1.baby boom嬰兒潮

2.convince(v.)使…信服

3.existential(a.)與生存相關的

4.run out of用盡

5.forecast(n./v.)預測

6.boomlet(n.)小增長

7.astrology(n.)占星術

8.auspicious(a.)吉利的

9.Chinese Zodiac(n.)十二生肖

10.mythical(a.)虛構的/神話的

11.divine(a.)神聖的

12.trait(n.)特色

13.fierce(a.)兇猛的/猛烈的

14.timid(a.)膽怯的

15.manipulative(a.)操縱的

16.cunning(a.)狡猾的

17.superstition(n.)迷信

18.score high得高分

19.cosmos(n.)宇宙

20.invest(v.)投資

👉🏻新聞節錄

Governments across East Asia have been trying to convince women to have more babies. It’s getting existential: China is fast running out of the workers needed to power its economy and is forecast to lose as many as 200 million workers by 2050.

Their efforts are failing. Birthrates continue to fall. But some are hoping for a baby boom, or even a baby boomlet. According to Chinese astrology, the dragon is the most auspicious Zodiac animal. As the only mythical creature of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac, it is considered divine and powerful. Many believe children born in the Year of the Dragon are more likely to be successful and fortunate all their lives.

Under the system, which assigns traits to each animal, some years are less popular, like that of the tiger (too fierce), the goat (too timid) or the snake (seen as manipulative and cunning). The Year of the Golden Pig has also led to baby booms. Golden Pigs are said to have lifelong comfort and wealth.

The superstition is not entirely baseless. According to a study, those born during a dragon year were more likely to score higher on university entrance exams and to have a college education. But the reason had nothing to do with the cosmos. It was the extra time and money that parents spend on those children. “People think that these dragon kids are special and they want to have special kids, and when they have these kids, they invest in them and expect great things from them. And this makes them successful, and the cycle continues,” said Naci Mocan, one of the authors of the study.

👉🏻Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/10/lunar-year-dragon-babies-china-asia/

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