Facebook Shares Secret Design

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. innovative (adj.) [in-uh-vey-tiv] – something that is very advanced and original

Example: The innovative solution has never been done before.

2. customize (v.) [kuhs-tuh-mahyz] – to create or build something according to one’s personal needs or design

Example: I customized my computer to suit my business needs.

3. server (n.) [sur-ver]  – in computer technology, it is the main program or computer which processes data or information for other computers connected in a network.

Example: If the server breaks down, all computers in the company will be affected.

4. go the extra mile (idiom) [goh] [thuh] [ek-struh] [mahyl] – to do something more than what is expected

Example: Employees who go the extra mile are promoted to better position.

Article
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Facebook plans to share the designs of their innovative data center to other companies to help the whole industry to save more money and be environment-friendly.

Data centers which contain the main servers of Internet companies consume a lot of electricity to run servers and keep them cool. Facebook the design of its data center, which uses 38% less power, to allow natural air to cool servers built for this kind of cooling system. By using natural air, the center consumes less energy and produces less carbon dioxide which harms the environment.

Customizing the data center also allows Facebook to easily make improvements in their website. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg says most machines produced by other companies include parts they do not need. Having its own data center gives the company more control.

Facebook decided to share this design to benefit the entire Internet industry, especially starting companies. According to a company that manages data centers for smaller companies, an average data center spends $10m a year on electricity. Adapting Facebook’s design can bring down the cost to around 40% or $4m a year.

Furthermore, sharing the design will encourage more ideas to improve data centers in the future.

However, environmental group Greenpeace challenged Facebook to go the extra mile in saving the environment by using clean and renewable energy instead of coal and nuclear power.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Why do most large companies consume a lot of energy like electricity?

·         What are the different ways a large company can save energy?

Discussion B

·         What are some possible reasons why most companies do not share the technology they use?

·       Do you think sharing design and technology to other companies has more advantages than disadvantages? Please explain your answer.

Accessory Making for a Better Living

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. entrepreneur (n.) [ahn-truh-pruh-nur] – a person who starts a business

Example: Some young people want to be entrepreneurs so that they can be their own boss.

2. eco-friendly (adj.) [ek-oh-frend-lee] or [e-kaw-frend-lee] – not harmful to the environment

Example: Eco-friendly houses are becoming more popular nowadays.

   

3. hand to mouth (adj.) [hand tuh mouth] – having very little money or food to satisfy immediate needs

Example: Some independent students are living from hand to mouth because they don’t earn enough from their part-time jobs.

4. logging (v.) [log-ing] – cutting down of trees (usually to get wood which can be used to build structure or to make furniture)

Example: Forests should be protected from illegal logging.

Article

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Poor families in Ecuador are now living a better life by making and selling accessories] out of locally grown seeds.

With the help of an American entrepreneur, Amanda Judge, these eco-friendly products are now being sold to 1,500 stores worldwide.

The business idea started when Judge was researching on ways to help women in rural Ecuadorian villages earn better income as part of her graduate studies.  She saw the potential of making accessories using various seeds. Thus, she encouraged the local artists to try to make different styles so that it would appeal to the international market. In 2008, she established The Andean Collection.

Judge said families in Ecuador before were living from hand to mouth. Some had to sell grain and go home only after they have earned enough money for their food that day. Now, because of the business, these families are able to save and even own TVs and cars.

Olga Moran, one of locals Judge is working with, said that her life changed because of Judge’s help.  Her family is now able to earn more than enough to provide for their daily needs and send the children to school. 

Judge believes her business not only helps poor people; it also promotes forest growth because farmers are able to keep their land instead of selling their land to oil companies or logging it for wood.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·        
What can poor families do to earn a living?

·         What do you think can the government do to help poor families?

Discussion B

·         What do you think are the effects of logging trees?

·         What other materials, aside from wood, can be used in building structures and in making furniture?

Wind from Trains Produces Electricity

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. whooshing (adj.) [hwoosh-ing] – having a rushing sound produced when strong wind or water passes

Example: The plane made a whooshing sound as it took off.

2. convert (v.) [kuhn-vurt] – to change something into a different form or feature

Example: The banker converted my dollar bills to yen.

3. install (v.) [in-stawl]  – to put or attach in a certain position to be ready for usage

Example: A cable needs to be installed before the computer can be used.

4. remote (adj.) [ri-moht] – extremely far away; separated from the main area

Example: Remote villages in some countries do not have electricity.

Article
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Whooshing wind from passing trains can now be used to produce electricity.

Two designers from China have developed a device called T-Box which captures  wind from trains and converts it to electricity. Partly buried in between the rails, the device has a turbine that spins as the wind passes. A turbine is a machine that produces energy by spinning.

According to its designers, 150 T-Boxes can be installed in almost 1 km of railway. A high-speed train which normally runs at 125 mph can produce at least 3,500 watts, the same power produced by a small electric generator.

A train with a speed of 187 mph running on less than 1 km of rail can produce 2,600 watts. This amount of energy is enough to supply 40% to 100% of electricity in one house.

The T-box won a silver medal in innovation and was put on display in a learning institute in Taiwan.

The energy produced by T-boxes can be used to provide much needed electricity to remote places in China and perhaps other parts of the world.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Do you think the world is running out of energy? Please explain your answer.

·         Do you agree that using other sources of energy is practical? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         Why do you think some places do not have electricity even in our modern times?

·         What do you think are other possible solutions to the lack of energy or electricity in some parts of the world?

First Filipina Pilot Makes History

Unlocking Word Meanings (5 minutes)
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. captain (v.) [kap-tuhn] – to lead or head something, usually a ship,  aircraft, or a spacecraft

Example: The young general captains the army.    

2. on a whim (idiom) [on uh hwim] – to do something without careful planning or thinking

Example: Traveling on a whim excites me.

3. privilege (n.) [priv-uh-lij] – a special right or opportunity given to a person because of his or her position or status in life

Example: Wealthy people usually enjoy more privileges than others.

4. meticulous (adj.) [muh-tik-yuh-luhs] – careful with details

Example: Surgeons need to be meticulous during an operation.  

Article (10 minutes)
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The first female pilot in the Philippines says that flying planes is the best job in the world.

At 41, Brooke Castillo captains a mid-size commercial plane for a large airline company. She became the first woman in the Philippines to fly a commercial plane back in 1996, opening opportunities for other female pilots to follow her example.

Ironically, Brooke never dreamed of flying planes. Growing up in a wealthy family, she trained to be a classical pianist and got involved in various sports. When she was young, she represented the Philippines in bowling and basketball tournaments and won for her country a silver medal in a Southeast Asian Taekwondo match as an adult.

After graduating with a business degree from the University of the Philippines, Brooke took a pilot scholarship test on a whim when she accompanied a friend who planned to take the test. She passed the test, but her friend did not. Brooke accepted the challenge and got the training she needed to become a pilot.

She believes her background in music and sports, more than the college subjects she took, helped her succeed in pilot school.  She says hard work, not her wealth and privilege, determined her success as a pilot.

She also says that when airline chiefs choose the captain of a plane, the same standards should be used for male and female pilots because people’s lives are on the line. However, she claims that women might have an advantage over men because they tend to be meticulous and good at multi-tasking, two skills required of a pilot.

Today, aside from flying planes, Brooke also trains young pilots and she intends to continue doing so until she turns 65. During her free time, she continues to play classical piano and is a rock band manager. She also dreams of having a family of her own someday but with her busy schedule, she says this is the last thing on her mind right now.  

Viewpoint Discussion (7-8 minutes)
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         What makes a good pilot?

·         Why do you think there are more male pilots than female ones?

Discussion B

·         Why are some jobs only for men?

·         What jobs are only for women?

Football Player Suspended for Swearing

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. crucial (adj.) [kroo-shuhl] – very important or critical

Example: The final decision of the CEO is very crucial to this project.   

2.  swear (v.) [swair] – to use dirty and offensive language

Example: Adults should not swear in front of children.

3. rival (n.) [rahy-vuhl] –  a person who competes with another for the same goal or wants the same thing as someone else

Example: She is my rival for the company promotion.

4. criticize (v.) [krit-uh-sahyz] – to find a mistake or fault in a person, thing or idea

Example: My professor criticized my work.

Article
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An English football player missed two crucial semi-final matches after swearing on a live television broadcast.

Football Association (FA) had suspended Wayne Rooney of United Manchester for two games after he was caught using foul language during a match against West Ham last April 2.

After making his third goal, which won them the match against West Ham, he was caught swearing by cameras airing a live coverage of the game. The broadcasters apologized right after the incident.

Because of the suspension, Rooney missed a home-court match with Fulham on April 9 and the most awaited match with rival Manchester City on April 16.

Rooney’s teammate, Rio Ferdinand, defended him on Twitter, saying that swearing cannot be completely controlled in football stadiums. Ferdinand also added that Rooney expressed sincere apologies for what he had done.

Meanwhile, Rooney’s rival team West Ham also temporarily lost its manager, Avram Grant after he was suspended for criticizing a referee during a game last March. Aside from paying fine for his actions, Grant would also miss two football games.

Follow-up (optional)
Use the question below to check if your student understood the article.

What is the article all about?


Viewpoint Discussion (7-8 minutes)
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Why should athletes have a good behavior?

·         Do you agree that athletes strongly influence young people? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         What other punishments do you think can prevent players from swearing during a game?

·         Do you agree that swearing in a sports match should not be allowed? Why or why not?

Mountaineers Set to Clean the Everest

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. expedition (n.) [ek-spi-dish-uhn] – a trip by a group of people for a special purpose

Example: We went on an expedition to the nearby province to do some research.

2. trail (n.) [treyl] – a path or track made for people or animals

Example: We followed a long trail to the top of the mountain.

3. summit (n.) [suhm-it] – the highest point of something (usually of a mountain or a hill)

Example: I hope to reach the summit of Mount Everest someday.

4. porter (n.) [pawr-ter] – a person whose job is to carry baggage or supplies for others

Example: We were assisted by the hotel’s porter when we arrived.

Article

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An expedition to clear out tons of garbage left on Mount Everest was organized by a team of mountaineers. 

The team was led by an experienced Sherpa guide named Apa, who has climbed the Everest for at least 20 times.

(Sherpa is a member of a people of Tibetan stock living in the Nepalese Himalayas, who often serve as porters on mountain-climbing expeditions.)

Apa first climbed the Everest in 1989. He said that due to the effects of global warming, the trail going to the summit, which was used to be covered with ice and snow, is now formed with bare rocks. This makes the trail more dangerous for climbers nowadays.

After man had been able to reach the summit in 1953, thousands of mountaineers have already climbed the Everest. These climbers have left lots of trash like ropes, tents and empty bottles of oxygen on the mountains.

The team goals to bring down all these garbage, which is estimated to weigh up to 5,000 kilograms, with the help of fellow climbers, guides and their porters. For every kilogram of trash, they shall be compensated with 100 rupees ($1.40).

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         What do you think will happen to Mount Everest if people continue to leave their trash there?

·         What other ways do you think can be made to protect our mountains?

Discussion B

·         If you were to come up with these rules, what rules would you make?

·         Is it important for climbers to know about these rules? Why or why not?

Shopping Can Prolong Life

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. prolong (v.) [pruh-lawng] – to lengthen time or make something last longer

Example: Healthy food and exercise can prolong one’s life.

2. companionship (n.) [kuhm-pan-yuhn-ship] – the relationship of friends or being with someone

Example: Joining sports can give people a chance to build companionships.

3. wellbeing (n.) [wel-bee-ing]  – the state of being healthy, happy, and successful

Example: Parents care for their children’s wellbeing.

4. sensible (adj.) [sen-suh-buhl] – pertains to something that is reasonable or something that ‘makes sense’

Example: My brother, who is a musician, made a sensible decision to teach in a music school. 

Article

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Shopping can prolong life of elders ages 65 and above, according to a study conducted by Taiwanese researchers. 

Dr. Yu Hung Chang of the Institute of Population Health Sciences, Taiwan headed the study. In the years 1999-2000 his group did a survey by asking almost two thousand elders how often they go shopping. Chang’s team then kept track of the death registries after several years. They found that the elderlies who did shopping regularly lived longer than those who shopped only once or twice a week.

This is because shopping provides people with companionship, exercise, and a chance for elders to maintain a healthy diet. Compared to other physical activities like exercise, shopping is easier and more fun to do. They have concluded that pleasurable shopping increases a person’s wellbeing.

An expert from UK said that the results are very sensible because shopping involves physical and mental activity and social interaction.  He agreed that regular shopping not only increases wellbeing, but prolongs life.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Are there many elders who go shopping regularly in your country?

·         What other activities do you think can promote good health for elders?

Discussion B

·         When do you usually go shopping?

·         What other activities do you do to relieve stress?