Author Archive: admin

Fake stories might affect Facebook’s earnings

2016年12月14日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you know Facebook? Do you have an account on Facebook?   Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made new plans to remove fake news on their site. Facebook would have a system that will identify if the news is true or not. It would be easier for users to report fake news. It would also make changes to its advertisement system. Many people thought that fake stories affected the U.S. Presidential election. Business analysts are worried because Facebook’s plans might affect their earnings. Some advertisers said that Facebook’s records were incorrect. Analysts thought these factors would affect the company’s earnings.   Vocabulary: CEO – 社長[noun] Chief Executive Officer;…
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Beginner

Man dies in a speed-eating contest

2016年12月14日

  An onigiri speed-eating contest was held at Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture. During the said competition, a 28-year old man fell down while engaging in the said competition. Apparently, a number of onigiris were lodged in the throat of the participant. He was given medical attention promptly. However, the man passed away three days after he was taken to a health facility. The speed-eating contest held amid the “Friendship Festival” was run by Higashibiwako’s Japan Agricultural Cooperative. It is an occasion in which local farm products, including the Oumimai rice brand, a specialty of the prefecture are the main feature. Fifteen people participated on the said occasion. Each participant…
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Expert

Man dies in a speed-eating contest

2016年12月14日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like Onigiri? What is your favorite festival in your region/country? Have you ever attended a festival?   A 28-year old man fainted in an onigiri speed-eating contest in Shiga Prefecture last November. The man was assisted immediately by medical professionals, but he passed away 3 days after. The onigiri speed-eating contest was done to celebrate the “Friendship Festival” in the said prefecture. Higashibiwako Japan Agricultural Co-operative organized the event to boost Shiga’s agricultural products. The organizers put a notice on their website giving thanks to the medical team who responded right away during the incident. Authorities found out that they are prepared for emergencies and…
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Intermediate

Man dies in a speed-eating contest

2016年12月14日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like onigiri? Have you ever participated on any festival in your country?   A man fainted in an onigiri speed-eating contest in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. He fainted because of a large onigiri in his throat. He was brought to the hospital right away, but he died 3 days after. The speed-eating was done to celebrate Friendship Festival in their region. Organizers felt sorry about the incident. The event happened last November 13.   Vocabulary: faint – 気が遠くなって[adjective] to lose consciousness. contest – コンテスト[noun] a race or competition. region – 地域[noun] a district or division. organizer – 主催者[noun] a person or group who organize things, events,…
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Beginner

Times University Ranking

2016年12月9日

  The 2016-2017 Times Higher Education World University Rankings listed the 980 finest universities in the world. The ranking was determined by teaching, research, and knowledge transfer, and international outlook. The reckoning of the rankings was conducted by professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). 289 Asian universities from 24 nations made it into the list. However, some institutions in France, Italy, Spain and many parts of Europe are losing ground as Asia continues its ascent. The world university rankings prove that Asia’s advancement in higher education is absolute and thriving. The National University of Singapore took the Asian crown in 24th place. The University of Tokyo ranked 39th this year, making…
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Expert

Times University Ranking

2016年12月9日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you think well-known universities are the best? What qualities should we consider in choosing a university? Do you think university ranking is important?   Times Higher Education World University Rankings list the 980 finest universities. The ranking was estimated by professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The world university rankings justified that Asia’s progress in higher education is developing. Around 289 Asian universities from 24 countries were included in the ranking. The National University of Singapore received the Asian crown in 24th place. The University of Tokyo, which was customarily the top Asian institution, was beaten by Peking University. The University of Tokyo ranked 39th this year….
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Intermediate

Times University Ranking

2016年12月9日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever experienced studying abroad? What do you think is the best university in Japan?   The University of Tokyo ranked fourth in best university in Asia. National University of Singapore took the Asian crown. Tsinghua University in China also moved up. The University of Tokyo, was beaten again by Peking University. The rankings set standard for teaching. World university rankings are now in their 13th year.   Vocabulary: rank – ランク[noun] give (someone or something) a rank or place; list; group Asia – アジア[noun] Earth’s largest and most populous continent move up – 初級する[verb] move upward; go up beaten – 負かす[verb] having been defeated standard…
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Beginner

HIV Test on a USB Stick

2016年12月9日

  A USB stick to test HIV (human deficiency virus) is introduced to quickly and accurately analyze how much virus is in a patient’s bloodstream. It can pinpoint HIV in a drop of blood that will then send electrical signals that can be interpreted by a computer. The device is the result of combined efforts of researchers in Imperial College London and a U.S. firm DNA Electronics. Given that the technology is in its early stage, it is already crucial to efficient and regular monitoring of patients’ virus level. According to the journal of Scientific reports, the initial run on the device could provide results for only 20.8 minutes at…
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Expert