#3 Transport of the future

1.automation (n.) 自動化 : using a machine to do something instead of a human

• Automation and robotics have decreased the need for a large, highly skilled work force.

2.intervention (n.) 介入 : action taken to intentionally become involved in a difficult situation in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse

• Repeated interventions on the currency markets have failed to prevent the value of the currency falling.

3.maglev (n.) 磁浮 : short from magnetic levitation; a method for moving something

• High-speed maglev trains can travel at 430 kilometres per hour.

4. far-fetched (adj.) 牽強 : so unbelievable it's unlikely to happen

• Her story about being chased away from school by wolves seems pretty far-fetched.

5.vacuum (n.) 真空 : a space that has had all the air and any other gases removed from it

• Edison knew that he had to create a vacuum inside the lightbulb.

#2 Are the speaking and listening tasks difficult for you? What are the challenges you often face when you listen and speak in English?

A. Read aloud (a short paragraph & a conversation)
I don't think it's too difficult for me to read aloud a paragraph or a conversation. But I think we have to learn how to read aloud with feelings and emotions.

B. Express your thought (1 minute)
I think this is the most difficult part for me because I couldn't think what I'm going to say and also translate the sentences into English at the same time so quickly. This is a good challenge for me because when I'm expressing my thought to other people I don't think I'll have too much time to prepare for it.

C. Retell the story (4 minutes)
This is also a difficult part for me because I knew what the story is telling but I couldn't retell the story accurately.

When I finished all the tests above, I realized that my speaking is really weak. I hope to have a quality environment to practice my speaking. When I was in kindergarten, I spoke in English everyday because my teachers are foreigners and they ruled us No Chinese! But when I grown up til now, my opportunity where I can speak English is becoming fewer and fewer. I expect I can be more confidence while I'm speaking and speak more fluently. Maybe this semester's English lessons can help me improve my weakness and it's also a nice chance to challenge myself too.

#1 My new plan this year !

My new plan this year is to improve my time management abilities so that I can allocate my study time more effectively and waste less time on unimportant things.
I expect I can handle all my lessons and learn a lot from our teachers.
And I also plan to prepare for financial licenses.
Hope I can be more mature and do everything well in this semester.