New Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Reach the United States

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. infection /ɪnˈfɛk ʃən/ (n.) – a state of having bacteria or viruses

Example: The patient contracted an infection last week.

2. resistant /rɪˈzɪst ant/ (adj.) – not allowing something or someone

Example: She is not getting better because her body is already resistant to the antibiotics.

3. rare /rɛər/ (adj.) – describes something not common or usual

Example: The result says that he incurred a rare disease.

4. antibiotic /ˌæn tɪ baɪˈɒt ɪk/ (n.) – a drug that can kill bacteria and can treat infections

Example: If he takes some antibiotics and lots of rest, he'll get better.

5. transportable /tran(t)s-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl/ (adj.) – can be carried or moved

Example: Researchers are developing a high-tech transportable surgical kit.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The US Department of Defense has announced the first known case of infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in the United States. Escherichia coli, or more commonly known as E.coli, is a type of Enterobacteriaceae commonly found in the stomach. Some types of E.coli are harmless, while others can cause diseases like diarrhea and urinary tract infection. While diseases caused by E.coli can be treated, the bacteria’s genes can mutate to become resistant to carbapenem, a type of antibiotic given in hospitals when most drugs fail. If the bacteria is still carbapenem-resistant, colistin is given as a last resort. Colistin is another antibiotic that doctors use when other antibiotics do not work. However, there are still some strains of bacteria, including CRE, that are still resistant to colistin. These bacteria have the colistin-resistant gene, and thus cause rare antibiotic-resistant infections. In May, a woman from Pennsylvania was discovered to have the first colistin-resistant strain in the United States. The 49-year-old went to a clinic to get treated for a urinary tract infection, and while the symptoms of the infection were treated, her urine sample showed the presence of CRE bacteria. In recent years, the CRE bacteria caused about 600 deaths annually. They usually strike patients in hospitals or nursing homes. However, they are transportable and can be picked up in places like animal feed lots and sewer systems. In the 1940s, antibiotics were developed to cure infectious diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia. However, antibiotics became overused, and some bacteria started to develop ways of resisting them. According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health today.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What is the importance of being aware of antibiotic-resistant infections or bacteria?

·         Do you find the presence of antibiotic-resistant infections and bacteria alarming? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         What do you think are the dangers of not regulating antibiotic use?

In your country, how does the government regulate the use of antibiotics?

Swarm of Bees Chases Car for Two Days

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. swarm / swɔrm / (n.) – a large group of insects flying or moving together

Example: Parents warn their children to stay away from swarms of ants.

2. descend / dɪˈsɛnd / [dih-SEND] (v.) – to go down

Example: The car carefully descended down the hill.

3. enthusiast / ɛnˈθu ziˌæst / (n.) – someone who is very interested in something

Example: Many sports enthusiasts are planning to watch the Olympics.

4. colony / ˈkɒl ə ni / (n.) – a group of plants or animals living in one area

Example: Each honeybee colony has only one queen.

5. instinct / ˈɪn stɪŋkt / (n.) – a natural way of behaving or feeling

Example: The kid’s first instinct was to run away from the dog.  

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A swarm of around 20,000 bees has reportedly chased down the car of an old woman for two days, supposedly to rescue their queen, which was assumed to be trapped inside. Carol Howarth parked her car in a town in West Wales to do some shopping after visiting a nature reserve. While the 65-year old woman was away, around 20,000 bees descended on the back of her car, forming a large brown spot. Tom Moses, a national park ranger, noticed the spot on Howarth’s car while he was driving through. Being a bee enthusiast, Moses called the Prembrokeshire Beekeeper’s Association because he was worried that someone would hurt the bees. Moses and two other beekeepers successfully got the swarm into a box and took it back to the national park. However, Howarth called the beekeepers the next morning when she discovered the bees covering her car again. According to her, one theory being considered is that the bees were following their queen, which was possibly trapped inside her vehicle. Roger Burns, one of the beekeepers, said that the queen bee must have been attracted to something sweet in the car and got into a gap in the trunk or hinge. According to him, it is natural for bees to follow their queen. Queen bees produce a “bee perfume” called pheromones, and these pheromones attract members of a colony. This creates a strong instinct among bees to follow their queen. However, the beekeepers could not find the queen bee anywhere in Howarth’s car, so it is possible that there is a different reason why the bees were attracted to the car. Howarth suspects that the bees might have just liked the car’s heat.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         If you were Mrs. Howarth, what would you do upon seeing the swarm of bees in your car?

·         Do you agree with the decision of the beekeepers to bring the bees back to the nature reserve?

Discussion B

·         Do you think that protecting insects, such as bees, is important? Why or why not?

·         Aside from bees, what other insects should be protected?

Swiss Tunnel Completes Construction after 17 Years

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. situated / ˈsɪtʃ uˌeɪ tɪd / (adj.) – located or positioned in a particular place

Example: The building is situated beside the old park.

2. commence / kəˈmɛns / (v.) – to start or begin

Example: The celebration will commence once the VIP guests have arrived.

3. distinguished / dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪʃt / (adj.) – known by many because of an important quality, such as an achievement or a high position

Example: Many distinguished artists were recognized in the awarding ceremony.

4. festivity / fɛˈstɪv ɪ ti / (n.) – a celebration or feast

Example: They celebrated the New Year with a grand festivity attended by thousands.

5. freight / freɪt / (n.) – goods that are carried and transported using huge vehicles (e.g. planes, ships, trucks)

Example: The ship carried tons of freight.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

After 17 long years, the Gotthard base tunnel, Switzerland’s 57-kilometer underground rail tunnel, is finally complete. The Gotthard tunnel is situated 2.3 kilometers under the Alps. It currently holds the record as the longest underground rail tunnel in the world. It beat the former record-holder, the Seikan rail of Japan, by only 3 kilometers. Full operations of the tunnel will commence in December 2016, but the maiden voyage, or first journey, of the Gotthard trains happened on June 1. Hundreds of lucky guests who won tickets from a draw were able to join the trains’ first test run. The run was also attended by distinguished guests, including Switzerland’s president Johann Schneider-Ammann, French president François Hollande, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi, and German chancellor Angela Merkel. Luxurious festivities worth €8 million, or around $9 million, will mark the rail tunnel’s opening in December. These festivities are expected to be graced by around 1,200 invited guests. The planning of the Gotthard tunnel started as far back as the 1980s, and the entire construction cost €11 billion, or around $ 12.5 billion. The tunnel was funded mostly by taxes from heavy-duty vehicles, such as freight trucks. The rest of the funds came from state loans. Once operational, the train is expected to cut 45 minutes off the travel time between Swiss cities Zurich and Lugano. It is also expected to boost trade between northern and southern Europe. The trains will carry cargo normally transported by huge trucks on Switzerland’s roads. This means that the new tunnel is also expected to take millions of heavy-duty vehicles off Swiss roads.

【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 the grand celebration to be done in honor of the new tunnel? Why or why not?

·         In what ways can new infrastructures be celebrated without spending too much?

Discussion B

·         What is the advantage of having less heavy-duty vehicles (e.g. huge trucks) on the road?

·         Do you think that the use of heavy-duty vehicles should also be reduced in your country? Why or why not?

Volkswagen Approves Raise for German Workers

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. scandal / ˈskæn dl / (n.) – an event that destroys a reputation

Example: The labor abuse scandal destroyed the company’s reputation.

2. stipulation / ˌstɪp yəˈleɪ ʃən / (n.) – a condition in an agreement

Example: A stipulation in the contract requires companies to give laborers an hour-long lunch break daily.

3. contribution / ˌkɒn trəˈbyu ʃən / (n.) – payment

Example: The company takes his contribution to his pension fund from his salary.

4. inflation / ɪnˈfleɪ ʃən / (n.) – in economics, an increase in the rise of prices in connection to the increase in the amount of money in circulation

Example: When inflation gets too high, you cannot buy a lot with your money.

5. pay down / peɪ daʊn / (idiom) – to reduce a bill by paying part of it

Example: I pay down my bills because I can’t pay them in full.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Car manufacturer Volkswagen (VW) agreed to a 4.8% pay raise for around 120,000 of its German workers by next year. The announcement came in the wake of the company’s scandal last year, the effects of which are still being felt by the company. In 2015, US authorities found that VW equipped their cars with software that enabled them to cheat on diesel emission tests. Although the company recorded a 4.1-billion euro operating loss for 2015 because of the scandal, the IG Metall labor union sought a 5% pay raise over the next 12 months for the workers. Worker representatives made the demand on the grounds that they should not suffer the consequences of the management's choices. Among the stipulations in the deal are a 2.8% hike on September 1, 2016 and another 2% hike on August 1, 2017. Other worker benefits in the deal are a 200-euro pension contribution and an extended part-time working scheme. However, the pay deal is currently limited to VW's German workers, and does not cover car workers in Audi [OU-dee] and Porsche [PAWR-shuh], both of which have VW as a parent company. Increasing wages could increase inflation in Germany, which, in turn, could increase inflation in all other member nations of the European Union (EU). This is an advantage, as the present low levels of inflation hinder indebted countries in the EU, such as Greece and Italy, from paying down their debt.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think it is reasonable for workers to ask struggling companies for a pay raise? Why or why not?

·         What are other events that can destroy a company’s reputation?

Discussion B

·         If a country went into debt, should other countries help it? Defend your answer.

·         What are some non-monetary benefits workers can ask from their employers?

Website Helps Chinese Choose English Names

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. laughable /ˈlæfəbəl/ (adj.) – seen as foolish or stupid

Example: His attempt to sing the song’s high notes was laughable.

2. incapable /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/ (adj.) – not able

Example: He works hard so he will not be tagged as an incapable employee.

3. struggle /ˈstrʌgəl/ (v.) – to be in a difficult situation

Example: They struggled to understand each other, so they asked for an interpreter.

4. unnatural /ˌʌnˈnætʃərəl/ (adj.) – not natural or common

Example: The words he used in his sentences are unnatural.

5. absurd / æbˈsɜrd / (adj.) – extremely foolish or weird

Example: Her boss got annoyed when she shared her absurd idea.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A 26-year-old American entrepreneur created a business that helps Chinese people avoid laughable Western names. Lindsay Jernigan, creator of the website BestEnglishName.com, came up with the idea when she was still a real estate staff in Shanghai. According to her, she had Chinese colleagues with names like Apple and Boat. Jernigan quit her job to focus on her naming service to save people such as her colleagues from being labelled by Westerners as unsmart or incapable. Chinese people often take English names to help their foreign friends or workmates who struggle pronouncing Mandarin names. However, according to Jernigan, some of the chosen names are weird and unnatural. To change that, the young entrepreneur launched her website, promising to give its users cool and unique names. For a minimum payment of 148 yuan ($22), customers can avail of the basic service, with additional services such as personal counseling with Jernigan offered at higher prices. Since last year, Jernigan has given one-on-one advice to more than 1,000 people and has helped around 40,000 customers through her online questionnaire that generates suggested names based on responses. Based on previous clients’ selections, the most popular names among customers include Lexi, Isla [AHY-luh], and Kendal for women, and Austin, Carson, and Malcolm for men. Jernigan also mentioned some of the absurd names she encountered, such as Lady Gaga, Moon, and Washing Liquid. Jernigan said that a name gives the first impression and is one’s personal brand. She added that it can be a barrier in all future conversations, introductions, or relationships if not chosen well.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think Jernigan’s website is also needed in your country? Why or why not?

·         What do you think are the difficulties that Jernigan encounters in her naming service?

Discussion B

·         How are people named in your country?

·         If you had a son and daughter, what names would you give them? Explain.

Nigerian City Has Worst Air Pollution in the World

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. categorize /ˈkætɪgəˌraɪz/ (v.) – to put into groups

Example: The scientists categorized the chemicals into two groups—solid and liquid.

2. tiny /ˈtaɪ ni/ (adj.) – very small

Example: Students were instructed to look through the microscope to see the tiny particles.

3. booming /ˈbuːmɪŋ / (adj.) – growing or developing

Example: Foreign businesses want to open branches in the city because of its booming economy.

4. reliance /rɪˈlajəns/ (n.) – dependence on something

Example: We need to lessen our country’s reliance on tourism and agriculture.

5. worsening /ˈwɚsn̩ɪŋ/ (adj.) – becoming worse

Example: The city decided to fix its drainage system because of the worsening floods each year.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) listed Onitsha, a city in southern Nigeria, as the city with the worst air pollution in the world. The WHO categorizes worldwide air pollution according to two measures of particulate matter labeled as PM2.5 and PM10. Particulate matter are very tiny particles and liquid droplets made up of soil or dust particles, acids, chemicals, and metals. PM2.5 are particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers, while the PM10 are particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers, around 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. According to the WHO, Onitsha reached far beyond the recommended levels of PM10. The WHO said that the resulting figures for Onitsha, a booming port city in Nigeria, are about twice as bad as that of Kabul, Beijing, and Tehran, cities that are known for having high levels of air pollution. Dr. Maria Neira of the WHO said that Onitsha’s reliance on solid fuels for cooking and burning waste, as well as the smoke from old cars, contributes to the city’s worsening air pollution. She added that pollution levels in other cities in Africa are increasing due to rapid economic development and industry without the proper technology. In just a few years, the booming port city has reportedly doubled in terms of population, reaching over one million people. With its growing population, the city has been experiencing pollution from old ships, factories, and construction sites. Onitsha also has the worst traffic in Nigeria. However, the WHO said that the air pollution data for Onitsha may somehow be unreliable. According to the health agency, the data came from only a single source, and different seasons and time of day were not included in the readings.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         How can this environmental issue affect Onitsha and Africa in general (e.g. tourism)?

·         What do you think would be the best solution for Onitsha’s problem?

Discussion B

·         Why do you think pollution often comes with economic growth?

·         How does your government address environmental problems?