Scientists Discover Sharks’ “Friendly” Behavior

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. solitary (adj.) – having the desire to live alone

Example: The sharks are thought to be solitary because they hunt food alone.

2. predator (n.) – an animal that kills other animals for food

Example: Sharks are predators of smaller fishes.

3. associate (v.) – to be with a person or a group

Example: Social animals associate with others of their same kind.
 

4. factor (n.) – something that contributes to a result

Example: Sharks’ violent behavior is one of the factors why people are scared of them.

5. aggression (n.) – angry or violent behavior

Example: Hurting animals may lead them to aggression.

Article
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Deadly and solitary—these are qualities that usually describe sharks. But a discovery by researchers from the Center for Island Research and Environmental Study (CNRS-EPHE) may prove that sharks are friendlier than most people think. A team of researchers, led by Johann Mourier, went to seven different dive sites in Moorea Island, French Polynesia to observe and take pictures of sharks. The study found that even the famous predator forms communities within its own species. Researchers learned sharks such as grey reef sharks and scalloped hammerheads collect into groups. On the other hand, Mourier said, species like black tip reef shark associate more with other sharks of the same length and sex within their communities. In an earlier study, Mourier already learned that a shark’s length determines its age. An adult 7-year-old blacktip reef shark, for example, measures about 3.6 feet long. Now, researchers are looking at age as an important factor for shark relationships. The scientists suggest that sharks form communities to prevent aggression toward one another. These sharks also have the advantage of teamwork when hunting food. Moreover, Mourier explained, knowing other sharks would help a shark become more familiar with its environment. Mourier and his team have taken DNA samples from 70% of the observed sharks, and are currently studying if sharks also group with their relatives. Scientists say sharks have large brains for their bodies, and it may be the reason why they are capable of complex social behavior. But such studies on shark relationships have been few, because of the difficulty in following sharks in open sea.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         How can the study of shark behavior be beneficial?

·         Should studies on animals continue even at the risk of harming them?

Discussion B

·         If you could study the behavior of one of the deadliest animals (i.e., snakes, sharks, lions, etc.) which animal and why?

·         How can people overcome their fears of some animals?

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US Spends More Than $50 Billion Yearly on Pets

Unlocking Word Meanings 
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.


1. splurge (v.) – to spend a large amount of money

Example: The woman splurged on clothes, shoes and jewelry after receiving her salary.

2. veterinary (adj.) – pertaining to the medical care and treatment of animals

Example: I brought my sick dog to the veterinary clinic.

3. grooming (n.) – taking care of one’s appearance

Example: Models keep their hair and nails healthy by regular grooming.

4. insurance (n.) – a form of financial protection in which a company pays for damage caused by death or accident

Example: Company employees are provided with insurance for work-related emergencies or accidents.

5. bionic (adj.) – (informal use) having extraordinary strength; not easily damaged

Example:  Bionic toys can be used for strong dogs.

Article
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According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Americans have been splurging on pets more than ever before. Over $50 billion was spent on pets in 2011, with 65% of the total pet expenses spent on food and veterinary services. But pet services such as grooming, boarding, pet hotels, and pet-sitting have grown the fastest among this type of businesses. Clients’ expenses on pet services have reached $3.79 billion last year. According to APPA president Bob Vetere, spending on pet services will increase up to $4.11 billion in 2012. He says services like these have become popular because people are often busy with work. Jessica Vogelsang, a veterinarian in San Diego, says people are becoming more interested in pets. Many pet owners are also making sure their pets get the proper care. As a result, the pet industry has taken this opportunity to provide for owners’ specific needs. Meanwhile, pet insurance is proving to be another successful industry, with customer spending up to an estimated $450 million. Apart from pet services, new pet products are showing more variety and creativity. The pet market is seeing a rise in puzzle feeders, which boost the mental ability of pets. For dogs that like to chew, bionic toys are also available.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         Why do you think some people like to have pets?

·         What are the advantages and disadvantages of having pets?

Discussion B

·         What do you think motivates pet owners to splurge on pet care?

·         Do you find it reasonable to spend large amounts of money on pets? Why or why not?

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India Will Not Censor Social Media Websites

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. guideline (n.) – set of  instructions or principles that guide a certain action

Example:  Guidelinesshould be considered to keep the contest fair.

2. block (v.) – to stop or prevent one to enter a certain area

Example: Security guards block the bank vaults for safety.

3. comply (v.) – to obey one’s rules or commands

Example: Passengers need to comply with rules to prevent accidents.

4. feasible (adj.) – can be done or capable of being accomplished

Example: With enough budget, the new project is very feasible.

  

5. contradict (v.) – to say or do the opposite

Example: Unfair rules contradict a person’s freedom.

Article
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India’s Information Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal, said the government will not block social media websites in India. However, he believes Internet firms must still follow the country’s media laws. Last year, the Indian government introduced new guidelines, which make Internet companies responsible for the content of their sites. According to Sibal, the rules would make sure offensive materials are not posted on the Internet. But some people fear the guidelines will lead to full blocking of sites and free speech. In January, the Delhi High Court required Internet firms such as Facebook and Google India to check and remove offensive materials, especially those that offend religious groups, from their websites. The court said these firms must comply, or else they would have the sites blocked, like what was done in China.  The two web companies are part of 21 Internet firms accused of allowing materials that may cause “public unrest” to be posted on their websites. Sibal, however, stresses the government is not involved in such court cases, and that the cases are between the Internet companies and individual citizens. He says the government is only concerned that websites follow the same laws as other print and electronic media. Meanwhile, Google and Facebook said they have complied with court orders by removing inappropriate content. But with billions of uploads from people around the world, Internet companies say it is not feasible to check every post or prevent people from uploading materials.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Do you agree with government censorship of websites?

·         What ways can be done to make sure bad information does not spread online?

Discussion B

·         How important is freedom of speech?

·         What should be the limits of this freedom?

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Longest Organ Donation Chain Links 60 People

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. donor (n.) – a person who gives something important in order to help others

Example:  Donors gave money to help children.

2. incompatible (adj.) –  cannot go together; not matched

Example:   Two people who have different ideas may be incompatible.

3. recipient (n.) – a person or a thing that receives

Example: Donations were given to the rightful recipient.

4. diagnose (v.) – to find a problem in someone or something

Example: Experts diagnosed what is causing the patient to be sick.

5. transplant (v.) – in medical surgery, to transfer one part of the body to another person

Example:  The man gave away his kidney to be transplanted to someone who needs it.

Article
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In the US, a total of 30 patients received kidneys from 30 living donors, setting the world record for the longest chain of organ donations. People in the chain wanted to give a kidney to a family member or friend, but were medically incompatible with the patient, so they donated to someone else instead. The family of the patient who received the kidney then donated a kidney to another patient. The process took four months to complete, and involved 44 hospitals across 11 states. Rick Ruzzamenti started the chain when he decided to donate his kidney to a stranger. The recipient's family then donated a kidney to someone else. The chain continued until the kidney of the last donor was given to a man named Don Terry. Thanks to the chain, Don Terry no longer had to wait up to 10 years in the organ donation waiting list. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and was at risk of dying from kidney failure. Terry was not able to continue the chain, however, as his only brother is dead, and his parents are already elderly. Out of the 400,000 Americans undergoing treatment for kidney disease, 4,500 die each year while waiting for a kidney. Doctors say an organ donation chain is the best and fastest way for patients with incompatible donors to have transplants. As for Ruzzamenti, he says helping friends and family is easy, but, if people would show such kindness to strangers, all world problems could be solved.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

●      If you can donate one part of your body to another person, what would it be? Why is that so?

●      How can doctors encourage people to donate body parts?

Discussion B

●      Would donation chains work successfully in your country? Please explain further.

●      What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of organ donation?

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Copy of the Mona Lisa Reveals Secrets

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. evidence (n.) – data or information that proves something is true

Example:  Experts found evidence that Mona Lisa is a real person.

2. apprentice (n.) – a person who works or trains with a skilled person in order to learn

Example:  Da Vinci’s apprentice learned Da Vinci’s painting style well.

3. meticulous (adj.) – being very careful in doing a certain task

Example: Painting requires one to be meticulous in order to get the right colors.

4. restoration (n.) – the act of making something new or look new

Example: Restorationof the old school building may attract more students.

5. detrimental (adj.) – harmful; describes something that can cause damage

Example: Wrong use of chemicals is detrimental to the restoration of old paintings.

Article
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Art experts say that a copy of Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, reveals new information about the artist’s most famous painting. The copy of the Mona Lisa, displayed in The Prado Museum in Madrid, is one of many 16th and 17th century copies of Da Vinci’s work. But new evidence shows that this painting may have been painted at the same time as Da Vinci’s original, and not after Da Vinci’s death. It is believed that Da Vinci’s apprentice copied his master's strokes as the Mona Lisa was being painted. Pieces of evidence were presented by experts after a meticulous restoration process on the copy. Its background was covered by layers of black paint and varnish, but taking out these layers revealed a detailed Tuscan landscape and a youthful Mona Lisa. Experts now think that the real Mona Lisa was in her 20’s, much younger than the one seen on the original painting. These kinds of details are hard to see on the original Mona Lisa, because a thick layer of old, cracked varnish covers the artwork. Fortunately, Prado’s copy can now help experts study Da Vinci’s work without having to do any restoration on the original, which could be detrimental to the very delicate painting. The copy still needs more restoration, but once finished, it will be sent to the Louvre to be displayed beside the original Mona Lisa.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         How important is art in society?

·         Should the government invest its money in art? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         What do you think makes a piece of art work great?

·         If you were a painter, what would you likely paint? Why is that so?

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Vladimir Putin Wins Russian Presidential Elections

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. landslide victory (idiom) – to win by a large number, usually in an election

Example: He had a landslide victory with 85% of the votes.

2. opposition (n.)  – a person or group against whom one competes

Example: We need to defeat the opposition in order to win the game.

3. poll (n.) – an activity in which people make a vote

Example:  People gathered in poll stations to vote.

4. fraudulent (adj.) – not honest or truthful

Example: Fraudulentbusinesses are punished by the law.

5. protest (n.) – an expression of one’s disagreement or complaint

Example: A public protest started after the price of oil increased.

Article
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Vladimir Putin, Russia’s former Prime Minister, won a landslide victory in the recent presidential elections. But opposition parties say Putin did not win fairly. According to poll results, Putin received more than 60% of total votes, while his closest rival, Gennady Zyuganov, got 17%. The other 3 presidential candidates, on the other hand, only got one-digit percentages. Putin’s camp, along with tens of thousands of his supporters, celebrated victory outside the Kremlin earlier this month. In an emotional speech, Putin thanked the crowd and told supporters that this year’s election was clean and honest. However, opposition parties claim the election was fraudulent. Despite the strict security in poll stations, reports say  Putin’s party used “carousel voting,” wherein  voters were brought by buses to different poll stations and made to vote several times. The reports have led to mass protests in Moscow. Public anger has also increased due to reports of fraudulent parliament elections in December 2011, in which most winners came from Putin’s political party. Many are also angry at Putin’s long stay in power. Putin was president of Russia for two terms from 2000 to 2008, and was prime minister from 2008 to 2012. Now, he is preparing to serve as president for the third time. According to Zyuganov, Putin may not be able to rule like before because of the people’s growing distrust.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         What qualities do you look for in a leader?

·         Would you vote for a leader like Putin who has been in his position for a very long time?

Discussion B

·         Is the election system a good way of choosing leaders? Why or why not?

·         What can be done to keep elections fair?

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