Lesson 36: I Can Fix This!

Summary Anna bought the wrong foods for the dinner she and Marsha planned for some friends. They are coming in thirty minutes. What will Anna make with the unusual ingredients she bought? Speaking Use this video to practice saying the new words and learn some prepositions of location: in, on, under, and inside. Pronunciation Use this video to learn how to change your intonation when saying compound nouns like pancake mix, shopping list, and peanut butter. Conversation Anna: Last time on Let’s Learn English, Marsha and I invited friends to a dinner party but I shopped with the wrong list. Guests are coming soon. Marsha is worried but I have a plan. Let’s see what it is. Anna: I just need a couple of ingredients. Marsha, please hand me the flour. Marsha: Anna, where is the flour? It's not in the cabinets. Anna: I put the flour inside the refrigerator. Marsha: Why? Anna: It’s cold and dry in the refrigerator. See, it says: “Put in a cold, dry place.” Okay, now, Marsha, please hand me the eggs. Marsha: Anna, where are the eggs? Anna: The eggs are inside the cabinet under the sink. Marsha: Anna, why are the eggs in here? Anna: On the farm, we always put the eggs there. How else can the chickens see them? Okay. You clean the living room. I will make dinner. Marsha: What are you going to make with these ingredients? Anna: I have a plan. Marsha: Okay, the apartment is clean. The kitchen is not. What are you cooking? Anna: I made my favorite recipe: peanut-butter-banana pancakes! Marsha: You made breakfast. Anna: Yes! I call it let’s-eat-breakfast-for-dinner dinner! Marsha: Anna! Mmm! Hey, this tastes good! Anna, you made it work! Anna: That’s our guests! Marsha: I’ll answer the door. Anna: I’ll finish here. Anna: Like I said, sometimes Marsha worries too much. When something goes wrong with your plan, just change the plan! Till next time! Writing What is your favorite recipe? Is it an easy food to cook? Tell us about it. Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about location​s in the kitchen. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Substitute.  That means using one thing instead of another. In using English, if you can't think of a word, you can use a phrase that means the same thing. Let's say you cannot remember the word "huge." You can say "very, very big" instead and communicate the same meaning. Or, you can use a gesture with your arms out to your side. Gestures are another way to substitute when communicating in your second language. In this lesson, after Anna makes pancakes for dinner, she says, "Yes! I call it let’s-eat-breakfast-for-dinner dinner!" She substitutes a breakfast food for a dinner food. Marsha agrees with Anna's substitution. She says, "Anna, you made it work! How about you? Do you ever substitute in speaking English? 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 breakfast - n. the first meal of the day cabinet - n.  a piece of furniture that is used for storing things and usually has doors and shelves dry - adj. having no or very little water or liquid egg - n. a hard-shelled oval thing from which a young bird is born flour - n. powder made from a grain (especially wheat) that is used in cooking for making bread or cakes inside - p.  in or into the inner part of  (something or someone) recipe - n. a set of instructions for making food refrigerator - n. a device or room that is used to keep things (such as food and drinks) cold sink - n. a wide bowl that has a faucet for water and a drain at the bottom and is usually positioned in a counter taste - v. to have a particular flavor under - p. in or to a lower place than (something)  ______________________________________________________________ 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 talking about locations in the kitchen. 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 of location Topics: Asking the location of items; Names of locations in the kitchen Learning Strategy: Substitute Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Intonation patterns of compound nouns   ____________________________________________________________ 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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Trump Supporters Expect President-elect to Carry Out Promises

Donald Trump supporters expect him to carry out his campaign promises. “I expect him to move quickly with his rock-the-boat agenda,” said Republican Senator David Vitter of Louisiana. By rock the boat, Vitter means making changes sure to upset people who liked the way things were done in the past. A Los Angeles Times public opinion study taken before the election found only 43 percent of Trump supporters expected him to win. But now that he is president-elect, Trump supporters expect him to act on his campaign promises and to do so quickly. Roy Beck heads Numbers USA. It is a group in Virginia that supports limits on immigration and efforts to reduce illegal immigration. “Politicians often make promises that they do not act on,” Beck said. “But dealing with illegal immigration was so much a part of Trump’s campaign and a large reason why many people voted for him. He has to act.” However, Beck does not expect Trump to order the removal of all 11 million undocumented immigrants as he once proposed during his campaign. Focus on American Jobs “The focus will be on how to get Americans into jobs,” Beck said. Beck argues many jobs are going to immigrants and that the numbers of both legal and illegal immigrants should be reduced. Robert Jeffress is minister at the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. He campaigned for Trump. Jeffress said Trump will appoint Supreme Court justices who will vote to overturn a 1973 ruling that gave women the right to an abortion. Jeffress believes Trump is more committed than previous Republican presidents, including Ronald Reagan, to limiting the number of abortions. A Different Side of Trump During the campaign, Trump often used harsh criticism to describe his opponents. He regularly called his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, “crooked Hillary.” He called Republican primary opponent Ted Cruz, “lying Ted.” Jeffress does not expect those kinds of personal attacks to continue. “I think people are going to be surprised at the difference between candidate Trump and President Trump,” Jeffress told VOA. David Vitter is leaving the U.S. Senate just as Trump becomes president. Vitter said Trump has a good chance to win passage of proposals to cut back on government regulations and better enforce immigration laws. That is because he will have a Republican-controlled Congress. But Vitter also wants Trump to push an issue not popular with Republican or Democratic members of Congress. Vitter has long proposed limiting how long a member of Congress can serve or term limits. Trump took up the Vitter proposal during his campaign for president. Trump said term limits are a good way to make sure politicians represent the people, not special interests. Expecting Trump to Carry out Major Promises Kathryn Stellmack of Florida told Reuters she expects Trump to move forward with all his major promises. That includes a promise to be the “greatest jobs president that God has ever created.” “And if he doesn’t, we will hold his feet to the fire,” she said. By holding his feet to the fire, Stellmack means protesting if Trump does not carry out campaign promises. A Trump Supporter Hears the Other Side Some Trump supporters say they have friends who do not share their good opinions of Trump. Zach Bartman is a junior at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He has watched students at some American universities and high schools take to the streets to protest Trump’s victory. “I have a friend who is gay, and very liberal, and very upset and worried about what Trump will do as president,” Bartman said. “I told him not to worry. I think Trump will be the most pro-gay president ever.” After the election, Trump described same-sex marriage as settled law. In effect, Trump was saying the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that states cannot stop same-sex couples from marrying is unlikely to change. But many people who supported Democrat Hillary Clinton for president are worried. A new Gallup Poll said 75 percent of Clinton supporters said they were less confident in Trump’s ability to serve as president than they were during the campaign. The same study said 51 percent of U.S. adults described themselves as “more confident” in Trump after the election. Since the presidential vote, Trump has taken steps to reassure opponents. “I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me,” Trump said in his victory speech last week. But some said naming Stephen Bannon to a top White House position was a bad sign. The Anti-Defamation League, an activist group, said Bannon ran a conservative news service that “provided a platform for anti-Muslim extremists.” Trump aides said Bannon is a smart political adviser who does not hold negative views of Muslims and Jews, as some critics claim. Ninety-five percent of Republicans told Gallup that they are more confident since the November 8 election in Trump’s abilities. One of those expressing confidence is Robert Straniere, a Republican from Staten Island, New York. Straniere said he got to know Trump as a successful New York businessman. “We have a president-elect who is a doer and knows how to get things done,” Straniere said. “I think he can get a lot of things done quickly.” Trump takes office on January 20, 2017. I’m Dorothy Gundy. And I'm Bruce Alpert. ​ Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. 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. Are you looking forward to the Trump presidency? Or are you worried? _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   agenda - n. a list of things to be considered or done focus - n. the subject on which people's attention is centered abortion - n. a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy commit - v. to see to it that something is done harsh - adj. severe or cruel crooked - adj. not honest gay - adj. sexually attracted to someone who is the same sex reassure - v. to make someone feel less afraid pledge - v. promise to do something confident –adj. to have a feeling of belief that someone or something can do well or succeed    

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Rising Number of Heroin Users on Kenya’s Coast

Coast Province in Kenya is known for its natural beauty. For years, many Europeans have traveled to the area to see its white sands, blue waters and the sails of traditional dhow boats in the sea. But there is an ugly part of Coast Province: more and more people there are using the illegal drug heroin. Drug traffickers have been transporting increasing amounts of heroin through East Africa on its way to Europe. Farah Abubakar Hajji looks like many other 18-year-olds, except for one difference -- he has scar tissue on many parts of his arms and legs. Those wounds resulted from heroin injections. Farah began using the drug when he was 14. “I decided to inject because my father left and I remained with a single parent, so I had a lot of stress and I decided to inject. So when I inject, I feel very good. My mother is always shouting but when I inject, I feel it’s okay for me.” Reporter Jill Craig met Farah at the Omari Project in the town of Malindi. The project operates programs to help Kenyans who use illegal drugs to stop using them. Farah says he left school when he was 12, and sold things to tourists. While Malindi is beautiful, the local economy has been hurting. Because the town depends upon visitors, it suffers when they do not come. Concerns about attacks by the al-Shabab terrorist group caused Western countries to warn their citizens to avoid the area. Many of the warnings were cancelled last year, but few foreigners have returned. Like many young people, Farah has a number of jobs. He tries to earn enough money to buy heroin and to support his girlfriend and her baby. His girlfriend also uses drugs. Fatma Jeneby works in the city of Mombasa at the Muslim Education and Welfare Association, called MEWA. The group operates rehabilitation support groups along Kenya’s coast. “We’ve seen there is a total change in trend of heroin users, at the age of 15 to 24 years, so this is very alarming to us, because if we, if we are getting drug users at the age of 15 years, meaning that at the age of 10 years, they’ve already started using other drugs so heroin is just a progression of whatever has been there before.” Heroin is usually not the first drug that locals use. They begin with tobacco, then use marijuana or other drugs. Some drink a locally-made alcohol. Often, they use a combination of these substances. Jeneby says now more people are chewing mogoka leaves, another stimulant. “Mogoka it’s the one which is causing very, very [much] havoc within the community, because young, young children are able to, to acquire this drug at a very cheaper rate of around 50 shillings.” That is about half of one U.S. dollar, and it is available almost everywhere. Hassan Musa works at the Kenya Red Cross. “If it hasn’t affected you because this person is your son, it has affected you because he’s your neighbor. He’ll come and steal to you. He’ll come to steal to your house, which means it, it affects you. So you, you, you’re in your house but you’re worried. You don’t want to leave your house because, you know, my neighbor will come and steal. So it has affected you. So, in one way or another, whether we like it or not, it has affected everyone in Coast Province -- everyone.” Back in Malindi, two Omari outreach workers visit a place where drug users often go to take illegal drugs. Farah is there and injecting heroin. “Life is not easy for me, because now, I, I feel I’ve messed up my life but I don’t, I don’t know the way out. I just try to find the way out, and mother is very poor. My sister has died, and my mother left with the five children. So there is poverty at home. I’m confused, but I’m not okay with the life I live." Later, reporter Jill Craig meets Farah a third time when she visits a hospital. The hospital offers a methadone treatment, which helps heroin users reduce their dependency on the drug. Farah had been in the program earlier, but left. He has returned to try to learn how to stop using heroin. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   VOA Correspondent Jill Craig reported this story from Kenya. 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   stress – n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc. tourist – n. a person who travels to a place for pleasure rehabilitation – v. to bring (someone or something) back to a normal, healthy condition after an illness, injury, drug problem, etc. stimulant – n. something (such as a drug) that makes you more active or gives you more energy havoc – n. a situation in which there is much destruction or confusion acquire – v. to get (something); to come to own (something) outreach – n. the activity or process of bringing information or services to people methadone – n. a drug that people take to help them stop taking heroin treatment – n. something that deals with a disease, injury, etc., in order to make someone feel better or become healthy again; medical care

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What do Spider Webs and Guitar Strings Have in Common?

Spider webs have something in common with guitar strings. The long, thin strings on a guitar can vibrate. They move back and forth, or from side to side. So do webs made by spiders. The lines of silk they produce can carry vibrations. This movement gives the small creature information about what landed on the web. Spiders have eight legs and usually eight eyes. The animals build webs with their own soft, naturally-made silk. And much like playing the strings of a guitar, a spider can send out vibrations across its web across many different frequencies. Scientists at the University of Oxford have shown how spiders control the tension of their webs. They do this to make use of the power of their senses.     Spiders catch their food, usually insects, in their web. They make small movements, which spread across their web. The vibrations can tell the spider what is there — maybe a possible mate, or something tasty to eat. Beth Mortimer works in the Zoology Department at the university. She says the vibrations gives the spider details about what is caught in the web. They can tell the spider where that next meal is, and what it might be. But she says, vibrations are not just used to identify what is for dinner. "But vibrations are also important in courtship, so lots of males will actually generate a very specific kind of a musical pattern which the females can use to determine not only that they're a male, but they're the right species, and whether she might want to mate with them as well.”  Mortimer adds that a spider make its own vibrations to find out the condition of the web. How do the researchers know that? They used special equipment to send out laser pulses into the web of a garden cross spider. Then they used a laser to measure the very small vibrations, which spread through the web. They sent their own vibration to learn more. “We were able to input our own vibration into the web, move this vibration around to different locations to work out how the spider is able to locate where vibration sources are coming from and how the vibrations change as they move through the web structure." Using computer models, the scientist could show how a spider can change the size of a wave vibration. The spider does this by changing the tension — or tightness — of the silk lines. ​Mortimer says by controlling the tightness of the material, it lets the spider “effectively tune their web’s properties.” The spiders then can control how information is getting to them where they hang out in the middle of the web. The research shows that spiders have a special ability to shape the physical properties of their self-made materials and creations. The scientists think that spider silk may have changed over time for this purpose. And, Mortimer explains, in a way, spiders can move their silk threads, much like a musician plays the strings of a guitar. "They are constantly able to monitor the tensioning on their webs by, they can kind of feel around with their legs, so they have a behavior where they kind of bounce on their webs slightly and sometimes they pluck the silk fibers as well.  So they're able to send out a vibratory signal into the web and they can monitor what comes back." Engineers might be able to learn a thing or two from spiders.  This information could help engineers better understand how structures react to energy, and how vibrations affect a building.   I’m Anne Ball.   This story was written 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 vibrate – v. to move back and forth or from side to side with very short, quick movements frequency – n.  the number of times that something (such as a sound wave or radio wave) is repeated in a period of time (such as a second) courtship – n. the behavior of animals that leads to sexual activity or the period of time when such behavior occurs generate – v. create or make something happen monitor – v. watch closely and keep track of bounce – v. to move in one direction, hit a surface (such as a wall or the floor), and then quickly move in a different and usually opposite direction pluck – v. to pull and release (a string on a musical instrument) with your fingers in order to make a sound    

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Everyday Grammar: Frequency Adverbs

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More College Students May Be at Risk for STDs

  College is a time when many young people experiment and learn more about themselves. Some may have romantic relationships and even engage in sexual activity for the first time. But experimenting with sex has risks. Sex without a condom can lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report in October on the spread of STDs in the United States. The CDC is the main government agency dealing with public health in the U.S. The CDC report showed cases of gonorrhea in the U.S. increased by 13 percent between 2014 and 2015. Cases of syphilis rose by 19 percent. And the number of cases of chlamydia grew to 1.5 million -- the highest level the CDC has ever recorded. The report showed the majority of cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea were among people age 15 to 24. Most college students in the U.S. are between 18 and 25 years old. Eloisa Llata is a medical researcher working on STD prevention for the CDC. Llata says throughout history, STDs have affected people between the ages of 15 and 24 more than any other group in the U.S. But she says the college environment does create unique risks. Llata notes that a student can come from a small community with a limited number of sexual partners to an area with a larger population. She also says the college experience can lead young people to engage in risky behavior. "These folks tend to be unmarried, have maybe more than one partner at a time, and college might be an area where things like binge drinking and drug use might play a larger role." The CDC reported in April that the pregnancy rate among women age 15 to 19 in the U.S. reached an all-time low. Llata says this change is because more young people are using contraceptive methods such as the birth control pill. The pill is a type of medicine women must take every day to prevent pregnancies. But the pill does not prevent the spread of STDs. Llata says getting an STD has serious consequences. STDs can affect a woman’s ability to have children and may put people at greater risk for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Why have STD rates gone up? Laura Lindberg, a research scientist with the Guttmacher Institute, says the rise in STD rates is not yet a major cause for concern. The Guttmacher Institute is a nonprofit organization that studies sexual health and policy in the U.S. Lindberg argues that a major reason the number of reported cases of STDs has gone up is because more people now have access to healthcare. People do not know they have an STD unless they get tested for STDs, she says. And most people do not go to the doctor because they believe they have an STD. Lindberg notes people most often get an STD test while they at the doctor for another reason. She argues sexual activity among young people has not gone up in ways doctors can measure. And condom use has decreased only a little. So, Lindberg says, the increase in STDs shows only that more young people are getting tested. Also, the increase is not enough information to prove the STD rate among young people will continue to increase, she adds. Why aren’t young people more careful? But Lindberg admits there is a problem: many young people do not think about the consequences of risky sexual activity. She says they are embarrassed about discussing sexual health. And, she says, they worry that if they get tested their parents will learn they are sexually active. Lindberg notes that the only people not at risk for STDs are those in long-term relationships with a single partner. She says most relationships in college are newer and those involved may not limit themselves to one partner. This means sexually active college students should get tested regularly. But Lindberg says young people face a bigger problem than just embarrassment: education. "Today’s college students are part of a generation whose sex education that they received prior to college has been very weak. Many of them did not receive comprehensive sex education. They did not receive instruction and information about birth control. Instead, what they got was some version of an 'abstinence until marriage program' which left out key information about using condoms and contraception to protect themselves. So today’s college students need information. They need medically accurate information. They need honest information. And they need complete information." A 2015 CDC report found fewer than half of the high schools in the U.S. taught all the suggested topics in their sex education classes. For example, Lindberg says, many young people may not know that most STDs can be treated. And they may not know that the birth control pill prevents only pregnancies. Couples may be risking STDs by not using condoms. Lindberg adds that STDs are a much bigger problem for young people who are not attending college. Often these young people live in communities with less money. This means they have less access to healthcare and STD testing. Also, the American Medical Association, the American College Health Association and over 100 other organizations say sex education programs that only teach about waiting for sex until marriage do not work. Still, colleges can do a great deal to help their students, says Debby Herbenick. Herbenick is a professor at Indiana University in Bloomington. She is also the director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion in the university’s School of Public Health. Herbenick and others in the center teach classes about human sexuality and gender. She says young men and women need to learn about how to respect each other and their own bodies. "They don’t always know that sexual pleasure is a good thing and that it’s something that, in fact, adults do expect them to explore and be experienced in. Some of them have been really shamed and just been taught that sex is bad. I think that many young people are just trying to figure out how to create sexual lives that are respectful, that are healthy. And they are looking to adults to support them in that." Herbenick says schools can support students by providing STD testing and sexual health counseling in their health centers. If they do not have the resources to do so, schools should direct the students to other places that can help. She also suggests that schools can invite speakers to talk about healthy relationships and sexual activity. And most of all, Herbenick believes schools should require students to take at least one class about sexuality. As Laura Lindberg at the Guttmacher Institutes notes, there should never be just one conversation about sexual health. I’m Pete Musto   Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. How is sexual education taught in your country? What kinds of sexual health resources or services do universities in your country offer? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   romantic – adj. of, relating to, or involving love between two people condom – n. a thin rubber covering that a man wears on his penis during sex in order to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant or to prevent the spread of diseases gonorrhea – n. a disease of the sex organs that is spread by sexual contact syphilis – n. a very serious disease that is spread through sexual intercourse chlamydia – n. a disease of the sex organs that is spread by sexual contact unique – adj. very special or unusual binge drinking – n. the drinking of a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time contraceptive – n. a drug or device, such as birth control pills or a condom, that is used to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant pill – n. a small, rounded object that you swallow and that contains medicine or vitamins consequence(s) – n. something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions embarrassed – adj. to be made to feel confused and foolish in front of other people comprehensive – adj. including many, most, or all things abstinence – n. the practice of not doing or having something that is wanted or enjoyable accurate – adj. free from mistakes or errors shame(d) – v. to force someone to act in a specified way by causing feelings of shame or guilt counseling – n. advice and support that is given to people to help them deal with problems or make important decisions

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Lobbyists: Part of the Lawmaking Process

Join us now for Words and Their Stories, a program from VOA Learning English. Each week, we tell the story of words and expressions used in American English. Some of them are old. Some are new. Together, they form the living and always changing language of the American people. In the United States during an election, voters go to the polls to cast their votes. When deciding on which candidate to support, voters consider many things. They consider the issues a candidate supports. They also consider from whom the candidate receives money or campaign donations. And that brings us to our word for this Words and Their Stories. It’s a political word: “lobby.” “Lobbying” is an attempt to influence a legislator’s vote on a bill. Lobbying has been a legal activity since the earliest days of the United States. The First Amendment to the Constitution says that no law may prevent people from petitioning or requesting the government to change things the people feel are wrong. The right of the people to petition the government has led to lobbying. Lobbying is a type of free speech. English speakers have used the word “lobby” for almost 400 years. The lobby was the large room next to the House of Commons in the British Parliament. The lobby was a public area where private citizens could meet with legislators to make requests. So, people who met in the lobby with legislators were called “lobbyists.” Besides politics, a lobby is also part of many large buildings. Many apartment buildings and hotels have lobbies. You also can meet your friends in the lobby of a theater or concert hall during the intermission of a performance. This, however, does not make you a lobbyist. During the early years of the United States, lobbyists had a bad name. There were many cases of lobbyists buying the votes of lawmakers. They were seen by the public as dishonest people who influenced legislation illegally for their own private gain. In later years, Congress and state legislatures passed laws to restrict dishonest lobbying activities. Lobbyists must register with the government and they must follow many complex regulations. Legislators and the public began to recognize the value of the job done by honest lobbyists. There are many honest lobbyists who try to influence legislation. Lobbyists and lobby groups have an active part in making laws. This Schoolhouse Rock video explain how a bill becomes a law. Lobbyists play an important part. Lobbyists help inform Congress and the public about problems and issues. Lobbyists provide technical information about legislative proposals. And lobbyists let lawmakers know whom a bill would help and whom it would hurt. As the federal government has expanded, so has the number of special interest groups: industries, labor unions, professional organizations, citizens groups and representatives of foreign interests. These special interest groups all lobby Congress. A lobbyist represents a group and tries to advance its interests. When a bill is proposed that affects that group, a lobbyist meets with lawmakers to explain the group’s position. There are so many lobbyists that almost every side of an issue is represented. Some experts say the number of registered lobbyists in Washington, D.C. is decreasing. However, other experts don’t agree. They claim the number of lobbyists actively lobbying the U.S. government is actually growing. However, to avoid the lobby registration system and regulations these lobbyists have gone underground -- or they do their lobbying out of public view. This does not help their public image. And that brings us to the end of this Words and Their Stories. I’m Anna Matteo.   Marilyn Rice Christiano wrote this story. Anna Matteo provided additional information. ________________________________________________________________ Words and Their Stories   intermission – n. a short break between the parts of a performance (such as a play, movie, or concert) increase – v. to become larger or greater in size, amount or number decrease – v. to become smaller in size, amount, number, etc. underground – adv. in or into a place that is hidden or secret; out of the view of the public

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Kenya Expanding Purple Tea Production

  Kenya is the third-largest tea producer in the world. Almost all of the tea grown in the East African nation is exported. Black tea is responsible for nearly all of the exports. But some Kenyan farmers have begun growing purple tea. Purple tea was first grown near Mount Kenya, the country’s highest mountain, in 2008. The plant’s color is a sign of a powerful antioxidant called anthocyanin. Some people believe purple tea is better for your health than green or black tea. Lilian Kerio is a biochemist at the Kenya Tea Research Institute. “We have researched a lot on the health benefits from cancerous models to models that have undergone extreme oxidative stress, and we have seen that purple tea actually alleviates the stress in these cells and we have used that to educate our people that purple tea is actually good for your health.” The Kenya Tea Development Authority says Kenyan tea growers have received orders for purple tea from all over the world. It says the tea is being shipped to India, Japan and many European countries. Lerionka Tiampati is the director of the Kenya Tea Development Authority. “So as the market warms up to it and as more demand comes up, then we will expand the acreage under the crop but as it is right now, that is the process so people are getting used to it. But as I said, it is an upmarket product. It is not a mass market product so it’s never really going to replace the CTC, or orthodox teas, that you see in the global market.” Only a few stores in Kenya sell purple tea, which has a sweet taste. People who try it often buy more. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. Correspondent Rael Ombuor reported this story from Nairobi for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for 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   antioxidant – n. a substance that is added to food and other products to prevent harmful chemical reactions in which oxygen is combined with other substances benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect stress – n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc. alleviate – v. to reduce the pain or trouble of (something); to make (something) less painful, difficult, or severe upmarket – adj. made for or appealing to people who have a lot of money orthodox – adj. usual or traditional

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Putting Namibia on the World Music Map

A young singer wants people around the world to recognize Namibia as a source for good music. Shishani is a singer and musician. She was born in Windhoek, the capital of the desert country in southern Africa. But, she spent much of her youth living in Europe. She arrived in the Netherlands as a five-year-old and found herself surrounded by music, but not much of it was African music. “Growing up in Europe...there was no access to Namibian music. In 20 years, I only found one CD from Namibia, which was an ethnographic recording of the Bushmen people, the San people… jazz, r&b, funk, hip hop – that was the stuff that was accessible to me, growing up as a child in Europe. There were no African artists on MTV or TMF when I was watching TV…” Although she did not get to hear music from Africa, Shishani did become a music student.  She was interested in the many kinds of sounds she heard in Europe. That mixture of musical styles plays an important part in her band, called Shishani and the Namibian Tales. The musicians in her group come from many countries. A German plays the mbira, an instrument from Zimbabwe. A Hungarian plays the cello. And a man from Turkey plays the drums. Shishani and her musicians are even considering doing some songs with the San, people native to Namibia. “We’re going to do a collaboration with the San people in the Kalahari, with the idea of collaborating, creating new music and performances and hopefully touring together as well." Shishani said she thinks it is a good idea to combine modern sounds with those that have long been made by Namibia’s native people. Now she wants to bring this new style of music to people around the world. Shishani and her band have been traveling through Europe.  Shishani and the Namibian Tales also will be playing music later this year in Pakistan.  The group has a new album, Itaala. The musicians will be playing in the Netherlands in 2017.   I’m Dan Friedell. Bram Posthumus wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted his report for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. Will you look for music by Shishani? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________   Words in This Story collaboration – n. work done with another person in order to accomplish a task tour– v. to travel from place to place to perform, give speeches, etc. album – n. a long musical recording on a record, CD, etc., that usually includes a set of songs ethnographic – adj. something created through the study of human races and cultures tale – n. an exciting or dramatic story  

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