你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Do you enjoy watching interesting and funny movies? Absolutely, I’m a huge fan of comedies! They never fail to make me laugh out loud and give me a much-needed break from my daily grind. Comedy is definitely my go-to genre whenever I’m in the mood for a movie. I also really enjoy watching talk shows; their humor is often sarcastic and hilariously relatable, which adds a unique twist that I find entertaining. * comedies - 喜剧 * laugh out loud - 大笑 * a much-needed 很需要的 * break - 放松 * daily grind - 日常琐事 * go-to - 首选 * genre - 类型 * in the mood for - 有心情去做 * sarcastic - 讽刺的 * hilariously relatable - 让人发笑并感同身受 * a unique twist - 大反转 * entertaining - 有趣的 Do you think you are a funny person? Well, my friends seem to think so! They often tell me I have a good sense of humor and that I’m pretty good at making them laugh. I love sharing jokes and sometimes doing impressions when I’m with my closest friends—it’s so rewarding to see them burst into laughter. I even collect jokes and share them whenever I get the chance because seeing others laugh brings me a lot of joy too. * a good sense of humor - 良好的幽默感 * doing impressions - 模仿（他人说话或行为） * rewarding - 值得 * burst into laughter - 爆笑 * get the chance - 有机会 [Image] Do you always laugh at funny things? I’d say so! I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh? Whether it’s a funny movie, a clever joke, or a witty talk show, there’s just something about humor that’s so uplifting. It’s probably why talk shows are so popular; they provide a bit of lightheartedness in a world that can be quite challenging. Funny moments really make life a little easier to navigate. * a good laugh - 开怀大笑 * witty - 机智 * lightheartedness - 轻松愉快 * challenging - 有挑战性的 * navigating - 应对 When was the last time you laughed? Just yesterday actually! I was watching an episode of a talk show by Ronnie Chieng. He’s a Malaysian-born Chinese comedian who’s now doing shows in the U.S., and he has this amazing way of observing life and different cultures. His humor is sharp and insightful, and he connects everyday situations in such a clever way—it’s impossible not to laugh! * comedian - 喜剧演员 * observing - 观察 * everyday situations - 日常情境 * clever - 巧妙/聪明 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 顺便打个广告： 这两天我又更新了雅思口语书，看了一下字数，居然有111124字！ 内容梗概： (1) 78个Part 1话题语料 (P9-P141) (2) 54个Part 3话题语料 (P142-274) (3) 36个Part 2话题语料 (P275-347) (4) 雅思口语高分tips (P348-364) (5) 雅思口语高分词汇表达 (P365-407) 这本口语书是PDF的，放在了我的知识星球，星球里除了这本书，还有雅思听说读写、语法基础知识等内容。 星球目前的价格是388元/年，欢迎加入。如不适合，星球可以3天无理由退款，付的款会原路返还给你。

Welcome to the final episode of this year's podcast! 🐱🐱🐱🐱 As we wrap up 2024, we hope it's been a fruitful year for you. You've worked hard, so give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. In this episode, we're sharing some practical tips to help you improve your IELTS speaking and writing. Enjoy :) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 比起听力和阅读，雅思写作和口语对很多同学来说，更难。 要不没有观点，不知道说/写什么； 要不词汇量不太够，没办法用英语表达自己的观点。 所以，我近期在【英语考试Cat】的知识星球上发布了23篇文章，组成了一个专栏： 雅思写作口语考前急救指南 它是一个“雅思写作口语观点库+高分表达”系列，欢迎加入我的知识星球： 雅思写作口语考前急救指南

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Did you have a bike when you were young? No, I never actually owned a bike, though I always longed for one. Back then, I imagined having a bike would be a gateway to freedom not just for its convenience but also because it seemed to symbolize independence. With a bike, I could have ventured much farther than I could on foot, broadening my “radius of life,” so to speak, but alas, I didn’t have one. It was something I dreamed of but never got the chance to experience. * longed for - 渴望 * imagine - 想象 * a gateway to - 通向……的门 * symbolize independence - 象征独立 * ventured - 探索 * on foot - 步行 * broadening - 扩大 * radius - 范围 * so to speak - 可以这么说 * never got the chance to experience - 从未有机会体验 Do you have a bike now? Yes, I do! I bought a blue bike from a small bike store run by an elderly gentleman in Guangzhou. Ever since then, cycling has been my go-to mode of transport. I use to ride it to work every day, and on weekends, and I loved exploring nearby areas, relishing the freedom and sense of discovery that came with it. I really miss that part of my routine and look forward to doing it again someday. * run by - 经营 * go-to mode of transport - 首选交通方式 * relishing - 享受 * sense of discovery - 探索的感觉 * look forward to - 期待 [图片] Do you often ride a bike now? No, not really, not since I came to Singapore to study. I see shared bikes around, but I haven't tried one yet. In comparison to Guangzhou, I feel like Singapore might be less bike-friendly, especially given the tropical climate, which can make cycling rather uncomfortable. * tropical climate - 热带气候 Are bikes popular in your country? Hmm, I’d say bikes aren’t as popular as they were just a few years back. These days, there’s been a noticeable shift towards scooters, particularly in urban areas. Sidewalks are now filled with e-bikes, especially during rush hours in major cities. A few years ago, shared bikes were almost everywhere, but that trend seems to have waned in favor of scooters. * a noticeable shift towards - 明显转向 * scooters - 电驴 * urban areas - 市区 * e-bikes - 电动自行车 * waned - 衰退 * in favor of - 更倾向于，取而代之的是 欢迎朋友们加入我的【知识星球】 加入「英语考试Cat」的知识星球，你将获得： 等等。 注意：星球不含雅思作文批改服务。 388元/年，如不适合，加入后3天内可无理由退款。 🐱已经加入知识星球的朋友，记得下载「知识星球」APP，这样可以及时受到更新提醒，不会错过干货内容。 要是觉得App占内存，就微信下拉，打开「知识星球」小程序，也可看到干货内容。

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 我是英语考试Cat的Chief打杂Officer：Lauren。 这一期我以澳洲11月30日的雅思小作文真题为例，来分析怎么写混合图表类型的雅思小作文。 这是题目： The charts below show the distribution of the world's water and the usage of water in three countries. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. 欢迎朋友们加入我的【知识星球】 加入「英语考试Cat」的知识星球，你将获得： 等等。 注意：星球不含雅思作文批改服务。 388元/年，如不适合，加入后3天内可无理由退款。 🐱已经加入知识星球的朋友，记得下载「知识星球」APP，这样可以及时受到更新提醒，不会错过干货内容。 要是觉得App占内存，就微信下拉，打开「知识星球」小程序，也可看到干货内容。

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Are the roads and streets in the area where you live busy? Yes, for sure. In the area I reside, there is an avenue that is basically the main thoroughfare into the district I live in. So that means there is a constant flow of traffic both day and night, especially big trucks. Additionally, the neighborhood has a few shopping malls, markets, and a large metro station nearby, along with many hi-tech firms located in the district, so, overall, it’s a very lively and busy area, meaning busy roads. * Reside – 居住 * Main thoroughfare – 主干道 * A constant flow of traffic – 持续不断的车流 * Both day and night – 昼夜不停 * Neighborhood – 街区/社区 * High-tech firms – 高科技公司 * Located in – 位于 [图片] How do people cross the road in the city where you live? I think for the most part, people cross the road using a crosswalk, or as in my case, a footbridge. I have one directly in front of my home in fact, a very nice one with lights and funky architecture. Many of the footbridges I’ve noticed, are roofed, so they offer protection from the sun and rain. Besides crosswalks and bridges, there are also underground pedestrian walkways, particularly in areas that have a highway running through it. * Crosswalk – 人行横道 * Footbridge – 人行天桥 * Funky architecture – 新奇的建筑风格 * Roofed – 带顶棚 * Offer protection from – 提供保护以免受...（阳光雨水等）的影响 * Underground pedestrian walkways – 地下人行通道 [图片] How is the condition of the roads in your city? Overall, I’d say excellent. They are meticulously maintained, with hardly any potholes or cracks visible, but what I love even more is that on the verge or areas adjacent to the roads, and even at intersections and in the central divider between each direction, are decorated with beautifully manicured gardens of flowers and shrubs. I think that’s a really special characteristic of Guangzhou. In addition, the roads tend to be very clean, and you rarely see litter along the way. So generally, the conditions of the roads are very good. * Meticulously maintained – 精心维护的 * Potholes – 坑洼 * Visible – 可见 * The verge – 路边 * Adjacent to – 靠近 * Intersections – 交叉路口 * The central divider – 中央隔离带 * Beautifully manicured gardens – 精心修剪的花园 * Litter – 垃圾 [图片] Do you think the roads in your city need improvement? I think nothing can be perfect, and that goes for infrastructure too, so sure, there is always room for improvement. For me, I think the main area of improvement could be e-bike-only dedicated paths. E-bikes are silent when they’re in motion, and they sort of cohabitate with both automobiles and pedestrians. But I think this also has something to do with e-bike culture, so it’s not just an infrastructure issue. Other than that, maybe some traffic lights could be replaced with roundabouts, but not sure if that would help with the flow of traffic or not. Overall, though, I think the road system in my city is already excellent. * Infrastructure – 基础设施 * Room for improvement – 改进的空间 * Area of improvement – 改进的领域 * Dedicated paths – 专用通道 * Sort of – 某种程度上 * Cohabitate with – 与...共存 * Roundabouts – 环岛

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 What is the view like around the place where you live? Where I live now, it’s a bustling urban area, but what I love most is the abundance of tall trees. From my window, I can see greenery all year round. Interestingly, my cats seem to love the view too—they enjoy lounging on the balcony or just sitting on the windowsill, either gazing outside or dozing off. It's really peaceful despite the traffic outside. * bustling urban area: 繁忙的都市区域 * abundance: 大量的 * greenery: 绿植 * all year round: 全年 * interestingly: 有趣的是 * lounging: 懒洋洋地躺着 * windowsill: 窗台 * gazing: 凝视 * dozing off: 打盹儿 [图片] Have you seen an unforgettable view? Yes, I experienced a view I’ll never forget just this summer when I visited Canada. I was traveling and came across this stunning lakeside scenery. The lake was a vivid shade of blue, so clear that it almost mirrored the sky. Surrounding the lake were lush, green trees stretching into the horizon. What made the scene even more special were the pink flowers in the foreground, gently swaying in the breeze, as if they were dancing. It was peaceful and serene. It was honestly one of those moments where words fail to capture the beauty, and it's probably the most breathtaking view I’ve ever witnessed. * stunning: 令人惊叹的 * lakeside scenery: 湖畔景色 * a vivid shade of blue: 鲜艳的蓝色 * mirrored: 倒映 * stretching into the horizon: 延伸到地平线 * foreground: 前景 * gently swaying in the breeze: 在微风中轻轻摇曳 * capture: 捕捉 * breathtaking view: 绝美的景色 * witnessed: 见证了 Would you take photos when you see a good view? Absolutely! In fact, when I encountered the view I just mentioned, I spent half of my time taking photos, trying to capture the moment, and the other half, I was simply soaking it all in. I even shot a video to capture the full beauty of that heavenly landscape. * encountered: 邂逅 * spent half of my time: 花了一半的时间 * capture the moment: 捕捉那一刻 * the other half: 另一半时间 * soaking it all in: 完全沉浸其中 * heavenly: 天堂般的 * landscape: 景色 [图片] What is your favorite place and why? My favorite place is definitely my hometown. Even though I’ve traveled across different continents, home always holds a special place in my heart. There’s a saying, “East or West, home is best”, and I truly believe that. My hometown is a mountainous region in Sichuan, where I can experience all four seasons, smell the fresh scent of the woods, and pick fruit right from the trees. I especially love springtime there—flowers blossom in abundance, and when I was young, spring always filled me with a sense of hope and excitement. * holds a special place in my heart: 在我心中有着特别的位置 * East or West, home is best: 金窝银窝不如自己的狗窝 * a mountainous region: 山区 * experience all four seasons: 感受四季 * the fresh scent of the woods: 森林的气息 * pick fruit: 摘水果 * flowers blossom: 开花 * filled me with a sense of hope: 充满希望

你好呀, 欢迎收听: 英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Why are many people so keen on reading? I think many people are passionate about reading because it offers a sanctuary from their daily lives. Books provide a calming escape, allowing readers to immerse themselves in different worlds and perspectives. Whether it's a work of fiction or a non-fiction narrative, reading definitely helps to soothe the mind and broaden one's horizons. I think it can also provoke people think a little more deeply about the mysteries of life and the issues that people from all walks of life face. So I’d say those are some of the main reasons people pursue reading as a hobby. * passionate about: 热衷于 * offers a sanctuary: 提供一个避风港 * a calming escape: 一种平静的逃离 * immerse: 沉浸 * perspectives: 视角 * a work of fiction: 小说作品 * non-fiction: 非虚构作品 * soothe the mind: 抚慰心灵 * broaden one's horizons: 拓宽视野 * provoke: 激发 * think a little more deeply about: 更深入地思考 * the mysteries of life: 生命的奥秘 * people from all walks of life: 各行各业的人 * pursue: 追求 [Image] Do you think parents should help their children develop reading habits from an early age? Absolutely, in fact, I’d even go as far as saying that if parents don’t do that, then it’s a disservice to their child. There’s no doubt that developing reading habits early on can significantly enhance children's imagination and comprehension abilities. It helps them recognize words, improve vocabulary, and foster independence in their thinking. Moreover, children who read regularly tend to be more innovative and creative in their ideas. This I think not only contributes to their academic success but also prepares them to be more thoughtful and critically-minded in the future. * develop reading habits early on: 早期培养阅读习惯 * significantly enhance: 显著提高 * imagination: 想象力 * comprehension: 理解能力 * recognize words: 识字 * improve vocabulary: 提高词汇量 * foster independence in their thinking: 培养独立思考 * innovative: 创新 * contributes to: 有助于 * academic success: 学术成功 * thoughtful: 体贴的；善于思考的 * critically-minded: 批判性思维的 [Image] What are the differences between paper books and movies? Well, from where I stand, I think books and movies differ in the way they engage our senses. When you read a book, the imagery and stories are created in your mind, allowing for a deeply personal interpretation of the narrative. On the other hand, movies bring images alive in front of our eyes, and accompanied by sound effects, greatly enhance the experience, but I think the effect from film, compared to the written word, is fleeting. However, in saying that, sometimes reading a book and then watching its movie adaptation can be a double whammy, especially if the screen adaptation accurately reflects the book. But overall, I’d have to say that the main difference is that books actively stir the imagination whereas watching films is more of a passive pursuit. * engage our senses: 调动我们的感官 * the imagery: 形象/意象 * deeply personal interpretation: 深刻的个人解读 * the narrative: 故事情节 * bring images alive in front of our eyes: 使画面在眼前栩栩如生 * accompanied by sound effects: 伴随着音效 * enhance: 增强 * the written word: 文字 * fleeting: 短暂的 * screen adaptation: 电影改编 * accurately reflects: 准确反映 * actively stir the imagination: 积极激发想象力 * a passive pursuit: 被动的活动 [Image] Do you think people of all ages need to read? I’m not sure about “need” to read, but I think for youngsters it’s a must, but I guess the older you become, perhaps some of the concepts, ideas, and stories may begin to seem like old hat, but overall, I think there’s no doubt that reading is beneficial for people of all ages. For children, it builds foundational skills as I mentioned before, like vocabulary, comprehension, and imagination. And for adults, I think reading helps in maintaining cognitive sharpness, further expanding knowledge, and offering stress relief. Even the elderly can benefit from reading, as it keeps the mind active and can provide an emotional outlet. In fact, I’d say that reading throughout one’s life fosters continuous learning and mental well-being. * it's a must: 必须的 * concepts: 概念 * seem like old hat: 显得老套 * people of all ages: 各个年龄段的人 * maintain cognitive sharpness: 保持认知敏锐度 * further expanding knowledge: 进一步扩展知识 * stress relief: 缓解压力 * keep the mind active: 保持大脑活跃 * an emotional outlet: 情感宣泄 * fosters continuous learning: 促进持续学习 * mental well-being: 心理健康

你好呀, 欢迎收听: 英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Describe a movie you like that you watched recently You should say: * When and where you watched it * Who you watched it with * What it was about * And explain why you like this movie [图片] I watched the film Hillbilly Elegy recently at home by myself. First, I have to say, the movie left a strong impression on me. The film is based on JD Vance’s memoirs and tells the story of his turbulent childhood in a dysfunctional family in the Appalachia region of the United States, particularly focusing on his mother’s struggles with drug addiction. and his resilient grandmother, who played a pivotal role in shaping his life path. Despite all the hardships though, JD eventually managed to attend Yale Law School. One of the reasons I liked this movie is the central message it conveys: it’s not where you come from that matters, but what you do with your life. The performances of the leading roles are excellent, bringing the raw emotions of the characters to life. I especially loved the early scenes set in the beautiful landscape of rural Kentucky, where JD spent his childhood. The movie also touches on important social issues, such as drug abuse, broken families, and how one’s circumstances can rob them of their sense of worth. Yet, it’s ultimately a story of triumph. I found it inspiring to see how JD, despite growing up in such a backward place, refused to let his circumstances define him. Instead, he found purpose and success, proving that one can rise above their past and create a better future. And now, it looks like he’s going to be the next Vice President of the United States. So, from hillbilly to VP, not bad, and a great film to boot. * memoirs – 回忆录 * turbulent – 动荡的 * a dysfunctional family – 失能家庭 * drug addiction – 吸毒成瘾 * played a pivotal role in – 在……中起到了关键作用 * shaping his life path – 塑造他的人生道路 * managed to – 成功做到了 * the central message it conveys – 它传达的核心信息 * performances – 表演 * leading roles – 主要角色 * raw emotions – 原始的情绪 * scenes – 场景 * set in – 以……为背景 * landscape – 风景 * spent his childhood – 度过了他的童年 * touches on – 涉及 * social issues – 社会问题 * drug abuse – 药物滥用 / 毒品滥用 * broken families – 破裂的家庭 * circumstances – 处境 * rob them of their sense of worth – 剥夺了他们的价值感 * triumph – 胜利 / 成就 * a backward place – 落后的地方 * let his circumstances define him – 屈服于自己的处境 * rise above their past – 超越过去 * hillbilly – 乡下人（带有轻微的贬义） * and a great film to boot - 而且还是一部好电影

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Is fishing popular in your country? Yeah sure, in fact it’s incredibly popular in my country I think, particularly among middle-aged or older men. In fact, it almost feels like a shared national pastime. If you take a walk along the riverbanks in any town, you’ll often see groups of men sitting there for hours, waiting patiently for a fish to take the bait. It’s so ubiquitous that some of my friends joke that the easiest way to tell if someone is getting older is to see if they’ve joined the so-called "fishing club". Where I live though, I even see young couples just hanging out along the canal or riverbank, kind of like picnicking and fishing at the same time. * incredibly popular – 非常受欢迎 * middle-aged – 中年 * a shared national pastime – 国民爱好 * riverbanks – 河岸 * waiting patiently for – 耐心等待 * take the bait – 上钩 * ubiquitous – 随处可见 / 无处不在 * the so-called – 所谓的 * hanging out – 闲逛 * canal – 运河 * kind of like – 类似于 [图片] Do you like eating fish? Absolutely! I particularly enjoy fish when it’s prepared in a spicy soup with pickled vegetables, peppers, and tofu. The combination of flavors is simply divine—it’s one of those comfort dishes that I never tire of. There’s also a type of fried fish from my hometown that I’m especially fond of. When fried to perfection, the fish develops a golden, crispy exterior, making it crunchy. As a child, I used to devour these fried fish like candy. It’s definitely one of my favorite foods. * pickled vegetables – 腌菜 * the combination of flavors – 味道的组合 * simply divine – 美味至极 * comfort dishes – 让人感到温暖和满足的食物 * especially fond of – 特别钟爱 * perfection – 完美 * crunchy – 酥脆 * devour – 狼吞虎咽 [图片] Do you like fishing? To be honest, not really, I’ve never been a fan of fishing because I think it requires a great deal of patience, and sitting on a riverbank and waiting for hours isn’t really my cup of tea. However, perhaps I’m missing the point of what fishing is, as I guess it’s more about relaxing, but anyway, I certainly enjoy the end result of somebody fishing—mainly eating the fish! * never been a fan of – 一直不感兴趣 * a great deal of patience – 需要极大的耐心 * isn't really my cup of tea – 不太喜欢 * missing the point – 可能误解了 * the end result of – 最终的结果 [图片] Did you ever go fishing when you were a child? No, I didn’t. Fishing never really captured my interest as a child. I think I was far too restless to sit in one place for an extended period. That being said, I’ve always enjoyed eating fish, but fishing itself just wasn’t something I ever felt drawn to. In the area where I grew up, fish wasn’t as readily available, so we didn’t eat it as often. This probably made me appreciate the rare occasions when we did have fish even more, but still, not actually want to fish. * captured my interest – 吸引我的兴趣 * restless – 坐不住 * felt drawn to – 对……产生兴趣 * readily available – 轻易获得 * rare occasions – 罕见的场合 / 难得的机会

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Describe a person who likes to read a lot You should say: Who this person is How you knew him/her What he/she likes to read And explain why you think he/she likes to read a lot [Image] The person I’d like to describe is my friend, Jade, as I consider her to be an avid reader. From a young age, I know she has always had the desire to read, but according to her, she didn’t have access to many books. But now that she can afford them, she really indulges in this hobby during her free time. She enjoys reading a variety of genres, particularly literature and biographies, something that I also like, so we share not only the same hobby, but also like the same genres of literature, though both of us are not limited to these. Jade is curious about anything that piques her interest. Through reading, I know she has greatly expanded her horizons, as have I, and experienced countless lives, cultures, and perspectives beyond ourselves, and without even stepping out of the door. It’s like traveling the world while being in the comfort of our home. One fun fact about her reading habit is that she tries to buy a book whenever she visits a new city. For instance, during her recent travels, she bought books in Prague, Lisbon, and London. This has become a little tradition for her, and according to her, those books serve as souvenirs that remind her of the places she’s been to. I think the reason she loves reading so much, something that I can resonate with, is very personal. As a child, she always yearned for books, and now she relishes the opportunity to read as much as she wants. This hobby broadens her understanding of the world and enriches her imagination. And when we talk, we always discuss the different books we’ve been reading. Anyway, Jade is a person who definitely loves reading. * an avid reader 热衷读书的人 * have access to 获得/接触到 * afford 负担得起 * indulges in 沉迷于/尽情享受 * hobby 爱好 * a variety of genres 各种体裁 * literature 文学 * biographies 传记 * not limited to 不局限于 * curious about 对...好奇 * piques her interest 激发她的兴趣 * greatly expanded her horizons 极大地开阔了她的眼界 * perspectives 视角/观点 * without even stepping out of the door 不用出门 * one fun fact 一个有趣的事实 * serve as souvenirs 作为纪念品 * remind her of 让她想起 * resonate with 引起共鸣 * yearned for 渴望 * relishes the opportunity to 珍惜机会 * broadens her understanding 扩大了她的理解 * enriches her imagination 丰富了她的想象力 [Image] 欢迎朋友们加入我们的【知识星球】 价格：388元/年。 如不适合，加入后3天内无理由退款。

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 What role does social media play in advertising? Interesting question. Actually, I think social media plays a pivotal role in modern advertising by providing businesses with direct access to their target audience. In today's digital age, almost everyone owns a smartphone and maintains various social media accounts, such as WeChat, TikTok, or Red. As people spend significant amounts of time on these platforms, they inevitably encounter advertisements tailored to their interests and online behaviors. Social media advertising is effective because it uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze user data, allowing companies to create highly targeted and personalized ads. This targeted approach not only increases the visibility of products and services but also enhances the likelihood of engagement and conversion, which, ultimately, drives sales and brand recognition. * Play a pivotal role in: 在……中起关键作用 * Provide ... with direct access to: 为……提供直接接触……的途径 * Target audience: 目标受众 * Digital age: 数字时代 * Spend significant amounts of time on: 在……上花费大量时间 * Inevitably encounter: 不可避免地遇到 * Tailored: 定制 * Sophisticated algorithms: 复杂的算法 * Personalized: 个性化的 * Visibility: 可见性 / 曝光度 * The likelihood of: ……的可能性 * Engagement: 互动 / 参与度 * Conversion: 转化率 * Drive sales: 推动销售 * Brand recognition: 品牌认知度 [Image] Does advertising encourage us to buy things we don’t need? Yes, absolutely, advertising often persuades us to purchase items that we do not genuinely need. In fact, I’d say one of the primary objectives of advertising is to create a perceived need or desire for a product, even if it was previously non-existent. Advertisers use psychological techniques to influence consumer behavior, convincing us that their products will improve our lives in some way or provide solutions to problems we may not even have realized we had. A common example of this is seen on platforms like Taobao, the largest online shopping site in China, where users are frequently enticed by ads on the homepage and recommendations sections. * Genuinely: 真正地 * Primary objectives: 主要目标 * Previously non-existent: 之前不存在的 * Psychological techniques: 心理技巧 * Consumer behavior: 消费者行为 * A common example of this: 这方面的一个常见例子 * Enticed: 诱惑；吸引 * Homepage: 首页 [Image] What do you think of celebrity endorsements in advertising? Well, I think they are actually highly effective due to the "celebrity effect", which leverages the influence and appeal of these individuals. Celebrities can attract attention, making the advertisements more memorable and impactful. For the average consumer, seeing a product endorsed by a well-known figure can create a sense of trust and credibility, as people tend to associate the celebrity's success and popularity with the quality of the product. Moreover, fans of the celebrity are often more inclined to purchase products endorsed by their idols, believing that they share a connection or common interest. * Celebrity effect: 明星效应 * Leverage: 利用 * Attract attention: 吸引注意 * Memorable: 难忘的 * Impactful: 有影响力的 * Endorsed by: 由……代言 * A sense of trust: 信任感 * Credibility: 可信度 * Associate...with...: 把……和……关联起来 * Popularity: 受欢迎度；知名度 * Common interest: 共同兴趣 [Image] What are the benefits of advertising? I’m not sure, but I would say that for companies, advertising is essential for raising brand awareness, allowing them to reach a larger audience and differentiate themselves from competitors. On top of that, I think advertising also informs consumers about new products, special offers, and innovations, helping them make informed purchasing decisions. Another benefit that comes to mind is that effective advertising can create a positive brand image and build long-term customer relationships by establishing trust and loyalty. So overall, I’d have to say that advertising plays a crucial role in the economy by stimulating demand, driving competition, and fostering innovation. * Raise brand awareness: 提升品牌知名度 * Differentiate: 区分 / 差异化 * Special offers: 特别优惠 * Make informed purchasing decisions: 做出明智的购买决定 * Stimulate demand: 刺激需求 * Drive competition: 推动竞争 * Foster innovation: 促进创新 欢迎朋友们加入我们的【知识星球】 价格：388元/年。 如不适合，加入后3天内无理由退款。

你好呀！欢迎收听英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱，我是 Lauren。 今天我们来聊聊字母 “T” 在英语单词中的各种发音。 为什么我们要聊发音呢？因为在雅思口语考试中，发音是四大评分标准之一。这四个标准分别是：流利性与连贯性、词汇多样性、语法多样性，还有发音。 这期播客里出现的单词： top, that, take, bite, sweet, water, better, party Top, Two, Ten, Tide, Take water, later, excited, lighter, daughter, little, bottle, better, butter, bitter, pretty, city, getting, writing, whatever, alligator, meeting, greater but I, not at all, thought of, forget it, a lot of, wait a minute, get out of, what if party, turtle, sort of, hurting definitely, partner, exactly, footprint, must be, outside, next door, first class, just like, at least, out there, not really, What do you think? What does it mean? mountain don't, couldn't, shoudn't, wouldn't, won't, haven't I don't understand, went outside 欢迎朋友们加入我们的【知识星球】 价格：388元/年。 如不适合，加入后3天内无理由退款。

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 What’s your favorite number? I actually don't have a favorite number because, for me, all numbers carry the same significance. I’ve never associated numbers with any particular meaning or luck, so I don’t consider any number to be more special than another. As a consequence, I’ve never developed a preference for a "favorite" or "lucky" number. In my view, they are all equally neutral, and I find it interesting how some people ascribe certain numbers with positive or negative connotations, but that’s just not something that resonates with me. * carry the same significance 意义相同 * associate...with... 将……与……联系起来 * a preference for 偏爱 * equally neutral 同样中立 * connotations 含义 * resonate with 引起共鸣 [Image] Are you good at remembering phone numbers? No, not at all. I used to be, but now, I can’t even recall my own phone number here in Singapore. It’s strange because, in the past, I’ve always been able to remember important numbers quite easily, birthday dates for instance. But for some reason, this particular number just doesn’t seem to stick in my mind. It’s the same with other numbers, particularly a friend’s recent number for example, but I guess this is because we simply don’t rely on calling people using a phone number any longer. * strange 奇怪 * stick in my mind 牢牢记住 * rely on 依赖 [Image] Do you usually use numbers? Yeah, sure, I use numbers quite frequently in my daily life for a variety of purposes. For instance, I need to remember my course codes, which are in numerical form, as well as flight numbers when I travel, classroom numbers for my classes, and bus numbers when commuting. Numbers play a crucial role in organizing and managing different aspects of my life as well, such as dates, and I find it interesting how numbers can be such a universal tool for keeping things in order. * for a variety of purposes 用于各种目的 * course codes 课程代码 * numerical form 数字形式 * flight numbers 航班号 * find it interesting 觉得有趣 * a universal tool 通用工具 * keep things in order 使事情井然有序 [Image] Are you good at math? No, absolutely not, my math has never been one of my strong points. In fact, it was a subject that I found particularly challenging throughout my school years. I remember it being a bit of a nightmare for me as I struggled to grasp many of the concepts. Math often felt like an insurmountable obstacle, and despite my best efforts, it never quite clicked for me. As a result, it’s definitely not a subject I look back on fondly. * one of my strong points 我的强项之一 * found particularly challenging 觉得特别有挑战性 * a bit of a nightmare 有点像噩梦 * struggled to grasp 努力理解 * concepts 概念 * an insurmountable obstacle 一个难以逾越的障碍 * never quite clicked for me 从未真正理解 * fondly 美好地 欢迎朋友们加入我们的【知识星球】 价格：388元/年。 如不适合，加入后3天内无理由退款。

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Do you keep plants at home? Yes, I do. My balcony is full of various types of plants, including cacti, aloe vera, some climbing plants, and even small trees. I’m not a plant expert, so I don’t know the names of all my plants, but I enjoy watching them thrive. Sometimes they grow so well that my balcony resembles a little forest, which is quite remarkable given the urban area I live in. I find that having this greenery around provides a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and adds a touch of nature to my home. * Balcony: 阳台 * Various types of: 各种类型的 * Cacti: 仙人掌 * Aloe vera: 芦荟 * Urban area: 城市区域 * Remarkable: 非常显著的 * The hustle and bustle of city life: 城市生活的喧嚣 * A touch of: 一丝 / 一点 [Image] What plants did you grow when you were young? When I was young, I remember planting rice with the adults of the house every year. Additionally, we often grew peach trees because kids and adults alike love the local peaches. Participating in these planting activities was enjoyable and educational since it gave me a hands-on understanding of planting, but more importantly, allowed me to play in the dirt. * Enjoyable: 愉快的 * Educational: 有教育意义的 * Hands-on understanding: 实践理解 / 动手学习 [Image] Do you know anything about growing plants? Honestly, all I know is that I need to water the plants regularly. In fact, I would say I have nothing akin to a green thumb so to speak. However, I’ve learned that different plants require varying amounts of water and attention. For example, some plants need frequent watering, while others thrive with less, such as cacti. I try to observe my plants closely to ensure they get the right care, but I still have a lot to learn about the ins and outs of gardening. * Regularly: 定期 / 经常 * Akin to: 类似于 * Green thumb: 园艺天赋（有种植植物的天赋） * Varying amounts of: 不同量的 * Frequent watering: 经常浇水 * The ins and outs of: 细节 / 门道 [Image] Do people in your country give plants as gifts? Yes, they do. In fact, I’d say It’s quite common to give plants as gifts for special occasions like birthdays. Succulents and money trees are popular choices as they are believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Many young people seem to appreciate receiving plants as gifts as well, as they make for unique and thoughtful presents. Giving plants as gifts, actually, has become a trendy way, I think, to show appreciation and share the beauty of nature with others. * Succulents: 多肉植物 * Money tree: 发财树 * Prosperity: 繁荣；兴旺 * Unique: 独特 * Trendy: 流行 * The beauty of nature: 自然之美 欢迎朋友们加入我们的【知识星球】 价格：388元/年。 如不适合，加入后3天内无理由退款。

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Describe another city you would like to stay in for a short time You should say: * Where the city is * Why you want to go there * Whom you will go there with * What you will do there * And explain why you will stay there just for a short time [Image] One city I’d love to visit and stay in for a short period of time is San Miguel de Allende. This town is located in central Mexico, about a three-and-a-half-hour journey by bus north of Mexico City. I’m eager to visit San Miguel de Allende because I hear it’s in a picturesque hillside location and has colorful, quaint and charming buildings. The structures are mostly two or three stories high, and reportedly, line narrow, cobblestone streets that create a tranquil ambiance, apparently making one feel like the person is stepping back in time. Also, I’ve heard the locals are warm-hearted, adding to the city’s allure and making it a welcoming place for travelers. I’d love to travel to San Miguel de Allende either by myself or with friends. While there, I plan to explore the city’s charming streets and admire its unique architecture. I’d also like to relax on a rooftop terrace with views of the impressive cathedral I’ve heard is located in the town center, a landmark apparently visible from almost every corner of the city. Additionally, I want to explore the nearby countryside on a quad or by bike, or ideally, by horse. I intend to stay in San Miguel de Allende only for a short time because it’s not a very large town, and most attractions are within walking distance. I’ve read that the climate is pleasantly dry but not too hot, making for a comfortable short visit. Lastly, the town’s slow pace would provide a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing for relaxation before returning to my regular routine. So, in conclusion, I think San Miguel de Allende offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for a short stay filled with exploration and relaxation. * A short period of time: 短时间 * Is located in: 位于 * Picturesque: 风景如画 * Hillside: 山坡 * Quaint: 古色古香 * Three stories high: 三层高 * Cobblestone streets: 鹅卵石街道 * Tranquil ambiance: 宁静的氛围 * Apparently: 据说 * Stepping back in time: 仿佛回到了过去 * Rooftop terrace: 屋顶露台 * Impressive: 令人印象深刻 * Landmark: 地标 * Visible: 可见 * Every corner of the city: 城市的每个角落 * Quad: 四轮摩托 * Within walking distance: 步行可达 * Pleasantly dry: 舒适干爽的 * Slow pace: 缓慢的节奏 * The hustle and bustle of everyday life: 日常生活的喧嚣 * Before returning to my regular routine: 回到我正常的生活之前 * A perfect blend of: 完美结合 * Making it an ideal destination: 使其成为理想的目的地 * Exploration: 探索 欢迎朋友们加入我们的【知识星球】 价格：388元/年。 如不适合，加入后3天内无理由退款。