The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

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The Mask of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

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Adverb and Adjective Choices in Conversation

  From VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar.  Imagine two American students are talking outside of their school. Let’s listen to the imaginary conversation: A: Today is going slow. B: Yeah. I guess we should study for our grammar test. A: That sounds like a terrible idea. B: Yeah, but if we don't study, we won't do good on the test. A: Fine. Let's go study our notes quick. Then we can play video games. These bad students may hate grammar, but they just taught you some common grammatical structures in conversational American English. In today's report, we will study how conversational grammar differs from written and formal grammatical structures. We will show you how some Americans use adjectives and adverbs in casual conversation. Adjectives and Adverbs Adjectives are words that give information about nouns. They generally appear before nouns, although they also appear after linking verbs. Here are two examples: You are a good student. Learning English is fun. In the two example sentences, the words "good" and "fun" are adjectives. They are telling you something about a noun. Adverbs are often used to modify adjectives or verbs. They give information about reason, manner, time, and so on. For example, the adverb loudly appears in this sentence: We sang loudly. The adverb loudly modifies the past tense verb, sang. It tells about the way in which the subject, we, sang. Adverbs often have an –ly ending, but there are many that do not. You can read more about adverbs in past Everyday Grammar stories. Conversation: Let's think back to the conversation we heard at the beginning of the story: A: Today is going slow. B: Yeah. I guess we should study for our grammar test. A: That sounds like a terrible idea. B: Yeah, but if we don't study, we won't do good on the test. A: Fine. Let's go study our notes quick. Then we can play videogames. Notice that the words are used differently from what might be taught in an English class. In casual conversation, Americans often use adjective forms in place of adverbs. They may use adjective forms to modify verbs. For example, the students use good – a word that is normally an adjective - as an adverb. One student says "we won't do good on the test." In writing and in formal conversation, Americans generally do not use the word "good" this way. Instead, they use the word well. In formal writing or speaking, you would be more likely to see or hear the sentence "we won't do well on the test." Americans also may use an adverb but choose not to say an –ly ending. For example, the student says "today is going slow," instead of "today is going slowly." You would be more likely to read "slowly" in academic writing, write Susan Conrad and Douglas Biber, two English grammar experts. Not necessarily slang, not necessarily impolite These grammatical structures are not necessarily slang. They are not necessarily impolite, either. You might hear some of these structures in a restaurant, at a job fair, or even at work. For example, a boss might tell an employee "We need to do this quick," about a project that must be completed quickly. This is the same pattern that the students used in their conversation. Conrad and Biber say that in formal speech and writing, adjective forms are almost never used to modify verbs. In addition, adverbs with –ly endings are more common in writing – particularly in academic and news writing.* What can you do? The good news is this: we are not asking you to memorize any of the patterns we have talked about today. What we hope to do is show you that the grammatical patterns in conversation do not always match the patterns used in formal writing or speech. There is more flexibility in casual speech. Understanding this idea will help you understand Americans when they speak, and it will help you sound more natural when you speak to Americans. You might also be pleased to know that Americans will not judge you severely if you use an adjective in place of an adverb. In fact, they probably would do the same! I'm Jill Robbins. And I'm John Russell.  John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.   *Please see Conrad and Biber "Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach to English" pgs. 73-75 ** If you would like to read more about adverbs, you might want to try these two resources: http://ift.tt/1LgUDFp http://ift.tt/2kZT31P _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   conversation – n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing casual – adj. not formal modify – v.  grammar: to limit or describe the meaning of (a word or group of words) manner – n.  the way that something is done or happens academic – adj. of or relating to schools and education slang – n. words that are not considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech especially by a particular group of people impolite – adj. not polite pattern – n. the regular and repeated way in which something happens or is done memorize – v. to learn (something) so well that you are able to remember it perfectly flexibility – n. able to change or to do different things

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US: Missile System in South Korea Meant to Stop North Korean Threat

  China is increasing efforts to stop deployment of an American anti-missile system on the Korean Peninsula. The missile system is called THAAD, short for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System. The deployment is one of several issues being discussed by South Korean and United States officials. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis arrived in Seoul Thursday on his first foreign trip as head of the Defense Department. Mattis spoke with South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. He restated the U.S. desire for strong cooperation with South Korea as it faces possible threats from North Korea. The defense secretary said America stands “shoulder-to-shoulder” with South Korea. He added that, “Were it not for the provocative behavior of North Korea, we would have no need for THAAD out here.” Other nations do not need to be worried about THAAD, he said. After visiting South Korea, Mattis planned to visit Japan, another U.S. ally in East Asia. U.S. and South Korean officials have repeatedly stated that the aim of the missile system is to answer the threat of North Korean missile attacks on the South. China, however, considers the planned deployment as a threat to its security. The deployment comes at a time when there are several difficult issues facing China and the United States. One is China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. But defense experts say North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs could likely be the biggest security problem facing the U.S. over the next two years. On January 1, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that his country is close to launching an intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korea continues work on both its nuclear and missile programs, yet faces strong trade restrictions because of those activities. U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, have criticized China for not doing more to control its neighbor. China has concerns about THAAD deployment China, however, objects to the anti-missile system being placed so near its borders. THAAD has a powerful radar system that China says would let the United States see far into Chinese and Russian territory. Tang Jianqun is director of the department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. He says there are two things about the system that worry China. “This is not only a military system for the ROK [Republic of Korea]. This is actually a regional, a global plan, for the United States to have a shield in one hand and a sword in another,” he said. Tang added that the THAAD system interferes with the balance of power among states that possess nuclear weapons. He said THAAD is part of a chain” of systems that goes from Europe to East Asia and the Pacific. Tang said the Chinese government is concerned about U.S. radars in Japan, Alaska and on the island of Taiwan. This larger system is what China objects to, he said. Some experts say China also is worried that the deployment will hurt its efforts to expand influence in South Korea. The two countries have strong trade ties. And in 2015, the South Korean and Russian leaders visited China for a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.   Since that time, however, South Korean President Park Gyuen-hye agreed to the deployment of THAAD. Later, Park was impeached on corruption charges. The country’s highest court is now considering the case. China may have taken steps to show displeasure with the THAAD deployment. Jagannath Panda, an expert with the Institute of Defense Studies and Analysis in New Delhi, notes a drop in the number of Chinese making visits to South Korea. He says this has affected the South Korean economy. South Korean media have reported on other actions they say China has taken since the deployment was announced. These include travel restrictions on Korean performers, cancellation of some private charter flights and actions against a South Korean business, the Lotte Group. Lotte is one of South Korea’s biggest conglomerates. It owns the property where THAAD is to be set up. The anti-missile system is expected to be put in place in May. However, there are concerns that growing public opposition may delay the deployment. I’m Mario Ritter.   Bill Ide reported this story for VOANews.com. VOA’s Chris Hannas provided additional information. Mario Ritter adapted the story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   shoulder-to-shoulder – idiom in cooperation with, working together closely provocative – adj. causing discussion, or argument impeach – v. to charge a public officials with a crime conglomerate – adj. a large business composed of many different kinds of companies intercontinental – adj. extending among continents; carried between continents ballistic – adj. of or related to the movement of objects in flight

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Company Helps International Students Get American Credit Cards

  More than one million international students are studying in the United States. Many of them find it helpful to have a smartphone and an American credit card. These things make it easy to pay for many kinds of goods and services. But getting a credit card as an international student is not a simple process. Normal U.S. lenders ask for a social security number. They also ask to see a person’s credit history. This helps the lenders trust that someone is responsible and will make timely payments.   These are the things most international students do not have. But one company is trying to make the process easier and fairer for them. A history of credit Jack Guo is from China. He now studies at a university in California. He says having an American credit card makes it easier for students to get around town.  And, he says, credit cards are important for international students who hope to live in the country in the future. "A lot of my friends who have had the cards already because it's pretty important to get around L.A. And also if you're going to stay here afterwards for a job, for internship, for career, of course, you are going to consider buying property to live here, and having credit is pretty important if you want to get a loan." In some countries, paper money, or cash, remains a common way to pay for goods.  But in the United States, people often use credit cards. They have become even more common with the rise of e-commerce. A new way to measure credit Kalpesh Kapadia came from India to study at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He faced the same difficulties that many international students face when trying to get an American credit card. He decided to open SelfScore. The company has a different way of measuring a person’s financial trustworthiness, Kapadia says. Instead of asking for credit history and a social security number, SelfScore looks at documents such as passports, visas, and acceptance letters to American schools.  The company also considers a student’s ability to pay.   "The traditional system was designed in the 20th century before Internet, before smartphones, before social media, and it's kind of antiquated. We are inventing a new system.” About 10,000 international students from more than 66 countries now have credit cards through SelfScore. Kapadia says less than 1 percent of SelfScore’s credit card holders are past due on their payments. He calls international students “highly motivated,” or driven to succeed. "This is a highly motivated population. Someone who comes here, 10,000 miles away, to make their life better through education is going to be behave quite differently."   I’m Phil Dierking This story was originally written for VOAnews.com by Elizabeth Lee.  Phil Dierking adapted this story for Learning English using other media. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Do you use a credit card?  Have you ever?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   antiquated- adj. very old and no longer useful, popular, or accepted. cash – n. money in the form of coins and bills. e-commerce – n. commercial transactions done electronically on the Internet. internship – n. a position for someone who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience. lenders – n. an organization or person that lends money motivated – adj. to have a reason to do something social-security – n. any government system that provides to people who need money. trustworthiness – n. the ability to be relied on as honest or truthful.

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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Address to Career Diplomats

Rex Tillerson was sworn in as the United State's Secretary of State on February 1. He is the former chairman and chief executive of ExxonMobil. This is his first address to career diplomats at the State Department.

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Who Is Top Trump Adviser Steve Bannon?

  President Donald Trump’s chief political strategist, Steve Bannon, has received much media attention since starting his job at the White House. Last week, Trump reorganized his National Security Council to give Bannon a seat on its “principals committee.” Lawmakers and former administration officials criticized the move. They said Bannon should focus on his role as political adviser instead of attending meetings with national security and military officials.  Bannon also recently spoke out against the U.S. news media in an interview with the New York Times. He said, “the media here is the opposition party. He added that he believes that news organizations had been “humiliated” by the 2016 presidential election result.  “They don’t understand this country. They still do not understand why Donald Trump is the president of the United States,” Bannon said. He was not immediately available for an interview with VOA. Bannon was born in November 1953 to working-class parents in Norfolk, Virginia. He once described growing up in "a blue-collar, Irish Catholic, pro-Kennedy, pro-union family of Democrats." His father, a telephone worker, was badly affected by the 2008 economic crisis. Bannon himself has criticized bankers and traders who were not punished for their role in starting the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Bannon studied urban affairs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. According to the Boston Globe newspaper, Bannon returned home to Richmond, Virginia, during the summer to work in a local junkyard. He went on to earn a graduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C., and later a master’s in Business Administration from Harvard University. Bannon served for seven years in the U.S. Navy aboard ships. He also served on a guided missile destroyer in the Persian Gulf. Later, he was a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon. After his military service, Bannon went to work for investment bank Goldman Sachs. He later started his own investment company. He also produced films in Hollywood. Bannon produced more than a dozen movies during the 1990s. During that time, he made a deal that gave him a piece of ownership of several television shows. One of them was the hit show “Seinfeld,” which ended up making him millions of dollars. Before joining Trump’s campaign, Bannon served as executive chairman of Breitbart News, a conservative news site. He took over the site after founder Andrew Breitbart died in 2012. Bannon has described the news site as a “platform” for what has been called the Alternative Right, or “alt-right." The alt-right is a far-right movement that publicizes – largely on the Internet – extreme conservative ideas. Under Bannon’s leadership, the website published stories supporting nationalist, anti-establishment positions. It also published many stories in support of Trump and others critical of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate. Breitbart News has been criticized for publishing stories with racist and sexist ideas. One headline asked, "Would you rather your child had feminism or cancer?" Bannon left Breitbart News in 2016 to work as a senior member of Trump's presidential campaign. He said he has had nothing to do with Breitbart since then. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Cecily Hilleary wrote this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for 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   strategist – n. person good at making plan humiliate – v. make someone feel ashamed of foolish blue-collar – adj. relating to jobs that require physical work junkyard – n. place where old or useless things are taken dozen – n. twelve, or a group of twelve hit – n. something recognized as a success headline – n. title of a newspaper or website story feminism – n. belief that women should have the same equal rights and opportunities as men

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Trump Criticized for Putting Political Adviser on Security Council

  The Trump administration is being criticized for giving a top political adviser a seat on the president’s National Security Council, or NSC. Trump recently signed an order making changes to the NSC, which advises the president on national security issues and foreign policy. The order gave Trump’s top strategist Steve Bannon a seat on the NCS’s “principals committee.” The principals committee also includes top cabinet officials including the secretary of state and secretary of defense. The order also changed a requirement for other members of the principals committee – the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence. These individuals will no longer be required to attend all meetings of the committee. They will only have to attend when "issues pertaining to their responsibilities and expertise are to be discussed."   White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked whether the changes amounted to a demotion for the two officials. He called that idea “nonsense.” He said the order did not change the fact that those positions are still part of the NSC. Spicer added that the change will allow the officials to avoid some meetings that don’t directly relate to their departments.   Some are critical of Bannon’s seat in the NSC Most of the criticism of Trump’s NSC reorganization has focused on Bannon. He was a close political adviser to Trump throughout his campaign and was appointed as his top strategist in the White House. Leon Panetta served in past administrations as secretary of defense and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He told CNN he was concerned about Trump giving a seat on the NSC to a political adviser.   The purpose of the NSC is to provide the president with the best advice from the top national security experts, Panetta said. “It isn’t to have a political adviser who is going to make recommendations based on what polls well. That’s the worst thing you could do.”  Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine serves on the Select Committee on Intelligence. She told Maine Public Radio, “(Bannon) does not have the expertise that the director of National Intelligence or the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have, and this is entirely inappropriate.” Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, praised Trump’s national security team overall. But he criticized the choice of Bannon. He called the appointment “a radical departure from any National Security Council in history.”   Spicer responded to the criticisms by pointing out Bannon’s experience in the Navy and with international affairs. "He is a former naval officer. He's got a tremendous understanding of the world and the geopolitical landscape that we have now," Spicer told ABC's This Week. He added that "having the chief strategist for the president in those meetings, who has a significant military background, to help make and guide what the president's final analysis is going to be, is “crucial.” Is it legal? Some critics have cited a part of US law that outlines the legal structure of the NSC. The law mentions a requirement for NSC members to be appointed by the president, as well as “by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.” However, some legal experts who studied Trump’s order have concluded that Bannon likely does not require approval from the U.S. Senate to sit on the NSC committee. One expert noted that Trump’s order designates Bannon as an “invitee” to attend all meetings of the NSC, but not as a full member of the committee. Legal scholar Laurence Tribe from America’s Harvard University Law School tweeted his opinion on the issue. He said he does not believe Bannon needs Senate confirmation to serve on the principals committee, which in his words "isn’t part of the NSC as such.” Tribe added that “the role Bannon has been given is crazy and dangerous, but it doesn't seem to violate any law, though it probably should.” Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia announced he will introduce legislation to clarify who can legally serve on the NSC. He called Trump’s choice of Bannon “misguided” and “deeply troubling.” Warner’s bill would require Congressional approval for a non-Senate confirmed political choice such as Bannon to the NSC. However, the legislation has little chance of passing in the Republican-controlled Congress. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reporting by VOA’s Jeff Seldin and the Associated Press. Hai Do 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   strategist – n. person good at making plans for achieving successful goals pertain – v. relate to something demotion – n. change in rank to a lower position inappropriate – adj. not suitable clarify – v. make something clear or easier to understand landscape – n. particular area of activity crucial – adj. extremely important or necessary consent – n. permission for something to happen designate – v. choose someone for a purpose or position  

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February 2, 2017

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

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News Words: Persecuted

Find out what the word persecuted means with Anne Ball and Jonathan Evans in this week's News Words.

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Groundhog Day 2017: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks of Winter

Here's What's Trending Today. Pennsylvania’s world famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter on Thursday after seeing his shadow.  This event is part of an American tradition called “Groundhog Day.” It takes place every February 2 in the small Pennsylvanian town of Punxsutawney.   Since 1886, thousands of people have come together on this day on a hill called “Gobbler’s Knob.” They watch as a groundhog named Phil predicts the length of the winter season. Today was the 131st official Groundhog Day. A groundhog is a large rodent, and part of a family known as marmots. On Groundhog Day, Phil the groundhog comes out of a hole in the earth just after sunrise. As the tradition goes, Phil will then look for his shadow on the ground. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of cold weather during winter. If Phil does not see his shadow, warmer weather will arrive soon. From Europe to America The story of Groundhog Day comes from an early Christian European tradition, says John Griffiths. He helps take care of Phil the groundhog. “It stems from the tradition of ‘Candlemass.’  February 2 actually is the halfway point of winter. In Europe, they would melt their candles down and make new candles … and it was basically a day for communities and folks to get together.” Griffiths said that when European settlers came to Pennsylvania from Germany, they held on to that tradition. They decided that the groundhog was the best animal to continue the tradition. The town of Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in 1886, but the first official Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob happened the next year, in 1887. The legend of Phil Phil is taken care of by a local group known as Phil’s “Inner Circle.” Griffiths is a member of the Inner Circle. He says the group helps pull Phil out of the hole on Groundhog Day. The members also take care of the day-to-day activities of the Groundhog Club. The Groundhog Club organizes the annual celebration. Phil has become very important for the town of Punxsutawney. This year, between 15,000 to 20,000 people came to town for the celebration. The event helps support the local economy. Many people say that Punxsutawney Phil is always correct with his weather predictions. Elaine Owen traveled to Punxsutawney from Greenwich, Pennsylvania. It was her first time coming to the event. “It’s just been a tradition that everybody says that the groundhog is very accurate. And whatever he predicts is what happens.” As the story goes, the groundhog that appeared in this year’s event is the same groundhog that saw its shadow in 1886. Phil is able to live so long because he drinks “groundhog punch,” made from a secret recipe. One sip is given to Phil every summer. It is enough to give him many more years of life. More than just the weather The Stormfax website looked back at Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions over the years. It found Phil has been correct 39 percent of the time. He usually predicts six more weeks of winter weather. Griffiths says Groundhog Day means more to people than just predicting the weather. “It’s not religious, it’s not political, it’s all about having fun.  It’s a time of the year… it gives everybody a chance to get out and for one day, cast all their cares off and have a good time.” Visitors agree. One visitor who went by the nickname of “Winter” says the event helps bring the community together. “I think it brings a community together, and people get really excited… generally speaking Groundhog Day is something that, for a very long time, has brought communities together." Whether it is for the community, the weather prediction, or just the tradition itself, Groundhog Day is one of America’s most unusual celebrations. And that's What's Trending Today.  I’m Jill Robbins. Phil Dierking wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Do you think an animal can predict the weather?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________ Words in This Story accurate - adj. able to produce results that are correct candle - n. wax that has been formed into a stick or another shape and has a string in the middle that can be burned cast - v. to throw or move (something) in a forceful way celebration - n. a party or other special event that you have for an important occasion or holiday groundhog - n. a small, furry North American animal that lives in the ground marmot - n. a small animal of America and Europe that has short legs and that lives in holes that it digs in the ground rodent - n. a small animal (such as a mouse, rat, squirrel, or beaver) that has sharp front teeth

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