Uncovering the Mysteries of 3,000-year-old Mummy

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. curator [kyoo-REY-ter] (n.) – the person who manages any place of exhibit, such as a museum or a zoo

Example: The museum’s curator selected some of the paintings for the exhibit next week.

2. horrific [ho-RIF-ik] (adj.)  – causing fear; scary

 Example: The tour guide’s horrific stories about the museum scared the tourists on trip.

3. amulet [AM-yuh-lit] (n.) – a small object, such as a necklace, worn to protect a person from harm or evil spirits

Example: Egyptians often wear amulets to protect them from danger.

4. afterlife [AF-ter-lahyf] (n.) – life after death

Example: Some cultures believe that burning the body of the dead ensures safety and happiness in the afterlife.

5. precedence [PRES-i-duh ns] (n.) – the state of being more important than others

Example: Our tour guide reminded us not to swim in deep waters because safety should always take precedence over enjoyment.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Researchers from Manchester University hope to uncover the mysteries of a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy through the use of modern scanning technology. Curators at Perth Museum, Scotland are sending the mummy, believed to have been an Egyptian princess or a priestess, to Manchester Children’s Hospital. Researchers will then examine the mummy using CT scans and X-ray technology. They will be using the equipment at the children’s hospital because the scanners are not usually needed at night time. In the past, scientists have already performed similar scans on other mummies in Manchester’s own collection. The previous scans have revealed various details about the mummies, including the possible causes of death during early times. According to Dr. Lidija McKnight of Manchester University, most people always want to know the cause of death of ancient people. While researchers usually do not find anything horrific, they usually uncover little details about the mummy’s health, like signs of bone diseases, dental problems, or illnesses related to old age. Scientists also commonly find amulets and metal jewelry inside the mummy’s bandages, which the Egyptians may have believed to protect the dead in the afterlife. Since the research will be conducted in a children’s hospital, the researchers assure the public that the study will not affect patient care in any way. According to Dr. McKnight, the living should take precedence over the dead. So if an emergency arises, the research team will have to give way. Because of this situation, the investigation will probably take a relatively long time.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you believe that researchers should take time studying mummies? Why or why not?

         Why do you think some people become very interested in Egyptian mummies?

Discussion B

         Why is studying about a country’s history important?

         How do you think can people be more interested in studying history?

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US Government Whistleblower is a High School Dropout

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. whistleblower [HWIS-uh l-bloh-er, WIS-] (n.) – a person who publicly reveals private information

Example: The whistleblower revealed the corruption happening inside the company.

2. top-secret [TOP-SEE-krit] (adj.) – very confidential or known only by authorized people

Example: Details of the top-secret mission were hidden from the public.

3. leak [leek] (v.) – to reveal information without approval

Example: The secretary who leaked private information lost his job.

4. gravely [GREYV-lee] (adv.) – to a very serious or dangerous degree

Example: Lack of education can gravely affect a person’s future.

5. espionage [ES-pee-uh-nahzh, -nij, es-pee-uh-NAHZH] (n.) – the act of secretly finding confidential information from another party

Example: The secret agent was arrested for espionage.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The whistleblower of the US National Security Agency Surveillance (NSA) has admitted to have worked in various security institutions despite being a high school dropout. Edward Snowden is a 29-year-old IT specialist who is originally from North Carolina. Although he was never able to finish high school, Snowden managed to get a general equivalency diploma (GED). With a GED, he was able to study computer programming at a community college. Before revealing the top-secret information of the NSA, Snowden briefly joined the US army reserve for four months. He then worked as a security guard in the NSA. Having knowledge about computer programming, Snowden became an IT security specialist at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). After quitting the CIA in 2009, Snowden started working as a private contractor for the NSA. As a private contractor, Snowden was assigned to several locations in and out the US and worked for consulting firms as well. His last employment was at the Hawaiian office of the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. Snowden has been working at the firm for about three months when he leaked the confidential surveillance programs of the country. According to Booz Allen Hamilton, Snowden has gravely violated the values and the code of conduct of the firm. In his defense, Snowden revealed that he released the confidential information partly because he thinks that President Obama only continues the oppressive policies from previous administrations. Complaints such as espionage and theft have already been filed against Snowden.

【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 can the leakage about the surveillance programs affect the US?

         Do you think what Snowden did is wrong? Why?

Discussion B

         Should government information be kept confidential? Why?

         How do you think can a government keep its information safe and confidential?

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Man Diagnosed with Zombie Disease

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. syndrome [SIN-drohm, -druh m] (n.) – a disorder with a certain pattern of symptoms

Example: The doctor listed the signs characterizing the Zombie syndrome.

2. electrocute [ih-LEK-truh-kyoot] (v.) – to end one’s life by using electricity

Example: The man died after getting electrocuted by lightning.

3. suicide [SOO-uh-sahyd] (v.) – to take one’s own life intentionally

Example: Because of severe depression, the young man committed suicide by hanging himself.

4. coma [KOH-muh] (n.) – a condition of being unconscious for a long time

Example: After seven months in coma, the patient finally woke up.

5. zombie [ZOM-bee] (n.) – a dead body showing characteristics of being alive (e.g. movement)

Example: Patients who are awake but are not able to think and talk well can be described as zombie-like.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A man has been diagnosed with Walking Corpse Syndrome after insisting that his brain died when he tried to electrocute himself. This illness, also known as Cotard’s Syndrome, is a mental disorder characterized by the patient’s firm belief that he or she has lost some organs, body parts, or even soul. People with this syndrome tend to stop doing normal things, such as eating and speaking. The man, identified only as Graham, admitted being in a bizarre state of consciousness after surviving his suicide attempt. He said that after the incident, he often felt very low and as if he needed nothing in order to survive. Concerned with Graham’s situation, doctors from University of Liege in Belgium took the opportunity to examine his brain. Dr. Steven Laureys, who is in charge of Graham’s case, reported that Graham’s brain looked like the brain of a person under anesthesia or during sleep. Thus, Graham can be considered to be in a coma. The doctor was amazed that despite having an almost inactive brain, Graham was completely awake and could even move and interact with other people. Experts say that being in a zombie-like state is very unusual and almost impossible. The last reported case of Cotard’s syndrome was back in 1882. Today, Graham’s case gives an opportunity for experts to study and know more about the syndrome. With regular medications and therapy, Graham’s condition has already improved. He admitted that he no longer feels brain-dead and that he is fortunate to have lived even after attempting suicide.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         How did you react about Graham’s condition?

         How does Graham’s rare illness affect what we know about the human body?

Discussion B

         Why do you think some people commit suicide?

         What can you possibly do to help someone who is prone to suicide? Please explain briefly.

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School Bans Students from Playing the ‘Assassin’ Game

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. pistol [PIS-tl] (n.)  – a small gun used with only one hand

 Example: Most policemen carry at least one pistol at all times for protection.

2. blow off steam [bloh of steem] (idiom) – to do something, such as a physical activity, to get rid of strong feelings or emotions

Example: My brother often swims several laps in the pool to blow off steam after a stressful workday.

3. chase [cheys] (v.) – to follow in order to catch up with someone or something

Example: The police are chasing after the criminal.

4. lethal [LEE-thuh l] (adj.) – causing death

Example: The school bans the possession of lethal objects, such as guns and knives.

5. repeat offender  [ri-PEET uh-FEND-er] (n. phrase) – a person who repeats an offense or commits a crime repeatedly

Example: Repeat offenders may be expelled due to repeated instances of breaking school rules.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A high school in New York City is warning its senior students that they could get banned from prom or graduation if they are caught participating in a popular toy-gun game on campus. The game, called “Assassin,” is played at schools all over the US after the final examinations. It involves students shooting each other with water pistols, Nerf darts, or plastic disks until only one survivor remains. School administrators warn that the game could turn very serious or even lethal. For example, students being chased by an “assassin” could get run over by cars. The toy guns used by the students may also be mistaken as real guns.  In addition, some students may be tempted to break the law while chasing other students. Policeman Robert Devine remembers one incident two years ago in which a toy gun used in the Assassin game was mistaken for a real gun. A neighbor saw a student lying on the ground carrying a water gun, waiting for his target. Out of fear, the neighbor called the police, who responded by surrounding the student and pointing real firearms at him. Due to these risks, school administrators are planning to impose serious penalties, which include banning of students from prom or graduation and even reporting to colleges and universities for repeat offenders. However, some students still believe that the game is more fun than dangerous. In fact, some students use the game as a way to blow off steam. According to 18-year old Jeff Taylor, Assassin is just a friendly, harmless game that students do for fun.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you agree with the banning of the game “Assassin” in schools? Why or why not?

         Do you believe that violent games really have a significant effect on the minds of young children? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         Do you think that it is important for children to be able to play games? Why or why not?

         How do you think does playing games affect the children’s physical and emotional growth?

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Facebook Introduces Hashtags

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. trending [TREN-ding] (adj.) – currently popular on social media, especially Twitter

Example: The much talked-about presidential election is a trending topic right now.

2. real-time [REE-uh l tahym, reel] (adj.) – being updated or shown simultaneously as an event is happening

Example: Even without TV access, people get informed about the current events through real-time updates on the Internet.

3. hot spot [HOT spot] (n.) – an area or place that is interesting, popular, or lively

Example: The tourist was eager to upload the pictures of the country's hot spots on Facebook.

4. prime time [PRAHYM tahym] (n.) – the time during which the largest number of people are watching TV, usually between 8 and 11 PM

Example: Many companies choose to show their advertisements during prime time so that more people will see them.

5. roll out [ROHL out] (phrasal v.) – to launch or introduce a new product, usually over a series of stages

Example: Facebook rolled out the Chat Heads feature to iPhones first, and then to Android smartphones.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Facebook has now adopted the "hashtag" feature to enable users and advertisers to easily follow and join in on trending events or topics. Hashtag is a feature popularized by rival social networking site Twitter. With the hashtag feature, Facebook users can now group comments on a particular topic by typing the pound symbol (#) followed by a keyword. Hashtags are very handy for social media users who want to join and follow real-time online conversations on a variety of topics, such as politics, sports, and TV shows. Advertisers also benefit from the hashtag since it is an easy way to find hot spots of user activity. The feature also allows Facebook to easily reach a particular audience. Justin Osofsky, director of operations at Facebook, said that as much as 100 million Americans log in to Facebook every night during the hours of prime time TV, especially if the TV show is very popular. However, whether the level of activity and comments on the website will be as high as on Twitter is still not clear even with the new hashtag feature. This uncertainty is because tweets are often public and viewable to all users; while most comments posted on Facebook are visible only to a user's circle of friends. As a response to this uncertainty, Facebook said that aside from the hashtags, it will also roll out several other features that will further highlight discussions about events on the social networking site.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think Facebook’s introduction of the hashtag will be of big help to its users? Why or why not?

         Why do you think many people like to discuss TV shows, movies, sports events, and news stories on the Internet?

Discussion B

         Do you think social media has reduced people’s ability to communicate face-to-face? Why do you say so?

         How else do social media affect people’s relationship with each other?

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