VIP Class Notes (Raph)[W]

Vocabulary

Preliminary (adj): 1- coming before a more important action or event, especially introducing or preparing for it.
E.g.: Preliminary results show that the vaccine is effective, but this has to be confirmed by further medical trials.
E.g.: We’ve decided to change the design based on our preliminary findings.

Scarce (adj): 1- not easy to find or get.
E.g.: Food and clean water were becoming scarce.

Subsidy (n): 1- money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen.
E.g.: The company received a substantial government subsidy.
E.g.: The government is planning to end subsidies to farmers.

Subsidiary (n): 1-used to refer to something less important than something else with which it is connected. 2- a company that is owned by a larger company
E.g.: He had only a subsidiary role in the project.
E.g.: The company has subsidiaries all over the world.

Conservative (adj): 1-  traditional, not usually liking or trusting change, especially sudden change:
E.g.: a conservative society/outlook
E.g.: Older people tend to be more conservative and a bit suspicious of anything new.

Original:

Cities
_______________________________________________________________________
Reasons for Urbanisation
Idea 1：城市提供广阔就业机会（in search of job opportunities；offer greater employment possibilities）
Idea 2：城市生活质量更高（a higher standard of living.）
Idea 3：农村劳动力过剩
Traditional activities like farming need fewer workers nowadays.

Negatives of City Life
Idea 1：生活成本较高
The cost of living is higher than in rural areas.
Housing is usually much more expensive.
Idea 2：市场竞争激烈（do not manage to find work；extremely stressful）.
Idea 3：贫富差距较大
There is a gap between the rich and poor.
Homelessness and poverty are common in cities.
Idea 4：衍生问题多（problems like traffic congestion and crime）
Idea 5：人情淡漠（lack a sense of community；do not even know their neighbours ；“concrete jungles”）

Positives of Pedestrian Zones
Idea 1：步行街更健康
Banning cars encourages people to walk or cycle.:
Dependence on cars is linked to health problems like obesity.
People who walk or cycle regularly are generally healthier.
Idea 2：集商业与休闲于一体（a combination of commerce and leisure）
Pedestrian areas are safer and more attractive for both residents and tourists.

Edited:

Cities
________________________________________________________________________
Reasons for Urbanization
Idea 1：Cities offer greater employment possibilities, so many people migrate into urban areas in search of job opportunities.
Idea 2：Cities provide a higher standard of living.
Idea 3：Because of automation and general technological advancements, traditional activities like farming need fewer workers nowadays, which means rural employment is more scarce. 

Negatives of City Life
Idea 1：The cost of living is higher than in rural areas. Housing is usually much more expensive.
Idea 2：Life can be extremely stressful, especially for people who don’t have a lot of skills and therefore do  not manage to find work.
Idea 3：The gap between the rich and the poor is wider in urban areas, which may lead to homelessness and poverty.
Idea 4：Cities present a higher rate of problems like traffic congestion and crime.
Idea 5： Cities are usually seen as “concrete jungles” where people do not even know their neighbors. That leads to a lack of a sense of community.

Positives of Pedestrian Zones
Idea 1：Dependence on cars is linked to health problems like obesity. Banning vehicles encourages people to walk or cycle, and those who do such activities regularly are generally healthier.

Idea 2：The fact that there are no vehicles on the road makes pedestrian zones safer and more attractive for both residents and tourists in search of an area that offers a combination of commerce and leisure.

Grammar

I’m studying my bachelor’s degree now. – I’m currently studying towards my bachelor’s degree. / I’m currently doing my bachelor’s degree. / 

They always advert to people who live in other areas. – They always advertise to people who live in other areas.

Pronunciation

Perseverance: /ˌpɝː.səˈvɪr.əns/

Poor: /pɔːr/

Obesity: /oʊˈbiː.sə.t̬i/

Technological: /ˌtek.nəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

Leisure: /ˈleʒ.ər/ /ˈliː.ʒɚ/ 

Scarce: /skers/

Subsidy: /ˈsʌb.sə.di/

Subsidiary: /səbˈsɪd.i.er.i/

Cambridge Dictionary:
www.dictionary.cambridge.org