Studioclassroom_20090330

Globalization
Is globalization making the world better or worse?

Globalization - the international spread of products, ideas and information - is bringing the world closer together. But globalization is not a new concept. For thousands of years, nations have roamed the earth in search of new markets and new source of raw material for their own industries.

Today, the world is becoming more and more integrated, so the speed at which globalization is occuring has increased. Since 1950, the volume of world trade has increased 27 times, and now it accounts for more than 20 percent of economic activities.

Is globalization good or bad? Not everyone agrees.

Conversation

Beth: Did you know that this coffee shop chain serves coffees from all over the world? By serving these products, they are giving destitue farmers access to new markets and thus raising their living standards. The shops are also giving us a wider range of products to choose them.

Adam: True, but globalization has its downsides too. There is concern about multinational companies mistreating their workers in developing countries as well as damaging the enviroment there.

Beth: Perhaps, but the presence of multinational companies in these countries does
provide investment opportunities and create jobs.


globalization n. 全球化
globe -> the earth
eg: The impact of globalization on the world is both widespread and complex.

roam v. 漫步
eg: The lost child roamed around the playground, looking for her mother and crying loudly.
eg: The bored youngsters roamed around the mall.
eg: The adventures roamed about the world looking for treasure.

destitue adj. -> poor 貧窮的
impoverished adj. 貧窮的
eg: Many people in India are destitue, so they have to beg in the streets in order to survive.
eg: These destitue families don't even have food to feed thier children.
eg: The hurricane left thousands of people destitue.

downside n. 缺點 -> negative effect
eg: One downside to driving a big car is the high cost of fuel.
eg: The downside of using emails to communicate is the lack of real personal interaction.
eg: The downside of living in the city is the high living expense.

downside <-> upside n.優點




multinational company n. 跨國企業






//== Chat room ==//
do come to the party -> for emphasis

John was supposed to come to dinner, but he never came.
-> John was supposed to come to dinner, but He never did come.

Do tell me.
He never did come.