Tom Cruise Expresses Interest in Space Travel

【Unlocking Word Meanings】
　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. venture [VEN-cher] (v.) – to do something that is risky or potentially dangerous

Example: His curiosity about the outer space made him want to venture on space travel.

2. atmosphere [AT-muh s-feer] (n.) – gases surrounding the Earth

Example: Pollution in the atmosphere has become more severe over the years.

3. momentarily [moh-muh n-TAIR-uh-lee, MOH-muh n-ter-] (adv.) – in a short period of time

Example: I was able to momentarily see the meteor shower.

4. extraterrestrial [ek-struh-tuh-RES-tree-uh l] (adj.) – located or occurring outside the Earth

Example: Shena has always believed that aliens and extraterrestrial organisms exist.

5. innumerable [ih-NOO-mer-uh-buh l, ih-NYOO-] (adj.) – extremely numerous  or too many to be measured

Example: Innumerable stars and planets are present in the whole universe.

【Article】
　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Top-billing actor Tom Cruise considers travelling to space in the future. According to reports, he expressed his willingness to pay $200,000 for a ticket to travel outside the Earth. In a movie premiere held in Russia, the 50-year-old Hollywood mega-star talked about his childhood dream of travelling to other planets. He added though that he will let other people venture on space travel first before trying it out himself. A few companies, including the California-based Virgin Galactic, have been developing spaceships built for commercial purposes. Now on its testing phase, Virgin Galactic is expected to launch its first spaceflight in 2014. With the capacity to carry six passengers and two crew members, Virgin Galactic’s spaceships will fly outside the Earth’s atmosphere. During the flight, the passengers will be able to momentarily float in mid-air due to weightlessness and will be able to see the Earth from above. Aside from Tom Cruise, several other celebrities have also expressed their interest on space travel. Among these celebrities are actors Russel Brand and Ashton Kutcher, who both managed to reserve seats on Virgin Galactic’s first flights. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic, also gave Kate Winslet a free ticket to thank her for rescuing his mother during a fire. Virgin Galactic now has over 500 future passengers. Currently promoting his sci-fi movie “Oblivion,” Cruise also commented about the existence of extraterrestrial beings. He pointed out that Earth being the only living planet is almost impossible considering that the universe is composed of innumerable galaxies.

【Viewpoint Discussion】
　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         In your opinion, how successful would commercial space travel be?

         Is it reasonable to pay $200,000 for a chance to travel to space? Why do you think so?

Discussion B

         Do you believe that aliens exist in other planets? Why do you think so?

         Do you think it is possible for humans to live in other planets? Please explain your answer.

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School Program Teaches Children to be Earth-friendly

【Unlocking Word Meanings】
　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. sponsor [SPON-ser] (v.) – to fund or support an activity

Example: The city mayor sponsored the new campaign to help poor kids get a good education.

2. recycling [ree-SAHY-kling] (n.) – the act of reusing waste material or garbage and changing it into new products

Example: Recycling used plastic bottles and cans saves the family a lot of money.

3. crop [krop] (n.) – a plant grown by farmers for food, clothing and other human uses

Example: Crops like rice are planted in fields and harvested during autumn in Japan.

4. exposure [ik-SPOH-zher] (n.) – the state of experiencing or being affected

Example: Children’s exposure to violent video games may have negative effects on behavior.

5. reinforce [ree-in-FAWRS, -FOHRS] (v.) – to strengthen

Example: Cooperating on a school project reinforces friendship and cooperation among students.

【Article】
　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A new comprehensive program called the Go Green Initiative aims to teach school children in Manassas City, Virginia, how to be earth-friendly. Over 7,000 elementary school students participate in the program, which is sponsored by the city and its schools. Through the initiative, students learn about recycling, energy and water conservation, composting, and gardening. With this program, school and government officials hope to raise awareness about recycling to keep Manassas City clean. Sandy Thompson, the program's coordinator, said all schools in Manassas City do single stream recycling, in which paper, plastic and glass are collected in one container. To support this effort, the city's public works and utilities department provided 450 recycling containers for all the school classrooms in the city. Aside from recycling, students also learn how to save water and electricity. Also, the children are taught about crops and where food comes from, since most of the children do not have exposure to agricultural communities. Though the Go Green Initiative is a school program, its influence goes beyond the classroom. Thompson said that children bring home the earth-friendly practices they learn in school. They even start their own gardens and recycling systems at home. Some mothers also encourage their kids to practice what they learn in school to reinforce good habits. If children learn earth-friendly habits at a young age, they would do those habits for the rest of their lives, said Mike Moon, director of the city's public works and utilities.

【Viewpoint Discussion】
　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         In your opinion, what are the advantages of teaching children to be earth-friendly? Please explain your answer.

         Do you think the Go Green Initiative can really help save the environment? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         What other good habits and practices should children learn at a young age? Please explain your answer.

         Do you think children learn faster than adults? Why do you say so?

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Scientists to Map Babies’ Brain Development

【Unlocking Word Meanings】
　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. vital [vahyt-l] (adj.) – very important or necessary to continue life

Example: Breastfeeding is vital in strengthening the immune system of newborns.

2. sophisticated [suh-FIS-ti-key-tid] (adj.) – complex or advanced

Example: Sophisticated technology makes it possible to see 3D view of the human brain.

3. womb [woom] (n.) – the part of a woman’s body that carries a baby during pregnancy

Example: A fetus stays in their mothers’ wombs for nine months before being born.

4. neurological [noo r-uh-LOJ-i-kuh l] (adj.) – pertaining to the nerves and the nervous system

Example: MRI is one of the methods used to study neurological processes.

5. perception [per-SEP-shuh n] (n.) – the act of using the senses to understand or comprehend

Example: The scientist’s perception changed upon seeing the latest results of the experiment.

【Article】
　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Researchers in UK have started a six-year research that will map changes and development in the brains of infants before and after birth. Scientists from Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital, King’s College London, Imperial College and Oxford University are working on the Developing Human Connectome Project that aims to research on 1,500 babies. Earlier, a similar project called Human Connectome Project analyzed adult brains and found that technology could indeed map out brain changes. David Edwards, Center for the Developing Brain director and the study’s leader, said that the time when infants are still in the womb is vital because a lot of changes are happening in the brain during this period.  Scientists will use sophisticated MRI scanning methods to map the normal rates of infant brain development. Before, getting clear brain images was almost impossible because of the baby’s constant movement in the mothers’ wombs. But with 3D technology, researchers can get clearer pictures even when the baby is moving. Researchers believe neurological development must be studied because brain formation may contribute in shaping a baby’s perception and cognitive processes. Brain development may also determine the possibility of developing conditions like autism. However, Partha Mitra of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York warned that the brain images that technology captured and the actual brain still have a big difference.

【Viewpoint Discussion】
　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         Why do you think is it important to study the brain?

         How can early detection of brain problems help humans?

Discussion B

         What other factors do you think affect a baby’s development? Please explain your answer.

         How can a baby’s environment (e.g. house, parents and other adults, etc.) affect him or her?

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Psy Releases New Single Called “Gentleman”

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

1. give birth [giv burth] (phrasal verb) – to produce or give rise to an idea

Example: The Korean wave has given birth to many Kpop artists.

           

2. undertone [UHN-der-tohn] (n.) – a meaning that is implied but not obvious

Example: His parents do not allow him to listen to songs with dark undertones.

3. techno [TEK-noh] (n.) – an electronic dance music with a fast beat

Example: Most partygoers enjoy dancing to the techno music.

4. pun [puhn] (n.) – a way of playfully using words that are often funny or entertaining

Example: The argument was getting more serious so he made a pun to lighten the atmosphere.

5. overcome [oh-ver-KUHM] (v.) – to successfully deal with

Example: Fame and fortune cause problems that are hard to overcome.

Article
Read the text below.

South Korean rapper Psy has released a new album following his most successful song "Gangnam Style." "Gangnam Style" is currently the most watched YouTube video with more than 1.5 billion hits.,  Itgave birth to a dance craze that spread around the globe. The song with up to 3.59 million digital sales placed ninth in the best-selling list according to Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS. “Gangnam Style” also came in third in the Amazon's bestseller list for 2012. Psy’s newest single, entitled "Gentleman," uses a techno beat and contains lots of puns in Korean. The dance moves for the new song, according to Psy, are familiar to all Koreans but not to people in other countries as the dance steps are based on traditional Korean steps. However, Psy admits that he is experiencing the pressure of overcoming the popularity of Gangnam Style. In one of his tweets, he posted a picture of himself in a recording studio with his hands covering his face, with the caption "The pain of creation.” Park Jae-sang, the real name of Psy, graduated from the Berklee College of Music in the United States. His debut album, released in 2001, was entitled "PSY from the Psycho World." His first album, however, caused some troubles with the US authorities because the lead song was seen as inappropriate due to sexual undertones. Psy was also charged for possessing marijuana the following year. Since 2002, Psy was able to launch five more albums.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         In your opinion, will K-pop artists be even more popular in the future? Why do you think so?

         Why do you think a song like Gangnam Style becomes very popular?

Discussion B

         How do you think can the popularity of artists help the country’s economy?

         Who among the singers in your country can most likely become internationally popular? Why do you think so?

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Ad Companies Turn To Product Placement

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

1. advertisement [ad-ver-TAHYZ-muh nt, ad-VUR-tis-muh nt, -tiz-] (n.) – any material that is used to publicize and present a product or service

Example: The company’s sales increased after the release of the new product’s advertisement.

2. promote [pruh-MOHT] (v.) – to advertise a product

Example: Products are promoted on television or on the Internet to increase sales.

3. post-production [pohst-pruh-DUHK-shuh n]  (n.) – a period after shooting a show or film

Example: The film editor adds special effects during post-production.

4. tycoon [tahy-KOON]  (n.) – an extremely wealthy or powerful person

Example: Forbes listed Bill Gates as one of the most famous business tycoons.

5. receptive [ri-SEP-tiv] (adj.) – ready or willing to receive or accept ideas and suggestions

Example: People are more receptive of interesting and convincing ads.

Article
Read the text below.

Digital product placement is now becoming a more popular way to promote products as the TV and film industry faces difficulty in making profits from advertisements. Television viewers nowadays tend to think of ads as annoying; so, they do something else when their favorite programs are on a commercial break. To get more attention from viewers, the TV and film industry turn to a less distracting way of promoting products. Digital product placement is a method of incorporating products that were not originally present in the scene of a TV show during production. Editors can place or replace anything in a program in the post-production stage. MirriAd is one of the popular digital placement companies that the TV and film industry turn to. In fact, media tycoon Subhash Chandra invested to MirriAd to help promote the products and services of his company. Mark Popkiewicz, MirriAd’s chief executive, said that the company can integrate logos, videos, and signs in the program without making viewers notice the additions. In addition, MirriAd does not need to change the content of news and children’s programs in order to advertise. Popkiewicz also pointed out that the audience is more receptive to digitally placed products compared to banner ads and pop-ups. Additionally, ad companies are thinking of adding products that appeal to viewers. However, Adam Fulford, a strategy and planning director of a digital placement consultancy firm, said that expenses for personalized ads may cost more than the possible earnings.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         Do you buy the products you see on advertisements? Why or why not?

         What forms of advertisements (e.g. commercials, posters, billboards, etc.) appeal to you the most? Please explain why.

Discussion B

         What characteristics do you think make ads interesting? Please explain your answer.

         Should we believe in everything that commercials show us? Why do you think so?

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