Expert

People keep their smartphones longer

2017年3月22日

technology

How long do Americans hold onto their smartphones? That’s the question that Kantar Worldpanel’s 2016 report answered. On average, Americans keep their phones for 22.7 months, while Europeans do so for 21.6 months. The data show an increase by almost two months from when Kantar Worldpanel did a similar report back in 2014. There is a stark difference between the data gathered among American smartphone users and Chinese smartphone users. The Chinese upgrade their phones faster at an average of 20.2 months. The report attributes this trend to the fact that the smartphone market in China is liquid. Moreover, online shopping is more extensive in the country. Vocabulary: stark –…
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Blueberry juice helps improve brain function

2017年3月22日

Health - Intermediate

Blueberries – also known as a super fruit. It is known to be the king of antioxidants and is believed to help lower down bad cholesterol. A recent study strongly suggests that this super fruit can aid in cognitive repair, especially for the elderly. Twenty-six elders aged between 66 and 75 have participated in the experiment. Fourteen of them were given a placebo while the remaining consumed at least 30ml of concentrated blueberry juice every day. After twelve weeks, those that have blueberry juice included in their diet exhibited significant changes in their brain activity, as monitored by the MRI scanner. Our brain functions decline as we age. It is…
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Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president

2017年3月20日

World News - Expert

Pre-reading questions: Why do you think a person would want to lead a nation? Do you think the leadership skills required to run a business and that required to run a country are the same? Discuss. Do you think every leader of a nation is a good role model? Explain. Last January 20, President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States of America. The newly elected president and his first lady, Melania Trump, had tea at the White House with the Obamas earlier that day. Present in President Trump’s inauguration were other former US Presidents- Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, and…
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Expert

Japanese public deeply skeptical over its corporate leaders

2017年3月20日

Business - E

Edelman, an American public relations firm, surveyed 28 nations and regions featuring more exposure of corporate honchos to the common public. Japan garnered only 18% in the Trust Barometer survey which placed last on the list. Developed countries such as China and India ranked first in the said survey. Despite being a developed country, Japan expressed skepticism towards their corporate honchos. Edelman Japan noted that the Japanese society are skeptical because of their officials’ low public exposure and because of incidents that happened for the past few years such as corporate scandals and overworking issues. CEOs may emulate United Airlines’ Oscar Munoz wherein his amiability and visibility raised employees morale…
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Sony’s Lifelog app offers new features

2017年3月17日

technology

Sony has recently announced that its fitness app called Lifelog has been upgraded with new features. With the new and improved Lifelog, a user just has to take a picture of his food and the app will give him a comprehensive analysis and calorie count of the food. It can also give nutritional advice tailored to a particular user’s needs. The app is available for download on Google Play. The app uses the technology from Sony Mobile’s Meal Image Analysis software to recognize food. It is compatible with smartphones and wearable devices like Sony’s SmartWatch 3. The software will be launched in Japan to encourage employees to stay fit and…
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Free Wi-Fi on Mount Everest

2017年3月16日

Lifestyle

According to the Hindustan Times, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) divulged that the base camp is set to overture free wi-fi zones. The technological step is being taken to help facilitate communication and aid rescue efforts. At a height of 5360 meters, this will make it the highest topography where free wi-fi is available. These wi-fi trials will be rolled out in both the Lukla-Everest Base Camp area and the Annapurna Base Camp. Located in Nepal, the mountain is a very popular destination for trekkers and mountaineers. Digambar Jha, chairman of the state-run NTA, said that they will expand the service in other areas too. He is hoping that besides…
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The world’s richest race

2017年3月16日

Sports - Expert

Validating the first win of Arrogate against California Chrome last November, the former took home the richest prize in thoroughbred racing last Saturday at Pegasus World Cup in Florida. Everyone was transfixed on Arrogate and California Chrome as many hopefuls expected the latter to redeem himself from his loss last November, but the former prevailed. Arrogate did not fail jockey Mike Smith as the duo took home a whopping $7 million. Shaman Ghost came in second while Neolithic finished third. California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza finished ninth. Twelve horses ran the race, and their owners paid $1 million each earning this event the richest pot in horse racing history….
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Expert

Morning coffee might slow down aging

2017年3月15日

Health - Intermediate

  There is a new study that suggests the benefits of consuming caffeine which can be found in coffee. Caffeine is helping our body to fight different kinds of diseases and chronic state of inflammation. Researchers said that they have studied 100 different people – young and old – and analyzed their blood samples. The study reveals that older people have a tendency to have more inflammation as related to genes than the younger group of people. The older we get, the inflammation to the entire body is likely to rise. Coffee is one the most commonly consumed beverages in the world and it’s also the main source of caffeine…
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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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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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