San Francisco Bans Tobacco Products in Athletic Fields

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. ordinance / ˈɔr dn əns / (n.) – a policy implemented in a town or city

Example: The new city ordinance prohibits smoking in schools.

2. smokeless / ˈsmoʊk lɪs / (adj.) – not generating smoke

Example: Smokeless cigarettes are available in my store.

3. influence / ˈɪn flu əns / (v.) – to prompt or motivate a person to do something

Example: Dan was heavily influenced by his father’s smoking habit.

4. franchise / ˈfræn tʃaɪz / (n.) – a member of a sports league

Example: The team is a franchise of the Major Baseball League.

5. stimulate / ˈstɪm yəˌleɪt / (v.) – to encourage something to occur or happen

Example: Some studies say that chewing gum stimulates blood flow to the brain.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Tobacco chewing will no longer be allowed inside baseball venues in San Francisco starting January 1, 2016. This is after Mayor Ed Lee signed an ordinance that bans using tobacco products in all athletic fields in the city. The ordinance, which was approved by all members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, specifically targets baseball as its players are known for chewing smokeless tobacco. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has pushed this ordinance to prevent children who watch baseball from seeing athletes chew smokeless tobacco. A study from the University of California suggested that letting players chew on tobacco can be a form of promoting the product. In fact, the study revealed that adolescent males are influenced to try smokeless tobacco when they see elite athletes use the product. The San Francisco Giants, a professional baseball franchise based in the city, supports the ordinance. However, the manager of the Giants is worried about how players will manage to give up the habit of chewing tobacco. Chewing tobacco became popular among baseball players in the mid-19th century. During that time, baseball players discovered that chewing tobacco stimulates the production of saliva, which prevents their mouths from being dry throughout the game. Because of the severe health effects of chewing tobacco, minor baseball leagues banned it in June 1993. However, the ban could not be implemented in major leagues, as it would require a mutual agreement between the Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you approve of San Francisco’s new ordinance? Why or why not?

·         Do you think all baseball players in San Francisco will comply with the ordinance? Why?

Discussion B

·         Do you agree that athletes have that much influence on people? Why is that so?

·         What other bad habits should athletes stop doing?

Large Forest Area Could be Gone by 2030

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. indigenous / ɪnˈdɪdʒ ə nəs / (adj.) – native to an area

Example: Many indigenous communities live in our town’s mountain. 

2. endangered / ɛnˈdeɪn dʒərd / (adj.) – at risk of getting extinct

Example: Some of the endangered animals include tigers and mountain lions.

3. degradation / ˌdɛg rəˈdeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the process of destroying something

Example: Illegal logging leads to the degradation of the forest.

4. crowdfunding / ˈkraʊdˌfʌn dɪŋ / (n.) – the process of raising money by asking contributions from a large group of people

Example: The environmental organization uses crowdfunding to fund its campaigns.

5. proceeds / ˈproʊ sidz / (n.) – the total amount of generated money

Example: The proceeds of the fund-raising event will be used to preserve the Amazon forest.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The World Wide Fund (WWF) predicts that the world will lose 80% of its forests by 2030. According to the WWF, this loss, which is predicted to be at around 170 million hectares, will come from only 11 places. These places include the Amazon, East Africa, and Eastern Australia. These areas are inhabited by indigenous communities and endangered species, who depend on these forest fronts for their livelihood and survival. The WWF’s Living Forests reported that expanding agricultural activities cause the degradation of the world’s forests. These activities include palm oil and soy production, livestock farming, and small-scale farming. Deforestation is also linked to excessive wood fuel collection and unsustainable logging. Other causes of deforestation include mining, construction of hydroelectric [hahy-droh-i-LEK-trik] dams, and road constructions, which open doors to new settlers and agriculture. Should these activities continue without proper regulation, the world may lose up to 230 million hectares of forest by 2050. Earlier this year, a non-profit organization called Code REDD launched a campaign called Stand For Trees in order to reduce deforestation. This campaign uses social media and crowdfunding to encourage people to help prevent further deforestation. With the mobile web solution funded by the US Agency for International Development, people can take part in the campaign by purchasing Stand For Trees Certificates for $10. The proceeds of this campaign will help protect forest communities and endangered species around the world. Also, part of the income generated by the campaign will go to training for forest rangers who will monitor and stop people from logging and hunting animals illegally.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think this information will encourage people to do something to protect forests? Why or why not?

·         Given the chance, would you purchase Stand For Trees certificates? Why is that so?

Discussion B

·         If you were to start an environmental campaign, what campaign would it be and why?

·         What could happen if the world loses all of its forests?

Babies below One Already Use Gadgets

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. touchscreen / ˈtʌtʃˌskrin / (n.) – a type of screen that lets the user operate a device through touch

Example: Apple Inc. is known for its touchscreen gadgets.

2. distract / dɪˈstrækt / (v.) – to redirect someone’s attention to something or someone else

Example: She was distracted by the ringing phone.

3. errand / ˈɛr ənd / (n.) – a short trip done to accomplish something

Example: Tommy sent his brother on an errand.

4. chore / tʃɔr / (n.) – a small routine job

Example: Jacob cannot use his phone until he is done with his chores.

5. developmental / dɪˌveləpˈmentl̩ / (adj.) – referring to one’s growth and development

Example: Parental support is vital in a child’s developmental stage.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

More than a third of children under age one have already used gadgets such as tablets and smartphones, according to a study. The study used the survey method involving 370 parents with children that were six months to four years old. The parents specifically answered questions regarding their children’s contact with media and electronics. According to the survey results, technology was commonly used in the participants’ homes. In fact, 36% of the participants’ children under age one had used a touchscreen gadget. Among the children, 24% had made a phone call, 15% had used apps, and 12% had played video games. The survey further showed that children spent longer time using electronic gadgets as they got older. The results also found some reasons why parents let their children use gadgets early on. One reason is that using gadgets distracts children, letting parents run errands and do household chores. Some parents also said that the gadgets calm their children, while others used them to get their children to sleep. According to experts, exposure to gadgets may affect a child’s development. The American Academy of Pediatrics said that using technology early on delays the development of a child’s language skills. This is because children lose the time to talk or interact with their parents, which is vital when learning a language.   Children’s hearing may also be affected by the overuse of technology. Judith Page of the USA Today reported that the unsafe sound levels from gadgets may damage children’s hearing, especially when they are still in the developmental stage.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Should babies be allowed to use smartphones or tablets? Why or why not?

·         At what age should children be allowed to use gadgets? Please discuss your answer.

Discussion B

·         Do you agree that parent-child interaction is vital to a child’s development? Why?

·         What other factors do you think can delay a child’s development?

Paris Invests in City Cycling

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. invest / ɪnˈvɛst / (v.) – to spend money or effort to improve something

Example: The city will invest in the expansion of its roads.

2. route / rut / (n.) – a road used to get from one place to another

Example: This is the fastest route going to the city hall.

3. tourism / ˈtʊər ɪz əm / (n.) – the business or industry of getting people to travel or visit a city or a country

Example: The city wishes to boost its tourism.

4. guarantee / ˌgær ənˈti / (v.) – to make sure

Example: The mayor guarantees that all roads will be safe for travel.

5. workshop / ˈwɜrkˌʃɒp / (n.) – a class wherein a person learns a skill

Example: I will attend a cycling workshop next week.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Paris plans to become one of the leaders in city cycling within the next five years. The city’s government will invest 150 million euros to increase the number of cycling lanes in the city by 2020. Using the said budget, the government will add more cycling routes to the current 700 kilometers, aiming to have 1,400 kilometers after five years. The “express network” cycling lane will be constructed in areas that connect the city’s north and south, as well as those that link the city’s east and west parts. To guarantee the cyclists’ safety, the cycling lane will be separated from the traffic on the main roads. Smaller roads will also have additional two-way cycling lanes and will have a speed limit of only 30 kilometers per hour. Paris hopes that this project will help boost its tourism industry, as biking around the city will become safer and more comfortable. In the next five years, the city specifically aims to increase the number of travels through biking from 5% to 15%. Paris also wants to encourage people to attend cycling classes and bike repair workshops.  Aside from Paris, other cities have also put much effort in promoting and improving city cycling. Among these cities are Amsterdam and Utrecht [YOO-trekt] in the Netherlands, Seville [suh-VIL] in Spain, Münster [MYN-stuh r] in Germany, and Copenhagen [koh-puh n-HEY-guh n] in Denmark. Other cycle-friendly cities include Tokyo, Nagoya, Berlin, Dublin, Montreal [mon-tree-AWL], Rio de Janeiro [ree-oh dey zhuh-NAIR-oh], Barcelona, and Budapest.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What do you think about Paris’s plan to expand their cycling lanes?

·         Do you think more cities should also aim to be cycle-friendly? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         What are the advantages of using bicycles instead of cars?

·         What difficulties can a person encounter when using a bicycle for travel?