常春藤生活英語：最牛中國

New things are happening in China as it moves into the future. This month, National Geographic Channel will report on some interesting stories of change.

For a long time, Japan has been in the lead in making eco-2cars. Now, China wants to try, too. Instead of developing expensive new technology3, though, China is trying to produce eco-cars by using parts that are already available. So far, it is working, and The Eco-car Challenge will show you how.

In a place where the old and new are mixed together, life can be tricky. Some parents in China are now worried because their only child4 is around the age that is considered suitable for marriage. With the need for security5 in their old age, parents want their only child to marry well. Therefore, in an effort to help their children out, parents are trying to be matchmakers6. The children, however, are not always happy about this. Watch Match-making Parents to see how hard these parents are working just for a wedding.

For more news on China, watch NGC's Shanghai Bus Terminal7. You will find out how something as simple as riding a bus can get very complicated during the Chinese New Year.

在中國邁向未來的同時，新鮮事正在當?shù)匕l(fā)生。本月份，國家地理頻道將報導一些有趣的改變。

長久以來，日本在制造環(huán)保汽車方面一直領先群雄。如今中國也想試試身手。不過中國是嘗試用現(xiàn)有的零件來制造環(huán)保汽車，以代替研發(fā)昂貴的新科技。到目前為止這個方法還算行得通，《綠色上路》將為您呈現(xiàn)這是如何辦到的。

在一個新舊交融的地方，日子可能不單純。中國的一些父母現(xiàn)在正因他們接近適婚年齡的獨生子女而擔心不已。為了他們老年生活所需的保障，父母想要他們的獨生子女有段好姻緣。因此，為了幫他們的孩子一把，父母們正試著做媒人。不過孩子們可不一定欣然接受。請收看《小皇帝與獨苗苗的終生大事》，看看這些父母為了一場婚禮是多么勞心費力。

想要知道更多中國的新情報，請收看國家地理頻道的《巴士站人生》。您將發(fā)現(xiàn)像搭公交車般簡單的事，在農(nóng)歷新年期間會變得多么地錯綜復雜。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. tricky　a. 棘手的;困難的

Fixing your computer is a tricky task.

修理你的計算機是個困難的任務。

2. complicated　a. 復雜的

This novel is too complicated for me.

這本小說對我來說太復雜了。

Phrases for Learning

1. be in the lead　　居領先地位

Our product is in the lead in this industry.

我們的產(chǎn)品在這個業(yè)界傲視群雄。

2. so far　　到某一點∕程度∕距離為止

So far, no one has broken Jon's record.

截至目前還沒人能破阿強的紀錄。

3. in an effort to + 原形動詞　　為了完成∕達成……

Greg has gone on a diet in an effort to lose some weight.

葛瑞為了減重而展開節(jié)食。

4. help + 人 + out　　幫某人一把;分擔某人的工作

Can you help me out with the housework?

你可以幫我分擔家務嗎?

Extra Words

1. advancing　a. 前進的，進步的

2. eco-　prefix 與環(huán)境相關的，生態(tài)的

3. technology　n. 科技

4. only child　n. 獨生子∕女

5. security　n. 保障

6. matchmaker　n. 媒人

7. terminal　n.(飛機、公交車等的)終點站

Grammar Check

You will find out how something as simple as riding a bus...

(您將發(fā)現(xiàn)像搭公交車般簡單的事……)

本句中的"as...as..."為原級比較句構。"as...as..."可用于肯定句或否定句中，而"so...as..."則只用于否定句中。

Adam is so smart as Max. (×)

→ Adam is as smart as Max. (○)

(亞當和麥斯一樣聰明。)

Angel doesn't work as hard as I.

= Angel doesn't work so hard as I.

(安琪工作沒我認真。)