Topic: television is in no way a true mirror of society
Nowadays, many people enjoy spending their spare time in watching TV. however some people considered that this is a good way for entertainment but not for information, because many of the programmes are not the real reflection of society but fantasy. Even though John Humphrys(2004) who is the presenter of Radio 4's flagship Today programme criticised the reality television as a "mind-numbing, witless vulgarity" .In this essay the diffrences between TV and reality will be discussed.
reference
wmin UK 2004, viewed 30 July 2008,<http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-4515>
Thursday 31 July 2008
Friday 25 July 2008
seminar
Tekevision viewing habits around the world
Tv is very common in the worldwide.Many people spend hours in watching tv.It's amazing that in India people can recieve channles of programme in tv,but in UK there are only 6 channes disappointingly. In China there are about 30 channles and tv is the main entertaiment for them.They often spend more the evennithan 3 hours in wathing tv in evening after thier work.
20 years ago ,many people can't afford tv in China ,they only watched black and white programmes .And it's only for rich people. Among young people sport programmes are very popular espacilly NBA .Soap operas are girls's favorate. Chiled like cartoon very much.The negative effects of tv are that much more teenagers can watch tv than before but they can't contolled themselves.Another important one is that it becomes more commercial than before ,so much more of the imformation is rubbish.
Television images
Regarding how real the images are we see on TV ,I would like to said that It's quite unreal.Take Chinese Konfu for example ,does somebody could really fly in the sky? The most common stereotype in TV we thought is love story.The american film of Orgres of Shrek is a good example to challenge the stereotype.
Tv is very common in the worldwide.Many people spend hours in watching tv.It's amazing that in India people can recieve channles of programme in tv,but in UK there are only 6 channes disappointingly. In China there are about 30 channles and tv is the main entertaiment for them.They often spend more the evennithan 3 hours in wathing tv in evening after thier work.
20 years ago ,many people can't afford tv in China ,they only watched black and white programmes .And it's only for rich people. Among young people sport programmes are very popular espacilly NBA .Soap operas are girls's favorate. Chiled like cartoon very much.The negative effects of tv are that much more teenagers can watch tv than before but they can't contolled themselves.Another important one is that it becomes more commercial than before ,so much more of the imformation is rubbish.
Television images
Regarding how real the images are we see on TV ,I would like to said that It's quite unreal.Take Chinese Konfu for example ,does somebody could really fly in the sky? The most common stereotype in TV we thought is love story.The american film of Orgres of Shrek is a good example to challenge the stereotype.
Monday 14 July 2008
Bird Idiom
Bird Idiom ‘鸟’成语
This idiom sounds cruel but don't take it literally
Neil: This is Real English from Learning English. I'm Neil.
Yang Li: 大家好，我是杨莉。
Neil: Today we're looking at English idioms.
Yang Li: 英语中有许多成语，特别精彩，值得专门记下来，今天我们学习那一个， Neil?
Neil: Todays idiom is – to kill two birds with one stone. To kill two birds with one stone.
Yang Li: Oh, 这个成语听起来很残忍！一个石头砸死两只鸟。
Neil: It does a bit. But it's a very useful idiom. It means to do two things at the same time, when you might have done just one.
Yang Li: 那到是，听起来是一个非常有用的成语。当我们可以同时做两件事情而不是一件事，我们可以说 I killed two birds with one stone. 在汉语里我们就说一箭双雕。
Neil: So the Chinese is similar then? Here's an example of how to use it in English.
Examples
I went to Beijing on a business trip but a lot of my family live there too, so I killed two birds with one stone – I worked hard but saw my family as well.
I'm making a birthday cake for my sister tonight - but it's my flatmate's birthday on Tuesday so I think I'll add just a few extra ingredients and make two cakes – kill two birds with one stone.
Yang Li: 上面对话说到这位女士去北京出差，因为自己的亲戚都在北京所以顺便就去探亲了。 She killed two birds with one stone. 不管怎样，我们得快点儿走了！ Neil, do you want to go for a coffee?
Neil: Where are you going?
Yang Li: Just the coffee shop across the street.
Neil: Brilliant. I can go to the internet cafe next to the coffee shop and check my emails.
Yang Li: Ah, kill two birds with one stone?
Neil: Yes, I can kill two birds with one stone. Coffee and emails! Let's go.
Yang Li: 如果大家想学到更多的地道英语都可以登陆我们的网站 www.bbcchina.com.cn. Thanks for listening. 下次再会。
Neil: Bye.
This idiom sounds cruel but don't take it literally
Neil: This is Real English from Learning English. I'm Neil.
Yang Li: 大家好，我是杨莉。
Neil: Today we're looking at English idioms.
Yang Li: 英语中有许多成语，特别精彩，值得专门记下来，今天我们学习那一个， Neil?
Neil: Todays idiom is – to kill two birds with one stone. To kill two birds with one stone.
Yang Li: Oh, 这个成语听起来很残忍！一个石头砸死两只鸟。
Neil: It does a bit. But it's a very useful idiom. It means to do two things at the same time, when you might have done just one.
Yang Li: 那到是，听起来是一个非常有用的成语。当我们可以同时做两件事情而不是一件事，我们可以说 I killed two birds with one stone. 在汉语里我们就说一箭双雕。
Neil: So the Chinese is similar then? Here's an example of how to use it in English.
Examples
I went to Beijing on a business trip but a lot of my family live there too, so I killed two birds with one stone – I worked hard but saw my family as well.
I'm making a birthday cake for my sister tonight - but it's my flatmate's birthday on Tuesday so I think I'll add just a few extra ingredients and make two cakes – kill two birds with one stone.
Yang Li: 上面对话说到这位女士去北京出差，因为自己的亲戚都在北京所以顺便就去探亲了。 She killed two birds with one stone. 不管怎样，我们得快点儿走了！ Neil, do you want to go for a coffee?
Neil: Where are you going?
Yang Li: Just the coffee shop across the street.
Neil: Brilliant. I can go to the internet cafe next to the coffee shop and check my emails.
Yang Li: Ah, kill two birds with one stone?
Neil: Yes, I can kill two birds with one stone. Coffee and emails! Let's go.
Yang Li: 如果大家想学到更多的地道英语都可以登陆我们的网站 www.bbcchina.com.cn. Thanks for listening. 下次再会。
Neil: Bye.
Pig Idiom
Pig Idiom ‘猪’成语
Have you ever seen a pig fly?
Neil: .I’m Neil and with me today is Yang Li.
Yang Li: 大家好，在今天的地道英语节目中我们一起学习成语，是吗 Neil?
Neil: Yes we are, and that idiom is – pigs… might… fly. Pigs might fly.
Yang Li: 字面意思是说猪可能会飞。可是我就不明白了，猪压根儿不会飞，那这儿为什么说猪可能会飞呢？
Neil: Well, that’s exactly it Yang Li, pigs don’t fly. So we say ‘pigs might fly’ when there is no chance of something happening at all.
Yang Li: Ah 我明白了。在英语里，当我们想表达一件不可能发生的事情时，就可以用 pigs might fly 这个成语。能给我们举些例子吗？
Neil: Of course. Say for example you’re running a marathon for the first time and you’re not a very confident runner. A friend says to you – how long do you think it will take? Four hours? You would say – and pigs might fly because you know there is no chance of that happening.
Yang Li: 如果你不是一个非常擅长长跑的人，你决定参加马拉松，一个朋友说你在四个小时内可以跑完，这时你就可以说 pigs might fly；也就是说绝对不可能！
Have you ever seen a pig fly?
Neil: .I’m Neil and with me today is Yang Li.
Yang Li: 大家好，在今天的地道英语节目中我们一起学习成语，是吗 Neil?
Neil: Yes we are, and that idiom is – pigs… might… fly. Pigs might fly.
Yang Li: 字面意思是说猪可能会飞。可是我就不明白了，猪压根儿不会飞，那这儿为什么说猪可能会飞呢？
Neil: Well, that’s exactly it Yang Li, pigs don’t fly. So we say ‘pigs might fly’ when there is no chance of something happening at all.
Yang Li: Ah 我明白了。在英语里，当我们想表达一件不可能发生的事情时，就可以用 pigs might fly 这个成语。能给我们举些例子吗？
Neil: Of course. Say for example you’re running a marathon for the first time and you’re not a very confident runner. A friend says to you – how long do you think it will take? Four hours? You would say – and pigs might fly because you know there is no chance of that happening.
Yang Li: 如果你不是一个非常擅长长跑的人，你决定参加马拉松，一个朋友说你在四个小时内可以跑完，这时你就可以说 pigs might fly；也就是说绝对不可能！
Music in the UK
Music in the UK 英国音乐
The Charts 排行榜
The UK charts are the most exciting in the world
Have you ever heard of Al Martino? Not many people know his name nowadays but back in 1952 he made history by becoming the first recording artist to have a number one record with his song ‘Here In My Heart’.
For more than fifty years sales of singles have been measured on a weekly basis and ranked in a chart. The week’s best-selling single takes the number one position for that week.
So who has had the most number ones? For 25 years The Beatles and Elvis Presley matched each other with 18 number one records apiece. However, in 2005 Elvis earned a posthumous number one when his 1957 hit ‘Jailhouse Rock was re-released. Since then two more Elvis singles have gone to the top of the charts bringing his total to 21 number ones!
Over the years many artists have enjoyed incredible success in the charts. Bryan Adams held the number one position for 16 weeks in 1991 with the ballad ‘Everything I Do I Do It For You’ whilst Elton John’s tribute to Princess Diana, ‘Candle In The Wind 97’, sold 4.86 million copies in the UK.
However, there are concerns over the future of the music industry as sales have fallen in recent years. This was illustrated in 2004 when Eric Prydz had a number one record despite having sold less than 24,000 copies.
One reason for the fall in CD sales could be the increase in music downloads. Many computer users illegally download MP3 files through peer-to-peer, file-sharing networks.
The music industry has responded to this new threat by offering the possibility to buy downloads from approved web sites. These digital downloads were integrated into the UK chart for the first time in April 2005. Ironically, the first number one of the digital age was a reissue of Tony Christie’s ‘Amarillo’, a song first released in 1971.
NOTE: ARTIST AND MOST FAMOUS SONG
1952,Martino:‘Here In My Heart’ 1957, Elvis:‘Jailhouse Rock' 1991,Bryan Adams :‘Everything I Do I Do It For You’
GLOSSARY
recording artist 唱片艺术家 ranked 排名matched each other 平分秋色；不分伯仲 hit 轰动一时的电影、歌曲或演出 ballad 民谣；情歌 peer-to-peer 相同层次的；对等的 reissue 重新发行
The Charts 排行榜
The UK charts are the most exciting in the world
Have you ever heard of Al Martino? Not many people know his name nowadays but back in 1952 he made history by becoming the first recording artist to have a number one record with his song ‘Here In My Heart’.
For more than fifty years sales of singles have been measured on a weekly basis and ranked in a chart. The week’s best-selling single takes the number one position for that week.
So who has had the most number ones? For 25 years The Beatles and Elvis Presley matched each other with 18 number one records apiece. However, in 2005 Elvis earned a posthumous number one when his 1957 hit ‘Jailhouse Rock was re-released. Since then two more Elvis singles have gone to the top of the charts bringing his total to 21 number ones!
Over the years many artists have enjoyed incredible success in the charts. Bryan Adams held the number one position for 16 weeks in 1991 with the ballad ‘Everything I Do I Do It For You’ whilst Elton John’s tribute to Princess Diana, ‘Candle In The Wind 97’, sold 4.86 million copies in the UK.
However, there are concerns over the future of the music industry as sales have fallen in recent years. This was illustrated in 2004 when Eric Prydz had a number one record despite having sold less than 24,000 copies.
One reason for the fall in CD sales could be the increase in music downloads. Many computer users illegally download MP3 files through peer-to-peer, file-sharing networks.
The music industry has responded to this new threat by offering the possibility to buy downloads from approved web sites. These digital downloads were integrated into the UK chart for the first time in April 2005. Ironically, the first number one of the digital age was a reissue of Tony Christie’s ‘Amarillo’, a song first released in 1971.
NOTE: ARTIST AND MOST FAMOUS SONG
1952,Martino:‘Here In My Heart’ 1957, Elvis:‘Jailhouse Rock' 1991,Bryan Adams :‘Everything I Do I Do It For You’
GLOSSARY
recording artist 唱片艺术家 ranked 排名matched each other 平分秋色；不分伯仲 hit 轰动一时的电影、歌曲或演出 ballad 民谣；情歌 peer-to-peer 相同层次的；对等的 reissue 重新发行
ExpressJet Shutting Down
Flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Sacramento to End September 2
Thursday, July 10, 2008
By Chris Meagher (Contact)
ExpressJet Airlines will be halting all of its commercial passenger flight operations nationwide on September 2, including two trips daily to and from Santa Barbara Airport to Sacramento and San Diego. The move also means a loss of revenue for the airport, from a rental fee for counter space to the cost per pound landing fees that the airport receives.
With the departure of ExpressJet, Santa Barbara will have no non-stop flights to or from San Diego or Sacramento. Since Skywest halted its non-stop service to Sacramento 10 years ago, the airport had been looking for a carrier to offer the flight, which ExpressJet — a start-up airline which just opened in May 2007 — added in November 2007. “We’re extremely saddened by it,” Terri Gibson, a spokesperson for the airport, said of the loss. “It’s very distressing.” The Sacramento flight was one of the most popular out of Santa Barbara, with an 86 percent ridership in the month of June. It was used often by Santa Barbara’s top policy-makers, and a recent return flight on a Thursday afternoon in June was shared by Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Santa Barbara Citycouncilmembers Das Williams, Helene Schneider, and Iya Falcone, Goleta City Councilmember Jean Blois, attorney Michael Cooney, and staffers of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and the regional Community Action Commission. “They were just getting their foothold in the community,” said Gibson.
But high gas prices, impacting carriers across the nation, have doomed ExpressJet and made this the toughest time in the airline industry. “If we had any other choice, we would not take this difficult action,” said Jim Ream, ExpressJet’s president and chief executive officer. “However, rising fuel prices has made the operation impossible to sustain.”
Travel before September 2 won’t be affected, and tickets are still available for flights prior to that date. Those who have purchased tickets for a flight after September 1 should call (888) 958-9538 to request a refund.
The airport did have some good news to report, however, as its June ridership grew 5.6 percent from last June. Overall ridership is also up 3.5 percent over last year for the first six months.
Contain Focus:ExpressJet Airlines which used often by Santa Barbara’s top policy-makers will be halting due to high gas prices, impacting carriers across the nation.
PHRASES:Shutting Down ;non-stop service; extremely saddened by it ;getting their foothold
ridership ;ExpressJet’s president and chief executive officer ;a loss of revenue ;two trips daily to and from
Flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Sacramento to End September 2
Thursday, July 10, 2008
By Chris Meagher (Contact)
ExpressJet Airlines will be halting all of its commercial passenger flight operations nationwide on September 2, including two trips daily to and from Santa Barbara Airport to Sacramento and San Diego. The move also means a loss of revenue for the airport, from a rental fee for counter space to the cost per pound landing fees that the airport receives.
With the departure of ExpressJet, Santa Barbara will have no non-stop flights to or from San Diego or Sacramento. Since Skywest halted its non-stop service to Sacramento 10 years ago, the airport had been looking for a carrier to offer the flight, which ExpressJet — a start-up airline which just opened in May 2007 — added in November 2007. “We’re extremely saddened by it,” Terri Gibson, a spokesperson for the airport, said of the loss. “It’s very distressing.” The Sacramento flight was one of the most popular out of Santa Barbara, with an 86 percent ridership in the month of June. It was used often by Santa Barbara’s top policy-makers, and a recent return flight on a Thursday afternoon in June was shared by Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Santa Barbara Citycouncilmembers Das Williams, Helene Schneider, and Iya Falcone, Goleta City Councilmember Jean Blois, attorney Michael Cooney, and staffers of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and the regional Community Action Commission. “They were just getting their foothold in the community,” said Gibson.
But high gas prices, impacting carriers across the nation, have doomed ExpressJet and made this the toughest time in the airline industry. “If we had any other choice, we would not take this difficult action,” said Jim Ream, ExpressJet’s president and chief executive officer. “However, rising fuel prices has made the operation impossible to sustain.”
Travel before September 2 won’t be affected, and tickets are still available for flights prior to that date. Those who have purchased tickets for a flight after September 1 should call (888) 958-9538 to request a refund.
The airport did have some good news to report, however, as its June ridership grew 5.6 percent from last June. Overall ridership is also up 3.5 percent over last year for the first six months.
Contain Focus:ExpressJet Airlines which used often by Santa Barbara’s top policy-makers will be halting due to high gas prices, impacting carriers across the nation.
PHRASES:Shutting Down ;non-stop service; extremely saddened by it ;getting their foothold
ridership ;ExpressJet’s president and chief executive officer ;a loss of revenue ;two trips daily to and from
Christmas Movies
Christmas Movies 圣诞节影片
Battle of the Blockbusters 大片争夺战
King Kong faces a dinosaur in battle
Cinema goers in the UK are licking their lips in anticipation of the films to be released in time for the Christmas holidays. And this year it looks like they will be spoiled for choice as fantasy films continue to dominate the Christmas market.
The latest Harry Potter adventure, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, has already become the most successful film in UK cinema history, earning over £14 million (130 million RMB) in the first three days of its release. Fans of the franchise have been flocking to cinemas all over the country to watch Harry’s progress.
But if Harry thinks he’s going to have it all his own way this year, he may be in for a surprise. That’s because a new blockbuster saga is on its way to UK cinema screens.
Based on the classic novels of CS Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe poses a threat to the dominance of the Harry Potter films. The film follows the adventures of three children who discover a gateway to the magical world of Narnia. Once they have entered Narnia they become involved in a war between good and evil.
The producers of the Narnia films will be hoping to emulate the success of the Lord of the Rings films which topped the Christmas box office between 2001 and 2003. Since the Narnia novels have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide, it seems likely that the films will also be a runaway success.
However, there is one other fictional heavyweight who could challenge Harry Potter’s hold over the Christmas audience. King Kong roars his way back onto the silver screen on 14th December. Directed by Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson, this film is a big-budget remake of the 1933 classic. The giant ape has been recreated digitally and is more life-like and terrifying than ever.
So whether you are a fan of monster monkeys, schoolboy wizards or enchanted worlds, it looks like this Christmas will be a great time for going to the movies.
GLOSSARY
licking their lips垂涎欲滴 fantasy films 幻想影片 flocking to 蜂拥而至 blockbuster saga火爆大片 magical world魔幻世界 topped the Christmas box office位居圣诞节票房榜首 runaway success连连走红 King Kong 大金刚 big-budget remake耗资巨大的再版影片 life-like 真实的
spoiled for choice选不胜选 franchise 影片系列 to have it all his own way 完全如愿 poses a threat 构成威胁 emulate仿效 novels小说 fictional heavyweight 重量级虚构影片 silver screen 银幕 giant ape 巨大的猩猩 enchanted迷幻的
Battle of the Blockbusters 大片争夺战
King Kong faces a dinosaur in battle
Cinema goers in the UK are licking their lips in anticipation of the films to be released in time for the Christmas holidays. And this year it looks like they will be spoiled for choice as fantasy films continue to dominate the Christmas market.
The latest Harry Potter adventure, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, has already become the most successful film in UK cinema history, earning over £14 million (130 million RMB) in the first three days of its release. Fans of the franchise have been flocking to cinemas all over the country to watch Harry’s progress.
But if Harry thinks he’s going to have it all his own way this year, he may be in for a surprise. That’s because a new blockbuster saga is on its way to UK cinema screens.
Based on the classic novels of CS Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe poses a threat to the dominance of the Harry Potter films. The film follows the adventures of three children who discover a gateway to the magical world of Narnia. Once they have entered Narnia they become involved in a war between good and evil.
The producers of the Narnia films will be hoping to emulate the success of the Lord of the Rings films which topped the Christmas box office between 2001 and 2003. Since the Narnia novels have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide, it seems likely that the films will also be a runaway success.
However, there is one other fictional heavyweight who could challenge Harry Potter’s hold over the Christmas audience. King Kong roars his way back onto the silver screen on 14th December. Directed by Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson, this film is a big-budget remake of the 1933 classic. The giant ape has been recreated digitally and is more life-like and terrifying than ever.
So whether you are a fan of monster monkeys, schoolboy wizards or enchanted worlds, it looks like this Christmas will be a great time for going to the movies.
GLOSSARY
licking their lips垂涎欲滴 fantasy films 幻想影片 flocking to 蜂拥而至 blockbuster saga火爆大片 magical world魔幻世界 topped the Christmas box office位居圣诞节票房榜首 runaway success连连走红 King Kong 大金刚 big-budget remake耗资巨大的再版影片 life-like 真实的
spoiled for choice选不胜选 franchise 影片系列 to have it all his own way 完全如愿 poses a threat 构成威胁 emulate仿效 novels小说 fictional heavyweight 重量级虚构影片 silver screen 银幕 giant ape 巨大的猩猩 enchanted迷幻的
Wednesday 9 July 2008
business news :Economic fears lead to slump in confidence
Economic fears lead to slump in confidence
By Nick ClarkWednesday, 9 July 2008
Consumer confidence has slumped to a record low following chaos in the financial markets, months of misery in the property sector and spiralling household bills.
Gordon Brown was forced to defend his stewardship of the economy while attending the G8 summit in Japan yesterday, while the FTSE 100 index at one stage dropped 2.7 per cent to herald a technical "bear" market.
The Government's worries will be compounded today by the report from the Nationwide suggesting that months of economic uncertainty, a weakening housing market and higher food and fuel costs have combined to make consumers feel increasingly negative.
Bradford & Bingley, the troubled mortgage lender, was among the hardest-hit of the stock market victims. Shares in the bank, which is trying to raise £400m through an emergency funding issue, fell by 19 per cent as institutional and private investors cut their losses. It has now lost more than 90 per cent of its value in a year.
Last night it was reported that Britain's big six banks – HBOS, Abbey, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, the Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC – were to stage a rescue operation in a bid to avert another Northern Rock crisis. It is understood they have agreed to buy a large chunk of B&B shares after pressure from the Financial Services Authority.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Yvette Cooper, rejected comparisons with the collapse of Northern Rock, telling Channel 4 News: "This is not about liquidity problems that we saw as a result of the global credit crunch kicking off last year, when Northern Rock's business model was clearly unsustainable. This is a very different situation and is really a matter for the shareholders to make decisions about their investments."
The Council of Mortgage Lenders has reported that mortgage approvals were down 44 per cent in May. The group also pointed to a "steep decline" in remortgaging. Shares in the estate agent Savills slumped 18 per cent as sales in its core London markets fell 45 per cent, while the group said – in what some took as a veiled profits warning – that the state of the market made it "very difficult" to predict how the full year would pan out.
Speaking in Hokkaido yesterday, the Prime Minister admitted that Britain was facing a "difficult economic time", but insisted that it was not a fault of his leadership. "Every country in the world is facing a difficult economic time because of what has happened in oil prices and food prices," said Mr Brown. "I think I am the right person to take people through these difficult times."
Nationwide's consumer confidence index dropped to just 61 during the month, down from 65 in May and 93 in June last year, to hit a new record low for the sixth consecutive month.
The fall was driven by fears the economy will deteriorate further, with 53 per cent of people expecting the situation to get worse – more than double the proportion who felt the same 12 months ago. Just 16 per cent think their household income will be higher in six months' time, down from 21 per cent in May.
Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide's chief economist, said: "This month's drop in confidence is to be expected, given the recent run of bad news. With reports of rising inflation rates, weaker economic growth and further falls in house prices, it is not surprising that people are feeling much less optimistic."
The Nationwide survey showed general optimism over employment levels, but that is likely to be dented by news that the industrial group Siemens is to cut almost 17,000 jobs worldwide.
The housebuilder Persimmon also revealed that it was to cut 1,100 jobs – a quarter of its workforce – as its sales fell by 31 per cent in the first six months of the year, reducing revenues by more than a third. The company added that this was "undoubtedly the most challenging period in Persimmon's recent history".
Ted Scott, a fund manger at F&C Investments, said the UK economy has only just begun to slow after a robust 2007. "If a recession does become a reality – and the risks lean that way – there could be further to go," he said.
Meanwhile, a report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Ann Abraham, may pave the way for victims of the collapse of the insurer Equitable Life to claim billions of pounds in compensation from the Government.
CONTENT FOCUS:months of economic uncertainty, a weakening housing market and higher food and fuel costs have combined to make consumers feel increasingly negative.
NOTE:Britain's big six banks – HBOS, Abbey, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, the Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC
INSTITUTION:Bradford & Bingley,The Council of mortgage lender;the Treasury, Yvette Cooper;Nationwide('s consumer confidence index);The housebuilder Persimmon ;F&C Investments; estate agent Savills ;the insurer Equitable Life ; FTSE 100 index
PHRASES: hit a new record low for the sixth consecutive month;Shares slumped 18 per cent; more than double the proportion ;the global credit crunch kicking off ;a "steep decline" in remortgaging;
By Nick ClarkWednesday, 9 July 2008
Consumer confidence has slumped to a record low following chaos in the financial markets, months of misery in the property sector and spiralling household bills.
Gordon Brown was forced to defend his stewardship of the economy while attending the G8 summit in Japan yesterday, while the FTSE 100 index at one stage dropped 2.7 per cent to herald a technical "bear" market.
The Government's worries will be compounded today by the report from the Nationwide suggesting that months of economic uncertainty, a weakening housing market and higher food and fuel costs have combined to make consumers feel increasingly negative.
Bradford & Bingley, the troubled mortgage lender, was among the hardest-hit of the stock market victims. Shares in the bank, which is trying to raise £400m through an emergency funding issue, fell by 19 per cent as institutional and private investors cut their losses. It has now lost more than 90 per cent of its value in a year.
Last night it was reported that Britain's big six banks – HBOS, Abbey, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, the Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC – were to stage a rescue operation in a bid to avert another Northern Rock crisis. It is understood they have agreed to buy a large chunk of B&B shares after pressure from the Financial Services Authority.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Yvette Cooper, rejected comparisons with the collapse of Northern Rock, telling Channel 4 News: "This is not about liquidity problems that we saw as a result of the global credit crunch kicking off last year, when Northern Rock's business model was clearly unsustainable. This is a very different situation and is really a matter for the shareholders to make decisions about their investments."
The Council of Mortgage Lenders has reported that mortgage approvals were down 44 per cent in May. The group also pointed to a "steep decline" in remortgaging. Shares in the estate agent Savills slumped 18 per cent as sales in its core London markets fell 45 per cent, while the group said – in what some took as a veiled profits warning – that the state of the market made it "very difficult" to predict how the full year would pan out.
Speaking in Hokkaido yesterday, the Prime Minister admitted that Britain was facing a "difficult economic time", but insisted that it was not a fault of his leadership. "Every country in the world is facing a difficult economic time because of what has happened in oil prices and food prices," said Mr Brown. "I think I am the right person to take people through these difficult times."
Nationwide's consumer confidence index dropped to just 61 during the month, down from 65 in May and 93 in June last year, to hit a new record low for the sixth consecutive month.
The fall was driven by fears the economy will deteriorate further, with 53 per cent of people expecting the situation to get worse – more than double the proportion who felt the same 12 months ago. Just 16 per cent think their household income will be higher in six months' time, down from 21 per cent in May.
Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide's chief economist, said: "This month's drop in confidence is to be expected, given the recent run of bad news. With reports of rising inflation rates, weaker economic growth and further falls in house prices, it is not surprising that people are feeling much less optimistic."
The Nationwide survey showed general optimism over employment levels, but that is likely to be dented by news that the industrial group Siemens is to cut almost 17,000 jobs worldwide.
The housebuilder Persimmon also revealed that it was to cut 1,100 jobs – a quarter of its workforce – as its sales fell by 31 per cent in the first six months of the year, reducing revenues by more than a third. The company added that this was "undoubtedly the most challenging period in Persimmon's recent history".
Ted Scott, a fund manger at F&C Investments, said the UK economy has only just begun to slow after a robust 2007. "If a recession does become a reality – and the risks lean that way – there could be further to go," he said.
Meanwhile, a report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Ann Abraham, may pave the way for victims of the collapse of the insurer Equitable Life to claim billions of pounds in compensation from the Government.
CONTENT FOCUS:months of economic uncertainty, a weakening housing market and higher food and fuel costs have combined to make consumers feel increasingly negative.
NOTE:Britain's big six banks – HBOS, Abbey, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, the Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC
INSTITUTION:Bradford & Bingley,The Council of mortgage lender;the Treasury, Yvette Cooper;Nationwide('s consumer confidence index);The housebuilder Persimmon ;F&C Investments; estate agent Savills ;the insurer Equitable Life ; FTSE 100 index
PHRASES: hit a new record low for the sixth consecutive month;Shares slumped 18 per cent; more than double the proportion ;the global credit crunch kicking off ;a "steep decline" in remortgaging;
Long-Awaited Film
Long-Awaited Film 期待已久的影片
Stars Turn Out for the Premiere in London 明星亮相伦敦首映式
The glamorous stars of Sex and the City
Sex and the City was a very popular TV show that ran from 1999 to 2004. It was a romantic comedy drama based on the semi-autobiographical New York newspaper columns written by Candace Bushnell.
The show followed the lives of four professional, independent and very stylish women in New York. Audiences loved the show and many people were very sad when it came to an end.
Ever since the TV show came off the air, there has been speculation of a movie being made of the show. Finally in autumn 2007, news broke that filming had started.
Newspapers and magazines were full of pictures and spoilers of what might happen in the film. It was reported different endings were shot to keep the storyline secret.
This week saw the world premiere of the film come to London. All four original cast members from the show are also starring in the movie. They all got a rapturous reception as they arrived on the red carpet.
The stars didn't disappoint the crowds with their fetching designer dresses, living up to the very stylish reputation that their characters and the show have.
Some fans arrived early in the morning to bag a place where they could see their favourite actresses. Many of them got to meet and speak to the stars.
A lot of people wondered why a movie set in New York had its premiere in London. The actresses said they were thrilled to showcase the film first in the UK and later bring it home to its birthplace in the States.
If you want to find out what happens though, you may just have to try and see the film yourself. Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays Carrie in the film, said she hopes there would be a sequel.
So if you're a really big fan, this might not be last you see of the glamorous TV show.
GLOSSARY
ran连映semi-autobiographical半自传体的stylish时尚的came off the air电视播出spoilers泄漏结局的预告storyline故事情节cast members选派演员rapturous隆重的to bag占领（好位置）sequel续集
based on取材于newspaper columns报纸专栏audiences观众speculation 揣测 shot拍摄premiere首映式 starring扮演主角fetching迷人的to showcase 展示glamorous光彩夺目的
The glamorous stars of Sex and the City
Sex and the City was a very popular TV show that ran from 1999 to 2004. It was a romantic comedy drama based on the semi-autobiographical New York newspaper columns written by Candace Bushnell.
The show followed the lives of four professional, independent and very stylish women in New York. Audiences loved the show and many people were very sad when it came to an end.
Ever since the TV show came off the air, there has been speculation of a movie being made of the show. Finally in autumn 2007, news broke that filming had started.
Newspapers and magazines were full of pictures and spoilers of what might happen in the film. It was reported different endings were shot to keep the storyline secret.
This week saw the world premiere of the film come to London. All four original cast members from the show are also starring in the movie. They all got a rapturous reception as they arrived on the red carpet.
The stars didn't disappoint the crowds with their fetching designer dresses, living up to the very stylish reputation that their characters and the show have.
Some fans arrived early in the morning to bag a place where they could see their favourite actresses. Many of them got to meet and speak to the stars.
A lot of people wondered why a movie set in New York had its premiere in London. The actresses said they were thrilled to showcase the film first in the UK and later bring it home to its birthplace in the States.
If you want to find out what happens though, you may just have to try and see the film yourself. Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays Carrie in the film, said she hopes there would be a sequel.
So if you're a really big fan, this might not be last you see of the glamorous TV show.
GLOSSARY
ran连映semi-autobiographical半自传体的stylish时尚的came off the air电视播出spoilers泄漏结局的预告storyline故事情节cast members选派演员rapturous隆重的to bag占领（好位置）sequel续集
based on取材于newspaper columns报纸专栏audiences观众speculation 揣测 shot拍摄premiere首映式 starring扮演主角fetching迷人的to showcase 展示glamorous光彩夺目的
Into the Dragon's Den
Into the Dragon's Den 进入龙穴
Divers Battle Deadly Dragon 潜水员与龙搏斗
This baby Komodo dragon doesn't look too scary, yet...
What does the word dragon make you think of?
The chances are, if you are thinking of a Chinese dragon or 'long', you will think of a long serpent-like mythical creature which is benevolent, wise and lucky.
In a Western cultural context, what people call dragons are quite different; fearsome, fire-breathing creatures which look like dinosaurs, live in caves and guard piles of treasure.
But for three British divers who found themselves washed up on a remote Indonesian island last week, there was little time to worry about the symbolic significance of dragons.
Instead they found themselves having to fight off a real "man-eating" Komodo dragon.
Dehydrated and exhausted after treacherous currents had carried them for 12 hours through shark-infested waters, the divers' relief at reaching dry land must have been short-lived when they found themselves face-to-face with a Komodo dragon.
Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards in the world, can grow to over two metres long, and are very dangerous.
The animals have sharp teeth, long muscular tails and toxic saliva, which contains over 80 kinds of bacteria. Their prey, which includes large mammals such as goats, deer, and very occasionally humans, become infected with this lethal cocktail of bacteria and die within a couple of days of being bitten.
In this case, the frightened divers pelted the animal with sticks and rocks until it slithered away into the island. They then survived by eating shellfish until they were rescued.
So are these lizards, of which only 4,000 survive in the wild, as scary as they sound? Ian Stephen, who looks after two Komodos in London Zoo says the animals are actually very intelligent and love playing.
Just be careful which games you play with them.
GLOSSARY
serpent-like像蛇的benevolent乐善好施的fire-breathing口吐火焰的washed up冲上（岸边）fight off反击treacherouse currents暗流;险流short-lived短命的；一时的toxic saliva有毒唾液prey被捕食的动物；受害者slithered蜿蜒爬行
mythical creature神秘动物fearsome令人生畏的divers潜水员symbolic significance象征意义dehydrated脱水的shark-infested鲨鱼遍布的muscular（肌肉）强健的bacteria微生物lethal cocktail（致命的鸡尾酒）致命毒液in the wild野生的
Divers Battle Deadly Dragon 潜水员与龙搏斗
This baby Komodo dragon doesn't look too scary, yet...
What does the word dragon make you think of?
The chances are, if you are thinking of a Chinese dragon or 'long', you will think of a long serpent-like mythical creature which is benevolent, wise and lucky.
In a Western cultural context, what people call dragons are quite different; fearsome, fire-breathing creatures which look like dinosaurs, live in caves and guard piles of treasure.
But for three British divers who found themselves washed up on a remote Indonesian island last week, there was little time to worry about the symbolic significance of dragons.
Instead they found themselves having to fight off a real "man-eating" Komodo dragon.
Dehydrated and exhausted after treacherous currents had carried them for 12 hours through shark-infested waters, the divers' relief at reaching dry land must have been short-lived when they found themselves face-to-face with a Komodo dragon.
Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards in the world, can grow to over two metres long, and are very dangerous.
The animals have sharp teeth, long muscular tails and toxic saliva, which contains over 80 kinds of bacteria. Their prey, which includes large mammals such as goats, deer, and very occasionally humans, become infected with this lethal cocktail of bacteria and die within a couple of days of being bitten.
In this case, the frightened divers pelted the animal with sticks and rocks until it slithered away into the island. They then survived by eating shellfish until they were rescued.
So are these lizards, of which only 4,000 survive in the wild, as scary as they sound? Ian Stephen, who looks after two Komodos in London Zoo says the animals are actually very intelligent and love playing.
Just be careful which games you play with them.
GLOSSARY
serpent-like像蛇的benevolent乐善好施的fire-breathing口吐火焰的washed up冲上（岸边）fight off反击treacherouse currents暗流;险流short-lived短命的；一时的toxic saliva有毒唾液prey被捕食的动物；受害者slithered蜿蜒爬行
mythical creature神秘动物fearsome令人生畏的divers潜水员symbolic significance象征意义dehydrated脱水的shark-infested鲨鱼遍布的muscular（肌肉）强健的bacteria微生物lethal cocktail（致命的鸡尾酒）致命毒液in the wild野生的
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