Ted青少年演讲课 8
● 上节课回顾
上节课中，Meek姐妹向我们介绍了她们开始启动捡塑料垃圾这项行动的原因：塑料危害太大，许多动植物因为误食和吸收塑料垃圾微粒而死亡。他们也敦促决策者能早日采取必要行动。
然而，塑料既然危害这么大，人们为什么要使用他们呢？
注：解析中的音标采用的是英国发音；中文解释，一词多义的，采用该词汇文中含义。
往期学习课程：1-5期“The Power of Reading", 6-11期“Kids Against Plastic"
Part 1 演 讲 视 频
Pre-watching 带着问题听演讲
What were the reasons that people considered plastic a wonder material?
塑料曾被人们视作神奇材料的原因是什么？
戳下方原声视频先睹为快吧！
Part 2 重 点 解 析
Key Points 演讲重点
Key Points 演讲重点
When plastic was first invented in the early 1900s, it was considered a smart, scientific invention and a wonder material for some fairly valid reasons.
20世纪初，塑料问世，人们视其为一项时尚的科学发明和神奇材料是有其合理原因的。
invent /ɪnˈvent/
(vt.) to design and/or create something that has never been made before 发明，创造
The first safety razor was invented by company founder King C. Gillette in 1903.第一把安全剃刀由公司创始人金‧坎普‧吉列于1903年发明。
名词形式：invention 发明物
consider /kənˈsɪd.ər/
(vt.) to believe someone or something to be, or think of him, her, or it as something认为；把…当作
He is currently considered (to be) the best British athlete. 他目前被认为是英国最出色的运动员。
be highly/well considered = to be very much admired 受人尊敬；为人重视；受到高度评价
smart /smɑːt/
(adj.) having a clean, tidy, and stylish appearance整洁漂亮的，时髦的
smart在这里一词多义，不是“聪明的”意思，而是时髦的，时尚的。
Guy looks very smart in his new suit, doesn't he? 盖伊穿上新套装显得精神十足，不是吗？
scientific /ˌsaɪənˈtɪf.ɪk/
(adj.) 科学的，应用科学方法的
a scientific discovery/experiment/theory科学发现／实验／理论
名词形式：scientist科学家，science科学（学科）
material /məˈtɪə.ri.əl/
(n.) 材料，原料
building materials, such as stone 建筑材料，如石头
valid /ˈvæl.ɪd/
(adj.) based on truth or reason; able to be accepted确凿的；合理的；有根据的；让人信服的
a valid argument/criticism/reason令人信服的论据／批评／理由
My way of thinking might be different from yours, but it's equally valid.我的想法也许和你的不同，但同样站得住脚。
Key Points 演讲重点
It can be made so cheaply and simply; it's robust and easily shaped; it's durable and long-lasting, and it's true, plastic is amazing, and it's the perfect material for some products, that is, such as a chair, a laptop, or a kitchen bucket.
它可以如此便宜和简单地制成; 它坚固且易于成型；它经久耐用，而且确实如此，塑料令人惊叹，它是某些产品（例如椅子，笔记本电脑或厨房水桶）的理想材料。
段落分析
这一段列举了塑料的各种优点，在中文写作中，我们称作欲扬先抑，先夸奖一番，再列举问题。
robust /ˈbeɪ.sɪs/
(adj.)（东西或系统）坚固的，耐用的，结实的
a robust pair of walking boots 一双耐穿的远足鞋
durable /ˈdʒʊə.rə.bəl/
(adj.) able to last a long time without becoming damaged持久的，耐久的
The machines have to be made of durable materials. 这种机器必须使用耐用的材料来制造。
long-lasting /ˌlɒŋˈlɑː.stɪŋ/
(adj.) continuing for a long period of time持续很久的，持久的
a long-lasting friendship持久的友谊
区分：robust vs durable
两者都有持久的，耐久的的含义，durable侧重于物体能够抵抗磨损、腐蚀；robust侧重力量、健壮，因为健康有力量所以才耐久，可以用来形容人的身体。
Key Points 演讲重点
So my sister and I have decided that we're not waiting for the adults to take the initiative. We're taking action now because we know we can't afford to wait any longer.
因此，我和姐姐已决定，我们不等待成年人采取主动行动。我们现在就采取行动，因为我们知道我们再也无法忍受任何等待。
decide /dɪˈsaɪd/
(v.) to choose something, especially after thinking carefully about several possibilities（尤指仔细考虑后）决定，决断，确定
decide to do sth决定做某事
In the end, we decided to go to the theatre.最后我们决定去剧院。
名词形式：decision-决定，见上一篇讲稿
wait /weɪt/
(v.) 等待，等候；期盼，盼望
I waited for her outside while she went in to see the doctor.她进去看病时我在外面等她。
wait for sb to do sth等待某人做某事
initiative /ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/
(n.)t he ability to use your judgment to make decisions and do things without needingto be told what to do主动性；自主决断行事的能力
to seize/take/lose the initiative掌握／采取／失去主动权
I shouldn't always have to tell you what to do, use your initiative. 不能总让我告诉你该做什么，你应该有自己的判断！
can't afford to do sth
承担不起（损失、后果等）
We can't afford to make any mistakes at this stage in the project.工程进行到这个阶段，犯任何错误我们都承担不起后果。
Part 3 句 子 演 练
Sentence Practice 句子演练
We're taking action now because we know we can't afford to wait any longer. 我们现在就采取行动，因为我们知道我们再也无法忍受任何等待。
What have you done to reduce the plastic pollution?为了减少塑料污染，你做过什么？
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