May 5, 2017

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

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English @ the Movies: 'Fishing Around'

On English at The Movies we talk about the saying "fishing around," from the film "The Book of Love." It is about a man who helps a girl build a boat to sail across the ocean. Do you know what "fishing around" means? Watch our video and take the quiz. Let us know how you did!

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Lesson 3: I'm Here!

Let's Learn English is a course for English learners. Certified American English teachers designed the course for beginners. There are 52 lessons. Every fifth lesson, there is a review of the previous lessons. Each week, there is a new lesson with video showing the lives of young Americans. The lesson includes instruction in speaking, vocabulary and writing. There are also printable worksheets, assessments and lesson plans for individual learners and English teachers. We encourage you to follow the weekly lessons and share your progress with us through comments and email. Summary Anna is in her new apartment. She wants to cook dinner. She tries to call Marsha for help. Speaking Listen to the teacher in the video. Use your computer or phone to record yourself saying the words. Use this video to practice the new words for this lesson, learn how to answer the telephone, and practice asking for someone. Download the worksheet and practice speaking English by asking and answering questions about addresses.   Pronunciation Practice shortened sounds with the verb BE using this video.   Conversation   Anna: I am in my new apartment! Great! I live with Marsha. We’re roommates. I want to cook dinner. Oh! Hmmm. Is there a supermarket near here? Marsha knows. Marsha's work number is 555-8986. Man: Hello. Anna: Hello. Is this Marsha? It is Anna. Man: I am sorry. You have the wrong number. Anna: Oh. Is this 555-8986? Man: No. This is 555-8689. Anna: Oh. Excuse me! Man: Okay. 'Bye. Anna: One more time. 555-8986. Please be Marsha. Marsha: Hello. This is Marsha. Anna: Yes, Marsha. I want to cook dinner. Marsha: Excuse me? Anna? Is that you? Anna: Oh, yes. I am here! Marsha: Good. You are there. Anna: I want to find a supermarket. Marsha: Oh, okay. The supermarket is at 1500 Irving Street. It is near the apartment. Anna: Great! Goodbye! Marsha: Goodbye, Anna. (Later) Anna: There is a big supermarket on our street. And Marsha says I am a good cook! Until next time! Bye! Writing Click to download the Activity Sheet and practice writing the names and addresses of friends or classmates.  Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The strategy for this lesson is Look for Ways to Practice. Good language learners are always looking for new and different ways to practice using the language they want to learn. Here is an example of a learner who uses this strategy. Alex wants to be more confident when he speaks English. He downloads podcasts of conversations in English. When he is walking or riding in a car he listens and repeats each sentence he hears. He writes text messages and emails in English, using the new words he wants to learn. Every day he talks with anyone who will speak English with him. Sometimes people ask him, "Did you live in an English speaking country?" because he is so confident in using English. Alex laughs and says "Someday!" and looks for more ways to practice. For more information on using this strategy, see the Lesson Plan. How about you? How do you find ways to practice speaking English? Write us an email or leave a comment in the Comments section.   Listening Quiz See how well you understand the lesson by taking this quiz. Each question has a video. Play the video and choose the correct answer. __________________________________________________________________ New Words   cook - v. to prepare (food) for eating especially by using heat dinner - n. the main meal of the day excuse - v. to forgive someone for making a mistake or doing something wrong find - v. to get or discover something or someone that you are looking for here  - adv. in this place or at this location live - v. to have a home in a specified place near - adv. close to something or someone sorry - adj. feeling sorrow or regret supermarket - n. a store where customers can buy a variety of foods and household items there - adv. in that place or at that location want - v. to desire or wish for something wrong - adj.­ not suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose, situation, or person ______________________________________________________________ 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. This week, use it to practice writing addresses in English. For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and resources. Send us an email if you have comments or questions.   Grammar focus: Place pronouns: here, there Topics: Apologizing: sorry, excuse me Speaking and Pronunciation focus: Contractions with BE; polite telephone expressions 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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Nigerian President’s Wife: His Health ‘Not as Bad as People Think’

  Concerns about the health of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari have increased after he missed another cabinet meeting this week. It was the third straight cabinet meeting that Buhari did not attend, says the Associated Press. Earlier this year, the 74-year-old president took six weeks of medical leave in London. Aides to Buhari said he returned to Nigeria in March, but often works from home. His wife, Aisha, used the social media site Twitter to reassure the Nigerian people about her husband. “I wish to inform everyone that his health is not as bad as it's being perceived, Meanwhile, he continues to carry out his responsibilities.”   The president's office has not identified his medical problems. Last month, the office said Buhari remains in charge of the government, but added that his doctors advised "on his taking things slowly."​ On his return in March, Buhari discussed blood transfusions and said he has not been so sick in decades. But he offered no other details. On Wednesday, his office said the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, led last Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. Continuing questions about the president’s health come at a time of major problems facing the country. Nigeria continues to face a rebellion by Boko Haram militants. There are severe food shortages in the country’s northeast, and the economy slowed in 2016 for the first time in about 25 years. More tweets from Nigeria’s first lady Aisha Buhari wrote four tweets about her husband this week. One expressed thanks to the Nigerian people. She wrote, "I thank all Nigerians for their concern, love and prayers over my husband's health status.” The reaction to her messages on Twitter was mixed. One person wrote, “Thanks for this information. God heal our president and long live Nigeria.” But another message raised doubts about how sick the president really is: “If Buhari's health is not as bad as people said, Let Buhari show himself to Nigeria and perform his duty…” I’m Jonathan Evans.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English based on reports by the Associated Press, Reuters and other sources. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   leave - n. a period of time when someone has special permission to be away from a job reassure - v. to make someone feel less afraid, upset, or doubtful perceive - v. to of someone in a certain way blood transfusion - n. a medical treatment in which someone's blood is put into the body of another person decade - n. a period of 10 years status - n. the current state of someone or something heal - v. to become healthy or well again  

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Opposites Face off in France’s Presidential Election

The final debate between the two remaining candidates in France’s presidential election took place Wednesday. The country will vote in the historic election Sunday. The presidential election is the first in which France’s traditional parties are not represented. The vote could decide if France stays in the European Union. Observers say the vote suggests there is a high level of anti-establishment feelings among French voters. In the first vote on April 23, En Marche! party candidate Emmanuel Macron received 23.8 percent of the vote. National Front candidate Marine Le Pen received 21.5 percent. That was enough to send the two non-traditional candidates to the final election on May 7. Eleven candidates took part in the first vote. Current President Francois Hollande chose not to seek reelection because of his low popularity among voters. Marine Le Pen is the candidate of the very conservative National Front party. The 48-year-old candidate is currently a member of the European Parliament. Le Pen has called for stronger border controls and has shown opposition to immigrants and foreign cultures. She also has criticized free trade and suggested that France should leave the European Union. Emmanuel Macron started his own party last year. The 39-year-old served as France’s economy minister. Before that, he was an investment banker. Macron supports France’s membership in the EU and has said he is pro-business. His support is found mainly in cities. During Wednesday’s debate, Le Pen described Macron as weak on terrorism. Macron accused Le Pen of being a dangerous extremist. The candidates discussed France’s high unemployment rate. Macron called for reducing government rules on business. He also called for policies designed to help create more small and medium-sized businesses. Le Pen promised to tax the products of companies that outsource jobs in France to other countries. Terrorism was another major issue in the debate. France has had several deadly terrorist attacks in the last two years. The violence killed more than 240 people. The country remains under a state of emergency. Le Pen called for closing Muslim religious centers, or mosques, suspected of supporting extremism. She said she wants to expand prisons and increase border security. Macron called for increasing surveillance of online activity, more police officers and better sharing of intelligence. About 18 percent of French voters are estimated to be undecided. Wednesday’s debate was the last chance for them to decide on who to support. One public opinion study showed Macron with 60 percent support to Le Pen’s 40 percent. Le Pen’s party has long faced criticism for extreme positions on immigration and religion. Le Pen ousted her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, from the leadership of the National Front party because of his extreme positions. After the first vote in April, Le Pen gave up leadership of the party saying she wants to be “above partisan considerations.” Macron, once a member of the Socialist Party, was the economy minister in the unpopular Francois Hollande administration. But the candidate has largely escaped public frustration with that party. I’m Mario Ritter.   Marissa Melton and Smita Nordwall reported this story for VOA Learning English with additional material from AP. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver 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   anti-establishment –adj. to be against established institutions like government, traditional parties or other groups outsource –v. to have workers in another country do a job that used to be done in one’s home country surveillance –n. the act of watching someone or something carefully, especially in connection with law enforcement partisan –adj. to strongly support a side, party or leader frustration –n. a feeling of anger or annoyance caused by not being able to do something  

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Common Ways to Express Purpose

  From VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar. You may remember our earlier reports on infinitives and gerunds. The infinitive form of a verb can be either its most basic form or appear with the word to. A gerund is a verb that ends in –ing and acts as a noun. Today, we learn that these forms can help us express the purpose for an action. to + infinitive Let's start with infinitives of purpose. Imagine you want to answer the question, "Why do you do that?" For example, let's say you hear some friends talking:        Why do you listen to that podcast?        I do it to improve my listening skills. When we express purpose with an infinitive, we are telling someone why we do an action.   But, often, when we answer a question, we don't answer in a complete sentence. Let's listen to this example.       Why do you listen to that podcast?       To improve my listening skills This exchange shows that the verb phrase of purpose does not always appear with a subject. in order to + infinitive A more formal way to express purpose is by using in order to plus the infinitive form of the verb. Listen to this example: I listen to the podcast in order to improve my listening skills. You have probably never used the phrase in order to. We generally avoid it in spoken English; it sounds too formal. There are exceptions, such as in public speaking in academic, political or professional settings. for + verb + ing By now you may be wondering, "But what about the word 'for'? Doesn't that word also express purpose?" The answer is yes. Sometimes, the word for describes the purpose of a thing or answers the question "What is this thing (used) for?" In this case, for is followed by a gerund, or the –ing form of a verb. Remember that a gerund acts as a noun. For example, you might be giving advice on how to keep a garden. Or, you might be demonstrating the use of a gardening tool. Listen:       This tool is for weeding. Here, the word for is followed by the gerund weeding. Or, maybe you are responding to a question about what the tool is used for. Listen:       What is this tool (used) for?       It's for weeding. When the subject of the sentence is a person or people, you can use the infinitive or for plus the gerund. Listen to these examples:       I use this tool for weeding.       I use this tool to weed the garden. In these sentences, the subject is "I," or a person. When the subject is a person, and we choose the infinitive to describe what we use something for, we generally include the object of the verb phrase. In this sentence, the verb phrase is to weed the garden. The object of the verb phrase is the garden. for + object We can also use for to express purpose without the need for the gerund. For plus the object is a form we use when we want to say that we went, are going, or will go to a place for the purpose of getting, taking, or doing something. Because for is a preposition, it must be followed by a noun. Listen:        What did you do last weekend?        I drove to the mountains.        Why?       I went there for some fresh air. In this sentence, the word for tells us why you went to the mountains: you wanted some fresh air. Notice that the object fresh air appears immediately after the word for. We can express this same meaning using to and an infinitive. Listen:       I went to the mountains to get some fresh air. Notice that the infinitive verb here is also followed by the object fresh air. Let's listen to a couple talk about dinner:       I'm too tired to cook tonight.       Let's go out for Japanese food. The second speaker is suggesting that they go to a Japanese restaurant because the first speaker is too tired to cook.  Here are some tips to help you remember how to use expressions of purpose. Tip #1 Avoid putting the word for before an infinitive of purpose. Listen to three examples. Only one is correct. Do you know which it is?       One - I download podcasts every day for to practice my listening skills.       Two - I download podcasts every day to practice my listening skills.       Three - I download podcasts every day for practice my listening skills. Write your answer in the comments section. Tip #2 Avoid using the word to before a gerund. Choose the correct sentence of these three examples:        One - This tool is to weeding the garden.        Two - This tool is for weeding the garden.        Three - This tool is for to weeding the garden. Write your answer in the comments section. That's all for today. We hope you will come back next week to learn more Everyday Grammar! ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   phrase - n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence podcast - n. a program, such as a music or news program, that is like a radio or television show but that is downloaded over the Internet garden - n. an area of ground where plants, such as flowers or vegetables, are grown download - v. to use the Internet to move or copy a file or program from one computer or device to another computer or device

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More Women Working in Fishing Industry

  Fishing has long been an occupation where most workers are men. Yet a recent study found that women are responsible for a “substantial” part of the world’s fishing industry. The study suggests that their work in fisheries is changing. Women have jobs processing and marketing seafood. They also collect clams and other shellfish. No women on fishing boat crews Sara Skamser has worked in and around commercial fishing for much of her adult life. When she was in her early twenties, Skamser started earning money by fishing and crabbing along the coast of Oregon. Eventually, she wanted to work on bigger fishing boats to earn more money. But the operators of those boats never offered her a job. She said they would all tell her “no”, and say things like, ‘I know you could do the job, and you're probably stronger than me. But I don't think my wife would like it.’ Others would say, ‘I would feel terrible if you got hurt on my boat.’ Skamser said she received rejections like these in the early 1980s. Today, women hold fewer than four percent of the commercial fishery permits approved by state governments in the northwestern United States. Gender inequality is also an issue in other countries. In Mexico, Peru, Senegal and Vietnam, four percent or fewer of the workers on fishing boats are women. Changes on land However, new research suggests that things are beginning to change. Skamser was one of many women who took part in a study on the influence of women in the northwestern U.S. commercial fishing industry. Oregon State University's Flaxen Conway and Sarah Calhoun, a graduate student, looked at the findings. So did Suzanne Russell, a researcher with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They wrote a report, which will appear next month in the journal Marine Policy. Conway, a sociologist, says they found women are playing a larger part in the fishing industry, but off the boat. "If you look at the scientists, you look at the processing, you look at the marketing... Once you broaden that out to fisheries in general, then I would absolutely say there are more women in science positions and management positions than there have been… in my 27 year long career." Suzanne Russell added, "We're seeing an increase on the business side more so than ever before.” She noted that new rules on the industry have created a greater need for jobs in the business and administrative side of the industry. This creates more employment possibilities for women, who have often worked in this part of fishing. An international look In another study, a separate research team looked at women and their influence on the fishing industry in Mexico, Peru, Senegal, South Africa and Vietnam. Sarah Harper of the University of British Columbia led that study. The findings were published in the journal Coastal Management. Harper spoke to VOA on Skype. "In terms of going out on fishing boats, I think it is still predominantly male-dominated. But certainly when we look at some of the small scale fisheries, the collection of shellfish and fish from shore, women are much more involved and definitely underestimated and undercounted in this area." Harper says studies often ignore subsistence fishing by women wanting to feed their families. This makes it harder for government officials to measure the pressures on seafood resources or how to sustainably manage a fishery. "When you're looking at managing fisheries and potentially trying to rebuild fisheries and implement conservation measures, you really need to know who is fishing and where. If there are fisheries that only men are focused on in certain regions and we're only focused on those, we're not getting the whole picture." Hooking new opportunities ​ Sara Skamser is still involved in the industry, but not on a boat. She serves on several local advisory groups, and even started a fishing equipment company with her husband in Oregon. She said she sometimes does business with the fishermen who didn't offer a job many years ago. "… I invoice those people now and occasionally there's a large invoice. I just look at 'em. I give them the look. Like, 'Uh, huh. Probably should've hired me. You would've gotten that for free,'" Skamser says. Online support The Internet has a number of online groups for women in fishing. One on Facebook, called "Chix Who Fish," celebrates victories such as getting manufacturers of fishing equipment to make products designed for women's bodies. Flaxen Conway says American women in fishing have no need for gender-neutral names. "They don't want to be called a woman fisherman,” she adds. “They just want to be called a fisherman." I’m Phil Dierking.   Tom Banse reported on this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Do you think it is important to have arts education in schools?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________ Words in This Story   commercial – adj. related to or used in the buying and selling of goods and services​ conservation – n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources​ crabbing – v. to catch or try to catch crabs​ dominate – v.  to have control of or power over someone or something) gender – n. the state of being male or female​ management – n. the act or skill of controlling and making decisions about a business, department, sports team, etc.​ predominantly – adj.  more important, powerful, successful, or noticeable than other people or things​ sustainable – adj. able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed​ subsistence – n. the amount of food, money, etc., that is needed to stay alive​    

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Refugees Bring Old Skills to New Business

When Parvin and Yadollah Jamalreza came to the U.S. from Iran, they brought two suitcases and a 100-year-old pair of scissors. In the suitcases were just “some clothes, nothing much," Parvin says, but the scissors has special value for them. “This is very old and dear to us. We brought it from Iran. My husband bought it 40 years ago from that guy who worked with that for 60, 65 years. It is almost 100 years old, that scissors has, and it really still is working well.” Parvin Jamalreza and her husband Yadollah own a tailoring shop called Yady’s Alteration in Charlottesville, Virginia.   Eleven years ago, they were accepted into the United States as refugees along with their three children. They had lived in Turkey as refugees for a year. “When we came to [the] United States and  Charlottesville airport we don’t know what we do. But somebody called our name and we [were] very excited, oh, ok, somebody knows us.” A woman named Barbara from the International Rescue Committee helped them. The IRC helps refugees resettle and find housing and work. Barbara took them to a house that had been prepared for them. Parvin soon began working at a tailor shop. She says she knew what to do even though she could not speak English. “Because this is my thing. I know that, you know. I worked in my country actually like, before I came here about 25 years, I worked making clothes. That’s what makes me more happy to find exactly what I have a skill with that.” She did not work at the shop for very long. Two years later, she and her husband opened their own shop. They now do work that very few Americans do anymore. Parvin says she works on cloth and her husband works on leather. When they opened their shop, they advertised a lot. But they stopped advertising long ago. Their customers told others about their work and many people began paying them to work on their clothes. Getty Goedken is one of their customers. “This is actually my first time. One of my friends who has lived here forever, they came heavily recommended. So I figured I’d go on his word, and he's always had great work done here. And s o, especially with what I picked up today I am very, very happy.” Parvin says all of their hard work has helped them make a profitable business. “I am feel successful about where I am now because I am really working hard. Where our business now is really good. I make people happy and people make me happy.” The Jamalrezas bought their own house four years ago, and all their children have completed college and are working. The family loves living in Charlottesville. “People here [are] very friendly, very kind, and very generous. I never feel I am a refugee. No, never. I am proud to be a member of this community.” Another thing she likes about Charlottesville is that it is an “old town. It has history here.” It was an important place in the early days of the U.S. The third president, Thomas Jefferson, had his home nearby. So did the fourth and fifth presidents, James Madison and James Monroe. I’m Anne Ball.   VOA Correspondent June Soh reported this story from Charlottesville, Virginia. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   suitcase - n. a large case that you use to carry your clothing and belongings when you are traveling scissors - n. a tool used for cutting paper, cloth, etc., that has two blades joined together in the middle so that the sharp edges slide against each other dear - adj. highly valued alteration - n. the act, process, or result of changing or altering something my thing - idiom. something you like to do or do well

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Vogue India Criticized for Kendall Jenner Cover

This is What’s Trending Today: India’s version of the fashion magazine Vogue is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.   The magazine released its anniversary cover on social media this week. American model and television star Kendall Jenner is pictured in a black dress. Peruvian fashion photographer Mario Testino took the photograph at Samode Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jenner became famous for her part in the reality television show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” In her modeling career, she has appeared on magazine covers and walked on runways around the world. She is one of the most popular celebrities on Instagram, with 80 million followers. However, people on Instagram are not happy about Vogue India’s latest cover. Many said they wished the magazine would have chosen an Indian woman for its 10th anniversary cover -- and not an American celebrity. A debate about the cover is trending on social media. One person wrote on Vogue India’s Instagram, “What’s the point of Vogue India if you’re not even [going to] celebrate Indian people?” Another said, “Looks like there are not enough Indian models to celebrate your anniversary.” Fans of Vogue India’s Facebook page wrote that Indian actresses Priyanka Chopra or Deepika Padukone would have been better a better choice than Jenner. Indian actor Sushant Singh Rajput appears with Jenner in some of the photographs inside the magazine. But, some say, that is not enough. Twitter user Nikita Rajani wrote, “No matter how obsessed I am with Vogue India and Kendall Jenner, I’m equally disappointed with their decision of putting her on the cover.” Vogue India published its first issue in October 2007. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Caty Weaver. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fashion - n. a popular way of dressing during a particular time or among a particular group of people runway ​- n. ​a raised structure along which models walk in a fashion show​ celebrity ​- n. ​a person who is famous​ obsessed - adj. (informal) having an obsession         obsession - n. a state in which someone thinks about someone or something constantly or frequently especially in a way that is not normal​ disappointed- adj. ​sad or displeased because someone or something has failed to fulfill one's hopes or expectations.​

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May 4, 2017

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

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Students Build Arm for Young Girl to Play Violin

Abdul Gouda and his fellow engineering students needed to complete an important class project for two major reasons: they needed to do so to graduate from Virginia’s George Mason University and they needed to do so to help make a young girl’s dreams come true.  Isabella Nicola is 10 years old. She wanted to learn to play the violin. But she was born with a shortened arm and without a left hand. Isabella attends Island Creek Elementary School in Fairfax County, Virginia. The school’s music teacher built Isabella a prosthetic arm. It let Isabella move the bow of the instrument with her left arm and hold the violin with her right arm. But the prosthetic arm was heavy. So the teacher asked for help from George Mason University, which he had attended. At the same time, Abdul Gouda and four other members of the school’s bio-engineering department were looking for a project to complete. Students must complete a project in their last year in the school in order to graduate. The first project idea Gouda and his four teammates had could not be done. So, they needed something new to work on.   Gouda admits he was not sure he wanted to try to create a lighter prosthetic arm. “It’s sort of a lot of pressure,” he said. “You’ve got this young girl who’s counting on you and you’re expected to deliver.” But Gouda and the other team members -- Mona Elkholy, Ella Novoselsky, Racha Salha and Yasser Alhindi -- accepted the project. They completed many models during the school year. Research on similar projects helped them in the beginning, but they made many mistakes as they worked on the arm. Isabella talked to the team as they created prosthetic arms for her. The first one weighed 13 ounces. But when she said it was too heavy, the team was able to remove some of the weight. The team worked with Elizabeth Adams, a professor of music at George Mason. She helped them understand what Isabella would need to be able to play the violin well. Recently, Isabella got the team’s final prosthetic arm. It was built using a 3-D printer. The team made the arm the color pink, as Isabella had asked. And the team surprised her with another part of the arm that lets her hold onto the front of a bicycle. She put the arm on and began playing the violin. “I feel very blessed that I have this amazing group of people,” Isabella said. Isabella had been asking to play a musical instrument for more than a year. Her mother, Andrea Cabrera, said she never told her daughter ‘no.’ “I told her we would try. There was no guarantee the school would be able to do an adaptation,” her mother said. “Through these little miracles, it kept going forward.” Isabella always believed her dream would come true. “I felt right away that I’d be able to play,” she said. “I’ve always had perseverance.”   The Associated Press news agency reported this story from Fairfax, Virginia. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Ashley Thompson 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   attend – v. to regularly go to (classes, church services, etc.) prosthetic – n. an artificial device that replaces a missing or injured part of the body count on – phrasal verb to expect (someone) to do something; to trust (someone); to rely or depend on (someone) to do something adapt – v. to change (something) so that it functions better or is better suited for a purpose miracle – n. an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God; a very amazing or unusual event, thing or achievement perseverance – n. the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult

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