节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2014-01-22
难易度:High
关键字:unmistakable, sensor, equivalent, manifest, ecosystem, skyrocket
Hello, everyone.
My name is Gabe.
And my name is Carolyn.
And we want to welcome you to Studio Classroom.
We have a great lesson for you today about changes and advancements happening in
different industries.
And we'll be discussing two of those industries today and three more tomorrow.
Now of course there are always things changing in the world, so it's important
to stay up-to-date on the changes that occur.
And a lot of this involves technology.
And while technology certainly changes the fastest, there are many other
industries that are experiencing a lot of changes because technology is
changing.
That is so true.
There are so many things changing in the world.
Many of those changes, of course, are due to technology.
So let's get started with our first reading of Industries to Watch.
Then we'll join Michelle in the Language Lab.
All right. What are we waiting for?
Let's begin.
(Music).
Industries to Watch.
Exciting things are happening in these five industries.
While news about the economy isn't always good, there are some unmistakable
bright spots.
Whether you're interested in investment or a future career, these five
industries are worth watching.
Wearable Computers.
From desktops to laptops to smartphones, computers have steadily evolved into
smaller and more portable devices.
Now wearable computers, digital accessories that you wear, are becoming
increasingly common.
Smart watches, Google Glass and shoes with digital sensors are already on the
market.
And while these devices might not be able to replace your laptop, they are most
certainly working with it to create a dynamic and mobile computing ecosystem.
(Music).
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle.
(Chinese).
The title of our lesson today is Industries to Watch.
Gabe, what does it mean if we're supposed to watch it?
How can I see an industry?
Oh, Carolyn! It doesn't mean that you should actually use your eyes to look at
it.
Here the word "watch" means to pay attention to or observe something.
So if you watch these industries, that means you pay attention to what is
happening, maybe perhaps in the news and things like that.
Oh, I see.
So that means that I should check the latest updates and news stories on these
industries so that I know what's happening.
You're exactly right.
And in our lesson, we learn that news about the economy isn't always good.
That's true.
But there are some bright spots.
Oh. I like that, bright spots.
If there is a bright spot, that means that, well, while many things are bad,
there are still some good things.
That's right, some good things.
Those are the bright spots.
So you could say the CEO's speech wasn't very good overall, but there were some
bright spots.
So parts of it were good, but most of it wasn't.
Well, there are some bright spots in the industries we're going to talk about
today, so let's look at the first one.
Wearable computers.
Hmm, wearable computers, computers you can wear?
Well, we begin talking about technology, and the first sentence here starts off
with kind of a fun pattern: from something to something to something else.
That's right.
And it's used to show changes that things go through or to compare things that
have clear differences.
OK. So in the lesson, we see... or we go from desktops, which, of course, is a
kind of computer.
It's a bigger kind of computer.
Many people have desktops at home or of course at school or in their office.
From desktops to laptops, another smaller kind of computer you can carry with
you,
to smartphones, an even smaller kind of computer that of course can do so many
things.
And all of these things are technology, but each one is smaller than the one
before it.
Carolyn, can you give us another example?
Hmm, let's see... yes!
Our lesson for the next two days will cover industries from technology to
education to travel.
They're all very different.
It's true.
We will be talking about a lot of different things.
Right now we're talking about wearable computers, tiny computers that you can
wear on your body.
This might sound strange, but it's actually becoming more and more popular.
Now there are smart watches, shoes with sensors that connect with your phone,
and of course, Google Glass.
Ah, yes.
Do you remember learning about Google Glass?
Well, these are items that are already on the market.
And that is a good phrase, Gabe.
If something is on the market, that means that it is for sale.
For example, there are many types of smartphones on the market now.
There used to only be a few.
Hmm, you're right about that.
And despite having so many smartphones on the market, Carolyn still doesn't have
one.
Well, that's true, too.
But I don't mind.
Although, if you are interested in wearable technology, having a... smartphone
can be very helpful since those devices will work with your smartphone.
Yeah, that's true. And it's really great.
That means I am ready to go out and buy some wearable computers.
Well, you should make sure that you buy things that you will actually use, Gabe.
Hmm, you're right about that. OK.
Well, if you've been reading along in your magazine,
you may have noticed that some of the words should be stressed when you read
them, especially the word: are.
Let's see what Steve and Ken have for us in the Information Cloud on these
stressed words.
And then we'll be back to learn more from our lesson.
Sometimes I hear students say they want native-sounding English.
Now that's an ambitious goal.
It is, indeed.
I think it would entail many years of intensive study and practice, a huge
vocabulary and a firm grasp of English grammar.
And a firm understanding of emphasis, rhythm and intonation.
Let's take a look at the first item: emphasis, and make it our focus today.
OK. In this lesson's opening sentence, there are some words that, if emphasized
correctly, could convince others you are a native speaker.
Which ones?
Well, I think "are" and "definite" are both possibilities.
Listen as I read the sentence with an emphasis on are.
While news about the economy isn't always good, there are some definite bright
spots.
Now Steve, you read it emphasizing the word definite.
OK, Ken.
While news about the economy isn't always good, there are some definite bright
spots.
See? Even though the words in the sentences are in this exact same order,
because of emphasis, the sentence's meanings are slightly different.
When we speak, we can create emphases by varying our pitch, speed and volume.
And of course, the best way to master emphasis is by listening and imitating.