English in a Minute: Shell Out

This phrasal verb has to do with money. Learn how to use it in this episode of English in a Minute.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2rMkMs8
via IFTTT

Prom: An American Tradition

  Hope Nibert has a huge smile on her face. The 18-year-old from Arlington, Virginia has a lot of reasons to be happy. Her high school graduation is just days away. She goes to Guatemala in the summer to work there with her church. Then, in the fall, she will head to Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. But that is not why she is smiling right now. Tonight, in a beautiful long dress, with her hair perfectly curled, she is excited to be going to prom. “A prom is a formal dance for high school students that’s usually at the end of the year.” Made in America Prom was born in the United States more than 100 years ago and has spread to other parts of the world. In America, it has become an industry similar to the wedding business. A study done by the American financial company, Visa, found that, on average, an American family spends more than 900 dollars on prom. Much of it is spent on what the young adults wear to the formal dance. Gowns often cost in the hundreds of dollars. Tuxedo rentals are similarly priced. And then there are costs linked to hair and makeup, flowers for prom dates, dinner and transportation. It adds up. But some students find ways to make the event more economical. “I borrowed my dress,” says Maggie Kinnett. Like Hope, Maggie is a senior at Yorktown High School in Arlington. She got her makeup done without cost by a professional who is a family friend. Making it affordable Hope also cuts costs. She bought her dress online for far less than she would have paid in the stores. She also did her own hair. Many girls choose to get ready for the prom with friends. They might get their hair done at a beauty shop together. They might hire a professional make-up artist for a few hours to share the costs. Probably the least costly thing about prom is the ticket to the dance. Yorktown held its event at a hotel in Arlington. The tickets were $45. Maggie and Hope were among about 15 friends who spent the evening together. This is a common tradition. The kids will gather at a student’s house. They take pictures, share appetizers and then, often, go to dinner together at a restaurant. Christine Wanda chose that approach. She is a senior at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington. Christine was in a group of about twenty students. But the crowd at the house where they met was larger. Several parents had also gathered to see their children off. No date? No big deal Joyce Wanda was among them.  She moved to the U.S. from Uganda 21 years ago. “I grew up in Uganda, I went to school in Uganda. We didn’t really have prom… So, when I arrived here, obviously the idea of prom is really new. It’s a new concept. The kids really kind of like, take it that serious(ly).” But Wanda says her daughter told her she did not want to spend a lot of money. Nor did she want a date. “I thought well don't you want to have a date. She’s like, 'Well, I don’t think it’s really that necessary. You can still go to a prom with your friends, and you'll enjoy yourself even without a prom date.'” But, according to Hope Nibert it might matter more to students at Yorktown. “There’s a lot of pressure to have a date to prom, just because people don’t want to be by themselves and be seen by themselves. It’s really to me, not a big deal, but it’s definitely a big deal at my school.” Promposals Asking someone to prom, however, is no small task in the United States. “Promposals,” as they are called, are supposed to be imaginative and take time to plan. Sometimes a kid will make a big poster using rhymes or word play to invite someone to prom. Some kids might buy a gift to present when they ask someone to prom. But some promposals can be far more elaborate and sometimes not a good idea. In a California park, for example, a student sprayed “Prom?” in huge letters on a boulder last year. In May, many people were offended when a white high school student in California painted his face black to ask a girl to prom. But most promposals are simple and sweet. And sometimes getting the “yes” response is the best part of prom. Last dance of childhood That seemed to be Kevin Nunez’ experience. The H-B Woodlawn student came to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2015. “This is my first prom. That is not a tradition in my country...and to be honest, I am having fun. The most special thing is that I asked my girl to come with me so that (makes) the evening more special.” H-B Woodlawn’s prom was held at the Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington. The kids had access to several large rooms, a photo booth and a beautiful patio with a view of the National Cathedral in Washington. The night was warm and clear, the atmosphere elegant and romantic. But, most of the time, the students were inside, tearing up the dance floor, loudly celebrating each other and the start of their adult lives. I'm Caty Weaver. And I'm Dorothy Gundy. Caty Weaver wrote this story. Hai Do ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­was the editor. Dorothy Gundy produced the video. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story curl - v.  to twist or form (something) into a round or curved shape​ formal - adj. requiring or using proper clothes and manners​ gown - n. a long, formal dress that a woman wears especially during a special event​ tuxedo - n. a formal suit for a man​ appetizer - n. a small dish of food served before the main part of a meal​ elaborate - adj. made or done with great care or with much detail: having many parts that are carefully arranged or planned​ elegant - adj. showing good taste: graceful and attractive​ romantic - adj. making someone think of love: suitable for romance​ We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2t4ix1f
via IFTTT

'Love of Life,' by Jack London, Part Three

We present the third of four parts of the short story "Love of Life," by Jack London. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State. The man had brought his gun half the distance to his shoulder before he realized what he was doing. He lowered it and drew his hunting knife from its cover. Before him was meat and life. He ran his finger along the edge of his knife. It was sharp. The point was sharp. He would throw himself on the bear and kill it. But his heart began its pounding. Then came its wild leap and he began to feel faint. His wild courage was replaced by a great fear. In his weakness, what if the animal attacked him? He drew himself up tall, grasping the knife and staring hard at the bear. The bear advanced a couple of steps and stood up. If the man ran, the bear would run after him; but the man did not run. He was alive now with the courage of fear. The bear moved away to one side with a threatening noise. He, himself, was fearful of this strange creature that appeared unafraid. But the man did not move. He stood still until the danger was past. Then he yielded to a fit of trembling and sank to his knees on the wet grass. He regained control of himself and then started to move forward, afraid now in a new manner. It was not the fear that he would die from lack of food. He was afraid that he would be destroyed by forces other than starving. There were the wolves. Across the wasteland their howls could be heard, making the air itself a threat most real to him. Now and again the wolves, in groups of two and three, crossed his path. But they stayed away from him. They were not in sufficient numbers to attack, and besides, they were hunting caribou. Caribou did not battle, while this strange creature that walked on two legs might bite. In the late afternoon he came upon scattered bones where the wolves had made a kill. What remained had been a young caribou an hour before. He studied the bones, cleaned of any flesh. They were still pink with the life in them which had not yet died. Might he look like that before the day was done? Was this life? A fleeting thing without meaning? It was only life that pained. There was no hurt in death. To die was to sleep. It meant rest. Then why was he not content to die? But he did not think about these things for very long. He was soon seated in the grass, a bone in his mouth, biting at the bit of life that made it yet pink. The sweet meaty taste drove him mad. He closed his teeth firmly on the bones. Sometimes it was the bone that broke, sometimes his teeth. Then he crushed the bones between the rocks. He pounded them into tiny pieces, and ate them. He was in such a hurry that he pounded his fingers, too. He felt surprised at the fact that his fingers did not hurt much when they were caught under the rock. Then came frightful days of snow and rain. He did not know when he made camp and when he broke camp. He traveled in the night as much as in the day. He rested whenever he fell, moving ahead whenever the dying life in him started up again. He, as a man, no longer struggled. It was the life in him, unwilling to die, that drove him on. He did not suffer, nor feel pain. But his mind was filled with hallucinations and wild dreams. But he still ate the crushed bones of the young caribou, which he had gathered and carried with him. He crossed no more hills, but followed a large stream which flowed through a wide valley. He did not see this stream nor this valley. He saw nothing except hallucinations. One morning he awakened with his mind clear, lying on his back on a rocky surface. The sun was shining bright and warm. Far away, he heard the noises made by young caribou. He remembered rain and wind and snow, but whether he had been beaten by the storm for two days or two weeks he did not know. For some time he lay without movement. The friendly sun poured down upon him and filled his body with its warmth. A fine day, he thought. Perhaps he could succeed in locating himself. By a painful effort he rolled on his side. Below him flowed a wide river. Its unfamiliarity puzzled him. Slowly he followed it with his eyes, as it curved among the bare hills. They were more bare and lower than any hills he had yet seen. Slowly, without excitement, he followed the course of the strange stream toward the skyline and saw that it emptied into a bright and shining sea. He was still unexcited. Most unusual, he thought. It was probably a trick of his mind. He was certain of this when he also saw a ship floating in the shining sea. He closed his eyes for a while, then opened them. It was strange how the sight continued. Yet it was not strange. He knew there were no seas nor ships in the middle of this land, as he had known there was no cartridge in the empty gun. He heard a noise behind him. It seemed like the dry sound that comes from the throat when air is forced out in a cough. Very slowly, because of his weakness and stiffness, he rolled to his other side. He could see nothing near, but he waited patiently. Again came the cough, and there, between two rocks, he saw the gray head of a wolf. The sharp ears did not stand up as straight as he had seen them on other wolves. The eyes were dull and the head seemed to hang. The animal opened and shut its eyes frequently in the sunshine. It seemed sick. As he looked, it coughed again. This was real, he thought. He turned on the other side to see the reality of the world which had been hidden from him before by his hallucination. But the sea still shone and the ship was still there. Was it reality? He closed his eyes for a long while and thought, and then he remembered. He had been traveling north by east, away from the Dease Divide and into the Coppermine Valley. This wide river was the Coppermine. That shining sea was the Arctic Ocean. That ship was a fishing boat which had wandered east from the mouth of the Mackenzie River. Now it was lying in Coronation Gulf. He remembered the map that he had seen long ago, and it was all clear and reasonable to him. He sat up and turned his attention to immediate affairs. He had worn holes through the blanket wrappings, and his feet were like shapeless pieces of meat. His last blanket was gone. His gun and knife were both lost. He had also lost his hat somewhere, with the matches in the band. The matches against his chest were safe and dry inside the paper. He looked at his watch. It marked eleven o’clock and was still going. This proved that he had kept it wound. He was calm. Although very weak, he had no feeling of pain. He was not hungry. The thought of food was not even pleasant to him. Whatever he did was done entirely by reasoning. He tore off the legs of his trousers to the knees and bound them about his feet. Somehow he had succeeded in keeping the tin container. He would have some hot water before he began what he knew was to be an awful journey to the ship. His movements were slow. He shook as if with a disease. When he started to gather dried grasses he found he could not rise to his feet. He tried again and again. Then he contented himself with moving about on his hands and knees. Once he went near the sick wolf. The animal dragged itself out of the way, licking its face with a tongue which seemed hardly to have the strength to curl. The man noticed that the tongue was not the customary healthy red, but was a yellowish brown and covered with a half-dried coating. After he drank some hot water, the man found he was able to stand. He could even walk as well as a dying man might be supposed to walk. But every minute or two he was forced to rest. His steps were unsteady, as were the steps of the wolf behind him. That night, when the shining sea was hidden in the blackness, he knew he was nearer to it by no more than four miles. Through the night he heard the cough of the sick wolf; now and then, the noises of the young caribou. There was life all around him. But it was strong life, very much alive and well. He knew the sick wolf was following the sick man’s steps in the hope that the man would die first. In the morning, when he opened his eyes, he saw it looking at him with a hungry stare. It stood with its tail between its legs like an unhappy dog. The sun rose brightly, and all morning the man headed toward the ship on the shining sea. The weather was perfect. It was the brief return of summer which was usual in that country. It might continue for a week. Or, tomorrow or the next day, it might be gone.   To download a lesson plan to accompany this part of the story, click here. Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. How do you keep your mind clear in a difficult or dangerous situation? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page.   _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   leap - v. to jump from a surface courage - n. the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous grasp(ing) - v. to take and hold something with your fingers, hands, etc. starving - v. suffering or dying from lack of food scatter(ed) - v. to cause things or people to separate and go in different directions gather(ed) - v. to bring things or people together in a group puzzle(d) - v. to confuse someone; to be difficult for someone to understand cough - n. a short, loud noise made by forcing air through your throat, often because you are sick watch - n. a device that shows what time it is and that you wear on your wrist or carry in a pocket wound - v. (passive tense form of wind) to turn a knob, handle, etc., on something (such as a clock) several times so that it can work journey - n. an act of traveling from one place to another shook - v. (past tense form of shake) to move sometimes violently back and forth or up and down with short, quick movements

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2sMcDCy
via IFTTT

First Chuck Berry Album in 38 Years Released

The first album of music from Chuck Berry in thirty-eight years is released this week, three months after his death. The album, called Chuck, has 10 songs, including eight written by Berry. A family affair The album has new songs that he had been writing since 1991. The sound is similar to the original style that first made Berry popular. Berry told journalists in 2012, “It’s the same type of music I’ve been playing.  As soon as I can get someone to guide me in that, I’m gonna come back and push ‘em out, if you know what I mean.” Paul Roper is head of Dualtone Records which produced the album. He says the album is special for Chuck Berry’s family. “Charles Berry Jr [his son] and Charles Berry III [his grandson] play guitar on multiple tracks and his daughter Ingrid sings on a few as well. Mrs. Berry had approval on mixes and the final master so everyone played a role.” Roper adds the album also shows a new dimension to Berry. “There's the highly emotive ‘Darlin’ written for his oldest daughter Ingrid and the passing on of advice in ‘Eyes of Man’ alongside of course traditional Chuck Berry classic sounding rockers like ‘Big Boys’ and ‘Wonderful Woman.’ It's a special body of work, especially considering how long it has been since the public has had new music from Chuck.” A life of success and controversy Chuck Berry was born in 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri. He learned to play the guitar while in high school. In 1952, Berry formed a band and soon was performing regularly around St. Louis. Berry is often considered one of the most important musicians in rock and roll music history. His first hit song was “Maybellene.” From 1955 through 1958, he released many others, including “Roll over Beethoven”, “Sweet Little Sixteen”, and “Johnny B. Goode.” However, Berry faced legal problems throughout his career. As a teenager, Berry went to reform school after an attempted robbery. He spent two years in prison for bringing an under-aged girl across state lines for “immoral purposes.” He also served 100 days in prison after being charged with not paying tax. Berry’s last public performance was on October 15th, 2014, when he played in St. Louis. He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton presented him with the Kennedy Center Honors Award, calling him “one of the 20th Century’s most influential musicians.” Chuck Berry died on March 18, 2017 at his home near Wentzille, Missouri. He was 90 years old. I’m Phil Dierking.   Phil Dierking wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think of Chuck Berry’s music?  IS it popular where you are from? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   dimension – n. a part of something​ emotive – adj. causing strong emotions for or against something​

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2s62vXj
via IFTTT

British PM Seeks Minority Government Following Election Losses

  British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will stay in office although her party lost its parliamentary majority in elections. The voting was held Thursday. May said Friday she will attempt to form a minority government with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, or DUP. DUP leader Arlene Foster confirmed plans to hold talks with the Conservatives to discuss a way “to bring stability to our nation at this time of great challenge.” May’s Conservative Party won the most seats overall in the House of Commons, but fell well short of a majority. May called for the election last April, saying she hoped to expand her parliamentary majority. She said it would help her in negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union. ​At the time, she was considered a strong favorite against Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. But Corbyn’s party won many new seats Thursday. A major campaign issue centered on Britain’s plan to leave the EU, also called Brexit. British citizens approved the plan in a vote last year. May has said she favors a “hard” Brexit. This would mean Britain’s immediate and total withdrawal from the single market. The country would also gain full control over its borders. And, it would permit Britain to make its own trade deals and control the making of laws and enforcement in its territory. Corbyn's Labour Party officially backs Brexit. However, many top party officials have called for a “softer” process. A “soft” Brexit would remove Britain as a member of the EU, but permit it to remain in the single market.  After the voting, Corbyn called on May to resign. He said voters had rejected her Brexit plan. "We are ready to do everything we can to put our program into operation," he said. Political observers say the election results raise questions about the government’s future Brexit policy. Jack Straw, a former Labour foreign minister, said the result means there will now be a lot of pressure in parliament for a soft Brexit. “The math and chemistry in the Commons will be pushing away from a hard Brexit,” he said. Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage said the result had put the whole future of Brexit at risk. “If the Brexit Secretary is considering putting the single market back on the table then the whole process is now seriously damaged,” he tweeted. On Friday, European officials and lawmakers commented on the apparent political uncertainty in Britain. They said it could harm the Brexit talks, which are to begin in 10 days. After a meeting with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, May promised to keep pushing forward to “fulfill the promise of Brexit.” National security was also a major issue of the election campaign following recent and deadly terror attacks in the country. Other issues included the future of the government-run National Health Service, immigration and the economy. The Scottish National Party, or SNP, also suffered major election losses. The party has called for a second vote on whether Scotland should separate from the United Kingdom. Political observers said the latest losses mean a vote about independence is unlikely in the near future.     I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press and Reuters. 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   exit – n. the act of going out or away from something uncertainty – adj. in doubt, not known fulfill – v. complete what is expected or required to do  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2snbkwz
via IFTTT

Miss Tibet Wins Pageant Held in Exile Community

  A 21-year-old flight attendant has won the 2017 Miss Tibet pageant in India. Tenzin Paldon competed against eight women. Pageant officials announced the winner on June 4. “My feet aren’t touching the ground at the moment,” Paldon told VOA’s Tibetan service after the win. “I hope to inspire people to be a good role model for younger Tibetans.” Despite the pageant’s name, neither Paldon, nor any of the other women, live in Tibet. Tibet is a partly self-ruled Himalayan area of China. The competition was held in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala, where the Tibetan government-in-exile is based. It is also home of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s Buddhist spiritual leader.   The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a revolt against Chinese rule. China accuses him of trying to separate Tibet from China. The Dalai Lama has repeatedly said he seeks greater self-rule for Tibet, not full independence. All the pageant competitors belong to the Tibetan diaspora and most of them live in India. Tenzin Paldon is from Kollegal, a Tibetan agricultural settlement in southern India. She currently works for the Indian-based air carrier Spice Jet Airlines. The pageant was held in several parts over three days. Judges rated the women on their looks as they appeared in swimsuits, gowns and traditional Tibetan clothes. The competitors also had to demonstrate a skill, such as singing or dancing, and answer questions on a mix of issues. The winner received a money prize and free travel award. She is expected to make event appearances and represent Tibet in international pageants. In the past, some winners withdrew from international competitions after Chinese officials demanded that they compete as Miss Tibet-China.      Paldon gave a statement to the Tibet Post she said was meant for the Chinese government. “I wanted to say China, look at us, we are staying in another country, but we are intelligent and we are representing our country in this way,” the statement said. She also expressed her desire for females in Tibet to be able to show the “harmony” and “peace” that exists among people there. “If the Chinese government would give us a chance to showcase our peaceful state, we would proudly do so." The pageant’s website said the competition is a way for Tibetan women to show the many different skills and interests they possess. It is also meant to help publicize efforts by groups attempting to improve conditions for Tibet’s people. The pageant did not escape criticism. Some conservative Buddhists in the Tibetan community disapproved of the women wearing swimsuits. Critics also said the competition should center on inner beauty rather than body image. The New York-based Tibetan Feminist Collective criticized the pageant for the way it chooses winners. A statement on the group’s Facebook page said there should never be a single view of what is considered beautiful. “Holding up skinny women with fair skin and straight noses on a pedestal holds us back as a society, although it is not limited to our particular group,” the statement said. The group added that since the physical features of Tibetans differ greatly, they should be “celebrated and embraced.” I’m Anne Ball.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on a report from VOA Tibetan and material from other sources. 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   pageant – n. contest in which people judge a group of women or girls in areas such as beauty, talent and speaking skills inspire – v. make someone want to do something autonomous – adj. existing or acting separately from other things or people contestant – n. person who takes part in a contest diaspora – n. group of people who live outside the area in which they had lived for a long time or in which their ancestors lived gown – n. formal dress usually worn at a special event harmony – n. situation in which people are peaceful and agreeable proudly – adv. acting in a happy, pleasing way compatible – adj. able to exist together without problems or conflict skinny – adj. very thin pedestal – n. the base of a column or other tall object embrace – v. gladly accept something  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2r45egB
via IFTTT

Prisoners Learn to Make Pizza in Chicago

  Chef Bruno Abate owns one of the best pizzerias in Chicago. His restaurant makes thin pizzas, heated in an oven with a wood-burning fire. They come with toppings like mushrooms, onions, olives, tomatoes and Italian meats. Each pizza sells for between $12 and $18 at Abate’s restaurant, Tocco. But did you know you can get a similar pizza for half the price at the Cook County Jail in Chicago? Abate leads a cooking school at the jail. He shows prisoners how to make pizza, pasta, and Italian ice cream, called gelato. The cooking school is called “Recipe for Change.” There, behind the jail’s barbed wires and security barriers, a number of students, including Shaquille Slater, are making pizzas. “I like everything I do,” he says. Slater makes pizza dough, and then adds toppings to the dough. He makes sure the pizza and its toppings look just right before they come out of the oven. Jonathan Scott says working with food makes him forget about being in jail. “[It brings up] memories of when you was free and when you was having a good time,” he says. Workers at the cooking school make about 200 pizzas every week. The pizzas are sold to other prisoners in the jail for about $7 each.   Scott says the eyes of the prisoners “light up like it’s Christmas” when their pizzas arrive. “They love it,” he says. “They keep ordering every week.” Abate says he is teaching cooking skills to the prisoners, and how to use good, fresh ingredients. Many of the students did not know how to use basil or zucchini before taking the class. When they finish the class, the students have skills they can use to find jobs when they are released from prison. A website called Munchies published a long story about Abate and the program. It told the story of one former inmate, who now works in Tocco’s kitchen. Abate says his program teaches more than how to make food. Shaquille Slater says Abate helps his students learn that they need to have a plan for their future so they do not return to prison once they are released. “Through food, I try to teach, you know, how to change in life,” Abate says. I’m Dan Friedell.   Deborah Block wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Would you try a pizza made by an inmate? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   recipe – adj. a set of directions for making food barbed – adj. having sharp points or edges dough – n. a mixture of flour, water, and other ingredients that is used to make bread or other baked goods ingredient – n. something that is used when making a food product

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2sMiQOD
via IFTTT

Scientists Create 'Biofortified' Seeds to Help Fight Malnutrition

  One in eight people in the world do not get enough to eat. One in three are lacking in what health experts call essential nutrients. These are the vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and other nutrients that the body needs for good health. A Washington, D.C.- based organization is trying to reduce hunger and its effects through better, more-nutritious crops. The group is creating seeds that grow into more nutrient-rich crops than normal ones. This process called biofortification. A non-profit group called HarvestPlus created the seeds. Bev Postma is the head of HarvestPlus. “It’s very important that the seeds are not just high in nutrition, but that they are still high-yielding, they're pest-resistant, they're climate-resistant -- because these are the things that farmers still want more.” If people do not get enough essential nutrients from the foods they eat, they are more likely to get sick or develop infections. In some cases, they can go blind or they may not grow to their full height and weight. Postma says two billion people are at risk of the most serious effects of this “hidden hunger.” She says 450,000 people die every year because of poor nutrition. HarvestPlus scientists have created 150 kinds of 12 food crops, including corn, beans, rice, lentils and wheat. They have shipped the seeds to 30 developing countries, reaching an estimated 20 million people since 2003. Postma says the group hopes to reach one billion by 2030. “We’re not trying to change behavior -- we are looking to see what people are eating and we're just switching out to make that food more nutritious.” Biofortified seeds are not genetically engineered. HarvestPlus distributes its seeds through seed companies and sometimes directly to farmers. “We’ve learned that in some countries if we give the seed away, we can encourage the farmers to not just grow this new variety, but then ask them to give the next year’s seed that they harvest to four new farmers.” I’m Pete Musto.   VOA Correspondent Margaret Besheer reported this story from the United Nations. 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   yield – v. to produce or provide (something, such as a plant or crop) pest – n. an animal or insect that causes problems for people especially by damaging crops switch – v. to change or replace (something) with another thing distribute – v. to give or deliver (something) to people encourage – v. to tell or advise (someone) to do something variety – n. a particular kind of person or thing

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2s5W72a
via IFTTT

English @ the Movies: 'Jack Up Our Price'

Our saying on English @ the Movies is "jack up our price," from the movie "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." This film is about superheros fighting against threats in the universe. Do you know what "jack up our price" means? Check out our video and take the quiz!

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2t3MRZR
via IFTTT

Lesson 18: She Always Does That

Summary Anna reads the news for the first time. She learns that there is a right way and a wrong way to read the news.   Speaking Learn the new words for this lesson in this video. Also, learn the phrasal verb "got it" to show understanding. Pronunciation This video teaches about shortened forms of object pronouns that begin with a /th/ or /h/ sound. You also learn about two different ways to pronounce the "s" ending on verbs like "talks" and "says." Conversation   Anna: Hello, from Washington, D.C.! Today at work I am reading the news for the first time. I am really nervous. But my boss, Ms. Weaver, is here to help me.  Caty: Now, Anna, remember. When we read the news we are always reading facts. We never show our feelings. Anna: Sure thing, Ms. Weaver. Caty: Great. Are you ready? Anna: Yes. Caty: Okay, let’s try the first story! Anna: Hello, and welcome to The News. Anna: A new book is very popular with children and families. This is it. Anna: It is about a lost duckling. The duck's mother cannot find him. Caty: Stop! Anna, when you say the words “duck” and “duckling” you look really sad. Anna: I do? Caty: Yes. Sad is a feeling.  Anna: Sad is not a fact. Sorry. Let me try again.  Caty: Okay, she’s trying again! And go. Anna: Hello, and welcome to The News. A new book is very popular with children and families. This is it. Anna: It is about a lost duckling. The duck’s mother can not find ‘im. But a family gives him a home.  Caty: Stop! Anna, you are doing it again. Anna: This story is very sad. Caty: I have an idea. Let’s read the second story. She’s reading the second story. And … go! Anna: Hello , and welcome to The News. In Indiana, a grandmother is the first 80-year-old woman to win The Race Car 500. Anna: That is awesome! Caty: Stop! Stop! Anna, please -- no feelings. Anna: Right. But it is awesome that an 80-year-old grandmother wins a car race. Caty: Just the facts, Anna. Anna: Right. Anna: Hello, and welcome to The News. In Indiana, a grandmother is the first 80-year-old woman to win The Race Car 500. Anna: She rarely talks to reporters. But when she does, she often says, “Nothing can stop me now!” Anna: I am very happy for her! Caty: Stop, stop, stop!! Anna, you cannot say you are happy. Anna: But I am happy.  Caty: But you can’t say it. Anna: Why? Caty: This is the News. Happy and sad are feelings. You can’t have them in The News. Anna: Okay. I got it. Caty: Okay. Let’s try the third story. She’s reading the third story! Anna:   Hello and welcome to The News. City politicians in Big Town are using city money to have a big party on a cruise ship. They are taking the money for the party from the children’s library. Anna: What?! That makes me very angry. Caty: No, no, no! Anna, you cannot say you are angry! This is The News!!! Anna: What can I do, Ms. Weaver? Take out my feelings and put them here … on the news desk? Caty: Yes. Yes. That’s right! Now you’ve got it! Caty: Let’s repeat the first story. Anna: This is going to be a very long day. Anna: Until next time!   Writing In this lesson, Anna is nervous because she is reading the news for the first time. How do you feel when you do something for the first time? Write to us to tell us about yourself or a friend doing something at work or school for the first time. Send us an email or write in the Comments section. Use the Activity Sheet to practice writing and using ordinal numbers.   Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Classify. We can classify kinds of words we learn, or groups of things we need to remember.  In the video for this lesson, you see Caty classifying the way she wants Anna to read the news. Caty says, "When we read the news we are always reading facts. We never show our feelings." She is classifying two different things: facts and feelings. Anna needs to learn the difference to read the news the way her boss wants her to do it. How do you classify when you are learning English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.   Quiz Test your understanding by taking this listening quiz. Play each video, then choose the best answer.   ______________________________________________________________ New Words   angry – adj. having a strong feeling of being upset or annoyed cruise ship – n. a large ship that stops at different ports and carries passengers who are traveling for pleasure desk – n. a piece of furniture that is like a table and often has drawers duck – n. a bird that swims and has a flat beak, a short neck, a heavy body, short legs, and webbed feet duckling – n. a young duck fact – n. a true piece of information feeling – n. an emotional state or reaction get – v. to understand (something or someone) Indiana – n. state of the U.S. long – adj. lasting or continuing for a great amount of time lost – adj. not knowing where you are or how to get to where you want to go popular – adj. liked or enjoyed by many people race car – n. a very fast car that is used in professional auto racing rarely – adv. not very often repeat – v. to say (something) again sad – adj. not happy story – n. a description of how something happened throw – v. to cause (something) to move out of your hand and through the air by quickly moving your arm forward win – v. to achieve victory in a fight, contest, game, etc. ______________________________________________________________ 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 writing ordinal numbers.   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: Describing frequency of actions; Object pronouns; ordinal numbers Topics: Reacting to information; Facts vs. Feelings Learning Strategy: Classify​ Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Object pronouns with /h/ sound deleted ['em; 'im] ______________________________________________________________ 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.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2s5i29B
via IFTTT

June 8, 2017

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2t0s49w
via IFTTT