How America Elects: General Election Day

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High Demand from Investors for Special US Visas

The number of people from other countries -- especially China -- who want to invest in the United States in exchange for a permanent resident visa reached its highest level in 2015. The program is known as EB-5 or Employment-Based Fifth Initiative. It was created in 1990 during the presidency of George W. Bush and supported by both major political parties. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services says the program gives permanent resident status to those who invest at least $1,000,000 in a new project “that will create or preserve at least ten full-time jobs in the United States” within about two years. The agency says a foreign citizen needs to invest just “$500,000 if the (project) is in a targeted employment area,” which includes some rural areas and areas with high joblessness. Critics of the program say much of the investment takes place in wealthy cities like Dallas, New York and Washington. The USCIS reported there were 17,691 requests for EB-5 visas in 2015. In 2013 there were 6,554 requests. Experts say the reason for the sharp increase last year is rich people were worried that the program would be cancelled. But in December, it was extended for 10 months. The USCIS told Congress that an estimated “$8.7 billion has been invested into the U.S. economy through the EB-5 program since October 1, 2012.” It estimates “35,140 jobs have been created for U.S. workers through foreign investment via the EB-5 program.” The Wall Street Journal newspaper recently reported that more than 80 percent of the EB-5 visas are given to Chinese investors. The newspaper reports many investors are given two or three visas and use them to give family members permanent resident status. Without the program, many of them would have to wait many years before they could legally enter and live in the U.S. The U.S. State Department reports some Chinese citizens who have asked for visas without taking part in the program have been waiting since 2001. Questions raised on the visa program In 2014, The Washington City Paper reported that Chinese take part in the program not to make money but to be able to educate their children in the United States. Another reason, the paper reported, “is the ability to own private property, which can be difficult in China.” The Government Accountability Office reported last year that some people who have asked for or been given an EB-5 visa might have lied about where they earned their money. The GAO report said some of the money that is invested in job-creating businesses may come from the “drug trade, human trafficking or other criminal activities.” The report said the USCIS should increase its efforts to prevent and find fraud in the program and should ask people who are applying for an EB-5 visa to give more information. It also said USCIS should study the program to see how many new jobs are created. USCIS said it agreed with the GAO recommendations. Republican Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa is a frequent critic of the program. He recently told The New York Times “it’s no secret that the program has long been riddled with corruption and national security vulnerabilities.” Last week, he led a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that investigated the reported abuse of the “targeted employment area” part of the program. Senator Dianne Feinstein is a Democrat from California. She has said “I don’t believe that America should be selling visas and eventually citizenship.” And she said “The right to immigrate should not be for sale.” Senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont, has supported the EB-5 program since it began. But he recently called for major changes.   In a statement, he said “fraud and abuse cannot be tolerated, no matter where it occurs. Even when there is no indication of fraud, the incentives that Congress created to direct EB-5 investment to underserved areas are regularly abused. Given the significant problems plaguing this program, I will continue to push for meaningful reform. Without reform, I believe the time has come for the program to end.” Carolyn Lee is an attorney and managing partner at the EB-5 group at the Miller Mayer law firm in Ithaca, New York. The firm says it has helped raise more than $3 billion in EB-5 funding for projects in at least eleven American states. It has helped investors gain more than 5,000 visas. It has been involved with the program for 20 years. She told VOA “there’s no question that the program can be improved.” She says Congress needs to watch the program more closely, and she said background investigations should be more thorough. But she disagrees with Senator Feinstein that the program sells visas and citizenship to rich people. “I don’t think it is quite fair to characterize it in that way. We confer immigration benefits based on a number of factors. The policy goal that is furthered with this program is U.S. economic growth,” she said. She says visas and citizenship are “an asset, an ideal, almost sacred. What do you want to give for this national asset?”  I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   Christopher Jones-Cruise reported this story with information from The Wall Street Journal, The Washington City Paper and The New York Times newspapers, Fortune magazine and USCIS.gov. Hai Do 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   status – n. the official position of a person or thing according to the law via – preposition by means of (a person, machine, etc.); by using (something or someone) riddle – v. to fill (something) with something that is bad or unpleasant -- usually used as “riddled with” incentive – n. something that encourages a person to do something or to work harder plague – v. to cause constant or repeated trouble, illness, etc., for (someone or something) background – n. the experiences, knowledge, education, etc., in a person’s past characterize – v. to describe the character or special qualities of (someone or something) confer – v. to give (something, such as a degree, award, title, right, etc.) to someone or something -- usually + on or upon

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‘Morality Police’ Formed in Iran

Iran has a new “morality police” unit to observe its citizens. Tehran’s police chief Hossein Sajedinia said the 7,000 officers – male and female – will make sure women follow Islamic dress codes. They will also stop dangerous driving and noise pollution, he said. Some in Iran consider popular music to be a form of noise pollution. The new police unit appears to be aimed mostly at women. It is enforcing laws that require women to cover their hair and bodies. According to the U.S. State Department, women of all religious groups in Iran are expected to follow “Islamic dress” rules in public. That includes covering their hair and wearing loose clothing that fully covers the body. Members of the “morality police” will not wear police uniforms. This allows them to watch people without showing they are part of the police. Iran’s police chief said morality officers will not take action themselves. Instead they will give information – such as license plate numbers – to regular police who will follow up on reported violations. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized the announcement, according to the BBC and Foreign Policy.com. The president promised during his election campaign to give people more freedom. Rouhani said government’s “first duty” is to “respect dignity” and allow people to express their “personalities.” The announcement also drew criticism on social media. “Big Brother is watching you,” one person wrote on Twitter. BBC reported some people created a phone app to report locations of “morality police” so women can avoid them. An app is a computer program on phones and computers that allow people to get information, music or other material. I'm Mario Ritter.   Golnaz Esfandiari reported on this story for Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   unit – n. a group that is a part of something larger dress code – n. rules for what people can wear uniforms – n. special kind of clothing that is worn by all the members of a group or organization dignity – n. the quality of being worthy of honor or respect personality – n. the set of emotional qualities, ways of behaving, that makes a person different from other people

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Kids Need More Than ‘The Basics’ to Learn

America’s top education official says many schools are spending too much time teaching the “basics” – reading, math and writing. That might seem opposite to what educators have been saying in America. But U.S. Education Secretary John King says children really need a well-rounded education that includes music and the arts. “The simple fact is every child in this country needs and deserves access to the subjects that go into being a well-rounded, well-educated person,” King says. He says that should include music, art, world languages, science and geography. Laura Bay is president of the National Parent Teacher Association, which represents parents and teachers. She agrees with King that a well-rounded education helps children learn. Bay says students are more likely to “reach their full potential” – meaning do their best -- if they have time during the school day for the arts, physical education and other subjects. King spoke about his own education when explaining why schools need to teach more than math, reading and writing. King grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His mother died when he was eight. His father died four years later. In his house, he said, things were often crazy and frightening. It was his teacher in grades four, five and six -- Mr. Osterweil -- who helped him escape his difficult life at home, King says. Each day in Mr. Osterweil’s class, students would read a newspaper. The teacher took him and his classmates to the theater, to the zoo, the ballet and famous Museum of Natural History. “Those were powerful, life-changing experiences,” King says. King went on to graduate from Harvard University. He received his law degree from Yale University. He took charge of New York State public schools from 2011-2015. The U.S. Senate approved him as Education secretary last month. He was chosen for the job by President Barack Obama. “I’m alive today, I’m doing the work that I do today because I had Mr. Osterweil during that critical period of my life,” King says. Many schools spend almost all funding on math, reading and writing because they lack money for other subjects, King says. Or they want students to do better on tests used to compare student performance. Those tests are mostly in math, reading and writing. Students need to connect their studies and things that matter to them personally, such as music, if they are to become “sophisticated thinkers,” King says. A 2013 report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, says today’s world needs people able to solve new and unusual problems. It says arts can help students find those answers. In the report, UNESCO said teaching the arts in China, South Korea and Japan is different than in many Western countries. The emphasis in those three countries “is on joyful experiences and children’s interests,” the report says. In the West, educators are more likely to connect the arts to reading, writing and math. Comparing countries is hard because they have different ways of defining success. A 2014 report by the Program for International Student Assessment tried to compare how well countries teach children how to solve problems. It found Singapore, South Korea, Japan, China, Canada, Australia and Finland with the highest scores for 15-year-olds. Singapore led the way with a score of 562 out of a possible 1,000. The average score was 500. The United States had a score of 508, one point behind Germany and the same score as Belgium. I'm Bruce Alpert.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. Tell us who your favorite teacher was and what he or she did for you. ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   basics – n. just the regular, nothing special or different deserve – v. used to say that someone should have or be given something access – n. a way of being able to use or get something potential – n. ability that someone has that can be developed to help that person become successful crazy – adj. wild and uncontrolled sophisticated – adj. having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the world and about culture, art and literature joyful – adj. full of happiness score – n. the number of points that someone gets for correct answers on a test

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Polio Virus Used to Kill Brain Tumors

Researchers are using the polio virus to fight cancer cells in the brain. A team at Duke University is using a polio virus to infect tumor cells. It sets off an immune response that lasts for several months. The tumor goes away permanently. Dr. Matthias Gromeier began clinical trials more than three years ago. So far, 12 of 20 patients with a type of brain tumor called glioblastoma have responded well to the treatment. Gromeier said these patients had no chance of survival before the treatment. He added, “If you look at them today, you would not know they were cancer patients.” This may seem like a miracle cure. But Gromeier pointed out that the approach has limits.   It causes a toxic reaction that can cause brain swelling. This causes other side effects like muscle weakness and paralysis, seizures, limb swelling and tingling, speech impairment and headaches. Still, Gromeier said, “I am optimistic that we have identified the right dose and the right way to use our virus to get an immune response strong enough to fight the tumor, but not so strong to harm the patient.” He called immunotherapy, “the most exciting and most promising development in cancer research.” He said it would one day transform the way tumors are treated. Glioblastomas, the most common and lethal of all brain cancers, affect an estimated 240,000 people around the world per year. I’m Mary Gotschall.           Maia Pujara reported on this story for VOANews.com. Mary Gotschall  adapted her report for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you have an opinion about this topic? Let us know what you think in the Comments section below, or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   polio – n. a serious disease that affects the nerves of the spine and often makes a person permanently unable to move particular muscles tumor – n. a mass of tissue found in or on the body that is made up of abnormal cells clinical – adj.  relating to or based on work done with real patients; of or relating to the medical treatment that is given to patients in hospitals glioblastoma – n. tumors that arise from the supportive tissue of the brain. They grow and spread rapidly and are usually cancerous (Source: the American Brain Tumor Association) paralysis – n. a condition in which you are unable to move or feel all or part of your body seizure – n.  an abnormal state in which you become unconscious and your body moves in an uncontrolled and violent way impairment – n. a condition in which a part of your body is damaged and does not work well headache – n. a pain in the head lethal – adj. causing or able to cause death  

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Diversity Documented on Streets of Northern Virginia

If you listen to the comments that some American presidential candidates have been making, you might believe that the United States is becoming less welcoming to people from different countries who speak different languages. But one neighborhood just outside of Washington, D.C., is celebrating its diversity. Arlington, Virginia, is home to more than 130 ethnic groups. One small community is called “the world in a zip code.” They call it that because there are so many ethnic groups, languages and customs all in just one postal code. The area is commonly known by the main road that passes through it. The road is Columbia Pike, or “The Pike” for short. The road was built in the early 1800s as the way into Washington from Virginia. Today, the Pike appeals to immigrants from all around the world. During the last 10 years, local photographers have been documenting the lives of people living in the area. Lloyd Wolf is one of those photographers. He lives near The Pike. “Columbia Pike has become more and more interesting. There are hundreds and hundreds of ethnicities, people from different countries along The Pike and living in relative harmony. This is something we thought was worth recording.” Wolf and four other photographers began taking photos of the neighborhood and its people. The other photographers are Duy Tran, Paula Endo, Xang Mimi Ho and Aleksandra Lagkueva. Together, they have created a book titled, “Living Diversity – The Columbia Pike Documentary Project.” Claudia Camacho owns a Bolivian restaurant on the Pike. She has lived in the area for 23 years. “I like it a lot. It is really hard to move out from this area. There is a lot of people from different places of the world. And you get to know different cultures, and it’s really good.” Mohammed Mohammed moved to the area 25 years ago. He runs a business selling imported goods from Ethiopia. He says "White, African-Americans, Hispanic people, Asians, Arabs, Africans combined in diversity. So we know each other, we share elements of culture and language. We are happy. So I am happy.” Wolf says he believes one reason for the community’s success is that people from different backgrounds live in the same buildings and on the same streets. “There's no one area that's all Vietnamese or all Arab or all Somalian, et cetera,” he says. “Everyone is sort of living and working amongst each other in a blend. And it's a nice blend. It works.” Wolf says people are also able to experience each other’s cultures during the many festivals each year. He says he and the other photographers made the book to share an idea of how the world should be. “I use a phrase a lot – ‘This is what peace looks like.’ People get along. This is how we should be.” I’m Dan Friedell. June Soh wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Would you want to live in a neighborhood like “The Pike?” We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   blend – n. something produced by mixing or combining different things diversity – n. the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization draw – v. to cause (someone or something) to come : to attract (someone or something) zip code – n. a group of numbers that is used in the U.S. as part of an address to identify a mail delivery area (such as a town or a part of a city)

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Everyday Grammar: Present And Future Real Conditionals

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Lesson 11: This Is My Neighborhood

  Summary Anna has many things to do. She needs to go to the library, post office, bank, and store. Marsha helps her find these places in their neighborhood. Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to thank someone for giving you help. You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about the places in your neighborhood. Pronunciation ​In this video, you ​learn to show strong feelings by saying words slower and louder. Conversation   Anna: Hello! DC is a city for walking. In our neighborhood, I can do all my errands. Marsha, before we get ice cream, I need to return three books to the library. Where is the library? Marsha: It is on this street on the corner. Anna: Awesome! Marsha: Let's go! Anna: Marsha, I can return the books here. Marsha: Anna, what are those in the books? Anna: Marsha, these are letters to my family and friends back home … four letters! Is there a post office near here? Marsha: Um, no. The post office is far from here. But there is a mailbox across from the store. Anna: Awesome! Let’s go! (At the mailbox) Anna: Marsha, now I need to buy stamps. Marsha: Do you have cash? Anna: No. Is there a bank near here? Marsha: There is a bank behind you. Anna: Thanks, Marsha. You know our neighborhood so well. Anna: Now I have cash. I can buy stamps. Marsha: That store sells stamps. Anna: Wait here. Anna: I have stamps. Marsha: Wow, you’re fast. Anna: Thank you, thank you letters, for sending my words… my love … to my family and friends -  Marsha: Do you have more cash? Anna: I do! Marsh and Anna: Ice cream!! Anna: I love my new neighborhood! Everything is near our apartment! Even hair salons*, and ice cream! Anna: Until next time! *salon - n. a business that gives customers beauty treatments (such as haircuts) Writing Where do you do errands in your neighborhood? Write to us to tell us about three places you go in your neighborhood. Send us an email or write about them in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend.       Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is ​Ask Questions. When we are learning a language, asking questions helps us practice and get new information. Here is an example. Tatiana is visiting her friend in New York. Her friend goes to work one day and gives Tatiana a map of the city. Tatiana wants to run in Central Park. She walks out of the apartment and sees a woman with two children. Tatiana thinks, "I need help with the map. I do not know where this apartment is on the map." She asks the woman, "Excuse me. Is Central Park near here?" The woman smiles and says, "Yes, walk to the bus station and turn left. It's not far away." Tatiana asks, "Thank you. Can you show me where we are on the map?" The woman shows Tatiana her friend's street on the map. "Have a nice day!" she says as she walks away. Tatiana is happy she can ask questions in English. She soon finds the park and has a great run. How do you ask questions to practice speaking English and learn in English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Listening Quiz Desktop Computer: Click here to go directly to the Listening Quiz. Click on the button below if you are on a mobile device or our mobile site.  ______________________________________________________________ New Words   bank - n. a business where people keep their money, borrow money, etc., or the building where such a business operates buy - v. to get (something) by paying money for it cash - n. money in the form of coins and bills corner - n. the place where two streets or roads meet errand - n. a short journey that you take to do or get something fast - adj. moving or able to move quickly get - v. to obtain (something) ice cream - n. a frozen food containing sweetened and flavored cream library - n. place where books, magazines, and other materials (such as videos and musical recordings) are available for people to use or borrow mailbox - n. a public box in which letters and packages are placed to be collected and sent out post office - n. a building where the mail for a local area is sent and received return - v. to bring, give, send, or take (something) to the place that it came from or the place where it should go sell - v. to exchange (something) for money send - v. to cause (a letter, an e-mail, a package, etc.) to go or to be carried from one place or person to another stamp - n. a small piece of paper that you buy and then stick to an envelope or package to pay the cost of mailing it store - n. a building or room where things are sold ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice a conversation about activities.   For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Prepositions (across from, behind); Cardinal numbers indicating quantity; Singular/Plural introduction Topics: Describing neighborhoods; Asking for information​ Learning Strategy: Ask Questions Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Expressing gratitude, emphasis on words expressing feelings ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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English in a Minute: Keep Your Eye on the Ball

A lot of idioms in American English come from sports. "Keep your eye on the ball" comes from baseball, but we can use this expression for many situations.

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Disease Threatens World Banana Supplies

A disease called “Panama” is threatening supplies of the world’s most popular fruit – banana. Two years ago, the United Nations warned that the “Panama disease” could destroy “much of the world’s banana crop.” Since then, things have not gotten better. A new outbreak was discovered last year in Australia. The disease started in Asia in the 1990s, and later spread to Africa and the Middle East. World health officials worry the disease could travel to Latin America, one of the top banana producers in the world. All this is a big concern because bananas are an important source of income and nutrients for millions of people. They are grown in 135 tropical nations. The United Nations lists bananas as one of the most important foods, along with rice, wheat and corn. In 2011, farmers produced 107 metric tons, the UN said. The website ultimatesuperfoods.org says bananas also contain serotonin, which it says makes people feel happy. “No matter who you are, you’ll enjoy the calming effects and positive vibes,” the website says of the banana. Concern in the banana industry Randy Ploetz is a professor at the Tropical Research & Educational Center at the University of Florida. Many consider him as America’s top banana expert, or, “top banana.” As he explained, Panama disease affects the Cavendish banana. The Cavendish is one of more than 500 kinds of bananas. But it is the most popular. “The industry is waking up to the problem,” Ploetz said. “They are pretty scared.” He was speaking Thursday by telephone from Miami, Florida, where he is among 1,000 people attending the International Banana Congress. The meeting was supposed to take place in Costa Rica, but was moved at the last minute.  There were concerns banana growers could spread Panama disease from dirt collected on their shoes, Ploetz said. Ploetz said reports Cavendish banana production could end are not correct. But if the disease spreads to Latin America, it could hurt the world’s economy along with food supplies for millions of people. Still, he said there is reason for hope. Scientists in Australia are working on a genetically engineered banana that might not be at risk of getting Panama disease. But Ploetz wondered if people are ready to accept genetically engineered bananas. Robert Bertram is chief scientist for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He said bananas are important to many millions of people all over the world. “In Africa, Asia and tropical America, bananas and plantains are an important food source for more than 100 million people,” he told VOA. “As a cash crop, bananas are sold in local, regional and international markets,” Bertram said. Banana exports provide jobs and foreign money that producing countries need, he said. Bertram said USAID is organizing a worldwide effort to stop the growth of Panama disease. A fungus, known as TR4, causes the Panama disease. Before 2013, Bertram said, it was limited to Asia – China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. Since then, it spread to the Middle East – Jordan, Lebanon, Oman and Pakistan and to Africa, in Mozambique. In the 1960s, the same fungus wiped out the ‘Gros Michel’ banana crop, which at the time was the world’s most popular. The Cavendish replaced it. John McQuaid, author of “Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat” said some people think the Gros Michels “tasted better.” At Wageningen University in the Netherlands, researchers are looking for Cavendish replacements. Their work is difficult. Researchers said a replacement  will have to resist Panama disease, and survive the shipping time needed to get bananas to stores thousands of miles away from banana fields. And, yes, they will have to taste good.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. And do let us know if you like bananas and why. ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   banana – n. a long curved fruit with a thick peel that is yellow when it is ripe outbreak – n. a sudden start or increase of a disease serotonin -- n. a compound present in blood vibes – n. feelings top banana – n. the top person in a field plantains – n. a greenish fruit that comes from a kind of banana plant and is eaten after it has been cooked fungus – n. any one of a group of related plants, such as molds, mushrooms, or yeasts, that live on dead or decaying things replacement – n. the act of replacing something

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If You Did Not Get into Harvard, Do Not Worry

Fewer than 5 percent of the students who applied to Stanford University in California were accepted this year. About 6 percent of the applicants to Yale University in Connecticut were admitted. But one writer says if you did not get into a school like Stanford, Yale or Harvard University, do not despair. Jillian Berman writes for MarketWatch.com. She says “students shouldn’t panic if they don’t get a spot. It is still possible to be successful.” Stacy Dale and Alan Krueger wrote a paper in 2011 that says students who apply to universities like Stanford and Harvard -- but do not get in -- are likely to do well anywhere. The researchers say that confidence and ambition may predict success better than other factors. Those other factors include good grades, high SAT scores and activities out of school. The researchers say people who apply to these selective schools do well even if they are not accepted to schools like Princeton University or Dartmouth College. Berman wrote a story last year saying a study by the Brookings Institution might be more valuable than other lists: it ranks schools based on how much value they provide their students. The Brookings list shows how much more money students would earn graduating from one school over another. The list includes small colleges and technical schools that focus on agriculture, engineering, nursing and medical jobs. The idea about ambition and confidence does not always apply to minority students. The Dale and Krueger study says minority students should reach for these selective schools. That is because they can make social connections that may be useful for advancing their careers in the future. The list created by Brookings fits with another story posted on the website 538.com. The story is called “Shut Up About Harvard.” The writer is Ben Casselman. He says television and newspaper stories about universities fail to reflect real and honest college experience. Very few people attend a university lined with trees and brick buildings. These days, college is often a part-time or two-year experience. Students live at home and commute to classes. Movies that takes place on a college campus, he says, are more fiction than truth. More truthful is a picture of an American university student who attends class part time while working and raising children. The most popular courses are no longer literature and philosophy. The most popular are business and health care. It is exciting to read about a student who is accepted by eight Ivy League schools. But these writers say those students will be successful anywhere. They say that students who need help getting to class and completing a degree are a greater concern. A professor from the University of Wisconsin spoke with Casselman. She says most of the stories about higher education in the U.S. skip the most important issue: “People can’t afford to spend enough time in college to actually finish their darn degrees.” But if they do, Casselman writes, the degree “remains the most likely path to a decent-paying job.” That is why students can be successful even if they do not get into a school like Harvard. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting by Marketwatch.com and 538.com. Kathleen Struck  was the editor. What do you think about the auto makers trying to sell larger vehicles in the U.S.? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   campus –n. the area and buildings around a university, college, school, etc. fiction –n. something that is not true shut up –phrasal verb -  to stop talking, laughing, etc. decent –adj. adequate or acceptable rank –v. to place (someone or something) in a particular position among a group of people or things that are being judged according to quality, ability, size, etc. selective –adj. careful to choose only the best people or things confidence –n. a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something ambition –n. a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous panic –n. a state or feeling of extreme fear that makes someone unable to act or think normally darn –adj. used as a more polite form of damn reach –v. to succeed in achieving (something) after making an effort over a period of time

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