Boys from Ethnic Groups More Likely To Face School Expulsion

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

1. expel [ik-SPEL] (v.) – to remove a person’s membership in a school or other organization

Example: The school expelled Alan for his bad behavior.

2. special needs [SPESH-uh l needz] (n.) – the specific things needed by individuals with medical, physical or mental disabilities

Example: Children with special needs should get proper care and guidance to help develop their skills.

3. disadvantaged [dis-uh d-VAN-tijd, -VAHN-] (adj.) – lacking life’s basic needs such as money, food, housing, education, etc.

Example: The government created employment programs to help disadvantaged youths.

4. level the playing field [LEV-uh l th uh PLEY-ing feeld] (idiom) – to create a fair situation by giving equal opportunities to everyone

Example: Scholarship grants can level the playing field between rich and poor college students.

5. deep-seated [DEEP-SEE-tid] (adj.) – formed strongly and difficult to change

Example:  Deep-seated issues such as racism have been present since historical times.

Article
Read the text below.

A new report from the Children's Commissioner for England says that the students' background and their chances of being expelled from school are strongly connected. According to the report by Dr. Maggie Atkinson, children with special needs may be expelled nine times more likely than other students, while boys are three times more likely to be removed from school than girls. Moreover, children with ethnic backgrounds are three to four times more likely to be expelled. The report studied schools in England from 2010 to 2011. Dr. Atkinson added that if children belong to more than one category, their chances of being expelled increases. For instance, a black, male student with special needs is 168 times more likely to be expelled than a white, female student with the same condition. Dr. Atkinson then suggested that a male child who is likely to be dismissed from school might lead a difficult life in the future. Expelled students might end up unemployed and live poorly later on. Therefore, schools must know that some students need more support and attention than others, said Dr. Atkinson. Although some schools do a good job in helping disadvantaged students, schools should not be expected to solve the problem without aid, Dr. Atkinson added. Schools, by themselves, cannot level the playing field because varied factors outside the school also affect the child's life. Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said expulsion reflects deep-seated issues in society that can only be addressed if the government cooperates.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Why do you think boys are more likely to be expelled from school than girls?

         How can schools help students who are at risk of being expelled?

Discussion B

         Can a person’s background (e.g. economic, cultural, religious, etc.) determine the outcome of his or her life? Please explain your answer

         How do you think can people from different backgrounds get fair opportunities in education or employment?

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Egypt’s Credit Rating Cut by Moody’s

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

1. default [dih-FAWLT] (n.) – failure to pay a loan or borrowed money

Example: The young couple’s lack of income made them in default on their mortgage.
           

2. overthrow [OH-ver-throh] (v.) – to remove or bring down a person from power, especially by force

Example: The overthrow of the cruel dictator ended the suffering of the country.

3. deficit [DEF-uh-sit; British also dih-FIS-it] (n.) – lack or shortage in the required amount

Example: The CEO cut on spending due to the company’s budget deficit.

4. expenditure [ik-SPEN-di-cher] (n.) – the amount of money spent

Example:   Monthly expenditures should not exceed one’s monthly salary.

5. tranche [trahnch, trahnsh; French trahnsh] (n.) – an installment or a part of the whole

Example: The company will receive the loan in three tranches starting April of this year.

Article
Read the text below.

Moody's, one of the world’s biggest credit rating agencies, has once more lowered Egypt's credit rating, saying that the country’s unstable political situation and poor government finances increase the risk of a default within five years. Since the overthrow of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in 2011, the country has been experiencing economic crisis. The government has been troubled with a decreasing currency reserve, a falling tourism industry, a rising budget deficit and a continued political unrest often characterized by violent street protests. The continuous decline in Egypt's economy caused Moody's cut in Egypt's economic rating, downgrading from B3 to Caa1 or high credit risk to very high credit risk. Moody’s has downgraded Egypt six times since January 2011. And with the new rating having a negative outlook, the country’s rating can further decrease. Moody's predicts that Egypt may have a 10% chance of defaulting on its debt by next year, which is slightly below the 40% default possibility within the next five years. According to Jason Turvey, an assistant economist at Capital Economics in London, Egypt’s financial position is very concerning. The country’s budget deficit has been increasing due to the government's subsidy expenditures. But if the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approves Egypt’s loan, the country could prevent further economic decline. Egypt’s president Mohamed Morsi hopes to sign a $4.8 billion loan with IMF and get its first tranche by the end of June. The government also expects Egypt’s first Islamic bonds to help the economy recover.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         How do you think can a credit rating affect a country’s economic condition?

         In your opinion, what other measures can Egypt do to save its economy?

Discussion B

         What factors would you consider before lending money? Please explain your answer.

         How would you handle a borrower who cannot pay his debt? Please explain your answer.

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New Chinese Tax Law Increases Divorce Cases

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

1. surge [surj] (n.) – a sudden rise or increase

Example: High production costs caused a surge in car prices.

2. exempt [ig-ZEMPT] (adj.) – not required to do something (like an obligation or responsibility) that is required of others

Example: Charitable institutions are exempt from paying taxes.

3. workaround [WURK-uh-round] (n.) – a method to solve a problem or difficulty, often in an unusual or clever way

Example: The businessman found a workaround to the policy limiting the sizes of liquor stores by building two smaller stores.

4. illustrate [IL-uh-streyt, ih-LUHS-treyt] (v.) – to make something clear or easier to understand by giving an example

Example: The counselor talked about her own experiences to illustrate the importance of communication in marriage.

5. repeal [ri-PEEL] (v.) – to officially cancel a law or policy; to make a law or policy invalid

Example: The government repealed an old law that was no longer practical or relevant.

Article
Read the text below.

New property tax policies introduced by the State Council of China are causing a surge in divorce cases in the country.  In an attempt to limit the property market, the State Council imposed a 20% tax on sales of second homes. Primary houses are exempt from tax if they had been owned for over five years. Married couples who own two houses and want to sell one house have found a workaround to the tax policy. If a couple gets a divorce, each of them can own a house. One of the couple can then sell a house as a primary property and be exempted from the tax. After selling the house, the divorced couple can re-marry. Within days of the policy announcement, divorce cases increased in Shanghai and other large cities. In Nanjing City, 294 couples filed for divorce in just one day. In Tianhe District, the number of divorce cases has doubled. Meanwhile, Heilongjiang Province saw three to four times the daily average number of divorces. Professor Xie Baisan from Fudan University said that high taxes are driving many couples to the much cheaper alternative of divorce. To illustrate, Professor Baisan said that if a couple sells an apartment for 4.5 million yuan ($725,000), they would have to pay 900,000 yuan ($144,802) in tax. On the other hand, divorce costs only 70 yuan ($11) and getting re-married would cost only another 70 yuan. To avoid further increase of fake divorces, Professor Baisan is calling to repeal the new tax policy.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         In your opinion, how can divorce affect Chinese families and their society?

         Can fake divorce lessen the value of marriage? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         Do you think tax laws in your country are fair? Why or why not?

         Are there any laws in your country that you think should be changed or repealed? Please explain your answer.

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Sleepless Nights Could Lead to Marriage Problems, Including Divorce

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

1. inadequate [in-ad-i-kwit] (adj.) – not enough

Example: The employee got sick because of inadequate sleep.

2. interruption [in-tuh-RUHP-shuhn] (n.) – a  sudden stop in an activity for a period of time

Example:  A loud noise caused interruption to her nap.

3. pretend [pri-TEND] (v.) – to do a fake action

Example: The child was reading comics but pretended to be asleep when his mother entered his room.

4. polite [puh-lahyt] (adj.) – showing good manners to other people

Example: She is polite to her grandparents .because her mother taught her to respect older people.

5. selfish [SEL-fish] (adj.) – thinking only of one’s self

Example: The girl was selfish because she did not help her little brother do house chores.

Article
Read the text below.

A new study shows that around one-third (1/3) of parents get a divorce or separate because of inadequate sleep caused by their crying babies. Adults need seven hours of sleep every night or at least five hours of sleep with no interruption so that they can focus the next day. However, most parents only get an average of six hours of sleep per night. Through a survey of 2,000 parents done by the UK’s Channel 4, researchers learned that having sleepless nights because of crying babies was a top reason 30% of parents got a divorce. Around 11% of parents admitted that they pretend to be asleep when their babies cry so that their wife or husband will take care of the baby. Another 11% said that they close the doors while 9% increase the television volume so that they will not hear their babies’ cries. One in twenty parents answered they had fallen asleep while driving because they were too tired. Psychologist Tanya Byron said several adults and children she met had behavioral and learning problems, as well as family issues, all of which might have been caused by lack of sleep. On the other hand, other recent researches show that when parents get enough sleep, they tend to be more polite to each other, and they are less selfish. People who sleep well have a better chance of improving their relationships with others.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Do you think lack of sleep is an acceptable reason for divorce? Why or why not?

         What do you think are the other reasons why couples separate?

Discussion B

         Is sleep something important in your life? Why or why not?

         What do you think of people who sleep less so they can work or study?

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Mobile Phone App Helps Drivers on the Road

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

1. attach [uh-TACH] (v.) – to connect or to put something together

Example: He attached the mouse to the computer.

2.  interpret  [in-TUR-prit] (v.)–to provide information that may explain the meaning of something

Example: Scientists interpret data about the Earth from satellites. .

3. accelerate [ak-SEL-uh-reyt] (v.) – to go faster; to make something move faster

Example: The racer accelerated his car to 180km per hour.

4. urgent [UR-juhnt] (adj.) – very important and needs a solution as soon as possible

Example: The company leaders had an emergency meeting because of an urgent matter.

5. hardware [HAHRD-wair] (n.) – gadgets, devices or computers such as the speakers, keyboard, etc.

Example: The keyboard is type of hardware that helps us put information into computers.

Article
Read the text below.

Automatic Labs Inc. has developed a phone app called “Automatic” that the company says will make driving safer and better. Many of today’s cars contain a data port, where a Bluetooth adapter can be attached. Through a Bluetooth connection, smartphones can get information from the car’s computer. According to the Automatic company, its app will not only get information but will also interpret the available data. The app will help drivers learn about their driving style by informing them if they accelerate too quickly or if they step on the brakes unnecessarily. The app will notify drivers about their performance and about how much gas they use when driving. Drivers can also put in the app how much money they spend on gas, and the app will analyze if the car is working properly. Furthermore, Automatic can be useful in emergency situations. If a driver meets an accident on the road, the system will send urgent messages to people listed on the driver’s emergency contact list. Automatic will also send the location of the accident. Aside from emergency uses, Automatic checks where the car is parked. Drivers have the option to share this info to their contacts. Currently, the app is being designed for the iOS only, but the developers plan to make Automatic available for Android soon. The Bluetooth connector of the Automatic system is priced at $69.99. Additionally, a hardware that will be available in May is needed to make the system work.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         Does the “Automatic" app appeal to you? Please explain your answer.

         Should people always trust information from technology or gadgets? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         What do you think causes car accidents?

         What can people do so that they can be safer drivers?

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