Intermediate

A winter deer-calling event

2016年12月23日

Pre-reading questions: Do you enjoy going out in the cold? Where do you usually go every winter? Have you ever witnessed a deer calling event?   Shikayose or deer-calling is a winter affair in Nara. This event takes place at 10:00 in the morning every day, this year from November 29 to December 14. During the every day event, a man blows a horn to draw deer out of the forest. The deer are then fed acorns. Visitors can play with deer, pet them or take pictures with them. The Shikayose affair lasts for about half an hour. After that, most of the deer leave, and go back to the…
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Intermediate

Japan broadcasters to air in advanced TV formats

2016年12月22日

  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite TV program? What is the model of your TV set? Do you watch TV every day?   Development of higher TV formats is rising in Japan. Japan has just started testing to broadcast in the new format. Private broadcasters and TV companies have high expectations for the broadcasting formats with higher resolution such as 4K and 8K. Companies are also into accelerating their development projects. Electronic companies are signing up to change their formats to 4K and 8K. The 4k format is times higher than the normal format while the 8K format is sixteen times better. This technology is anticipated by most. However,…
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Intermediate

Fake U.S. embassy in Ghana shut down after a decade of issuing visas

2016年12月22日

  Pre-reading questions: Have you tried applying for a passport or a visa? Have you tried transacting with your local government offices? What do you think embassies do?   GHANA—A fake U.S. Embassy was discovered in the capital city of Accra. It was issuing illegally obtained authentic visas for the past ten years. The fake embassy was operating in an old, weathered pink two-storey building, along with the U.S. Flag outside and a portrait of President Barack Obama inside. Ghanian and Turkish organized crime rings were said to be working in the fake embassy, along with a Ghanian lawyer practicing immigration and criminal law. Turkish people who can speak English…
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Intermediate

New Lung Transplant Technique To Save More Lives

2016年12月19日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you catch cold every year? How often? What do you usually do when you are sick? Have you tried donating your blood?   Lung transplant is a critical operation. Doctors rush to finish the procedure within six hours before the lungs expire. A technique called Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) has been developed. This technique keeps the lungs safe for over 12 hours. It means the organ can be transported to far hospitals in need of the organ. The lungs are removed from the donor and must be put on ice. It will undergo EVLP when transported to the hospital. The process warms up the lungs….
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Intermediate

Amazon Limits Customer Reviews

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you know Amazon.com? What are the things you think that are better bought online? What are the things you think that are still better shopped in a normal way?   Online store Amazon has set a maximum limit on the number of reviews each customer may leave on the site. The new regulation only permits five ratings per week of items not purchased through the site. This step aims to get rid of bogus reviews circulating in the online marketplace as to regain the customers’ trust. Furthermore, Amazon has begun suing sellers for buying false reviews as to consequentially clamp down people selling positive ratings. The…
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Intermediate

Online market competitions

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: Where do you usually shop? What are the items that you usually buy? Have you tried buying anything online?   Online shopping is now on the rise in Japan. As competition heats up, online shoppers get freebies and perks. Online shopping is faster than spending much time in mall shopping. Different techniques and styles are being offered by different online shoppers.These companies are improving to gain more costumers. E-commerce is expected to grow more and more. The e-commerce market, including online shopping has worth ¥13.8 trillion in 2015 according to the Economy, Trade, and Industry Ministry. The worth 5 years ago has doubled the market. Companies are…
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Intermediate

Naganuma for Olympics 2020

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you play sports in your school? What is your most favorite sports? Did you ever wish to become a professional athlete?   The planned place for rowing and canoe competitions of Olympics 2020 is in Miyage Prefecture, according to the four parties assigned for the upcoming event. These parties will make a final plan for the venue. Miyagi Naganuma has an advantage since the costs of construction will cut down to ¥15 billion from ¥20 billion. It can also become a symbol of restoration from the Great East Japan Earthquake. But there are possibilities that the plan will split the Olympic Village and this made the…
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Intermediate

University officials say undocumented students studying abroad should go home

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you want to study abroad? Why? What do you think about immigrants studying in your country? What do you think about this quote by Aldous Huxley?: “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries”.   Colleges in the United States are asking undocumented immigrant students studying abroad to return home before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. As part of Trump’s campaign to deport 2 to 3 million undocumented immigrants, he may be able to cancel the Obama Administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which gives young, undocumented immigrants temporary protection against deportation. California State University advised its 23…
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Intermediate

The 90th annual Macy’s thanksgiving day parade

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: What is your idea about Thanksgiving Day? Have you ever watched Thanksgiving Day parade? What are some Thanksgiving traditions that you know?   Thousands of people waited last Thursday, November 24, 2016 for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Iconic inflatable balloons floated and marched their way through New York City. Charlie Brown led the balloons as the parade kicked off at 9:00 am. Costumed characters and dozens of celebrities, including singer Tony Bennett and Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez, were among the guests. However, an English Islamic State group magazine called the parade an excellent target, yet more than 3,000 officers walked among the crowds on that…
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Intermediate

Pastry Kitchen in Beijing boost hopes to PWD

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: How many are you in your family? Do you like bread and pastries? Do you have an orphanage in your area?   Beijing, China – A charity bakery named Bread of Life is giving hopes to persons with disabilities. They are hiring and training people to be creative and productive in the bakery. Established by an American couple, Keith and Cheryl Wyse last 2008, the pair was motivated to build the said bakery to help persons with disabilities. Although China’s economy is rising, experts say that they are lacking in this aspect. A number of parents are not capable of raising their children due to lack of…
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Intermediate