你好呀, 欢迎收听: 英语考试Cat🐱🐱🐱🐱 Who is your favorite celebrity in your country? Well, actually, I don't have a particular favorite celebrity as my interest leans more towards reading books than following movie and music stars. However, I do follow several online influencers whose content revolves around career insights, travel experiences, and different cultures. Though they may not fit the conventional idea of being a celebrity, they wield considerable influence within the realm of the internet in my country. I find their perspectives and advice valuable, and through their work, I've broadened my knowledge, especially in areas related to professional growth and travel. * leans more towards 倾向于 * music stars 歌星 * online influencers 网红 * content 内容 * revolves around 围绕着 * career insights 职业见解 * not fit the conventional idea of 不符合传统意义上的…… * wield considerable influence 具有相当的影响力 * the realm of 领域 * broaden 拓宽 [图片] What kind of famous people do you often see in the news? Hmm, I’d say that there is a regular presence of celebrities from the entertainment industry, renowned entrepreneurs, and executives affiliated with major multinational corporations. Additionally, coverage extends to famous sports stars, particularly during globally significant events like the World Cup or Olympics. The media provides a diverse spectrum of notable figures, ensuring that the public remains informed about current affairs in politics, entertainment, business, and sports. * the entertainment industry 娱乐行业 * executives 高管 * affiliated with 附属于 * multinational corporations 跨国企业 * coverage 报道 * extends to 延伸至 * globally significant events 具有国际重要意义的活动 * the World Cup 世界杯 * a diverse spectrum of notable figures 各类知名人物 * current affairs 时事 [图片] Do you pay attention to famous people in the news? I do, but I'm not proactive in seeking information unless I have a genuine interest in a particular individual. I suppose in that way, I’m more reactive. The personal lives of celebrities, like a Hollywood movie star's dating life, doesn't hold much interest for me. However, my interest can be piqued when it comes to famous figures in the technology industries, as their endeavors can significantly impact the world. * proactive 主动的 * a genuine interest 真正的兴趣 * reactive 被动的 * doesn't hold much interest 不太感兴趣 * pique 激起（兴趣） * technology industries 科技行业 * endeavors 努力 * significantly 显著地 * impact the world 影响世界 [图片] Do you believe that the news about famous people in the media is true? I’m not sure to be honest. I guess I adopt a somewhat skeptical stance regarding the authenticity of news about famous people in the media, so I would have to say, I believe it's a mix of truth and strategic marketing. In a world where sensationalism sells, critical thinking becomes crucial when consuming such news. Rather than accepting everything at face value, it's essential to question the underlying motives and seek a deeper understanding. By adopting a more discerning approach, we can navigate the media reports and develop a more balanced perspective on the lives of famous individuals and differentiate what’s true and what’s not. * skeptical stance 怀疑的立场 * the authenticity of news 新闻的真实性 * strategic marketing 战略性营销 * sensationalism（指行文或报道）耸人听闻；煽情 * critical thinking 批判性思维 * accept everything at face value 接受表面的东西 * underlying motives 潜在动机 * seek a deeper understanding 寻求更深入的理解 * adopting a more discerning approach 采取更有辨别力的方法 * navigate 导航 * media reports 媒体报道 * differentiate 区分

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 What are the main means of transport in your country? In my country, I think the main means of transport vary depending on the distance traveled and the destination. For long hauls, such as inter-city or inter-provincial travel, the go-to choice for the majority is probably bullet trains. These high-speed trains offer a quick and cost-effective alternative to flights, making them a popular option. Within larger cities, particularly first-tier cities, I would say the metro system is the preferred mode of transportation. This is primarily because people wish to avoid traffic on the road, with traffic congestion being a common occurrence, and so the efficiency and convenience of the metro make it a popular option for daily commuting. In saying that however, while public transportation remains the norm for many, there's definitely been a noticeable uptick in private car use, especially among families. This trend becomes really apparent during important festivals or holidays when purchasing tickets for public transport can be a major headache. Overall, I’d say the transportation landscape in my country reflects a mix of modern and efficient public systems, along with a growing prevalence of private vehicle ownership. * vary 变化 * long hauls 长途旅行 * go-to choice 首选 * bullet trains 动车；高铁 * cost-effective alternative 经济实惠的替代方案 * first-tier cities 一线城市 * traffic on the road 道路交通 * daily commuting 日常通勤 * remains the norm for 是常规；很常见 * a noticeable uptick in 明显增加 * apparent 显而易见 * be a major headache 是一个主要的困扰 * reflects 反映 * a growing prevalence of 不断盛行 [图片] What can be done to improve transport in your country? In my view, significant improvements in transportation infrastructure have already occurred and, in fact, continues to improve unabated. In the past, the reliance on buses and slow trains for inter-city travel was common. However, there has been a notable shift in priorities towards the development of advanced road and rail networks, catering to both high-speed bullet trains and private cars. For cities and towns, another change that has occurred is that, in the past, most citizens relied on bicycles or motorbikes to get around, but now as most people have access to a car, the road systems have kept pace. I would say that probably in some areas the road system still needs to be upgraded and the introduction of bicycle lanes in tier one cities would also be a bonus, but honestly, over the last twenty years, I’ve witnessed a transportation system develop that when I was a child, I could only imagine. [图片] Do you think traveling was better in the past than it is now? Absolutely not. Traveling now is so much better than it used to be. For example, I recall the days of the infamous slow 'green trains' and long-distance buses, which made traveling a trying and exhausting experience. I remember, for instance, a train journey from Chengdu to Guangzhou used to take over 24 hours on a crowded green train. Nowadays, a journey that once took over a day on a green train is efficiently covered in around 8 hours on a clean, comfortable, and uncrowded bullet train, offering ample legroom for passengers. Additionally, for those who prefer a quicker option, affordable air travel has become more accessible, reducing travel time and enhancing convenience for the majority of people. And when it comes to cities, again, we see the same thing. Whereas before the bicycle reigned supreme, now most big cities in China have clean, cheap, and fast subway systems. The difference is night and day. [图片] Do you think technology makes traveling more difficult? Again, I have to say absolutely not. In fact, technology has significantly streamlined and enhanced the travel experience, making it far more convenient and much less time-consuming. With the arrival of ticket-booking sites and apps, individuals can now easily purchase tickets without the need to visit a physical ticket office, which was a common practice in the past. Furthermore, mapping and GPS technologies have empowered travelers to navigate unfamiliar places with ease, eliminating the need to ask for directions. The introduction of cab-hailing services through technology has also transformed transportation, allowing people to secure a ride at any location and time. While these technological advancements have undeniably elevated the travel process for many, it's essential to acknowledge that older generations may find it challenging to adapt to these changes. The complexity of modern technology can pose difficulties for those less familiar with digital platforms, potentially creating a gap in terms of travel accessibility. But overall, I have to say that traveling is a hundred times better than it used to be. Notes超字数了，需要看完整笔记的朋友，请移步我的同名微信公众号：英语考试Cat [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Describe a trip you were looking forward to but was delayed You should say: * Where you planned to travel to * Why you were looking forward to it * Why it had to be delayed * And explain how you felt about the experience [图片] **Standard Phrase **Words showing Cohesion (C&C) A trip I was eagerly anticipating that was delayed was when I had planned to go to Kuala Lumpur during the semester recess week, which fell in the last week of February this year. The excitement stemmed from the fact that I had planned this holiday with a diverse group of friends, each hailing from different majors and countries. Our plan was to commence the journey from Singapore, renting a car and driving all the way from Johor Bahru to the capital city of Malaysia. Having spent enjoyable moments with many of them in the past, I knew that the mood throughout the journey would be carefree and filled with laughter and jokes. The camaraderie among us promised an experience laden with fun and shared memories. Regrettably, the trip had to be postponed, with the reason behind the unexpected being my best friend deciding to visit me during the same week. Given that it was her first time in the Lion City, I felt a sense of responsibility to show her around. Consequently, the Kuala Lumpur adventure had to take a back seat to accommodate the unexpected but cherished visit by my friend. Despite the initial disappointment of not being able to go on the planned trip, the experience turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Exploring Singapore with my best friend allowed me to rediscover the city through her eyes, visiting touristy places that I, as a busy student, had overlooked. Our bond strengthened during those days, adding a different yet equally fulfilling dimension to what was initially a postponed adventure. * eagerly anticipate 急切期待 * semester recess week 期中休息周 * stem from 来源于 * hail from 来自 * commence 开始 * carefree 无忧无虑的 * filled with laughter 笑声不断 * laden with 充满 * regrettably 遗憾地 * postpone 推迟 * a sense of responsibility 一种责任感 * show her around 带她四处转转 * take a back seat 暂时搁置 * accommodate 容纳；适应 * cherished 珍贵的 * initial 最初的 * turned out to be 结果变成了 * a blessing in disguise 是一种幸事 * rediscover 重新认识 * toursity places 旅游景点 * overlook 忽略 * strengthened 加强 * equally fulfilling dimension 同样充实 [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Do you often wear sunglasses? No, not on a regular basis, but once in a while if I’m outside for prolonged periods, I will. For example, during the recent Singapore Airshow, sunglasses were a must. While standing outdoors under the intense sun and observing various civil and military aircraft, wearing sunglasses was crucial to shield my eyes from the blinding sunlight. The bright reflections made it nearly impossible to keep my eyes open when trying to view the planes. In fact, every photo from that show features me wearing sunglasses. The photos look cool but you’ll find my eyes closed behind the lenses if you enlarge them, haha. * prolonged periods 长时间 * a must 必不可少的东西 * under the intense sun 在强烈的 * observe 仔细看；观察 * civil and military aircraft 民用和军用飞机 * crucial 非常重要 * shield my eyes from 保护我的眼睛 * blinding sunlight 刺眼的阳光 * made it nearly impossible to 使几乎不可能 * look cool 看起来很酷 * lenses 镜片 * enlarge 放大 [图片] [图片] Do you spend a lot of money on sunglasses? Not at all. Currently, I own two pairs of sunglasses, one with square lenses and the other round. Both were reasonably priced and purchased from a store known for their affordability. I don't foresee investing in new sunglasses unless the current ones are damaged or lost, but even then, I’m not going to pay a great deal of money for something that can be considered disposable, especially as I’m prone to losing them. * reasonably priced 价格合理 * affordability 负担能力 * foresee 预见 * disposable 一次性的 * prone to 有……的倾向 [图片] Do you give sunglasses as gifts? Up till now, no, but I do think they can make for a practical yet stylish birthday gift, especially for friends planning a trip to warmer destinations. They’re a thoughtful present that can be used practically and for an extended period of time, offering protection from the sun and adding a cool touch to photos, so, who knows, maybe one day I’ll consider them as an option for a birthday gift. * practical 实用的 * stylish 时尚的 * thoughtful 体贴的 * be used practically 实际使用 * an extended period of time 较长的一段时间 * option 选择 [图片] Have you ever lost your sunglasses? Absolutely, so many times I can’t count! A few years ago, during a vacation along the coast of Thailand, my sunglasses slipped into the Andaman Sea and were seen no more. While learning to float on my back in the ocean, I lost them and I felt a bit upset at the time because I didn’t feel like buying another pair again as I seemed to be buying them every year back then. I even shared the incident on my WeChat moments. Losing my sunglasses during a leisure activity in the ocean served as a lesson about being more cautious with personal belongings, especially in outdoor activities. * slipped into 不慎掉入 * were seen no more 再也没有看到 * felt a bit upset 有些沮丧 * at the time 当时 * incident 事情 * served as a lesson 成为一个教训 * cautious 小心 * personal belongings 个人物品

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 我是Lauren。今天和你分享我的雅思写作备考经历。 我第一次考雅思的时候，是奔着写作8分去的，结果少了0.5分。[图片] 我的战线拉得不长，注册考试了之后才开始备考，大约3周的样子。 想和考雅思的你分享这段经历，和几个自己总结的经验。 第一，全力准备、刻意练习 话虽这么说，但我个人是刻意练习的反例[图片]。因为是在职考雅思，平时备考的时间不（借）多（口），大作文练了几篇，小作文练了几篇。Mac帮忙批改和讲解了，然后…… 就这样……上考场了。 但因为工作的缘故，我平时用英语写了很多东西，有大量的积累。 又因为常读英语原版书，积累了一些词汇量，也算是一种“刻意练习”吧。 我建议在临近考试的时候，每天至少掐着表写一篇雅思作文。当然，练多久得看自己的基础，有的朋友只需要一个月，有的朋友可能需要两三个月。 为什么要每天掐着表写？ 练速度。 小作文需要20分钟内写完，那平时练习就给自己18—19分钟，留1-2分钟检查。 大作文需要40分钟内写完，那平时练习就给自己37—39分钟，留2-3分钟检查。 第二，根据雅思写作评分标准备考 拿雅思写作来说，评分标准有4个方面： * Task Response 写作任务回应情况 * Coherence & Cohesion 连贯与衔接 * Lexical resource 词汇丰富程度 * Grammatical Range & Accuracy 语法多样性及准确性 熟悉英语考试Cat公众号文章的读者，可能会发现，Mac老师的每篇雅思范文都用不同的颜色做了标注。这些标注，其实就是根据雅思的评分标准来的。因为在小宇宙里不能这样编辑，所以你看不到。 [图片] 第三，在考场上，一半是写作，一半是检查 检查这个步骤真的很重要，如果写完还有时间仔细检查，能至少帮你提0.5分。 怎么检查？还是按评分标准来。 我们再来看看评分标准： * Task Response 写作任务回应情况 * Coherence & Cohesion 连贯与衔接 * Lexical Resource 词汇丰富程度 * Grammatical Range & Accuracy 语法多样性及准确性 当然，这个时候是顾不到Task Response的，大改是来不及了。 所以，我们能检查的只有其它三个方面。 * 检查拼写（这个就不多说了，都懂的） * 连词的使用，该加的加，该删的删，该改的改 * 词汇（下文讲） * 语法（时态语态、主谓一致等）等等。 就拿词汇来说，比如题目里有waste这个词，你在作文里面就多用它的近义词：rubbish,garbage, trash, refuse，不要全文重复用waste这个词。 比如题目里有big这个词，你在作文里面可以把它变成：large,large-sized, large-scale, super-sized, enormous, sizable等。 大作文需要在40分钟内写完，那平时就给自己37~38分钟，留2-3分钟检查。 我当时写作考完了，大约还剩3分钟的宝贵时间。我利用这个时间把小作文和小作文，从头到尾快速梳了一遍，这个动作应该帮我提了0.5分。 第四，练习需要精批和讲解。 当然，光写不学是没用的，速度跟上来了，质量没有提升，也是白搭。 英语对我们来说，毕竟是第二语言。很难做到像母语者那样，看到一篇文章，就能把里面的各类问题拎得一清二楚。 很多时候，我们在写作中犯的错误是不自知的，不知道哪里不对劲。 或者，知道不对劲，但不晓得究竟咋个改。 这个时候就特别需要一位既有能力、有经验、又负责的老师，帮我们看哪里需要提升。 第五，多听多看记笔记 自学的朋友，要学会甄别信息，选高质量的范文去研习和模仿。 对于我自己，就是听英语考试Cat公众号的雅思写作文章。我很多时候是听范文，不是看。刚刚也提到了，公众号上的范文按雅思写作评分标准，用各种颜色做了标注，方便你快速理解它背后的逻辑。 光看，有时候会出现，“眼睛：我会了。大脑：不，你不会”的现象。 在听的同时，我做了另一件事：记笔记。 一篇雅思写作范文，我不会只听一遍，而是反复听好多遍，把自己不太熟的词汇和表达记在本子上。 我们在小宇宙上发的每条音频，都把原文贴上去了，你写完了还可以对照着检查。 第六，考前一定要抱佛脚 是的，你没听错。 备考雅思写作，平时需要大量练习、复习、总结，考试当天更需要复习了。 复习自己平时总结的笔记，或者阅读雅思写作高质量文章，帮自己快速切入状态。 我考试当天是写作是下午场，把东西放到储物柜之前，我一直在听范文。 说到这里，Mac老师准备了雅思写作大小作文电子书。 大作文88页，(A类)小作文64页。里面包含： - 高分范文 - 必备句型 、写作技巧 - 考前急救包 - 加分模板 - 雅思机考记 有需要的朋友，可以直接加微信：EnglishCat996 暗号：来自小宇宙。 今天就分享到这里，希望对你有帮助。

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 What's your favorite color? My preferred color used to be red due to its vibrant and pleasing nature. However, lately, I've developed a fondness for bright yellow. I only realized this when I noticed my wardrobe is dominated by yellow shirts, shorts, and even sneakers. It has become somewhat of a signature, earning me the nickname "a ray of sunshine" from friends. Wearing yellow not only enhances my skin tone but also uplifts my mood, so the cheerful and lively vibe associated with yellow has made it my current favorite. * vibrant 充满活力的 * pleasing nature 宜人的性质 * fondness 喜爱 * wardrobe 衣柜 * dominated by 以……为主导 * signature （个人的）标志 * enhance 提升 * skin tone 肤色 * uplift 提升（情绪） * vibe 氛围 * associated with 与...相关 [图片] What’s the color, or colors, you dislike most? I'm not particularly drawn to the brown spectrum of colors as they exude a certain dullness I think and I find it doesn't resonate with my personal taste. While some may find it mature, I feel it doesn't agree with my vibrant personality. Brown-hued clothing, despite its potential to convey maturity, tends to have a dampening effect on my mood. I'm also not keen on black, and for the same reasons. I guess I could say this for anything, not just clothes, as I prefer colors that exude energy and positivity, and brown and black, with their subdued nature, don't quite fit the bill for my personal style. * spectrum 光谱（形容一系列颜色） * exude 散发 * dullness 沉闷 * resonate with 产生共鸣 * agree with 适合 * brown-hued 褐色的；棕色谱系的 * dampening effect 抑制；压抑 * not keen on 对...不感兴趣 * positivity 积极性；积极能量 * subdued nature 柔和/冷静特质 * fit the bill 符合期望 [图片] What colors do your friends like most? I would have to say, for the most part, my friends have a penchant for lighter shades, with ocean blue, pink, orange, and white topping their preferences. I guess they like these colors as they symbolize the dynamic phase of life they’re experiencing as college students since these colors mirror energy and freshness. Ocean blue reflects a calm yet adventurous spirit, while pink and orange bring forth a lively and cheerful vibe. White, with its simplicity, adds a touch of elegance. It's fascinating to see how our color choices define our individual styles. * have a penchant for 偏爱 * symbolize 象征 * dynamic 充满活力的 * mirror 反映 * adventurous 富有冒险精神的 * simplicity 简约 * a touch of 一丝 * elegance 优雅 [图片] What color makes you uncomfortable in your room? Hmm, as mentioned, I'm not big on black and brown, and same goes for furniture, as these colors tend to make me feel uncomfortable, especially when it comes to furniture. Black furnishings can create a somber atmosphere, while brown makes the room appear dull and lifeless. I prefer injecting life into my living space; hence, I opt for colorful choices like pink or orange sofa covers, contributing to a lively home ambiance. * not big on 对...不感兴趣) * furniture 家具 * somber atmosphere 阴沉的氛围；沉闷的氛围 * furnishings 家居陈设 * dull 沉闷 * lifeless 毫无生气 * inject 注入 * opt for 选择 * ambiance 氛围 [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Which holidays are popular in your country? In my country,a plethora of holidays are dotted throughout the year. Commencing with the New Year Day holiday in January, the festive spirit continues with the Spring Festival in February – the most important one of the year for Chinese. After that, the Qingming holiday in April and the Dragon Boat Festival are culturally significant events in the calendar. The other really popular holidays are the National Day holiday and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which are usually combined together to give us a Golden week, so these holidays definitely take center stage. I would say the former two are more about family reunions and togetherness, while the latter is characterized by travel, leisure, and shopping. * a plethora of 众多的 * dotted throughout the year 全年都有 * festival spirit 节日气氛 * culturally significant 具有文化重要性 * combined together 结合在一起 * take center stage 核心 * former 前者 * family reunions 家庭团聚 * latter 后者 * characterized by 以……为特征 [图片] Are there any popular places for holidays in your country? Sure, absolutely. There are iconic destinations for holidaymakers in all corners of my country. However, when it comes to holidays, certain major cities stand out prominently, those being Beijing in the north, Shanghai on the east coast, Guangzhou in the south, and Chongqing and Chengdu in the southwest all draw considerable attention. Xinjiang in the northwest, with its diverse landscape, and Xi’an with ancient walls and terracotta warriors, are also highly favored among Chinese holiday-goers. The popularity of these destinations is so immense that securing train or air tickets becomes a race, especially before major holidays like the Golden week in October, resulting in what we call in China "people mountain people sea." Nevertheless, holidays aren't confined to urban areas; they extend to the exploration of scenic spots surrounding major cities. For instance, travelers heading to Chengdu often include Jiuzhaigou Valley in their itinerary, drawn by its world-class natural beauty and breathtaking scenic views. * iconic 标志性的；经典的 * holidaymakers 度假者 * in all corners of 各地；各个角落 * stand out prominently 脱颖而出 * draw considerable attention 备受关注 * diverse 多元的 * landscape 景色 * terracotta warriors 兵马俑 * highly favored 备受欢迎 * holiday-goers 度假者 * immense 海量的 * secure 得到；获得 * confined to 局限于 * scenic spots 风景名胜 * itinerary 行程 * world-class natural beauty 世界级的自然美景 * breathtaking 激动人心的 * scenic views 美景 [图片] What are the differences between old and young people when spending their holidays? Hmm, I think it depends on the individual, but generally, younger individuals lean towards more distant or even international travel, seeking adventurous experiences. The appeal for exploring unfamiliar cultures and landscapes fuels their desire for exploration during holidays. In contrast, senior citizens tend to have a more conservative approach, favoring nearby destinations or visiting relatives, valuing the comfort of familiar surroundings. Another distinction lies in spending habits. The younger generation is often equipped with a more substantial budget for their vacation expenditures. They are more willing to splurge on diverse experiences, accommodation, and activities. On the contrary, older individuals, typically constrained by more limited budgets, adopt a more frugal approach. These different approaches underscore the distinct motivations and priorities that shape holiday choices across different age groups. [图片] Why do some people dislike holidays? In China, the aversion to holidays can be attributed to a couple of factors, I think. Firstly, the overwhelming crowds, particularly during extended holidays, pose a blockage for some people. Navigating through bustling crowds becomes a laborious task, necessitating meticulous planning and advanced ticket purchases. We often joke about a sea of black heads whenever visiting a crowded touristry area. Secondly, the fear of excessive spending gives some people a headache. For instance, individuals working far from home may harbor a dislike for the Spring Festival due to the substantial travel involved. Securing tickets a month in advance and the ensuing expenditure, such as preparing red envelope money for younger and older relatives during the holiday simply make some people anxious. This financial strain is humorously captured by many young people who quip about their wallets seemingly "emptying out" whenever a major holiday approaches. These challenges of crowds and financial burden, I believe, contribute to the disapproval of holidays among certain individuals in my country.

新年快乐！欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Do you like to eat cakes or other sweet foods? No, I don't particularly have a liking for sugar, so I’m not really into either cakes or sweet foods. My taste preferences actually lean more towards spicy and perhaps even salty when it comes to snacks, and for desserts, only mildly sweet. However, in saying that, during my senior high school years, there was a short period when my weekly routine would involve purchasing a small sweet cake with generous helpings of cream on top after school. It was almost like a ritual, and my legs seemed to instinctively carry me to that bakery every Friday, but now, as said, I don’t have any desire for sweet things. * not really into 不太喜欢 * taste preferences 味觉嗜好 * snacks 零食 * lean more towards 更倾向于 * mildly sweet 微甜 * with generous helpings of 很多 * ritual 仪式 * instinctively 不由自主地 [图片] Did you like to eat cakes as a child? Absolutely, as mentioned, I was very fond of a certain cream cake during my childhood. Growing up in my part of the woods, you could say visiting the local bakery was like a symbol of luxury and were kinda considered off-limits. Despite this, I would diligently save my pocket money to indulge in a piece of cake once a week. I was aware of the harm sweet foods could cause to my teeth, yet there was this guilty pleasure that I derived from every bite of the cake. It was a small, delightful indulgence that added a touch of sweetness to my otherwise routinized and mundane existence. * fond of 喜爱 * in my part of the woods 在我们那边 * diligently 勤劳；孜孜不倦 * indulge in 尽情享受 * guilty pleasure 内疚的快感 * derive from 起源；来自 * indulgence 沉溺 * routinized 常规化的 * mundane 单调的 * existence 存在 [图片] Can you make cakes? No, I can’t. Baking is something that I’ve never got into, I suppose partly because when growing up, we never had an oven, and now, my perception is that the entire process is time-consuming and complicated. From the mixing of flour with various ingredients like chocolate, milk, brown sugar, eggs, and butter, not to mention the baking itself, it seems like a task that demands a high level of patience, which is something I’d say I lack. Nevertheless, I find pleasure in observing my husband in action as he bakes delightful treats such as banana cake or chocolate chip cupcakes. Interestingly, our four cats also seem to appreciate his baking sessions, providing him with quite the audience whenever he busies himself in baking something! * oven 烤箱 * time-consuming 费时的 * flour 面粉 * ingredients 原材料 * demands 要求 * a high level of 高度的 * interestingly 有趣的是 * baking 烘焙 * busy 忙碌 [图片] Do you like to have some desserts after meals? Certainly, but only sporadically. On pleasant days or when in the company of friends, we often opt for a refreshing bubble tea after lunch, which although a beverage, is, in its own right, similar to a dessert, and in fact, a large bubble tea is like a meal in itself, and then while sipping our tea, we’ll chitchat and gossip. Alternatively, I might treat myself to a cup of hot chocolate, finding a quiet spot by the university lawn to relish the moment. But honestly, more often than not, I don't crave post-meal sweets, and I’d actually prefer just a piece of fruit. * sporadically 偶尔 * opt for 选择 * refreshing 提神的 * in its own right 本身 * chitchat 闲聊 * treat myself to 犒劳自己 * relish the moment 享受那个时刻；享受当下 * crave 渴望 [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Do you play video games? No, video games aren't really my cup of tea. Instead, I much prefer engaging in activities that allow me to explore my interests, for instance, reading, leisurely walks, spending time with my cats, and blogging. These are some of the things I find myself doing when I have downtime or a break. Video games simply don't appeal to me; they're not even on my radar. Conversely, many of my friends are avid gamers, and occasionally, they gather just to play video games. While it's not my first choice to spend my pastime, I appreciate the social aspect that video games bring to their lives. * my cup of tea 我喜欢的东西 * engage in 参与；从事 * activities 活动 * leisurely walks 散步 * blogging 写博客 * downtime 休息 * avid gamers 游戏达人 * social aspect 社交方面 [图片] Would you watch others play video games? No, absolutely not. As I mentioned earlier, video games aren't part of my leisure activities. Being a non-gamer, I’m not familiar with gaming terms and the strategies needed to progress to the next levels in games. During my childhood, however, there was a brief period when I played video games with my sisters, and I must admit, it became quite addictive. Our late-night gaming sessions led to a fair share of scoldings from our parents due to the disruptive sounds and our passionate and angry shouting. However, those were different times, and currently, neither playing nor observing video games holds much appeal for me. * strategies 策略 * a brief period 一小段时间 * addictive 上瘾 * gaming sessions 游戏环节 * scoldings 责备 * disruptive 破坏性的 * passionate 激烈的 * observe 观察 * holds much appeal for me 有吸引力 [图片] Do you think people spend too much time playing video games? For sure, yes, I do. I think that people tend to spend an excessive amount of time playing video games. A noticeable trend I've observed is the prevalence of young individuals engaged in gaming while commuting, often with headphones on and their smartphones in both hands. While it may offer an effective way to pass the commute, I believe this practice is ultimately unhealthy. Prolonged screen exposure can have a detrimental effect on one’s eyesight. Moreover, immersing oneself in the virtual world may lead to a gradual disconnection from the physical, slashing opportunities for meaningful social engagement, and subsequently, hindering their natural curiosity. * spend an excessive amount of time 花大量时间 * a noticeable trend 一个显而易见的趋势 * the prevalence of 盛行 * commute 通勤 * an effective way 一个有效的方法 * ultimately 最终；终究 * prolonged 长期的 * screen exposure 看屏幕的时间 * a detrimental effect 不好的影响 * immerse 沉浸于 * virtual world 虚拟世界 * disconnection from 与……失联 * slash 削减 * meaningful 有意义的 * social engagement 社交 * hinder 阻碍 * natural curiosity 天生的好奇心 [图片] Do you prefer playing video games alone or with others? Since I don’t play, I have no preference. However, recalling the brief gaming phase during my childhood, I have fond memories of playing video games with my siblings. Those experiences were highlighted by occasional angry yelling over failures and enthusiastic celebrations of victories. In that context, I would say I lean towards enjoying gaming more when shared with others. The camaraderie and shared excitement made those moments particularly enjoyable. * recall 回忆；回响起 * fond memories 美好的回忆 * siblings 兄弟姐妹 * highlight 突出 * occasional 偶尔的 * camaraderie 友情；情谊 * particularly 尤其 [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 When you were a child, did you usually sit on the floor? No, and actually, I don’t quite remember if I sat on the floor at all, but I guess I didn’t because sitting on the floor was the number one ‘no-no’ thing to do in my home. My mom was always too occupied with all types of housework and farm work to spare time for laundry, and I think that’s why sitting on the floor was frowned upon … it simply meant more work for my mom. I recollect sitting on the bed most of the time or at the small dining table in what you might call the main room. * number one 'no-no' thing to do 最不能做的事 * to spare time for 抽时间…… * frowned upon 不满；皱眉 [图片] Do you feel sleepy when you are sitting down for a long time? It depends on what I’m doing while sitting down. If I just sit in a quiet place and read a book I enjoy, I won’t feel drowsy until I put the book down, but if I sit down without doing anything, I could probably fall asleep after just a short while. * drowsy 昏昏欲睡 [图片] Do you always sit down for a long time? Unfortunately, I do. Back when I was working in an office, I basically had to spend most of the day sitting in front of my laptop and I stood up only to attend meetings and take a short break once a while. Now that I’m working from home, I’m sitting relatively less because I have a stand-up desk and I constantly walk about the apartment to do some housework or make myself a drink, or that type of thing. * basically 基本上 * relatively less 相对更少 * a stand-up desk 站立式桌子 * constantly 不时；不断 [图片] Where is your favorite place to sit? My favorite place to sit is the cozy corner in the living room of my apartment where I have a desk facing a big window, a chair in front of the desk, and a lamp and a bookcase on the right side of the desk. During the day time I have a nice view of the greenery outside and in the evening, as I said, it’s quite cozy. In fact, I love this little corner so much that I spend most of my time sitting there. * cozy corner 温馨的角落 * lamp 台灯 * greenery 绿植；绿荫 [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Describe an important river 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 [图片] An important river in my country is Zhujiang, or in English, the Pearl River. It’s an extensive river system located in south China. I think it starts from Yunnan, a Southwest province, and then passes through Guizhou, Guangxi, and then Guangdong Province, from where it feeds into the South China Sea. I’m not sure how long it is, but I guess it’s at least 2,000 kilometers in length. The Pearl River system is pretty vast and on its last stretch before flowing into the sea, a huge delta in Canton has developed and includes many estuaries, some of which are used for deep-water ships, and it’s been one of the country’s richest and fastest-growing zones for hundreds of years. This area is actually called the Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region, covering Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Macao, Hong Kong, Dongguan, Foshan, and so on, which are some of the country’s most prosperous cities. The Pear River is extremely important for quite a few factors. First, it serves as an important drinking water resource for cities and towns along its banks. Second, being the longest river in south China, it has been an essential channel for transporting cargo and passengers for thousands of years, and besides that, it was part of the maritime Silk Road route. And lastly, as I mentioned just now, the Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region, which sits along the last stretch of the Pearl River before it feeds into the South China Sea, is an international economic hub. A great amount of goods are manufactured and exported from here and in recent years, this region has evolved into a high-tech zone specializing in robots, artificial intelligence, and so on. So that’s an important river in my country – Zhujiang, or the Pearl River. * extensive 庞大的 * feeds into 注入 * in length 在长度上 * vast 巨大的 * last stretch 最后一段 * delta 三角洲 * estuary 河口；入海口 * deep-water ships 深水船舶 * serves as 作为 * essential 核心的 * maritime 海上的 * exported from 出口 * evolved into 发展成为 * high-tech zone 高科技区 * specializing in 专门从事

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 What practical skills can young people teach old people? Hmm, need to think about that. Well, these days, I think young people can impart a range of skills to older generations. Because younger people are equipped with technological proficiency, they are able to guide seniors through the intricacies of modern technology. This includes teaching them the nuances of sending messages and making video or audio calls through social media platforms like WeChat. Moreover, this younger demographic can extend their expertise to cover everyday household activities, such as operating a washing machine and an electric oven, and even a robotic sweeping machine, making it easier for seniors in terms of domestic chores. Beyond technological and household skills, I think young people, if they are patient, can help those elderly that have difficulty reading or are even illiterate, especially those in the countryside, as they grapple with such challenges. By spending a little bit of time to help teach some of the basics, at least seniors could be empowered, even a little, to engage with written information. * proficiency 熟练 * intricacy 复杂性；错综复杂 * demographic 人口；同类群体 * expertise 专长；专门知识 * robotic sweeping machine 扫地机器人 * illiterate 不识字的 * grapple with 尽力解决 * empower 赋能；赋予 [图片] How can young people teach old people skills? Well, I think when it comes to actually teaching the elderly new skills, a traditional instructional approach centered on verbal communication might not yield the most effective results. Older learners tend to benefit more from a hands-on, experiential method. This involves physically demonstrating the steps and simplifying processes to easily digestible stages. Take for example training an old person on how to use a dishwasher, whereby I think we can guide them through the functionality of a dishwasher by sequentially explaining each button's purpose. To further solidify the learning experience, younger individuals can craft informative guides enriched with illustrations, pictures, or videos. These visual aids can serve as a tangible reference, aiding in better comprehension and retention. The overarching principle here is to prioritize a practical and visual teaching strategy, ensuring that the learning process is not just about relaying information verbally but actively demonstrating and engaging the older learners in the educational journey. * traditional 传统的 * instructional approach 教学方法 * verbal communication 口头交流 * yield 产出；产生 * hands-on 亲身实践；实际操作 * experiential method 实验方法 * physically demonstrating 亲自示范 * digestible 易消化的；易理解的 * functionality 功能 * sequentially 按顺序 * explain 解释 * solidify 巩固 * craft 精心制作 * enriched with 充满 * visual aids 视觉辅助工具 * tangible 有形的；实际的 * retention 保持；记忆 * the overarching principle 首要原则 * prioritize 优先考虑 [图片] Do you think “showing” is a better way than “telling” in education? Absolutely. As I just mentioned, using a hands-on method whereby the old person, in this case, the trainee, is able to see clearly how something is done. This can be done physically, and also a video can be made to help with the learning process. Conversely, traditional educational methods, which primarily rely on verbal communication and information, often result in one-way interactions that can lead to the trainee’s disinterest. In stark contrast, adopting a "showing" approach can facilitate a more engaging learning experience. There's a well-known saying that encapsulates this sentiment: "Tell me and I will forget; involve me and I will understand." This adage captures the essence of the effectiveness of interactive and visual teaching methods in enhancing comprehension and retention. * trainee 接受培训者 * primarily 主要 * rely on 依赖 * interaction 交互 * disinterest 不感兴趣 * facilitate 促进 * engaging 愉快的 * learning experience 学习经历 * a well-known saying 众所周知的谚语 * encapsulate 概括 * adage 谚语 * capture 抓住 * the essence of ……的精髓 * interactive 互动的；互相配合的 [图片] Do people in your country like to watch videos to learn something? For sure. The prevalence of learning through videos in my country is remarkable I think, in fact, the online training community is massive in China, and it seems everybody is learning one thing or another. I would also add that this trend has transcended age boundaries, with both the young and older generations actively engaging with online educational video content. Among the youth, online tutorial videos are a go-to resource for acquiring skills ranging from cooking techniques to coding skills. Simultaneously, the older generation, particularly females, have embraced the convenience of instructional dance videos as a means to learn and practice new dance forms. The ubiquity of educational videos signifies a transformative shift in how knowledge is acquired, fostering a culture where individuals from all walks of life turn to digital platforms for diverse learning opportunities.