Author Archive: admin

Working mothers receive support from companies

2017年3月14日

Japan - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: Is it common for working fathers to take parental leaves? Should women be given more parental leaves? What comes to mind when you hear the womenomics? Some Japanese companies have initiated a remarkable shift in giving support to working mothers. Perhaps influenced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s womenomics agenda, certain companies have started giving more benefits to working mothers to increase their participation in the workforce. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made increasing women’s labor force participation one of the most important factors of his economic plan. For example, one company has recommended its working fathers to take parental leave. This company has also encouraged working fathers who take parental…
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Intermediate

Amsterdam to unleash self-driving boats

2017年3月14日

technology

  Pre-reading questions: Have you heard of a self-driving car? Do you think robots are helpful to people? Why?   In 2017, a self-driving car called “Roboat” will be tested in public. It is a product of partnership between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS). These Roboats cost $27 million. Self-driving boats will give an eco-friendly option in transportation. If trials of Roboats are successful, there will be more Roboats used in Amsterdam.   Vocabulary: public [noun] – people in community cost [noun] – estimate price of eco-friendly [adjective] – not harmful to the environment option [noun] – a thing that…
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Beginner

McDonald’s opens in Holy See despite protests

2017年3月14日

Lifestyle

  The ubiquitous fast-food chain McDonald’s currently has almost 40,000 locations worldwide. Recently, their newest restaurant opened at the most unthinkable location: within the jurisdiction of the Holy See, near St. Peter’s Square. The announcement of plans to open the restaurant last October was opposed by cardinals. It was said that tenants in the Vatican-owned building would cover the cost to accommodate McDonald’s which was later disclaimed by the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APAS). Cardinal Elio Sgreccia reported to La Repubblica that the establishment of McDonald’s was inconsiderate with tradition and industry. Cardinal Domenix Calcagana, the head of APAS, approved the occupancy of McDonald’s saying that…
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Expert

McDonald’s opens in Holy See despite protests

2017年3月14日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: What is your least favorite fast food restaurant and why? How often do you eat fast food? What do you usually eat? Where? Is eating fast food bad for your health?   McDonald’s opens a new branch in Vatican City. The announcement of its opening was met with ferocious opinions from the cardinals. As mentioned by Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, the opening of the new branch of McDonald’s into one of the most historic and holiest places in the world is an offense. The cardinal argued against the ignorance of McDonald’s to the culinary traditions of the Roman restaurant industry and for being impolite to their architectural and…
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Intermediate

McDonald’s opens in Holy See despite protests

2017年3月14日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite fast-food place? Why? How do you give respect to traditions?   The popular fast-food chain McDonald’s has almost 40,000 locations worldwide. Their newest restaurant opened at Holy See, near St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Elio Sgreccia says that McDonald’s has no respect for tradition. Meanwhile, Cardinal Domenix Calcagana lets McDonald’s stay because there is no problem. McDonald’s will be open seven days a week.   Vocabulary: chain- [noun] group of businesses Holy See- [proper noun] the territory inside Vatican City worldwide- [adjective] global tradition- [noun] lifestyle seven days a week- [phrase] Sunday until Saturday, all days in a week   True or False: McDonald’s…
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Beginner

Amsterdam to unleash self-driving boats

2017年3月14日

World News - Expert

  In 2017, the product of a $27 million partnership between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS) will head for the waterways in Amsterdam — self-driving boats called “Roboats.” This leading edge will be a solution to public transport through water , and if it induces a favorable outcome, it will soon be launched not only in the Dutch capital, but also around the world. Dr. Stephan van Djk, the research program manager at AMS, says that they will try to shift the transport of goods and people to the waterways to ‘get people out of their cars and reduce traffic…
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Expert

Amsterdam to unleash self-driving boats

2017年3月14日

World News - Intermediate

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like to travel by water? Have you ever ridden a boat? What do you think about self-driving vehicles?   Self-driving boats called “Roboats” will head for the waterways in Amsterdam in 2017. This is a product of a $27 million partnership between the Massachusets Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS), and will be a solution to public transport through water . Dr. Stephan van Djk, the research program manager at AMS, says that they will try to shift the transport of goods and people to the waterways to ‘get people out of their cars and reduce traffic in…
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Intermediate

Nokia releases a revamped version of 3310

2017年3月14日

technology

Nokia launches a revamped version of 3310. It will be available in four different colors – red and yellow glossy finish, andblue and gray matte finish. It has text messaging, internet browsing, MP3 player, camera, and 2 sim slots, which are main features of a daily phone. It also has the new version of the classic Snake game. The phone will be sold at a bargain price of €49.99. The release of Nokia 3310 aims to encourage people to try out other Nokia devices. It may fall short on some exciting applications, but it exceeds when it comes to battery life. It has 25.3 days standby time and 22.1 hours…
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Expert