Half of the World’s Food is Wasted

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

1. alarming [uh-LAHR-ming] (adj.) – disturbing or causing people to be worried or afraid

Example: The alarming increase of hungry people is one of the world’s main problems.

2. wastage [WEY-stij] (n.) – the act of wasting something

Example: New laws aim to decrease food wastage.

3. expiration date [ek-spuh-REY-shuhn] [deyt] (n.) – the time when food cannot be eaten anymore

Example: Clark threw out the carton of milk because the milk is past the expiration date.

4. positive [POZ-i-tiv] (adj.) – good; involving advantage for someone

Example: The building of new roads is positive news for many farmers. 

5. well-received [wel- ri-SEEVD] (adj.) – accepted or approved by a lot of people

Example: The government’s plan to save the environment was well-received by the people.

Article
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An alarming report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in Britain reveals that half of food products are wasted all around the world despite the high demand for food. The report says that about one-third to one-half of the four billion tons of food produced yearly go to waste due to poor farming and marketing methods. Colin Brown, one of the report’s authors, says that harvesting, storing, and transporting methods cause food wastage.  For instance, in Southeast Asia, 37% to 80% of the total rice production is wasted because most of them are shipped from far areas. To ensure that food products reach the buyers, food should be stored, kept dry and cool, and transported immediately to the market. This would require proper infrastructure, railways and shipping methods to avoid damaging the quality of food. Sadly, farming facilities are poor in many developing countries. However, Brown says that even in countries with advanced farming methods, food products reach expiration dates because supermarkets only choose products with attractive packaging. In countries like the UK, the European Union requires supermarkets to follow this rule. A positive message behind this report is that the world has enough food for everyone. And if only the problems in farming and marketing are addressed, there will be no need to waste a lot of crop and forest resources. Because of its emphasis on food wastage, the report by Brown’s group was well-received by charitable organizations, which cite that about 2.3 million children die yearly because of hunger.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         What do you think are the other causes of food wastage?

         How can you help reduce the amount of wasted food?

Discussion B

         Why is it important to conserve food nowadays?

         In your opinion, how does food wastage affect the environment?

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Bilingualism Improves Mental Health, Study Says

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

1. bilingual bahy-LING-gwuhl or, Canadian, -LING-gyoo-uhl] (adj.) – speaking two languages

Example: Most Filipinos are bilingual since they speak English and other Philippine languages.

2. cognitive [KOG-ni-tiv] (adj.) – mental; involving the use of brain

Example: Reading and solving math problems improve people’s cognitive skills.

3. neuroscientist [noor-oh- SAHY-uhn-tist, nyoor-] (n.) – an expert on the nervous system (the brain and the nerves)

Example: Neuroscientists conduct studies on brain activities.

4. contemporary [kuhn-TEM-puh-rer-ee] (n.) – a person who belongs to the same age group as another person

Example: Luke and his contemporaries are in the same school and in the same year level.

5. outdo [out-DOO] (v.) – to do or perform better than the other

Example: The older contestant outdid the younger participants in the competition.

Article
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A study from the Neuroscience journal shows that bilingual seniors have better cognitive skills than seniors who only know one language. The study involved three types of subjects: seniors who could speak two languages, seniors who could speak only one language, and adults who were younger than the two other groups. The scientists asked the subjects to complete a series of cognitive tests that involved sorting out shapes and colors. The subjects’ brain activities were then evaluated through a brain imaging method. Neuroscientist Brian Gold, the study’s main author, says that the bilingual seniors had similar brain patterns with the younger group. In addition, bilingual seniors did better in the test than their contemporaries who could only speak one language. Since bilingual seniors exerted less effort, their brain processes were more efficient. Gold believes that bilingual seniors have enhanced cognitive processes because of lifelong bilingualism. These results are consistent with the results of a previous research about bilingual patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In this research, bilingual patients who had severely affected brains could still perform on the same level as patients with milder brain damage. Gold said that the results of both studies strongly prove that bilingual seniors could still do better despite being old. Gold aims to find out more about how learning a second language or living in another country can also improve mental abilities.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         Do you agree that bilinguals have better mental health than monolinguals? Why or why not?

         What other benefits do bilinguals have?

Discussion B

         If given the chance, what other languages would you like to learn? Please explain your reasons.

         In your opinion, why do people want to study other or foreign languages?

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Applications to Universities Drop in the UK

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

1. application [ap-li-KEY-shuhn] (n.) – a written request for something

Example: Before graduation, the university student submitted his application to an international company.

2. threefold [THREE-fohld] (adj.) – multiplied by three; three times the number

Example: The good worker was offered a threefold increase in salary upon promotion.

3. consequent [KON-si-kwent, -kwuhnt] (adj.) – resulting from an action that has happened before

Example: The rising tax requirements cause a consequent increase in tuition fees.

4. definitive [dih-FIN-i-tiv] (adj.) – final and complete

Example: The results of the study can only be called definitive if all the data have been analyzed.

5. fall behind [fawl] [bih-HAHYND] (phrasal v.) – to not be at the same level as others

Example: Many universities in Asia fall behind Western universities in terms of making researches.

Article
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Data taken last December 17, 2012 by the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) in the UK show a drop of 6.3% in university applications compared to the previous year. This is the lowest number of applications since 2009. UK Universities saw the highest number of applications in 2011; but in 2012, university tuition fees in the UK increased threefold and there was a consequent drop in student applications. University leaders hoped that the situation would improve by 2013 and more students would apply to universities. A UCAS spokesperson says the data taken last December 2012 is not definitive. Students may just be taking their time considering which universities to apply to. In the past, universities received 40% of the applications in the month just before the deadline. The deadline is on January 15, 2013. The official number of applications for the year 2013-2014 will be released by UCAS at the end of January. Sally Hunt, the General Secretary of the University and College Union, says increasing tuition fees will definitely affect the decision of students to continue studying or not.  Hunt says the brightest people must be encouraged to follow their dreams and supported while studying in the universities. The UK must not be allowed to fall behind other countries that are now seeing an increase in students and graduates, Hunt added.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         Do you think that students value university education in your country? Why or why not?

         How can students be encouraged to enter universities and to study well while in college?

Discussion B

      Do you think education in your country is of high quality compared to education in other countries? What makes you say so? 

         What changes to the current education system would you like to happen?

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Japanese Tourist Travels to War-torn Countries

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

1. war-torn [wawr-tawrn, tohrn] (adj.) – a place destroyed by war

Example: The residents of war-torn places fled to safety.

2. demonstration [dem-uhn-STREY-shuhn] (n.) – a protest by a group of people against authority or those with power

Example: The demonstration took place to show the people’s feelings about the government.

3. front line [FRUHNT-lahyn] (n.) – the area where a fight between soldiers is happening

Example: The soldiers ran toward the front line to fight the enemy.

4. risky [RIS-kee] (adj.) – dangerous or full of possible danger

Example: Risky situations should be avoided in order not to get hurt.

5. estranged [ih-STREYNJD] (adj.) – a relative or loved one with whom a person lost in touch with for a long time

Example: He has not seen his estranged wife in over ten years.

Article
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Toshifumi Fujimoto, a 45-year-old Japanese truck driver, spends his free time touring war-torn places around the world. Last year, Fujimoto was in Yemen to witness the demonstrations that took place at the American embassy. He was also in Egypt two years ago during the time people were holding violent demonstrations against former president Hosni Mubarak. Recently, Fujimoto took a week-long tour in Aleppo, a war-torn city located in northern Syria, where more than 600,000 lives have been lost in the last six months. He paid a local resident $25 every day for rent and for Internet access. He visited there two years ago using a tourist visa. On his recent visit, however, he entered the country secretly, paying $2,500 to fly from Turkey to Syria. Fujimoto told his employers he was vacationing in Turkey, but he did not tell them he really planned to go to Syria. He said he would go alone to the front line to take pictures and to post them on his Facebook page for friends to see. He said being there was exciting.  He did not feel nervous because he was a tourist. He believed being a journalist was riskier than being a tourist in Syria. Fujimoto said he plans to meet with Taliban rebels in Afghanistan this year. He is divorced with three estranged daughters. He bought a life insurance so that his children will benefit if something happens to him.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         Do you think that Toshifumi Fujimoto is brave or careless? Please explain your answer.

         Why do you think people do exciting but dangerous activities?

Discussion B

         Should tourists be protected when they visit a country? Why or why not?

         Should the government prevent people from visiting war-torn countries? Why or why not?

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