CCTV9英语新闻：中国的独立书店在与成员的帮助

The number of people buying books across China is steadily 1 declining, which has led to more closures of traditional brick and mortar 2 bookstores. But one independent bookstore in Tianjin has not only survived over the past 15 years, it’s actually seeing brisk business, thanks to the help of its loyal, avid 3 readers.

 

It’s been a tough time for traditional books stores. When it comes to reading, internet companies are offering rock bottom prices for e-books, threatening paperbacks 4 with extinction 5. Creating something unique seems to be the only way to survive.

 

"The charm of my book store centers on a life style. The expectation of finding a new book or meeting a new author. Or finding someone who’s just like you.” Bian Hong, owner of Tianze Bookstore, said. 

 

Opened 15 years ago, Tianze book store has become famous among bookworms in Tianjin. Every book on the shelves has been selected by Bian or has been introduced to her by loyal customers and members of the bookstore.

 

But rising rents and razor thin profit margins 6, added with the unrelenting onslaught from online book sellers, have put independent bookstores like hers, on the verge 7 of bankruptcy 8.

 

Bian’s bookstore would have gone out of business a long time ago, if it wasn’t for the help of her loyal members, and getting discounted rental 9 space.

 

"Including the lay-out plan and interior decoration, members helped a lot. I don’t feel alone in the shop because the contributions of members is everywhere in this space.” Bian said. 

 

Bian and her fellow readers find solace 10 in opening a book. When reading in the shop, they feel more like friends.

 

The oldest member is an 88 year old professor from Nan Kai University.

 

Bian says she became so inspired by the elderly member, proving that there is no age limit on reading.

 

"Reading broadens my vision, and boosts my understanding of what others have accomplished 11. It’s an essential part of my life outside the lab.” Prof. Xiong Xingmei with Fudan University said. 

 

Independent book stores across the nation have seen a more than 50% drop in customers in the past five years. These stores, which used to be the symbol of a city’s vitality 12, seemingly are slowly seeing their time come to an end.

点击收听单词发音  






1
steadily

  
 


adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地


参考例句：





The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。












2
mortar

  
 


n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合


参考例句：





The mason flushed the joint with mortar.泥工用灰浆把接缝处嵌平。
The sound of mortar fire seemed to be closing in.迫击炮的吼声似乎正在逼近。












3
avid

  
 


adj.热心的；贪婪的；渴望的；劲头十足的


参考例句：





He is rich,but he is still avid of more money.他很富有,但他还想贪图更多的钱。
She was avid for praise from her coach.那女孩渴望得到教练的称赞。












4
paperbacks

  
 


n.平装本，平装书( paperback的名词复数 )


参考例句：





This shop only sells paperbacks. 这家书店只出售平装本的书。 来自辞典例句
Other paperbacks were selling for ten or 15 cents each. 其它的平装书每本才卖十或十五美分。 来自互联网












5
extinction

  
 


n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种


参考例句：





The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。












6
margins

  
 


边( margin的名词复数 )； 利润； 页边空白； 差数


参考例句：





They have always had to make do with relatively small profit margins. 他们不得不经常设法应付较少的利润额。
To create more space between the navigation items, add left and right margins to the links. 在每个项目间留更多的空隙，加左或者右的margins来定义链接。












7
verge

  
 


n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临


参考例句：





The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。












8
bankruptcy

  
 


n.破产；无偿付能力


参考例句：





You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。












9
rental

  
 


n.租赁，出租，出租业


参考例句：





The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。
We can organise car rental from Chicago O'Hare Airport.我们可以安排提供从芝加哥奥黑尔机场出发的租车服务。












10
solace

  
 


n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和


参考例句：





They sought solace in religion from the harshness of their everyday lives.他们日常生活很艰难，就在宗教中寻求安慰。
His acting career took a nosedive and he turned to drink for solace.演艺事业突然一落千丈，他便借酒浇愁。












11
accomplished

  
 


adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的


参考例句：





Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。












12
vitality

  
 


n.活力，生命力，效力


参考例句：





He came back from his holiday bursting with vitality and good health.他度假归来之后，身强体壮，充满活力。
He is an ambitious young man full of enthusiasm and vitality.他是个充满热情与活力的有远大抱负的青年。