World’s Leading Supercomputer Created in China

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. homegrown /ˈhoʊmˈgroʊn/ (adj.) – created or developed in one’s country

Example: The Australian car manufacturer builds their cars from homegrown parts.

2. dominate /ˈdɒm əˌneɪt/ (v.) – to be larger in quantity, number, or importance

Example: In many cases, tall men dominate basketball.

3. processor /ˈprɒs ɛs ər or/ (n.) – the part of a computer that carries out all of its operations

Example: Your computer needs a faster processor to be able to run that game.

4. specialized /ˈspeSHəˌlīzd/ (adj.) – designed for a specific purpose or use

Example: It is a specialized clinic for pregnant women.

5. massive /ˈmæs ɪv/ [MAS-iv] (adj.) – very large in size

Example: The mansions in Los Angeles are massive.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

China’s Sunway TaihuLight is now the world’s most powerful supercomputer. A homegrown Chinese supercomputer called Sunway TaihuLight ranked first on Top500’s official list of the fastest supercomputers in the world. According to Top500, an organization that curates the rankings of supercomputers twice every year, China dominated the list with 167 entries. This was announced at the International Supercomputing Conference in Frankfurt, Germany on June 20. The Sunway TaihuLight was built and designed by the Chinese National Research Center of Parallel Computer Engineering. Its system can execute 93 quadrillion calculations per second. This is the first time for a Chinese supercomputer to be powered by domestic processors instead of US technologies. Currently, the machine is housed at the National Supercomputing Center in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. The other supercomputers included on the Top500 list are the Titan and Sequoia, which are both from the United States, the K computer and Fujitsu PRIMEHPC FX100 from Japan, and the SuperMUC from Germany. The United States has the second highest number of entries with 165 systems. These supercomputers are used for the improvement of national security and scientific research.  They are designed to make complex calculations for different fields such as health, science, weaponry, car design, and other specialized purposes. Experts use supercomputers as an indicator of a country’s technological advancements. Unlike normal computers, supercomputers are not available for public use. Aside from the fact that they are very expensive, these powerful machines are massive in size. They are almost equivalent to the size of a normal room. They are also much faster than ordinary computers because they are created to carry out highly-specialized and complex tasks.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think these supercomputers should be made available to the public? Why?

·         In what other fields do you want supercomputers to be used in? Explain.

Discussion B

·         What other inventions can be made for the improvement of national security and scientific research?

·         What do you want your country to be known for in terms of technological advancements?

Ogasawara’s Birds Increase as Island Preservation Continues

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. endemic / ɛnˈdɛm ɪk / (adj.) – living or growing only in a particular place

Example: Many tourists come to see the country’s endemic animals.

2. ecosystem / ˈɛk oʊˌsɪs təm / (n.) – all living and non-living things that are part of a certain environment

Example: Different places have diverse ecosystems.

3. susceptible / səˈsɛp tə bəl / (adj.) – affected by something easily

Example: Newborn babies are susceptible to disease.

4. feral / ˈfɪər əl / (adj.) – referring to an animal that escaped from care and became wild

Example: Several dogs from the deserted village became feral when their owners left them.

5. initiative / ɪˈnɪʃ i ə tɪv / (n.) – a program or project made to solve a problem

Example: The government is making new initiatives to save the islands’ birds.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The Environment Ministry of Japan announced that conservation efforts in Ogasawara Islands are showing good results. The Ogasawara Islands, also called Bonin Islands, are made up of more than 30 islands situated 1,000 kilometers from central Tokyo. The islands are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, several of which are endemic. The island group is not connected to other bodies of land, because it was formed through volcanic activity. For this reason, the islands’ ecosystem developed in isolation, causing it to be very susceptible to the influence of outsiders. Many species living in the islands became endangered after people started inhabiting some of the islands in 1830. Among those most affected were Ogasawara’s birds, because they were hunted by pet cats brought into the islands. These cats increased drastically over the years, with some of them becoming feral. They endangered several bird species, such as the Akagashira Karasubato, also known as red-headed wood pigeons. The population of the species was reduced to only about 40, until conservation efforts were enacted. In 2005, the Environment Ministry and the Tokyo Veterinary Medical Association began capturing the feral cats and putting them up for adoption. This initiative aimed to solve the problem without having to harm the captured cats. Moreover, the Ogasawara Islands were recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage five years ago. This recognition encouraged more people to help with the islands’ preservation.  The Environment Ministry reported that the population of red-headed wood pigeons have now reached around 500, as more and more people outside the islands are adopting the rescued cats.

【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 what the government did to save the islands’ birds? Why or why not?

·         What else can be done to preserve the species in the island? Enumerate.

Discussion B

·         Should islands like Ogasawara be inhabited, or should they be left alone? Why?

·         What can inhabitants of the island do to protect the islands’ ecosystem? Discuss.

KFC Launches Meal Box with Phone Battery Charger

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. integrated /ˈɪn tɪˌgreɪ tɪd/ (adj.) – built-in or attached

Example: Most laptops have integrated microphones. 

2. spare /spɛər/ (v.) – to save someone or something from difficulty

Example:  The new mobile application spares users from paying excessive fees. 

3. thrive /θraɪv/ (v.) – to develop significantly

Example: Development of new gadgets proves that technology thrives. 

4. peak /pik/ (n.) – the greatest point achieved

Example: The company was at its peak when it received the award.

5. marketing ploy /ˈmɑr kɪ tɪŋ plɔɪ/ (n.) – a strategy to promote a product or brand

Example: Several companies use promos as a marketing ploy.  

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

World-famous fast food chain KFC introduces a chicken meal box that allows customers to charge their mobile phones. The Watt A Box, a chicken meal combo launched in KFC branches in India, features a food storage box, USB cable, and a battery charger for iPhones and Android phones integrated in the box. The promo runs exclusively in New Delhi and Mumbai outlets. Customers can participate by visiting the official KFC India Facebook page, where they will be asked to “tag,” or link a friend to their post, and tell something good about the Watt A Box. KFC India Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Lluis Ruiz Ribot explains that they came up with the concept to spare customers the trouble of dealing with mobile phones that have run out of power while they are dining. Meanwhile, the mobile phone industry in India continues to thrive. It reached a new peak earlier this year by hitting the one billion mark in its subscriber rate, ranking third after China and the United States in terms of mobile phone subscriber base. Findings of a 2015 study also revealed that Indians spend around 169 minutes daily on their mobile phones. KFC’s Watt A Box is not a fast food outlet’s first attempt at incorporating technology in food items. Similar marketing ploys include Pizza Hut’s movie projector boxes and McDonald’s collaboration with well-known electronics brand Samsung that enabled customers to use Samsung Galaxy tablets in selected branches.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         In your opinion, how can Watt A Box affect KFC’s brand image?

·         Do you think the Watt A Box concept would become popular if done in your country?

Discussion B

·         Do you approve of using mobile phones while eating? Why or why not?

·         In what other ways can technology be incorporated into food or dining?

People Lose Friends at Age 25, Study Says

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. lose /luz/ (v.) – to fail to keep or retain

Example: He is losing his wealth because of gambling.

2. contact /ˈkɒn tækt/ (n.) – someone you know

Example: My contacts in the government are very limited.

3. analyze /ˈæn lˌaɪz/ (v.) – to think carefully

Example: Scientists must analyze the result first before coming up with a conclusion.

4. socioeconomic /ˌsoʊ si oʊˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪk/ (adj.) – describing the combination of social and economic factors

Example: The respondents were grouped based on their socioeconomic status.

5. comparatively /kəm'pærətɪvlɪ/ [kuh m-PAR-uh-tiv-li] (adv.) – relating to something

Example: From two to four in the afternoon, the traffic is comparatively lighter.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

People start losing friends at the age of twenty-five, a study says. Researchers from the Aalto University School of Science in Finland and Oxford University’s Department of Experimental Psychology found that the peak point when people start to lose friends and contacts is at the age of twenty-five for both men and women. The researchers concluded this by analyzing phone records from a European mobile operator within a one-year period. Based on the study, starting age twenty-five, most young people's communication with friends via phone started to decrease. Results also showed that their primary use of phones was to contact members of the family and closest friends rather than friends who lived far away. The study also mentions that the number of friends and contacts a person has is related to the age and gender of each individual. The researchers found that younger men have more friends and contacts than younger women. However, upon aging, women start having more friends and contacts than men. In a separate study, researchers found that socioeconomic conditions also play a huge part in the number of contacts a person may have. Researchers from the University of Virginia and the London Business School found that people who have comparatively low incomes usually prefer a few close relationships than a big social circle with weaker ties. On the other hand, people with higher incomes prefer a large social circle with weaker ties to a small number of close friends.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What is your ideal number of friends? Discuss.

·         Aside from those mentioned in the article, what are the other factors that affect the number of friends a person has?

Discussion B

·         Do you think it is possible for a person to not have any friends? Why or why not?

·         Do you think social networking strengthens relationships? Why or why not?

Contaminated Flour Hospitalizes More than Thirty People

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. recall /rɪˈkɔl/ (v.) – to get back items that have been released

Example: The company recalled defective products.

2. outbreak /ˈaʊtˌbreɪk/ (n.) – sudden spread of a disease

Example: There is an outbreak of yellow fever in Congo.

3. contaminate /kənˈtæm əˌneɪt/ (v.) – to make something dirty

Example: The fruits were contaminated by animal waste.

4. exposure /ɪkˈspoʊ ʒər/ (n.) – the state of being open to something

Example: Exposure to contaminated food can make you sick.

5. severe /səˈvɪər/ (adj.) – critical

Example: He suffered from severe burns after being scalded with hot water.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Consumption of contaminated flour caused more than 30 people in the United States to get sick. Ten million pounds of General Mills flour have been recalled due to E. coli O121 outbreak. E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Most of the time, it is harmless, but there are certain strains that can cause sickness, such as Shiga, a toxin-producing E. coli O121 that was found in General Mills flour. According to Jenny Scott, a senior adviser from the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, flour does not easily get contaminated because it is dry and not usually associated with pathogenic bacteria. Investigators concluded that the flour grain probably came in contact with animal waste, thus contaminating the flour. Symptoms of E. coli infection include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, mild fever, and fatigue. These usually begin three to four days after exposure, but at times it can begin as early as the first day of exposure or as late as seven days. Severe infections that last longer can lead to kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. This is most common among people with weaker immune systems, like young children and the elderly. The FDA advises preventive measures in handling food. These include having them sealed in an air-tight container and stored in a dry place. When preparing food, washing one’s hands and the utensils to be used is very important. Raw food should also be separated from other food to avoid contamination.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         How do you think General Mills should be penalized? Why?

·         Do you think General Mills will be able to recover from this incident? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         How can a country’s food regulatory board ensure that food products are free from contamination?

·         In your country, what is done to regulate cleanliness of food?

Kidnapped Indian Boy Returns Home After Six Years

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. abduct / æbˈdʌkt / (v.) – to take someone away by force

Example: The kid was abducted by four unidentified men.

2. dismiss / dɪsˈmɪs / (v.) – to stop or close a case

Example: The case was dismissed because of lack of evidence.

3. captor / ˈkæp tər / (n.) – a person who has taken away something or someone

Example: The police caught the captors of the child.

4. step in / ˈstɛpˌɪn / (phrasal verb) – to be involved in something

Example: Everyone stepped in to solve the problem.

5. repatriation / riˌpeɪtriˈeɪʃ(ə)n / (n.) – to send someone to his/her own country

Example: Many foreigners are waiting for their repatriation from the war-torn country. 
 

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

An Indian boy who went missing in 2o10 has been reunited with his family after six years. Sonu, who was just six years old when he was abducted and taken to Bangladesh, is finally back with his family in India. According to Sonu’s mother, he had just been playing outside their house before he disappeared. Sonu’s family suspected that their female tenant, who had been in an argument with the family, was involved. The parents then filed a kidnapping case against her. However, the case was dismissed three years later because they could not give sufficient details about the suspect. Jamal Musa, a Bangladeshi national, discovered Sonu in his captor’s house three years ago. The boy had been tortured and made to do hard work. According to Musa, he reported Sonu’s situation to the police immediately, but no action was taken. It was only in December 2015 that Musa was able to rescue the boy. After the Bangladeshi court sent Sonu to a welfare home for children, Musa traveled to India to find the boy’s family. After hearing of Musa’s efforts to save the boy, Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj stepped in to ensure his homecoming.  In a Twitter post, Swaraj confirmed that Sonu’s DNA matched with that of his mother and promised that the Indian government would bring Sonu back to his family. Sonu’s parents expressed their gratitude towards Musa, whom they regarded as an angel. Together with Sonu, they met with Swaraj to thank her for ensuring their son’s repatriation. Sonu’s father also requested the authorities to help his son go to a good school as they could not afford one.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         How do you think Sonu’s experience will affect him?

·         If you were Sonu or Sonu’s parents, how would you thank Jamal Musa?

Discussion B

·         What should parents do to protect their children?

·         How can the government ensure the safety of their young citizens?