英语培优精讲 8-5

Plastic pollution is a serious problem, and it's getting worse. Plastic can stay for a long time. Scientists are trying to create plastic that breaks down quickly, but the best way for now is to use less plastic.

Stop using plastic bags. Instead, take your own reusable shopping bag to the store. Every year, people use tons of plastic bags worldwide. Some countries try to stop using plastic bags.

Say no to the straw (吸管). A study showed that around 8.3 billion plastic straws cover the world's beaches. So when you order a drink, say no to the straw, or bring your own reusable one.

Carry a reusable water bottle with you. Around the world, nearly a million plastic bottles are thrown away every minute. The problem is so bad that in some countries, stores aren't allowed to sell bottled water any more.

Avoid plastic packaging (包装). It's almost everywhere. But there is something you can do, too: avoid fruit or vegetables packed in plastic.

Recycle what you can. You can't recycle all plastic things. For example, you can recycle bottles and milk or juice bags. In some countries, machines take the bottles and give a little money back for each bottle.

My name is Jeff. I like learning foreign languages. When I retired (退休) in 2018, I could speak three foreign languages. At that time, my biggest wish was to learn a new one.

Later, I watched a program about Chinese culture on TV. I was so interested in it that I made the decision to learn Chinese. I found a cultural center in the north of London by chance. It offered Chinese language courses fit for me. In March 2019, I began to learn. To attend the classes, I left my home at 5 a.m. every Saturday and drove 3 hours to the cultural center. But this didn't stop me. After class, I practiced a lot. Through learning, I developed a love for Chinese poems and joined in activities like Chinese poetry readings. I increasingly dreamed of visiting China.

My Chinese teacher Mr. Liu always mentioned "It's better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books". He suggested that I should take part in a study tour in China. So in August 2024, I visited Xi'an with my classmates of the cultural center. During the trip, as the student best at Chinese among us, I tried to act as an interpreter (口译员). I helped my classmates in many ways like asking the way and shopping in Chinese. This experience encouraged me to study further.

The British often say "Learning is a lifelong pursuit (追求)", which means "It is never too late to learn". I will keep on learning Chinese, hoping to be a lifelong learner. I believe that learning Chinese will bring even more possibilities to my life.

China is a country of etiquette (礼仪). I'm working here as a foreign teacher and I'm leaving soon. I (real) have a deep understanding of Chinese culture and society.

Everything was new to me when I first arrived China. As for seats at the table, Chinese people have their own culture. Once, I (invite) to a big dinner at a restaurant. Before the dinner, someone showed me to take the seat was ready for the most important person. It faced the door.

I found another (interest) thing. Chinese people like giving gifts in pairs. Last month, I (have) a party with three friends in my home. They each brought two gifts. I couldn't wait to open them, one of my friends reminded me not to do that right away. He thought it was (polite) to open gifts in front of the givers.

These are amazing (day) of cultural experiences. I believe my stay in China will not be last time. I expect to come to China again.