch has long been cemented in the public’s imagination due to tales of a large dinosaur-like creature that supposedly dwells in its murky depths. The Loch Ness monster, often affectionately shortened to ‘Nessie’, draws tourists from far and wide to visit the area, in search of a glimpse of the legendary beast. Now, I’ll put my cards on the table here and be a bit of a spoilsport by saying, I have my reservations about the veracity of his existence. The pure probability of a creature from the era of the dinosaurs still being alive today, and, on top of that going undetected, leads me to apply Occam’s razor. Still it’s a bit of harmless fun, so to all the true believers out there I say, ‘more power to you’.

However, there's far more to this lake than lore and conspiracy theories. Located in the northwest of Scotland near the town of Inverness, it has a depth of 240 meters and a length of 36 kilometers, making it the largest body of fresh water in the British Isles. Long and narrow, it appears on maps as a deep scar left in the surrounding landscape, as if some giant godlike swordsman had sliced it into existence. The Loch lies in Glen Mor, which roughly translates to English as ‘The Great Valley’, which is a verdant and peaceful locale, free from any urbanization. If one were to stand on the banks of this lake they would see lush, rolling green hills, pine tree plantations and the ancient ruins of Castle Urquhart.

Other than serving as a tourist hotspot and providing a boon to the local economy, it’s part of the Caledonian Canal, a previously vital waterway system for the Highland economy. It's importance can’t just be measured in financial terms though, it serves as a kind of spiritual landmark for native Scots, due to its significance in historical events, beauty and the surrounding tales connected to it.

PART 3

How can rivers and lakes benefit local people?

Life on this planet would cease to exist without water. All flora and fauna, humans included, require this precious substance to survive. So without a source of fresh water nearby humans would find it extremely difficult to flourish.

The first and most obvious benefit is that rivers can be a source of fresh drinking water for locals, also this can be used for preparing food, cooking and cleaning. On top of that, bodies of water can be manipulated into irrigating crops. This enables locals to farm and grow vegetables and fruit to provide sustenance. In addition, plant life and wildlife will be in abundance around rivers and lakes, providing a whole raft of benefits to residents of these areas.

To cut a long story short, there’s a reason why our forefathers and ancestors chose to live near these life-giving geographical features.

Do you think rivers and lakes attract tourists?

Maybe not in all cases but I’d say that particularly picturesque bodies of water do provide a pull factor for tourists. Natural scenic spots of any variety, be they mountains, forests, valleys, grasslands, deserts or beaches tend to attract tourism.

For the most part, those who are fortunate enough to be able to afford the luxury of travelling for pleasure tend to reside in urban areas. When holiday time rolls around, many of them like to escape the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle in search of pristine unblemished nature. This very well could be a river, or a lake, but might equally be whatever’s within a convenient travelling distance.

Summing up, I don’t believe that they provide any greater or lesser attraction for sightseers than other natural beauty spots.

Are rivers and lakes good for transport? Why?

Historically bodies of water have provided a vital function, often serving as the main arteries for the transportation of goods. There are very few old cities that don’t lie on one, proving their value for this task. Before the development of road and rail networks, moving heavy cargo over land was extremely arduous and required a great deal of manpower. Maritime vessels were used instead to sail across seas and oceans, and then up rivers to deliver freight from A to B. Even in the modern age when we have road, rail and air to choose from, ships are often still the most cost-efficient method of sending consignments.

It’s a slightly different story when we’re talking about moving people around, as I believe the usefulness of boats and ships have been surpassed by airplanes, cars and trains. Infrastructure such as highways, airports and train networks have been blossoming over the past century and have rendered the humble boat a sluggish competitor compared to more modern methods. Personally, I find a ferry journey a charming way to travel but realistically it can’t hold a candle to those other forms of transport. Such is the way of the world, technology advances and eclipses predecessors.

2.  Book and reading habits

       Do you like reading?

　　What kind of books do you read?

　　Do you read electronic books?

　　Do you read books related to your profession?

Do you often read books? When?

I’ve got a pretty voracious appetite when it comes to reading and I do so nightly before I go to sleep. It’s part of my pre-slumber routine, and it’s gotten to the stage that I find it difficult to drift off without reading for at least 5 or 10 minutes. Letting my eyes sweep over pages of real paper and ink has a soothing effect on my mind, especially when combined with the escapism a good novel provides.

Are your reading habits now different than before?

Currently, I have no need to read for any other reason than pleasure and to pursue my own interests. This contrasts with the past when it was necessary for me to read for educational reasons. Now I can pick and choose any type of novel, biography or philosophy book I wish, and if it’s boring me to the back teeth I’m able to cast it aside and choose another. In my scholarly days this wasn’t a luxury afforded to me, as I’d frequently have to grind through various textbooks and academic papers.

Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted into a film?

This is quite the coincidence that you should ask such a question, as right at this very moment I’m reading Isaac Asimov’s sci-fi classic, I, Robot. There was a Hollywood film starring Will Smith with the same title released way back in the early 2000s and it was loosely based on some of the author’s short stories. The screenplay did seem to be heavily adapted though and doesn’t bare too much resemblance to the novel I’m reading now. I suppose one could say the film was based on the ideas and themes of the writer rather than a direct adaptation from page to screen.

3. 

a random act of kindness 不经意的善举

　　Most people, at one time or another, have been on the receiving end of a random act of kindness that moment of pure altruism when a complete stranger stops to offer aid, generosity or compassion.在某些时刻，大多数人都会接受这种不经意的善举——那就是一个完全陌生的人停下来提供帮助、施予慷慨或同情，这是一种纯粹的利他主义行为。

　　be in a moment of dire need 处于急需帮助的时刻

　　You may even be in a moment of dire need. In a sometimes callous world where people can be so focused on what they're doing, a random act of kindness can make all the difference.你甚至可能处于急需帮助的时刻。在一个人们各自专注于他们的份内之事的时而冷酷无情的世界里，一个不经意的善举就可以改变一切。

　　do sb. a kindness 帮了某人一个忙

　　The seller did her a kindness when it emerged she didn't have any change to pay. She was happy about it all day.当发现她没有零钱付帐时，卖家帮了她一个忙。她为此高兴了一整天。

　　persuade sb. not to commit suicide 劝某人不要自杀

　　Or Jonny Benjamin, who in London in 2008 was persuaded not to commit suicide by a passer-by. He had been considering jumping from a bridge.另外，2008年在伦敦，强尼·本杰明(Jonny Benjamin)，一直在考虑从桥上跳下去，一个路人劝他不要自杀。

　　be reciprocated 得到回应的

　　 Often, the acts aren't reciprocated. The people never meet again.那么，为什么通常，这些行为得不到回应。人们再也不会见面了。

　　make us feel euphoric 让我们感到愉悦

　　Acts like these can "give our lives new purpose, show us other perspectives on our own problems and even make us feel euphoric."这样的行为可以“给我们的生活带来新的意义，让我们从其他角度看待自己的问题，甚至让我们感到愉悦。”

　　hold open a door for someone 为别人开门

　　deliver a compliment

　　So give it a try. Hold open a door for someone, deliver a compliment - even give up your seat on a bus. Help someone who is in need.所以试一试吧。为别人开门，赞美别人——甚至在公共汽车上让座。帮助有需要的人。

　　help you in your hour of need 在你需要的时候帮助你

　　It takes all kinds. It needn't be anything huge. One day, whether you need it or not, someone might help you in your hour of need.各式各样，不计大小。无论你是否需要，总有一天会有人在你需要的时候帮助你。

“To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.” — W. Somerset Maugham

Somewhere after “lose weight”, “stop procrastinating”, and “fall in love”, “read more” is one of the top goals that many people set for themselves. And rightly so: A good book can be hugely satisfying, can teach you about things beyond your daily horizons, and can create characters so vivid you feel as if you really know them.

If reading is a habit you’d like to get into, there are a number of ways to cultivate it.

First, realize that reading is highly enjoyable, if you have a good book. If you have a lousy book (or an extremely difficult one) and you are forcing yourself through it, it will seem like a chore. If this happens for several days in a row, consider abandoning the book and finding one that you’ll really love.

Other than that, try these tips to cultivate a lifetime reading habit:

1. Set times

You should have a few set times during every day when you’ll read for at least 5-10 minutes. These are times that you will read no matter what — triggers that happen each day. For example, make it a habit to read during breakfast and lunch (and even dinner if you eat alone). And if you also read every time you’re sitting on the can, and when you go to bed, you now have four times a day when you read for 10 minutes each — or 40 minutes a day. That’s a great start, and by itself would be an excellent daily reading habit. But there’s more you can do.

2. Always carry a book

Wherever you go, take a book with you. When I leave the house, I always make sure to have my drivers license, my keys and my book, at a minimum. The book stays with me in the car, and I take it into the office and to appointments and pretty much everywhere I go, unless I know I definitely won’t be reading (like at a movie). If there is a time when you have to wait (like at a doctor’s office or at the DMV), whip out your book and read. Great way to pass the time.

3. Make a list

Keep a list of all the great books you want to read. You can keep this in your journal, in a pocket notebook, on your personal home page, on your personal wiki, wherever. Be sure to add to it whenever you hear about a good book, online or in person. Keep a running list, and cross out the ones you read.

Tech trick: create a Gmail account for your book list, and email the address every time you hear about a good book. Now your inbox will be your reading list. When you’ve read a book, file it under “Done”. If you want, you can even reply to the message (to the same address) with notes about the book, and those will be in the same conversation thread, so now your Gmail account is your reading log too.

4. Find a quiet place

Find a place in your home where you can sit in a comfortable chair (don’t lay down unless you’re going to sleep) and curl up with a good book without interruptions. There should be no television or computer near the chair to minimize distractions, and no music or noisy family members/roommates. If you don’t have a place like this, create one.

5. Reduce television/Internet

If you really want to read more, try cutting back on TV or Internet consumption. This may be difficult for many people. Still, every minute you reduce of Internet/TV, you could use for reading. This could create hours of book reading time.

6. Read to your kid

If you have children, you must, must read to them. Creating the reading habit in your kids is the best way to ensure they’ll be readers when they grow up … and it will help them to be successful in life as well. Find some great children’s books, and read to them. At the same time, you’re developing the reading habit in yourself … and spending some quality time with your child as well.

7. Keep a log

Similar to the reading list, this log should have not only the title and author of the books you read, but the dates you start and finish them if possible. Even better, put a note next to each with your thoughts about the book. It is extremely satisfying to go back over the log after a couple of months to see all the great books you’ve read.

8. Go to used book shops

My favorite place to go is a discount book store where I drop off all my old books (I usually take a couple of boxes of books) and get a big discount on used books I find in the store. I typically spend only a couple of dollars for a dozen or more books, so although I read a lot, books aren’t a major expense. And it is very fun to browse through the new books people have donated. Make your trip to a used book store a regular thing.

9. Have a library day

Even cheaper than a used book shop is a library, of course. Make it a weekly trip.

10. Read fun and compelling books.

Find books that really grip you and keep you going. Even if they aren’t literary masterpieces, they make you want to read — and that’s the goal here. After you have cultivated the reading habit, you can move on to more difficult stuff, but for now, go for the fun, gripping stuff. Stephen King, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, Nora Roberts, Sue Grafton, Dan Brown … all those popular authors are popular for a reason — they tell great stories. Other stuff you might like: Vonnegut, William Gibson, Douglas Adams, Nick Hornby, Trevanian, Ann Patchett, Terry Pratchett, Terry McMillan, F. Scott Fitzgerald. All excellent storytellers.