Intermediate

E.U. fines three banks $520 million

2017年3月27日

Business - I

Pre-reading questions: When you were a child, did you dream of having your own business? What do you think makes business exciting or interesting? Do you think it is difficult to be a bank manager? Discuss. Three international banks were fined by European Union officials for maneuvering the price of financial products. The banks were said to have been involved in a cartel from 2005 to 2008. Authorities found that the banks used various instant messaging services to share information on their trading and pricing strategies. E.U. penalized the banks totaling to $520 million, with JPMorgan Chase worth 337 million euros, France’s Credit Agricole with 114 million euros and London-based HSBC…
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Intermediate

Blueberry juice helps improve brain function

2017年3月22日

Health - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: Do you like to drink juice every day? What is the difference if you drink juice in the morning rather than coffee? A new research reports that concentrated blueberry juice can improve the brain functions in older people. As we grow older, our brain functions slowly decrease. Many people already know the benefits of the dark blue “super fruit” blueberries, and it’s no surprise at all to discover more of its healthy effects. Researchers have examined 26 people aged 66 to 75. Within 12 weeks of consuming at least 30ml of concentrated blueberry juice per day, there are amazing results in their brain function, monitored by an MRI…
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Intermediate

People keep their smartphones longer

2017年3月21日

technology

Pre-reading questions: How often do you change your smartphone? Why? What smartphone brand do you like the most? Why? A 2016 report was released by Kantar Worldpanel. It shows that Americans and Europeans hold onto their phones longer. Before upgrading to a new phone, people in America hold onto their phones for an average of 22.7 months while Europeans do for 21.6 months. It is an entirely different situation in China. The Chinese change their phones faster for an average of 20.2 months. Smartphone markets in China change constantly. There are also cheaper phones available from companies like Oppo and Vivo, which are very popular in the country. Vocabulary: release…
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Intermediate

Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president

2017年3月20日

World News - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: How is the inauguration ceremony for the newly elected leader of your country held? How do you think President Donald Trump’s presidency will affect the rest of the world? Last January 20, President-elect Donald Trump took his oath of office and was confirmed as the 45th president of United States of America. It was held at the United States Capitol Building. The administrator of the oath-taking ceremony was Chief Justice John Roberts of the US Supreme Court. In his inaugural speech, President Donald Trump vowed to make America great again. President Obama was present during the inauguration ceremony. President Trump went to the customary Congressional luncheon and partook…
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Intermediate

Japanese public deeply skeptical over its corporate leaders

2017年3月20日

Business - I

Pre-reading questions: What do you think CEOs or corporate leaders do? How frequent do you see your boss at work? Have you experience doubting your corporate leader? Edelman, a PR Firm from the US, reveals a survey about the public’s trust in corporate leaders. Among the 28 countries covered, Japan ranked last, revealing only 18% in the Trust Barometer survey. People in industrialized countries are more doubtful with their CEOs since greater economy usually leads to manpower reduction. Edelman Japan noted that the Japanese society are in doubt because they usually have low chances of seeing what a corporate leader thinks or does. CEOs like Carlos Ghosn of Nissan Motor…
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Intermediate

Sony’s Lifelog app offers new features

2017年3月17日

technology

Pre-reading questions: What is your most preferred form of exercise? How do you monitor your food intake? Sony’s Lifelog fitness tracking app has been updated with additional features. The app can now evaluate your food based on a photo you take of it. It can give a thorough feedback of the food and also provide calorie count. The app is currently available for download via Google Play. The app uses Sony Mobile’s Meal Image Analysis software. Based on the past charts recorded by the app, it will also offer nutritional suggestions according to your diet. The app can be used on smartphones and Sony’s SmartWatch 3. The certainity of the…
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Intermediate

Free Wi-Fi on Mount Everest

2017年3月16日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: What for you is the most adventurous sport? Why? Have you tried mountain climbing? Do you think wi-fi is essential when climbing mountains? Why or why not?   Free wi-fi zones are set to offer at the base camps of Mount Everest. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) reported that the innovative stride is being taken to help encourage communication and help protect rescuers. At a height of 5360 meters, this will make it the most astounding area where free Wi-Fi is accessible. There will be wi-fi trials that will be mounted in both the Lukla-Everest Base Camp range and the Annapurna Base Camp. Situated in Nepal, the…
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Intermediate

The world’s richest race

2017年3月16日

Sports - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: Would you rather watch a car race, motorcycle race or horse race? Explain your answer. Do you think horse racing is a sport? Discuss. Arrogate bagged the most expensive prize in thoroughbred racing last Saturday at the Pegasus World Cup in Florida. He won against the equally famous California Chrome. According to jockey Mike Smith, Arrogate ran so well that day that they secured the $7 million prize. Shaman Ghost and Neolithic finished second and third respectively. Unfortunately for Victor Espinoza and California Chrome, they finished ninth. A close fight was expected between Arrogate and California Chrome following their grand match last November 2016. Pegasus World Cup’s is now…
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Intermediate

Morning coffee might slow down aging

2017年3月15日

Health - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: What do you usually drink first thing in the morning? Do you like drinking hot coffee, or do you like it iced?   A study published in Nature Medicine shows that coffee is actually good for our health. Older people who consume more than 5 cups of coffee per day have remarkably low levels of irritation. The more caffeine is consumed, the more a person becomes guarded from infections. Researchers analyzed 100 blood samples from young and old people. Older people tended to have more activity in the inflammatory gene. Caffeine suppresses this and shuts off the inflammatory pathway. Further research is needed to determine when the…
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Intermediate

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