Large Creature Swam the Seas 170 Million Years Ago

Scientists in Scotland are using modern technology to examine the bones of a large sea creature that lived 170 million years ago. First found 50 years ago in Scotland’s Isle of Skye, the bones of the sea monster were trapped in hard rock — until recently. Thanks to technology, scientists are finally able to separate the bones from the rock. What they discovered was a reptile that lived in the oceans at the time of the dinosaurs. Until now, this creature was unknown to researchers. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals. They produce eggs and have hard, flat scales covering the outside of the body. Examples of modern reptiles are snakes, turtles and alligators. The scientists in Scotland are excited to see that the skeleton of the ancient reptile is almost complete. Stephen Brusatte is a paleontologist with the University of Edinburgh. He studies fossilized bones of ancient animals and plants. Now he is studying the sea monster’s fossils. “There’s over 100 bones there, so a whole bunch of the skeleton, and now we get to get down to the fun business of actually studying it, figuring out what it is.” This is what the scientists already know: the sea monster was more than 4 meters long. They say it was from a class of ancient sea creatures called ichthyosaurs. Ichthyosaurs looked something like modern dolphins. They could swim fast. The ancient reptile fed on fish and other sea life with its hundreds of cone-shaped teeth. The scientists hope that studying the bones will give them a better understanding about the reptile’s ecosystem. The sea monster lived during Earth’s Middle Jurassic period. It lasted from about 160 million to 180 million years ago. Only a few fossils have been discovered from that time, Brusatte explains, which makes this sea monster a great find. “It’s one of the only good skeletons of one of these ocean reptiles from the middle part of the Jurassic Period. This was a time that was a really interesting moment in evolution. You had all kinds of new groups of dinosaurs and ocean reptiles getting their start, starting to spread around the world.” The sea monster, like other ichthyosaurs, died out 95 million years ago. That is about 30 million years before the dinosaurs disappeared from the planet. Paleontologist Brusatte says changes in their watery environment means the monster did not die out suddenly, but slowly disappeared. “It looks like it was changes in the oceans, in the chemistry and in the ecology of the oceans, and so you had a long-term winnowing away of these ichthyosaurs as they became less and less common, less and less diverse, until they trickled away to extinction. And then that is when groups like sharks and, ultimately, whales and dolphins moved on in.” Sea monsters have been at the center of many stories people have told throughout history. In modern times, people tell the story of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland. It has been described as large in size, with a long neck and one or more areas of skin rising out of the water. But no one has ever proved it really exists. The sea monster being studied in Scotland does not come from someone’s imagination, but in fact, once lived in the water until it died and its bones became trapped in rock. In the future, its skeleton will be made available for people to see. I’m Anne Ball.   This story was written by Deborah Block for VOA News. Anne Ball adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   monster – n. a strange or horrible imaginary creature paleontologist – n. a scientists who studies fossilized bones of ancient animals and plants reptile – n. an animal that has cold blood, that lays eggs, and has a body covered with scales or hard parts cone – n. a shape that is pointed on top and sides that form a circle at the bottom ecosystem – n. everything that exists in an environment winnow – v. to remove things that are less important form a larger group trickle – v. to flow or fall in drops hump – n. a rounded lump on the surface of something  

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WHO Supports Taxes on Sugary Drinks

  The World Health Organization says the widespread use of sugar in food products and drinks is a major concern in many areas. So WHO officials are calling on governments to require taxes on sugary drinks in an effort to limit their usage and popularity. The officials believe the taxes also would reduce the risk of health problems resulting from obesity. Obesity is a condition in which the body stores large, unhealthy amounts of fat. Obese individuals are considered overweight. A new report says that in 2014 more than one-third of the adults in the world were overweight, and 500 million were considered obese. The United Nations agency estimates that in 2015, 42 million children under age 5 were either overweight or obese. It says that number represents an increase of about 11 million during the past 15 years. Almost half of these boys and girls live in Asia and one-fourth in Africa. The U.N. agency blames unhealthy diets for a rise in diabetes cases. There are 422 million cases of the disease worldwide. WHO says 1.5 million people die from it every year. It says the use of sugar in food products, like sugary drinks, is a major reason for the increase in rates of obesity and diabetes. Temo Waqanivalu is with the agency’s Department for the Prevention on Non-Communicable Diseases. He told VOA that taxing sugary drinks would reduce consumption and save lives.  “If we increase the tax and that gets passed on to the consumers resulting in a 20 percent increase in price, you are more likely to get a 20 percent reduction in the consumption. In addition, you will be more likely to achieve the ultimate health outcome we are aiming for, which is the reduction in obesity and diabetes.”  Waganivalu noted that Mexico enacted a 10 percent tax on sugary drinks in 2014. He said by the end of the year, there was a 6 percent drop in the consumption of such drinks. Among poor people, the number of people who consumed sugary drinks dropped by 17 percent. The WHO report says China has more obese people than any other country -- 43 million men and 46 million women. The United States is home to almost 42 million obese men and 46 million women who are obese. The WHO says people should limit the amount of sugar they consume. It says they should keep their sugar intake to below 10 percent of their total energy needs, and reduce it to less than 5 percent for improved health. It warns people to be careful in their calculations because sugar is everywhere. I’m Marsha James. Lisa Schlein reported this story from Geneva for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow 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   diabetes – n. a serious disease in which the body cannot properly control the amount of sugar in your blood because it does not have enough insulin consumption – n. the act of eating or drinking something achieve – v. to get or reach (something) by working hard ultimate – adj. happening or coming at the end of a process or series of events outcome – n. something that happens at the end of a process calculation – n. a process or result of calculating or counting something

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US Congressional Race Shows Possible Power of Latino Vote

Immigration has been, and continues to be, a major issue in the United States. Immigration has been angrily debated during the 2016 presidential election campaign. It also is important in many state and local election races, such as the 6th Congressional District of Colorado. There, 20 percent of registered voters are Latino. VOA recently went to Denver, Colorado’s capital, to examine the effect of the Latino vote on the election. Morgan Carroll is the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 6th district. Today she is visiting a place that helps people who are living in the United States without legal permission. Some activists call such persons “illegal aliens.” Others call them, “undocumented immigrants.” Morgan Carroll: “Hi Sara, Good to meet you.” “Good to meet you!” “I think it’s a microcosm for the world and for our country.” Morgan Carroll: “What you’re showing is how strong the unmet need really is.” Morgan Carroll says voters tell her they oppose immigration laws that force some family members to leave the country, but let others stay. “I hope they realize their own strength and numbers and the power they have that this is the time to demand better policies and treatment for them, for their families.” The borders of the 6th Congressional District changed in 2011. The changes caused an increase in the number of Latino voters in the district. Carroll’s opponent, Republican Mike Coffman, currently represents the district in Congress. Many Republicans support strong immigration laws. But after the redistricting, Coffman reduced his support for such laws. And he has been using advertisements to reach out to Latino voters. Commercial: “Mike Coffman es uno de nosotros.” Coffman in commercial: “Yo le hago frente”) Coffman has worked to learn Spanish. And he has strongly criticized his party’s presidential candidate, Donald Trump. The 6th congressional district race is one of the closest in the country. But Latino voters are not only changing congressional races. Colorado is home to more than 500 thousand Latinos who can vote. They have changed the state from one that usually voted for Republicans into a swing or battleground state – one that either major party has a chance to win. But Latinos will have power only if they vote. Activists say many Latinos register but do not take part in elections. Dulce Saenz is a Latino community organizer. “Often times, when in other countries, you’re not encouraged to vote, or elections aren’t free and fair. You know, you wonder why maybe other immigrants that become newly-registered or, or new citizens aren’t voting. I think there might be some of those tendencies from other countries.” Jenny Santos goes from home to home in a Denver neighborhood six days a week. Jenny Santos: “So we just wanted to make sure that you’re going to turn out to vote for the Nov 8th election.” Santos says she tells people why they should vote. “It’s important for them to turn out to vote -- every vote counts, and their vote matters. Sometimes it’s very, it’s, it’s disheartening to hear that folks feel that, the, our politicians aren’t listening, our government is not listening.” But she says politicians also need to appeal to Latino voters. “If campaigns don’t target the Latino community to get them out to vote, then folks will not turn out to vote.” Carroll agrees. “They want to see that you’re actually leading a fight to do something to help their families and that you’re not just doing lip service in either English or Spanish.” I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   VOA’s Katherine Gypson reported this story from Denver, Colorado. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow 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   microcosm - n. something (such as a place or an event) that is seen as a small version of something much larger​ tendency - n. a way of behaving, proceeding, etc., that is developing and becoming more common​ turn out - v. to appear  matter - v. to be important  dishearten - v. to cause (a person or group of people) to lose hope, enthusiasm or courage; to discourage (someone)​ lip service - n. support for someone or something that is expressed in words but that is not shown in that person's actions​

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Vietnamese Community in Houston is Growing

Houston, Texas has the largest community of Vietnamese in the United States outside of California. Only a few hundred Vietnamese were living in Houston in 1975, at the end of the Vietnam War. Today, the city is home to more than 100,000 Vietnamese-Americans. The population growth comes from births, immigrants from Vietnam and from Vietnamese moving to Houston from California. Many of those arriving from California are seeking jobs and a lower cost of living. Housing, food and transportation can be very costly in the state. Some Vietnamese have been able to sell homes they have owned for a long time in the Los Angeles area for several hundred thousand dollars. They are then able to buy a new, larger home in Houston for much less. They use the money they save to start a business or pay for a child’s education. Many Vietnamese in Houston work to strengthen their culture. Recently, thousands of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Americans gathered for an event designed to raise money for a local church and charitable groups. The performers and the food were almost all Vietnamese. This 18-year-old woman was in the crowd. “You still can have Vietnamese food, Vietnamese activities like church and charities. So, just come (to) Houston.” Vietnamese come to Houston because of the warm weather, among other things. This young man recently moved to the United States from Vietnam. He spent some time in a few northern U.S. states before coming to Texas. “Houston has the weather like Vietnam, so I think I can live here easier.” Keith Robinson Nguyen is a lawyer. He says Vietnamese living in Houston can easily find others who speak their language. “You have Vietnamese doctors, Vietnamese teachers, Vietnamese lawyers, so we can help them from A to Z without having to use an interpreter.” Nguyen was raised by an American family in New Jersey. He never learned to speak the Vietnamese language. He moved to Houston to study in the 1990s and returned there to live in 2006. He said he felt like an outsider when he first entered the Vietnamese community. “I couldn’t interact with the Vietnamese people here ‘cause I didn’t know the language, I didn’t know the culture. Even though I look Vietnamese, even though I am Vietnamese, I was at a disadvantage.” Nguyen is now able to communicate in Vietnamese and continues to learn more from community leaders like Kim Nguyen. “We all get involved to help each other.” She says many older adults speak very little English and many younger people do not speak Vietnamese. But they all strengthen their culture by attending events that bring them together. “Even (if) they don’t understand much (of) the language, but they choose (to) go to (a) Vietnamese church because they want to show the people that ‘I am a Vietnamese.’” I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. VOA Correspondent Greg Flakus reported this story from Houston. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow 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 cost of living – n. the amount of money that is required in a particular area or society to pay for the basic things that people need (such as food, clothing, and housing) charitable – adj. done or designed to help people who are poor, sick, etc. from A to Z – n. expression including everything interpreter – n. a person who translates the words that someone is speaking into a different language interact – v. to talk or do things with other people disadvantage – n. something that causes difficulty; something that makes someone or something worse or less likely to succeed than others

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Lesson 33: Learning America's Sport

Summary In the second part of "The Time Traveling Treehouse," Anna finds the answer to this question: How do you play baseball?" Speaking In this video, learn about agent nouns. These are nouns that indicate someone or something that performs the action of a verb.  Usually, they end in " -er." Pronunciation Use this video to learn American English pronunciation for the "er" ending of agent nouns.  Conversation   Coworker 2: It is time for part two of the children’s show! Coworker 1: It’s time! It’s time! I can’t wait! Coworker 3: Shh! I can’t hear it! Announcer: Last time on "The Time Traveling Treehouse," Anna was lost, really lost. She wants to learn about baseball. But her computer, MINDY, sent her to many wrong places. Anna: MINDY! Help me! I am in the ocean with a shark!  MINDY: I will try one more time, Anna. Anna: Please try harder, MINDY! Anna: Now, where am I? I am at a playground with a baseball field! Yes! I can teach children about baseball here! MINDY, MINDY, it took you a long time. But you did it! MINDY: Thanks, Anna. Give me a call when you find the answer. Anna: Okay. Come with me. Let’s learn how to play baseball! This is a baseball field. This is a pitcher's mound. This is first base! This is second base! This is third base! This is home plate! Anna: To play baseball, you really only need a bat, a ball and a glove. Each team has many players. Pitchers pitch the ball. Catchers catch the ball. Batters bat the ball. Runners run the bases. Fielders field the ball. Anna: First, the pitcher pitches the ball to the batter. The batter bats the ball. Then, the runner runs to first base.   Anna: Each time a batter bats, the runners run around the bases. Each time a runner runs across home plate, they score a run! There are nine innings in a game. The team with the most runs at the end of nine innings wins the game! Anna:  MINDY, MINDY, we found the answer! It’s time to return to the treehouse. MINDY: Good job! That was fast.    Coworker 3: Good job Anna.  You know, I still don't like children's shows, but I like this children's show. Coworker 2: I liked the time travel. Coworker 1: But time travel is not real. You’re so silly, Anna. Anna: Yeah, time travel is so silly. Thanks, goodbye. Bye, thank you. Anna: Hello, MINDY? Are you there? MINDY: Hello, Anna. Anna: MINDY, I want to go to China! Until next time … Writing Do you work with or play on a team? Did you work with or play on a team in the past? Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about a sequence of events using agent nouns. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Sequence.  Sequence means thinking about how one event or action follows another. For example, Anna says, "First, the pitcher pitches the ball to the batter. The batter bats the ball. Then, the runner runs to first base."   Can you find an example in the lesson of a sequence (hint: it follows "We found the answer!")? 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 bat - v. to hit (something, such as a ball) with a bat or club batter - n. baseball. a player who is trying to hit the ball catcher - n. baseball. the player who plays behind home plate and catches the pitches thrown by the pitcher catch - v. to use your hands to stop and hold (an object that is moving through the air) field - v. baseball or cricket. to catch or stop and throw a ball fielder – n. baseball or cricket. a player who is in the field while the opposing team is batting glove - n. baseball. a padded leather covering for the hand that is used to catch the ball and that has individual thumb and finger sections harder - adj. (try harder) working or doing something with more energy inning - n.baseball. one of the usually nine parts of a game in which each team bats until three outs are made mound - n. the slightly raised area of ground on which a baseball pitcher stands out* - adv. baseball. no longer batting or on a base because of a play made by the other team pitch – v. baseball. to throw a baseball to a batter pitcher – n. baseball. the player who throws the ball to the batter in baseball player - n. a person who plays a sport or game runner - n. baseball. a player who is on base or is trying to reach a base * This word is not in the conversation but may be used for further explanation of the game of baseball ______________________________________________________________ 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 agent nouns. 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: Agent Nouns Topics: Complimenting someone's ability; Explaining how to play a sport or activity Learning Strategy: Sequence Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Agent Nouns; American pronunciation of "er" endings   ____________________________________________________________ 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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Everyday Grammar: Antecedents

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Cinderella in Sports? You Bet!

New on Facebook: Ordering Food & Buying Tickets

Some Facebook users can now order food and buy tickets on the social media site. The new service launched in the United States this week.  Facebook designed it as a new way to connect users with local business. This idea is not now. There are many smart phone applications that already let users to search, order and buy many different products and services. But, Facebook’s service is a little different. It lets users share information about their favorite places and things with family and friends. Facebook says its new tool makes it easier for users to organize their friends’ favorite places and things in one place.   When users write Facebook posts seeking advice on local places or services, they can choose whether to turn on the new feature, called Recommendations. If a user turns this on, Facebook friends can then comment on those posts and give suggestions. Users can also go directly to a Recommendations bookmark on Facebook to ask a new question or to offer help to their friends. The new service lets people order food directly from the Facebook pages of some restaurants. Users can also purchase tickets to movies, music events or other activities. They can also make appointments for personal services, such as getting a haircut. Facebook is testing the service in the United States. It plans to offer it to international users in the future. The new service is part of recent efforts by Facebook to expand its offerings and get people to spend more time using the social media app. A few weeks ago the company launched a feature called Marketplace, which allows people to locally buy and sell things. It also announced the start of Facebook at Work, which helps people connect in the workplace.   This week, the company also gave users the chance to officially endorse a political candidate on the app. Facebook users can show approval for presidential candidates as well as those running for Congress or local office. Users can choose which Facebook friends can see their endorsements. If users make their choices public, political candidates are permitted to make the endorsement visible on their own Facebook page. The 2016 U.S. elections are on November 8. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson 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 feature – n. an interesting or important part recommendation – n. a piece of advice about what to do bookmark – n. internet address used to quickly find things on a regular basis endorse – v. to say publicly that you support a person or action  

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Ancient Sanskrit Poem Teaches About Modern War

The Sanskrit poem “The Mahabharata” is considered the longest work in world literature. The 200,000-line poem tells the story of a great war between two groups of relatives. They are fighting for control of ancient India. Thirty years ago, director Peter Brook led a theatrical production of "The Mahabharata." Some critics say it was one of the greatest theater events of the 20th century. The performance lasted nine hours, and included more than 20 actors on a stage covered in dirt. Brook started working to bring "The Mahabharata" to the theater near the end of the Vietnam War. Now, there is another long conflict taking place: the civil war in Syria. So, the 91-year-old director decided to re-explore a part of the famous poem. The new play is called “Battlefield.” It begins after a disastrous war. The conflict ends in victory for Yudishtira, a prince who is about to become king. What happens to the winner? Brook said that for “Battlefield,” he wanted to direct the attention of theatergoers to just one idea. “Which is not all the causes that lead to a war, not all the horrors of a great massacre, but what is the position of the great leader who realizes that he has done what he set out to do? He has won...” In the play, all the killing saddens Yudishtira at the end of the war. “This victory is a defeat,” he declares, saying that bodies of heroes cover the battlefield.   Yudishtira then wishes to go away and hide in the forest. He wants to live a life of penance, seeking to punish himself for his earlier mistakes. But Peter Brook says he cannot. “You have to live to the responsibility of a person who has won, which is even greater than the responsibility of a person who has lost.” Because he feels guilty, the prince asks for help from a god, asking, "The other war, where will it take place? On the battlefield or in my heart?” Krishna, the god, answers, “I do not see a real difference. The earth will need you. She will enjoy your victory. She will need you to wake up again, to recover her beauty, her calm, her harmony.” Small cast delivers important messages The ideas in "Battlefield" are important. The play looks at death and one’s purpose in life. It also explore issues such as war and peace. It does this with only four actors, some sticks, and a man beating a drum. Brook explains, “We are doing it with a tiny group who are, collectively, one storyteller.” The group explores the story in great detail, and uses their own experiences to help present the human problems in the play. The drummer, Toshi Tsuchitori, tells the story as much as the actors do. He sits at the side of the stage, and he uses the beat of the drum to emphasize different parts of the story. During parts of the show dealing with war, Tsuchitori plays the drum harder. During parts about peace, he plays it softly. Brook says that every performance of “Battlefield” is different. He changes the play a little for each place the players perform. The play is only about an hour, but it is full of many stories from "The Mahabharata." Brook says that the play talks about the most important and powerful ideas about truth, life, and death. It does so in a way that is touching and human.  These are exactly the kinds of stories that Peter Brook has been famous for telling for over 70 years. I’m Phil Dierking. And I'm Jill Robbins.   Jeff Lunden wrote this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think of the ideas in this play? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   drum – n. a musical instrument that is played by hitting a layer of skin or plastic stretched over a round frame with sticks or with your hands collectively – adj. shared or done by a group of people emphasize – v. to give special attention to something harmony – n. a pleasing combination or arrangement of different things horrors – n. something that causes feelings of fear, dread, and shock king – n. a male ruler of a country who usually inherits his position and rules for life massacre – n. the violent killing of many people penance – n. something that you do or are given to do in order to show that you are sad or sorry about doing something wrong prince – n. the son of a king or queen stage – n. a raised platform in a theater, auditorium, etc., where the performers stand tiny – adj. very small   The first two minutes of this video are about the story in this play.    

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English in a Minute: Up One's Alley

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Does Sexism Affect US Presidential Race?

  For the first time, a major American political party has a woman as its candidate for president. The Democratic Party officially nominated Hillary Clinton for the presidency three months ago. But why did it take so long for a woman to be nominated in a country that works to empower women around the world? And, do feelings about the place of women affect how Americans react to a female candidate? Clinton’s aides believe some people will not vote for her because she is a woman. Michele Swers is a professor of American government at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She co-wrote a book called “Women in the Club.”   Swers says many people are likely to consider only men when they think about strength and the ability to lead. “And woman travels in a narrower lane, so that women in politics have to prove both that they hold masculine qualities of leadership, but still also hold feminine personality traits that people assume women have.” Swers says Hillary Clinton is often criticized for showing a lack of warmth in her dealings with others. She also has been criticized for being calculating – having self-interest guide her decisions. But Sonya Michel notes that when Clinton does show her feelings, she is also questioned. Michel, a retired University of Maryland professor, studies the history of women and gender. “And the more she (Clinton) tries to avoid those kinds of criticisms, people say, ‘Well is she strong enough? Is she firm enough? You know, how can she, how can she operate on a world stage?’” Georgetown's Michele Swers says the United States has not had a woman as president because of its political system. In her words, “when it comes to presidential nominations you need to not just work your way up through the party, but you need to build your own coalition, your own coalition of donors, your own coalition of connections to various state party leaders. And all these things have been dominated by men over time, so it’s harder for a woman to have those connections and to break in,” she said. That is likely why Clinton is the first presidential nominee of a major party. She has many connections from all the years she was secretary of state and a member of the Senate. In addition, she is the wife of former President Bill Clinton. Maryland’s Sonya Michel believes that it is easier in other political systems for women to lead. “[In] Europe -- especially in the countries that have parliamentary systems -- people vote for the party,” she says. “They don’t necessarily vote for the candidate; they don’t vote for the person who is going to become prime minister.” Swers says some of the criticism of Clinton is not based on her gender. “I think the criticisms related to the, the email servers and the campaign donations to the Clinton foundation are legitimate in that they question values that we hold about transparency, about honesty, about character in our leadership.” Professor Swers says that in many cultures, women are expected to be more honest, more trustworthy and more likable than men. Reporter Dori Toribio works for the Spanish broadcasting group Mediaset. She thinks women candidates are also expected to be more prepared. “The thing with, with women in politics -- you have to be older, you have to be tougher and, in my point of view, you have to be 10 times better than a man so that you can get to that point -- you have to prove yourself all the time.” On November 9th, the U.S., and the rest of the world, will know whether Hillary Clinton will make history. I’m Anne Ball.   Keida Kostreci reported this story for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow 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   narrow – adj. almost not enough for success lane – n. a road or a path (often used figuratively, as in this report) masculine – adj. of, relating to or suited to men or boys personality trait – n. a quality that makes one person or thing different from another gender – adj. the state of being male or female legitimate – adj. allowed according to rules or laws transparency – n. the quality that makes something obvious or easy to understand character – n. the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves;  someone's personality

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