Hidden Monument Discovered in Durrington Walls

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. ritual / ˈrɪtʃ u əl / (n.) – a ceremony

Example: This area is where the natives used to do their rituals.

2. puzzled / ˈpʌzəld / (adj.) – referring to the feeling of being confused

Example: Many were puzzled by the appearance of the statue.

3. align / əˈlaɪn / (v.) – to fix something in a line

Example: The rocks were aligned on the grass.

4. monument / ˈmɒn yə mənt / (n.) – a historical building or structure

Example: The students took a field trip to a monument nearby.

5. archaeologist / ˌɑr kiˈɒl ə dʒɪst / (n.) – a person who studies history by examining things from the past

Example: The archaeologist discovered stone tools in the cave.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A row of stones believed to have been used for rituals has been discovered under the Durrington Walls [DOO-ring-tn wawls] in the United Kingdom. Nicknamed “super henge” because of its size, Durrington Walls has long puzzled archaeologists because of its appearance. It is straight on one side, while the rest of the structure is curved. In 1810, historian Richard Colt suggested that a reason why the shape has been severely damaged is because of years of agriculture. However, recent findings show that the stone line’s formation is aligned over a row of up to 90 huge standing stones that was 15 feet high and formed a c-shaped arena. Researchers have determined this by gathering evidence using non-invasive technology that did not require digging. Despite not being able to see the stones yet, experts have determined that they were around the same height as the blocks in the Stonehenge [STOHN-henj]. Thus, it is a possibility that both the Durrington Walls and the Stonehenge were made out of the same material. Also, the walls could have been created during or even before the Stonehenge was built. Durrington Walls is part of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site in England and is known as one of the biggest henge monuments. Previously, experts have discovered evidence that it used to be the location of houses, making it the largest village in northwest Europe during that time. With this new discovery, the story surrounding Durrington Walls and the structures near it can be further expanded.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Given the chance, would you like to visit Durrington Walls? Why or why not?

·         Do you think the discovery of ancient monuments like the Durrington Walls and Stonehenge is important? Why is that so?

Discussion B

·         What would you do if you discovered a historical place or object?

·         Do you think it is still important to study what happened in the past? Why or why not?

Weight Loss Surgery Can Help Control Diabetes

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. remission / rɪˈmɪʃ ən / (n.) – the period when a sick person’s health improves

Example: Fortunately, he went into remission after the surgery.

2. surgery / ˈsɜr dʒə ri / (n.) – a medical procedure that involves a doctor cutting into a patient’s body

Example:  I hope I won’t be in pain after the surgery.

3. relapse / rɪˈlæps / (n.) – a return to one’s sickly condition

Example: She had a relapse two years after taking the medicine.

4. obesity / oʊˈbi sɪ ti / (n.) – the condition of being very fat

Example:  Obesity is a serious medical condition.

5. in check / ɪn tʃɛk / (idiom) – to keep something within a certain amount or level

Example:  I don’t eat a lot of sweets to keep my blood sugar level in check.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Weight loss surgery can help control blood sugar levels for some patients with type-2 diabetes, study says.  The study was conducted by a team of researchers from King's College London and the Universita Cattolica [OO-ne-ver-si-ta KA-to-li-ka] in Rome. The participants, aged 30 to 60 years old, all had type-2 diabetes. They were divided into two groups—the first group went through either gastric bypass [GAS-trik BAHY-pas] or biliopancreatic diversion [bil-EE-oh pan-kree-AT-ik dih-VUR-zhuh n] surgery, while the rest received medication. After five years, the researchers examined which participants went into remission.  Results revealed that 50% of the participants who went through either surgery were in remission after five years. On the other hand, those who were on medication were not. According to Professor Francesco Rubino [fran-CHES-koh ROO-bee-no], who conducted the surgeries, half of the patients who had surgery had non-diabetic blood sugar levels for at least five years. Nevertheless, 80% were able to fully control their blood sugar levels by taking either one kind of medication or nothing at all. While the surgery improved the condition of most patients, there were also reports of relapse from others. These patients were in remission for the first two years, but experienced a relapse for the last three years. Thus, the surgeons recommend that the blood sugar levels of patients need to be continually monitored even after the surgery. Aside from keeping blood sugar levels in check, weight loss surgery can also help reduce the effects of obesity. Findings from a Swedish study show that obese patients who had the surgery were 29% less likely to die in the next 15 years compared to those who tried other methods.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What are the possible advantages of weight loss surgery over medication for diabetes?

·         Aside from surgery and medication, how else can people with type-2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels?

Discussion B

·         Are diabetes and obesity common issues in your country? Why or why not?

·         What do you think is the most serious health issue faced by your country?

Scholarship Earned through Freshman’s Half-Court Shot

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. shot / ʃɒt / (n.) – the act of throwing or moving something to hit a goal

Example:  The player’s winning shot led the team to the finals.

2. ticket / ˈtɪk ɪt / (n.) – something that allows a person to get something that he or she wants

Example: Golf could be my ticket to an athletic scholarship.

3. randomly / ˈræn dəm li / [RAN-duh m-lee] (adv.) – done without a plan or pattern

Example: He randomly threw the ball in my direction.

4. at stake / æt steɪk / (idiom) – being in a condition in which something can be gained or lost

Example: You should do well in the test; your scholarship is at stake.

5. caddie / ˈkæd i / (n.) – a person who assists golf players by carrying clubs, getting the ball, etc.

Example: The golf player gave his caddie a scholarship.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A half-court shot becomes a college freshman's ticket to a tuition-free semester. As part of Ball State University’s welcome week celebrations, a student named Lem Turner was randomly picked to shoot a basketball from the half-court of the university’s Worthen Arena. The prize at stake was free tuition for one semester. According to Ball State, this is only the second time in three years that a student was able to do a half-court shot successfully. The last time a student was able to do this was in August 2013. Turner is a first-year student of the university. He is part of the university’s volleyball team, but has played basketball in high school.  On August 21, he made the shot and has since done several interviews, including an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. During the show, the talk show host challenged Turner to a game, which he won. The prize turned out to be a brand-new Ford Focus. Ball State University is not the only institution that uses unusual methods in giving scholarships. Duck, an American brand of duct tape, sponsors an annual contest called Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest, which awards $10,000 to the winners. Contestants have to create a prom outfit made entirely out of duct tape and attend their prom while wearing it. Another unusual scholarship opportunity is the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship, which provides full tuition and housing scholarship for up to four years. Students who have worked as golf caddies for at least two years can apply for this scholarship.

【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 Ball State University’s method of giving away scholarships? Why or why not?

·         What do you think this says about Ball State University?

Discussion B

·         What kind of test or work should students do to gain a scholarship?

·         If you could offer your own kind of scholarship, what would it be and why?