Lesson 32: Welcome to the Treehouse!

Summary Anna introduces her new partner, MINDY. They are working together on the new children's show: "The Time Traveling Treehouse." Then, some coworkers watch the show. What will they think of the show? Will they like it? Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words for this lesson. You can also learn about direct and indirect objects. Pronunciation Use this video to learn about pronouncing two interjections: "Aw, man!" and "Woo-hoo!" Conversation Anna: Hello! Today is a big day. My first children’s show is on television! Woo-hoo! I’m excited and nervous. Ms. Weaver: Hello, Anna. Anna: Hello, Ms. Weaver! Ms. Weaver: Some people are going to watch your children’s show. After they watch it, they’ll tell me what they liked, and what they didn’t like. Anna: Oh, dear. Ms. Weaver: They’re in the conference room. They’re in the conference room. Anna: Hello, everyone. I’m Anna, and thanks for coming! Coworker 2: What is the show about? Anna: It’s a children’s show. Coworker 1: But we are not children! Anna: This children's show is different. I hope. Coworker 3: I don’t really like children's shows. Anna: Shhh, please. The show is starting! Anna: Oh, hi! Just give me one minute ….oops! Oh well. I can fix that later. Anna: Hello, I’m Anna! Welcome to “The Time Traveling Treehouse!” This is not a usual treehouse. It can time travel! That is why it’s called "The Time Traveling Treehouse." MINDY: Anna, do not forget me. Anna: Of course not! This is my partner, MINDY! MINDY: My name means Massive Information Navigation Device, for You! Anna: That means we can travel to many places and learn many things. Kids from all over the world ask us questions. We find them answers! MINDY: Woo-hoo! That is right, Anna. Anna: MINDY, what is our first question? MINDY: Layla asks us this question. Layla: Hello, Anna! Hello, MINDY! I'd like to know -- how do you play baseball? Anna: That is a great question! MINDY, we need to find her an answer! MINDY: I know that we can find it, Anna! Anna: Where am I now? MINDY, now I am on a snowy mountain! MINDY: That is a good place to learn how to ski. Anna: Yes, MINDY, but it cannot teach us about baseball! And I don’t know how to ski! MINDY: Sorry, Anna. Let’s try again. Anna: Where I am now!? MINDY, I am in the ocean! An ocean cannot teach us about baseball! MINDY: Please don’t yell, Anna. The ocean can teach us about surfing. Anna: Yes, MINDY, it can teach us about surfing … and sharks! Ahhh! MINDY: Anna, please wait. I need to fix my navigation device Anna: MINDY, please fix it faster. And get me out of here … now! Announcer: Whoa! Is Anna going to be lost forever? Next week, you can watch part two of “The Time Traveling Treehouse!” Coworker 1: Aw, man! Will the shark eat her? Coworker 2: Will Anna find the answer? Coworker 3: Please tell me the ending! Anna: So, you liked it? Coworkers: Yes! Anna: Well, you can watch the ending next week! Coworkers: Noooooo! Anna: Don’t forget to watch next week! Writing What do you think of Anna's new show? Does it remind you of a children's show you watched? Tell us about your opinion of Anna's show and suggest other questions for Anna to answer.  Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using interjections 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 Monitor.  Monitor means to notice how well you are understanding or bring understood. It can also mean identifying problems in communication. This strategy helps us learn, because after we find a communication problem, we can decide how to solve it. In this week's video, Anna monitors what MINDY is doing. She finds that there is a problem: she is not going to a place where she can learn about baseball. She tells MINDY, "It cannot teach us about baseball!"  Can you find an example in the lesson of MINDY monitoring, or finding out about a problem? Write to us about it in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan  for more details on teaching this strategy. Quiz Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. ​______________________________________________________________ New Words INTERJECTIONS aw- interjection. used to express mild disappointment or sympathy man - interjection. used to express frustration oops - interjection. used to express surprise or distress or to say in a mild way that you are sorry about having done or said something wrong shhh - interjection. used to tell someone to be quiet whoa - interjection. used to tell someone to slow down or stop and think about something woo-hoo- interjection. used to express excitement GENERAL VOCABULARY answer - n. something you say or write when someone asks you a question ask - v. to say or write something to someone as a way of gaining information device - n. an object, machine, or piece of equipment that has been made for some special purpose ending - n. the final part of something fix to make (something) whole or able to work properly againorto repair (something) information - n. knowledge that you get about someone or something such asfacts or details about a subject massive - adj. very large and heavy mountain- n. an area of land that rises very high above the land around it and that is higher than a hill navigation - n. the act, activity, or process of finding the way to get to a place when you are traveling in a ship, airplane or car partner - n. one of two or more people or businesses that work together or do business together shark- n. a large and often dangerous sea fish with very sharp teeth ski- v. to move or glide on a pair of long narrow pieces of wood over snow or water surf - v. to ride on ocean waves using a special board (called a surfboard) travel- v. to go to a place that is far away treehouse- n. a small house that is built among the branches of a tree for children to play in ______________________________________________________________ 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 using interjections and monitoring. 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: Direct and indirect objects; Interjections​ Topics:  Requesting help or information; Talking about technology; Politely disagreeing Learning Strategy: Monitor​ / Identify Problems Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Indirect objects; Interjections  _ ____________________________________________________________ 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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Clinton and Trump Offer Different Foreign Policy Proposals

  The major U.S. presidential candidates have very different ideas about foreign policy. Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump have proposed to take American foreign policy in very different directions if elected. The two presidential candidates disagree about what U.S. policies should be toward Russia, Iran, Iraq, China and Syria. They also offer different opinions on how to deal with Islamic State militants. Trump has called U.S. foreign policy weak. He blames decisions made by President Barack Obama and Clinton who served as secretary of state during Obama’s first term. Clinton has said the United States remains the nation other nations depend on to help solve the world’s toughest problems. Trump Wants Other Nations to Pay More Trump questions why the United States should continue to defend nations that, he says, do not pay their fair share of the costs. “We’re losing a fortune. That’s why we’re losing -- we’re losing -- we lose on everything,” Trump said last month at the first of three presidential debates. Clinton says Trump’s Proposals Frighten Allies Clinton said that Trump’s statements raised concern among nations that depend on U.S. promises to help them if they are attacked. “Words matter when you run for president,” Clinton said. “And they really matter when you are president.” On fighting Islamic State militants, Trump has said he would order more aggressive bombing of ISIS, another name for the group. He said that President Obama and Clinton, when she was secretary of state, “unleashed ISIS” with weak policies. Clinton has said she opposes sending American ground troops to Syria. Instead, Clinton said she would work with allies to force ISIS out of Iraq and Syria. “Donald said he knows more about ISIS than the generals…No, he doesn't,” she said. Trump Disagrees with his VP Candidate Trump’s vice presidential running mate, Mike Pence, said the United States should respond to Russian aggression in Syria with military force, if necessary. Trump said he disagrees. “He and I haven't spoken, and he and I disagree," Trump said. On Iran, Clinton praised an agreement with the Middle Eastern nation to remove important materials it would need to build a nuclear bomb. She said the agreement was possible because of sanctions she helped put in place as U.S. secretary of state. Clinton said the Iran nuclear deal stopped Iran’s nuclear program “without firing a single shot.” Trump said the deal is good for Iran. It released $150 billion in Iranian money frozen by the U.S. The deal also permits Iran to resume its nuclear program in 10 to 15 years, and provides the nation money to continue its support of terrorism, he said. Relationship with Putin There are other major differences between the two candidates. Trump has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a strong leader. He and Putin could work together to reduce terrorism under a Trump presidency, Trump said. Clinton calls Putin a dictator.  “I know that he’s someone that you have to continually stand up to because, like many bullies, he is somebody who takes as much as he possibly can unless you do,” she said. On immigration, Trump had called for banning all Muslim immigrants to combat the threat of terrorism. He later changed his position, saying he now supports “extreme vetting” to make sure dangerous people are not allowed into the United States. Clinton said that Trump’s tough language about Muslims can be used by Islamic State militants to bring in new supporters. She has proposed accepting several times more refugees escaping the Syrian civil war than are currently entering the U.S. “I will not let anyone into our country that I think poses a risk to us,” Clinton said at the second presidential debate. But she said “there are children suffering in this catastrophic war, largely, I believe, because of Russian aggression. And we need to do our part.” Campaign Draws Attention of International Leaders Foreign policy issues during the Trump/Clinton campaign have drawn unusual attention internationally. French President Francois Hollande said Trump’s election “would complicate relations between Europe and the United States." Zeid Ra-Ad Al-Hussein is the United Nations human rights rights chief. He criticized Trump’s statements about torture and Muslims, calling them “dangerous from an international point of view.” Trump said this about waterboarding: “I like it a lot. I don't think it's tough enough." Foreign Policy a Concern to Voters As in recent elections, the economy remains the most important issue for most voters. But voters also seem to be paying attention to foreign affairs, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. Voters in modern U.S. history have chosen candidates with backgrounds as elected governors or senators. Those candidates, however, have not had much direct experience with foreign policy. Henry Brands is a professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin. He said American politics is usually concerned most with domestic policies, not policies toward the rest of the world. Brands said that changes during war. But he said neither candidate has managed to gain ground against the other by saying, ‘You’re soft on terrorists.” I’m Bruce Alpert.   Bruce Alpert reported this story for VOA Learning English based, in part, on stories from the Voice of America’s Margaret Besheer and Masood Farivar. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   fortune -- n. a very large amount of money unleash -- v. to allow or cause something to happen sanctions -- n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country bully -- n.  someone who frightens, hurts, or threatens smaller or weaker people extreme vetting -- n doing extensive checks on a person’s background poses -- v. to be or create a possible threat catastrophic -- adj. a terrible disaster waterboarding -- v. pouring water over someone to make them think they are drowning. The U.S. government stopped the practice in 2006 after officials determined it was torture. domestic -- adj. relating to your own country

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New Rules Could Sink China’s Ride-Sharing Services

  Several cities in China have announced new rules for ride-sharing services that critics say may put the companies out of business. China’s ride-sharing industry has been growing fast in recent years. The largest service there is Didi Chuxing. Uber, the American-based service, was Didi’s main competitor until August, when it signed a deal to sell its Chinese operations to Didi. The deal is worth about $35 billion. China officially legalized car-sharing services in July. At that time, the Ministry of Transport established rules for such services. Those rules are set to take effect in November. Now, local governments in a number of Chinese cities have begun proposing their own rules. The proposals would set restrictions on the kinds of vehicles that can be used and who can drive them. The main requirement is that drivers of ride-sharing services and their vehicles be registered. In big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, this means drivers will need to have a permanent household registration. In other cities, such as Shenzhen and Hangzhou, drivers will be required to have a temporary home. In addition, the registered vehicles would have to be sedan models with larger-than-average space inside. Didi criticized the local rules in a recent statement. The company said they would force “the vast majority” of its drivers and cars off the road.  “Millions of online ride-sharing drivers may be about to lose their jobs and paychecks, which would mean millions of families may lose an important income source,” the statement said, according to The Wall Street Journal. All in all, the local restrictions would be a lot like those for taxi drivers. Zhao Zhanling is a researcher at the Intellectual Property Center of China University of Political Science and Law. He told VOA the new rules could make all the country’s ride-sharing services fail. He said the vehicle size requirements alone could put 80 to 90 percent of drivers out of business. According to Didi, less than 10,000 of its 410,000 drivers in Shanghai would meet the permanent household requirement. One Uber driver told VOA the way the new laws are set up will make it “impossible for me to stay in business.” The driver’s hometown is near Beijing, in Hebei province. He now works in the Chinese capital during the day and drives for Uber at night. Zhao Zhanling called the permanent household requirement “unconstitutional” and “in violation of the nation’s employment policy.” Didi has said ride-sharing services are still new “technological creations” that need to be nurtured. The company called on Chinese officials to “give local and non-local residence-holders equal rights to work.” It said this will be the only way to provide citizens a more convenient, effective and free transportation system. I’m Bryan Lynn. Joyce Huang and William Ide wrote this story for VOANew.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. What do you think of ride-sharing services? Do you use them? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sedan – n. car with four doors that can carry multiple passengers vast – adj. great in size, extremely large income – n. money earned by working or producing goods impossible – adj. not able to be done or happen nurture – v. care for something while it grows or develops convenient – adj. easy to do or use  

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You Do the Math

  Hello and welcome to Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.  On this program we explain how to use common expressions in American English. We also explore the origins of these expressions. Where do they come from? Today we are talking about expressions related to numbers. Why? Well, you do the math! VOA does a lot of programs, and sooner or later we were going to get to this one. The verbal phrase “do the math” means to examine the facts and figures to reach a conclusion, especially when the answer is very clear. For example, let’s say I love animals. I spend all my savings on caring for stray cats and dogs. When my friend asks why I never go on vacation, I can simply point to my seven cats and five dogs and say, “Money for vacations?  You do the math!” Of course, before children can do even basic math they must learn to count. But counting numbers is not the only meaning of the word “count.” Consider a famous quote by the scientist Albert Einstein. He reportedly said, "Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts." This quote is a pun, a play on words. It plays with two meanings of the word “count.” Count means to determine the total number of something. It also means to have value or importance. Things that matter, things that are important ... count. Let’s hear count used in a dialogue. These two friends are talking about an upcoming U.S. election. Take note that a third definition of “count” -- meaning “depend” -- is used. A: Are you voting in November? B: Why should I? My vote doesn’t count. A: What do you mean it doesn’t count?! After they close the polls workers count all the votes! A: What I mean is that voters in D.C. don’t have representatives in Congress. So, even though my vote for president is officially counted, my opinion about what should happen in my own neighborhood doesn’t count. And many people in D.C. are sick of it. You can count on that. B: Oh, that’s right. I didn’t count that fact. I live in Maryland and have 10 representatives in Congress. So, my voice does count more than yours. A: Hm-mm. That is a lot of counting! After counting, many children learn to solve simple addition problems. They learn that 1+1=2 and 2+2=4 and so on and so on. However, as we get older we learn that things often don’t add up so simply. Things that should make sense sometimes don’t, as in this example: A: Hi! B: Hey! Welcome to another Monday at work! A: Yeah, thanks. Hey, why is Marissa’s purse on her desk? I thought she started her vacation today. B: Maybe it’s her second purse. Women do carry more than one purse, you know. A: I know that. It’s just odd. She never leaves her purse. B: Hey, what are doing? It’s rude to go through someone’s purse. A: I know. But I have a bad feeling. Look. Here are her house keys, her wallet, even her plane ticket. It says she’s flying out today! B: You’re right. That doesn’t add up. Something might be wrong. Why don’t you go to her apartment and I’ll call her boyfriend. A: I hope Marissa is okay. B: I know. Addition and subtraction are both part of math equations. For example, 8 + 4 = 12 or 2x – 3 = 9. In those equations, the number 4 is a factor of both 8 and 12. And the letter x is a variable that stands in for the number 6.   The words “equation,” “factor” and “variable” are all very common in both casual and formal conversations. So, you could say getting students to finish all their homework and chores can be difficult when playing video games is part of the equation. Playing video games is a factor or variable that makes the situation difficult. Or, let’s say I volunteer to help organize the holiday party at my office. But I did not count on how complicated it would be! There were so many factors to add to the equation. I had to get permission to rent extra tables and chairs. I had to decorate the conference room but I couldn’t start until everyone finished their meetings. And I had to decide whether to hire a D.J. or have live music. Also, there were so many variables I didn’t know. For example, how many people would bring guests? Did my colleagues expect to eat dinner or just snacks? In the end, the party turned out great. But the process was awful. I’ll never volunteer again! Planning a party can be complicated. And as math becomes more complex so do the expressions. The lowest common denominator, for example, is the smallest number that can be divided evenly into a set of fractions. In conversation, the lowest common denominator refers to the lowest level of taste. Some television shows in the United States appeal to the lowest common denominator. They take advantage of everyone’s natural interest in gossip, violence and romance. These types of program are often vulgar, tasteless and base. We here at Voice of America don’t worry about that. If we tried to appeal to the lowest common denominator by broadcasting tasteless programs, we would lose all of our listeners. I’m Anna Matteo.   Anna Matteo wrote this Words and Their Stories for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   pun – n. a humorous way of using a word or phrase so that more than one meaning is suggested vulgar – adj. not having or showing good manners, good taste, or politeness base – adj. of low value and not very good in some ways    

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English in a Minute: Off the Deep End

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WikiLeaks Releases Democratic Campaign Hacked Emails

      Every day since October 7, the organization WikiLeaks has published thousands of emails hacked from John Podesta’s private email account. Podesta is the chairman of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. The candidate is the Democratic Party nominee. The emails have contained some embarrassing information about the inner workings of the campaign. They show a campaign that has struggled to improve an imperfect candidate. They show that in March, aides were aware that Clinton was uncomfortable with the media. The emails suggested she was not connecting with regular Americans and not did not have a clear message for voters. Another release this week includes some messages that contain offensive comments made by campaign staffers about Christian teachings. The emails also show the campaign struggling to deal with questions and criticism about Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State. And, a collection of messages about China deal with Clinton’s statements about confronting that country’s government as chief of the State Department. The release includes a 2013 speech Clinton gave privately. She has refused to make the speech public. The released document suggests Clinton told Chinese officials that the U.S. might take more regional action to contain the North Korean missile threat. She reportedly said the U.S. would possibly send additional ships to the area.   Clinton reportedly said in the speech, "We're going to ring China with missile defense. We're going to put more of our fleet in the area. So China, come on. You either control them or we're going to have to defend against them.'' Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump has used the information to insult his opponent. At a gathering this week, Trump called the hacked campaign emails “unbelievable.” He urged voters to read the messages released by WikiLeaks. He said the emails, in his words, “make more clear than ever, just how much is at stake in November and how unattractive and dishonest our country has become.” The emails are likely to be a problem for Clinton during the next few weeks. Americans vote on Tuesday, November 8. The Clinton campaign has declined to confirm or deny the truthfulness of the released emails. John Podesta says he is helping federal agents investigating Russia's possible involvement in the hacking. The Russian government has denied all involvement. Podesta says Russia may be trying to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential election to favor Trump. Trump has said he admires President Vladimir Putin. John Podesta says the timing of the WikiLeaks release was not by chance. He suggested the release was connected to the recent leaked video involving Trump. On the recording, the candidate made vulgar comments about women. WikiLeaks has said it will continue to release thousands of additional emails from the Podesta hack every day until the election. I’m Dorothy Gundy. Dorothy Gundy reported on this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _________________________________________________________ Words in This Story uncomfortable – adj. causing a feeling of physical discomfort embarrassing – adj. a  situation in which one feel confused and foolish in front of other people​ staffers – n. members of a staff confronting - v. to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful way declined­ – v.  to say that you will not or cannot do or say something vulgar – adj. not having or showing good manners, good taste, or politeness   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.  

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21 Kidnapped Chibok Girls Released in Nigeria

Twenty-one schoolgirls kidnapped by the Boko Haram militant group were freed this week after being held for more than two years. The 21 were part of a group of nearly 300 girls taken by Boko Haram in April 2014 from the town of Chibok in northern Nigeria. The release was negotiated between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram. The deal was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Swiss government. The 21 girls were taken to the capital, where they met Thursday with Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. He called the release “very exciting news” for the whole country.  Names of all the girls were to be released as soon as their families were contacted. Health information about the girls was not made public. However, at least one of the girls is reportedly pregnant.  The country’s Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the girls were freed after "painstaking negotiations and trust on both sides.” Nigerian officials said they planned to hold more talks with Boko Haram about the release of more captured girls. Dozens of the kidnapped girls have been able to escape. The 21 released this week were the first to be rescued as a result of government action. Boko Haram has led attacks on schools as part of its insurgency. The extremist group has been fighting for seven years to establish an Islamic government in northern Nigeria.  Boko Haram is blamed for the deaths of at least 20,000 people since 2009. More than 2.7 million people have also been displaced in the fighting. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly promised to rescue the kidnapped girls and crush Boko Haram. Last week, Nigeria’s military carried out a number of airstrikes against the group. The offensive took place in the Sambisa forest, a stronghold of Boko Haram, which last year pledged its loyalty to Islamic State. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from VOANews.com, the Associated Press and Reuters. was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story facilitate – v. to make something possible or easier painstaking – v. done with a lot of thought and care insurgency – n. armed revolt or uprising attempting to take control of government pledge – v. to formally promise to give or do​  

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International Day of the Girl Brings Attention to Child Marriage, Education

  The International Day of the Girl was observed in the United States and a number of other countries earlier this week. Last Tuesday, President Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, led an event at the White House. She held discussions on the need to expand girls’ education. The United Nations General Assembly established the day in 2011 to bring attention to the rights of girls. The observance takes place each year on October 11. The aid group, Save the Children, also released a report on Tuesday. It dealt with child marriage and other issues facing girls and young women. The Best and Worst Places for Girls Save the Children’s report, called “Every Last Girl: Free to live, free to learn, free from harm,” discusses the realities of child marriage. The group says child marriage is among the most severe issues facing female children today. Each year, 15 million girls are married before the age of 18. Some of them are as young as age 10. Save the Children estimates that 700 million women alive today married in childhood. The group’s president, Carolyn Miles, describes child marriage as a very serious problem. “One girl under 15 is married every seven seconds. And it’s a big piece of what’s holding girls back. What happens when a girl gets married at a young age is she drops out of school. She will probably have a baby very shortly after getting married at 13 or 14.” Miles says many child marriages result from a deal between the parents of the girl and the husband’s family. She adds that having babies at a young age is dangerous. The mortality rate for young mothers is much higher than for older women. The death rate for the child of a young mother is also high. The report rates the best and worst places to be a girl. Out of 144 countries, Sweden received the top rating. The United States was rated 32nd. At the bottom of the list is Niger. The report said the lowest-ranked countries suffer from high poverty, political unrest or conflict. Some have recently ended civil wars. Save the Children said such conditions are especially dangerous for girls. Among the other issues used to rank countries were years of school completed and the number of women in high government positions. Rwanda has the world’s highest percentage of women in parliament -- 64 percent. However, Qatar has no female lawmakers. Having women in high positions of power helps to influence policy decisions that benefit women and girls, the group said. A Need for Education and Leadership The West African nation of Sierra Leone appears close to the bottom of the list in the report. However, it also has a woman in a powerful position. The nation’s First Lady, Sia Nyama Koroma, is leading a campaign against child marriage and violence toward girls. In Washington, another First Lady, Michelle Obama, held an event to mark the International Day of the Girl. The event helped publicize an international campaign called Let Girls Learn. Its aim is to provide education for girls who currently are not in school. At the event, Mrs. Obama spoke directly to four young girls. “Time and again, we have seen that, whether it’s a head of state, a corporate CEO, or a teenage girl here in the U.S….when people hear your stories, the stories of girls who aren’t in school, they’re moved. And they’re outraged. And better yet, they want to help.” Mrs. Obama visited Liberia and Morocco last summer. She said many young girls in the two countries struggle to receive an education. The four young girls at the White House event described having to walk several kilometers to attend school. But the girls understand through education that they have the same value and abilities as boys.  One of the girls said to the audience: “We have a girl in our group from Morocco who does mechanical stuff. I mean, she’s going to start operating her garage, which is something we thought only boys do,” she said. In an opinion piece for CNN.com on Tuesday, Michelle Obama called the issue of education for girls a personal one. She wrote that, as a child growing up in Chicago, neither her parents nor most of her neighbors, attended college. Financial aid helped her to pay for a college education at two of the world’s most respected universities. Let Girls Learn is a campaign launched by Barack and Michelle Obama in 2015. The United States is investing more than one billion dollars in the programs. The World Bank will invest more than 2 billion dollars over the next five years. I’m Alice Bryant. And I’m Anna Matteo.  Joe de Capua and Robert Raffaele reported these stories for VOA. Alice Bryant adapted the reports for Learning English. George Grow and Mario Ritter were the editors. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story drop out  v.  to stop going to school, college, et cetera, before finishing mortality - n. the quality or state of being a person or thing that is alive and therefore certain to die : the quality or state of being mortal benefit – v. a good or helpful result or effect corporate – adj. involving or associated with a corporation CEO - title. a Corporate Executive Office (CEO) is the highest person in a company or organization outraged – v. to make someone very angry mechanical - adj. of or relating to machinery garage - n. a shop where vehicles are repaired   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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The Strange and Beautiful World of Arches National Park

  This week on our national parks journey, we travel to Utah. The western state is home to several of the most popular national parks in America. Today, we travel to the eastern part of the state. We visit a park filled with strange and beautiful colored rock formations. These formations have been created over millions of years. They curve and narrow and balance on top of one another. Some are extremely thin. Others have huge cracks, yet remain standing. Many of the rock formations seem to ignore the rules of gravity.   Welcome to Arches National Park! Arches are formations that look like half a circle standing up. Sometimes they create a curved bridge between two large rocks. Arches National Park contains the most natural rock arches of any place on Earth. The smallest arches are less than a meter across. The largest, called Landscape Arch, measures 93 meters from one base of the arch to the other. Water and ice, extreme temperatures, and many layers of salt underground created these rock formations over hundreds of millions of years. The huge amount of salt is the remains of an ancient sea. It covered the area around 300 million years ago. As time passed, the area filled with material left by rivers. Rocks buried the area. This created pressure on the underground salt bed. Salt under pressure moves easily. It is not stable. The thick cover of rock created pressure on the salt. It moved this way and that, making the rock layers above move, as well. A soft rock called sandstone moved upwards. It met with other, harder rocks. These sandstone structures continued to grow for about 150 million years. Scientists say water is the most important element in creating arches. Water destroys the chemicals that keep rock particles together. The rock breaks as the water freezes and expands. Then the wind blows away the loose rock pieces. Erosion from wind and weather slowly removed layers of younger rock.  Most of the layers of rock seen today are pinkish-red in color. The rock is called Entrada Sandstone. Experts say that most arches seen in the park today developed within the past million years. But the land formations continue to change slowly over time. But sometimes, change happens quickly. In 2008, a formation called Wall Arch suddenly collapsed. Thousands of tons of sandstone crashed to the ground, creating a thunderous noise. It is not easy to predict when arches might collapse. Wall Arch was not as thin as Landscape Arch, for example. Wall Arch also did not have visible cracks. But, many tiny breaks within the stone made the arch weaker than others. Some formations within the park look as though the gentlest wind could send huge pieces of rock crashing to the ground. These are called balanced rocks. The most famous of all is simply called Balanced Rock. This sandstone rock is the size of three school buses. It sits on top of a tower of darker rock called mudstone. The formation is about 39 meters tall. This bottom rock narrows sharply where it connects to the sandstone rock on top. Scientists call this a bridge. Mudstone weathers much more quickly than sandstone. One day, far in the future, Balanced Rock will no longer be balanced. Just as Wall Arch did, Balanced Rock will collapse. The names of the rock formations give you information about their appearance or structure. The most famous arch within the park is named Delicate Arch. “Delicate” means “easily broken or damaged.” But it can also mean “very carefully and beautifully made.” Delicate Arch is a huge free-standing arch. It is 19 meters high and 13 meters wide. Humans have called it many different names throughout history. The name “Delicate Arch” first appeared in a 1934 article. Scientists described it as “the most delicately chiseled arch in the entire area.” Of the 2,000 stone arches within the park, Delicate Arch has become a symbol of the state of Utah. It is among the most famous geological features in the world. Many of Arches’ famous rock formations are easily seen from the single road that goes through the park. But Delicate Arch is not visible from a car. Some visitors choose to walk to two view points. But, even from the view points, Delicate Arch is still more than a kilometer away. Many visitors choose to hike up to see the famous arch. The trail is 5 kilometers. It is the most popular hike in the park. The walk is difficult and steep. It offers no shade. The sun is extremely strong. In summer months, the temperature can rise to 40 degrees Celsius. Park officials tell hikers to take at least two liters of water with them. In winter months, ice and water can make the sandstone trail extremely slick. Along the way, hikers pass a wall of ancient animal drawings created by the Ute Indians. These are called petroglyphs. Petroglyphs exist throughout the park. They are a reminder of the long human history in this harsh environment. Before reaching Delicate Arch, hikers must walk on a long and narrow rock ledge. The trail is often crowded with people. But most say the heat and crowds are worth it. Delicate Arch stands alone above a natural sandstone bowl. It rises up dramatically from the flat land that surrounds it. On one side of the arch, the sandstone gently twists. On the other, a severe crack cuts through the narrowing rock. Those who hike to its base appreciate and understand why it was once described as “delicate.” Most visitors to Arches National Park would agree that there is no other place in the world quite like it in the world. It is quiet and dreamlike, unpredictable and violent, old yet ever-changing. A trip to Arches is like visiting another world. I'm Ashley Thompson.  And I'm Caty Weaver.  Ashley Thompson reported and wrote this story, with materials from the Learning English archive and the National Park Service. Caty Weaver was the editor.  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   stable - adj. in a good state or condition that is not easily changed or likely to change erosion - n. in a good state or condition that is not easily changed or likely to change thunderous - adj. making a loud noise like the sound of thunder; very loud chiseled - adj. having an attractive well-formed shape geological - adj. relating to the rocks, land, processes of land formation, etc., of a particular area shade - n. n area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun ledge - n. a flat rock surface that sticks out from a cliff

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Gorbachev Warns US-Russia Tensions Are at ‘Dangerous Point’

  Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev warned this week that tensions between Russia and the United States have reached a “dangerous point.” His comments followed a series of issues that have strained relations between Washington and Moscow. Among them are the war in Syria and U.S. accusations that Russia is involved in cyber attacks aimed at disrupting U.S. elections next month. “I think the world has reached a dangerous point,” Gorbachev told RIA Novosti, Russia’s state news agency. The former leader said he did not have any specific advice for either country. “But I do want to say that this needs to stop,” he said. “We need to renew dialogue. Stopping it was the biggest mistake.” Gorbachev, 85, is credited with easing years of tensions between the Soviet Union and the West. He led the country from 1985 to 1991. He signed several important nuclear disarmament deals with the United States during his rule. In 1990, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. On October 3, the United States said it was giving up its efforts with Russia to negotiate a cease-fire in Syria. U.S. officials noted continued military attacks against civilian targets in the nation. Russia answered the American actions by suspending a number of nuclear cooperation agreements with the United States. It also moved to build up its military forces in Syria and along the Russian border with Europe. Recently, Russia deployed Iskander missiles to a base in Kaliningrad, which sits on the Baltic coast between Poland and Lithuania. Those missiles are able to travel about 500 kilometers in the air and carry nuclear weapons. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote in the Bild newspaper about the deployment. He said he thought it created a more dangerous situation than during the Cold War when the Soviet Union competed against the West. Some military experts agree. Igor Sutyagin is with London’s Royal United Services Institute. “The dramatic reaction of the West about Iskander [missiles] now is that it is just a wake-up call, it is just a very clear message. It is that ice-cold bucket of water that (says), ‘Wake up, you are not living in a safe world.’” During the Cold War, the Soviet Union deployed large missiles in what was then East Germany and Czechoslovakia. Sutyagin says this time around, the missile deployment is more psychological. “The idea is to intimidate the West. Because Russia does not have any other tools to fight for its competitiveness in the international arena but psychology. Even the Russian military are comparatively weaker than NATO’s forces.” Other issues have also increased tensions between Russia and the United States. Last week, U.S. officials accused the Russian government of being involved in attacks on American computer systems. They suspect those cyber attacks are meant to disrupt the U.S. elections next month. The cyber activity resulted in thousands of emails being leaked from the Democratic National Committee last July. In the past, U.S. officials had said they suspected Russian involvement in the leak. But in a statement last week, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security went farther, to actually name Russia. “We believe, based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities,” the statement said. In reaction, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said U.S. officials were creating what he called “anti-Russian hysteria.” He accused the U.S. administration of using “dirty methods” to blame Russian cyber attackers ahead of the U.S. elections. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from reporter Henry Ridgwell, RadioFree Europe/RadioLiberty, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. What do you think about the state of U.S.-Russia relations? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   strain – v. to add tension beyond proper limits disrupt – v. make something not be able to normally continue renew – v. to restart or continue dialogue – n. discussions; communications wake-up call – n. something that happens to cause a person to take action bucket – n. a round, open container used to carry liquids psychological – adj. relating to the human mind and feelings intimidate – v. make someone afraid scope – n. extent of treatment, activity or influence sensitivity – n. an awareness and understanding of other people hysteria – n. – extreme fear, excitement or anger  

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U.S. Government Lifts Ban on Cuban Cigars and Rum

  This is What’s Trending Today. People in the United States who enjoy smoking Cuban cigars celebrated Friday. The U.S. government ended its restriction on cigars, a tobacco product made in Cuba. The U.S. did the same for the alcohol called rum. Both are two well-known products from Cuba. They had been banned in the U.S. for almost 50 years. American travelers who purchased Cuban-made products were not permitted to bring them into the U.S. That changed in 2014, when the government agreed to let travelers return home with cigars and rum valued at $100 or less. But now even that restriction is over. The U.S. government announced the news on Friday along with other plans for boosting trade with Cuba. However, the sale of Cuban cigars and rum in the U.S. remains illegal. The new rules go into effect on Monday. American tourists returning home will be permitted to bring up to 100 cigars and several bottles of rum. The magazine Cigar Aficionado included two Cuban cigars in its top-10 list for 2015. Some Cuban cigars cost as much as $20 each. One Facebook user reacted to the news story with the post, “Gentlemen … light ‘em up!”  Many other people also celebrated on social media. One user posted a video of a movie actor reacting to good news as his status. But another Twitter user was not so sure the news was good for those who make cigars. He joked that Cuban cigars will no longer be “cool” if they are easy to get. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Have you ever smoked a Cuban cigar? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   boost – n. help or encouragement cigar – n. a roll of tobacco leaves that is longer and thicker than a cigarette and that is smoked rum – n. an alcoholic drink that is made from sugar status – n. the current state of someone or something  

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