When to Tell Children about Family Wealth

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. wealth [welth] (n.) – a huge amount of possession (e.g. money, properties)

Example: His family’s wealth comes from his father’s long years of hard work and determination.

2. keep (someone) in the dark [keep in th uh dahrk] (idiom) – to not tell or reveal something to someone

Example: Julian kept his father in the dark about the surprise birthday party.

3. disclose [dih-SKLOHZ] (v.) – to reveal or to make something known

Example: Government officials must disclose their wealth to the public to show honesty and transparency.

4. case-by-case [keys bahy keys] (adj.) – relating to situations that are separate and different from each other

Example: The management will decide on the salary increase on a case-by-case basis, depending on every employee’s performance.

5. sign up [SAHYN uhp] (phrasal v.) – to register or to join

Example: Peter signed up for a two-month course on budget management.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A study in the U.S. Trust's Insights on Wealth and Worth has discovered that many rich parents do not reveal their family's wealth until their children reach 25 years old. Although the kids usually know that their families are wealthy, parents tend to keep them in the dark about how much money they actually have. According to the study, half of the surveyed parents said that children between ages 25 and 34 should already know the details of their family's wealth. On the other hand, 20% said that children should wait until they are 40. Half of the parents also said they have disclosed little details about their wealth, while 8% admitted they have revealed none.  Results of the study also showed that two reasons exist on why parents do not tell their children. First, people seem to naturally dislike the topic, as wealth is not commonly discussed even among family members. Second, parents fear that their children might not develop good work ethics if they knew how rich they were.  Keith Banks, president of the U.S. Trust, said that no age is appropriate in telling the children about the family’s wealth. Instead, the decision should be on a case-by-case basis. However, Banks claims that even if parents do not reveal details of their wealth early on, they should at least prepare their children for the task of managing the money. Thus, he recommends that children sign up for wealth-education programs at the age of 20.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         At what age do you think should children know about their family’s wealth? Why do you say so?

         In your opinion, do the children of rich people work less hard than ordinary people? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         What do you think are the disadvantages of being too wealthy? Please explain your answer.

         How can people better manage their wealth?

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Babies Start Learning Language inside the Mother’s Womb

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. infant [IN-fuh nt] (n.) – a baby or a young child who still cannot walk or talk

Example: Infants usually start crawling six to ten months after birth.

2. rhythm [RITH-uh m] (n.) – (In music) the regular pattern of long and short notes

Example: The baby recognizes the rhythm of the mother’s voice.

3. pacifier [PAS-uh-fahy-er] (n.) – a rubber or plastic nipple used by babies to suck or bite on

Example: The baby uses a pacifier as a substitute for her milk bottle.

4. bilingual [bahy-LING-gwuh l] (adj.) – can speak two different languages 

Example: The couple is looking for a bilingual babysitter who knows how to speak French and English.

5. disrupt [dis-RUHPT] (v.) – to disturb or to interrupt an activity

Example:  The loud horn disrupted the baby’s sleep.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A new research revealed that babies learn language even before they are born, claiming that fetuses listen to their mothers during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. The study involved 40 infants who are 30 hours old and are exposed to Swedish and English vowel sounds. The researchers measured the babies’ responses through pacifiers connected to a computer, while the babies’ reaction to sounds was measured by how long they sucked the pacifier. Researchers found that babies suck the pacifier harder when they heard a foreign language. Results also showed that babies learn to identify language even when inside the womb, especially when the baby's hearing is fully developed. Babies with bilingual mothers, on the other hand, can accommodate more languages that can be acquired through natural exposure. However, Christine Moon, lead author of the study, warned parents against intentionally exposing language audio courses to unborn babies. Moon said that intentional exposure may affect the baby’s natural ability to learn through hearing and may also disrupt the baby’s sleeping cycles. A scientific director of a school for the deaf said that a baby hears language rhythms from the mother’s voice. However, the baby of a deaf mother can hear rhythms only through mother’s hand movements. The rhythm could help the baby develop the ability to learn language. Researchers added that understanding how babies learn fast is connected with the way humans comprehend speech and could help find ways in improving lifelong learning. However, further research is still needed to confirm the results of this study.

【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 else can talking to the unborn baby help in its development? Please explain your answer.

         What do you think are the advantages of learning language early on? Kindly explain your answer.

Discussion B

         What other ways can mothers do to help the baby’s brain development? Please explain briefly

         Why do you think it is important to help babies improve brain development early on?

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Student Gets Award for Inventing the Fastest Charger

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. bag [bag] (v.) – to acquire or get something desired

Example:  Chelsea felt glad to bag the first place in the school's spelling competition.

2. storage [STAWR-ij, STOHR-] (n.) – a space for keeping any unused item

Example: James kept his old school uniforms in the storage.

3. pave the way [peyv th uh wey] (idiom) – to make the progress or development of something easier and faster

Example: Creative young minds could pave the way for scientific innovations.

4. handy [HAN-dee] (adj.) – useful or practical

Example:  The extra battery came in handy when John’s cell phone died in the middle of a call.

5. enigmatic [en-ig-MAT-ik, ee-nig-] (adj.) – mysterious and hard to understand

Example:  The scientist feels confused about the enigmatic natural phenomenon.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

An 18-year old high school student from California has bagged a Young Scientist Award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for inventing a device that can recharge a cell phone in only 30 seconds. Intel ISEF has awarded Eesha Khare and two other outstanding young inventors for their innovative creations and discoveries. According to Intel, more than 1,500 young scientists from around the globe participated in this year's fair, which was held at Phoenix [FEE-niks], Arizona. The device invented by Khare is a small, black rectangular supercapacitor that acts as energy storage. It can store large amounts of energy in just a small space and can charge a cell phone battery in only 20 to 30 seconds. The technology can also pave the way for faster charging of automobile batteries.  In announcing the winners, Intel commended Khare for recognizing the pressing need for energy-efficient storage devices as the world’s technology is increasingly focusing on mobiles today. The Young Scientist Award includes a prize of $50,000, which will come in handy when Khare starts attending Harvard University this autumn. The other winner of the Young Scientist Award, who likewise received $50,000, is Henry Lin from Louisiana [loo-ee-zee-AN-uh, loo-uh-zee-, loo-ee-]. Intel gave him the award for his astrophysics project on the enigmatic dark matter and dark energy. On another note, the fair's top award called the Gordon E. Moore Award was given to Ionut Budisteanu of Romania. Budisteanu received the award and a $75,ooo prize for creating a low-cost, self-driving car system using artificial intelligence.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Would you be interested in acquiring the device made by Eesha Khare? Why or why not?

         Aside from possibly winning a prize, what are the advantages of joining school competitions? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         Do you think children and young people should be more interested in science and technology? Why do you say so?

         How can parents and teachers support and motivate children who show potential in science and technology?

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Survey Says Guests Now Spend More on Weddings

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. bachelorette [bach-uh-luh-RET] (n.) – a young woman who is not yet married

Example: The bride’s sister arranged a bachelorette party a week before the wedding.

2. hesitant [HEZ-i-tuh nt] (adj.) – not so sure; undecided

Example: Jerome feels hesitant to attend his friend’s wedding due to the coming storm.

3. accommodation [uh-kom-uh-DEY-shuh n] (n.) – anything that provides comfort or convenience

Example: Before our family trip, my dad already booked the travel and hotel accommodations.

4. affluent [AF-loo-uh nt, or, often, uh-FLOO-] (adj.) – having plenty of money and valuable possessions

Example: John can buy expensive things because he came from an affluent family.

5. shell out [shel-OUT](v. phrase) – to pay or to contribute

Example: The groom shelled out $30,000 for his wedding.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A recent survey done by the American Express says that guests are more willing to spend money for weddings nowadays than last year. The survey involved 1,500 people who have already attended weddings. According to the American Express survey, wedding guests often spend on gifts, dresses, bachelorette parties, travel expenses, and hotel accommodations. This year, a wedding guest spends an average of $539, which is $200 higher than last year’s estimate. Moreover, affluent guests with a household income of more than $100,000 tend to spend more. These guests shell out about $960 per wedding this year, a noticeable increase from last year’s average spending of $545. American Express also found that the results of its survey parallels the results of the researches conducted by the Knot.com and WeddingChannel.com about the couple’s total wedding costs in the past five years. The results of these surveys revealed that wedding couples also spent less money in the past year. Thus, the results of the three surveys may suggest that the recession in the country have affected both wedding couples and guests. Nonetheless, David Rabkin, a senior vice president at American Express, claimed that financial optimism is now rising. The increasing financial optimism thus implies that people are now less hesitant to spend money. Rabkin also said that the increase in spending shows that the economy is improving, although spending is not yet on its peak. However, if the spending continues to rise, the country may then recover from the recession that started in 2008.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         In your opinion, is it necessary to spend so much money when attending a wedding? Please explain your answer.

         How do you think can guests avoid spending too much money on weddings?

Discussion B

         Is it important to attend the wedding of a friend, family member, or colleague? Why or why not?

         How much do you think people in your country value the ceremonies related to wedding?

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Jobless Claims Decreased Unexpectedly

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. unemployment [uhn-em-PLOI-muh nt] (n.) – the condition of having no job

Example: Poor economy has resulted in the increase of the country's unemployment rate.

2. lay off [ley awf, of] (v.) –  to end an employment

Example: The company laid off all its employees after declaring bankruptcy.

3. gain [geyn] (v.) – to get or to earn, especially an increase in something

Example: The economy’s improvement is due to people gaining jobs.

4. keenly [keen-lee] (adv.) – with great interest

Example: Every detail in the company’s report must be keenly reviewed to avoid missing any information.

5. fiscal [FIS-kuh l] (adj.) – related to money, especially of the government or of a business

Example: The new fiscal policies aim to support the projects of the government.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Recent reports say that the claims for unemployment benefits in the U.S. decreased last May. Under US policy, employees who were laid off may request temporary financial support from the government. The number of unemployment claims may be used to measure the national employment rate. From April to May of this year, unemployment claims in the U.S. fell by 15,000. By the end of May, the number of initial claims for unemployment benefits had decreased by 23,000. As a result, the total cost for claims fell $112,000 to $2.91 million. In the last five years, this decrease marks the country’s first time to spend less than $3 million for unemployment claims. According to economists, the country’s strong economy has lowered the rates of unemployment claims. The data also suggest that employers are not cutting the number of workers despite tighter fiscal policies. This decrease also implies that the more people are gaining employment even with the government’s recent budget cuts. In fact, reports say that 165,000 jobs were added to the employers’ payrolls in April. The US Federal Reserve is keenly monitoring the status of employment in the country because employment rate affects the economic activity─the buying and selling of goods. Recently, economic activity in the US has slowed down due to government budget cuts, but the slowing down of activity is expected to be only temporary as employment becomes steadier.

【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 unemployment affects a country’s economy?

         In your opinion, why do some countries have high unemployment rates?

Discussion B

         How do you think can a country maintain a strong economy?

         Do you think your country has a strong economy? Why do you think so?

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