Hello and welcome to English with Lucy. Today we have another topic:" Four common British expressions." Now, before we get started, make sure you connect with me on all my social media which is right here. You can subscribe to my YouTube. You can also like me on Facebook. And for my Chinese followers, I have my Weibo account as well.
Four Common British Expressions:
"A piece of cake."
And this is very similar to "Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy, " which we've discussed in a former video. And basically, it means very easy. So I might come out of an easy exam saving, "That exam was a piece of cake."
"Break a leg!"
It actually looks really rather cruel, but I promise you it's positive. And "Break a leg!" means "Good luck!" So before a race, before a job interview, before a test, instead of saying "Good luck!" I might say "Break a leg!"
"It cost an arm and a leg."
And this basically means something was really expensive. If I say, "My bag cost an arm and a leg, " I mean it cost a lot of money.
"To call it a day."
And this means "to end a task". So, for example, "I'm feeling a bit tired. I think I'll call it a day. "That means "I think I'll stop here. Let's finish."
Thank you so much for watching this program of "Four Common British Expressions." I hope you like it, and I hope you've learned something.
I have dreamt of taking a trip to Hawaii since I graduated, but the best thing always needs waiting. I took a trip with my friends to Haleakala National Park, which lies in Hawaii.
When we arrived at Haleakala National Park, we were advised to watch the early morning sunrise. I was lost in the sightseeing that afternoon, so I could hardly wait to see the sunrise. In the next morning, we all got out of bed very early and got to the seaside at 3 o'clock. In the first half an hour, we imagined how wonderful it would be when the first light came out through the thick clouds and how soft it would be when the light touched our skin, so we waited and waited. However, another half an hour later, I gradually lost my patience since there was nothing but the chilly darkness, and I felt that I was frozen to death. But my friends were still extremely cheerful.
Nearly another one hour later, "Amazing!" Judy burst out and we all shouted to welcome the light, which was really unbelievable. Until today, I dare say that it is the most impressive sunrise in my life. However, waiting in the morning darkness is also one memory I cannot wipe from my mind forever.
Waiting sometimes is really a hard thing for most of us as it needs patience and strong-willed determination, but what about the result after that? It might turn out to be pleasing, unbelievable and satisfying. So, it is really worthwhile to wait for the best.
Online, English has become a common language for users from around the world. In the process, the language itself is changing. There are now thought to be some 4.5 billion web pages worldwide. Some language experts predict that within 10 years English will occupy the internet — but in forms very different to what we accept and recognize as English today.
That's because people who speak English as a second language already outnumber native speakers. And increasingly, they use it to communicate with other non-native speakers, particularly on the internet where less attention is paid to grammar and spelling and users don't have to worry about their accent (口音).
Users of Facebook already socialize in a number of different "Englishes" including Indian English, Spanish English and Korean English. While these different styles have long existed within their cultures, they're now expanding and coming online. Technology companies are introducing newly-developed English words with products aimed at enabling users to add words that are not already in the English dictionary. And most large companies have English websites, while smaller businesses are learning that they need a common language — English — to reach global customers.
The increasing popularity of the internet allows more languages to develop quickly.
"Most people actually speak several languages — it's less common to only speak one," says Mr. Munro. "English has taken its place as the world's common language, but it's not pushing out other languages." Instead, other languages are pushing their way into English, and in the process creating something new.
Garbage sorting has become a hot issue around China, especially after Shanghai began carrying out a regulation on July 1.
Beijing has thus been expected to follow suit. The current regulation gives garbage sorting responsibilities to government departments, property management groups and other organizations. It also gives rules for companies, outlining how they're responsible for waste collection, transportation and treatment. Only individuals are not subject to responsibilities.
The long-awaited revision will soon change the situation. "Taking out the trash without sorting it properly will be illegal," said Sun Xinjun, director of the Beijing Commission of Urban Management. In Shanghai, violators are now fined up to 200 yuan for trash-sorting violations (违背). The maximum fine in Beijing will not be less than that, he said.
The Beijing city government first set out to promote garbage sorting in 2009. Authorities have since called on citizens to sort their household waste into four types-recyclable waste, kitchen trash, dangerous waste and others — and leave it in a corresponding (相应的) dustbin or trash can. Blue-colored dustbins indicate items within are recyclable, green represents kitchen trash, red corresponds to dangerous materials and grey to other waste.
To promote the awareness of garbage sorting and expand the base of participants, authorities have employed workers to help residents on the spot. With intelligent devices, those who throw in recyclable waste at given sites will be rewarded with bonus points, which can be used to buy daily goods. At some communities, there are no color-coded dustbins. Instead, a scheduled garbage collection service is offered to help improve the environment. In other communities, workers offer a door-to-door service to collect recyclables or kitchen waste.
Beijing Environmental Sanitation Engineering Group has been promoting new garbage sorting facilities such as recycling cabinets and smart kitchen waste trash cans since 2016, Xinhua News Agency reported.
When learning English some students may find it difficult to improve their listening. Here are some tips. .
Relax yourself
. You need to relax. This will help you with your listening.
Listen carefully to the first sentence
The first sentence tells a lot about the whole passage. For example, if, at the beginning, you hear "Many shops in many parts of China have decided to take away all kinds of Japanese goods off their shelves, but some people say it's not a good idea. Our reporter says..." .
Think when you're listening
. For example, you can think of the following questions: What happened? When, where and how? What was the result and what did the speaker want to tell us? In this way, you may understand the passage better.
It's important for you to remember some important facts. For example, if the passage is a science report, you should try to remember its findings, and how the scientists got their results. This is also helpful to your listening.
A. Listen to important facts
B. Pay attention to key words
C. Maybe they can help you in one way or another
D. When you're listening, try to do some thinking
E. This is especially helpful to improve your listening skills
F. Before you start listening to something, don't get excited or nervous
G. you know you will hear a piece of news, not a children's story, or a science report
A couple of weeks ago, my grandfather was explaining his favorite expression, "Nothing is ever easy." The following day, as I tried to complete my work, I happened to1a big bee on the skylight (天窗). It was high up, but I thought2it would take no more than 5 minutes. An hour later, the bee still remained. All that had3was that the living room was a mess (混乱) and that I was dizzy (头晕目弦) from4into the sunlight. I didn't expect to waste an hour on an insect so5, but by doing so, I understood what my grandfather meant.
It is not only time that we tend to underestimate …. we don't account for unexpected costs. We often imagine what can work in our favour, but we seldom think of all the6things that can affect us. However, it is important to remember that your day or week or year may not go as7, and that is completely normal. It is8acceptable to feel challenged - even at a task you thought was simple –- because that is part of life.
If you can9that nothing will ever be easy, then life may seem slightly more manageable. In middle school, I thought high school might be easier because I could choose the classes I wanted to10. In high school, I thought11might be easier because I could have a schedule best suited for myself. Yet each time, I was both wrong and disappointed. After accepting that school wouldn't be easy, I found myself with a more positive attitude and12results.
Of course, there should be preparations made to account for expenses or time. Doing so can help you13 your goals in a better way. However, there is no need to beat ourselves up (过分自责) when something stands in our14. Maybe we cannot see a15coming our way, but we can always give ourselves the extra time to catch it.
The freshman challenge
Going from junior high to senior high is really a big challenge for a freshman and the first week was a little confusing.
First I had to think (careful) about which courses I wanted to take. My head teacher helped me choose the suitable (one). I know English is a very difficult course, but I will try (I) best to be fluent when I (graduate). Mum advised that I should sign up for Chinese literature I am good at.
Teachers say one way to know your school well and make more new friends is to join club or play a sport. Our school offers chances to join different clubs. I joined a volunteer club. Every Wednesday, we work at a soup kitchen and hand out food to (home) people in the community.
I know I will have to study harder a senior high school student and get used to (be) responsible for a lot more. I am a bit worried about keeping up with the other students in my advanced course. Still, I am happy to be here. (study) hard isn't always fun, but I'll be well prepared for university or whatever else comes in the future.
内容包括：
1）新朋友的年龄和外貌等;
2）新朋友的兴趣爱好;
3）新朋友的联系方式;
注意：
1）词数80左右；开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数；
2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3）文中不要出现真实姓名和学校。
Dear Peter,
I'm very glad to tell you I have made a new friend in my new school.
……
Best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
