Astronauts Train in Caves for Spaceflights

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

1. astronaut (n.) [as-truh-nawt, -not] – a pilot a crew member on a spacecraft

Example: He dreams of becoming an astronaut and exploring the space.

2. simulation (n.) [sim-yuh-ley-shuhn] – anything that is made to look like, act like or feel like something else

Example: Military simulations help soldiers practice for actual war scenarios.

3. orbiting (adj.) [awr-bit-ing] – moving around something else

Example: The orbiting moons around the planets were discovered many years ago.

4. seclude (v.) [si-klood] – to keep apart from others

Example: The children’s room is secluded from the adults’ area.


5. survey (v.) [ser-vey] – to make a detailed study or check of something

Example: The engineer surveyed the area for any damages.

Article
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Astronauts from different international space agencies went deep into the caves of Sardinia in Italy for survival training and preparation for their next spaceflight. This training is part of the CAVES project, which stands for Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behavior and performance Skills. The project allows astronauts to work together and help each other through problems and challenging situations. Caves provide a good simulation of the environment in an orbiting spacecraft, since caves are dark and secluded from the world. In caves, astronauts can experience the discomfort and lack of privacy that they will also likely experience in space. The team includes astronauts from NASA, European Space Agency, Russia, Japan and Canada. Three of the team’s members already have spaceflight experiences. The astronauts went down the cave last September 6 and stayed for six days. They tested safety routines and communication systems similar to what they would use in outer space. Aside from exploring the cave, they also surveyed life forms in the cave, as astronauts would do if they were to go to other planets. Test courses for the CAVES project began in 2008. In 2011, five astronauts from NASA, ESA, Russian and Japanese agencies participated in the project. Aside from CAVES, several other space simulation programs exist to train astronauts for difficult space conditions. NASA, for example, is operating its own undersea training mission called NEEMO or NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations Program.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Why should astronauts have a lot of practice at helping each other solve problems?

·         Have you ever helped or worked with others to get through a difficult situation? How did it go?

Discussion B

·         Have you tried practicing or preparing very hard for something? What did you do?

·         Why is training and preparation important?

Olympics Fail to Increase Sales in UK Shops

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

1. retail (adj.) [ree-teyl] – pertains to sale of goods in small quantities directly to customers

Example: She opened a retail store for clothes and fashion items.

2. contrary (adj.) [kon-trer-ee] – very different; quite the opposite

Example: The success of London Olympics is contrary to the bad forecast of some newspapers.

3. opt (v.) [opt] – to choose one thing instead of another

Example: She opted to buy the red dress instead of the yellow one for her birthday party.

4. broadcast (n.) [brawd-kast, -kahst] – to show or to transmit message or information through radio or television

Example: There will be a live television broadcast of the band’s concert.

5. vacancy (n.) [vey-kuhn-see] –  the  availability of rooms or space for use

Example: The vacancy rates in hotels decreased because of many tourists visiting the country.

Article
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The Olympic games that ended last August caused a drop in UK retail sales, contrary to hopes that the games would help British economy. In a survey by the British Retail Consortium, retail sales decreased by 0.4% compared to the figures from the same month last 2011. Data also show that the sales in August were the weakest since November last year. Instead of encouraging people to shop, the Olympics led people to just stay home and watch the games. But even online shopping experienced the lowest growth since October 2008. The decline was evident during evenings, when residents opted to watch broadcasts of Olympic events rather than go online shopping. Other products like clothes for women also had low sales, although women’s shoe sales were higher compared to men’s footwear. The number of shop visitors, specifically in central London, also significantly decreased during this period. Not surprisingly, the sales of food and drinks increased as a result of the Olympics plus the hot summer weather. However, these products had poor sales during the rest of the year. Overall, the situation of retail industry in Britain does not look good. Vacancy rates in London shops increased from January to June. According to Local Data Company, an average of 14.6% of retail shops in Britain is empty. This is mainly due to less consumer spending, popularity of online shops and stores moving out to expand. BRC explained that the effect of the Olympics in the low retail sales should not cause panic, since other areas in the country are exhibiting better performance than in London.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         What do you think are the factors that can affect the sales of a store or a company?

·         What kinds of products usually sell the most in your country? Why do you think a lot of people buy these products?

Discussion B

·         Would you say the UK made a good investment by hosting the Olympics this year? Why or why not?

·         What are some of the long-term benefits that the UK may gain after hosting the Olympics?

Technology May Cause Vision Problems in Children

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

1. vision (n.) [vizh-uhn] – ability of the eyes to see

Example: A child generally has better vision than  adults.

2. focus (n.) [foh-kuhs] – ability to see an object clearly or sharply

Example: Because elderly people have problems with focus, most cannot read the newspaper without eyeglasses.

3. glare (n.) [glair] – very bright light

Example: Sunglasses protect the eyes from the glare of the sun on a hot summer day.

4. coordination (n.) [koh-awr-dn-ey-shuhn] – ability of different parts (of the body) to move together at the same time

Example: Eye coordination is important when reading a book, because both eyes must move in the same direction at the same time across the page. 

5. optometric (adj.) [op-tom-i-treek] – relating to the eye

Example: The doctor prescribed eyeglasses after the optometric exam.

Article
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More and more children are at risk of suffering from a health problem called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) as technology is increasingly used in classrooms. Eye strain, blurred vision, loss of focus and attention, neck pain, double vision, and headaches are the known symptoms of CVS. This condition happens because computer screens make the eyes work harder.  Computer screens give off glare and require the eye to look closely at images that are not as clear as those on paper. In addition, reading on the computer makes eye coordination difficult because computer screens are usually positioned a little higher than the normal reading position.   Thirteen-year-old Casey Connelly who suffers from CVS says she often get “tired eyes” as most of her school work involves computers and electronic tablets. Some schools in the US are now using electronic devices not only for typical activities like typing but also for more advanced function such as storing text books. This set-up requires students like Casey to work longer with computers.  The American Optometric Association (AOA) says that people who spend more than two continuous hours on the computer every day are most likely to develop CVS. To avoid vision problems, Dr. Andrea Thau from AOA suggests taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes spent on the computer. Other tips include positioning the computer screen four to five inches below eye level and blinking often to keep the eyes from getting dry. An annual eye exam before the school year starts may also help students avoid CVS.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Do you think that computers and tablet devices are necessary tools in classroom education? Why or why not?

·         Aside from health problems, what can be the disadvantages of using computers in teaching students?

Discussion B

·         What other eye-care tips can you offer to better protect the eyes?

·         Is it possible to have good eyesight these days, when almost everything people do involves computers? Please explain your answer.

Commercials Influence Unhappy Children to Want More Material Things

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

1. capitalize (v.) [kap-i-tl-ahyz] – take advantage of someone or something; to profit from someone

Example: Hackers capitalize on people who do not know how to keep their computer secure.

2. tween (n.) [tween] – an informal term for a child that has grown but is still too young to be considered a teenager

Example: Many of today’s tweens are already experts at using mobile phones and tablets.

3. possession (n.) [puh-zesh-uhn] – something that is owned

Example: The businessman’s most expensive possession is a car worth over a million dollars. 

4. materialism (n.) [muh-teer-ee-uh-liz-uhm] – a way of thinking in which material things matter the most

Example: Too much exposure to advertising can lead to materialism. 

5. life satisfaction (n. phrase) [lahyf sat-is-fak-shuhn] – how a person feels about his life

Example: A person’s life satisfaction should not be based only on wealth.

Article
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Marketers often try to capitalize on tweens who believe the latest toys, gadgets or clothing can make them happy and popular. But a recent study in Netherlands shows that only unhappy tweens put high value on material possessions [puh-ZESH-uhns]. Lead researcher Suzanna Opree from the University of Amsterdam studied the connection between materialism and the happiness of tweens over a long time period. The researchers asked 466 Dutch children, aged 8 to11, to answer questions about the level of their life satisfaction, their attitude towards possessions and the amount of time they spend on watching TV. Opree said this age group was chosen because the tween stage is when materialism starts to develop. Researchers learned that children in the study became materialistic if they were unhappy and watched a lot of television. Opree said the reason for the result may be that these children want the happiness promised by products in commercials. In contrast, materialism did not develop in happy children, even if they watched hours of TV.  Similarly, tweens with low life satisfaction who watched little TV were not very interested in possessions as well. Opree believes parents are important in increasing children’s life satisfaction.  She advises parents to make children watch less TV if the children seem to be developing materialism. She says adults should discuss anything negative they see on advertisements with tweens to lessen tweens’ desire for the products.   In the US, the total yearly spending of tweens amounts to $28 billion, while parents spend $200 billion each year on their tween children.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Do you think it is natural for children to want so many things these days? What makes you say so?

·         What are some other ways to teach children not to be materialistic?

Discussion B

·         Can you describe something you own that you care a lot about? Why is it special to you?

·         How can we stop ourselves from wanting or buying more things than we need?

New Underwater Data Cable Connects Four Countries

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

 1. transmit (v.) [trans-mit, tranz-] – to send information

Example: The computer transmits data at a very high speed.

2. millisecond (n.) [mil-uh-sek-uhnd] – one thousandth (1/1000) of a second

Example: Optical fiber systems transfer data in just milliseconds. 

3. make or break (idiom.) [meyk or breyk] – can result to either success or failure

Example: The newest investment plan will make or break the company’s future. 

4. path (n.) [path, pahth] – a way or route where something passes through

Example:  The telephone lines follow a straight path for clearer connection. 

5. lay out (phrasal v.) [ley out] – to set up, arrange or to put down

Example:  Electricians lay out the wires for the house’s Internet connection.

Article

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Several telecommunications companies—Japan’s NTT, the Philippines’ PLDT, Singapore’s StarHub and Telecom Malaysia—have worked together to build the Asia Submarine-cable Express (ASE), the fastest data cable in the continent. The 7,800-km ASE, located under the sea, can transmit data at 40 gigabits per second (40Gbps). This speed is as fast as downloading an HD movie in only two seconds. ASE is three milliseconds faster than other connections that link Tokyo and Singapore. With this speed, thousands of computer-based business deals can be done very quickly. Through the new cable, banks and financial groups would be able to respond faster to changes in the market. Many financial decisions nowadays are done through computer programs. Ralph Silva of Silva Research Network says that transmitting data just a millisecond faster than others can really make or break a group’s investment. Engineers also made sure the ASE’s path is straight enough to lessen data transmission time to 65 milliseconds. Hiroyuki Matsumoto, senior director of network services at NTT, says they also planned for natural disasters before laying out the cables.  Many underwater cables were damaged by earthquakes in Japan in 2011 and earthquakes in Taiwan in 2006. Telecom companies had to send remote-controlled robots 2,500 meters under the sea to fix these connections. Matsumoto said they avoided placing the cable near the Taiwan area, where earthquakes happen more often and placed ASE near the Philippines instead, where it would be safer from damage. The company PLDT announced that the ASE is the largest undersea cable system in the country. It is also the first cable directly connecting Japan and the Philippines.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A 

·         How do you think ASE will affect the relationships between the four countries that worked on the project?

·         ASE is useful for banks and businesses. How can the new connection also be helpful to regular consumers?

Discussion B

·         Why is it good for different countries to work together on a common project?

·         If you were to work with people from other countries, what kind of project would you like to do with them? Why that?