Debating a Specific Policy Proposal

辩论一项具体政策提案

Two or more individuals engage in a more structured discussion, presenting arguments for and against a particular government policy, such as healthcare reform, environmental regulations, or economic stimulus.

两个人或更多人进行更具结构的讨论，就某项具体的政府政策，如医疗改革、环境法规或经济刺激方案，提出赞成和反对的论点。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

Economist A (Male)

So, let's talk about this proposed universal basic income (UBI) policy. I believe it's a bold but necessary step to address income inequality and future job displacement.

那么，我们来谈谈这项拟议的全民基本收入（UBI）政策。我认为这是解决收入不平等和未来就业岗位流失问题的大胆而必要的举措。

Economist B (Female)

I understand the good intentions behind it, but I have serious concerns about its feasibility and potential economic impact. The sheer cost would be astronomical, and funding it would likely necessitate significant tax increases or massive deficits.

我理解这背后的良好意图，但我对其可行性和潜在的经济影响深感担忧。所需成本将是天文数字，而且为其提供资金可能需要大幅提高税收或导致巨额赤字。

Economist A (Male)

That's a valid point, but proponents argue that it could actually streamline existing welfare programs, reducing administrative overhead. Plus, imagine the benefits: increased consumer spending, reduced poverty, and a stronger safety net.

这是一个合理的观点，但支持者认为，它实际上可以精简现有的福利项目，减少管理费用。此外，想象一下它带来的好处：增加消费者支出，减少贫困，以及更强大的安全网。

Economist B (Female)

While those are attractive outcomes, we also need to consider the potential for disincentives to work. If people receive a basic income regardless of employment, what motivates them to seek jobs, especially lower-paying ones? This could lead to labor shortages in critical sectors.

尽管这些结果很有吸引力，但我们也需要考虑对工作积极性的潜在负面影响。如果人们无论是否就业都能获得基本收入，那他们还会努力找工作吗，特别是低薪工作？这可能导致关键行业劳动力短缺。

Economist A (Male)

Research suggests that UBI doesn't necessarily lead to a mass exodus from the workforce. People often use UBI to pursue education, retraining, or entrepreneurial ventures, ultimately contributing more effectively to the economy in the long run. It could foster innovation.

研究表明，UBI 未必会导致劳动力大规模流失。人们通常利用 UBI 追求教育、再培训或创业，最终从长远来看更有效地促进经济。它还可以促进创新。

Economist B (Female)

That's an optimistic outlook, but the transition period would be incredibly complex. How do we ensure that industries can adapt to such a fundamental shift in labor supply? And what about rural areas or regions with fewer opportunities for those alternative pursuits?

这是一种乐观的看法，但过渡期将异常复杂。我们如何确保各行业能够适应劳动力供应的这种根本性转变？那些农村地区或机会较少的地区，如何看待这些替代性发展？

Economist A (Male)

It would certainly require careful implementation and regional adjustments. Perhaps a pilot program in specific areas could provide valuable data before a full nationwide rollout. We need to think big, but also act incrementally.

这肯定需要仔细实施和区域调整。也许在特定地区开展试点项目可以在全国范围推广之前提供有价值的数据。我们需要有远大的抱负，但也需要循序渐进地行动。

Economist B (Female)

I agree that a pilot program would be essential, especially to gauge public acceptance and its true impact on employment rates. Without solid data, implementing such a sweeping change would be a huge gamble.

我同意试点项目至关重要，特别是为了衡量公众接受度及其对就业率的真正影响。如果没有可靠的数据，实施如此大规模的变革将是一场巨大的赌博。

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

universal basic income

A government program that gives every citizen a regular amount of money, no matter their income or job status, to help reduce poverty.

一项政府计划，向每位公民定期提供固定金额的资金，无论其收入或就业状况如何，以帮助减少贫困。

income inequality

The uneven distribution of income among people in a society, where some have much more money than others.

社会中人们之间收入的不均匀分配，其中一些人比其他人拥有更多的钱。

feasibility

The quality of being possible or practical to do, especially for plans or projects.

可行或实用的品质，尤其是对于计划或项目。

astronomical

Extremely large or high, often used to describe costs or numbers that are surprisingly big.

极度巨大或高，常用于描述令人惊讶的巨大成本或数字。

streamline

To make a process simpler and more efficient by removing unnecessary steps.

通过去除不必要的步骤，使流程更简单和高效。

disincentives

Things that discourage or reduce motivation for an action, like working hard.

那些削弱或降低对某项行动动机的因素，例如努力工作。

pilot program

A small-scale test of a new idea or policy in a limited area before full implementation.

在全面实施之前，在有限区域内对新想法或政策进行的小规模测试。

sweeping change

A major, widespread transformation that affects many areas or people.

一种影响许多领域或人民的重大、广泛的转变。

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

I believe it's a bold but necessary step to address income inequality.

This sentence expresses a strong opinion using 'I believe' for belief, and 'bold but necessary' to contrast ideas. It's useful in debates to state support for a policy, helping intermediate learners practice opinion-sharing with conjunctions like 'but'.

这个句子使用‘I believe’表达信念，并用‘bold but necessary’对比想法来表达强烈的意见。它在辩论中用于声明对政策的的支持，有助于中级学习者使用像‘but’这样的连词练习分享意见。

I understand the good intentions behind it, but I have serious concerns about its feasibility.

Here, 'I understand... but' shows polite acknowledgment before disagreement. This pattern is practical for balanced discussions, teaching how to concede a point while raising counterarguments, common in formal debates.

这里，'我理解...但是'显示了在不同意之前的礼貌承认。这种模式在平衡讨论中很实用，教导如何在提出反论的同时让步一点，这在正式辩论中很常见。

That's a valid point, but proponents argue that it could actually streamline existing welfare programs.

This uses 'That's a valid point' to agree partially, then 'but' to add more. It's great for debates to build rapport; the grammar shows how to reference arguments with 'proponents argue that' for reporting opinions.

这使用了‘这是一个有效的观点’来部分同意，然后用‘但’添加更多。在辩论中建立 rapport 很棒；语法展示了如何用‘支持者们认为’来报告观点。

We also need to consider the potential for disincentives to work.

This sentence uses 'we need to consider' to suggest examining risks, with 'potential for' indicating possibility. Useful for introducing concerns in group discussions, highlighting impersonal language for objectivity.

这个句子使用 'we need to consider' 来建议检查风险，'potential for' 表示可能性。在小组讨论中引入担忧很有用，强调非个人化语言以保持客观性。

Research suggests that UBI doesn't necessarily lead to a mass exodus from the workforce.

'Research suggests' cites evidence to support a claim, and 'doesn't necessarily' softens absolutes. This is practical for evidence-based arguments, teaching how to use modals and negatives for nuanced opinions.

“Research suggests”引用证据支持主张，“doesn't necessarily”软化绝对性。这对基于证据的论证很实用，教导如何使用情态动词和否定来表达细微的意见。

It would certainly require careful implementation and regional adjustments.

Using conditional 'would' for hypothetical situations, and 'certainly' for emphasis. Helpful for discussing policy challenges, showing how to express requirements with adjectives like 'careful'.

使用条件式 'would' 来表示假设情况，以及 'certainly' 来强调。有助于讨论政策挑战，展示如何用 'careful' 等形容词表达要求。

Without solid data, implementing such a sweeping change would be a huge gamble.

This warns of risks with 'without... would be', using metaphor 'huge gamble' for uncertainty. Ideal for concluding debates, teaching conditional structures and idiomatic expressions for emphasis.

这警告了使用“without... would be”的风险，使用“huge gamble”隐喻表示不确定性。适合结束辩论，教条件结构和用于强调的习语表达。