Oral Workshop: Discussion Lesson32(Ad)-33 ;
Lesson 32 ;
Additional Information A THE SNAKE ;
You slippery characters are highly intelligent. ;
Your active mind is forever planning ways to use your considerable skills. ;
You're a deep thinker who likes to meditate. ;
During your life you'll shed many skins nd take up new interests and jobs. ;
Snakes enjoy a challenge and rarely make mistakes. ;
You're usually lucky with money,thanks to your business sense. ;
But you do have the distinction of being the worst gambler in whole ;
Chinese zodiac! Generally, ;
you're calm and placid and prefer the quiet life. ;
Sometimes you have difficulty communication with others ;
but you do have a sense of humour particularly during crises. ;
Thorough and hard- working,you can occasionally be ruthless. ;
Your confidence,will power and quick- thinking usually ensure success ;
but when these fail, you take a long time to recover. ;
You can be evasive, too,and won't let others into your confidence. ;
Snakes burn up so much nervous energy that,if you're not careful, ;
you can have health problems like high blood pressure. ;
Often a late starter,you do well in jobs that involve research, ;
writing or planning. You're a good teacher, ;
politician or personnel manager. ;
You enjoy buying expensive gifts for friends ;
and are renowned for your good looks. ;
Female snakes have style and grace with an excellent- ;
and expensive-taste in clothes.You're a keen socialiser ;
with a wide circle of friends and a knack of impressing those who matter. ;
Despite your many interests,you like to retain a certain amount of privacy. ;
Snakes are fascinated by the unknown and you're often psychic. ;
You'll try your hard at many things ;
and will meet success when you least expect it. ;
THE HORSE ;
You popular Horses are known for your elegance and charm. ;
You adore parties and meeting people- not surprisingly, ;
you're usually the centre of attention. ;
You also have leadership qualities and are admired for your honesty. ;
You talk most persuasively and love discussion and debate. ;
With your agile mind,you are able to absorb facts quickly. ;
But Horses do have fiery tempers, ;
though you will often regret your outbursts. ;
And you're not good at keeping secrets. ;
You tend to get involved with many interests,sometimes not completing them. ;
With your tendency to get caught up the latest craze, ;
you can waste your energies.You love independence, ;
hate being bound up by petty rules. ;
You still need support nd encouragement, though,with your various enterprises. ;
Multi-talented Horses tend to go far ;
but you take a long time to recover from failure.You regard it as a humiliation. ;
You like to travel and explore new, exciting places ;
and during one stage of your life you're usually tempted to live abroad. ;
With your adaptable nature,you usually fit in well wherever you go. ;
You're a colourful dresser and very attractive to the opposite sex. ;
You often have many partners before setting down. ;
Then you're loyal and protective to your partner, ;
although you still like to maintain a degree of independence ;
with interests and hobbies.Outgoing female Horses are usually attractive ;
and intelligent, with many interests, particularly outdoors. ;
You love travel, literature,the arts -and really enjoy good conversation. ;
Although you can be stubborn and self- centred,you have a considerate nature ;
and with your sense of humour,usually make a good impression. ;
THE GOAT ;
Imaginative and creative,Goats appreciate the finer things of life. ;
With your easy-going nature,you prepare to relax away from pressures. ;
You hate unpleasantness,or being bounds by a strict routine. ;
Even so you're a perfectionist ;
who gives your best once you've started on a project. ;
As you need support and encouragement, ;
you prefer to work in a team rather than on your own, ;
when you can get worried and pessimistic. ;
Usually you like to leave major decisions to others but, ;
if you feel strongly,you'll act with precision and strength. ;
You're a persuasive type, ;
and often use your considerable charm to get your own way. ;
You can,however,be rather hesitant about letting your true feelings be known ;
and if you were prepared to be more forthright, ;
you'd find you'd do much better. ;
Despite your reserve,you can be the centre of attention in company ;
and become an amusing host and superb entertainer. Of all the signs, ;
you're the most gifted artistically ;
and make a lasting impression in theatre,literature, music or art. ;
Many Goats are religious and also have a deep interest in nature. ;
You're nostalgic and keep mementos of childhood ;
and souvenirs of places you've visited. ;
You're also athletic and likely to excel in sport. ;
Female goats devote a lot of time to the family. ;
You have excellent taste in home furnishings ;
and often use your artistic skills to make clothes. ;
You are great organisers,with a delightful sense of humour, ;
and create a good impression wherever you go.Goats win friends easily and, ;
with the right support,have happy satisfying lives, ;
particularly if you can use your creative skills. ;
THE MONKEY ;
Inquisitive and imaginative, ;
Monkeys love to keep an eye on everything going on. ;
You like to be helpful nd offer advice which is usually sensible and reliable. ;
Monkeys are intelligent, well-read and eager to learn. ;
You have a good memory and often make superb linguists. ;
As a convincing talker,you enjoy debates and discussions- ;
your assured manner can be very persuasive. ;
You excel in politics,public speaking, ;
PR work,teaching and anything involving selling.You can be crafty and cunning,too ;
and occasionally dishonest. ;
You will seize on opportunities to make quick gains. ;
Often you have so much confidence in your abilities ;
that you won't listen to advice. ;
Fortunately for you,you're good at solving problems and ;
extricating yourself from hopeless positions. ;
You're a master of self-preservation! With your talent, ;
you can make lots of money but you like to spend,too, ;
on exotic holidays and all sorts of luxuries. ;
Monkeys are original thinkers who easily become bored and distracted. ;
Even so,you're good at organising- sometimes slightly erratically. ;
On the odd occasion when your plans do not quite work out, ;
you're quite happy to shrug your shoulders. ;
Female Monkeys are intelligent and observant. ;
Your views are often highly valued and you usually get your own way. ;
You pay great attention to your appearance. ;
You're a good friend and doting parent- you often marry young. ;
Provided Monkeys can concentrate on one thing at a time, ;
you can usually achieve what you want. ;
And should you suffer any disappointments, ;
you're certain to bounce back again! ;
THE ROOSTER ;
You're all rather flamboyant,colourful characters. ;
But you're also meticulous,and excellent at organising. ;
Intelligent and well-read,you have a great sense of humour ;
and love a good debate.You love speaking your mind ;
but your lack of tact can easily damage your reputation. ;
With your volatile nature,you should avoid acting on the spur of the moment. ;
Roosters are very dignified and have an air of confidence and authority. ;
You're adept at finance and are capable of making yourself very wealthy. ;
A few of you,though, are notorious spendthrifts. ;
You'll often be seen carrying a notebook or scrap of paper around with you ;
as you're constantly writing reminders or ;
noting down important facts in case you forget. ;
Although you're ambitious, ;
you're also sometimes unrealistic about your possible achievements. ;
Roosters don't like interference ;
but it would be in your own interests if you listened to others. ;
You're rather self-centred ;
and can be stubborn over relatively trivial matters. ;
You lead an active social life and usually belong to several clubs. ;
With your caring nature, ;
you try to help as many less fortunate as possible. ;
You're often distin- guished in appearance and wear uniforms with great pride. ;
You like publicity and often do well in public relations ;
or any other job which rings you into contact with the media.Out of work, ;
you love pottering in the garden.Female Roosters are active, ;
with strong views which you have no hesitation in airing. ;
Your home is usually neat as you're supremely efficient. ;
You're usually found in smart,but very practical,outfits. ;
Roosters usually make a lasting favourable impression, ;
but you need to overcome your volatile nature. ;
THE DOG ;
Loyal Dogs hold firm views and you're the champion of good causes. ;
You hate any sort of injustice and will do anything to help those less fortunate ;
Dogs are direct and straight forward-but you can also be stubborn. ;
Still,you're always prepared to listen to the views of others. ;
Dogs are good judges of character and very intuitive. ;
You're admired for your integrity and resolute manner. ;
Though you're friendly,you're not a great socialiser. ;
Your idea of a good time is a quiet real with friends,or a chat by the fire. ;
You're often a marvellous story- teller,quick-witted and alert. ;
You keep calm in a crisis and although you have a temper, outbursts are short. ;
You're trust worthy and if you feel let down by someone, ;
you'll rarely forgive or forget. ;
Dogs usually prefer to specialise rather than dabble in different activities. ;
You do well in a job where you can be of service to others, ;
like the social services,law and medicine. ;
Motivation is important to you ;
as you can drift through life without ever achieving much. ;
You tend to be a worrier and rather pessimistic. ;
You're not usually easy to live with, ;
because your moods are changeable and you set high standards.Even so, ;
You are not short of admirers.Female dogs are renowned for your beauty. ;
you're warm and caring,but until you know someone you can be secretive. ;
Often highly intelligent,you tend to be very ambitious ;
You can also find bargains in the most unlikely places. ;
A loving and doting parent,you're rarely happier than when helping someone. ;
Provided you can stop worrying, you'll have a very full life. ;
THE PIG ;
Honest,kind and understanding- that's the pig. ;
You're a natural peacemaker ;
and will do everything ou can to sort out any differences of opinion. ;
You're a good talker who hates hypocrisy. You believe firmly in law and order, ;
although you're tolerant and forgiving,too. ;
Pigs are popular and enjoy company. ;
You can be relied on to lend a helping hand at functions ;
and you're a good fund raiser. ;
Hardworking and conscientious,you're respected for your reliability. ;
you're happiest when you're helping others, ;
and you'll give up your own time without hesitation. ;
With your wonderful sense of humour, ;
you invariably have a joke or whimsical remark at the ready. ;
You love to please and entertain people and many pigs find a career in showbiz. ;
Pigs have great difficulty saying "no"to anyone- ;
you can be naive and gullible.Although you're a free spender, ;
you can often be astute with money. ;
You're kept going by your faith and strength of character ;
so you tend to bounce back quickly from setbacks. ;
Pigs are dogged but you're also thick skinned and shrug off abuse without thought. ;
You're a great pleasure-seeker and will happily spend your hard earned cash ;
on a lavish holiday or expensive meal. ;
You shine at small functions but can become withdrawn at larger events. ;
As a creature of comfort,your home is fitted with all the latest appliances. ;
Female Pigs devote all your energies to your family ;
and you try to ensure they want for nothing. ;
Your home will be either very clean or hopelessly untidy. ;
You have very good taste in clothes. ;
Provided you do not let others take advantage of you, ;
pigs will go through life making friends and winning admiration. ;
The RAT ;
Charming,intelligent and popular-if you were born in the year of the Rat ;
you're the life and soul of the party. ;
You make friends easily and people generally feel relaxed n your company. ;
You're a hard worker,imaginative and full of ideas, ;
though sometimes lack the confidence to promote your plans. ;
Rats are very observant and make excellent writers and journalists. ;
You are good on any job which brings you into contact with people. ;
Your skills are particularly appreciated in times of crisis, ;
for Rats have an incredible sense of self-preservation. ;
When it comes to finding a way out of an awkward situation, ;
you're certain to be the one who comes up with a solution. ;
Rats love to be where the action is,but when you're in the office ;
you can become a stickler for discipline and routine. ;
You're also an opportunist, constantly on the look-out ;
for ways in which you can improve your wealth ;
-so you're often involved in plans and schemes, ;
sometimes squandering your energy with little to show for it. ;
You can appear to be mean with money ;
-in fact you like to keep it in the family. ;
Rats can be most generous to their partners,children and close friends. ;
You can also be very generous to yourself ;
and find it difficult to deprive yourself of any luxury that fancy! ;
You're a hoarder and hate throwing anything away ;
and you're also rather greedy. ;
You love any chance to indulge in conversation. ;
You tend to be indiscreet,though, and highly critical of others. ;
Because Rats are family-oriented, ;
you'll do anything for your nearest and dearest. ;
You're likly to have a large family. Female Rats are usually very busy. ;
You are a marvelous hostess for your wide circle of friends. ;
Your home is well-kept nd tastefully furnished. ;
Although outgoing, you tend to keep your feelings to yourself. ;
With your ability to charm,you'll rarely be without friends. ;
B Unlike some of the animals you've read about, ;
most human beings are not colourblind. ;
In fact,there is some evidence that our colour preferences are ;
influenced by our characters or the way we feel. ;
Try the following colour test on yourself and a friend. ;
(a) First choose your favourite coulour(s)from those listed below. ;
Dark blue,Blue-green Red Yellow,Violet Brown ;
(b) Now read the following comments ;
and decide if they are correct as they apply to you. ;
Dark blue If you choose this colour ;
it means that you feel you need peace and quiet at the moment. ;
Maybe you've been working hard and need to relax. ;
You like calm, problem-free relationships with others ;
and an orderly environment.Blue-green ou have a strong will. ;
When you decide to do something,you don't change your mind easily. ;
You don't like to fail in what you do. ;
Because of your determination to do a job well, ;
you must be careful of tension which can cause stomach upsets ;
So make sure you get enough physical exe- rcise to give yourself ime to relax! ;
Red.People who like red enjoy life,and like to achieve results. ;
You probably like sports and good food. ;
In fact,you are active and energetic and would make a good leader. ;
Be careful not to overdo things and make sure you relax ;
by following restful interests such as listening to music, reading,etc. ;
This will give your life a balance between activity and relaxation. ;
Yellow.You are an open,cheerful and friendly person and you enjoy change. ;
You are energetic but in fits and starts; ;
a few days of hard work followed by a less energetic period. ;
and then more hardwork again. ;
Your energies are often directed towards the future; ;
you want to modernise and improve the present. ;
Violet.You are charming and very sensitive. ;
People may find you fascination and a little mysterious. ;
You enjoy literature and music and have a tendency to live in a'dream world'- ;
and then feel disappointed when you see reality! ;
Brown.Brown is the colour of the earth and mature. ;
People who favour brown have often had a few problems recently ;
which have made them feel some discomfort.Has this happened to you? ;
If so,you may feel you need a quiet and comfortable environment, ;
surrounded by nature. ;
Lesson 33 ;
Thieves Beware: People See You Text A ;
Each year car theft costs us about`300 million, ;
and burglary sets us back by another `150 million. ;
Yet the police reckon that one car in five is left unlocked, ;
or with windows open or with expensive goods temptingly on display. ;
It is estimated that over 60% of homes still do not have any window locks ;
(although that's better than a few years ago when it was nearer 90%). ;
These facts illustrate a basic truth. ;
The truth is that most criminals are on the lookout for a soft touch. ;
They are not hardened "professionals" who set out with ;
particular targets in mind,but young, inexperienced or unsophisticated. ;
What they're looking for is a house or car that will let them get in, ;
get what they want and get away quickly.In short, an easy opportunity. ;
Many of these opportunities can just as easily be removed. ;
By fitting and using locks.Or by taking other very simple precautions. ;
And if we can foil small-time criminals with modest individual ffort and cost, ;
how much more could be achieved by working ogether in Neighbourhood Watches ;
(there are forty-two thousand already)? ;
Or in other local activities involving police,councils, businesses, ;
voluntary groups and schools?More radically still, ;
what might we see if more systematic effort was made to design anticrime ;
features into cars,houses and estates? ;
This is not a pipe dream:it's already happening.Take housing. ;
There is growing awareness of how the design,layout ;
and construction of houses and estates can affect the incidence of crime. ;
Many police forces are now appointing specialist ;
architectural liaison officers in their crime prevention departments. ;
A new British Standard has been published. ;
Some builders are now building security features into new housing projects ;
Or cars.The Institute for Consumer Ergonomics ;
at Loughborough University ;
carried out a research project into automobile security ;
which was presented to the motor industry at a special Home Office conference. ;
Some manufacturers are now fitting better security on the production line. ;
Some magazine road tests regularly report on the subjects. ;
About 95% of crimes are against property rather than people. ;
But,not surprisingly it is the remaining 5%-assault,mugging and rape, ;
for example-that causes the most comment and concern. ;
But even thugs look for easy opportunities. ;
The dark alley, the pensioner who doesn't check callers'credentials, ;
the child who accepts a lift from a stranger. ;
These can be reduced by personal and community action. ;
For example,because all of us feel vulnerable sometimes, ;
police and other experts have devised simple,sensible precautions ;
which individuals can adopt to help minimise the risk of being attacked. ;
Text B ;
You can't miss the neighbourhood watch people,or "old aunties", ;
as they are sometimes called.As in neighbourhoods all over Beijing, ;
they wear red arm bands ;
and sit on small chairs in lanes off Wenjia Street downtown. ;
If you are a stranger there and your behaviour arouses their suspicion, ;
you are likely to be stopped for questions, ;
such as whom you are looking for and where you are from. ;
You needn't worry about theft if you live in the area ;
and forget to lock the door of your house; ;
the aunties will lock it during their daily inspection tour ;
past every house in the community. ;
But remember,a severe criticism of your carelessness will follow. ;
Their presence may be one reason the 426-household community ;
with about 1,200 residents has been free from theft, ;
burglary and other criminal acts for almost 10 years. ;
Every community member s encouraged by their neighbourhood residents' committee ;
to remain alert for possible theft and to contribute an individual effort ;
to the maintenance of a safe environment. ;
The Wenjia Street neighbourhood residents' committee ;
runs a public security committee ;
together with committees on mediation, ;
public health,and women's affairs. ;
"They all look inconspicuous,yet their functions are great, ;
"commented a public order official from the Ministry of Public Security. ;
The official's comment is understandable, ;
since the neighbourhood committee have ;
proved to be an effective approach to maintaining public order ;
and ensuring public safety ;
at a time when professional police are in short supply. ;
In the Wenjia public security committee, for instance, ;
in addition to six directors,there are 138 residents ;
who act as amateur police for the neighbourhood. ;
Except the six directors, ;
who receive 45 yuan monthly from the government, ;
the neighbours work voluntarily. ;
They form a small but sensitive security network in their community. ;
Among the 138,54 are retired workers or older housewives, ;
whose job is to take turns guarding the ;
42 courtyards of houses in the community. ;
According to Ran Yuzhen,the committee director, ;
the whole community has been divided into 35 groups, ;
with 62 people appointed to be group leaders. ;
"Every community member is involved in the security work."said Ran. ;
Safety is maintained in a number of ways. First,patrols by professional police. ;
Second,daily inspection tours around the community ;
by six committee directors. ;
The directors keep a lot of their observations ;
while inspecting the neighbourhood. ;
Third,guarding of courtyards and houses by the retirees and housewives. ;
Fourth,installation of burglar-proof locks. ;
"Safety is possible with the participation f every member ;
in the community involved in the security work," said Ran. ;
Additional Information ;
Lu Xiuli was not boasting when he said he was a tip- notch policeman. ;
"I catch thieves. I know their tricks and always make a big haul." ;
Lu,42,works with the Criminal Investigation Department ;
of the Municipal Public Security Bureau of Guilin ;
in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. ;
He heads a special task force to catch thieves and pickpockets on ;
crowded buses and other public places. ;
"The thieves are very much afraid of me,"he said. ;
"Whenever they recognize me,they run off as a rat fears a cat." ;
With his long experience.Lu can recall from memory the names and ;
nicknames of more than 1,000 thieves or pickpockets n the city. ;
He can list their physical characteristice ;
and knows their haunts and tricks of the trade. ;
He always carries a small notebook with information about major suspects. ;
This has helped him spot them when they are on the prowl. ;
Typical pickpockets are unemployed urban youth aged between 18 and 25,Lu said. ;
They have grown up and are quite independent of their parents. ;
But they do not yet have their own families. ;
And they to not care much about the consequences of their activities. ;
Their targets are usually tourists or travelling traders from outside the city ;
not only because these eople often carry a lot of money ;
but also they are only transients who know little about local conditions. ;
Thieves usually avoid locals for fear that they may come across them some day ;
and,even if they were not caught in the act, ;
they many be recognized sooner or later. ;
"I have learned to spot pickpockets on a crowded bus ;
by the distinctive ways they move,"Lu said. ;
Many pickpockets on a bus choose their targets when passengers ;
expose the location of their wallet as they take out money to pay the fare. ;
The pickpocket edges towards his victim ;
asking people to make way as if he wanted to get off the bus. ;
But he stops next to the target and raising one hand to grip ;
the overhead bar, slips the other into the person's pocket ;
and deftly removes the money using only index and middle fingers. ;
Pickpockets are usually not dangerous criminals, ;
but sometimes Lu has to fight them face to face in a life and death struggle. ;
Because he has shown no mercy in dealing with thieves, ;
many of them are waiting for a chance to take their revenge. ;
Some even threatened him."Don't be too harsh on us or sooner or later ;
we will settle with you,"warned one. But Lu is not to be intimidated. ;
"I'm a people's policeman and will never recoil fear before enemies. ;
"he said."To protect the people's interests, ;
I am ready to shed my blood and even sacrifice my life. ;
"In his nine years of police career, ;
Lu scuffled with criminals 29 times and was injured three times. ;