The longest railway line in the world opened on Wednesday. The line joins China's capital Beijing with the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. The line is 2,298 kilometers long and stretches across half of China. The first train left Beijing station at 9 a.m. and arrived in Guangzhou eight hours later. The super-fast train travels at an average speed of 300 kph and cuts the journey time from 20 hours to just eight. It stops at 35 different cities along its route.
A total of 310 trains will run between the two cities each day. A one-way ticket for the journey costs US$138. China's government hopes the train will help the country's economy as business people can now travel across the country a lot quicker.
Chinese media say the bullet train service started on 26 December to commemorate the birth of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The train is also a sign of China's plan to become the world's leader in high-speed rail travel. It already has 8,600 km of high-speed railway track, which is more than any other country in the world.
It plans to extend this to 16,000 km by 2015 and 50,000 km by 2020. China Ministry of Railways spokesman Zhou Li told reporters: "The opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed line shows China's high-speed railway network has started to take shape." A passenger who traveled on the first train explained how proud she was of the train, saying: "It's amazing China has developed so quickly".
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Which two cities does the new high-speed line joined?
2. How long is the railway line?
3. How much faster is the high-speed journey?
4. How much high-speed railway track does China currently have?
5. What did Zhou Li say about China's high-speed railway network?
6. What feeling did a passenger have for the train?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. What do you think about this article?
2. Do you like travelling by train? Why or why not?
3. Would you like to ride on China's new high-speed train? Why?
4. Can you describe the different kinds of trains in your country?
5. Which country do you think has the best railway network?
6. What do you think of China's plans?
Some supporting links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-20848298
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/26/china-opens-worlds-longest-high-speed-rail-route/
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-12/26/c_132063630.htm
Article Source
Thursday 27 December 2012
Monday 24 December 2012
Bread That Stays Fresh for 60 days
American scientists say they can make bread last for up to two months. They have found a way to stop mold or fungus growing on bread and other food. The researchers are from a biotechnology company called MicroZap. The company's name gives a clue to how their technology works. They use high-powered microwaves to zap the food and kill anything that could grow fungus.
They started their project to find an answer to the "superbugs" that are found in many U.S. hospitals. However, they soon discovered that their technique could sterilize food. The scientists say they only need to microwave the bread for about ten seconds and then it is OK to eat 60 days later. They also say the taste of the bread stays the same.
The scientists believe their discovery could stop people throwing away so much food. Studies show that Americans put around 40 per cent of the food they buy into the trash. Having food that lasts longer would save people money and help the Earth.
Another benefit of MicroZap's technology is in stopping disease. Illness from food has a huge impact on society. There are 76 million cases of food poisoning in America every year, with 5,000 deaths. It costs the economy about $6 billion annually. The company hopes to use its technology soon in making safe, ready-made meals for war zones and areas hit by disasters. MicroZapping could become the best thing since sliced bread.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Who said they could make bread last longer?
2. What kind of company is MicroZap?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. Do you like eating bread? Why or why not?
2. What do you think about MicroZap's new technology?
3. How do you think MicroZap's technology could help the world?
Some supporting links:
http://www.microzap.net/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20540758
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/nov/30/microwave-zaps-food-bugs-shelf-life
Article Source
They started their project to find an answer to the "superbugs" that are found in many U.S. hospitals. However, they soon discovered that their technique could sterilize food. The scientists say they only need to microwave the bread for about ten seconds and then it is OK to eat 60 days later. They also say the taste of the bread stays the same.
The scientists believe their discovery could stop people throwing away so much food. Studies show that Americans put around 40 per cent of the food they buy into the trash. Having food that lasts longer would save people money and help the Earth.
Another benefit of MicroZap's technology is in stopping disease. Illness from food has a huge impact on society. There are 76 million cases of food poisoning in America every year, with 5,000 deaths. It costs the economy about $6 billion annually. The company hopes to use its technology soon in making safe, ready-made meals for war zones and areas hit by disasters. MicroZapping could become the best thing since sliced bread.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Who said they could make bread last longer?
2. What kind of company is MicroZap?
| 3. What did scientists discover their technique could do to food? 4. What are the benefits of MicroZap's technology? 5. What could MicroZapping become? |
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. Do you like eating bread? Why or why not?
2. What do you think about MicroZap's new technology?
3. How do you think MicroZap's technology could help the world?
| 4. How much food do you throw away and why? 5. What are other ways you know to make a certain food stays longer? |
Some supporting links:
http://www.microzap.net/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20540758
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/nov/30/microwave-zaps-food-bugs-shelf-life
Article Source
Saturday 22 December 2012
American Man Travels a Million Miles in 2012
An American man flew one million miles in 2012. Tom Stuker, 59, passed the million mark on a flight from London to Chicago on December 6. Mr Stuker works as a car sales consultant and has to fly all over the world. He frequently flies to Asia and Australia, and has taken about 400 flights so far this year. He always uses the U.S. airline United.
He joined the company's frequent flyer program in 1983 and has since flown 11 million miles with United, on over 6,000 flights. A United Airlines spokesperson said that in 2012, Mr Stuker had flown the same distance as 40 times around the Earth. It added that if all of Mr Stuker's miles were put together, he would be in the air for 73 days non-stop.
Mr. Stuker told reporters that 2012 was a record year for him and that he was "tired". He said: "I know I'll never fly this much again in a year." He said he is looking forward to flying a lot less next year – perhaps around half-a-million miles. Stuker said he likes flying but is sad that passengers are becoming less patient. He said: "When you're on a plane, remember certain common courtesies.
Don't talk so loud on a phone that 18 rows can hear you. And when you take off your shoes, understand that maybe your feet don't exactly smell like roses." Mr Stuker always flies first class these days. He said he didn't think he could spend so long in economy class. He enjoys special services from United other passengers do not get.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. How old is the man who flew a million miles?
2. How many flights did he take in 2012?
3. When did he join United Airline's frequent flyer program?
4. What does he think of other passengers?
5. What does Mr Stuker advise passengers to not do?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. What do you think of flying a million miles in a year?
2. What are the best and worst things about flying?
3. Is flying better than going by train, driving and going by ship?
4. Can you describe a good airline service for you?
5. What do you think of people who talk loudly on their phones?
6. What experiences have you had of other people's smelly feet?
7. How different do you think it is to fly first class?
Article Source
Will the World End on Friday?
Many people have been preparing for months for the end of the world. There have been stories on the Internet for the past decade that the world will end on December 21. This is the day of the "Mayan Apocalypse," when a Mayan calendar predicts the end of us all. However, many other people do not believe the world will end in a day or two.
The Chinese government has recently arrested 93 people for spreading doomsday rumors on the Internet. Meanwhile, in Russia, Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov sensibly advised people not to buy Armageddon candles. He wrote on his website: "Does no one realize that once the end of the world comes, candles won't help them?"
So what might happen on Friday? The Internet is full of stories about giant tsunamis and asteroids that will finish us. More common stories are that the black hole at the center of the galaxy will swallow the Earth, or that a planet called "Nibiru" will hit us.
NASA says Nibiru was meant to destroy us in May 2003, but when nothing happened, "the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012". NASA adds: "If Nibiru was real…astronomers would have been tracking it for at least the past decade, and it would be visible by now to the naked eye." English teachers worldwide have told their students they cannot use the apocalypse as an excuse not to do homework.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. How long have some people been preparing for the end of the world?
2. What thing was used to predict the end of the world?
3. What did Ramzan Kadyrov say about buying candles?
4.What might a black hole do to the Earth?
1. What do you think of "end of the world" stories?
2. What would you do if the world was going to end next week?
3. What do you think about stories that asteroids will destroy the Earth?
4. Why do you think people believe these stories?
5. Are you interested in astronomy?
Article Source
The Chinese government has recently arrested 93 people for spreading doomsday rumors on the Internet. Meanwhile, in Russia, Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov sensibly advised people not to buy Armageddon candles. He wrote on his website: "Does no one realize that once the end of the world comes, candles won't help them?"
So what might happen on Friday? The Internet is full of stories about giant tsunamis and asteroids that will finish us. More common stories are that the black hole at the center of the galaxy will swallow the Earth, or that a planet called "Nibiru" will hit us.
NASA says Nibiru was meant to destroy us in May 2003, but when nothing happened, "the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012". NASA adds: "If Nibiru was real…astronomers would have been tracking it for at least the past decade, and it would be visible by now to the naked eye." English teachers worldwide have told their students they cannot use the apocalypse as an excuse not to do homework.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. How long have some people been preparing for the end of the world?
2. What thing was used to predict the end of the world?
3. What did Ramzan Kadyrov say about buying candles?
4.What might a black hole do to the Earth?
| 5. What is the name of the planet that is meant to destroy us? EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS |
1. What do you think of "end of the world" stories?
2. What would you do if the world was going to end next week?
3. What do you think about stories that asteroids will destroy the Earth?
4. Why do you think people believe these stories?
5. Are you interested in astronomy?
Article Source
Saturday 15 December 2012
Having Children Makes Women Live Longer
A new report says that women who do not have children may die earlier than those who do. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark looked at over 21,000 couples between 1994 and 2005. They all tried to have children, without success. The women all went to special clinics for IVF treatment – a technique where doctors fertilize the woman's egg in a laboratory.
The researchers said that women who could not have children were four times likelier than mothers to die early. Some doctors have said the report might cause childless women to worry about dying early. The truth is there is a very small risk of an early death. Just 316 women died during the 11-year study. Very few of those died earlier than average.
One critic of the report said the study was very misleading. Dr Ingrid Collins, a psychologist, told the BBC: "This is a very specific situation of people who are trying to have children. The study's findings cannot be used to [talk about] the whole general population." She added: "People having IVF tend to be desperate for a child.
If they are unsuccessful, they may be depressed. It may be this [depression] rather than the childlessness that [causes an earlier death]." Another psychologist, Dr Helen Nightingale, agreed, saying: "Being childless without a doubt reduces your fight for life….The support of a family, the focus on your children and grandchildren, and the desire to watch how they turn out drives your [will] to survive."
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Where are the researchers from?
2. What is the name of the treatment at the special clinics?
3. What might the report cause childless women to worry about?
4. Who spoke to the BBC about the report?
5. What did the doctor say is a more likely cause for an earlier death?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. Have you ever thought about the effect on health of not having a child?
2. How many children is it best to have?
3. Why do some people not want to have children?
4. What is the best thing about having children?
5. Which is best – having a boy or a girl?
Article Source
The researchers said that women who could not have children were four times likelier than mothers to die early. Some doctors have said the report might cause childless women to worry about dying early. The truth is there is a very small risk of an early death. Just 316 women died during the 11-year study. Very few of those died earlier than average.
One critic of the report said the study was very misleading. Dr Ingrid Collins, a psychologist, told the BBC: "This is a very specific situation of people who are trying to have children. The study's findings cannot be used to [talk about] the whole general population." She added: "People having IVF tend to be desperate for a child.
If they are unsuccessful, they may be depressed. It may be this [depression] rather than the childlessness that [causes an earlier death]." Another psychologist, Dr Helen Nightingale, agreed, saying: "Being childless without a doubt reduces your fight for life….The support of a family, the focus on your children and grandchildren, and the desire to watch how they turn out drives your [will] to survive."
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Where are the researchers from?
2. What is the name of the treatment at the special clinics?
3. What might the report cause childless women to worry about?
4. Who spoke to the BBC about the report?
5. What did the doctor say is a more likely cause for an earlier death?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. Have you ever thought about the effect on health of not having a child?
2. How many children is it best to have?
3. Why do some people not want to have children?
4. What is the best thing about having children?
5. Which is best – having a boy or a girl?
Article Source
Saturday 1 December 2012
Finland Has World's Best Education System
A new report into world education shows Finland has the best system. The global study is called "The Learning Curve" and is from the British magazine "The Economist". It aims to help governments provide a better education to students. The 52-page report looked at the education system in 50 countries.
Researchers analyzed millions of statistics on exam grades, literacy rates, attendance, and university graduation rates. Asia did well in the report, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore finishing second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came 17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia filled the bottom three positions in the top 50.
The Learning Curve reported on five things that education leaders should remember. The first is that spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always mean students will learn. Second is that "good teachers are essential to high-quality education".
The report said teachers should be "treated as the valuable professionals they are, not as technicians in a huge, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have a strong focus on the importance of education, and parents have a key part to play. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not just the present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…simply did not exist 20 years ago."
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. What was the new report all about?
2. In which position did South Korea finish on the list?
3. How many things did the report want education leaders to remember?
4. What must a country's culture have a strong focus on?
5. What did the report say about many job titles today?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. Why do you think Finland's education system is so good?
2. What do you think of the education system in your country?
3. How can schools provide a better education to students?
4. Do you think spending lots of money on teachers and schools means the education is better?
5. Should teachers get paid the same as lawyers, doctors and bankers? Why or why not?
Article Source
Researchers analyzed millions of statistics on exam grades, literacy rates, attendance, and university graduation rates. Asia did well in the report, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore finishing second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came 17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia filled the bottom three positions in the top 50.
The Learning Curve reported on five things that education leaders should remember. The first is that spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always mean students will learn. Second is that "good teachers are essential to high-quality education".
The report said teachers should be "treated as the valuable professionals they are, not as technicians in a huge, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have a strong focus on the importance of education, and parents have a key part to play. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not just the present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…simply did not exist 20 years ago."
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. What was the new report all about?
2. In which position did South Korea finish on the list?
3. How many things did the report want education leaders to remember?
4. What must a country's culture have a strong focus on?
5. What did the report say about many job titles today?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. Why do you think Finland's education system is so good?
2. What do you think of the education system in your country?
3. How can schools provide a better education to students?
4. Do you think spending lots of money on teachers and schools means the education is better?
5. Should teachers get paid the same as lawyers, doctors and bankers? Why or why not?
Article Source
Gangnam Style Most-watched YouTube Video
The video to the global smash hit song Gangnam Style has become the most-watched clip in YouTube's history. It has had almost 825 million views in the past five months and is moving quickly towards one billion. The video currently has 5,473,726 likes and 338,504 dislikes. Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber previously held the record for the most YouTube views with his 2010 blockbuster Baby.
Gangnam Style is by 34-year-old South Korean singer Psy. His iconic dance and catchy tune have captured the imagination of millions of people worldwide. The video pokes fun at the glitzy Gangnam district of South Korea's capital Seoul. In it, he is seen dancing around the city pretending to ride a horse and twirl a lasso.
Gangnam Style first appeared on YouTube in July. It took just five months to reach the 800-million mark, over two years quicker than Bieber's song. A statement from YouTube Trends called the rise in popularity of the video as "unprecedented". It said: "The video has been a massive hit at a global level unlike anything we've ever seen before.
Each day, Gangnam Style is still being watched between 7 and 10 million times." The dance has led to thousands of copycat videos being posted online, each with their own version of it. Even U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attempted it. Mr Ban joked: "I'm a bit jealous. Until two days ago, someone told me I was the most famous Korean in the world. Now I have to relinquish that."
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. How many views has Gangnam Style had?
2. What song did Gangnam Style beat to be the most watched?
4. What does the video do to Seoul's Gangnam district?
5. How long did it take the video to get 800 million views?
6. What did YouTube Trends say about the video's popularity?
7. When Ban Ki-moon find he was the second-most famous S. Korean?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'YouTube'?
2. What do you know about and think of Gangnam Style?
3. What role does YouTube play in your life?
4. What's the best video you've seen on YouTube?
5. Why do you think Gangnam Style has been so successful?
Article Source
Gangnam Style is by 34-year-old South Korean singer Psy. His iconic dance and catchy tune have captured the imagination of millions of people worldwide. The video pokes fun at the glitzy Gangnam district of South Korea's capital Seoul. In it, he is seen dancing around the city pretending to ride a horse and twirl a lasso.
Gangnam Style first appeared on YouTube in July. It took just five months to reach the 800-million mark, over two years quicker than Bieber's song. A statement from YouTube Trends called the rise in popularity of the video as "unprecedented". It said: "The video has been a massive hit at a global level unlike anything we've ever seen before.
Each day, Gangnam Style is still being watched between 7 and 10 million times." The dance has led to thousands of copycat videos being posted online, each with their own version of it. Even U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attempted it. Mr Ban joked: "I'm a bit jealous. Until two days ago, someone told me I was the most famous Korean in the world. Now I have to relinquish that."
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. How many views has Gangnam Style had?
2. What song did Gangnam Style beat to be the most watched?
| 3. What has the video captured globally? |
4. What does the video do to Seoul's Gangnam district?
5. How long did it take the video to get 800 million views?
6. What did YouTube Trends say about the video's popularity?
7. When Ban Ki-moon find he was the second-most famous S. Korean?
EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'YouTube'?
2. What do you know about and think of Gangnam Style?
3. What role does YouTube play in your life?
4. What's the best video you've seen on YouTube?
5. Why do you think Gangnam Style has been so successful?
Article Source
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