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Thursday, June 1, 2017

The Different Meanings of 'Take'

Imagine yourself sitting in a movie theater. You are watching a romantic comedy, a love story with a happy ending, such as the 1989 movie When Harry Met Sally. In the film, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal play friends who become lovers. In one part, Harry tells Sally what he loves about her: "I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich." In this example, you hear Harry use the word take. Have you ever had problems understanding this strange verb? Today on Everyday Grammar, we will explore the verb take. We will hear how take's meaning changes depending on the noun or noun phrase that follows it in a sentence. Take Take is an irregular verb. The past tense of take does not have the usual –ed ending. Instead, the past tense is took. The literal meaning of take is "to move or carry something from one place to the other." This meaning is rare in everyday speech, note Susan Conrad and Douglas Biber. Both are experts on English grammar. Instead, native English speakers will often use the word take in a way that has an idiomatic meaning. In other words, the verb take and the words that follow it have a different meaning than the individual words suggest. One common structure is take + a noun phrase. Today we will examine three take + noun phrase structures that have idiomatic meanings. #1 Go in a direction One common meaning of take is to go in a different direction. Take has this meaning when followed by noun phrases such as "a right turn" or "a left turn." The word turn is not always added. Sometimes speakers only say "take a right" or "take a left." Imagine you hear the following exchange: 1: Excuse me, but where is the train station? 2: The train station is about four streets from here. Walk straight and then take a right. After you see the bank, take a left. You'll see the train station. 1: Thanks! So I take a right and then I take a left after the bank? 2: That's right. 1: Great! Have a nice day. 2: You, too! In this exchange, you heard four examples of the structure take + a noun phrase. In this case, take means to go in a different direction – either the right or the left. This structure is very useful to know when asking and giving directions! #2 Make sure that a task is done properly A second meaning of take is to make sure that an action is done correctly. Take has this meaning when followed by noun phrases such as "care of…", "charge of…", or "responsibility for…" You might hear this structure in the workplace. For example, a worker might tell a supervisor, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it." When someone says this, he or she means that they will carry out the action or complete the work. When a supervisor plans to be out of the office, he or she might say, "Jane will take charge of the project while I am away." This statement, about a worker named Jane, means that she is responsible for making sure that work on the project continues while the supervisor is gone. #3 Spend enough time for a task A third common meaning of take is to spend time for a task. Take has this meaning when followed by nouns such as "a minute" or "time." Sometimes these nouns come in phrases. In other words, adjectives, adverbs, and other words go along with the noun. Here are a few examples. In school, one student might tell another student, "The homework is easy. It only takes a few minutes." A teacher might tell a student, "This exam will be difficult. It will probably take a long time." In both examples, the verb take suggests spending time to complete a task – namely, the homework and the test. This meaning is similar to the lines you heard at the beginning of this report: "I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich." In this case, Harry is talking about a set amount of time – an hour and a half. This is the amount of time Sally spends on ordering a sandwich. What can you do? Take has many other meanings. The next time you are watching television or reading the news, try to find examples of take + a noun phrase. Ask yourself what the speakers mean when they use the structure. Do they use it to give one of the meanings we discussed today? Or do they use it to give a different meaning? It may take a long time, and it may require effort, but you will learn the different meanings of take! We will leave you with a few words from the American jazz song Take Five. The performer is Al Jarreau. Just have them take a little time out with me we'll just take five, just take five I'm Alice Bryant. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story noun phrase – n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea, but do not usually form a complete sentence irregular – n. grammar not following the normal patterns by which word forms (such as the past tenses of verbs) are usually created literal – adj. giving the meaning of each individual word idiomatic – adj. : an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own adverb – n. a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence and that is often used to show time, manner, place, or degree task – n. a piece of work; an action or duty

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Brazil Faces Problems Attracting Tourists

Brazil, South America’s largest nation, has many natural and cultural treasures that are popular among foreign visitors. The country is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. It has sandy beaches and beautiful flat-topped mountains. The dance and music of samba was developed there. And the country has many towns built by the Portuguese during colonial times. But, Brazil has a tourism problem. The Ministry of Tourism says only 6.6 million foreigners visited Brazil last year. That is about half the number that go to the small, island state of Singapore. Vinicius Lummertz is the president of Brazil’s tourism board, Embratur. He says, "The highest gap between potential in tourism in the world and what's been realized so far is [in] Brazil." The government is now proposing measures aimed at nearly doubling the number of foreign visitors to Brazil in the next five years. The government plan includes a law to permit 100 percent foreign ownership of airlines. The goal is to increase the number of flight routes and lower the cost of travel. The government also will permit citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia to apply for visas online, instead of at a consulate, or diplomatic office. The government hopes less costly air travel and an easier visa process will deal with some criticisms about Brazil from tourists. But some tourism professionals say the government does not yet have a clear plan to persuade people to come to Brazil. They add that Brazil is not doing a good job reaching modern global travelers who research trips and make reservations online. Government officials hope to double their investment in tourism promotion efforts. Last year, the tourism board had a $16 million budget. The agency said that was much less than the amounts spent by other South American countries. Lummertz says the government's plan will help promote Brazil to other countries. But he adds that the nation is still struggling to overcome many years of isolation. He says Brazil remains one of the most closed economies among large developing nations. Those issues also have affected tourism. For example, high import taxes make the country costly for travelers to visit. The taxes also reduce the quality of goods and services available. Brazil has other problems, too. It has one of the highest murder rates in the world. And the disease Zika which is carried my mosquitos and has been linked to birth defects is also a risk. But Brazilian business owners say these issues must be put in context. Emmanuel Rengade is a hotel owner. He says tourists are not likely to visit areas where most of the crime happens. He also points out that the number of Zika cases this year has fallen. The government recently said the Zika emergency had ended. And, they say, discussions about Brazil’s problems ignore the one thing tourists like best about Brazil. Surveys show that tourists love the people, who are known for being carefree and welcoming. Pauline Frommer is another tourism professional. She says that “anybody who goes to Brazil comes back loving it.” I’m Jonathan Evans. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for VOA Learning English from AP materials. Mario Ritter was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in this Story potential –n. What is capable of become real routes –n. regularly traveled flights between cities reservations –n. an agreement to hold a place on a vehicle, at a hotel or restaurant for future use context – n. the situation in which something happens; the group of conditions that exist where and when something happens isolation – n. the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others; the condition of being isolated survey – n. an activity in which many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something

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Star-Filled Teams Face Each Other in NBA Finals

The NBA Finals begin Thursday night in Oakland, a city in northern California. Last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA championship. It was the first major title for a Cleveland sports team since the 1960s. The year before, Golden State, based in Oakland, defeated Cleveland for its first championship since 1975. This year, the two teams will meet again for a chance to find out which one is really the best. Cleveland is led by one of the NBA’s all-time great players, LeBron James. He is playing in the Finals for the seventh-straight season. He is the first player to do that since the 1960s. The Golden State Warriors have Steph Curry, the league’s Most Valuable Player last year, and Kevin Durant, one of the NBA’s best players. The series is “best of seven,” which means the first team to win four games will be champion. The teams have a number of other All-Star players, they are among the best in the NBA. Cleveland has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, while Golden State has Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. So in this match-up of star players, which team will win? James thinks his Cavaliers will win. “I feel good about our chances, very good,” he said. But he is in the minority. Many experts are picking the Warriors to win. Tim Reynolds is the basketball writer for the Associated Press news agency. Reynolds wrote that Golden State will win in seven games. His reason? Cleveland’s defense is not good enough to stop Golden State. “James will push Golden State to the limit. But in the end, the 2016 loss will be avenged and the championship confetti will finally fall on Durant.” The website FiveThirtyEight.com wrote that the Warriors might be the best team in NBA history, even better than last year’s team, which set a record with 73 wins. The site’s “prediction system” gives Cleveland only a 10 percent chance of winning the championship. But one NBA coach thinks Cleveland will win. Tom Thibodeau is the coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He called Golden State “dominant,” but also complimented James. “You can never bet against LeBron. If a game is close down the stretch, he can take it over," Thibodeau said. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for VOA Learning English based on reports by the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor. Which team do you think will win the NBA Finals? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _________________________________________________________ Words in This Story title – n. the status or position of being the champion in a sport or other competition avenge – v. to harm or punish someone who has harmed you or someone or something that you care about confetti – n. small pieces of brightly colored paper that people often throw at celebrations (such as weddings and parties) dominant – adj. more important, powerful, or successful than most or all others down the stretch – adj. used to describe the final moments of an event, often used in horse racing

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China Expands 'Silk Road,' But Faces Questions About Trade Policies

China recently launched a diplomatic and economic development campaign called ‘One Belt, One Road.’ The name comes from the ‘Silk Road’ - the ancient system of roads that linked China with Central Asia and other areas. Traders used those paths centuries ago to transport Chinese silk, spices and other goods to the west. In exchange, China received gold, ivory, glass and other products from as far away as Europe. Chinese President Xi Jinping says the One Belt, One Road program is aimed at strengthening international cooperation. But former American officials and some business leaders have expressed concern. They say China is not as interested in opening up to foreigners as it claims. China's plan is to build ports, railroad links, roads and other infrastructure across Asia, Africa and Europe. The Reuters news agency reports the project is depending heavily on two lenders, the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China. It says they have already provided $200 billion in loans to countries throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa. At a recent conference in Beijing, President Xi described the effort as a win-win situation for the countries and companies involved in the project. But some Americans are questioning China's true goals. Charlene Barshevsky served as U.S. Trade Representative when Bill Clinton was president. “China has stopped the process of economic reform and opening, and instead has put in place a spate of measures that are zero-sum, highly mercantilist, and discriminate against U.S. and foreign companies.” Because of the business climate in China, the country is no longer considered a top investment choice for a growing number of foreign companies. This was the finding of a study done by The American Chamber of Commerce in China. William Zarit is head of the trade group. “…some companies are looking back to North America where especially energy costs are much lower, and perhaps labor is not that great a factor in their manufacturing product, and rule of law and transparency are the name of the game.” Observers note that China no longer depends on foreign technology and investments as it once did. For that reason, they say, Chinese officials are less concerned about companies leaving the country. But some critics say China still may pay a price for shrinking investment because of the government’s policies. Ted Moran studies economic issues for the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “China is already such a huge presence on the world economic stage, so I’m not predicting any kind of disaster, I just think that there will be much slower growth and much less robust growth over the next decade.” While China’s president spoke about inclusiveness at the recent conference, some American companies remain concerned that it may be more talk than substance. I’m Caty Weaver. Natalie Liu wrote this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted her report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story infrastructure – n. the underlying support of a system or organization; public works projects spate – n. a large number or amount zero-sum – adj. of or related to a situation in which a gain for one side leads to a loss for the other side mercantilist – adj. of or related to an economic system that increased the monetary wealth of a nation factor – n. something that influences a result transparency – n. openness stage – n. a raised area in a theater on which the acting takes place decade – n. a period of 10 years We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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June 1, 2017

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

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American Farmers Depend on International Trade

Editor's Note: VOA reporters recently traveled to rural areas along the Mississippi River to speak with the "forgotten men and women" who are supporters of President Donald Trump. They spoke to farmers, factory workers, and retirees in largely white, Christian middle class communities. This is one of their stories. Seventy-three-year-old Ron Gruenhagen’s German ancestors moved to the United States in the middle of the 19th century. They settled in Iowa, just west of the state of Illinois. They did not travel far from their new home. Much of the world they knew was Muscatine County and nearby counties in Iowa and Illinois. Many of the crops they grew were sold to people who lived in the area. But that has changed. Now, some farming operations are controlled by rules written in Washington, DC. In addition, many of the crops are sold to buyers overseas. “We are very dependent on our foreign markets,” notes Ron Gruenhagen. “If we didn’t have them, we would be flooded with grain and soybeans -- and maybe we wouldn’t know what to do with it.” President Donald Trump has promised to renegotiate trade agreements that he believes are bad deals for the United States. And he has ended U.S. involvement in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. The trade deal was supposed to increase trade between the United States and 10 other countries. Many Iowa farmers and business leaders worry that a trade war will begin, affecting sales to countries that have become close trading partners. But Gruenhagen believes Trump’s criticisms are just part of his negotiating style. “It concerns me, but it is all part of the negotiations,” he says. “Everything we do is negotiated -- it is all negotiated.” Muscatine County has special ties to China because Chinese President Xi Jinping lived with an Iowa family in 1985. At the time, he was a provincial official and interested in learning more about American agriculture. When Xi returned to the area in 2012, many people he had met years ago came to see him. Local business leaders formed a welcoming committee. The group later became the Muscatine China Initiative, which works to strengthen business ties and investment between the county and Chinese companies. Recently, the city of Muscatine honored Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, whom President Trump has named as U.S. Ambassador to China. A traditional Chinese orchestra performed at the event. Ron Gruenhagen thinks it is good to have a Chinese leader who knows Iowa and rural America from firsthand experience. “He certainly understands agriculture here. That’s half the battle in negotiations -- understanding the people on the other side of the table,” he says. Gruenhagen does not believe there will be any trade war, although Trump has criticized the trade policies of China and other countries. “Since we have become dependent on each other -- they on our food and we on the products they provide us -- we are interdependent and that is pretty important, perhaps, for a peaceful world,” Gruenhagen says. He believes President Trump will improve the image of the United States in the world. He also hopes the Trump administration, with the support of the U.S. Congress, will reduce the number of rules that affect businesses, industry and farming. “We are regulated to death,” Gruenhagen says. “It consumes a lot of our time just to comply with their rules.” Gruenhagen says he supports the use of farming methods that protect the environment and keep soil safe. But he does not believe the federal government should be telling farmers in Iowa what to do. “I think it is better for the individual farmer to decide what is best on his farm, how to control that soil and how to make it better rather than have a bureaucrat from Washington, D.C. indicate to us what is better,” he says. Environmentalists say large agricultural companies, whose leaders do not live on farms, are often more concerned with profit than the land. Gruenhagen’s son and grandson help him operate the family farm. He says one day they will own the land, buildings and equipment -- currently worth about a million dollars. “It is a lot of work,” he says, “but it is a pleasure because we are able to feed a lot of people and, yes, we feed the world.” VOA Correspondent Greg Flakus reported this story from Muscatine, Iowa. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story style – n. a particular way in which something is done, created or performed firsthand – adj. coming directly from actually experiencing or seeing something interdependent – adj. related in such a way that each needs or depends on the other; mutually dependent regulate – v. to make rules or laws that control (something) consume – v. to take all of a person’s attention, energy, time, etc. comply – v. to do what you have been asked or ordered to do bureaucrat – n. a person who is one of the people who run a government or big company and who does everything according to the rules of that government or company; a person who is part of a bureaucracy

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News Words: Cosmetics

What are cosmetics? Watch Anne Ball and Jonathan Evans in News Words to find out!

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World’s Largest Airplane Ready for Testing

The world’s biggest airplane has been shown to reporters in the United States. The plane, called Stratolaunch, is set to begin testing in the coming weeks. Stratolaunch weighs about 227,000 kilograms. It has the largest wingspan of any aircraft ever built. It measures 117 meters from one end to the other. The plane has been kept inside a building in the California desert while being built. It was removed from its home, at the Mojave Air & Space Port, and shown to reporters on Wednesday. To support its size and weight, Stratolaunch has 28 wheels. The plane can hold more than 113,000 kilograms of fuel. It is powered by six engines made for Boeing 747 aircraft. The plane was built for Stratolaunch Systems, a business owned by Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen. Allen started the company in 2011 with the hope of building aircraft to launch rockets into space. Allen says he first became excited about space exploration after watching Russia’s Yuri Gagarin become the first man to travel to space in 1961. “I would never have imagined that, more than 50 years later, access to low Earth orbit (LEO) would still be costly, complex and difficult,” Allen wrote in a blog post. “I am determined to change this to help maximize the potential of space to improve life here on Earth.” Stratolaunch Systems is attempting to ease LEO access and provide services such as launching satellites. The company entered a partnership with Scaled Composites to develop and build the new aircraft. The satellite-carrying rockets are to be connected to the bottom of the plane. Once Stratolaunch reaches a height of about 10,000 meters, the rockets would be dropped, then “air launched” to space. Stratolaunch Systems said the plane’s airport-style launch system and ability to launch rockets over and over again will reduce costs for satellite companies. The plane will also cut wait times between launches and is able to avoid bad weather areas, the company said. The aircraft is to begin fuel, ground and flight line tests in the coming weeks. The first actual launch demonstration is not expected before 2019. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His report was based on information from VOANews.com, the Associated Press and Reuters. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on the world's largest plane? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story wingspan – n. distance from the end of wing of a plane to the other access – n. way of getting at or near someone or something determined - adj. having made a decision to do something maximize – v. increase as much as possible potential – adj. showing or having the ability to develop into something in the future

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