Sumo Champion Becomes A Business Man

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

1. switch (v.) [swich] – to exchange or replace something with another

Example: He switched cellphones after his old one stopped working.

2. brawl (n.) [brawl] – a noisy, often physically violent fight

Example: The police arrested the two men who were having a brawl.

  

3. tap into (v. phrase) [tap in-too] – to gain access to something

Example: Someday, computers may be able to tap into people’s minds.

4. vast (adj.) [vast, vahst]  – huge or enormous

Example: The orphan inherited vast sums of money from his deceased parents.

5. rule out (v. phrase) [rool out] – to eliminate, exclude, or not consider

Example: Consistent practice rules out the possibility of future errors.

Article

Read the text below.

A former sumo wrestler has switched his career to business as big economic opportunities open up in his native country. Thirty-year-old Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, known as Asashoryu during his sumo wrestling days, has pursued a second career as a businessman in his native country Mongolia. After dominating the sumo wrestling scene for 15 years, Dagvadorj retired in 2010 after being involved in a brawl in a Tokyo nightclub. Despite bad publicity in Japan, he remains very popular in Mongolia where people call him "The Champ". Dagvadorj might have lost weight since he left his previous profession, but he still possesses a big appetite for success. Aiming to make it big in the business world, he is thankful that his country has given him an opportunity to do so. Mongolia began its modernization twenty years ago when it underwent political and economic reform. The country has since tapped into its vast mineral resources which currently drive its economic growth. With this wealth, businessmen like Dagvadorj get the opportunity to make their mark in modern Mongolia. As a businessman, Dagvadorj is uncertain if he would be as famous worldwide as he was when he wrestled, but he intends to strive to make the most out of Mongolia's bright future.  Initially, he decided to start with his own investment bank to finance his business plans. Now, he owns a circus in the capital Ulaanbaatar and is working on building a huge residential and entertainment complex. With his charisma, some think he could someday run for president. Dagvadorj finds the idea laughable at the moment, but he does not rule out the possibility.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         What are the reasons for an athlete’s retirement?

·         What happens to an athlete after retiring from their sport?

Discussion B

·         How do you define a successful business?

·         What are the characteristics of a successful business person?

'Vitamin A' May Prevent Children from Dying

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

1. essential (adj.) [uh-sen-shuhl] – something important or necessary

Example: Education is essential in obtaining a good job.

2. prevalence (n.) [prev-uh-luhns] – the total number of disease cases in a certain population in a given time

Example: The prevalence of cancer in the USA is increasing.

  

3. deficient (adj.) [dih-fish-uhnt] – lacking something essential

Example: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health problem in most developing countries.

4. motivate (v.) [moh-tuh-veyt] – to inspire or lead someone to do something

Example: My parents always motivate me to study harder so that I can achieve my dreams.

5. doubt (n.) [dout] – something you are not sure of

Example: She had doubts in taking English lessons because she thought English would be hard.

Article

Read the text below.

Researchers say that Vitamin A, a supplement essential for a person’s visual and immune systems, could prevent 600,000 children from dying each year. This finding, published in the British Medical Journal, came from UK and Pakistani experts who evaluated 43 studies involving 200,000 children aged 6 months to 5 years. They found out that Vitamin A reduced deaths among children in developing countries by 24%. In addition, they cited the capability of Vitamin A to decrease the prevalence of measles and diarrhea. World Health Organization (WHO) claims that more than 190 million children aged below 5 are lacking vitamin A. To help Vitamin A deficient children, supplement programs give out capsules twice every year to a minimum of 60 countries. These programs are able to distribute capsules to 80% of children every year. However, the program cannot provide sufficient supplements for every child. Aside from being effective, Vitamin A supplements are cheap, according to Dr. Evan Mayo-Wilson, one of the researchers from the University of Oxford. Both these factors should motivate the government to provide Vitamin A to children, the researchers added. Dr. Mayo-Wilson admitted, however, that there are still doubts regarding the effectiveness of Vitamin A in preventing deaths among children. Some claim and even cite the tendency for Vitamin A to cause respiratory infections among those who are not lacking in Vitamin A.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         What are the advantages of taking vitamins?

·         How can we maintain a healthy life?

Discussion B

·         How can the government help in maintaining the health of the people?

·         Can people in your country easily avail of health care?

Movies May Influence Travel Plans

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

1. scenery (n.) [see-nuh-ree] – the appearance of a place

Example: The scenery from top of the Mt. Fuji was unforgettable. 

2. vintage (adj.) [vin-tij] – something from the past but with lasting interest or importance

Example: Many people like to collect vintage items from the 1950s.

  

3. lure (v.) [loor] – to attract or tempt into something

Example: The sceneries and cultures in Asia lure many travelers into visiting Asian countries.

4. dazzle (v.) [daz-uhl] – to impress someone deeply

Example: The beauty queen’s elegance dazzled the audience.

5. mundane (adj.) [muhn-deyn, muhn-deyn] – common, ordinary, or unexciting

Example: Doing mundane tasks each day can be boring for an employee.

Article

Read the text below.

Movies with breathtaking scenery set in a foreign country may influence a person's travel plans, according to travel writer Caroline Costello. She suggests some movies that might just send the viewer packing and booking a flight to that country. First is the romantic comedy movie "Midnight in Paris". Set in the 1920s, the movie features gorgeous Parisian imagery including sidewalk cafes, vintage item vendors, women in elegant clothes, and the Eiffel Tower. The movie could have been sponsored by the French tourism board, Costello added. Italy also has its share of movies that may lure travelers into its shores. The romance movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" is a story of a divorcee who tours Tuscany, buys a house there on a whim, and finds new life and love. More than the story, viewers will find themselves dazzled with Tuscany's landscapes and architecture. Another movie, released in 1953, is the "Roman Holiday" starring the very iconic actress Audrey Hepburn. Playing the role of a princess seeking to escape from her mundane lifestyle, she sets off to a great adventure along Rome's ancient sites. From the other side of the world, the movie "Lost in Translation", shot in Japan and directed by Sofia Coppola, tells the story of friendship and self-discovery born out of culture shock. However, the real star of the film is Tokyo, which comes off as a mysterious and a dreamy destination. The film also features the very historical Kyoto. Tokyo also stars as a very futuristic city in the mystery science 2002 fiction film "Solaris".

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         Which do you think makes a movie more interesting, the story or the setting?

·         Can you share a movie with a setting that you really liked or a movie that inspired you to do something?

Discussion B

·         Do you think the government should work with filmmakers to promote a country’s beauty? Please explain your answer.

·         What do you think are the advantages or disadvantages of countries being featured in movies?

Heat-related Illnesses Cause Death Among High School Football Players in US

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

1. preseason (n.) [pri-see-zuhn] – period immediately before the start of a regular season when players go through intense training and play in exhibition games

Example: Preseason training is intended to prepare players for an upcoming game.

2. humid (adj.) [hyoo-mid or yoo-] – presence of moisture or water vapor in air ‘(humid air"; "humid weather")

Example: I cannot stand humid weather because I sweat a lot.

3. hyperthermia (n.) [hahy-per-thur-mee-uh] – unusually high body temperature

Example: Hyperthermia is usually caused by infection, certain drugs and medications, or head injury.

4. mortality (n.) [mawr-tal-i-tee] – the number of deaths in a given time

Example: The mortality due to cancer increases every year.

5. customarily (adv.) [kuhs-tuh-mer-ee-lee] – according to what is commonly practiced; traditionally

Example: In some countries, children customarily make “Thank You” for teachers on Teachers’ Day.

Article

Read the text below.

In the US, scientists have observed an increasing number of deaths among high school football players due to heat-related illness. Rising temperature and preseason training are seen to be the major causes. In addition, football coaches believe that mornings are cooler, so they usually implement their strict twice-a-day trainings and workout routines at this time. However, Deke Arndt, chief of the Climate Monitoring Branch of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, said that mornings have become hotter and more humid in the past months, and this could put players at risk.2011’s summer had some of the highest temperatures ever recorded, and these temperatures are believed to have resulted in the four cases of football player deaths during practice. According to the research of Professor Andrew Grundstein from the University of Georgia, between 1960 and 2009, 123 high school athletes died from hyperthermia. The average mortality rate also went up in the last 15 years, which may be caused not only by rising temperatures in summer but also the weight of players and their positions in the team. Among the players, 60% died due to morning heat exposure and two-thirds died during the first two weeks of the preseason. Among the players, 95% were overweight and 85% were linemen. Due to the increase of heat-related deaths, scientists reminded teams to prioritize their health over victory. Coaches were also advised to learn how to handle heat-related illnesses and also to not let the players wear heavy equipment during the start of the preseason trainings. Training sessions were also prohibited until the start of the preseason. However, in Texas, practices before school starts are customarily observed to lessen the risks of exhaustion.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         Can playing football be advantageous to overweight people?

·         What sport do you think is suitable for overweight people?

Discussion B

·         Do you think there should be a limit in sport trainings?

What do you think are the disadvantages of too much training?

New Facebook Application Allows Users to Send SMS

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

1. raised a few eyebrows (idiom) [reyzd a fyoo ahy-brous] – to shock or surprise people

Example: The sudden death of the president raised a few eyebrows.

2. riot (n.) [rahy-uht] – public disorder caused by a group of people who become noisy and out of control, most often damaging property and acting violently

3. movement (n.) [moov-muhnt] – the organized action of a group of people who share the same ideas or goals

Example: They organized a movement to save endangered wild animals. 

4. compatibility (n.) [kuhm-pat-uh-bil-li-tee] – able to exist and go together without conflict

Example: They became best friends right away because of their good compatibility.

5. solely (adv.) [sohl-lee] – only; for nothing other than

Example: It is solely the accountant who can explain the company’s financial statements.

Article

Read the text below.

Facebook users can now send SMS (short messaging service) messages with the new instant messaging application for mobile phones introduced by the social networking giant last August. With this application, Facebook users can send text messages directly to the mobile phones of friends or groups of people. Before, Facebook users could only send and receive messages by going online on their Facebook accounts. The launching of this new application has raised a few eyebrows because its timing is close to the recent riot in London. Those who participated in the said incident used a Blackberry mobile messenger application to organize and manage their movement. BBC News thinks, however, that Facebook timed the launching before the release of Apple’s latest mobile operating system (iOS 5) which includes an instant messenger feature. Stuart Miles, a technology expert from Pocket-lint.com, suggests that Facebook might be taking advantage of its compatibility with both iPhone and Android. Unlike other applications like Facetime which is solely used on iPhone units and BBM for Blackberry, Facebook can work on either phone. Currently, Facebook mobile messenger is only available in the United States but it is expected to reach other countries soon.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using social networking sites?

·         How do you usually communicate with your friends or workmates?

Discussion B

·         What mobile features do you use often?

Which mobile features or applications do you think are not really necessary? Why?

Cheap Travel to Mars, Is It Possible?

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

1. capsule (n.) [kap-suhl, -sool, -syool] – (in space travel) a vehicle designed to transport human beings to outer space; also known as space capsule or spacecraft

Example: Most boys dream of riding a space capsule and travel around the universe.

2. dock (v.) [dok] – to bring a vessel or vehicle to a landing area    

Example: The ship docked at the port of Dalian in China to avoid the heavy storms.

3. sustain (v.) [suh-steyn] – to support or maintain something

Example: Discipline is an important factor in sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

4. quest (n.) [kwest] – the act of searching or pursuing something

Example:  We all go through a quest in search of happiness.

5. settlement (n.) [set-l-muhnt] –an act of settling or residing, whether permanent or not, in a place

Example: Typhoon victims established a temporary settlement in a nearby town.

Article

Read the text below.

Flights to Mars might soon be cheaper if a new joint project in the US becomes successful. The project, currently called Red Dragon, involves the efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), a private manufacturer of space vehicles. Currently, SpaceX is testing the capability of a space capsule called Dragon to dock at NASA’s space station and deliver supplies. Under the Red Dragon project, the Dragon space capsule will be improved in order to carry not only goods but also people from Earth to Mars. The idea for the project came after Pete Worden, director of NASA’s Ames Research Center, and his team found that transporting a Dragon capsule via a rocket does not cost as much as expected. He said this costs only hundreds of millions, and not billions, of dollars as other people may think. Red Dragon will be part of the upcoming Mars Science Laboratory to be launched by NASA in November. The said laboratory would examine if Mars can sustain life. Red Dragon’s part will involve drilling the planet’s buried ice to gather proof that life exists, or existed, there. In this quest, NASA will also be able to demonstrate if Red Dragon can transport heavy load to Mars. Such a transport system, experts say, is important to make settlement and existence in another planet a possibility.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         Is space exploration done by your country?

·         Do you think that a government should set a high budget for studies about outer space?

Discussion B

·         Do you believe that life can exist in other planets like Mars?

Do you believe aliens or other extra-terrestrial beings live on other planets? Why or any not?

Cigarette Makers Sue FDA for a New Packaging Regulation

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

1. graphic (adj.) [graf-ik] – giving a clear and realistic description (e.g., use of pictures)

Example: The outstanding presentation included some graphic data of the company’s growth.

2. grotesque (adj.) [groh-tesk] – very unpleasant or ugly in appearance

Example: The biologists discovered new grotesque-looking insects.

  

3. deter (v.) [dih-tur] – to discourage, prevent, or stop (someone or something) from doing an action

Example: The economic problem deters some companies from hiring new employees.

4. turn-off (n.) [turn-awf, of] – a person or thing that causes dislike or distaste

Example: The movie was a turn-off; it had a boring story and uninteresting characters.

5. infringe (v.) [in-frinj] – to violate or disobey (especially a law)

Example: Plagiarism is illegal because it infringes copyright law.

Article

Read the text below.

Tobacco companies have filed a lawsuit against the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over a new regulation that requires them to print graphic health warnings on cigarette packets. Under this new regulation, cigarette companies must put grotesque images on their product labels as a form of health warning. Some of these images include dead people, diseased lungs and rotten teeth. According to Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the new labels could deter young people from starting to smoke and might be a turn-off to adult smokers. The regulation would also reduce the estimated 443,000 annual deaths in US due to tobacco use. However, five cigarette companies think this regulation disadvantages them. According to the companies’ representative, Floyd Abrams, using grotesque labels would scare away the consumers from buying their products. He also argued against the government illegally forcing them to use their product packaging as a tool for anti-smoking campaigns. Doing so infringes the companies' rights to free speech, the lawyer added.  Instead of the images, he suggested that the government could have just required them to use straightforward warnings in plain text. The FDA has responded by saying there is no sure way of knowing if these images will stop people from buying cigarettes. They also added that the government can regulate someone’s speech if it is what is best for the public. As the lawsuit is being settled, cigarette companies are still expected to push through with the new health warnings starting September 2012.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         What other regulations do you think can be made to discourage smokers?

·         Why do you think some people still smoke despite some regulations?

Discussion B

·         Do you think the government should interfere in the marketing strategies of company products? Explain your answer.

·         What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of companies in seeking approval for their product packaging?

Social Networks Have Good and Bad Effects For Teens

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

1. narcissism (n.) [nahr-suh-siz-em] – an abnormal interest in or admiration for oneself (especially one's physical appearance)

Example: Her narcissism led her to undergo plastic surgery several times.

2. empathy (n.) [em-puh-thee] – the ability to identify one’s self with others by being able to understand their situations, feelings, thoughts and attitudes

Example: The employees admire their boss because he shows empathy to them by constantly considering their opinions.

3. aggression (n.) [uh-gresh-uhn] – the act or state of being violent or offensive to others

Example: Female animals naturally show aggression to protect her young.

4. spill over (v. phrase) [spil oh-ver] – to overflow or be forced out into another area

Example: Details from celebrities’ private lives often spill over into public knowledge.

5. arise (v.) [uh-rahyz] – to appear, emerge, or be a result of something

Example: After natural disasters, many problems arise.

Article

Read the text below.

New studies reveal the positive and negative effects of being part of today's generation, also known as the "iGeneration", where teens and college students are constantly connected through the Internet, SMS, and social networks like Facebook. A study by Larry Rosen, a social media researcher from California State University, associates social networking with mental issues such as narcissism, lack of empathy, increased aggression, and even depression. An observation of 300 teenagers also reveals that constant use of Facebook can be distracting and can cause lower grades.                                                     Despite the negative effects of social networking, Rosen emphasizes how it can teach adolescents to socialize. Rosen says that digital social networks help shy kids in building relationships, an important step in teenage development. Even with the absence of direct communication, teenagers can learn to understand another person’s feelings through the use of the computer or other Internet-ready devices. This social skill may eventually spill over into the actual world as well. For concerned parents, Rosen encourages them to discuss with their children the appropriate use of technology. He suggests teaching kids to take two-minute breaks to check online notifications and messages after every 15 minutes of studying. This allows them to focus longer and avoid the negative effects of social networking on their studies. Meanwhile, Rosen discourages parents from using computer programs to monitor their child's social networking activities. He says that it is more important to build trust so that their children would not hesitate to talk to them should problems arise, such as getting disturbing images from others or bullying.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         Why do you think using online social networks is popular among young people?

·         What do you think are other advantages and disadvantages of social networking besides the ones mentioned in the article?

Discussion B

·         What do you think parents can do to prevent their children from becoming addicted to technology?

·         Do you think young people deserve some privacy from their parents when using social media? Why?