Effects of Free Meals among Children’s Health and Education

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. adequate [AD-i-kwit] (adj.) – enough or meets the needed requirements

Example: Teachers make sure that they give adequate attention to each student.

2. crucial [KROO-shuh l] (adj.) – very significant or important

Example: Education is crucial to a child’s future success.

3. safeguard [SEYF-gahrd] (v.) – to protect or to keep someone or something safe; to guard

Example: The charitable institution aims to safeguard poor children from hunger and diseases.

4. deterrent [dih-TUR-uh nt, -TUHR-, -TER-] (n.) – something that delays an event or activity

Example: Poverty is one of the deterrents that keep children from finishing school.

5. benefit [BEN-uh-fit] (v.) – to gain something

Example:  The feeding program benefits the malnourished children.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A report from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) stated that giving free meals to students in poor areas are important to the children’s health and education. Abdoulaye Diagne, director of the Consortium [kuh n-SAWR-shee-uh m, -tee-] for Social Economic Research in Dakar, led a study during the school year 2009-2010. In this study, researchers selected 120 primary schools in four of the poorest rural areas of Senegal. Sixty schools received daily free lunches of vegetable and rice, with either fish or meat, while the other sixty schools did not. The report revealed that students who received adequate nutrition were able to learn, understand, memorize, and reason better.  They also had higher test scores in French compared with students who did not receive free lunches. According to Bettina Luescher [LOO-sher] of WFP, giving meals is crucial for students in different schools worldwide. Eating lunch also has a great impact on children’s growth to become strong and smart adults. Luescher added that free school lunches kept children, particularly girls, at school, thus safeguarding children from crises like droughts and war. Poor families also see the school meals as a way to prevent their children from being hungry. The United Nations WFP and the local government allot $75 billon for school lunches in poor countries worldwide. However, only 18% of the poor school children benefit from free lunches. Although cost is the main deterrent for governments funding the free lunches, the WFP looks at the program as an investment that can give the children a better future.

【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 the United Nations WFP make projects like free school lunches?

         Do you think free meals are enough to improve the life of poor school children? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         What are the advantages of eating healthy foods, especially for students? Please explain your answer.

         Do you think eating healthy food is enough to have a healthy body? Why or why not?

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Dating is More than Just About the Looks

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. fade away [feyd uh-WEY] (v. phrase) – to weaken

Example: Lisa’s sadness fades away when her husband is around.

2. speed dating [speed DEY-ting] (n. phrase) – an event in which people meet to find possible partners

Example: Mr. and Mrs. Smith met each other through speed dating.

3. barrage [buh-RAHZH] (n.) – a continuous way of saying words or questions

Example: The researcher got offended with his colleague’s barrage of criticisms about the study.

4. role [rohl] (n.) –  a part or function played by one person in a group

Example: Usually, a mother’s role is to do household chores.

5. approach [uh-PROHCH] (v.) – to move closer

Example: Dan approached the lady in the bar and offered her a drink.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Studies show that two people can get physically attracted in a matter of seconds, but that connection can fade away depending on how their conversation goes. Researchers from Stanford University explored this phenomenon in a speed dating experiment involving graduate students. The findings show that the course of conversation affected how a participant decided which person he or she liked. In the experiment, participants took part in a usual speed dating activity in which people mingle for a few minutes to get to know each other. Male participants move around the room to meet female participants and engage in quick conversations. To find out how language affects attraction, Dan McFarland and his team recorded the conversations between the participants and conducted interviews to find out how participants assessed the people they met. Researchers found that women tend to be pickier with who they like than men. Both men and women express excitement in the tone of their voice, although in different ways—men speak in monotone while women talk in a pitch higher than usual. Surprisingly, both become more engaged when the female is the subject of the conversation. However, women hate a barrage of questions being thrown at them because they see it as a sign of disinterest. In another study from Northwestern University, the roles were reversed—women approached the male participants. Researchers found that approaching a possible partner instead of being approached increases the desire for the partner. After conducting follow ups on the Stanford participants, McFarland found that only a few pairs continued dating, as expected. He said people should watch their language when dating because the odds for establishing long term relationship from dating are high. And looks are not the thing that matters.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think speed dating can lead to serious relationships? Why or why not?

         Why do you think conversation matters in building relationships?

Discussion B

         Do you think men and women are different when it comes to handling relationships? Please explain your answer.

         In your opinion, how else can men and women improve their relationship?

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Coca-Cola’s Advertisement Promotes Peace between India and Pakistan

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. advocate [AD-vuh-keyt] (v.) – to promote

Example: One of the United Nations’ objectives is to advocate peace among all member countries.

2. patronize [PEY-truh-nahyz, PA‐] (v.) – to buy a product regularly or to become a regular client

Example: Nationalistic citizens patronize local products.

3. vending machine [VEN-ding muh-SHEEN] (n.) – a machine in which one can insert money to buy drinks, food, and other small products

Example: Insert coins in the vending machine to buy coffee.

4. moving [MOO-ving] (adj.) – causing strong emotion

Example: Some viewers cried after watching the moving and touching video.

5. virtual [VUR-choo-uh l] (adj.) – taking place on the computer, often through the Internet

Example: Virtual libraries on the Internet can help you understand the history of South Asia.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Coca-Cola, a multinational beverage company, released a three-minute advertisement that advocates peace between India and Pakistan as it convinces people to buy Coke products. Neighboring countries India and Pakistan are known to have conflicts brought about by previous wars. These wars caused historical differences and political conflicts that remain to separate the two countries. Although Coca-Cola aims to encourage more people in Pakistan to patronize the company’s products, the initiative to promote peace between both countries is quite evident. The company shot the advertisement in Lahore, Pakistan and in New Delhi, India. The advertisement is entitled ‘Coca Cola Small World Machines—Bringing Pakistan and India Together.’ Vending machines with live-streaming camera and 3D touchscreen technology were assembled in selected location in each of the countries. Each vending machine had screens that showed people from the other country. Before a person could get a drink, the machine asked him or her to interact with the person on the screen. With the technologically advanced vending machine, Indians and Pakistanis were able to communicate, wave at each other, and even dance together. This campaign did not just showcase remarkable technology. It also created a moving experience for the people who have used or saw their neighbors use the vending machine. The virtual interaction suggests that strong unity can still exist between Pakistan and India. Through this campaign, Coca-Cola has shown that unity brings happiness and goodness to the people of both countries.

【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 makes this campaign different from usual soft drink advertisements?

         Do you think advertisements can be effective in promoting an advocacy? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         Do you agree with how companies use world issues to promote their products? Why?

         What do you think is the strategy behind product campaigns that involves world issues like peace, hunger, poverty, etc.?

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World’s Second Oldest Man Dies at 113 Years Old

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. pass away [pas uh-WEY] (v. phrase) – to die

Example: Michael Jackson passed away in 2009 at the age of 50.

2. astonishing [uh-STON-i-shing] (adj.) – amazing or surprising

 Example: The astonishing old man surprised the crowd with his muscular built.

3. centenarian [sen-ten-AIR-ee-uh n] (n.) – a living person who is 100 years old or older

Example: His mother, the only centenarian in our town, celebrated her 109^th birthday yesterday.

4. blacksmith [BLAK-smith] (n.) – a person who creates things made of iron

Example: The old blacksmith designed the metal gate of our house a few weeks before he died.

5. longevity [lon-JEV-i-tee] (n.) – long life or the condition of living for a long time

Example: My mother always tells me that healthy food and daily exercise result to longevity.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

James Sisnett, the world's second oldest man, has already passed away when he died in his sleep at the astonishing age of 113 years and 90 days. He died on May 23, 2013 at a nursing home in Barbados, his home nation. According to the Gerontology Research Group (GRG), an organization that monitors the age of centenarians and supercentenarians, Sisnett was the oldest man in the western hemisphere. He ranked as the second oldest man in the world, after the 116-year-old Jiroemon Kimura of Japan. Before Sisnett died, he and Kimura were the only known living men on the planet who were born in the 19th century. James Sisnett was born on February 22, 1900. After decades of working as a blacksmith, he retired in 1970 at the age of 70. Because of his long life, he was able to witness the world’s most remarkable events, such as the first airplane flight and the World War I. According to one of his relatives, Sisnett was considered a celebrity in Barbados. People gave him the nickname "Grandad" because of his longevity. The townspeople even consult him about the historic events that happened in the community. When he turned 100, he was awarded with the keys to the capital city of Bridgetown as a token of honor. Women often outlive men on the average. In fact, some women are older than both Sisnett and Kimura. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest human who ever lived was a French woman named Louise Calment, who died at the age of 122.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do people often live long in your country? What do you think are the reasons?

         In your opinion, what is the secret to living a long, healthy life? Please explain further.

Discussion B

         What specific things would you like to accomplish during your lifetime? Discuss them with your tutor.

         How would you want to spend your life after reaching an old age? Tell you tutor about it.

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How to Calculate a Dog’s True Age

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. refute [ri-FYOOT] (v.) – to prove to be wrong or false

Example: The veterinarian refuted the rumors that a new animal disease has spread among dogs.

2. rule of thumb [ROOL uhv thuhm] (n. phrase) – a general rule not meant to be accurate or consistent in all situations

Example: The participants in the dog show followed the rule of thumb by forming a line outside the entrance gate.

3. breed [breed] (n.) – a particular group of animals having similar characteristics

Example: Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever are two of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.

4. bizarre [bih-ZAHR] (adj.) – out of the ordinary or unusual

Example: The researchers got worried when the dogs started to exhibit bizarre behaviors.

5. canine [KEY-nahyn] (adj.) – pertaining to dogs

Example: My sister is a veterinarian specializing in canine diseases.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Determining the true age of a dog is not as simple as most people think, according to scientists. Common knowledge dictates that one human year is equivalent to seven dog years. Thus, in order to determine the age of a dog, one needs to multiply its age in human years by seven. However, many scientists today refute this overly simplified rule of thumb. Experts say that calculating the age of dogs is much more complicated since the calculation depends on many factors, including size and breed. Being in a diverse group, dogs also do not age uniformly. According to Daniel Promislow, professor of genetics at the University of Georgia, small dog breeds generally live longer than larger ones. Also, smaller dogs tend to reach adulthood faster. Dr. Kate Creevy, assistant professor from the University of Georgia, explains that once small dogs reach adulthood, they live longer than large dogs. Large dogs, on the other hand, generally spend two years before their bodies mature. Unlike the small dogs, once large dogs mature, they usually live only for four to five more years. This explanation implies that at two years old, a small dog is older than a large dog. But at five years old, the large dog becomes older than the small dog. Dr. Creevy also notes that this bizarre phenomenon does not happen to other animals, thus proving the amazing diversity of the canine species. This idea is also a remarkable distinction from other mammals, whose life expectancy generally increases as body size increases.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         If you were to own a dog, would you prefer it small or large? Why?

         Do you think the bizarre phenomenon about dogs is a good characteristic? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pet dog? Discuss with your tutor.

         Do you believe in the saying that dogs are man’s best friend? Why or why not?

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