Transcript Document
Conversation Practice
Politics
By Paul Chen
Outline
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Starting Questions
Sample Conversation
Vocabulary
Useful Expressions
Further Questions
Reference
Starting Questions
• What is politics? Or what does it mean
to you? Any impression or comment?
• Can people live without politics?
• Please name some political activities
you know and share with us your
opinions on them.
Some Dictionary Definitions
• Longman: ideas and activities relating to
gaining and using power in a country, city etc.
• Collins: The actions or activities concerned
with achieving and using power in a country
or society.
• p.s. Also from what we learn in high school,
「政」是眾人的事;「治」是管理
• More on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics
Sample Conversation
A: Did you go vote today?
B: Well, no.
A: How come? Don’t you know that it’s important for us
to vote for the best person to be our mayor?
B: I just have no idea who the best candidate is.
A: Didn’t you watch their debates on TV? They shared a
lot of political views with the public.
B: Yes, I know and I’ve watched each of their debates,
but I just cannot feel any sincerity from any of the
candidates.
A: Well, that is truly a careful observation. However, we
all have to make the best choice out of limited
options sometimes.
B: I guess you’re right. All right then, I will go vote now.
Hope it’s not too late.
Vocabulary
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government 政府
administration 行政
policy 政策
strategy 策略
politician 政治人物
president 總統
first lady 第一夫人
leader 領導(人)
chairperson 主席
minister 部長
mayor 市長
legislator 立法委員
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Legislative Yuan 立法院
Executive Yuan 行政院
diplomacy 外交
foreign affairs 外交事務
KMT 國民黨
DPP 民進黨
PFP 親民黨
the ruling party 執政黨
opposition 在野黨
election 選舉
campaign 競
propaganda 宣傳(活動)
Useful Expressions
• have no idea 不知道、沒概念
e.g. I have no idea what to do this afternoon.
• make a choice 選擇、抉擇
e.g. You got to make a choice about what to
eat tonight. Everyone is waiting for you.
• share with 分享
e.g. Tom likes to share his thoughts with
others.
Further Questions
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Do you like politics? Why or why not?
What are the major political parties in Taiwan?
Who are their leaders now?
Which party is now in power in Taiwan?
What type of political system does Taiwan
have?
• Have you ever participated in any political
activities? Do you find it fun and meaningful?
Why or why not?
• What are the differences between a
statesman and a politician? Try to
differentiate the two in your own words.
Reference
• Wikipedia.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P
olitics>