Universal Satellite to be Developed in the United Kingdom

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. satellite / ˈsæt lˌaɪt / (n.) – a machine or device sent into space

Example: The satellite took images of the moon.

2. breakthrough / ˈbreɪkˌθru / (n.) – any significant innovation or discovery

Example: The invention of the telephone was a breakthrough in communication.

3. reconfigure / ˌri kənˈfɪg yər / (v.) – to change the form or the way something is used

Example: Some aircraft can be reconfigured for high altitude flights.

4. define / dɪˈfaɪn / (v.) – to explain, identify, or describe something

Example: The manager defined the employee’s new role.

5. maritime / ˈmær ɪˌtaɪm / (adj.) – referring to any business or activity done by sea

Example: The maritime industry is one of the country’s most important sources of income.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The European Space Agency (ESA) will now develop a universal satellite in the United Kingdom. Named Quantum, the universal satellite was initially a project by the ESA. However, satellite operator Eutelsat [YOO-tel-sat] and manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space have agreed to collaborate with the ESA during the satellite’s development. Built to be a spacecraft, Quantum is predicted to be a breakthrough as it will be the first satellite to have the ability to reconfigure on its own. This means that the satellite is programmed not only to take on a variety of missions—it can also be reprogrammed in space to do a new task. With this ability, there would be no need to purchase and launch a whole new satellite when its original task needs to be changed. While the Eutelsat has yet to define Quantum’s primary function, the satellite will probably work mainly as a frequency band. The satellite will thus be sending out videos, calls, data, and broadband connectivity to a variety of customers. Eutelsat chairman and CEO Michel [MEE-shel] de Rosen mentioned that in marketing Quantum, the company plans to focus on governments, maritime companies, data operators, and other users with the greatest need for this technology. Unlike other satellites, Quantum differs as it provides users with flexibility and performance in terms of coverage, connection, frequency, and power based on their needs. Because it can be reconfigured, Quantum will be much more affordable and faster to build than other current satellites. The development of the satellite, which will cost as much as 250 million euros, will be completed in 2018.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you agree with governments spending more money to build satellites? Why or why not?

·         If you were to develop your own satellite, what would its main function be? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         How does studying outer space benefit people?

·         How do you see the world 50 years from now?

Kyoto Voted as the World’s Best City

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. avid /ˈæv ɪd/ (adj.) – enthusiastic or devoted to something

Example: He was an avid fan of the town’s baseball team.

2. popular /ˈpɒp yə lər/ (adj.) – famous among many people

Example: Their band was featured in a popular magazine.

3. worst /wɜrst/ (adj.) – bad to the highest degree

Example: His travel article got the worst feedback from the editor.

4. tolerable /ˈtɒl ər ə bəl/ (adj.) – referring to something that one can bear or endure

Example: The office environment was no longer tolerable so she resigned.

5. censorship /ˈsɛn sərˌʃɪp/ (n.) – the practice of controlling what comes out in a book, movie, etc.

Example:  Many people want to abolish the city’s strict censorship on newspapers.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Kyoto is the world’s best city to travel to, a survey by Time Inc. revealed. Time Inc.’s Travel + Leisure magazine published the World’s Best Awards this year. The survey involved about 17,000 avid readers of the magazine. Other than the top scoring cities, the World’s Best Awards also ranked the best hotels, airlines, and cruises across the globe. Kyoto, which also ranked first last year, received the highest rating of 91. Kyoto was followed by Charleston in South Carolina, Siem Reap [SEE-uh m REE-uh p] in Cambodia, Florence and Rome in Italy, Bangkok in Thailand, Krakow [KRAH-koo f] in Poland, Barcelona in Spain, Cape Town in South Africa, and Jerusalem in Israel. Popular cities, such as Paris, New York, London, and those from Latin countries and South America, surprisingly did not make it to the top ten list. In contrast, the Economist Intelligence Unit Global released a list of the top 10 worst cities in the world to live in. The ranking was based on how tolerable it was to live in a city based on its crime rate, conflict risks, temperature, health care quality, censorship levels, schools and transportation. At the top of the ranking was Dhaka in Bangladesh, making it the worst city to live in. Dhaka was followed by Port Moresby [MAWRZ-bee] in Papua New Guinea, Lagos in Nigeria, Harare [huh-RAHR-ey] in Zimbabwe, Algiers [al-JEERZ] in Algeria, Karachi in Pakistan, Tripoli in Libya, Douala [doo-AH-lah] in Cameroon, Tehran in Iran, and Abidjan [ab-i-JAHN] in Cote d’Ivoire [koht dee-VWUH].

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         If you could rank a city, what would be your basis for ranking it? Explain.

·         Using your answer in the previous question, what ranking would you give to the city you are living in right now? Justify.

Discussion B

·         What are the pros and cons of ranking cities? Please explain your answer.

·         How do you think being on top of the ranking benefits a city? 

Dogs Ignore People Who Don’t Help Their Masters, Study Finds

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. ignore /ɪgˈnɔr/ (v.) – to refuse to notice

Example: His cat ignored him when he arrived home.

2. interact /ˌɪn tərˈækt/ (v.) – to talk or do things with one another

Example: I can’t interact well with dogs because I’m scared of them.

3. stranger /ˈstreɪn dʒər/ (n.) – a person one hasn’t met before

Example: Don’t talk to strangers.

4. habit /ˈhæb ɪt/ (n.) – something done regularly or repeatedly

Example: He has a habit of whistling when he is bored.

5. master /ˈmæs tər/ (n.) – the owner of a pet

Example:  The kittens have a new master.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Dogs tend to ignore people who refuse to help their masters, a recent study found. Researchers from Kyoto University conducted a study to see if dogs are able to evaluate the way people interact with each other. The researchers gathered three groups of 18 dogs along with their owners. Each group was asked to act out a scene, which revolved around the owner having difficulty in opening a box. In the first group, the owner asked help from a stranger but was turned down. In the second group, the owner also asked for help in opening the box and was assisted by a stranger. In both groups, there was a “neutral person” who sat next to the owner but did not participate in anything. In the third group—the control group—the owner did not pay attention to both the stranger and the neutral person. These two then offered a treat to the dog after the scene was acted out. Results of the experiment showed that the dogs avoided the stranger who did not help their owners. Surprisingly, the dogs took food from the neutral person. However, there was no difference in the number of times the dogs took food from the one who helped, the neutral person, and the ones from the control group.  While the study suggests that dogs may understand human social interaction, Cesar Millan of Dog Whisperer warns owners of the effects of treating dogs like humans. In his article, he enumerated habits that owners should not do with their dogs. These include communicating through words, treating dogs like children, not giving them things to do, and being the dogs’ playmate instead of being the master.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Are some dogs in your country treated like humans? In what ways?

·         Why do you think researchers take a lot of interest in dogs?

Discussion B

·         What are your thoughts about people who refuse to help other people?

·         Why do you think some people refuse to help others?

Teachers Shame Students for Better Exam Results, Report Shows

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. shame / ʃeɪm / (v.) – to cause someone to feel embarrassed

Example: The teacher shamed the student for giving the wrong answer.

2. differentiate / ˌdɪf əˈrɛn ʃiˌeɪt / (v.) – to distinguish or set apart

Example: Students need to differentiate the two species in their exam.

3. entail / ɛnˈteɪl / (v.) – to involve

Example: Teaching entails learning with the students.

4. hinder / ˈhɪn dər / (v.) – to prevent or stop

Example: The heavy traffic hindered him from arriving at school early.

5. petition / pəˈtɪʃ ən / (n.) – a written request to do something, signed by many people

Example: The residents made a petition to install more street lights in their neighborhood.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A study reveals that some teachers in the United Kingdom shame students to encourage better exam results. London Metropolitan University’s study found that posting student rankings on classroom walls is one form of shaming done by some teachers. Some even mark their students’ exercise books to differentiate the top-ranking ones from those who are at the bottom. The pressure to get better grades affects both students and teachers. Students tend to be more at risk of having mental health issues because of the pressure they go through in school. Meanwhile, teachers’ roles also entail a lot of pressure. Because some schools already classify students based on their achievements or their ability to be on top of the class, teachers are hindered from getting to know students individually. Many schools also enforce strict teaching methods, which limit the teachers’ creativity and cannot be easily adjusted for different types of students. The University of Cambridge also faces an issue related to grade shaming. Early this year, a group of students began a petition to stop the tradition of publicly posting the final grades of students outside the university’s Senate House. The “Our Grade, Our Choice” group wants the university to let students decide if they want their grades to be posted publicly. Those who have signed the petition think that this tradition does not take the students’ welfare and privacy rights into consideration. In response, the university spokesperson said that students who feel uncomfortable about having their grades published may ask for exemption from their instructors.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think shaming students is an effective way to improve their performance? Why or why not?

·         What are the negative effects of the shaming method on students? Explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         What would be a positive way for teachers to motivate students to perform better?

·         What other occupations or activities shame people into performing better?