F2F Class Notes February 24th (Ben) [3]

Corrected text

As the only one child generation in the Chinese history, more and more girls are becoming independent. For many parents, a girl is not only a daughter but also a son. Girls pay more attention to their careers rather than to their family. They are able to own their own houses and cars without men’s support.

Unfortunately, single girls are not permitted to own their own houses because of the policy in Shanghai. As that relative policy goes, those who aren’t Shanghainese should continuously pay five-in-one insurance for five years and have a marriage certificate before they can have the access to owning their own house. That’s the weirdest policy I’ve ever heard of.

Upgraded version

As the only one child generation in the Chinese history, more and more girls are becoming independent. For many parents, having a girl is pretty close to having a son, as they are starting to focus more on their careers at the expense of their family life. In recent years, a significant proportion of them has grown able to own real estate and cars without the support of men.

However, property rules in Shanghai haven’t adapted to the trend yet as single girls still can’t acquire real estate on their own. Non-Shanghainese females are required to pay five-in-one insurance for five continuous years and provide a marriage certificate before they can purchase the home of their dreams.

That’s the weirdest policy I’ve ever heard of. ~ This is an interesting conception of equality, to say the least.

to say the least = 至少可以说 used to emphasize your speech

This student isn’t always on time, to say the least (=she’s always late!)

My boss isn’t the most patient person around, the say the least (= he’s a crazy control-freak!)

So we need to stay at work until 6 even if we are finished? That’s interesting, to say the least (= it’s completely stupid!)

Beijing isn’t the cleanest city in the world, to say the least (=it’s goddamn polluted!)

This is an interesting conception of equality, to say the least. (=it’s totally unfair!)

Edited text

I came to Shanghai a few years ago. I rented an apartment in Xuhui district. I have to pay some rent to afford my apartment. Although I dont have the Shanghai residence permit, I still want to work and live in this big city. Maybe in a few years I will get married and have a marriage certificate. Then I will have my own house  in Shanghai according to the local policy

(marriage between man and woman?). The company I worked for paid social security to the country every month. Both the corporation and I can build the social security. Indeed, for most Chinese, five-in-one insurance is of significance in daily life, because if you get sick you can get some help from the hospital because of healthcare.

Upgraded version

I rented an apartment in Xuhui district when I came to Shanghai a few years ago.

Now I have to pay some rent for my apartment. Although I don’t have a residence permit in Shanghai, I still want to work and live in this big city. Maybe in a few years I can get married and get a marriage certificate. Then I can have my own house in Shanghai in accordance with local rules

(why “can”? because it implies “if I still want”)

The company I am working for pays social security to the country every month. Both the corporation and I can contribute to my social welfare together. Indeed, five-in-one insurance is of real significance for most Chinese people in daily life as it can provide you with affordable healthcare (at the hospital if you get sick)

Tip: try to keep the same subject throughout the full sentence to give a clear speech

Insurance is important as if you are sick, you can go to the hospital –> Insurance is important as it allows you to go to the hospital if your are sick.

Edited text

One of my colleagues is a migrant who came to Shanghai two years ago. She will give birth to her second baby in a few months, so she is applying for a maternity leave that will last four months. She lives in an apartment near the corporation and pays rent to her landlord every month. The company she works for will pay taxes for her. She likes walking along the artificial lakes after work. Of course, the story is fictional.

Upgraded version

One of my colleagues is a migrant who came to Shanghai two years ago. She is expected to give birth to her second child in a few months, so she is now applying for a maternity leave that will last four months = for a 4-month long maternity leave

She lives in an apartment near the office / company and pays rent to her landlord every month. The company she works for will be paying taxes for her. She likes walking along the artificial lakes after work. Of course, this story is fictional.

Tip: try to keep the same tense throughout the text when possible

She is a migrant. She will give birth –> She is expected to give birth.

An adjective is always 单数

A five-year old child is five years old.