Low-Key Ramen Restaurant Receives Michelin Star

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. unveil / ʌnˈveɪl / (v.) – to show to the public

Example: The company unveiled its new product.

2. mark / mɑrk / (v.) – to happen at a particular time

Example: Today marks the couple’s 40th anniversary.

3. low-key / ˈloʊˈki / (adj.) – not easily noticeable or attention-grabbing

Example: The humble politician conducted a low-key campaign.

4. aromatic / ˌær əˈmæt ɪk  / (adj.) – having a good or fragrant smell

Example: The aromatic curry features a blend of different spices. 

5. reputation / ˌrɛp yəˈteɪ ʃən / (n.) – the way others think about someone or something

Example: Many applicants want to be part of the company because of its good reputation.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

For the first time, a ramen restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. The prestigious Michelin Guide unveiled its 2016 Tokyo edition on December 1, 2015 and welcomed the first-ever ramen shop to be awarded a single star – Tsuta. Last year also marked Tokyo’s ninth year as Michelin Guide’s dining capital of the world. Tsuta is a low-key ramen restaurant known for its cheap bowls of ramen. With only nine seats, there is always a long line of customers daily. It is located in Tokyo shopping district Sugamo. The guide highlighted the restaurant’s Shoyu Tsukesoba, an aromatic ramen that features porcini mushrooms. The restaurant also boasts its Yakibuta Shoyu Soba which is made from four kinds of stone-ground wheat. According to Takatoshi Itami, one of the cooks in Tsuta, getting a star was not the restaurant’s priority. He said that their goal is to satisfy customers with their delicious ramen. Thirteen Japanese restaurants received three stars last year from the famous food guide. Among the thirteen, a new restaurant called Kohaku joined as a new member of the so-called three-star club. Compared to the 2015 edition’s 267, the number of Japanese restaurants included in the Michelin guide’s star awardees in the 2016 edition is lower at 217. Nonetheless, Tokyo still has the most number of restaurants to be awarded by the famous food guide. From the time the first Tokyo Michelin Guide was released in 2007, the Japanese capital has maintained its reputation as the city with the highest number of food spots with Michelin stars.

【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 will be the impact of Tsuta’s international recognition?

·         If you could add any restaurant to the Michelin Guide, what would it be and why?

Discussion B

·         Do you think a person’s reputation should be of utmost importance? Why or why not?

·         How can someone maintain a good reputation?

Number of Wolf Hunters in Norway Increases

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. alarmingly / əˈlɑr mɪŋli / (adv.) – in a disturbing way

Example: The population of wolves in the region is alarmingly decreasing because of illegal hunting.

2. habitat / ˈhæb ɪˌtæt / (n.) – the natural living environment of plants or animals

Example: Environmental organizations are doing their best to preserve the habitats of eagles in the country.

3. livestock / ˈlaɪvˌstɒk / (n.) – farm animals that are kept or raised for business purposes

Example: The region earns mainly from its livestock.

4. shrinking / ˈʃrɪŋk ɪŋ / (adj.) – describing something that is decreasing in amount, size, or value

Example: The shrinking number of sharks led authorities to implement stricter fishing policies.

5. extinct / ɪkˈstɪŋkt / (adj.) – not existing anymore

Example: Scientists have not yet discovered the reason why dinosaurs became extinct.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A huge number of people have registered for a license to kill more than half of Norway's existing wolf population. Nearly 12,000 hunters in Norway became licensed to shoot 16 wolves for the 2015-2016 hunting season. According to Norway's environment agency, the government issued hunting licenses to protect livestock. Despite this initiative, an expert thinks that it is disturbing that the Norwegian government allowed this number of hunters despite wolves' alarmingly low population in the country. According to expert Petter Wabakken, the wolf population in Norway could be as small as 30 wolves. Although wolf hunting in Norway is permitted, the country still maintains its wolf population by designating a protected habitat for the animals. However, some of them go out of this protected area, making themselves open for hunting.   Wabakken said that while widespread wolf hunting keeps livestock free from harm, illegal hunting is possibly responsible for the rapidly shrinking population of wolves in the country. The government maintains three female wolves in the protected area for breeding but Wabakken doubts that this will be enough to make sure the wolf population in the Scandinavian country will not go extinct. Norway's wolf-hunting season started on October 1 last year and will end on March 31 this year. Based on the Norwegian Association for Fishing and Hunting's available data, the current hunting season has more hunters compared to the 2013-2014 season. Last season, there were only less than 10,000 hunters who participated. Norway is known to have a long-standing hunting tradition. Aside from wolves, the Norwegian brown bear and wolverines are also in demand for hunters during the hunting season.

【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 Norway’s legal hunting of wolves? Why or why not?

·         If you were part of the Norwegian government, how would you deal with the decreasing wolf population while keeping the hunting tradition?

Discussion B

·         How are endangered animals protected in your country?

·         How else can ordinary citizens care for animals, endangered or not?

Money Can Make Children Achieve More But Give Less

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. sort / sɔrt / (v.) – to organize in a particular order

Example: The hospital employee sorted the patients’ records from oldest to most recent.

2. generosity / ˌdʒɛn əˈrɒs ɪ ti / (n.) – willingness to give

Example: The charity thanked the organization for its generosity.

3. maximum / ˈmæk sə məm / (n.) – the highest number possible

Example: Employees are allowed to take a maximum of two guests to the party.

4. implication / ˌɪm plɪˈkeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the effect of something

Example: A child’s environment has implications on his/her growth.

5. interpersonal / ˌɪn tərˈpɜr sə nl / (adj.) – referring to interactions between people

Example: The position requires good interpersonal skills.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Handling money can cause children to work harder, but it can also make them less giving, a study says. A group of researchers found that money can affect children’s behavior in helping, taking, and giving. The study’s participants were 550 children from Poland and the United States, with ages ranging from three to six. The researchers conducted several experiments. In one of them, the researchers asked the children to complete puzzles after sorting money or buttons. Most children who sorted money completed the puzzle faster than those who sorted buttons. In another set of experiments, experimenters asked children to help them prepare a task for another child after sorting money, buttons, or pieces of paper. The children were instructed to bring the assigned experimenter as many red crayons as they could from a far side of the room. Results show that those who sorted money were less helpful in the task than those who sorted buttons or pieces of paper. To measure money’s effect on generosity, the researchers conducted another experiment. Children were randomly assigned to sort money, candies, or buttons. The team said that each child could get a maximum of six Disney stickers and that they could either keep all of them or give some to other children. Those who sorted candies or buttons were more generous than those who sorted money. The study suggests that although children may not be fully aware of the value of money, they understand that they can use it in exchange for something. The results demonstrate key implications of money on achievement, generosity, and interpersonal harmony, co-author Lan Chaplin said.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What is your opinion about giving money to children? Did it change after reading the article?

·         In your country, do children usually handle money? If yes, in what situations? If no, why not?

Discussion B

·         At what age do you think children learn the real value and purpose of money?

·         How can adults properly prepare children for handling money?

Chinese Yuan to Become Major World Currency In 2016

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. key / ki / (adj.) – very important

Example: The organization plays a key role in giving assistance to poor countries.

2. reserve / rɪˈzɜrv / (n.) – a stock of things stored for later use

Example: Countries can use their monetary reserves to pay their international debts.

3. asset / ˈæs ɛt / (n.) – property or resources

Example: The central bank holds the country’s gold assets.

4. composition / ˌkɒm pəˈzɪʃ ən / (n.) – the way something is formed

Example: Senior citizens make up a big percentage of the country’s population composition.

5. milestone / ˈmaɪlˌstoʊn / (n.) – an event that marks an important point in the progress of something

Example: Opening international trade is one of the country’s biggest economic milestones.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The Chinese Yuan will be one of the key international currencies in 2016, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced. The announcement was held in a news conference in Washington last year. During the conference, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde [la-GARD] said that the Chinese Yuan, usually referred to as the renminbi (RMB), will officially become the fifth currency to be included in the IMF’s reserve of currencies known as the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket. The IMF uses the SDR in its transactions with its 188 member countries. SDRs are also allocated to the member countries as additional assets. Currently, the IMF bases the SDR’s value on four major currencies, namely the US dollar, euro, Japanese yen, and British pound. Every five years, the organization’s Executive Board reviews the SDR’s composition. After its latest review on November 30, 2015, the IMF decided to include the renminbi in the SDR basket effective October 1 this year. According to the Board, the renminbi was included in the basket because China met the organization’s existing criteria – a high volume of exports in the last five years, and a freely usable currency. According to Lagarde, the IMF’s decision to include the renminbi in its reserve of major world currencies is an important milestone in China’s global influence. The IMF chief also mentioned that the move reflects the Asian giant’s improvement in its financial policies in the past years and the years to come.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What is your reaction towards IMF’s decision to make renminbi a major world currency?

·         What do you think would happen if organizations providing assistance to several countries like the IMF did not exist?

Discussion B

·         What is the importance of economic collaboration among countries?

·         Do you agree with the idea of having only one worldwide currency? Why or why not?

Scientists Develop Ten-Minute Stroke Test

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. impede / ɪmˈpid / (v.) – to prevent something from happening

Example: His smoking habit impeded his recovery.

2. administer / ædˈmɪn ə stər / (v.) – to give

Example: The vaccine should be administered at an early age.

3. affix / əˈfɪks / (v.) – to attach

Example: There is a small camera affixed to my laptop.

4. illuminate / ɪˈlu məˌneɪt / (v.) – to light up something

Example: Her device’s screen is bright enough to illuminate the dark room.

5. tailor / teɪ lər / (v.) – to change something to fit a particular purpose or need

Example: You should tailor your schedule to travel longer.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A new test has been developed to detect strokes in just 10 minutes. Stroke is a condition in which blood is prevented from flowing to an area of the brain.  The effects of stroke can range from muscular weakness, loss of balance, paralysis, and death. It is the third most lethal disease and the primary cause of critical disability in Britain, leaving at least 450,000 suffering from its effects. There are two types of stroke–the more common one is caused by a clot in the brain, while the other is caused by bleeding in the brain. A speedy diagnosis is necessary to distinguish the two, since current drug treatments for stroke can impede the effects in patients of the first type but can be deadly to patients suffering from the second type. Scientists at Cornell University developed a stroke test that can be administered in 10 minutes. It will only cost several pounds and will use only a few drops of blood. This test relies on enzymes affixed to nanoparticles. These enzymes then illuminate a type of molecule that shows up in the blood at the onset of a stroke. Although there are blood tests for stroke, they are not commonly used because of the long time it takes to administer them. The faster detection allows for faster treatment that can save more people from stroke. The scientists intend on collaborating with a private company to tailor the stroke test for clinical testing. The first test can be ready for use by 2018. They also hope to use the same technology in the test to detect other conditions in the future.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What other diseases are usually connected to stroke?

·         In what ways can people suffering from the effects of stroke be helped by others?

Discussion B

·         Are you happy with the healthcare in your country? Why or why not?

·         What improvements would you like to see in your country’s healthcare?

FDA Sanctions Enhanced Flu Vaccine

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. sanction / sæŋk ʃən / (v.) – to authorize

Example: The company does not sanction the use of social media in the office during work hours.

2. augment / ɔgˈmɛnt / (v.) – to improve or strengthen

Example: Some drugs can augment a person’s health.

3. synthesize / sɪn θəˌsaɪz / (v.) – to form by combining two parts

Example: The scientists synthesized a new material for use in dangerous environments.

4. reservation /ˌrɛz ərˈveɪ ʃən / (n.) – feelings of doubt and uncertainty

Example: I have reservations about the success of our experiment.

5. commensurate / kəˈmɛn sər ɪt / (adj.) – equivalent or proportionate

Example: Your pay should be commensurate to your skill level.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sanctioned an enhanced flu vaccine that will hopefully be more effective in protecting older people. Fluad, as the vaccine is called, is the first seasonal flu vaccine to contain an adjuvant, a compound meant to augment the response of a vaccinated person's immune system. In particular, it contains the adjuvant MF59, an oil-in-water mixture of squalene oil, which is a substance naturally found in humans, animals, and plants. The vaccine was designed to give people 65 years old and above an alternative means of defending themselves against influenza. It was synthesized by Seqirus, a company under drug manufacturer CSL. Because around 4,000 to 49,000 people, most of whom are over the age of 65, die from flu every year, there is a clear necessity for flu vaccines. However, since most Americans have reservations about vaccines in general, the FDA put Fluad through tests to evaluate both its effectiveness against the flu and its safety. In a test involving 7,082 individuals 65 years old and above, Fluad was demonstrated to be commensurate with Agriflu, an FDA-authorized seasonal flu vaccine without any adjuvant, in boosting antibody levels. In another test involving 27,000 individuals from the same age group, Fluad was proven to cause no serious safety concerns. Outside the United States, Fluad has been distributed in over 30 countries since 1997. It will be available in the US this year.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What age groups usually get sick with flu in your country? Why?

·         Are flu vaccinations common in your country? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         How does your country’s government monitor the quality of drugs and vaccines?

·         Who has the bigger responsibility to test new drugs prior to release—the drug company or the government? Justify your answer.