2020-2021学年度第1期总第800期
US teens uncertain over TikTok’s future (P2)
河北师大附中  赵乃平

Lead-in
Please name some social platforms that people use to communicate with others in China.

Do you know any social platforms outside China?
Which Chinese app is the most popular worldwide?

Skimming
What is the text mainly about?
A. The popularity of TikTok in the United States.
B. Donald Trump's attitude toward Chinese apps.
C. Young Americans' responses to the ban on TikTok.

Detailed reading
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a Chinese-owned video-sharing app  used around the world. It is called Douyin in China. It has all kinds of short videos with background music.

What has happened to Tiktok in the US recently and what is the reason?
It has been under the threat of being banned in the US because the Trump administration accused it of threatening US people's privacy and the country's safety.

What did Trump demand TikTok do?
He demanded that TikTok be sold to a US company within 45 days or it would be banned.

Is TikTok the only Chinese product banned in the US?
No. Products made by Huawei are also banned.

Responses among American users

Deep thinking
What conclusion can be reached from the article?

The Trump administration has cited several reasons to ban TikTok in the US, but young American users are trying to save the platform.

TikTok should not be used in politics.
Its goal is to act as a platform for everyone to enjoy.

Language focus
1. ... it’s no wonder that this social platform has become popular in many countries.
释义：…… 难怪这个社交平台在许多国家流行起来。
It is no wonder that ...  难怪……
          
1) You passed the exam? It is no wonder that you look so happy.
       你通过考试了？怪不得你看上去这么高兴。
2) He studies very hard and it is no wonder that he stands out in every subject.
      他学习很认真，难怪他门门学科表现突出。

2. The Trump administration (政府) is threatening to ban the app, accusing (指控) TikTok of threatening the privacy of American users and the national security (安全) of the US.
释义：特朗普政府威胁要禁止这一应用程序，指责抖音威胁美国用户的隐私和美国的国家安全。
accuse sb of sth 指责或指控某人做某事

1) She'd accuse us all of stealing her things.
    她控告我们所有的人偷了她的东西.
2) The Americans cannot accuse him of ignoring the problem.
    美国人不能指责他对问题置之不理。

3. Nine TikTok creators with a collective 54 million followers published an open letter addressed to Trump on Medium …
释义：九位TikTok创作者和5400万粉丝在媒体上发表了一封致特朗普的公开信, ... ...

address 一词多义
1) Do you have an address and phone number for him?
2) Applications should be addressed to The business affairs editor.
3) -- How do I address you?   -- Please call me John.
4) He will address the issue of human rights at a conference next week.

4. It’s obvious (明显的) that TikTok is here to stay.
释义：很显然，抖音会继续存在下去。
本句中，it为形式主义，that引导主语从句。  
eg.
1) It is obvious that he is lying.
2) It is surprising that he came late this morning.
3) It is quite certain that he will come to the party.

2020-2021学年度第1期总第800期
Tea-loving nation (P4-5)
天津外国语大学附属外国语学校   高翔

Lead in
What are the “seven necessities to begin a day” in Chinese culture?

Reading
National Drink of China
What is the text mainly about?
   1 Along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar, tea is considered one of the seven necessities (必需品) for life in China. Indeed, the drink is so loved that it is deeply woven into the history and culture of the country.
What is the legend of the origin of tea in China?
How did tea become popular in China?
Why is tea so popular in China?
What does tea represent in Chinese culture?
What is the role of China in terms of spreading tea culture?
…
The main idea of an article is often revealed in the first paragraph.

   2 Tea, according to Chinese legend (传说), was born in 2,732 BC when Shennong, the legendary emperor who pioneered China’s farming and medical industries, was boiling water outside when several leaves blew into the pot - the resulting drink was apparently impressive.

/ˌpaɪəˈnɪə(r)/ vt.  to be the first person to do, discover or use sth. new
当开拓者；做先锋；倡导
n[C] a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area
先锋；先驱；带头人     

   3 In the beginning, tea leaves were eaten as a vegetable, or used in medicine. But during the Han Dynasty, more than 2,000 years ago, tea became a drink. Now it is the most popular drink in China and nearly every province and region has a distinctive (独特的) type of tea, such as West Lake Longjing in Zhejiang, Huangshan maofeng in Anhui and butter tea in Tibet.

   4 Many people in China drink tea for its health benefits. Certain types of tea can help lower blood pressure and boost (增强) the immune system (免疫系统).
   5 In addition to its contribution toward physical well-being, tea is simply a way of life. “It’s an important part of shared cultures and individual lifestyles,” noted China Daily.

     6 Many traditional Chinese families drink tea after dinner or when greeting visitors. This is not only a healthy habit, but also a good chance to chat with a friend. In southern China, people often greet one another by saying “Oh yum cha”, which means, “Let’s go drink tea”.    
    7 The tea culture also reflects elements of traditional Eastern culture, including philosophies (理念) of respect, harmony and tranquility (宁静). As a sign of respect, in Chinese society, a host often offers a cup of tea to a guest. And people should keep inner peace to enjoy tea.

tranquil /ˈtræŋkwɪl/ adj. quiet and peaceful 安静的；平静的；安宁的
e.g., the tranquil water of the lake
She leads a tranquil life.
tranquility /træŋ‘kwɪlətɪ/ n. 平静；宁静

What is the main idea of the two paragraphs?
Tea is shared cultures and individual lifestyles in China.  

   8 China’s influence on tea culture around the world is undeniable (不可否认的). Last year, the United Nations General Assembly designated (指定) May 21 as International Tea Day.
   9 On this year’s International Tea Day, President Xi Jinping wrote in a letter that as a major producer and consumer of tea, China will work to promote a steady and healthy development of the global tea industry, deepen cultural exchanges involving tea and allow more people to enjoy lives accompanied (陪伴) by tea.

On the International Tea Day, President Xi announced that China work to ...

What is the author’s attitude toward tea?
No one can deny the cultural influence, ritual (礼节) and rich taste of this drink.

ritual /ˈrɪtʃuəl/ n. [C/U] a series of actions that are always performed in the same way, especially as part of a religious ceremony 程序；仪规；礼节

Strategy instruction

Homework
1. Review your K-W-L Chart. Is there any question in the “W” section not answered in the text? If yes, consult other sources to find out the answer.

2. Review the diagrams in the previous slides and write about 150 words to:
        1) summarize the article;
        2) add your attitude toward tea. Does tea deserve the title of “National Drink of China”?

For homework submission and further discussion:
Email me at: williamgaoxiang@hotmail.com