YouTube Opens Film Studios to Improve its Videos

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

1. state-of-the-art [STEYT of thee ahrt] (adj.) – latest and most advanced

Example: Sci-fi movies use state-of-the-art cameras.

2. high definition [hahy def-uh-NISH-uh n ] (adj.) – having a very high video resolution

Example: Watching the movie in high definition allowed me to see even the small details in every scene.

3. learn the ropes [LURN thuh rohps] (idiom) – to learn how to do a specific job

Example: My film teacher helped me learn the ropes in making movies.  

4. viewership [VYOO-er-ship] (n.) – the audience of a television show or a movie

Example: The viewership of our show increased after we used new and more advanced video cameras.

5. transition [tran-SISH-uh n] (v.) – to move from one stage or position to another

Example: More filmmakers are now transitioning to high definition cameras due the audience demand

Article
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YouTube has opened its own video production studios in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo to improve the quality of uploaded videos. These studios will allow video makers to use state-of-the-art equipment, high-definition cameras, and professional editing programs for free. Lectures will also be available to help new video makers learn the ropes of filmmaking. However, filmmakers and video creators need to pass a selection process before they can use the studios. Google, the parent company of YouTube, hopes that these studios will help improve the quality of videos on the website and further increase viewership. This move comes at a time when more people, especially the youth, are using the internet as their main source of entertainment. According to Jimmy Wong, an actor in an online show, younger audience prefers internet sources like YouTube over television because they want instant access to videos whenever and wherever they want. In fact, viewers aged 35 and below are often seeking entertainment in YouTube. Even film makers are now transitioning to online videos so they can promote their shows to fans. Danelle Assanelli, an avid YouTube fan, says YouTube allows her to comment on shows and provide input to the video makers. Personal interaction is not usually possible in traditional television. Furthermore, Malik Ducard, content and partnership director of YouTube, said that YouTube gives chances not only to recognized filmmakers but also to new and rising video creators.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Do you prefer online video sites like YouTube over traditional media like TV? Why or why not?

         What makes online entertainment so appealing to younger people?

Discussion B

         Do you think YouTube can replace TV? Why do you think so?

         What do you think are the disadvantages of using the Internet as a main source of entertainment and information?

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Critics Question the Effectiveness of Earth Hour

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

1. counterproductive [koun-ter-pruh-DUHK-tiv] (adj.) – delaying or holding back the achievement of a goal

Example: Using plastic bags is counterproductive to our goal of helping the environment.

2. carbon emission [KAHR-buh n ih-MISH-uh n] (n. phrase) – carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide  produced by vehicles and factories

Example:  The company will cut its carbon emissions by 25% to help address climate change.

3. defeat the purpose [dih-FEET thuh PUR-puh s] (idiom) – to go against the original goal

Example: Cutting down trees defeats the purpose of saving the environment.  

4. nitpick [NIT-pik] (v.) – to criticize unimportant details

Example: The defense lawyers are nitpicking everything that the environment activists say. 

5. miss the point [MIS thuh point] (idiom) – to misunderstand the main idea

Example: The listeners missed the point of the speech because they were not paying attention.

Article
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Critics are questioning the effectiveness of the Earth Hour campaign, saying that it has done only little in conserving energy. Earth Hour, held every March for the past six years, is a worldwide event in which participants turn off lights for one hour to raise awareness about issues on climate change. Critics, however, see the event as counterproductive. They say that candles, which most participants use as light source during Earth Hour, are still fossil fuels that may not be as environment-friendly as expected. According to Bjørn Lomborg, an environmental writer, candles are 100 times less efficient in producing light than ordinary light bulbs. Lighting one candle for every light bulb during Earth Hour may increase carbon emissions, and therefore defeat the purpose of the event. Electrical engineers also noted that turning on an appliance requires more energy after it was switched off. Turning on many appliances at the same time can suddenly increase the demand for electricity and build up carbon emissions. Earth Hour organizers, on the other hand, argued that they encourage the use of beeswax or soy candles, which are more environment-friendly and more carbon-free than traditional candles. Moreover, organizers insisted that Earth Hour is a symbolic action and not an activity designed to cut down the use of energy. The goal of Earth Hour is to raise awareness about climate change. Therefore, those who nitpick about how much energy is saved during the event may be missing the point.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Do you think that Earth Hour is an effective way of raising awareness about climate change? Why or why not?

         Why is it important to raise people’s awareness on environmental problems?

Discussion B

         What do you think are the biggest causes of global warming? Why do you think so?

         How does global warming and climate change affect your country?

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Sharing Housework Is Key to Happier Marriage, Study Reveals

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

1. household [HOUS-hohld, -ohld] (adj.) – related to living in a house or with a family

Example:  Our new neighbors purchased some household furniture yesterday.

2. fulfillment [foo l-FIL-muh nt] (n.) – a state or condition in which a person is satisfied with his or her achievements and success

Example: She finds fulfillment in taking care of her children.

3. manual [MAN-yoo-uh l] (adj.) – done with the use of hands or operated by a person instead of a computer or a machine

Example: He does manual jobs, like gardening and vegetable picking, on weekends and during school breaks to earn money.

4. highlight [HAHY-lahyt] (v.) – to emphasize in order to draw attention

Example: The study highlights the importance of cooperation in the family.

5. preparental [pree-puh-REN-tl] (adj.) – happening before parenthood

Example: The couple underwent preparental counseling to prepare themselves for their first baby.

Article
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A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri and Utah University shows that husbands who perform household chores and who are well-connected to their children are more likely to have a happy and satisfying marriage. Published in the Journal of Family Issues, the study analyzed how 160 couples perform their housekeeping and parenting duties to identify the factors that add fulfillment both in marriage and parenthood. By tradition, men usually carry out heavy manual tasks while women tend to involve themselves in cleaning responsibilities. However, the study suggests that couples should rather complete a single task together instead of doing different tasks individually. Doing so results to greater satisfaction in the division of labor, said Erin Holmes, a Brigham Young University professor. In addition to willingness to help in household chores, the study also highlighted the importance of maintaining good relationship between fathers and their children. Fathers can have good connection with their children by giving enough time and attention when kids play games and do homework. A previous research conducted by Holmes also found that couples with children aged five and below are most likely to experience challenges in doing household tasks. When the first baby arrives, responsibilities usually double among fathers, while mothers take on five times as much task as their preparental years. Nonetheless, the results of the study emphasized that couples who do household chores together may be happier and more satisfied in the long run.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         How does your family divide household tasks?

         Why is it important to have proper division of labor in a household?

Discussion B

         How do you describe a happy marriage?

         Aside from fair division of labor, how else can relationships between couples improve?

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President Obama Appoints First Female Secret Service Director

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

1. rise through the ranks [rahyz throo th uh rangks] (idiom) – to achieve a higher position in an organization, company or institution after working in a series of lower positions

Example: With determination and hard work, Sarah quickly rose through the ranks to become the CEO of the company.

2. outgoing [OUT-goh-ing, -GOH-] (adj.) – leaving or retiring from a position

Example:  The outgoing chairman will turn over important documents to his replacement.

3. preeminent [pree-EM-uh-nuh nt]  (adj.) –  superior; more significant or better than others

Example:  The country’s preeminent public servants received special awards.

4. counterfeit [KOUN-ter-fit] (v.) – to make a fake copy of something that misleads people

Example:  In the US, people who counterfeit money can be imprisoned.

5. embroil [em-BROIL] (v.) – to involve something or someone in a confusing or difficult situation

Example:  The two countries got embroiled in a territorial dispute.

Article
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President Barack Obama has named Julia Pierson as the new director of the U.S. Secret Service, the government's law enforcement agency tasked with protecting the U.S. president. Pierson is the first woman to ever hold the position. Pierson has been serving in the Miami and Orlando field offices of the Secret Service since 1983. She started as a special agent, rose through the ranks and is currently the agency's chief of staff. Pierson will replace outgoing director Mark Sullivan. According to Obama, Pierson's 30-year experience in protective operations, human resources and training make her highly qualified to lead one of the nation's most preeminent agencies. The U.S. Secret Service was originally created to stop the counterfeiting of the U.S. money. Today, the agency also ensures the protection of national and foreign leaders and the security of national places and events. Recently, the Secret Service faced controversy after it was embroiled in a prostitution scandal a year ago in which eight employees were found to have misbehaved and were consequently removed from position. Aside from being the first female Secret Service director, Pierson is also Obama’s first female appointee as head of a national security agency. The president had been criticized for appointing only men in the top security departments such as the Pentagon, State Department and the CIA. Some of the president's other female appointees include Sally Jewel as head of the Interior Department, Gina McCarthy as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Mary Jo White as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Why do you think the U.S. Secret Service never had a female director before?

         In your opinion, can a woman handle the job of protecting government officials, such as the president?

Discussion B

         How can we lessen gender inequality in the workplace?

         Do you think women today have a lot more opportunities than before, especially in business and politics? Why or why not?

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Young Students Pressured to have Bodies Like Those of Celebrities

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

1. rigorous [RIG-er-uh s] (adj.) – very strict, extreme, or harsh

Example: The rigorous training Cherry received helped her win the competition.

2. self-esteem [SELF-i-STEEM, self-] (n.) – self-respect or satisfaction over one’s self

Example: Constant criticisms from her parents lowered Sheila’s self-esteem.

3. insecure [in-si-KYOO R] (adj.) – not confident about one’s self and abilities

Example: Jane went on a diet because she was feeling insecure about her body.

4. airbrush [AIR-bruhsh] (v.) – (In digital arts) to change or enhance looks using a photo editing software (e.g. smoothing the skin, trimming the waist, etc.)

Example: The model’s photo was airbrushed so she can look thinner.

5. misery [MIZ-uh-ree] (n.) – a state of being unhappy and depressed

Example: Being called ‘fat’ all his life caused the teenager’s great misery.

Article
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A survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in the UK found that children as young as four are already feeling pressured to have a 'perfect' body. Children nowadays are padding their bras with tissues, not eating fatty foods such as cheese and doing rigorous exercises to look better. The survey, which involved school teachers, also revealed that some children even develop anorexia due to pressure from peers. Majority of the teachers said that low self-esteem occurs among the girls and that many of the young girls already go on a diet. But, teachers observed that not only the girls feel pressured to look good. According to half of the teachers, boys also feel insecure about their bodies. In fact, many of the boys give so much importance to comments about their bodies. A third of the teachers also know that some boys do extreme exercises. Also, according to 57 percent of the staff, most of the girls aim to have Rihanna’s figure. Young boys, on the other hand, want to look like Harry Styles, said 40 percent of the teachers. Teachers worry on how today’s 10-year-old girls desire to be thin by going on a diet. One teacher even heard four to five-year-old students saying that they can’t eat cheese because they are afraid to get fat. According to Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL, young people are pressured to have body images like those of airbrushed celebrities shown in the media. Sadly, pressure from friends and the media may lead to a child’s misery.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Who do you think affects a child’s body image more: her family or the media? Why?

         How can we help kids be more confident with their body image?

Discussion B

         In your opinion, why do some magazines edit the bodies and appearances of movie stars?

         Would you want to change any part of your body? Why or why not?

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