River cleanup and tomorrow
Civic plans, nature, and careful outlooks
A
这个周末社区组织河边清理，你去吗？Zhège zhōumò shèqū zǔzhī hébiān qīnglǐ, nǐ qù ma?
The community is organizing a riverside cleanup this weekend — coming?
B
去。随着天气变暖，塑料垃圾越来越显眼。Qù. Suízhe tiānqì biàn nuǎn, sùliào lājī yuè lái yuè xiǎnyǎn.
Yes. As it warms up, plastic trash gets more obvious.
A
志愿者群里说明了集合时间和装备清单。Zhìyuànzhě qún lǐ shuōmíng le jíhé shíjiān hé zhuāngbèi qīngdān.
The volunteer group listed the meetup time and gear checklist.
B
好。我带手套和袋子。至于工具，现场应该有。Hǎo. Wǒ dài shǒutào hé dàizi. Zhìyú gōngjù, xiànchǎng yīnggāi yǒu.
Okay. I’ll bring gloves and bags. As for tools, there should be some on site.
A
有人担心活动影响周末休息，不过参与的人其实不少。Yǒu rén dānxīn huódòng yǐngxiǎng zhōumò xiūxi, búguò cānyù de rén qíshí bù shǎo.
Some worry it eats weekend rest, but quite a few people actually join.
B
一方面保护环境，另一方面也能认识邻居。Yì fāngmiàn bǎohù huánjìng, lìng yì fāngmiàn yě néng rènshi línjū.
On one hand we protect the environment; on the other we meet neighbors.
A
媒体有时只谈增长，很少提可持续。我觉得两者要兼顾。Méitǐ yǒu shí zhǐ tán zēngzhǎng, hěn shǎo tí kě chíxù. Wǒ juéde liǎng zhě yào jiāngù.
Media sometimes only talks growth, rarely sustainability. I think both need balance.
B
对。气候变化已经写进地方的防灾计划了。Duì. Qìhòu biànhuà yǐjīng xiě jìn dìfāng de fángzāi jìhuà le.
Right. Climate change is already written into local disaster plans.
A
清理结束后有简短分享：哪些垃圾最多，下次怎么减少。Qīnglǐ jiéshù hòu yǒu jiǎnduǎn fēnxiǎng: nǎxiē lājī zuì duō, xià cì zěnme jiǎnshǎo.
After cleanup there’s a short share: which trash was most common, how to reduce next time.
B
听起来务实。与其空谈未来，不如先把河岸收拾干净。Tīng qǐlái wùshí. Yǔqí kōng tán wèilái, bùrú xiān bǎ hé'àn shōushi gānjìng.
Sounds practical. Rather than empty talk about the future, clean the bank first.
A
还会统计可回收的比例，数据会贴在公告栏。Hái huì tǒngjì kě huíshōu de bǐlì, shùjù huì tiē zài gōnggào lán.
They’ll also tally the recyclable share; numbers go on the notice board.
B
很好。透明能让更多人相信活动不是走过场。Hěn hǎo. Tòumíng néng ràng gèng duō rén xiāngxìn huódòng bú shì zǒu guòchǎng.
Good. Transparency helps people trust it isn’t just for show.
A
如果你朋友也想参加，可以扫码报名。Rúguǒ nǐ péngyou yě xiǎng cānjiā, kěyǐ sǎo mǎ bàomíng.
If your friends want to join, they can scan to register.
B
我转给室友。哪怕只来一小时，也比完全不动强。Wǒ zhuǎn gěi shìyǒu. Nǎpà zhǐ lái yì xiǎoshí, yě bǐ wánquán bù dòng qiáng.
I’ll forward it to my roommate. Even one hour beats doing nothing.
A
说得对。明天的社会，往往从今天的小行动开始。Shuō de duì. Míngtiān de shèhuì, wǎngwǎng cóng jīntiān de xiǎo xíngdòng kāishǐ.
Exactly. Tomorrow’s society often starts with small actions today.
B
那周六河边见。记得涂防晒。Nà zhōu liù hébiān jiàn. Jìde tú fángshài.
See you by the river Saturday. Remember sunscreen.
Check your understanding
Optional — pick an answer, then reveal the keys.
1. What weekend activity is planned?
2. What will B bring?
3. What dual benefit does B mention?
4. What is already in local disaster plans?
5. Where will statistics be posted?
6. What does 哪怕 emphasize?
7. What often starts tomorrow’s society?
8. Main theme?
9. Why is transparency useful here?