Universal Studios to Build a Theme Park in Beijing

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. establish [ih-STAB-lish] (v.) – to build or set up something

Example: A new amusement park was established near the city.

2. demolition [dem-uh-LISH-uhn, dee-muh-] (n.) – the act of destructing or demolishing something

Example: The government announced the demolition of the buildings.

3. advertisement [ad-ver-TAHYZ-muhnt, ad-VUR-tis-muhnt, -tiz-] (n.) – a paid public announcement

Example: I saw my favorite actor’s clothing advertisement yesterday.

4. expand [ik-SPAND] (v.) – to increase or spread the scope

Example: The company expanded its services to all parts of Asia.

5. feature [FEE-cher] (v.) – to include or to be composed of something

Example: The roller coaster features a 5400-feet track that goes around the whole theme park.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Universal Studios plans to build its third Hollywood movie-themed park in Asia. In partnership with Beijing Tourism Group, Universal Studios is set to establish another theme park in Beijing. This new Hollywood movie-inspired theme park will be located in the south of Tongzou [TAWNG-JOH] District, covering over 51 acres of land. The facility will be made available to public by 2018. This project is backed by the country’s National Development and Reform Commission, which has filed an application to start the project. According to reports, demolition of buildings has already started in Tongzou in preparation for the theme park’s construction by the last quarter of the year. Universal Studios will be the one responsible for the branding, intellectual property, technology, and management of the theme park. According to reports, the company also posted advertisements to hire Mandarin-speaking Chinese staff. The Beijing Tourism Group, on the other hand, will provide the land to establish the theme park. This local tourism group will also invest an unspecified amount to start the project. According to the news, Beijing’s local government would like to create a monorail that will connect the theme park to China’s capital city. Aside from Universal Studios, Disney also plans to expand in China. The Walt Disney Company will be opening a $4.4-billion resort in Shanghai. News reports say the resort will feature a theme park, two hotels, and transportation hubs. This will be the first Disney Resort in mainland China and second only to Hong Kong Disneyland.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Would you go to Universal Studios Beijing? Why or why not?

         What do you think would be the impact of this new theme park to China?

Discussion B

         Why do you think many companies expand their businesses abroad?

         What are the positive effects of globalization?

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Starbucks Introduces a Non-Coffee Evening Menu

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. put into action [poo t IN-too AK-shuh n] (idiom) – to perform or carry out something that has been planned

Example: She puts her business plans into action.

2. trial run [TRAHY-uh l ruhn] (n.) – a test done to see whether or not a product serves its purpose properly

Example: They did trial runs before selling the product to the public.

3. rollout [ROHL-out] (n.) – the time when a new product or service is first introduced or offered for sale

Example: The rollout of the company’s new product is scheduled next week.

4. strategy [STRAT-i-jee] (n.) – a thorough plan used to achieve a goal

Example: We have set strategies to increase the company’s profitability.

5. market value [MAHR-kit VAL-yoo] (n.) – the price or value at which a product or property can be sold

Example: The company’s market value decreased because of the tight competition among other companies.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Starbucks will put into action its plan of making the evening menu available to its other stores in the US. Around 40 stores currently offer the evening menu. The menu includes drinks such as beer, wine, tea, and other small meals ranging from afternoon snacks to desserts. The company first tested the evening menu in one of its stores in Seattle [see-AT-l] in 2010. After about two years, Starbucks conducted more trial runs in 25 stores in the US. According to Starbucks’ Chief Operating Officer Troy Alstead [AL-sted], more stores will offer the evening menu in order to increase sales. However, he mentioned that it will take a number of years before it can completely implement the rollout. Recently, Starbucks has also added more tea choices in its menu. Stores in the US and Canada started selling Oprah Winfrey-branded teas on April 29. These teas include the black and rooibos teas, which Oprah Winfrey personally selected. Sales from these teas will be donated to some charities promoting youth education. The company has also set other strategies to increase its market value from 57.4 billion dollars to 100 billion dollars. One of which is the mobile payment program. With this program, customers can order and pay beforehand using their smartphones. Another strategy is the loyalty program. This program offers freebies—from free beverages to additional refills—to customers who have earned a certain number of loyalty points.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         What do you think about Starbucks’ evening menu? Please explain your answer.

         Do you think people in your country would be enticed with this new offer? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         What do you think will happen if food businesses do not innovate?

         How else can food businesses expand?

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Workers File Charges against McDonald’s for Stealing Wages

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. lawsuit [LAW-soot] (n.) – a legal case about a complaint or claim that one party files against the other

Example: She filed a lawsuit against the company for firing her without a reasonable basis.

2. wage [weyj] (n.) – the money that a worker receives based on hours, days, or weeks rendered

Example: The service crew member has an hourly wage of $15.

3. franchisee [fran-chahy-ZEE] (n.) – a person or company that has the right to sell another company’s products or services

Example: McDonald’s has many franchisees throughout the country.

4. tactic [TAK-tik] (n.) – a plan or procedure done to achieve a desired result

Example: Giving discounts is an effective tactic to attract customers.

5. off-the-clock [awf th uh klok] (adv.) – working overtime but without additional compensation

Example: The workers are protesting about being forced to work off-the-clock.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Employees of McDonald’s in California, Michigan, and New York have filed lawsuits against the giant fast food chain for “stealing” their wages. These low-wage workers and their supporters have done all they can to bring attention to their struggle for better pay. In fact, they have already staged worker walkouts and street demonstrations. This time, however, they have brought their case straight to the courts. According to the employees, the company and its franchisees are using tactics to steal worker wages. Employees accuse the franchisees of forcing them to work off-the-clock, taking hours off their timecards, and for not paying for overtime work. In Michigan, workers complain of having to buy their own uniform, which further cuts their minimum wage. Some employees also have to wait for an hour before they can clock in. In New York, franchisees are accused of not paying for uniform cleaning, which violates a state law. Michael Rubin, the lawyer who filed the California lawsuits, said all these unlawful schemes serve one purpose—to decrease labor costs by stealing wages from the workers. The lawsuits are asking for back pay and damage fees that could benefit around 30,000 workers. These lawsuits may also lead to wider awareness about the issue of low wage among workers. On another note, McDonald’s said in a press statement that it is looking into the lawsuits and that it is committed to taking necessary actions regarding the problem. Workers from other fast food chains have also taken actions to request for better compensation and benefits. Some of these employees work from famous companies like Wendy’s and Wal-Mart.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         How do you think McDonald’s is affected by the accusations from its employees?

         In your opinion, how should the company be punished if the accusations are proven to be true?

Discussion B

         What are the rights and benefits often enjoyed by workers in your country? Explain.

         How do you think workers’ rights and benefits can be improved? Explain.

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A European Airline Offers Cheap International Flights

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. transatlantic [trans-uh t-LAN-tik, tranz-] (adj.) – crossing the Atlantic Ocean

Example: British Airways has various transatlantic flights to North and South America.

2. ambitious [am-BISH-uh s] (adj.) – very impressive but may be very difficult to achieve

Example: The airline’s ambitious goal of offering $10 fares became a reality.

3. no-frills [NOH-frilz] (adj.) – providing only the basic things; not having any luxury or any added service

Example: The airline is cheap because it offers a no-frills service.

4. fare [fair] (n.) – the money paid to be able to travel on a vehicle

Example: The bus fare is cheaper in the province than in the city.

5. commence [kuh-MENS] (v.) – to begin or to start

Example: The airline commenced its international flights a couple of years ago.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Ryanair [RUH-yan-eyr], the biggest and most profitable airline in Europe, has announced a new business model that would offer transatlantic flights for as low as $10. The airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary [OH-lee-ri], spoke of this ambitious plan at a conference last February. The no-frills airline is planning to expand to the United States, offering tickets from Europe to New York and Boston for only 10 Euros ($13.70) and flights back at 7.30 Euros ($10). However, $10 is not really all that a passenger should pay. O’Leary admitted that Ryanair will charge for other things like booking, baggage, and seat selection. The airline, which has been known for ultra-low fares, charges even basic services like using the toilet. O’Leary emphasized that the airline could make money even on a 99-cent fare because it also has a high number of business or premium seats. Fifteen percent of those who pay for airline frills subsidize very low fares for other passengers. However, these very low fares will not be available anytime soon. Ryanair will commence its flights to the US only after it purchases 30-50 intercontinental aircrafts, which may take five years because of stiff competition with other airlines.        At present, the cheapest airfare from London to New York costs $250 when booked in advance. However, some analysts believe that Ryanair can surpass even the lowest airfare available today. According to airline analyst Henry Harteveldt, Ryanair could easily be the pricing leader once it enters the North Atlantic market. In addition, if Ryanair offers a business class product, they would be a threat even to established airlines.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think Ryanair’s offer will be appealing to passengers? Why or why not?

         What do you think are the advantages or disadvantages of cheap flights?

Discussion B

         Which would you prefer, a cheap airfare with poor service or an expensive one with an excellent service? Explain.

         Which airlines in your country have the cheapest flights? How about the best service?

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