Dying Woman Seeks Home For Dogs

This is What’s Trending Today: Wednesday was National Puppy Day. Lots of people used social media to post adorable photos of their furry companions.   Americans definitely love their dogs. But what happens when dogs outlive their owners? That is going to happen to Kathleen Zuidema, a dog-lover from the U.S. state of Washington. Zuidema has lung cancer and does not expect to live much longer. She has three dogs, Australian shepherds. Zuidema is making plans for the end of her life, and she wrote this post on Facebook in March: “My heart is breaking and I'm sobbing as I write this …” Zuidema said she needs someone to take all three dogs, and not break them up. The new owner must have a large yard for the dogs to run, jump and play. The yard must have a fence so the dogs are safe and cannot get loose. But Zuidema lives on a small island in the cold waters off the coast of Washington state. There are few people on San Juan Island who would be able to take in three full-grown dogs together. For about three weeks, Zuidema’s post was passed from person to person. It was shared more than 30,000 times. Neighbors being neighbors, another islander, Danielle Cochran, walked over to Zuidema’s home and asked if she could help. She did not know Zuidema, but she knew her dogs from seeing them around town. Zuidema’s last wishes will not go unanswered. A local television station says Cochran and her husband will take the two younger dogs soon. But the third, and oldest, will stay at her side on her deathbed until Zuidema dies. "I got everything I wanted ... except for the dying part," Zuidema says. And That’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Kathleen Struck.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Would you volunteer to care for the pet of a dying friend? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   yard – n. an outdoor area that is next to a house and is usually covered by grass adorable – adj. very appealing or attractive  

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Muslims Push Back Against Islamophobia

  Some members of the Muslim community in the United States are speaking out against what they believe is an unfair fear of their religion. They say the fear of Islam, what is often called Islamaphobia, is a growing problem. But, some members of the U.S. Muslim community also are taking action. Saif Mazhar was born in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He now works and prays on Chicago’s northwest side at the Muslim Community Center. He told VOA that he does not always feel accepted in the community. “I guess people look at me differently,” Mazhar said. Like if I was to go to like a store or restaurant, I kind of sometimes put my head down a little bit, so people don’t look at me in like, a terroristic way, or ‘he looks like a terrorist.’” Two-hundred-seventy kilometers south of Chicago is the city of Peoria, Illinois. Muslims are in the minority in Peoria. Over 43 percent of the population of Peoria is Christian. However, over 10 percent of those in the Central Illinois city are Muslims.  Imam Kamal Mufti is concerned about feelings against Muslims. He is a scholar and religious leader at the Islamic Foundation of Peoria. Mufti said: “The comments [made to Muslims are] like ‘all Muslims are terrorists,’ or that Muslims celebrate 9/11,” which is September 11 – the day of a number of terrorist attacks in the United States - in 2001. Mufti made a number of observations on religious relations to VOA. He said the hardest speech to listen to happens between Christian and Muslim children. He added that anti-Muslim speech reaches its highest point during election season. Anti-Islamic rhetoric began this political season when presidential candidate Donald Trump called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States. Trump also said he would consider closing some U.S. mosques. “I don’t think a lot of people understand what that [anti-Muslim] rhetoric does to children, does to grownups, to women who choose to wear the headscarf and dress in more apparent religious garb,” Mufti said. But Mufti says he wants to change people’s minds. Earlier this month, he opened the doors of his Islamic Center for an event including different religions. The speakers’ messages dealt with tolerance, peace and respect. The service produced a large crowd, which filled the center. Most attending were non-Muslims. “Mosques are not unwelcome places; they are not closed places,” said Mufti. What essentially Muslims do in mosques is pray, play, socialize and have fun.” Muslims are about one percent of the U.S. population. Throughout the world, however, the religion is growing. The Pew Research Center predicts that Muslims could equal the number of Christians worldwide by 2050. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   Kane Farabaugh wrote this story for VOA News. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   suburbs – n. towns or other areas where people live in houses near a larger city minority – n. a group of people who are different from the larger group in a country or area scholar – n. a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it rhetoric – n. language or speech that is intended to influence people and that may not be honest or reasonable mosque – n. a building that is used for Muslim religious services headscarf – n. a piece of cloth worn over a woman's or girl's head garb – n. clothing

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Using the Passive Voice

  This Everyday Grammar is all about the passive voice. The passive is a verb form in which the subject receives the action of the verb. For example, "I was born on a Saturday." Most sentences in English follow the subject-verb-object pattern known as the active voice. For example, "I love you." In this example the subject is "I," the verb is "love" and the object is "you." The subject performs the action of the verb. But sometimes the subject is acted upon, or receives the action of the verb. This is called the passive voice. Imagine that someone stole your wallet, but you do not know who did it. You could say, "My wallet was stolen." In this passive sentence, "my wallet" is the subject, "was stolen" is the verb. There is no direct object -- the wallet did not steal itself. The speaker does not know who stole the wallet. To form the passive, use a form of the verb "be" followed by a past participle verb form. You can form the passive in several verb tenses, but the simple present and simple past are the most common. Only transitive verbs can be passive. Intransitive verbs, or verbs that cannot take a direct object, cannot be passive. You cannot say "I was arrived by train" because the intransitive verb arrive cannot be followed by an object. Most of the time, users should avoid the passive voice. The passive voice can make the speaker or writer seem indirect and weak. Which would you rather hear: "I love you" (active voice) or "You are loved by me" (passive voice)?  But there are several situations when you should use the passive. The most common reason to use the passive is when the actor is unknown or unimportant. For example, "My visa was processed," and "My shoes were made in India" and "The car was imported from Germany." In these examples, it is not necessary to know exactly who performed the action. Sometimes speakers use the passive even when they know the person who did the action. In this case, use the word by followed by the actor. For example, "Great Expectations was written by Charles Dickens." You could also use the active voice: "Charles Dickens wrote Great Expectations." Both are correct. The passive voice emphasizes the book; the active voice emphasizes the writer. In informal speech, the verb "be" can be replaced with the verb "get." For example, instead of saying "I was hit by a car," you can say, "I got hit by a car." Listen to this famous song by the Eurythmics. You will hear two active and two passive sentences. Some of them want to use you Some of them want to get used by you Some of them want to abuse you Some of them want to be abused Notice how singer Annie Lennox used the passive with both "get" and "be."  Another reason to use the passive is to avoid naming the person who performed an action. This is common in politics and law. At times, powerful people want to admit to a mistake without blaming specific people. In this case, they often use the passive phrase "mistakes were made." Listen to a TV interview with President Obama. A reporter asked the president about a report of abuses by the Central Intelligence Agency. Here is how President Obama replied: "Any fair-minded person looking at this would say that some terrible mistakes were made." And here is President George W. Bush using the same phrase. A reporter asked him about the firing of some prosecutors. "And he's right, mistakes were made. And I’m frankly not happy about them." You might hear the passive voice in a courtroom. For legal reasons, sometimes lawyers have to use the passive voice to avoid directly blaming a suspect for a crime. Listen to this courtroom dialog from a popular TV drama The Good Wife. A prosecutor is accusing a person of killing a man named Wagner. Prosecutor: And how did he kill Wagner? Defense attorney: Objection! Prosecutor: Withdrawn. How was Wagner killed? Did you notice how the prosecutor switched his question from the active to the passive voice? Listen one more time. Prosecutor: And how did he kill Wagner? Defense attorney: Objection! Prosecutor: Withdrawn. How was Wagner killed? At the beginning of the clip, the prosecutor asked, "How did he kill Wagner?" The defense attorney objected to the question. The prosecutor rephrased the question in the passive voice to avoid blaming the suspect. He asked, "How was Wagner killed?" Overusing the passive voice is major problem in student writing, even for native speakers. Try to keep your passive sentences under 10 percent of your total. Try converting some of your long sentences into simple subject-verb-object sentences. There is much more to learn about the passive, including the stative passive and participle adjectives. We'll address those topics in a future episode of Everyday Grammar. Until then, sweet dreams! Sweet dreams are made of this Who would admire to disagree? I’ve traveled the world and the seven seas Everybody's looking for something… I'm Jonathan Evans. And I’m Ashley Thompson. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   active – gramm. of a verb or voice: showing that the subject of a sentence is acted on or affected by the verb passive – gramm. of a verb: expressing action rather than describing the state of something transitive – gramm. of a verb: having or taking a direct object intransitive – gramm. of a verb: not taking or having a direct object actor - gramm. person or entity performing the action of a verb Now it’s your turn. In the space below, write an example of sentence that should use the passive. ​

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English @ the Movies: 'Waste Of Time'

"Youth" is a movie not about the young, but about getting old. Our English @ the Movies phrase from this funny movie is "waste of time." Listen and find out what it means.

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News Words: Exonerated

This week's news word is about a man who was in jail and on death row for more than 12 years. Find out what it means to be exonerated.

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March 23, 2016

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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Apple Announces the Return of a Smaller iPhone

The technology company Apple announced a new, smaller sized iPhone on Monday at a press event in Cupertino, California. iPhone SE Apple head Tim Cook said customers had asked that the company continue making four-inch products. He said the new iPhone SE, satisfies that demand. It is the same size as the iPhone 5 and 5s. But, the SE includes the better hardware of the most recent iPhone, the 6s. And, Apple is offering the iPhone SE  for a lower price. An iPhone SE with 16 GB of storage will cost around $400.  One with 64 GB will be about $100 more. The iPhone SE shares the same design and materials as the 5 and 5s. However, the new model adds a color choice: rose gold. iPad Pro Last fall Apple introduced the iPad Pro, its largest iPad ever. At 12.9 inches, or 32.766 cm, the iPad Pro screen is as big as that of some laptop computers. At the event on Monday, Apple announced a smaller version of the iPad Pro, with a screen measuring 9.7 inches, or 24.638 cm. That is the size of the original iPad screen. The iPad Pro is designed for possible use as a laptop computer. The device has powerful hardware and storage capacity up to 256 GB. This iPad Pro works with Apple’s stylus, called the Pencil. It also works with the so-called Smart Keyboard, which also serves as a cover. The screen of the iPad Pro has been improved to make it easier to read in bright light, such as sunlight. The cameras are also more powerful, both front and back, to take better photos. The iPad Pro will cost between $579 and a little over $1000. iOS 9.3 iOS, the operating system for the iPhone and iPad, received an update this week to version 9.3. New features include the ability to protect Notes using a password or your fingerprint. Apple also introduced Night Shift, a mode that changes the brightness of the screen based on the time of day and location of the device. Night Shift reduces the amount of blue light that the screen displays at night, as blue light has been shown to interfere with sleep. Apple Watch News Apple is making getting an Apple Watch a bit easier by cutting the price. The price of the least expensive Watch has been reduced by about $50 to $299. Apple TV The latest model of Apple TV also got an update. Now, it includes folders to organize apps, such as entertainment, games and news. And, Apple’s voice assistant Siri can search for a movie or enter passwords. The Environment The company also reported on its sustainability efforts to use 100% renewable energy at all of its facilities. Currently, Apple says it uses renewable energy at 93% of its facilities. Other Apple News There was a major twist in the fight between Apple and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI had sought legal action to force Apple to help unlock an iPhone. Investigators were seeking information connected to the deadly terror attack in San Bernardino late last year. This week, the FBI told a court investigators might not need Apple’s help anymore. The agency said it thinks it has found another way to access the phone. I’m Mario Ritter.   Carolyn Mohr wrote this report for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Are you excited about Apple's announcements this week? Were you surprised by any of the updated products? Was there anything you wish Apple had announced this week? Let us know in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   hardware –n. physical electronics in a computing device; computer equipment stylus –n. a pointed piece of metal used like a pencil or pen operating system –n. the software that manages both hardware and other software programs in a computer system sustainability –n. the ability to continue a behavior or activity into the future renewable –n. something that is not used up, but continues to be available

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Washington's Cherry Blossoms Signal the Start of Spring

The West Potomac Park in Washington, DC, lies just west of the National Mall. It is home to some of Washington's most iconic sites, like the Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the Tidal Basin. But, the park’s most famous attraction? Cherry blossoms. Thousands of cherry trees bloom around the waters of the Tidal Basin, which reflect the trees’ images. The basin was created in the late 1800s to prevent the Potomac River from flooding. These pink and white flowers serve as a symbol of international friendship. The original cherry trees were a gift from Japan. On March 26, 1912, more than 3,000 cherry trees arrived in Washington. Most were planted around the Tidal Basin. But cherry trees were also planted near the Washington Monument and the White House. Mike Litterst is a spokesperson for the U.S. National Park Service. The park service maintains West Potomac Park, and helps protect the cherry trees. “It’s this wonderful gift that’s over 100 years old now that, if you will, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. The 1912 gift from the people of Japan has grown to this 3,800 trees.” The cherry blossoms also serve as a symbol of the beginning of springtime. The trees burst with colors of soft pink and white. “The blossoming of the cherry blossoms every spring is sort of the great springtime celebration, not only in the District of Columbia but throughout the United States." Every year, Washington celebrates the arrival of spring with a two-week Cherry Blossom Festival. More than 1.5 million people from around the world visit the nation’s capital during the festival. They all hope to see the cherry trees at their “peak bloom.” Park officials define "peak bloom" as the period when 70 percent of Washington’s most common cherry tree variety -- the Yoshino trees -- are blooming. Yoshino cherry trees are one of 12 types of cherry trees in Washington. Peak bloom lasts several days each year. Experts begin making peak bloom predictions in February. Visitors make their travel plans to Washington based on these predictions. Some years, the early guesses are correct. Last year, officials correctly predicted the peak bloom six weeks in advance. But this year, unpredictable weather in March in Washington has made guessing the “peak bloom” difficult. “Peak bloom” dates have changed many times. “We use a combination of natural indicators - we look at the trees, what are the trees telling us - we look at the historic record, but primarily what we are looking at is the forecast temperatures as we go from February and into March. This year the forecasts were sort of all over the place, which caused us to change considerably.” Carl Feasley and his family visited the Tidal Basin one day before the 2016 peak bloom was set to begin on March 23. It was his first time to see the cherry blossoms. “We’re coming from Buffalo, New York, where it’s been winter for, even a mild winter this year, but winter for the past 5 months or so, or so it seems. It’s just nice to be out in the sunshine and see evidence of spring all over.” Virginia Walsh is a Washington, DC local. She said she comes down to the Tidal Basin several times every spring to enjoy the cherry blossoms. “I always try to come early, the peak, and then a couple days later. It’s normally three times a year. I just love this place.” The cherry blossoms may signal the start of spring in Washington. But they have also become a worldwide symbol of Washington itself. Bo Wen moved to Washington from China seven years ago. He comes to the Tidal Basin every year during the Cherry Blossom Festival. “It’s famous. Everywhere you can see like Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival, on like Twitter and Instagram. In the world everywhere, people just know that.”   I'm Ashley Thompson.  _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   festival - n. a special time or event when people gather to celebrate something peak - adj.  at the highest point or level​ bloom - n. a time period in which a plant has many open flowers unpredictable - adj. not capable of being known before happening  indicator - n. a sign that shows the condition or existence of something all over the place (idiomatic) - not well organized or carefully considered considerably - adv. by a large amount or to a large extent; greatly.

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American Ballet Dancer at Bolshoi

Many young Americans dream of becoming a dancer for a prestigious ballet school. That dream is now a reality for 15-year- old Harper Ortlieb. Harper Ortlieb left her small town in Oregon to move to Moscow. She is following her dream of becoming a prima ballerina. She was accepted for study at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. There are 721 students in the academy and only 84 of them are foreigners. Harper is younger than most. She is also among the few to be integrated into the regular Russian program. Tatyana Galtseva is a teacher at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. She says Harper is very gifted. "She is very gifted,” said Galtseva . “She is all ballet, all inspiration.” The Bolshoi took notice of Harper when she took part in  a Bolshoi summer program held in Connecticut. The Bolshoi then offered her a place in its Moscow school. Harper says she feels accepted by her classmates and teachers.  But, she says the experience has been harder than she expected. "It's been very difficult, but with that comes strength and with that I improve,'' she said. "I feel like I came here to get better, to improve, not only technically but emotionally so when I dance people see something." Layne Baumann and Tim Ortlieb are Harper’s parents. In September, they left their only child in Moscow. In February, Harper’s mother decided to move to the Russian capital for at least the rest of the school year. She lives about two blocks from the ballet school.   Seventeen Americans study at the Bolshoi Academy. There are 28 students from Japan. The other foreign students represent 22 different countries.   Harper’s teacher believes the student has what it takes to be a classical ballerina. She says, "She is extraordinarily attentive. She is always smiling. Such a sweet, wonderful girl.'' Harper hopes to become one of the rare foreigners to receive a diploma from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. She has three difficult years ahead to reach her goal.    I’m Dorry Gundy.   Associated Press reported on this story. Marsha James adapted this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   prestigious – adj. having high status prima ballerina – n. the main female dancer in a ballet company academy – n. a school that provides training in special subjects or skills integrated – adj. allowing all types of people to participate or be included inspiration – n. something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create classical – adj. of a kind that has been respected for a long time We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ​

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Critics Slam Batman vs. Superman Movie

This is What’s Trending Today: “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” is a movie a lot of people are excited about. You have Superman. You have Batman. Even Wonder Woman is in the movie. Actor Ben Affleck plays Batman. Since the Batman movie series started in 1989, movies with Batman have sold almost $2 billion of tickets in the U.S. That is according to the website Box Office Mojo. The same site says since 1978, the six Superman movies have sold over $800 million in tickets. So, the thinking goes, putting the two characters together, should result in a big movie. But what happens if critics do not like it? We will find out on Thursday night, when the film comes out in the U.S. Some early showings have produced disappointing reviews. Some critics say the two-and-a-half-hour film is too long. One critic from the magazine Us Weekly calls it “151 minutes of gloom and doom.” Another critic, Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune, says, “humankind deserves a better blockbuster.” The headline of his article is “Yawn of Justice.” That is a play on words based on the movie’s title, “Dawn of Justice.” Phillips writes about a scene with the famous Batmobile car, and calls it “empty noise,” with “absolutely no rhythm.” Other reviewers say the film is “too serious.” But not every reviewer hates the film. Scott Mendelson of Forbes says it is “one of the most visually beautiful comic book movies you have ever seen.” Will the negative reviews hurt the movie’s profits? Will it keep fans away? So far it looks like lots of fans ignored the reviews and purchased tickets in advance. The website The Wrap says 90 percent of the tickets sold for this weekend by a service called Fandango are for the movie. Earlier this week, Deadline reported the film will sell $350 million of tickets worldwide this weekend. If that happens, it will be one of the largest openings ever. And That’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. Are you planning to see the Batman vs. Superman movie? If you go, add your review in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   gloom – n. darkness or a feeling of sadness doom – n. very bad events or situations that cannot be avoided blockbuster – n. something that is very large, expensive, or successful rhythm – n. a regular, repeated pattern of sounds or movements dawn – n. the beginning of something; sunrise yawn – n. used to describe something that is not exciting play on words – n. the act of making a pun slam – v. to criticize harshly

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Cherry Blossoms Signal Start of Spring

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