Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. telecommunications (n.) [tel-i-kuh-myoo-ni-key-shuhnz] – the technology that allows information to be passed through devices such as mobile phones, television, satellite, etc.
Example: The telecommunications
company will raise their calling rates soon.
2. tycoon (n.) [tahy-koon] – a rich and powerful businessperson
2. tycoon (n.) [tahy-koon] – a rich and powerful businessperson
Example: The tycoon
owns several businesses.
3. developing country (n.) [dih-vel-uh-ping][kuhn-tree] – a country that has poor economy and
living standards
Example: Most developing
nations cannot provide proper health care for their citizens.
4. outrun (v.) [out-ruhn] – beat; to
move ahead of someone
Example: The popular politician might outrun his unfriendly competitor in the
coming election.
5. newcomer (n.) [noo-kuhm-er, nyoo-] – someone
who has just been included or added
Example: Newcomers
to the company should study the rules.
Article
Read the text below.
Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu remains this year’s richest man in the
world for the third consecutive year according to publishing company Forbes.
Slim
recently topped Forbes’ World’s Billionaires 2012, a list compiled by more
than 50 reporters from 16 countries every year.
Microsoft’s
Bill Gates and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett follow Slim at second
and third place respectively.
The
72-year-old Slim, who gained most of his fortune through his telecommunications companies Telmex
and America Movil, is the first billionaire from a developing country to top Forbes’ list. The son of Lebanese
immigrants, Slim still maintains a modest lifestyle—he drives himself to work
and lives in his thirty-year-old house in Mexico.
Despite
remaining on the top spot, Slim’s fortune is already $5 billion lower than
last year’s figure. Gates may soon outrun
him, with Gate’s $61 billion net worth only eight points away from Slim’s $69
billion fortune. Recently, Microsoft’s shares have been increasing in value.
Young
newcomers are also included in
this year’s list. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, 27, and Sarah Blakely,
creator of undergarment line Spanx, both gained their fortune by creating
popular brands for consumers. Blakely
is currently the youngest female billionaire at 41.
With
1,226 billionaires and a combined net worth of $4.6 trillion dollars, this is
Forbes’ record-breaking list to date. The list is comprised of people from 58
countries, majority of whom comes from the US, China and Russia. It also
included 128 new billionaires.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
What do
you think makes a billionaire?
·
Are
there any disadvantages to being a billionaire? If yes, what are those? If no,
why do you think so?
Discussion B
·
What businesses
do you think are highly profitable now? Please explain your answer.
·
What
business would you be interested to get into? Why?
