Every evening in many Chinese cities, groups of middle-aged people gather in parks and squares to dance to loud music. Square dancing is a beloved tradition for many. But for neighbors, the noise can be a daily headache. Starting August 15, a new law gives officials the power to fine people who refuse to turn the volume down.
The new Environmental Code is China’s second major code of law. Under its rules, people who hold noisy activities in public places must follow local limits on time, place, and volume. If they are told to stop but refuse, individuals can be fined from 200 to 1,000 yuan, and organizations from 2,000 to 20,000 yuan. The rules also cover other noise problems, such as loud construction at night, shop speakers on the street, and cars with modified exhaust pipes.
Supporters say the law was long overdue. For years, residents had little power to stop noisy neighbors. Police often could only persuade, not punish. Now there is a clear legal standard. A quiet neighborhood is a basic right, not a favor.
But the law also raises a question: can money solve the problem? Some experts argue that fines are only the last step. The real solution lies in respect and understanding between people. Older people want to exercise and have fun; younger people need rest and quiet. Cities should offer more spaces for dancing, far from homes, and set reasonable time limits.
The new code is a start. As one article put it, “Law is the bottom line; civility is the upper limit.” Maybe the loudest lesson of all is that everyone’s freedom ends where another person’s ears begin.
Words to know: gather (聚集), volume (音量), fine (罚款), refuse (拒绝), persuade (劝说), standard (标准), respect (尊重), modified (改装的).
长难句拆解 · 分词状语与谓语省略
① Starting August 15, a new law gives officials the power to fine people who refuse to turn the volume down. 主干是 a new law gives officials the power（give sb sth 双宾语）。句首 Starting August 15 是现在分词短语作时间状语，相当于「自 8 月 15 日起」；to fine people… 不定式作 power 的后置定语；who refuse to… 定语从句修饰 people。
② If they are told to stop but refuse, individuals can be fined from 200 to 1,000 yuan, and organizations from 2,000 to 20,000 yuan. 主干是 individuals can be fined…, and organizations (can be fined) from…。if 从句里 are told to stop 是被动语态，but refuse 与之并列、共用主语；后半句 organizations 后承前省略了 can be fined——同一谓语管两个主语时，英语习惯只写一次。
同义替换 · 雅思阅读利器
题目从不照抄原文，全靠同义替换改写。做题时先在题干里圈出「信号词」，再回原文找它们的同义变体，定位速度会明显变快。本文可迁移的替换组：
- turn the volume down → lower the volume（「调低音量」高频搭配）
- refuse → decline / turn down（注意与 turn the volume down 区分）
- gather → assemble / cluster
- long overdue → long expected / should have come long ago
- persuade → reason with / talk sb around
- raises a question → gives rise to a question（引发疑问）
- lies in → consists in / rests with
阅读自测 · 3 题
- 简答（不超过 6 个词） — How much can individuals be fined if they refuse to turn the volume down?
- 判断（T / F / NG） — The Environmental Code is China’s first major code of law.
- 判断（T / F / NG） — Some experts believe fines alone can completely solve the noise problem.
参考答案与解析
- From 200 to 1,000 yuan. — 用 individuals 定位，原文 “individuals can be fined from 200 to 1,000 yuan”。注意别与单位的 2,000 到 20,000 yuan 混淆。
- F — 原文 “China’s second major code of law”，题目把 second 偷换成 first，属「篡改细节」式干扰项。
- F — 原文 “fines are only the last step. The real solution lies in respect and understanding”，题目把「最后手段」说成「彻底解决」，属「偷换结论」式干扰项。
中文译文
在中国许多城市的每个傍晚，成群的中年人都会聚到公园和广场，伴着喧闹的音乐跳舞。广场舞对许多人来说是钟爱的传统，可对邻居而言，那噪音却是每天的心头病。自8月15日起，一部新法规赋予执法人员对拒绝调低音量者处以罚款的权力。
新出台的《生态环境法典》是中国的第二部综合性法典。按其规定，在公共场所开展喧闹活动者必须遵守当地对时间、地点和音量的限制。若被要求停止却拒不改正，个人可被罚200至1000元，单位可被罚2000至20000元。规则还涵盖其他噪声问题，如夜间施工喧哗、街头店铺喇叭，以及改装排气管的汽车。
支持者说，这部法律早就该出台了。多年来，居民几乎无力制止吵闹的邻居，警方往往只能劝导、无法处罚。如今有了明确的法律标准：安静的居住环境是一项基本权利，而非额外的恩惠。
但这部法律也提出了一个问题：罚款能解决问题吗？有专家认为，罚款只是最后一步。真正的出路在于人与人之间的尊重与理解。老年人想锻炼、想乐一乐；年轻人需要休息与安静。城市应当提供更多远离住宅的跳舞场地，并设定合理的时间限制。
新法典是个开端。正如一篇文章所言：「法律是底线，文明是上限。」或许最响亮的一课是：每个人的自由，止于他人的耳朵开始之处。