VIP Class Notes (Whitney)

Homework


Write a short story about the national flora and fauna in China.

Next Class Focus


Australian culture: Discuss the Great Barrier Reef (大堡礁)
(Note: from next lesson on, do not use Chinese in note taking)

Vocabulary

alternative [adj] something that is unique, unconventional or different. 非主流
artsy [adj]
creative, visual and driven by the arts. 文艺

gallery [n]room that has art or antiques on display. 画廊
galleria [n]
a covered or enclosed commercial area. 商业

flora [n] plants, flowers, trees 植物
The national flora of Australia is the Golden Wattle.
fauna [n] animals 动物
The national fauna of Australia is the kangaroo and the emu.

natural habitat [n] 自然环境 where the animals stay in the wild.


Reading


Summer in Australia
During January, the weather in Australia is incredibly hot. It would be summertime and many Australians enjoy going to the beach and sunbathing all day. It is common during this time for Australians to go to the pub, have a cold beer and chat with friends.

Sydney
Sydney is in New South Wales, which is on the east side of Australia. The popular tourist destinations in Sydney include the Sydney Opera House and various ocean rock pools. The scenery in Australia is very natural and beautiful, so many tourists and locals all like to take road trips. One of the most popular suburbs is called Newton, where there is a lot of interesting shops, restaurants and entertainment. Sydney is also known as one of the food cities of Australia, with many cuisines and many famous chefs.

Melbourne
Melbourne is in Victoria, which is on the lower east side of Australia. One of the famous natural attractions is Great Ocean Road. The interesting suburbs of Melbourne include Fitzroy, Richmond and around the CBD. Melbourne is known for its alternative and artsy culture, there are many galleries, exhibitions and restaurants that are the most unique in the country.
CBD: Central Business District

alternative [adj] something that is unique, unconventional or different. 非主流
artsy [adj] creative, visual and driven by the arts. 文艺

gallery [n] room that has art or antiques on display. 画廊
galleria [n] a covered or enclosed commercial area. 商业

Perth
Perth is in Western Australia, which is the largest state in Australia. There are many natural flora and fauna living in Western Australia. You can see kangaroos and koalas living in their natural habitat at places like Caversham Wildlife Park in Western Australia. Perth is known for its beaches, which are some of the best in Australia and also known for its wine region in Margaret River.

flora [n] plants, flowers, trees 植物
The national flora of Australia is the Golden Wattle.
fauna [n] animals 动物
The national fauna of Australia is the kangaroo and the emu.

natural habitat [n] 自然环境 where the animals stay in the wild.

Margaret River: a region in Western Australia that is famous for wineries, artisanal food and beautiful scenery.

Needs more review

Steak:
I ate steak less.  我很少吃牛排: I (rarely/don’t often/seldom) eat steak.
not often, occasionally, seldom, rare, never.

French fries:
I think French Fries are not very delicious (tasty/yummy). I just like Burger King‘s french fries but McDonald’s and KFC’s are not very good.

Airline:
I am a frequent flyer on Singapore Airlines, they are my favourite airline.
Frequent flyer: you fly frequently OR you are a member of this airline. 航空会员

I fly many airlines, for example, Spring Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and some others.

Accept:
I accepted my job offer six months ago and I enjoy my job very much.
past tense: six months ago, therefore -ed 

Customs: 安检
[n] official department, government, usually at airports.
I pass through customs every time I am at the airport.

When we leave China, we must pass through customs.

custom [n] tradition or a cultural practice.
Every Chinese New Year, we will give our parents red packets because this is a Chinese custom.

China has many customs such as eating rice dumplings during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Immigration 海关
When we leave China, we must pass through immigration to have our passports stamped.
stamp: 盖章

Illegal
It is illegal to steal things in China. It is also illegal to murder another human being.

Drugs
illicit/illegal drugs that harm your body
“There were many cases of illegal drug trafficking in Bali, Indonesia.”
Drug trafficking: Illegally moving drugs from one country or city to another.

medicine that heals your body
“I have a headache. I am going to the drug store to buy some medicine.”

Pockets
My coat has no pockets, so it is quite inconvenient for me.
inconvenient: 麻烦 not convenient or easy.

Metal
The computer is made of metal. / Most computers are made of metal.

Tablet 电子版 iPad
All tablets are made with metal.

Laptop

My back hurts a lot because I carry my laptop everywhere with me. It is so heavy because it is made from metal.

of/with/from