Author Archive: admin

Ali Baba breaks sales record on Singles’ Day

2016年11月28日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you use the Internet every day? Have you tried shopping online?   What started as a day to celebrate singlehood was turned into a shopping bonanza. The Chinese e-commerce company reported this year’s sales had reached 121 billion yuan ($18billion) on November 11, an upsurge of 32 percent compared against last year’s $14.3 billon. Reports said the highest number of purchases was made on mobile phones reaching 82 percent. On the contrary, some have doubted the accuracy of Ali Baba’s sales data amid claims of excessive sales figures released by online retailers. Another setback the industry is facing is the existence of alleged online merchants selling…
Read more

Intermediate

Ali Baba breaks sales record on Singles’ Day

2016年11月28日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you always use your computer? Where do you shop?   The Chinese online company called Ali Baba has sold several products on Singles Day. They have earned 121 billion yuan ($18 billion) that day. It is 12 percent higher than what they earned last year. They said 82 percent of the customers have bought a new smartphone, but some people wonder if it’s true. Also, others say some online sellers sell fake products. Still, analysts think online shopping is a good business because even the people in rural areas have smartphones so they can shop online now.   Vocabulary: Singles’ Day – シングルズ・デイ[noun] November 11, a…
Read more

Beginner

Earthquake strikes New Zealand

2016年11月28日

  A powerful tremor continued to rock New Zealand. The US geological analysis says 21 tremor had struck New Zealand by 3 PM on Monday, after the 1st major tremor at midnight. It says 4 of them registered magnitudes of 6 or higher. About 40 minutes after the tremor, tsunami waves were espied along the marginal town of Kaikoura, reaching up to 1.5 meters. The extent of the destruction includes 2 people that were killed. Some small towns are secluded and damaged buildings are sowed across the area. The town, a tourist destination, is about 60 kilometers from the epicenter. The government says they will dispatch the navy vessel and…
Read more

Expert

Earthquake strikes New Zealand

2016年11月28日

Pre-reading questions: Do you live in an area that’s experiencing many earthquakes? Has your house been damaged by an earthquake? How can you prepare for a possible earthquake? A quake hits the South Island of the country early on Monday. It has a magnitude of 7.8. Tsunami waves were spotted along the marginal town of Kaikoura about 40 minutes after the quake. Authorities say at least 2 people perished, and several others injured. Authorities also added that some buildings collapsed and large cracks can be seen in roads. Landslides have also made some sections impassable. Telephone lines have been cut off. About 600 inhabitants and hundreds of tourists are incapable…
Read more

Intermediate

Earthquake strikes New Zealand

2016年11月28日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever experienced an earthquake? Where is the best place to go during an earthquake?   The impact of magnitude 7.8 earthquake is still not clear. Officials say at least 2 people died. Small towns were inaccessible and roads were blocked by landslides. About 600 people were trapped in Kaikoura, but the government already gave help to the townspeople.   Vocabulary: magnitude – [noun] the great size inaccessible – [adjective] unable to be reached block – [noun] difficult; impossible landslide – [noun] rockslide; mudslide trapped – [verb] cannot move   True or False: The impact of magnitude 8 earthquake is still not clear. Officials say at…
Read more

Beginner

Airport Wi-Fi

2016年11月28日

  Rotten Wi-Fi, a subsidiary of TelcoQ, reveals the Top 20 airports worldwide with best Wi-Fi connection in 2016. Wi-Fi speed and quality have been evaluated in two hundred twenty-six airports worldwide. Airports from USA and Thailand led the list, with at least six airports listed in the Top 20. Leading the list is Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, USA with an average download speed of 42.17 Mbps, and a customer satisfaction rating of 8/10. Succeeding the list is Lennart Meri Tallinn, Estonia with 38.30 Mbps followed by Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand with 37.10 Mbps. In terms of customer satisfaction, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, USA and Changi International Airport,…
Read more

Expert

Airport Wi-Fi

2016年11月28日

  Pre-reading questions: Can you bear waiting in a place where there is no Wi-Fi? Have you experienced traveling by plane? How was it? What do you usually do when there is no Wi-Fi in your area?   Rotten Wi-Fi, the public Wi-Fi watchdog, reveals the Top 20 airports worldwide for best Wi-Fi connection in 2016. Wi-Fi speed and quality have been assessed in two hundred twenty-six airports worldwide. Airports from the USA and Thailand lead the list, with at least six airports listed in the Top 20. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, USA leads the list with average download speed of 42.17 Mbps. Next is Lennart Meri Tallinn,…
Read more

Intermediate

Airport Wi-Fi

2016年11月28日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Do you think Wi-Fi is useful for everyone? How important is Wi-Fi to you?   A new list of Wi-Fi speed in airports was issued this year. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport USA is the first one on the list. These five Asian countries are added: Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Six airports from Thailand are also on the list this year.   Vocabulary: list – 一覧表[noun] a number of connected items or written names speed – スピード[noun] a rate of movement or action airport – 空港[noun] a place where airplanes can land or take off issued – 発する[verb] provided; given national – 国の[adjective] a…
Read more

Beginner