【明報專訊】Some local residents have been found renting their houses to non-local visitors via the Airbnb platform, which is illegal in Hong Kong. Airbnb is the most recognised international brand in the emerging "accommodation sharing economy". A growing number of property owners are making their dwellings available for short-term rentals. The platform is popular among travellers despite the law and regulatory issue.
A sharing economy is also known as a collaborative economy (協作經濟). It allows people to share resources such as equipment, services and skills with one another, often at a significantly lower cost. Popular examples include house renting , carsharing or ridesharing. Although the sharing economy is becoming a global trend bringing more flexibility to the workplace and life, there are lingering privacy and safety concerns.
■English highway﹕Equipment
Equipment is an uncountable noun. It is always followed by a singular verb.
e.g. All the equipment is on the table.
■Game １
Bill and MoMo were about to cross the harbour. Help them through the maze and get a taxi.
■Game ２
Bill and MoMo met a family of three in the queue who wished to join the taxi ride and shared the fare. MoMo paid the total amount first. If they shared the taxi fare evenly (the family is counted as one unit), how much should Bill and the family pay MoMo back?
．MoMo: I owe you ＄23 for yesterday's lunch.
．Bill: I'll deduct it from the taxi fare.
Taxi fare: ＄105
Bill should pay
＄_______
The family should pay
＄_______
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
recognised (adj) 公認的
emerging (adj) 新興的
dwelling (n) 寓所
fare (n) 車費
[Smarties' Power English 第197期]
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