Author Archive: admin

Morning coffee might slow down aging

2017年3月15日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Do you drink coffee every day? How many cups of coffee can you drink in a day?   A study says that our morning coffee is not really bad for our health. Older people with low levels of infection are all coffee drinkers. People who drink more than 5 cups of coffee per day show low levels of inflammation. Researchers says that constant inflammation causes diseases of aging, like diabetes and heart problems. Inflammation is still needed by the immune system; it fights infection and toxic compounds. But, it loses control when a person is aging.   Vocabulary: inflammation – [noun] a condition in which a part…
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Beginner

Disney tickets get more expensive

2017年3月15日

Business - E

  The ticket price for “The Happiest Place on Earth” will have a price bump, the management reported recently. Single-day ticket in Anaheim, California will now be at $97, $110 or $124 from $95, $105 or $119. The annual Deluxe pass will also go sky-high. Even Disney World in Florida will experience the same price boost on their single-day, annual, and platinum passes, although the all-year premium passport will not bulge. Ticket pricing is now divided into three periods: Value – the cheaper ones, Regular and Peak – the costly ones. The Disney management has emailed a statement saying that the price increase is to control overcrowding during peak seasons,…
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Expert

Disney tickets get more expensive

2017年3月15日

Business - I

  Pre-reading questions: What for you is the happiest place on earth? What words best describe Disneyland? What’s the best theme park you’ve been to?   Disneyland is popular for its magical theme that people of all ages find it fascinating. Millions of tourist around the world visit the place each year. Recently, the company announced that there will be a price hike in the ticket particularly in Disneyland in Anaheim, California and Disney World in Florida. In California, the ticket ranges will increase from $95, $105 to $119 to $97, $110 to $124 which is good for a day. The Deluxe annual pass will also have price hike ranging…
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Intermediate

Disney tickets get more expensive

2017年3月15日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “happiest place on earth?” Have you been to Disneyland before?   Disneyland is popular for its magical theme that people of all ages find it fascinating. Millions of tourists around the world visit the place each year. The company announced that there will be a price increase in the ticket particularly in Disneyland California and Disney World Florida.   Vocabulary: popular [adjective] – liked or admired by many people or by a particular person or group magical [adjective] – beautiful or delightful in a way that seems removed from everyday life fascinating [adjective] – extremely interesting or…
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Beginner

Working mothers receive support from companies

2017年3月14日

Japan - Expert

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made increasing the participation of women in the workforce a crucial component in his comprehensive economic growth plan. Backed by several researches, womenomics could increase the gross domestic product of Japan and help address the country’s declining labor force. Despite the policy change, a lot of critics think that womenomics’ benefits cannot be realized without concrete transformation in work culture and attitude towards working mothers in companies. Acknowledging the potential benefits of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s womenomics, several companies have started giving more support to working mothers. For example, one company has asked its working fathers who take parental leaves to share stories on how…
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Expert

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