Author Archive: admin

The surprising friendship of former president George W. Bush and former first lady Michelle Obama

2017年4月11日

entertainment

  Pre-reading questions: What are the differences between Democrats and Republicans? Can these two different parties reconcile? Why or why not?   Many people know that the Obama administration and the Bush administration seem like entirely different worlds, and yet to the surprise of many, Michelle Obama and George W. Bush have build up a firm friendship. The two were photographed at the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture, where Bush received a warm hug from Mrs. Obama. Furthermore, this was not the first time the former first lady and the 43rd president of the U.S. have come together, in fact they held hands during…
Read more

Intermediate

The surprising friendship of former president George W. Bush and former first lady Michelle Obama

2017年4月11日

entertainment

Pre-reading questions: Do you know George W. Bush? Do you know Michelle Obama? Former Republican President George W. Bush and previous Democrat First Lady Michele Obama showed their friendship in a recent photo from the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture. In the said photo, George W. Bush got a sweet hug from Michelle Obama. In an interview, Bush said Michelle Obama likes his sense of humor, and anybody who likes his sense of humor, he immediately likes. Furthermore, Bush added that he’s a teaser and Michelle can deal with it. Vocabulary: teaser – [noun] playful recent – [adjective] not so long ago Republican and…
Read more

Beginner

Barbie at 58: a few facts about the symbolic doll

2017年4月10日

entertainment

  Many people know Barbie as one of the most beautiful dolls in the world. According to its manufacturer, the American toy-company Mattel, Barbie-dolls were sold for over a billion since its first debut. Since then, the iconic doll became famous together with her 40 pets, wide range of vehicles, and her on and off relationship with her boyfriend, Ken Carson, who came into sight in 1961. She also celebrated her 58th birthday last March 9, 2017. Through the years, people admire Barbie because of her alluring face and her almost perfect body shape. However, the fashion doll has been receiving criticisms because of her unrealistic body shape. Nickolay Lamm,…
Read more

Expert

Barbie at 58: a few facts about the symbolic doll

2017年4月10日

entertainment

  Pre-reading questions: How long do you know Barbie? What are the things you can say about Barbie?   Barbie is the iconic plastic doll that most girls grown up with all over the world. Mattel introduced Barbie on March 9, 1959 at New York Toy Fair. Mattel also stated that over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold in 150 countries. Barbie has become a cultural icon over the years having appeared in books, paintings, and even renamed in a section of Times Square in New York for a week. As Barbie celebrates her 58th birthday, the iconic doll received lots of criticism because of her unbelievable body shape….
Read more

Intermediate

Barbie at 58: a few facts about the symbolic doll

2017年4月10日

entertainment

Pre-reading questions: What kind of toys do you have? Have you ever seen a Barbie-doll? Barbara Millicent Roberts, also known as Barbie, is a brand of doll representing a slim, shapely young woman, especially one with blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. The symbolic doll made by the American toy company named as Mattel made its first public appearance on March 9, 1959 at the American International Toy Fair in New York. In addition to that, Barbie celebrated her 58th birthday last Match 9, 2017 and over the years, the doll has become a cultural image even though some people do not agree with her unrealistic figures. Vocabulary: symbolic…
Read more

Beginner

Software can identify skin cancer

2017年4月10日

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you know what skin cancer is? How do you take care of your skin? Do you wear sunblock? An image-scanning device was invented at Stanford University. It can identify skin cancers exactly like what doctors do. The team who created the software used an algorithm to train a computer to develop artificial intelligence to detect skin cancer. For the training, the team used 130,000 photos of different skin diseases. The system has a record of 2,032 different types of skin diseases. Using the pictures in the system, the device can check if a skin condition is cancerous or not. Vocabulary: invent [verb] – to make something new;…
Read more

Beginner

Refugees may attend London university for free

2017年4月10日

Education - E

  The University of East London provides opportunities by offering free college education to refugees who fled the war in the Middle East. Through the Open Learning Initiative (OLIve) pioneered by the University of East London, students may attend up to full degree in college and even seminars and workshops which are vital in applying for a job. The OLIve program has different phases. First, it will run a short program which is good for 40 students in April 2017. The second phase will set a ten-month program in September. Several universities in Europe collaborated to make OLIve happen. The University of East London in the UK, the University of…
Read more

Expert

Refugees may attend London university for free

2017年4月10日

Education - I

  Pre-reading questions: Do you want to study abroad? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad?   The University of East London provides opportunities by offering free college education to refugees of Middle East. The short course offered is called as the Open Learning Initiative (OLIve). It offers seminars and workshops which are vital in applying for a job. Several universities in Europe such as University of East London, University of Vienna, and the Central European University collaborate for OLIve to transpire. These universities have similar courses and are in the process of developing guidelines on how to do the short course.   Vocabulary: refugee…
Read more

Intermediate