Speaking June 23

Describe a person you know who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables/fruits/flowers etc.)

There's a neighbour I often see tending a small plot just behind his hutong house in Beijing—Mr. Chen. He rents that tiny backyard and, honestly, turns it into a mini vegetable farm. He grows everything from tomatoes and cucumbers to fiery chili peppers—you name it.

He usually kicks off planting in early spring, sowing seeds in neat little rows. Well, each evening you'll find him out there weeding and giving everything a good soak. I mean, it's surprising to see such a lush green patch tucked away in the middle of the city.

Believe it or not, Mr. Chen insists his home-grown produce tastes worlds better than anything at the market. Actually, the real joy for him comes at harvest time—picking a perfectly ripe tomato, biting into it right away, then walking over to share slices with neighbours. He says it's all about self-sufficiency and building community spirit.

Come to think of it, that sense of pride and connection is exactly why he's so hooked. Growing his own food gives him a break from the hustle and brings people together, which keeps him going year after year.

There’s a neighbour —Mr Chen I often see tending a small plot just behind his hutong house in Beijing.
/ðeəz ə ˈneɪbə(r) aɪ ˈɒf(ə)n siː ˈtɛndɪŋ ə smɔːl plɒt dʒʌst bɪˈhaɪnd hɪz huːˈtʊŋ haʊs ɪn ˌbeɪˈdʒɪŋ — ˈmɪstə(r) ʧɛn/

He rents that tiny backyard and, honestly, turns it into a mini vegetable farm.
/hiː rɛnts ðæt ˈtaɪni ˈbæk.jɑːd ænd ˈɒnɪstli tɜːnz ɪt ˈɪntuː ə ˈmɪni ˈvɛdʒ.tə.bəl fɑːm/

He grows everything from tomatoes and cucumbers to fiery chili peppers—you name it.
/hiː ɡrəʊz ˈɛv.ri.θɪŋ frəm təˈmɑː.təʊz ænd ˈkjuː.kʌm.bəz tuː ˈfaɪə.ri ˈtʃɪl.i ˈpɛp.əz — juː neɪm ɪt/

He usually kicks off planting in early spring, sowing seeds in neat little rows.
/hiː ˈjuːʒʊəli kɪks ɒf ˈplɑːn.tɪŋ ɪn ˈɜːli sprɪŋ, ˈsəʊ.ɪŋ siːdz ɪn niːt ˈlɪt.əl rəʊz/

Well, each evening you’ll find him out there weeding and giving everything a good soak.
/wɛl, iːʧ ˈiːvnɪŋ juːl faɪnd hɪm aʊt ðeə ˈwiːdɪŋ ænd ˈɡɪvɪŋ ˈɛv.ri.θɪŋ ə ɡʊd səʊk/

I mean, it’s surprising to see such a lush green patch tucked away in the middle of the city.
/aɪ miːn, ɪts səˈpraɪzɪŋ tuː siː sʌtʃ ə lʌʃ ɡriːn pætʃ tʌkt əˈweɪ ɪn ðə ˈmɪd.əl ɒv ðə ˈsɪti/

Believe it or not, Mr Chen insists his home-grown produce tastes worlds better than anything at the market.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, ˈmɪstə(r) ʧɛn ɪnˈsɪsts hɪz ˌhəʊmˈɡrəʊn ˈprɒd.juːs teɪsts wɜːldz ˈbɛt.ər ðæn ˈɛniθɪŋ æt ðə ˈmɑːkɪt/

Actually, the real joy for him comes at harvest time—picking a perfectly ripe tomato, biting into it right away, then walking over to share slices with neighbours.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li, ðə rɪəl ʤɔɪ fə hɪm kʌmz æt ˈhɑː.vɪst taɪm — ˈpɪkɪŋ ə ˈpɜː.fɪkt.li raɪp təˈmɑː.təʊ, ˈbaɪ.tɪŋ ˈɪn.tuː ɪt raɪt əˈweɪ, ðɛn ˈwɔːkɪŋ ˈəʊ.və tuː ʃeə ˈslaɪsɪz wɪð ˈneɪbə(r)z/

He says it’s all about self-sufficiency and building community spirit.
/hiː sɛz ɪts ɔːl əˈbaʊt ˌsɛlf.səˈfɪʃ.ən.si ænd ˈbɪl.dɪŋ kəˈmjuː.nə.ti ˈspɪr.ɪt/

Come to think of it, that sense of pride and connection is exactly why he’s so hooked.
/kʌm tuː θɪŋk ɒv ɪt, ðæt sɛns ɒv praɪd ænd kəˈnɛkʃən ɪz ɪɡˈzækt.li waɪ hiːz səʊ hʊkt/

Growing his own food gives him a break from the hustle and brings people together, which keeps him going year after year.
/ˈɡrəʊ.ɪŋ hɪz əʊn fuːd ɡɪvz hɪm ə breɪk frəm ðə ˈhʌs.əl ænd brɪŋz ˈpiːpl təˈɡɛðə, wɪʧ kiːps hɪm ˈɡəʊ.ɪŋ jɪə ˈɑːf.tə jɪə/

part 3

Are there many people growing their own vegetables now？

Well, you know, in big cities like Beijing or Shanghai, more people are setting up small vegetable patches on their balconies or joining community allotments. Come to think of it, weekends now often feature pop-up urban farms where residents share beds, tools, and tips. To be honest, these mini-gardens aren’t huge, but they’ve become a popular hobby—lettuce, cherry tomatoes, even chillies thrive in pots. Believe it or not, the sense of harvesting something you planted yourself adds a real buzz to city life.

Well, you know, in big cities like Beijing or Shanghai, more people are setting up small vegetable patches on their balconies or joining community allotments.
/wel/ /juː/ /nəʊ/, /ɪn/ /bɪɡ/ /ˈsɪt.iz/ /laɪk/ /beɪˈdʒɪŋ/ /ɔː/ /ʃæŋˈhaɪ/, /mɔː/ /ˈpiː.pəl/ /ɑː/ /ˈset.ɪŋ/ /ʌp/ /smɔːl/ /ˈvɛdʒ.tə.bəl/ /ˈpætʃ.ɪz/ /ɒn/ /ðeə/ /bælˈkə.niz/ /ɔː/ /ˈdʒɔɪ.nɪŋ/ /kəˈmjuː.nə.ti/ /əˈlɒt.mənts/

Come to think of it, weekends now often feature pop-up urban farms where residents share beds, tools, and tips.
/kʌm/ /tə/ /ˈθɪŋk/ /əv/ /ɪt/, /ˌwiːkˈɛndz/ /naʊ/ /ˈɒf.ən/ /ˈfiː.tʃə/ /pɒp-ʌp/ /ˈɜː.bən/ /fɑːmz/ /weə/ /rɪˈzɪd.ənts/ /ʃeə/ /bɛdz/, /tuːlz/, /ænd/ /tɪps/

To be honest, these mini-gardens aren’t huge, but they’ve become a popular hobby—lettuce, cherry tomatoes, even chillies thrive in pots.
/ tə/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/, /ðiːz/ /ˈmɪn.i-ˌɡɑː.dənz/ /ɑːnt/ /hjuːʤ/, /bət/ /ðeɪv/ /bɪˈkʌm/ /ə/ /ˈpɒp.jʊ.lə/ /ˈhɒb.i/ — /ˈlɛt.ɪs/, /ˈʧɛr.i/ /təˈmɑː.təʊz/, /ˈiː.vən/ /ˈʧɪl.iz/ /θraɪv/ /ɪn/ /pɒts/

Believe it or not, the sense of harvesting something you planted yourself adds a real buzz to city life.
/bɪˈliːv/ /ɪt/ /ɔː/ /nɒt/, /ðə/ /sɛns/ /əv/ /ˈhɑː.vɪstɪŋ/ /ˈsʌm.θɪŋ/ /juː/ /ˈplæn.tɪd/ /jɔːˈsɛlf/ /ædz/ /ə/ /rɪəl/ /bʌz/ /tə/ /ˈsɪt.i/ /laɪf/

Do you think it's good to let kids learn how to plant？

To be honest, planting gives children a break from screens and brings them outdoors. Believe it or not, digging in soil can reduce stress and boost concentration, especially during exam seasons. If I’m not mistaken, kids who garden tend to eat more vegetables too, since they’re curious about “their” produce. Frankly, hands-on time in nature promotes both physical activity and mental well-being in a simple, engaging way.

To be honest, planting gives children a break from screens and brings them outdoors.
/tə biː ˈɒn.ɪst ˈplɑːn.tɪŋ ɡɪvz ˈtʃɪl.drən ə breɪk frəm skriːnz ənd brɪŋz ðəm ˌaʊtˈdɔːz/

Believe it or not, digging in soil can reduce stress and boost concentration, especially during exam seasons.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt/ /ˈdɪɡ.ɪŋ ɪn sɔɪl kæn rɪˈdjuːs strɛs ənd buːst ˌkɒn.sənˈtreɪ.ʃən/, /ɪˈspɛʃ.əl.i ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ ɪɡˈzæm ˈsiː.zənz/

If I’m not mistaken, kids who garden tend to eat more vegetables too, since they’re curious about “their” produce.
/ɪf aɪm nɒt mɪˈsteɪ.kən/, /kɪdz huː ˈɡɑː.dən tɛnd tuː iːt mɔː ˈvɛdʒ.tə.bəlz tuː/, /sɪns ðeə ˈkjʊə.ri.əs əˈbaʊt ðeə prəˈdjuːs/

Frankly, hands-on time in nature promotes both physical activity and mental well-being in a simple, engaging way.
/ˈfræŋk.li/, /ˈhændzˌɒn taɪm ɪn ˈneɪ.tʃə prəˈməʊts bəʊθ ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl ækˈtɪv.ɪ.ti ənd ˈmɛn.təl ˈwɛl.biː.ɪŋ ɪn ə ˈsɪm.pəl ɪnˈɡeɪ.dʒɪŋ weɪ/

What do you think of the job of a farmer？

Actually, nowadays farming is evolving into a high-tech industry—think drones monitoring soil moisture, automated irrigation systems, and data-driven planting schedules. If I’m not mistaken, young people are beginning to see agriculture as a field ripe with innovation opportunities. In a way, the fusion of traditional know-how and cutting-edge technology turns farming into a forward-looking career rather than just manual labour

Actually, nowadays farming is evolving into a high-tech industry—think drones monitoring soil moisture, automated irrigation systems, and data-driven planting schedules.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/, /ˈnaʊ.ə.deɪz/ /ˈfɑː.mɪŋ/ /ɪz/ /ɪˈvɒlv.ɪŋ/ /ɪnˈtuː/ /ə/ /ˌhaɪˈtɛk/ /ˈɪn.də.stri/—/θɪŋk/ /drəʊnz/ /ˈmɒn.ɪ.tər.ɪŋ/ /sɔɪl/ /ˈmɔɪs.tʃər/, /ˈɔː.tə.meɪ.tɪd/ /ˌɪr.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/ /ˈsɪs.təmz/, /ænd/ /ˈdeɪ.təˌdrɪv.ən/ /ˈplɑːn.tɪŋ/ /ˈʃed.juːlz/.

If I’m not mistaken, young people are beginning to see agriculture as a field ripe with innovation opportunities.
/ɪf/ /aɪm/ /nɒt/ /mɪˈsteɪ.kən/, /jʌŋ/ /ˈpiː.pl̩/ /ɑː/ /bɪˈɡɪn.ɪŋ/ /tuː/ /siː/ /ˈæɡ.rɪ.kʌl.tʃər/ /æz/ /ə/ /fiːld/ /raɪp/ /wɪð/ /ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/ /ɒp.əˈtjuː.nɪ.tiz/.

In a way, the fusion of traditional know-how and cutting-edge technology turns farming into a forward-looking career rather than just manual labour.
/ɪn/ /ə/ /weɪ/, /ðə/ /ˈfjuː.ʒən/ /ɒv/ /trəˈdɪʃ.ən.əl/ /ˈnəʊ.haʊ/ /ænd/ /ˈkʌt.ɪŋˌedʒ/ /tɛkˈnɒl.ə.dʒi/ /tɜːnz/ /ˈfɑː.mɪŋ/ /ɪnˈtuː/ /ə/ /ˈfɔː.wəd-ˌlʊk.ɪŋ/ /kəˈrɪə/ /ˈrɑː.ðə/ /ðæn/ /dʒʌst/ /ˈmæn.ju.əl/ /ˈleɪ.bər/.

What are the differences between traditional and modern agriculture？

Honestly, in traditional farming, practitioners often rely on natural fertilisers—manure, compost—and practice crop rotation to maintain soil health. Oddly enough, yields tend to be lower and more variable because they depend on seasonal rains and basic tools. Modern agriculture, however, employs synthetic fertilisers, precision irrigation systems, and genetically improved seeds. Believe it or not, these inputs can double or triple crop yields per hectare. In a way, it’s a trade-off between maximising production and managing resource use and costs.

Honestly, in traditional farming, practitioners often rely on natural fertilisers—manure, compost—and practice crop rotation to maintain soil health.
/ˈɒn.ɪst.li, ɪn trəˈdɪʃ.ən.əl ˈfɑː.mɪŋ, prækˈtɪʃ.ən.əz ˈɒf.ən rɪˈlaɪ ɒn ˈnætʃ.ər.əl ˈfɜː.tɪ.laɪ.zəz — məˈnjʊə, ˈkɒm.pɒst — ænd ˈpræk.tɪs krɒp rəʊˈteɪ.ʃən tuː meɪnˈteɪn sɔɪl hɛlθ/

Oddly enough, yields tend to be lower and more variable because they depend on seasonal rains and basic tools.
/ˈɒd.li ɪˈnʌf, jiːldz tɛnd tuː biː ˈləʊ.ə ənd mɔː ˈvɛə.ri.ə.bəl bɪˈkɒz ðeɪ dɪˈpɛnd ɒn ˈsiː.zən.əl reɪnz ənd ˈbeɪ.sɪk tuːlz/

Modern agriculture, however, employs synthetic fertilisers, precision irrigation systems, and genetically improved seeds.
/ˈmɒd.ən ˈæɡ.rɪ.kʌl.tʃər, haʊˈɛvə, ɪmˈplɔɪz sɪnˈθɛt.ɪk ˈfɜː.tɪ.laɪ.zəz, prɪˈsɪʒ.ən ˌɪr.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən ˈsɪs.təmz, ænd dʒəˈnɛt.ɪ.kli ɪmˈpruːvd siːdz/

Believe it or not, these inputs can double or triple crop yields per hectare.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, ðiːz ˈɪn.pʊts kæn ˈdʌb.əl ɔː ˈtrɪp.əl krɒp jiːldz pə ˈhɛk.teə/

In a way, it’s a trade-off between maximising production and managing resource use and costs.
/ɪn ə weɪ, ɪts ə ˈtreɪd.ɒf bɪˈtwiːn ˈmæks.ɪ.maɪ.zɪŋ prəˈdʌk.ʃən ænd ˈmæn.ɪ.dʒɪŋ rɪˈzɔːs juːs ænd kɒsts/

What happened to the farmers' income during the pandemic？

Actually, believe it or not, some farmers saw their income rebound by pivoting to e-commerce. You know, platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo launched “助农带货” campaigns where villagers livestreamed picking strawberries or packing vegetables. If I’m not mistaken, those who quickly mastered livestream sales often doubled their usual revenue. In a way, the pandemic accelerated digital adoption in rural areas, creating new income streams for savvy producers.

Actually, believe it or not, some farmers saw their income rebound by pivoting to e-commerce.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li, bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, sʌm ˈfɑː.məz sɔː ðeə ˈɪn.kʌm rɪˈbaʊnd baɪ ˈpɪv.ə.tɪŋ tuː iːˈkɒm.ɜːs/

You know, platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo launched “助农带货” campaigns where villagers livestreamed picking strawberries or packing vegetables.
/juː nəʊ, ˈplæt.fɔːmz laɪk taʊˈbaʊ ænd ˌpɪn.dwɑːˈdwɑːʊ lɔːnʃt “zhùnóng dàihuò” kæmˈpeɪnz weəˈlɪv.striːmd ˈpɪk.ɪŋ ˈstrɔː.bə.riz ɔː ˈpæk.ɪŋ ˈvɛdʒ.tə.bəlz/

If I’m not mistaken, those who quickly mastered livestream sales often doubled their usual revenue.
/ɪf aɪm nɒt mɪˈsteɪ.kən, ðəʊz huː ˈkwɪk.li ˈmɑː.stəd ˈlɪv.striːm seɪlz ˈɒf.ən ˈdʌb.əld ðeə ˈjuː.ʒu.əl ˈrɛv.ə.njuː/

In a way, the pandemic accelerated digital adoption in rural areas, creating new income streams for savvy producers.
/ɪn ə weɪ, ðə pænˈdɛm.ɪk əkˈsɛl.ə.reɪ.tɪd ˈdɪdʒ.ɪ.təl əˈdɒp.ʃən ɪn ˈrʊə.rəl ˈeə.ri.əz, kriːˈeɪ.tɪŋ njuː ˈɪn.kʌm striːmz fə ˈsævi prəˈdjuː.səz/

How do people grow plants in cities?

Well, you know, a lot of urbanites simply turn their balconies or windowsills into mini-gardens. I mean, you grab a few pots or grow bags, fill them with potting mix, and plant easy herbs—like basil or mint. To be honest, it’s amazing how much produce you can get from a cluster of containers. At the end of the day, this “container gardening” approach is super flexible and brings a bit of green into cramped apartments.

Well, you know, a lot of urbanites simply turn their balconies or windowsills into mini-gardens.
/wel/ /juː/ /nəʊ/, /ə/ /lɒt/ /ɒv/ /ˌɜː.bəˈnaɪts/ /ˈsɪm.plɪ/ /tɜːn/ /ðeə/ /ˈbæl.kə.niz/ /ɔː/ /ˈwɪn.dəʊ.sɪlz/ /ˈɪn.tuː/ /ˈmɪn.iˌɡɑː.dənz/

I mean, you grab a few pots or grow bags, fill them with potting mix, and plant easy herbs—like basil or mint.
/aɪ/ /miːn/, /juː/ /ɡræb/ /ə/ /fjuː/ /pɒts/ /ɔː/ /ɡrəʊ/ /bæɡz/, /fɪl/ /ðəm/ /wɪð/ /ˈpɒt.ɪŋ/ /mɪks/, /ænd/ /plɑːnt/ /ˈiː.zi/ /hɜːbz/ — /laɪk/ /ˈbæz.əl/ /ɔː/ /mɪnt/

To be honest, it’s amazing how much produce you can get from a cluster of containers.
/tə/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/, /ɪts/ /əˈmeɪ.zɪŋ/ /haʊ/ /mʌʧ/ /ˈprɒd.juːs/ /juː/ /kæn/ /ɡet/ /frəm/ /ə/ /ˈklʌs.tə/ /ɒv/ /kənˈteɪ.nəz/

At the end of the day, this “container gardening” approach is super flexible and brings a bit of green into cramped apartments.
/æt/ /ði/ /end/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /deɪ/, /ðɪs/ /kənˈteɪ.nə(r) ˈɡɑː.dən.ɪŋ/ /əˈprəʊʧ/ /ɪz/ /ˈsuː.pə/ /ˈflɛk.sɪ.bəl/ /ænd/ /brɪŋz/ /ə/ /bɪt/ /ɒv/ /ɡriːn/ /ˈɪn.tuː/ /kræmpt/ /əˈpɑːt.mənts/