Reading: Articles and Essays for ESL Reading

Hiker Kills Coyote With Bare Hands A hiker's recent encounter with a coyote serves as a reminder of the importance of caution and awareness in the outdoors. While exploring trails in the state of Rhode Island, the hiker was attacked by a wild animal. In a remarkable display of self-defense, the hiker managed to suffocate the coyote with his bare hands and received only minor injuries. However, the incident took a concerning turn when the coyote later tested positive for rabies, a potentially fatal disease that spreads through bites. This was only the third reported case of rabies in Rhode Island coyotes since 1994, highlighting the rarity of such occurrences. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has launched an investigation into the attack, urging residents to be cautious while venturing outdoors, particularly during the coyote mating season, which typically spans from January to March. The DEM advises individuals encountering coyotes to create loud noises and hurl objects to scare them away. It is important not to approach or feed wild animals, as their unpredictable nature can pose a significant threat. While this incident showcases the hiker's remarkable self-defense skills, it underscores the risks associated with wild animals. Maintaining a safe distance and adhering to recommended precautions comes first when exploring natural habitats. Useful Language: Encounter (n) - a meeting, especially an unexpected one Suffocate (v) - death caused by cutting off oxygen Rabies (n) - a disease that causes salivation, strange behavior, paralysis, and potentially death Urge (v) - to strongly encourage or advise Venture (v) - to go somewhere unfamiliar and possibly dangerous Hurl (v) - to throw Pose (v) - to present Showcase (v) - to present Discussion Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. Do you like to go outside? Why or why not? 3. Talk about a beautiful outdoor location in your country. 3. Could you have done what the man in the story did? Could you kill a coyote with your bare hands? 4. What’s the most dangerous animal that you think you could beat in a fight? 5. What’s the most dangerous animal that you think you could beat in a fight? 6. There are several dangerous animals in the American wilderness. What others have you heard about? 7. Is it important to be able to defend yourself? How is your ability in this area? 8. Would you consider taking a weapon, like a gun or bear repellent when going hiking in America? 9. Have you been bitten by an animal? What happened? 10. Have you ever seen a dangerous animal outside of a zoo? Where were you and what did you see?

Refugee Bear Finds a Home The war in Ukraine has taken a terrible toll. In addition to the deaths of soldiers and civilians, infrastructure has been destroyed, and survivors have been forced to leave their homes, their towns, and even their country to find safety. Almost six million Ukrainian refugees have moved to other European countries, especially Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. During a tragedy, animals can sometimes be forgotten. One furry creature, an Asian black bear named Yampil, has fortunately found a home far from the war zone. Yampil was living in a private zoo in the Donetsk region, an area that has seen direct conflict between opposing armies. Ukrainian soldiers found him in an abandoned private zoo where other animals had died from shrapnel, bullets, starvation, and thirst. Yampil, though injured and skinny, had amazingly survived. Yampil has since gone on quite the journey, first to Kyiv, then to a zoo in Poland, and then to an animal rescue center in Belgium, where he spent seven months. For the final stage of his travel, he crossed the English Channel and was taken to the Five Sisters Zoo in Scotland. Upon arrival, Yampil ate cucumbers and watermelon, and so far seems to be settling in well. Asian black bears live all over Asia from Iran to Japan. They are considered to be a vulnerable species because of deforestation and poaching. Their body parts are used in traditional medicines in some cultures. Yampil, however, is now safe in his new home. Useful Language: _Refugee (n) - a person who has left their home or country because of danger _To take a toll (idiom) - to cause damage _Civilian (n) - a person who is not in the armed forces or an organization like the police _Infrastructure (n) - the systems and structures that a country uses to work, such as roads, bridges, electricity, etc. _Abandoned (adj) - left permanently by its owner or guardian _Shrapnel (n) - pieces of metal that are thrown when a bullet or bomb explodes _Starvation (n) - having no food for a long time, which can cause death Thirst (n) - the need or desire to drink Skinny (adj) - thin Vulnerable (adj) - in danger of being hurt or killed Deforestation (n) - cutting down trees so that forests get smaller or disappear Poaching (n) - illegal hunting Discussion Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2./Do you like zoos? What is good or bad about them? 3. Have you ever seen a bear in real life? Where was it? What was it doing? 4. Besides cucumbers and watermelon, what do you think a bear likes to eat? 5. What do you know about Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic? 6. What do you know about Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic? 7. If your country became dangerous, where would you go? 8. When people are in danger, should they stop to help animals or think about their own safety first? 9. Are you interested in visiting Scotland? What is Scotland known for? 10. What do you think about poaching? 11. Which do you think is worse, hunger or thirst?

War in Europe Last week, Russia invaded Ukraine, starting the biggest war in Europe since the end of World War Two. Russian forces, in large numbers, attacked from the north, east and south, coming by air, by sea, and over land. The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has long complained about the expansion of NATO toward Russian territory. According to Putin, the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO is a threat to Russian security. He has also argued that Ukraine is rightfully a part of Russia. Ukrainians are determined to defend their country. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is visible in the media and has made frequent requests to the international community for help. The Ukrainian military called up reservists aged 18 to 60, and along with the air force, has been slowing the Russian advance. Ukrainian civilians have moved into subway stations and bunkers for protection. People have expressed shock at the outbreak of war in Europe after a long period of peace. The European Union, the United States, and other countries have reacted with financial sanctions on Russian banks, certain industries, and key individuals. As well, several countries are sending supplies and weapons to assist Ukraine. However, not wanting to directly go to war with Russia, other countries are not sending their own soldiers to fight alongside Ukrainians. There have already been civilian and military deaths in the conflict, and there are expected to be many more. An already tragic situation has the potential to become far worse if other countries join the conflict, especially considering Russia is a nuclear-armed power. Useful Language: Invade (v) - to enter a country to take control with force Forces (n) - groups from the army, navy, or air force NATO (n) - a military alliance made up of many of the countries of Europe plus the United States and Canada (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Prospect (n) - the possibility that something will happen Determined (adj) - strongly feeling that you want to do something Call up (phr. v) - to order people to join the military or report for active duty Reservist (n) - a soldier that is ready to fight if needed Advance (n) - forward movement Bunker (n) - a strongly built shelter, often underground Sanction (n) - an official order to limit trade with a country Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. How do you feel about war? When was the last war or serious conflict that affected your part of the world? 2. Do you know any Ukrainians or people in Ukraine? _How are you feeling about their situation? 3. Is a peaceful solution to conflict always possible? Or is war sometimes unavoidable? 4. President Putin seems to think that Ukraine should not be an independent nation. 5. Does he have the right to say this? Is history on his side? 6. Smaller countries can be threatened by larger neighbors. 7. What can smaller countries do to improve their security? 8. Is 18 years old too young to fight in a war? Is 60 too old? 9.Will Russia be strongly affected by financial sanctions? Are they enough to make Putin reconsider this war? 10. Do you support your country sending weapons or supplies to Ukraine? Why or why not? 11. Have you thought about the threat of nuclear war? How possible is it?

New Indonesian Capital Has Name Indonesia is planning on building a new capital city, and now the new capital has a name. From more than 80 possible names, President Joko Widodo selected Nusantara, which means ‘archipelago’ in Javanese. Indonesia is shifting its capital to solve several problems. The current capital, Jakarta, is on the island of Java, which has long been the focus of economic development. However, Jakarta has become overcrowded, leading to traffic congestion and air pollution. It is also sinking quickly due to the drawing of groundwater. Some parts of the city fall as much as 25cm per year. The new capital will be on the island of Borneo. The government hopes moving will ease population pressure in Jakarta. At the same time, they hope a new location for the capital will help spread development and wealth more widely across Indonesia’s main islands. The name Nusantara is meant to reflect this broader focus. Environmentalists are concerned the building of a new capital will endanger Borneo’s precious rainforests which are home to the world-famous orangutans and other unique animals. Other critics have suggested the new name is confusing because it is sometimes used to refer to the whole of Indonesia. Nevertheless, construction of the new city is expected to start this year, and the government wants to officially shift the capital in 2024. Useful Language: Archipelago (n) - a group of islands Javanese (n) - native language of the people of Java Congestion (n) - being blocked or crowded Drawing (n) - pulling, extracting Groundwater (n) - water that comes from the ground Ease (v) - to make weaker, to relieve Reflect (v) - to show something Broader (adj) - wider, including a wide range of things Endanger (v) - to put in danger Critic (n) - a person who criticizes

Wasabi Linked to Improved Memory New research coming out of Tohoku University suggests that wasabi is good for the ability to remember. Wasabi, a spicy green paste, is eaten in small amounts in sushi and along with other Japanese dishes. It is made from the wasabi plant, a member of the mustard family. A recent study tested people between the ages of sixty and eighty. Some of the test subjects took a wasabi extract nightly before going to bed. The other test subjects were given a placebo. After three months, the people who took the wasabi extract had significantly better results in short-term and long-term memory tests. The placebo-takers did not show any improvement. Wasabi was already known to contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory called 6-MSITC which is rare in other plants. The researchers think that 6-MSITC might affect the hippocampus in our brains, the area that is responsible for memory function. They will continue researching with the hope that wasabi can help people who are experiencing dementia. This new research seems to be good news for sushi-eaters, but alas, most wasabi that is served in Japan is not real wasabi. Instead, it is white horseradish that has been dyed green. Real wasabi is difficult to grow and, as a result, is very expensive. It also needs to be grated and served fresh immediately before being eaten. Useful Language: Memory (n) - the ability to remember Extract (n) - a concentrated substance that is made from a larger amount Placebo (n) - a fake medicine that is often given in research Antioxidant (n) - a substance like vitamin C that removes bad molecules from a person’s body Anti-inflammatory (n) - a substance that reduces pain and swelling Hippocampus (n) - a part of the brain Dementia (n) - a medical condition that causes memory loss and is more common in old people Horseradish (n) - a plant whose root has a strong taste Discussion: 1. Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 2. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 3. Are you good at remembering names or faces? What is difficult to remember for you? 4. Which is better between your short-term memory and your long-term memory? 5. Are you worried about losing your memory as you get older? How does dementia affect a person? 6. What is your earliest memory? How old were you? What happened? 7. Do you like sushi? How about wasabi? 8. Are you a fan of Japanese food? Which dishes have you tried? 9. Do you like to put condiments like wasabi, ketchup, or mayonnaise on your food? What’s your favorite condiment? 10./What supplements do people often take to stay healthy? Are they effective, in your opinion?

FDA Warns Against Sleepy Chicken The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned people to not eat chicken that has been cooked in NyQuil, a cold medication. The FDA issued the warning in response to the ‘Sleepy Chicken’ challenge which appeared in videos on the social media website, TikTok. NyQuil is meant to be taken at night as it makes users drowsy. Cooking the medication could change its effect or produce harmful vapors, according to the FDA. The Sleepy Chicken is the latest in a series of social media challenges that are becoming increasingly bizarre. Back in 2014, the Ice Bucket Challenge helped raise awareness and money for ALS research. In that case, participants poured a bucket of icy cold water over themselves before challenging another person to do the same thing. Recently, American company Paqui relaunched their ‘One Chip Challenge,’ which dares people to eat an extremely spicy chip and to resist drinking or eating anything for relief. Some schools have banned the One Chip Challenge because students have become sick after eating the chip, sometimes in an attempt to go viral. The chip, which is flavored with two of the hottest known peppers, can cause real pain. However, in the case of Sleepy Chicken, the FDA announcement may have made the problem worse. Although Sleepy Chicken videos were available on TikTok, few users were seeing them. After the announcement, thousands of people started searching for ‘Sleepy Chicken.’ Whether people are trying the dangerous challenge is unclear, but more people are aware of it now. Useful Language: Issue (v) - to announce or give something Response (n) - a reaction or reply Drowsy (adj) - sleepy, tired Vapor (n) - gas, or small drops of liquid in the air that resemble gas, like steam Bizarre (adj) - strange Awareness (n) - knowledge and understanding of something Dare (v) - to challenge someone to do something, to be brave enough to do something Resist (v) - to stop yourself from doing something that you want to do Ban (v) - to say that people must not do something Viral (adj) - spreading across the internet quickly and seen by many people Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. Would you consider doing the Sleepy Chicken Challenge or the One Chip Challenge? Why or why not? 3. Do you know of any other social media challenges? Have you completed any of them? 4. If someone challenges you to do something, do you feel a lot of pressure to do it? Can you say ‘no’ easily? 5. Which social media websites do you use? How do you use them? 6. Why do people want to go viral? 7. Overall, is social media good or bad for society? 8. How does spicy food affect you? 9. Have you taken medication that makes you feel drowsy? What happened? 10. Did the FDA do the right thing by warning against the Sleepy Chicken Challenge? Or did they make the problem worse?

Man Gets Pig Heart A pig heart was transplanted into a human on January 7th, at the University of Maryland Medical Center, USA. Putting valves from pig hearts into humans has become common, but this is the first time that an entire pig heart has been used. The heart came from a pig that was genetically modified. To reduce the likelihood of organ rejection, some of the pig’s genes were deactivated, and human genes were implanted. It has only been a few days, but transplant recipient, David Bennett, is doing well so far. There are not enough available human organs for the people that need them, and because he is too unhealthy, Mr. Bennett was not going to receive one. However, Mr. Bennett wanted to continue living, and the pig heart transplant surgery was his only chance. When given this opportunity, he joked, “Well, will I oink?” Doctors are hopeful that this medical breakthrough will solve the problem of organ shortages. In the past, attempts at animal to human transplants involved chimpanzees and baboons. However, because genetic modification is now possible, and pigs are easy to raise and reach the size of human adults quickly, a lot of organs could be produced and transplanted successfully. Useful Language: Transplant (v, n) - an operation in which an organ or body part is moved from one person (or animal) to another Valve (n) - a structure in the heart that lets blood flow in only one direction Gene (n) - a part of a cell that controls appearance, growth, behavior, etc. Genetically modified (adj) - something that has been changed on a genetic level Likelihood (n) - the chance something will happen Organ (n) - a part of the body that does a particular job Rejection (n) - when a body fails to accept a new organ as part of its system Implant (v) - to put something into something else so that it becomes part of that thing Recipient (n) - a person that receives something Oink (n, v) - the sound that a pig makes Breakthrough (n) - a sudden increase in knowledge Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What can we do to keep our hearts healthy? 2. How do you feel about surgery? 3. If you were an animal, which animal would you like to be? 4. How did you feel when you learned a pig's heart was transplanted into a human? 5. If you had the choice of having an animal organ transplant or dying, what would you choose? 6. What’s your prediction? Will Mr. Bennett survives, or will his body reject the new heart? 7. Are some animals better than others to receive an organ from? From which animals would you not want an organ? 8. In the future, do you think it will be easy to get an organ transplant? Why or why not? 9. How do you feel about genetic modification? Do you eat genetically modified food? 10. The shortage of organs is a problem. What can we do about it? 11.Is it ethical to grow pigs to provide organs for humans?

Babies Swapped at Fertilization A Californian couple is suing the IVF clinic that helped them give birth to a baby because that baby was not their genetic child. IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is a procedure in which a woman’s egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm in a laboratory and then placed in the woman so that she can grow the embryo in her body. However, in this case, the embryos of two couples were swapped at the laboratory and placed in the wrong mothers. When the baby was born, the couple noticed her complexion was darker than their own. Although concerned, they did not want to believe a swap could have happened. They continued to raise the baby for three months until suspicion caused them to get a DNA test, and the test showed they were not the child’s natural parents. After meeting several times, both couples made the difficult decision to permanently swap the babies. Each couple intends to remain in contact with the other family and the child they gave birth to. The couple is suing the clinic because of the painful experience they have gone through, and because they have lost the chance to bond with their child through pregnancy and early infancy. The other couple is preparing their own similar lawsuit, but they wish to remain anonymous. Useful Language: Sue (v) - to take legal action against a person or organization, often to claim money as compensation for harm caused Fertilization (n) - causing an egg or seed to start to develop by joining it with a male cell Procedure (n) - a medical treatment or operation Sperm (n) - a cell that is produced by the male sexual organs and that joins to a female’s egg in reproduction Embryo (n) - a human in the early stages of development Complexion (n) - the natural color and condition of a person’s face Bond (v) - to develop a connection with someone Pregnancy (n) - the state of being pregnant Lawsuit (n) - a claim against a person or organization that is made in court Anonymous (adj) - remaining unknown to the public Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Do you, or did you have a close relationship with your parents? 2. Do you look like your parents? Do you look like one of them in particular? Which of your features can you see in them? 3. How is being swapped at fertilization different from being swapped at birth? 4. The couples in the story chose to swap their babies so that each baby is with their genetic parents. Why do you think they did this? Do you agree with their decision? 5. If you wanted to have a child, would you consider using it in vitro fertilization? Why or why not? 6. Both sets of parents in this case have had a bad experience. How about the babies? Do you think they know what happened? 7. How important is bonding between parents and children during pregnancy and infancy? 8. Have you had a DNA test? What did you learn? If not, would you like to? What would you like to learn about yourself? 9. The couple in the story are suing the IVF clinic. Do you support this action? If so, how much money do you think they should receive? 10. One set of parents wants to remain anonymous. What do you think are their reasons?

Coffee Drinkers May Live Longer According to new research, coffee drinkers may live longer than other people - even when they take their coffee with a little sugar. Researchers at Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, studied the health data of UK residents over a seven-year period. They found that moderate coffee drinkers, those who drank from 1.5 to 3.5 cups per day, were the least likely to have died during the period. What’s more, those who put up to a teaspoon of sugar in their coffee, fared better than those who did not. Researchers caution that the results are less clear for people who use artificial sweeteners. Additionally, people should keep in mind that many coffee-like drinks available these days contain much more than one teaspoon of sugar. Experts say that previous studies have also found that coffee drinkers live longer than non-drinkers, as well as other benefits to drinking coffee. Those benefits include decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer, and liver cancer. However, in these types of studies, it is difficult to separate the role of coffee from other factors. People who dislike the effect of caffeine can consider drinking decaf, as it has many of the same benefits as regular coffee. Useful Language: Moderate (adj) - not small or large in quantity or degree Fare (v) - to succeed, to get along Caution (v) - to warn Artificial sweetener (n) - a sugar substitute that has a sweet taste but fewer calories than sugar Keep [sth] in mind (idiom) - to be careful to remember something Decaf (n) - decaffeinated coffee Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Do you drink coffee? How often? If not, why not? 2. Does coffee have a noticeable effect on you? What happens? 3. Besides drinking coffee, how do you wake yourself up when you are feeling sleepy? 4. How long do you want to live? Is there such a thing as a good age to die? If so, what is it? 5. Do you believe that coffee can help you live longer? Is that a good reason to drink coffee? 6. What other things can help a person live a long time? 7. Have you ever had too much caffeine? How did it feel? 8. Have you tried decaf? Why do some people drink coffee without caffeine? Why don’t they just drink water? 9. Do you use artificial sweeteners or drink artificially sweetened drinks like diet soda? 10. Do you care about eating and drinking healthy? Why or why not?

Exercise Aids Depression People often exercise with specific physical goals in mind, such as increasing endurance or strength or altering their appearance by building muscle or losing weight. Many people also point to an improved mood as a reason for exercise, and recent research done by a group from Iowa State University has shown positive effects for people who suffer from depression. The researchers surveyed people who were experiencing depression before, during, and after physical exercise. For two major characteristics of depression, they saw improvements. They found the participants felt less depressed during and after exercise for as long as seventy-five minutes, and perhaps even more. Also, those participants were more able to feel pleasure. For the third major characteristic of depression, decreased cognitive function, the results were less clear. The team says more research is needed. The researchers also carried out a pilot study to examine the effect of exercise on patients before they talk to a therapist. The results suggested that by exercising before therapy, patients can form a quicker and stronger relationship with their therapists. Unfortunately, finding the motivation to exercise or attempt something new is extra challenging for depressed people. Hopefully, it is encouraging to know that exercise can alter how the following hours feel and reduce the severity of symptoms of depression. Useful Language: Aid (v) - to help Depression (n) - a medical condition in which a person feels very sad and hopeless Endurance (n) - the ability to do something difficult or painful for a long time Alter (v) - to change Survey (v) - to investigate the behavior or opinions of people by asking them questions Participant (n) - a person who takes part in something, in this case, the people who were surveyed Cognitive function (n) - related to the ability to think Carry out (phr. v) - to do something Pilot study (n) - a small study that can help determine if a larger study should be done Therapist (n) - a person whose job is to treat mental or physical illness with therapy Severity (n) - the strength of something bad or harmful Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What makes you happy? 2. Have you found that exercise changes your mood? How? 3. . How active is your everyday life? Do you spend most of it sitting down? How could you be more active? 4. Does everyone experience the same range of emotions? Or do people feel some emotions more strongly and for longer? 5. How is depression different from sadness? 6. Some people like sad music and movies. Do people like to feel sad? 7. How would you try to help a friend who was suffering from depression? 8. In some cultures, therapy is quite popular. Would you be open to seeing a therapist? Why or why not? 9. Were you surprised by the results explained in the article? Are these research results helpful? 10. The research did not focus on diet, but do you think what people eat affects our emotions as well?

Smoking Ban in New Zealand New Zealand will try to eliminate smoking with a combination of tough new measures. Most notably, the New Zealand Government will ban the next generation of New Zealanders from ever buying tobacco products in their lifetime. As current smokers get older, the minimum age to buy tobacco (currently 18) will rise with them. To reduce smoking nationwide, other new rules include limiting the number of places where cigarettes can be sold, reducing the level of nicotine in tobacco products, and increasing funding for addiction services. E-cigarettes will not be affected by the new rules as they are seen as helpful to those who wish to stop smoking. Critics say the rules will lead to a larger black market for cigarettes and an opportunity for gangs to make money. The new rules are also expected to economically hurt convenience stores which partly rely on cigarette sales to bring customers through their doors. Smoking is New Zealand’s leading cause of preventable death, killing 14 people per day. For this reason, the New Zealand Government has the goal of eliminating smoking by 2025. While smoking rates among white New Zealanders are on track to meet this target, smoking is more popular among the main minority groups of Maori and Pacific Islanders. Useful Language: Ban (n) - a rule saying that people can’t do or have something Eliminate (v) - to remove something Measure (n) - a method or way Notably (adv) - especially, importantly Nationwide (adj) - all through a country Nicotine (n) - an addictive substance that is found in tobacco Black market (n) - the market for illegal buying and selling Leading (adj) - the top, the best Preventable (adj) - can be stopped On track (adj, idiom) - continuing in a way that will reach an expected result Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What things are banned in your country? 2. How dangerous is smoking? How common is it in your community? 3. It’s common to have age restrictions that apply to young people. Can an age restriction that applies to older people be successful? 4. Convenience stores might lose business because of the new restrictions. Do you feel sorry for them? Should they receive money from the government to make up for the lost business? 5. Smoking-related deaths are considered ‘preventable’. What other ways of dying are preventable? Should governments do more to reduce the number of people that die in those ways? 6. If the black market grows and gangsters make more money, can we consider the new restrictions a failure? 7. Is vaping, or smoking an e-cigarette, better than smoking a normal cigarette? Why or why not? 8. Why do you think there are different smoking rates between different ethnic groups? 9. Should a government have a goal like the elimination of smoking? What other goals should a national government have? 10. What do you think about the NZ Government’s plan? Will it succeed?

Gaming Time Limit for Chinese Kids Chinese children under the age of 18 will be able to play only three hours of online games in an average week under newly announced rules. Under 18-year-olds will have to do their playing between 8 pm and 9 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as on public holidays. Gaming companies will also be required to enforce real-name registration and be subject to more frequent inspections by the authorities. The rules are meant to help protect the mental and physical health of Chinese children. Video game addiction has been identified as a serious problem among young Chinese. A recent article in a government-connected newspaper criticized video games as ‘spiritual opium’. Stock prices for big Chinese gaming companies such as Tencent and NetEase fell on the news. At the same time, those companies said they support the new rules. However, the gaming companies might not be able to control their young customers. There have been reports of children using their older family members’ identities and, in some cases, paying to use the identities of adult strangers to play games longer. Useful Language: Require (v) - to make it necessary to do something Enforce (v) - to make people follow a rule or law Registration (n) - collecting names for an official list Frequent (adj) - happening often Inspection (n) - an official visit to see if rules are being followed Authorities (n) - people in positions of power Addiction (n) - the condition of being unable to stop using or doing something Spiritual (adj) - related to the human spirit, not the body Opium (n) - a powerful drug made from poppy flowers Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Do you play video games, or have you played video games in the past? 2. How much time is reasonable to spend on gaming? 3. How do you feel about the new online gaming time limits for under-18-year-olds? 4. Is it the job of the government to control how long children spend playing games? 5. What kinds of benefits do people get from playing video games? 6. If you had a child, and they wanted to play video games, how long would you let them play for? 7. What are the most dangerous addictions? Which ones are the unhealthiest? 8. Are you addicted to anything? Have you been addicted to anything? When is it difficult to control yourself? 9. What do you think ‘spiritual opium’ means? 10. Do you think the Chinese gaming companies will be able to limit the amount that children play their games? Why or why not? 11. If someone you know is under 18 and asks to borrow your identity to play games, will you let them? Why or why not? 12. Why do you think the gaming companies support the new rules?

Google Cable to Africa People of West Africa can expect their quality of internet connection to improve in the coming years. Google is in the process of laying an undersea cable that connects Portugal to South Africa, with stops in Togo, Nigeria, and Namibia along the way. The cable is being fully funded by Google and is their third private international cable. Following a pattern of naming their cables after historical luminaries, this one is called Equiano, after Nigerian-born Olaudah Equiano. Equiano, who lived in the 18th century, was sold and resold as a slave. Eventually, he bought his freedom, wrote a book that depicted the reality of slavery, and joined the abolitionist movement in London. The countries of West Africa have low internet penetration rates when compared internationally, but with large numbers of young people, there is plenty of demand for improved access. Google’s original plan had Nigeria as the cable’s first stop. However, the Togolese Government, which hopes to turn Togo into a tech hub, was able to convince Google that a branch should extend to Togo. The cable arrived in Togo this month. It is expected to not only increase internet speeds but also reduce prices. Google predicts the cable will indirectly create 37,000 jobs and boost GDP by $193 million by 2025. Useful Language: Luminary (n) - an important person Depict (v) - to show Abolitionist (n) - a person in the movement to get rid of slavery Internet penetration rate (n) - the percentage of people in an area that use the internet Hub (n) - a central place with lots of activity Convince (v) - to change someone’s mind or to make them believe something Branch (n) - a part that goes outward from a main line Boost (v) - to increase GDP (n) - the value of goods and services produced by a country in one year (Gross Domestic Product) Predict (v) - to say what will happen in the future Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Is your internet connection fast enough? Is it reliable? Is it reasonably priced? 2. What do you know about Google? Do you use their products or services? 3. Is internet access a necessity in the modern world? What problems would a person have without internet access? 4. How digital is the community you live in? Are many services available online? 5. What other places around the world are tech hubs or want-to-be tech hubs? Why do they want to focus on technology? 6. Do you think Togo will succeed at becoming a tech hub? Why or why not? 7. What do you think Olaudah Equiano would think about an undersea cable being named after him more than two hundred years after he lived? 8. Slavery was abolished, but it still happens in the modern world. How is this possible? 9. What jobs exist in your country because of the internet? 10. Improving digital infrastructure, like internet access, is one way to increase economic growth. How else can we increase economic growth?

Brazilian Umbrella Service Spreads A novel rental service from Brazil has established itself in New York and will soon spread to Europe. Rentbrella, first available in São Paulo in 2018, allows people to borrow an umbrella for free as long as they return it within 24 hours. The umbrellas can be found and returned at automated kiosks conveniently located throughout their respective cities. Umbrellas are the latest entry in the trend of sharing services in big cities. Over the last few years, bicycle and ride sharing services have become popular in many places. Sharing services often have reasonable fees that make them attractive to users. However, in the case of Rentbrella, charges are only applied if the umbrella is kept longer than a day. Users in New York can keep their umbrella for a second and third day at the cost of $2 per day. After three days, they are charged the permanent purchase price of $16. Rentbrella keeps the costs down by selling advertising space on the umbrellas. In addition to providing cover during sudden downpours of rain, Rentbrella serves as an environmental function. Previously, unexpected rain caused some people to buy cheap umbrellas that quickly broke and added to the discarded plastic polluting the streets and oceans. Rentbrella umbrellas, in contrast, are durable enough to last for years. Furthermore, they are made from recycled PET bottles, and when the umbrella is retired, its materials are recycled once again. The service is expected to be available in London soon. Useful Language: Novel (adj) - new and different Automated (adj) - done by machines or computers, without human control Kiosk (n) - a small store or machine that provides services or information Respective (adj) - separate, particular Downpour (n) - sudden heavy rain Discarded (adj) - thrown away Durable (adj) - able to last for a long time PET bottle (n) - a bottle made from a recyclable plastic Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. How often does it rain where you live? Do you ever get caught in the rain? 2. Do you use umbrellas? What are some ways of dealing with rain besides using an umbrella? 3. Does your city or town have rental bicycles? Do you use them? 4. What do you think about the Rentbrella service? Would you use it? 5. Do you like sharing things? Or do you prefer to keep your things private and separate from other people’s things? 6. Have you ever been to Brazil? How was it? If not, are you interested in going there? 7. Would you rather buy something cheap that doesn’t last long or something expensive that you expect to last a long time? 8. Do you recycle? What kinds of things do you recycle? 9. There is a lot of discarded plastic in the world. How can we reduce the amount of plastic we throw away? 10. Advertising pays for many things these days, especially online. Does advertising bother you, or is it just a part of life? 11. Do you think Rentbrella will succeed in London? Why or why not? Where else do you think it should become available?

Ikea Offers Help with Names Furniture company Ikea is offering to help parents find baby names. Choosing a new child’s name can be challenging, and many parents consider several names before finally settling on the name their child is likely to keep for life. With several countries experiencing pandemic-related baby booms, a lot of parents are going through this process. Enter Ikea’s Norway branch, which has published a list of potential names online. The list is an alphabetically arranged collection of the names of Ikea furniture. Ikea, a giant furniture and home-decorating company from Sweden, often names their furniture after Swedish towns and geographical features, as well as uses names that are traditionally given to people. The list includes the names of furniture models from as far back as the 1950s, like Balder, up to 2022’s Eirik. Some of the names, for example, Vanessa and Billy, are common names among English speakers. Others, such as Poäng, are known better as furniture models among Ikea fans. Whether many people will consider naming their child after a piece of furniture is unclear. For people outside Scandinavia, the exact pronunciation of Ikea products is not always obvious, and pronunciation is something parents consider when naming children. One thing is clear - Ikea’s offer has brought them some free publicity. Useful Language: Settle on (phr. v) - to make a choice after considering a few options Boom (n) - a sudden increase Enter (v) - (as used in stage instructions) introduces the following thing into a situation Alphabetically (adv) - arranged according to the order of the letters in the alphabet Name [sb/sth] after [sb/sth] (phr. v) - to give someone or something the same name as someone or something else Pronunciation (n) - the way a word sounds when spoken aloud Publicity (n) - the attention that a person, product, or organization gets from the media Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Do you like your name? Why or why not? 2. What names of other people do you like? Do you have a favorite? 3. How did your parents choose your name(s)? 4. What should parents think about when naming a child? 5. Some people name their children after celebrities or politicians. Would you consider doing this? Why or why not? 6. Have you been to an Ikea store? What was it like? If not, what have you heard about Ikea? 7. What’s your favorite piece of furniture? Describe it in as much detail as possible. 8. What do you think about Ikea’s offer? Would you consider using a name from their list to name a child? 9.Have you ever been to Scandinavia? What was it like? If not, are you interested in going there? To do or see what? 10. Why did the pandemic lead to a baby boom in some places?

Rock Paper Scissors Championship The Residence, a bar in Wellington, New Zealand, recently held its second annual Rock Paper Scissors Championship. One hundred contestants each paid the entry fee of five dollars, and at the end of several elimination rounds, Zoe, the winner, was $1000 richer. Zoe said she did not know what she would do with the money. Rock Paper Scissors, a game that originated in China, is played by two or more people who make a hand gesture at the same time. In the version that is dominant among English speakers, the hand gestures are those of a piece of paper (a flat hand), a rock (a closed fist), and a pair of scissors (two fingers in the shape of a ‘V’ on its side). Playing rock beats scissors, playing paper beats rock, and playing scissors beats paper. Playing the same gesture results in a tie - and a quick rematch. Rock Paper Scissors tournaments are not common, and the game is usually played for simple fun or to make quick decisions, such as who will go first in some other kind of game, or who gets to choose what is for dinner. It has been used to settle bigger issues, too. In Japan in 2005, a CEO used the game to decide which auction house would get to sell his company’s collection of paintings. Christie’s beat Sotheby’s by choosing scissors and was able to earn millions of dollars. For the contestants in Wellington, the dollar values were much smaller, but most of them reported having fun, and for the bar, a busier-than-usual Wednesday counts as a win. Useful Language: Annual (adj) - happening once every year Contestant (n) - a person who competes in a contest Elimination (n) - removing people from a contest until only a winner remains Originate (v) - to come from Gesture (n) - a movement that you make with your body that has a meaning Dominant (adj) - stronger or more common Tie (n) - to finish with an equal score Settle (v) - to decide Auction house (n) - a place and organization that holds auction sales, where things are sold to whoever pays the most Count (v) - to consider something in a certain way Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Do people play Paper Scissors Rock in your country? Do they play for fun or some other purpose? 2. Are you good at Paper Scissors Rock? How do you know? Would you like to enter a Paper Scissors Rock competition? 3. Is the result of Paper Scissors Rock random? Or is there a strategy for winning? 4. What competitions have you entered? Have you won any of them? 5. Do you know any other methods of making a quick decision? 6. What other games or competitions might you find in a bar? 7.Do you like playing games while drinking? Why or why not? 8. What would you buy with $1000? 9. When are hand gestures most useful? What are some commonly understood hand gestures? 10. Playing Paper Scissors Rock requires no equipment. What other activities or games can be played with no or very few pieces of equipment?

Skateboarding Makes its Olympic Debut The Olympic Games is more than 2000 years old, but it tries to give us something fresh every time. In the 2020 Tokyo Games (delayed to 2021 due to the global coronavirus pandemic), there are four new sports. They are karate, surfing, sport climbing, and skateboarding. Among the newcomers, skateboarding is the youngest, having been invented in the United States in the 1940s or 1950s. It was initially known as ‘sidewalk surfing’ and grew to be especially popular in California, where the ocean surfing culture was already strong. Skateboarding has struggled at times to be recognized as a sport or even as a positive influence on young people. People have complained that skateboarders are dangerous when they practice tricks at rapid speeds on busy streets where people are walking. At the same time, people have claimed purpose-built skate parks are places where teenagers get into drugs and other bad habits. However, the debut of skateboarding at the Olympics is changing the way some people think about the sport. For one thing, some of the competitors in skateboarding are young to be reaching the pinnacle of the sport. The gold and silver medalists in the women’s ‘street’ event are both 13 years old. On the other hand, two of the male skaters are 46 years old. One of those 46-year-olds is South African Dallas Oberholzer, who began skateboarding in the 1980s. Oberholzer, who is white, says skateboarding helped him make black friends and get over his apartheid upbringing. For Oberholzer, being in the Olympics is also good because it is the first time his mother has been impressed by his skateboarding. Useful Language: Debut (n) - the first appearance of something in public Delay (v) – to make something happen later Newcomer (n) – someone or something that has recently arrived Invent (v) – to create something for the first time Struggle (v) - to try hard to do something even though it’s difficult Trick (n) – a skilled action that somebody does to entertain or impress Rapid (adj) - quickly Pinnacle (n) – the highest point, the point of greatest success Apartheid (n) – a political system in which white people have power over black people Upbringing (n) – the way a child is cared for and taught how to behave while it is growing up Purpose-built (adj) – designed and built for a specific purpose Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What sports does your country do well in? 2. Which of the new Olympic sports is most interesting to you? 3. Is skateboarding a real sport or is there something different about it? If you think it’s different, try to explain what is different. 4. What do you think when you hear a 13-year-old won a gold medal? 5. Why is it important for young people to be physically active? 6. If you were in the Olympics, which sport would you be doing? 7. Have you ever felt skateboarders were being dangerous near you? 8. Skateboarders seem to fall often. Could you do a sport in which you often get injured? 9. What advantages or disadvantages does a 46-year-old athlete have in comparison with a 13-year-old athlete? 10. How do sports help us to connect with people who are different?

Runaway Children Sheriff’s deputies in the American state of Florida recently had an unexpected encounter in the line of duty. The two police officers pulled over a car that had been reported stolen and were approaching it slowly. Their guns were drawn because such situations often turn deadly, and caution is warranted. Unexpectedly, two children, a 10-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl, stepped out of the car. The two children, who are siblings, turned out to be runaways. For the girl, her mother confiscating her electronic devices was the final straw. With her brother, she was trying to escape to California. Many children decide to run away from home at some point in their childhood, but most do not get far. In this case, the pair had traveled 320 kilometers from their home. The mother of the children had reported her car stolen and her children missing four hours earlier, but she had not guessed that the children had actually taken the car. Police detectives interviewed the children and concluded they were not being mistreated at home. Additionally, the mother chose not to press charges against her children. Useful Language: Sheriff’s deputy (n) - a police officer who works in an area called a county, which is often distinct from a particular city In the line of duty (phr) - while doing a job such as those done by police officers or members of the military Pull over (phr. v) - to make the driver of another vehicle drive to the side of the road and stop Drawn (adj) - when a gun is drawn, it is out of its holster and ready to be used Warranted (adj) - justified or necessary Sibling (n) - a brother or sister Runaway (n) - a child who has left home without permission Confiscate (v) - to take something away from somebody, usually as a punishment The final straw (phr) - the last bad event in a series, one that makes you take action to change a situation Press charges (v) - if someone has criminally wronged you, in some cases you can decide whether they should be punished by the legal system by pressing charges Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. How are the driving conditions where you live? Are the roads safe or dangerous? 3. At what age do people usually start driving in your country? Did you start driving at that age? 4. What is the longest drive you have done as a driver or passenger? How did you avoid feeling bored? 5. Do you have brothers or sisters? If so, what kinds of things did you do together as children? 6. Did your parents make rules for you that you thought were unfair? Was there anything you could do about it? 7. Did you want to run away from home when you were a child? Did you try? How far did you get? 8. If you ran away from home, where would you go? 9. Have you ever seen or used a gun? 10. How is the job of a police officer in your country? Difficult? Dangerous?

Koreans Get Younger in Age System Change In conversation with non-Koreans, Korean people have often had to explain two different ages. One was their “Korean age” - the age used normally within Korea. The other, their “international age,” was the same as is used in most countries around the world. According to international age, as most people know, a baby is zero at birth and becomes one year old after exactly one year has passed. However, under the Korean age system, babies are one at birth and turn one year older in the new year. At its extreme, a baby born in late December could soon be two under the Korean age system, while their international age would be counted in days. However, for Koreans, explaining the two ages will gradually become a thing of the past as their government recently passed laws to fully adopt the international age system. The government expects the change to reduce confusion and stop creating the impression that Korea is out-of-step with the world. For individual Koreans, the most immediate effect is getting younger. Thirty-year-olds, for example, suddenly find themselves twenty-eight or twenty-nine again. Despite the legal change, Korea will retain one age-related practice. Koreans will become eligible for school, the military, and buying alcohol or cigarettes together with the rest of their age group on January 1st of the appropriate year. Useful Language: Extreme (adj) - very large in degree A thing of the past (idiom) - something that doesn’t happen anymore out-of-step (adj) - different from the way others do things Despite (prep) - used to indicate that something might have prevented something else, but in fact it hasn’t Retain (v) - to keep Eligible (adj) - able to do or have something because of age or qualifications Appropriate (adj) - suitable, correct Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. What is the best age to be, in your opinion? 3. Have you changed as you have aged? What is something about you that has changed, and what is something that has stayed the same? 4. Would you like to become a little younger, as many Koreans have recently? 5. What is something about your country that you have to explain to foreigners? Is it easy or hard to explain? 6. What ages bring big changes for people in your country? For example, when people can first drive a car. 7. Does age matter? In what situations is age important? 8. Do you fear getting older? What is positive about aging? 9. What is something you wish would become “a thing of the past” in your country? 10. Do you like it when systems and rules are similar around the world? For example, should the United States adopt the metric system, or does it not matter to you?

TikTok Comes Under Fire TikTok, a popular video-sharing app, is potentially dangerous according to some Western governments. Government employees in the United States, Canada, and Denmark, have been told they must remove TikTok from their government-issued phones. American politicians are also preparing a law that would help President Biden to ban TikTok nationwide if he chooses to do so. TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance. Critics say that the Chinese government could use data collected by the app, or that the app could be used to spread propaganda or misinformation. By law in China, companies have to supply data to the government if it is related to national security. Researchers say that the amount of data collected by TikTok is not different from that collected by Facebook, and this raises the question, is the targeting of TikTok xenophobic? Moreover, would it make more sense to restrict the collection of data by all social media companies? The Chinese government reacted strongly to the recent moves against TikTok. They accused the US of abusing its power to help American companies. China, however, banned American social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube long ago. Useful Language: Come under fire (idiom) - to be criticized Potentially (adv) - something that could happen, possibly Ban (v) - to say that something is officially not allowed Nationwide (adj, adv) - everywhere in a country Propaganda (n) - information like statements and images that support only one side of an argument, often political Misinformation (n) - false information, especially when it is purposefully given Xenophobic (adj) - disliking people from outside your own country Restrict (v) - to limit Accuse (v) - to claim someone has done something wrong Abuse (v) - to use in a bad way Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. Do you have TikTok on your phone? Do you have other social media? 3. What kinds of things do people see on TikTok? Why is it so popular? 4. How important is privacy to you? 5. What kinds of data do apps and websites collect from us? Do you care about this kind of data collection? 6. Do you think that TikTok is potentially dangerous to national security? 7. What do you think about the relationship between the United States and China? 8. Should foreign social media companies be allowed in China? 9. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet. How can we identify accurate information? 10 What are the pros and cons of social media?

Thailand Legalizes Marijuana In a surprising move, the Thai government legalized marijuana. The plant, also known locally as ganja, has a history of use in Thailand, but in recent years, Thailand and neighboring countries have severely punished users and sellers of all illegal drugs. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, all have the death penalty for certain drug crimes, and Thailand itself underwent a ‘war on drugs’ during the early 2000s. However, since 2018, medical marijuana has been legal in Thailand, and from early June, Thais and visitors to Thailand have been able to grow, trade, and consume marijuana for recreation. Thai officials warn that smoking ganja in public is still a crime that is punishable by a fine and jail time. There are several reasons for this startling development in Southeast Asia. For one, Thailand suffered economically during the pandemic, and the government wants to boost their medical tourism industry, as well as profit from the global medical marijuana market. Also, farmers in the countryside can benefit by planting a crop that grows very well in Thailand’s climate. Finally, prisons in Thailand are overcrowded with prisoners that were convicted of drug-related crimes. Changing the law has made it possible to release more than three thousand prisoners. How the industry will develop is uncertain, but for now, marijuana users are enjoying their new freedom. They have been able to buy various types of marijuana, and some restaurants have begun selling marijuana-infused food and beverages. Useful Language: Legalize (v) - to make something legal Severely (adv) - very seriously, harshly Undergo (v) - to go through, to experience Consume (v) - to eat, drink, use Recreation (n) - enjoyment Fine (n) - money that must be paid as a punishment Startling (adj) - surprising Crop (n) - a plant that is grown in large amounts Convict (v) - to decide in court that someone is guilty of a crime Infused (adj) - joined with the flavor or effect of something Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Were you surprised to learn that Thailand has legalized marijuana? Why or why not? 2. Have you been to Thailand? If not, are you interested in visiting Thailand? Why is Thailand a popular tourist destination? 3. Do you like to use traditional or alternative medicine? Do you also see a modern doctor when necessary? 4. Would you try medical marijuana if a doctor recommended it? Why or why not? 5. What is the legal status of marijuana in your country or region? 6. Does your country have the death penalty? Which crimes can be punished with death? 7. Have you eaten Thai food? What was it like? If not, would you like to try it? 8. Did your country suffer economically because of the pandemic? How is it doing now? 9. Are prisons overcrowded in your country? Should we care about the conditions that prisoners are being kept in? 10. What crops are (legally) grown in your country? 11. What do you do for recreation?

More Evidence in Support of the Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet is known for its numerous health benefits. It is currently rated the best diet overall by US News and World Report. Based on the eating habits of people living in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, this diet has been proven to have positive effects on our well-being. A new study that utilized blood tests, and not only self-reporting of eating habits, adds to the evidence. Cambridge University researchers found individuals who followed the Mediterranean diet had an even lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than previously thought. The diet's emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds provides essential nutrients and fiber that help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes. Additionally, the Mediterranean diet promotes heart health by including healthy fats from olive oil and fatty fish. The Mediterranean diet encourages a balanced and enjoyable approach to eating. It emphasizes consuming fresh, natural foods and discourages eating processed and sugary items, contributing to weight management and overall well-being. The evidence keeps mounting, so why not try the Mediterranean diet? Useful Language: Mediterranean (adj, n) - the sea and area between Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia Numerous (adj) - many Well-being (n) - general level of health and happiness Utilize (v) - to use Diabetes (n) - a disease in which a person’s body cannot produce enough insulin to control sugar in their blood Emphasis (n) - the importance or focus that is given to something Legume (n) - plants that have seeds in a pod, like beans or peas Essential (adj) - necessary Nutrient (n) - a substance that plants or animals need to grow Consume (v) - to eat, drink, or use something Mount (v) - to increase gradually Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. Which countries surround the Mediterranean Sea? Have you visited any of them? 3. If you were offered a holiday to any Mediterranean country, which would you pick and why? 4. Do you know anyone who suffers from diabetes? How is their life affected? 5. Have you tried dieting? What were the details of a diet that you were on? 6. How does Mediterranean food sound to you? Would you like to eat those foods most of the time? 7. In your opinion, is food more important than exercise for being healthy? 8. Besides food and exercise, what else can we do for our well-being? 9. What is good about natural foods as opposed to processed foods? 10. Do you try to use lessons from science and research in the way you live your life? 11. How do you feel when giving a blood sample or donating blood?

Protein Hunger and Overeating New research supports the idea that lack of protein leads to overeating. Researchers from the University of Sydney followed the dietary habits of almost 10,000 Australians for one year. They found that people eat to get enough protein, so when their food is low in protein, they must eat a greater quantity. This is sometimes called “protein hunger.” Eating more of the food that is prevalent in modern supermarkets, i.e. processed food, also means eating more calorie-dense types of food. That amounts to eating lots of fat and sugar. According to the study, people who ate less protein at breakfast ate more food throughout the rest of the day. They also tended to snack more and eat fewer healthy foods. In contrast, people who ate enough protein at breakfast ate less food later in the day. It makes sense that our bodies want protein because it does many things for us. Protein is important for building muscle, for repairing tissue damage, for enzymes that digest food, and for much more. If you are looking to increase the protein in your diet, it is in fish and meat of course, but there are plenty of other sources of protein. Those include Greek yogurt, tofu, eggs, peanut butter, whole grains, and beans. Useful Language: Lack (n) - not having enough of something Dietary (adj) - relating to the food people eat Prevalent (adj) - common Dense (adj) - having a lot of something Tissue (n) - the cells that make up the different parts of humans, animals, and plants Enzyme (n) - a substance that helps a chemical change happen Digest (v) - to process food in your stomach Source (n) - where something comes from Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. Why do you eat? 3. How important is breakfast to you? What do you usually have for breakfast? 4. Do you think you get enough protein? What foods do you get your protein from? 5. Which high-in-protein food is the most delicious? 6. Which healthy foods do you eat enough of? 7. Which unhealthy foods do you eat too much of? 8. What does your life lack? 9. Why do people eat so much processed food? 10. In your opinion, what is the best snack food?

Promising Research on Psilocybin New research on psilocybin shows that it can help heavy drinkers cut back on alcohol. Psilocybin occurs in several species of mushrooms, which are known informally as ‘magic mushrooms.’ They cause people to experience strong effects such as hallucinations. Historically, some cultures have used magic mushrooms for religious ceremonies, and modern users often do so for recreation. Although taking psilocybin is illegal in most places, medical researchers are currently interested in it and other psychedelic drugs for the treatment of addiction and depression. In the study, heavy drinkers were given a pill and cared for by therapists in a comfortable environment. Half of the participants received psilocybin and half received a placebo. They were encouraged to wear an eye mask and to listen to music through headphones. They also took part in therapy sessions in the weeks before and after taking the pill. The participants who received psilocybin reported having otherworldly experiences and in most cases were able to guess that they got the real psilocybin. Both the psilocybin takers and the placebo takers experienced a reduction in drinking following their treatment. However, there was an 83% drop in heavy drinking among those who received the psilocybin versus a 51% drop among those who received the placebo. Researchers say more study is necessary to learn about the long-term effects of using psilocybin. Useful Language: Cut back (phr. v) - to reduce something Hallucination (n) - seeing something that does not exist Ceremony (n) - a formal event that happens according to tradition or rules Recreation (n) - things you do for enjoyment Psychedelic (adj) - a type of drug that makes the user see and hear things that are not there Addiction (n) - when you cannot stop doing or using something Therapist (n) - someone whose job is to help people with physical, mental, or emotional problems Placebo (n) - a substance that is not medicine but is used for comparison in testing the effectiveness of medicine Otherworldly (adv) - seeming to be from another world, spiritual Reduction (n) - the process or result of making something smaller Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. How much drinking is okay and how much is too often? 3. Is anyone you know a heavy drinker? Does it cause problems for them? 4. Are you addicted to anything? What would you like to cut back on? 5. Have you ever picked wild mushrooms to eat? Is it easy to know if a mushroom is safe to eat or poisonous? 6. What is magic? Is it real or imaginary? 7. Why are magic mushrooms illegal if they have some positive effects? 8. Do you think the research participants were helped more by the therapy or more by the psilocybin? 9. Have you tried therapy? Would you like to? 10. Have you ever hallucinated? What did you see?

The Growing Popularity of Eating Insects “What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple?” the old joke goes. “Finding half a worm in your apple,” comes the answer. Indeed, seeing an insect in a restaurant is, for many people, a reason to walk out. Finding an insect in one’s food, moreover, can be gag-inducing. Reactions like these are not typical in every culture. According to research, people in 80% of countries eat 1000-2000 types of insects. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) wants to build on those numbers. FAO wants to encourage insect-eating as a response to the rising world population that is forecast to go over 9 billion by 2050. While the demand for food is increasing, there is greater recognition that the farming of food sources like cows, pigs, and sheep, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In Japan, some people have responded to FAO’s encouragement, and the eating of insects is on the rise. Historically, the Japanese have eaten insects, albeit in greater amounts during hard times, like during and after World War Two. Currently, several restaurants in Tokyo are raising the profile of insects as food. Mushi-ya, a stall in Ueno, sells cricket and silkworm skewers. Water bug cider and cricket curry are popular at Take-Noko, a cafe near Asakusa. Rice & Circus has multiple branches that serve dumplings with maggots and bee larvae sprinkled on top. Antcicada, not far from Akihabara, is known for its cricket ramen. The founder of Antcicada, Yuta Shinohara, was inspired to activism by FAO reports while still at school. Since then, his passion for insect-eating has lost and gained him friends, and in 2020, he opened the restaurant. Shinohara wants people to know that insects are delicious and high in nutrients. If he has his way, people in Japan and beyond will be opening their eyes to the benefits of eating insects. Useful Language: Gag-inducing (adj) - makes you feel like vomiting Agriculture (n) - the practice of farming Build on (phr. v) - to use something as a basis Forecast (v) - to predict or calculate a future event or condition Recognition (n) - learning and accepting that something is true Greenhouse gas (n) - a gas that causes global warming Emission (n) - a gas that is sent out On the rise (prep. phr) - rising Albeit (conj) - although Profile (n) - the public attention that something gets Cricket (n) - an insect that hops and chirps Skewer (n) - a long thin piece of wood or metal that goes through food Maggot (n) - a small worm that later becomes a fly Larvae (n, pl) - small wormlike creatures that later become insects Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information? 2. Does your country have a history of eating insects? Are they still eaten today? 3. Have you ever found an unexpected insect in your food? How did you react? 4. Have you eaten any insects? How were they cooked? How was the taste? 5. Some people are scared of insects. Why is this? 6. Is insect-eating a good response to the problems of food supply and global warming? 7. Is there a food that you hate? If so, what makes you hate it? 8. People say that shrimp are similar to insects. Do you like eating shrimp? 9. Do you eat meat from animals like cows, sheep, and pigs? How often? Have you considered limiting your eating of them for the environment? 10. Would you try the food at any of the places mentioned in the article? Which would you choose? 11. Have you been to Tokyo? What do people usually eat when they go there?

Suffering the Heat The northern summer has brought extreme heat and related problems to countries in Asia, North America, and Europe. Several places on each continent have hit record-high temperatures above 40°C. Japan’s rainy season, which is humid but somewhat cooling, ended earlier than usual. The resulting hot weather increased demand for air conditioning and strained the electricity supply. The government asked people to conserve energy. Much of the United States is also suffering from the heat. In Texas, the mercury went unusually high: 43°C in Abilene and 40°C in San Antonio. In Japan, there was a strong electricity demand. The heat has also caused and worsened drought in several states. Europe might have it the worst. More than one thousand heat-related deaths have been recorded in Spain and Portugal where temperatures reached 47°C, a record for July. The heat has also led to dryness and fires in several European countries. A forest fire killed a firefighter and a shepherd in northwestern Spain, and authorities said at least twenty fires are burning out of control. Scientists say that the current weather conditions are worse and more likely to happen because of human activity. Useful Language: Suffer (v) - to endure something uncomfortable or painful Continent (n) - one of seven large divisions of land on the globe Humid (adj) - when the air feels warm and wet Demand (n) - the amount of an item or service that is wanted Strain (v) - to use beyond normal limits Conserve (v) - to save Mercury (n) - the column of mercury (a liquid metal) in a thermometer Worsen (v) - to make worse Drought (n) - a long period of no rain Shepherd (n) - a person whose job is to look after sheep Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Which is worse? Really hot weather or really cold weather? Why? 2. Do you live in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere? Have you ever been to the other hemisphere? Where did you go? 3. Does your region have enough water or too much water? Does it experience drought? Does it experience a rainy season? 4. How hot does your town or city get in summer? Are the peak temperatures hotter than they used to be? 5. Is air conditioning standard in homes in your country? How common is it? 6. Does your country have problems with outdoor fires that get out of control? What causes such fires? 7. How is the electricity in your region produced? 8. What can we do to conserve electricity? 9. What human activities could be making extreme heat more common? 10. Are you worried about climate change? How might Earth's climate be different in the future?

Female Monkey Takes Top Spot In Oita, on the Japanese Island of Kyushu, a female monkey is breaking gender barriers. The monkey, known as Yakei, is a nine-year-old Japanese macaque and is currently the leader of more than 600 other monkeys. It is the first time that Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden has seen a female monkey ascend to the top position in its nearly seventy-year history. Japanese macaques are also known as ‘snow monkeys’, and they are recognizable for their pink bottoms and enjoyment of outdoor hot pools. Male snow monkeys live for 28 years on average and are about three kilograms heavier than females. Ordinarily, one male in a troop has alpha status, and that changes when he leaves or dies. Last year, Yakei became the top female when she beat up her own mother. Then, surprisingly, she attacked several high-level males before finally defeating the ranking alpha, a 31-year-old named Nanchu. Takasakiyama wardens checked her status with a ‘peanut test’. When given peanuts, the other monkeys backed away to let Yakei eat first. Yakei has been exhibiting other alpha behavior, such as shaking trees and walking around with her tail up. In Japan, where women have struggled to break into traditionally male-dominated leadership roles, people are keenly watching to see how long Yakei can stay in the top spot. Useful Language: Gender barrier (n) - a limit that people face in society because of their gender Ascend (v) - to go up, rise Troop (n) - a group of monkeys Alpha (adj) - the most powerful animal or person in a group Status (n) - the social position of something Beat up (phr. v) - to hurt someone by hitting them Warden (n) - a person who looks after a place Exhibit (v) - to show something Male-dominated (adj) - controlled mainly by men Keenly (adv) - in a way that shows a lot of interest or enthusiasm Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. Have you been to Japan? What did you do there? If not, are you interested in visiting? 2. What skills does a good leader have? Are you a leader, or do you have leadership potential? 3. How are leaders chosen in your country? Do leadership contests get physical? 4. Does your community need more leaders or more team-players? 5. People enjoy watching monkeys. What is interesting about them? 6. Yakei have become a little bit famous. Can you think of any other famous animals? 7./Are you an ambitious person? Do you want to achieve a lot in your life? In what areas of life are you most ambitious? 8. Are there many women in leadership roles in your country? Can you think of some examples? If not, why not? 9. Males are usually physically stronger than females. What is the value of physical strength in today’s world? 10./When people get angry, there is a higher chance of physical violence. How can people calm down?

Megadrought and Murder Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, provides water to 20 million people in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. However, the lake level has been dropping because the region has been experiencing a megadrought over the last two decades. During a megadrought, extreme dryness lasts for decades. Previous megadroughts have lasted as long as fifty years with only occasional bouts of rain. Scientists say that climate change further reduces the chances of wet years occurring. The government has declared a water shortage in the area and will limit the amount of water that farmers, and later, ordinary citizens can use. The weather conditions have had other consequences. The lower lake level has revealed several dead bodies, and one discovered in early May was obviously a victim of murder. The person had been shot and put into a barrel that was then dumped in the lake, probably between the mid-1970s and the early 1980s. Discoveries like this, near Las Vegas, have people speculating that these bodies are the victims of mafia violence. The city has been connected to organized crime as far back as its early development which is credited to the famous gangster Bugsy Siegel. The police have opened an investigation over the body in a barrel, but it could be difficult to solve given the amount of time that has passed. Useful Language: Megadrought (n) - an extended drought when there is little or no rain for decades Reservoir (n) - a lake where water is stored before it goes to be used Bout (n) - a short period of activity Declare (v) - to announce something clearly or officially Shortage (n) - when there is not enough of something Consequence (n) - a result Barrel (n) - a large round container with flat ends, made of wood or metal Speculate (v) - to guess when you don’t have enough information to be sure Mafia (n) - a criminal organization that originated in Sicily and became especially active in Italy and the US Organized crime (n) - groups with leadership and other organizational features that plan and commit crimes Credit (v) - to give recognition to someone for doing something Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What do we use water for at home? What do farms and industry use water for? 2. Where does your town get its water? Is there always enough water? Has your region experienced drought? 3. Have you ever been to Las Vegas? What did you do there? If not, are you interested in going there? To do what? 4. Bugsy Siegel was one of several famous gangsters in the United States in the first half of last century. Do you know any other famous gangsters from the United States or elsewhere? 5. How would you react if you discovered a dead body? 6. Is organized crime worse than crimes done by independent criminals? What are the differences? 7. Do you enjoy gangster movies like Goodfellas? If so, why do you like them? If not, what don’t you like about them? 8. Climate change can make droughts worse in one place but have different effects elsewhere. What are some other effects of climate change? 9./Would you rather be hungry or thirsty? Which is worse? 10. Is it a good thing that the dropping lake level has revealed bodies? Why or why not?

Would-be Assassin Fully Free John Hinckley, who attempted to kill President Ronald Reagan in 1981, has been granted full freedom. Since his release from a psychiatric hospital in 2016, Hinckley has been living with his mother under some restrictions. At that time, he showed no behavior that was harmful to himself or others, so the government supported his full release. In the late 1970s, Hinckley became obsessed with actress Jodie Foster after seeing her in the film Taxi Driver. When she entered Yale University, he moved nearby to stalk her. He sent love letters and called her many times. Eventually, he decided to assassinate a president to become an important person in history, so that Jodie Foster might see him as an equal. Hinckley injured several people in his failed assassination attempt, including the President, who was hit by a bullet that ricocheted off his car. Reagan was hit in the chest and almost died. Later, in a trial, Hinckley was found not guilty because of insanity. The verdict disappointed many people who wanted Hinckley to be punished strongly. Hinckley, who plays guitar and sings, has a YouTube channel and is interested in a music career. Useful Language; Would-be (adj) - hoping to be Assassin (n) - someone who kills a famous or important person Grant (v) - to give something in an official way, especially permission to do something Psychiatric (adj) - relating to mental illness Obsessed (adj) - unable to stop thinking about someone or something Stalk (v) - to follow or watch somebody in a way that is annoying, frightening, and sometimes illegal Ricochet (v) - to hit and bounce off a surface Trial (n) - an event to decide if a person is guilty or innocent of a crime Insanity (n) - serious mental illness Verdict (n) - an official judgment, the result of a trial Discussion: Discuss the following questions with your partner(s). 1. What do you know about Jodie Foster? Have you seen any of her movies? Talk about one that you remember. 2. What do stalkers do? Why do some people become stalkers? 3. What should a person do if they are being stalked? How can they feel safe? 4. Have any famous people been attacked or assassinated in your country? Talk about an example if you can. 5. What do you think about ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’? Is it a way of avoiding punishment? 6.Can you understand why people were disappointed by the result of the trial? 7. How important is mental health? How can we look after our own mental health and the mental health of others? 8. In your country, what happens to people with serious psychiatric problems? 9. Do you think John Hinckley is still dangerous? 10. Would you like to hear Hinckley’s music? Do you think a person with a past like his can succeed in the music industry?

One Country, Many Taxes Taxes are special fees charged by a government on the people who live in a country, state or city. These fees help pay for public services like police, road and bridge repair, and public schools. In the United States people have to pay national, state, and local taxes. Income tax is a tax applied to how much money a person earns in a year. There are both federal and state income taxes. These have to be paid every year by April 15th. There are special forms the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the government agency in charge of collecting taxes, asks people to fill out. There are tax credits that people with low income, college students, and parents can get. These credits could mean actually getting money back from the government. This money is called a tax refund. People can get both a federal and state tax refund. Anyone who works has to be taxed regardless of the immigration status. Not paying income taxes could mean a fine or even jail time. Payroll taxes are taxes that are taken right out of a person's paycheck. There are federal and state payroll taxes. These include Social Security and Medicare taxes. Social Security taxes pay for the retirement and disability benefits received by millions of Americans each year. Medicare taxes pay for the federal health insurance program that covers the elderly and the disabled. People who own houses pay property taxes. The amount paid depends on how much the property is worth. This tax is usually paid once a year. Sales tax is a tax almost everyone pays. Sales tax is a specific extra percentage charged on nearly all purchases. Everything from soap to furniture has a sales tax attached when bought. The amount of the sales tax is different across states and cities.

An Argumentative Essay on Abortion Abortion is a hard and extremely sensitive topic, and to choose to be pro-life or pro-choice is a big statement of opinion, but one debate out there is whether or not abortion should be legal in the United States. Abortion is a highly controversial issue that is affecting our society. People feel that abortion is evil because it is killing an unborn child. On the other hand, people believe it is a woman's constitutional right to choose, but if one were to end an innocent child's life is not only unethical and inhumane, but it is also morally wrong. Abortion is the killing of a human being, which defies the word of God, spoken in the Bible. The Bible states "Thou shalt not kill," in Exodus 20:13. In all countries and among peoples, an instinct or an unwritten tradition placed murder among the worst crimes, and made its penalty death. According to the Bible, there is no fine line or conclusion drawn between a fetus and a baby. By definition, a fetus is an unborn offspring of a mammal, in particular, an unborn human baby more than eight weeks after conception, whereas a baby is defined as a very young child, especially one newly or recently born. Donna J. Harrison, MD, president of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, argues that if the prenatal being "is nourished and protected, it will proceed uninterrupted through the developmental stages of the embryo, fetus, newborn, toddler, child, teen, adult, and aged adult: one continuous existence... The real argument in the abortion debate is whether or not this human being is a 'person,' with all the...protections of 'personhood." She compares the exclusion of prenatal beings from personhood to the exclusion of African Americans. Other pro-lifers connect the exclusion of prenatal life forms from personhood to the exclusion of other groups, such as women, Latinos, Native Americans, people with disabilities, LGBT persons, the poor, and death row prisoners. In other beliefs other than Christianity and catholicism, traditional Buddhism also rejects abortion because it involves the deliberate destruction of a life. Buddhists are expected to take full personal responsibility for everything they do and for the consequences that follow. The decision to abort is, therefore, a highly personal one and one that requires careful and compassionate exploration of the ethical issues involved, and a willingness to carry the burden of whatever happens as a result of the decision. The ethical consequences of the decision will also depend on the motive and intention behind the decision, and the level of mindfulness with which it was taken. Our world today is full of unsolved, decisive, and controversial issues. Most of them relate to our morals, ethics, and religion, thus creating a very strong yes' or no', or good' and bad' side. Like the Chinese yin and yang sign, abortion has a very prominent black-and-white side but also contains traces of each in the alternating color. This shows that if you were to come to any kind of conclusion on abortion, there would be a downside to it, and that is primarily why the world cannot agree on this sensitive and emotional issue. Since nearly 60% of women experience at least one unintended pregnancy between the ages of 14 and 44 (a percentage that includes women who don't have sex at all, or who don't have sex with men, or who can't conceive, which means that women who are actually at risk of an unintended pregnancy have an even higher chance of experiencing one) and 43% of women (again, a percentage which includes those who don't have sex, don't have sex with men, or who can not conceive) will have at least one abortion at some point during their fertile years, we're talking about an extremely common dilemma and decision. While the majority of pregnancies are the result of consensual sex, women periodically become pregnant as a result of rape. Should a woman who is involuntarily engaged in sex be forced to carry a child to term as a result? Pro-life Advocates say absolutely! They believe that a woman must never terminate a pregnancy, no matter what the circumstances.

Death Penalty Right? or Wrong? The death penalty is the most severe form of punishment for offenders for the crimes committed. However, today, the death penalty evokes a heated debate between opponents and proponents of this form of punishment. In this respect, the position of opponents of the death penalty is more adequate and just compared to the position of proponents because the latter stand on the conservative ground and justify their position by mere revenge, whereas opponents of the death penalty appeal to basic humanistic values and justice itself. What is meant here is the fact that the death penalty puts under question the objectivity and correctness of justice because, in case of error and execution of an innocent person, the death penalty can never be justified. In this respect, it is important to emphasize the fact that the cases of execution of innocent people are not rare. For instance, some specialists (Schabas, 142) analyzing the experience of countries where the death penalty persists argue that errors do occur which means that innocent people are executed in countries where the death penalty is applied, including the US. Obviously, the risk of error is probably the strongest argument against the death penalty because this form of punishment implies irrevocable outcomes. In such a context, life imprisonment is more reliable in terms of the avoidance or correction of possible errors that are made by the system of justice. At any rate, a person can be released if he or she proves to be innocent, but there is no way back in the case of the death penalty. At the same time, the risk of error, being extremely important, is not the only argument against the death penalty. Opponents of the death penalty (Schabas, 176) argue that this form of punishment violates the basic right of offenders – the right to life. On the other hand, proponents of the death penalty (Schabas, 191) argue that the limitation of an individual’s freedom through imprisonment is another violation of his or her rights. Furthermore, opponents of the death penalty (Schabas, 205) stand on the ground that the death penalty is discriminatory by its nature because it is mainly minorities and the poor that undergo the death penalty, whereas representatives of the upper classes are not vulnerable to such punishment. In this respect, it is possible to refer to cases of fraud among top executives. For instance, Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in federal prison, although he organized the largest investment fraud in the history of the Wall Street. Finally, the death penalty is recognized as inapplicable in democratic countries, such as the EU. Many countries refused the death penalty because it contradicts their moral norms and democratic principles. Therefore, it would be logical to follow their lead because the elimination of the death penalty did not lead to any negative outcomes, such as the rise of crime rates. Consequently, the ban on the death penalty will not provoke any negative outcomes. At the same time, the life sentence is a severe punishment that is equal to the death sentence. This is why the ban on the death penalty is essential to prevent the risk of errors and the execution of innocent people.