Explainer: CarbonDioxide and Climate Change

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Lesson 28: I Passed It!

Summary Anna tells her roommate, Marsha, about the problems she had in her driving test. Then Anna says she wants to drive to a special place in Washington, D.C. Where will she drive? Speaking Learn to pronounce the new words for this lesson. You can also learn about the imperative verb form. ​ Pronunciation Use this video to learn about how people say "well" to give bad news, or an answer someone does not expect. Conversation   Anna: Hello! Guess what this is? This is my driver’s license! I passed my driving test! Today, I rented a car so I can drive around Washington, D.C. You can see more of the city this way. Marsha! Marsha: Anna, did you get your driver’s license? Anna: I did! But it was not easy. Marsha: Why? What happened? Anna: Well, you know, I can drive farm equipment really well. But I was really nervous driving in Washington, D.C. traffic! Marsha: Did you pass the test the first time? Anna: Well…no. But I did pass the second time. Marsha: What happened during the first test? Anna: It started fine. John: Okay … Anna. Is your seatbelt buckled? Anna: Yes, sir! John: Great. Please start the car. Anna: (to herself) Okay, Anna, start the car.Started the car. Good job, Anna. John: Why are you talking to yourself? Anna: I am a little nervous. When I’m nervous, I talk to myself. John: You don't need to be nervous. Anna: Listen to that engine! John: Please, stop pushing the gas pedal! Anna: Sorry. John: Okay, when you are ready, turn. Anna: Great! John: Not now! You almost hit that car! Anna: You said “turn!” John: Look first! There were cars in the street. Anna: Please don’t yell at me! John: I’m sorry! I was afraid. Anna: You were yelling. John: Look out for that car! Brake! Brake!! Anna and John: Ahhh! Anna: Why is everyone honking at us? John: You were driving too slow! Anna, stay on the street! John: Hands on the wheel, Anna. Anna: What’s that sound? John: That, Anna, is the police. Marsha: That sounds awful. Anna: Yes, it did not go well. But, I practiced and passed the second time! Marsha: Do you know where you want to take your first drive in Washington, D.C.? Anna: Yes! Let’s go! Anna: There it is … the White House! Marsha: Anna, you do know you can’t drive up to the White House, don’t you? Anna: Yes. No. I didn’t know. I guess we walk from here! Anna: Sometimes you can see more of Washington, D.C. in a car. If you want to see the White House, you need to walk. Until next time … ! Writing Do you know how to drive a car? Were you nervous when you first learned? Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using imperative verbs with a friend. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Self-Talk . When we need to be more confident, we can use Self-Talk. In this lesson, Anna uses Self-Talk. Notice that John asks her about it. John: Why are you talking to yourself? Anna: I am a little nervous. When I’m nervous, I talk to myself. John: You don't need to be nervous. Talking to yourself in English can have two benefits. It may help you relax and do better. It can also give you more chance to practice using English. How about you? Do you sometimes talk to yourself?  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 Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. ______________________________________________________________ New Words afraid - adj. feeling fear brake - v. to use the brake on a vehicle - n. a device for slowing or stopping something (such as a wheel or vehicle) buckle - v. to fasten (something, such as a belt) with a buckle equipment - n. supplies or tools needed for a special purpose gas pedal - n. a pedal in a vehicle that is pressed down to make the vehicle go faster Guess what? - expression. a phrase used to build anticipation pass / passed - v. to complete a test or a class successfully police - n. the people or the department of people who enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests seat belt - n. a strap on a vehicle's seat that holds a person in the seat if there is an accident tractor - n. a short, heavy truck that is designed to pull a large trailer traffic - n. all the vehicles driving along a certain road or in a certain area turn - v. to move in a particular direction and especially toward the left or right turn signal - n. one of the lights on a vehicle that flash to indicate that the vehicle is turning left or right White House - n. the place in Washington, D.C., where the U.S. President lives yell - v. to say (something) very loudly especially because you are angry, surprised, or are trying to get someone's attention ______________________________________________________________ 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 using the imperative verb form. 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:  Imperative verb forms, Past tense of BE Topics: Giving a reason or excuse,  Apologizing  Learning Strategy: Self Talk Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Imperative verbs, Extending the word "well" ______________________________________________________________ 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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Can Better Clothes Make You More Money?

  From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. American English has many expressions related to clothes. Two of the more common ones are: “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have”; and, simply, “Dress for success.” A professional stylist takes these ideas a bit farther. She says that our clothes can influence how we feel, our confidence, even our ability to do a job. And new research supports her claim. Dress to impress Tara Luizzi is a personal stylist in Washington, D.C. Through her company, Tara Styles DC, she teaches her clients to find the clothing styles that work best for their bodies, careers and lifestyles. Luizzi says that, like it or not, other people size us up by the way we look. In other words, they make a judgment about us before we even speak. And part of what they are considering is what we choose to wear. “My feeling is you don’t have a second chance to make a great first impression. So, I think it is very important to have a look that’s pulled-together and conveys who you are and your status of life, I guess.” Here, “pulled-together” means that someone’s appearance is well-thought out. Luizi says she feels this is very important. She notes that clothes are especially important in creating the professional image you want to convey. “No matter what, you should try to always walk out the door looking pulled-together – if it be on the weekend or if it be during the work week. People take you more seriously when you are pulled-together and dress to a certain level.” Do nice clothes make you work better? But choosing the right clothes is not just about impressing others. A recent study suggests that people who are dressed more formally perform better at some work tasks. The co-authors of the study are psychologists Michael Kraus of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and Wendy Berry Mendes of the University of California, San Francisco. Kraus and Mendes compared more than 100 men from diverse economic and racial backgrounds. They asked some to dress in business suits. They asked others to wear sweatpants, t-shirts and flip-flops. Then the researchers asked the participants to do several work tasks. One task involved making a business deal. Those wearing suits demanded more in their business deal. The participants dressed more casually were more willing to concede, or give up. The other task was to use big picture thinking to solve a problem. The men in suits were more able to think about the big picture, the way a boss would. Those in casual clothes focused more on smaller details of the problem. This type of thinking is what you would expect from someone in a lower position. Kraus and Mendes published their findings in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. Clothes and feelings Stylist Tara Luizzi says, to her, the study makes sense. She compares clothing to armor, what a warrior puts on for protection in battle. ”When you feel confident in yourself, I think you have a better day. So, I use clothing as the armor to the world. So, let’s say you’re having a horrible day or you’re nervous about your presentation or maybe the big meeting, If you dress in something you love or you feel great in, you’re going to walk in with more confidence.” In her job, Luizzi sees how the right outfit can change the way a person feels. When she chooses clothing for her clients that good great on them, their backs straighten. They stand taller. And they start smiling. “They just feel so much better about themselves. So, my goal with every client is to try to get that out of a person. I don’t want anything in your wardrobe that makes you not happy. It should be happiness.” Luizzi says that, in general, people have a powerful emotional connection to their clothes. The intensity of people’s feelings about clothes and their appearance has surprised Luizzi. “Many people have an emotional connection to their clothing. You know, for a lot of my clients, there's an emotional level to it in that maybe they had a bad experience when they were younger shopping. Maybe they were overweight and they’ve lost weight. Or maybe when they were young they couldn’t afford the clothes they can afford now. I’ve been in dressing rooms and closets and tears have been shed because it does bring up an emotional thing. And it was something I wasn’t  expecting when I first started this business.” Tips from Tara For people going back to work or preparing for a job interview, Luizzi has some advice for them. Research the environment of the job. Is it a casual working environment or formal? Is it creative or conservative? For a man, wearing a suit is not always the right choice. If the job is creative and casual, a suit might look out of place, or strange. When going on a job interview, wear something new or at least newer. Make sure your shoes are clean and polished. For women, don’t wear too much make up, perfume or jewelry. And for your general, everyday wardrobe, Luizzi advises to keep it simple. She helps her clients create what she calls a "capsule wardrobe." This is a small collection of well-made pieces of clothing that the client loves. Luizzi says a couple of expressions really represent her attitude toward creating a wardrobe: “less is more," “quality not quantity,” and "go-to." “Less is more. And I'm more about quality than quantity. So, I would rather have people have a smaller wardrobe made up of the things they love, that fit them correctly and that, you know, are higher quality. And that’s their go-to … the capsule wardrobe.”  And that’s the Health & Lifestyle report. I’m Anna Matteo.   Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. Do you or disagree that our clothing matters? Describe your favorite go-to outfit, the one that always makes you feel great when you wear it. You can do both of these things in the Comments Section. ________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   stylist – n. a person whose job is to make something or someone look attractive style – n. a particular form or design of something size us up – informal phrase  to examine something or someone carefully and decide what you think about it, him, or her convey – v. to make (something) known to someone status – n. the position or rank of someone or something when compared to others in a society, organization, group, etc. impress – v. to affect strongly or deeply and especially favorably : impression – n. : impressive – adj. formal – adj. requiring or using serious and proper clothes and manners : formally – adv. diverse – adj. different from each other casually – adv. designed for or permitting ordinary dress, behavior, etc. : not formal : casual – adj. armor – n. a hard covering that protects something wardrobe – n. a collection of clothes that a person owns or wears quantity – n. an amount or number of something go-to – adj. always helpful : producing desired results or information when needed

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China’s Xi Warns Trump about ‘Negative’ Parts of Relationship

  American and Chinese officials agree that the two country’s presidents spoke Sunday over the phone. But exactly what was discussed in the phone call remains unclear. According to official Chinese media, President Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump about some “negative factors” hurting U.S.-China relations. During the call, Xi said China-U.S. relations had made “important outcomes” since his meeting with Trump in April in Florida, state broadcaster China Central Television reported.   But at the same time, the broadcaster said relations had also been affected “by some negative factors.” It added that China had “expressed its position” to the U.S. about those factors. The broadcaster did not identify specific issues discussed in the call.   A White House statement, however, said Trump discussed the growing threat of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs with Xi. It said both leaders had repeated their commitment to working toward a “denuclearized Korean Peninsula.” The statement said Trump also expressed his desire “to seek more balanced trade relations” with America’s trading partners. It added that the two leaders were looking forward to meeting at this week’s G20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany.   Complications in U.S.-China relations Last week, China's foreign ministry protested to the U.S. over a planned sale of $1.42 billion in military weapons to Taiwan. The ministry called on U.S. officials to cancel the deal, saying it would be harmful to China’s sovereignty. Other U.S. decisions have recently drawn criticism from China. These include putting U.S. sanctions on a Chinese bank for dealings with North Korea, and accusing China of being one of the world’s worst offenders of human trafficking and forced labor. Another issue causing tension between Washington and Beijing is Chinese expansion in the South China Sea. The U.S. Navy has conducted two freedom-of-navigation operations, or FONOPs, in the South China Sea since Trump took office. The operations are meant to challenge Chinese territorial claims in the area. The latest FONOP took place Sunday when a U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Stethem, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island. Triton – which is claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam – is part of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement the U.S. move was "a serious political and military provocation." It added that such operations "violate China's sovereignty and threaten China's security." China deployed military vessels and fighter jets to the area. U.S. officials said the Stethem was carrying out a regular "right of innocent passage" exercise. The operation within 12 nautical miles of the island was meant to show that the U.S. does not recognize territorial claims to the island. Twelve nautical miles marks territorial limits recognized internationally. Trump also spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday. The White House said the two leaders shared a commitment to dealing with North Korea. And the president also looked forward to meeting the prime minister at the upcoming G-20 summit in Hamburg. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press, Reuters and other sources. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   negative – adj. thinking about the bad qualities of someone or something factor – v. something that helps influence or cause something to happen outcome – n. something that happens as a result of an activity or process sovereignty – n. a country's independent authority sanction – n. an action taken by one or more nations to make another country obey a rule provocation – n. action causing someone to become angry or take action  

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Things You (Probably) Don't Know About the Fourth of July

“The day will be the most memorable in the history of America,” wrote John Adams in 1776. People will honor it with parades, fireworks and celebrations, he added. Adams was talking about the second of July. That is the day the Continental Congress voted in support of independence from the British. But the date written on the Declaration of Independence is July 4. So, since 1776, Americans have celebrated July 4 as the country’s Independence Day. And July 2? Not so much. Patriotic to the end Several early presidents of the United States died on July 4. They include John Adams, who became the second president. Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the country’s third president, both died on the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence Day. James Monroe, the fifth U.S. president, died on July 4, 1831. And the 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4. Amazing? Or disgusting? Most Americans celebrate Independence Day with barbecues, parades and, yes, fireworks. But a few celebrate by eating all the hot dogs they can. Since the early 1970s, a restaurant called Nathan’s Famous has organized a competition to see who can eat the most hot dogs in a short time. The event is now shown on sports broadcaster ESPN. It includes a women’s competition and a men’s event. Both are held in New York City, in an area called Coney Island. In 10 years, Joey Chestnut has won the men’s contest nine times. In 2016, he set a record at the competition by eating 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes. The 2016 women’s winner, Miki Sudo, has won in each of the past three years. In 2016, she ate 38 (and a half) hot dogs. Sudo and Chestnut each won a $10,000 prize. Where do those fireworks come from? Let’s go back to those fireworks, probably the most common image related to Independence Day. Americans really, really love fireworks. The American Pyrotechnic Association – “pyrotechnic” is another word for “fireworks” – reported that Americans spent $825 million on fireworks last year. Where do many of our fireworks come from? China. By the way, we also import most of our American flags from China, too. Happy Independence Day! I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   disgusting – adj. so unpleasant that you feel slightly sick barbecues – n. outdoor meals or parties at which food is cooked on a barbecue hot dog – n. a small cooked sausage

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Houston, Texas: An Example of America's Changing Population

  America's population is becoming older and increasingly diverse - made up of people who are different from each other.  Nowhere are those differences more apparent than in Houston, Texas. The city has seen an increase in the number of minority communities and is being called an example of future demographic changes across the country. Houston Houston was once a city with large numbers of whites and Hispanic Americans. Many of the Hispanics have family ties to nearby Mexico or Central American countries. In 1980, around 52% of the total population was white or Caucasian. By 2010, whites represented about 25% of the total population – which grew from 1.6 million to 2 million in the same time period. People from around the world came to Houston for one reason, a long time Houston resident told VOA: the chance to make money. Today, the city claims to be the most diverse in the United States. For many locals, this has created a sense of pride. They feel good about themselves and their hometown. Nikkie Vasquez lives in Houston. "I'm Caucasian and my husband is Hispanic, and we have my beautiful mixed babies, and I think here it's welcome, and it's appreciated." Lee Hsia is a religious leader at Houston's First Baptist Church. He moved to Houston from China when he was seven years old. The First Baptist Church welcomes people, including non-Christians, from over 35 countries. "We have 'welcome' plastered through the front doors of our church," Hsia said. Demographic changes Stephen Klineberg is a founding director at the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University in Houston. He notes that many whites living in Harris County, which includes Houston, are age 63 or older. "63-year old Anglos are not going to be making a whole lot more babies. So you can go to the bank on this: no force in the world is going to stop Houston or Texas or America from becoming more African-American, more Asian, more Latino, and less Anglo as the 21st-century unfolds. Nothing in the world can stop that." The United States Census Bureau gathers detailed information about the nation’s population every 10 years. It also releases population estimates every few years. The last census, in 2010, showed that whites* made up 63.7% of the population nationwide. 2016 estimates show the same group now represents 61.3% of the population. The Pew Research Center notes the percentage is likely to continue falling in the years to come. Demographic changes are happening in other areas, too. For example, the European Commission noted in a 2010 report that European Union countries also are experiencing changes. "Growth is fueled mainly by immigration, whereas the population is becoming older and more diverse,” it said. Implications of Demographic Changes Stephen Klineberg says the changes in Houston’s population are likely to continue. He wonders how the city – and the country – will react to future demographic changes. "There is a law of human nature that says what I am familiar with feels right and natural; what I am unfamiliar with feels unnatural, somehow not quite right," he said. While recent arrivals are working toward the middle class, Klineberg notes a growing underclass of white people with low levels of education. Jobs in industries like coal and steel have disappeared. "Every community is seeing a growing middle class and a growing underclass, simultaneously," he said. "And that underclass is the great question for the sustainability of Houston and America in the 21st century." I'm John Russell.   Ramon Taylor wrote this story for VOA News. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. *Whites, not Hispanic or Latino _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   demographic – adj. of or related to the study of changes in large groups of people plaster – v. to place on something; to cover over Anglo – n. short for Anglo-American; a white person resident – n. someone who lives in a place underclass – n. a social class made up of people who are poor and have little chance to improve their lives; the lowest social class sustainability – n. the act of lasting or continuing for a long time  

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New Jersey Governor Enjoying Beach Closed to Public

This is What’s Trending Today. Chris Christie is the governor of the state of New Jersey. He has held the position since 2010. He is a well-known politician, and was one of several candidates who ran for the Republican Party nomination for the presidency in 2016. He dropped out of the race in early 2016, however.  Right now, New Jersey is having trouble passing its budget for the next year. When state lawmakers could not agree on the budget by midnight on Friday, Christie closed the government. Lawmakers must vote on a budget and send it to Christie for his approval. Many people who work for the state cannot go to work until a budget is passed, because the government cannot pay them. Police stations, public transportation services and hospitals remain open. But many state services are closed, including state-operated beaches. Many New Jersey residents planned to spend the weekend before the American Independence Day enjoying the water and sand. They were upset they could not go to state beaches with their family and friends. On Friday and Saturday, newspapers across the state published photos of people who had been locked out of state beaches and parks. Some people who were already camping in state parks on Friday were told to leave. One newspaper photographer decided to take photos from a different angle. He got in an airplane and flew over the closed beaches. He flew close to the governor’s summer house. The house is owned by the state and paid for by taxes collected from residents. It sits along a state-owned beach that, because of the shutdown, was closed to the public. Andrew Mills is the photographer. He wrote about how he got the photos for the website NJ.com. He said that he and an airplane pilot predicted that Christie and his friends and family might be out enjoying the closed beach. They were right. As Mills wrote: “There Christie was, with family and friends, on a long and empty stretch of beach.” The photographer and pilot made two trips over the beach near the governor’s home. Mills took many pictures of the group. More than 20 of them were put online. People got angry when they saw the photos. They did not think it was a smart choice for a politician to be enjoying a beach that had been closed to the public. Chris Christie quickly became one of the top trending topics on Twitter. People on social media called Christie “corrupt.” Many congratulated Mills on his good work. One writer said on Twitter that Christie was a “fool” and should “apologize to New Jersey.” ​ Later on Sunday, Christie said that he was at his home on the beach, but that he did not get any sun. But, after the photos came out, the governor’s spokesman explained Christie’s earlier statement. He said Christie was not directly in the sun because he was wearing a hat. On Monday, Christie posted a Twitter message about New Jersey’s beaches. He reminded people that 190 of the state’s 210 kilometers of coastline remain open during the shutdown for the public to enjoy. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Do you think the governor should have gone to the beach? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   budget – n. an amount of money available for spending that is based on a plan for how it will be spent camp – v. to sleep outdoors, usually in a tent

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Ulysses S. Grant: Well-Meaning

VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about Ulysses S. Grant. He took office in 1869. But his presidency is not what made him famous. Grant is best remembered for being the commander of Union forces at the end of the Civil War. He led the United States to victory over the Confederate States of America. Many Americans also remember Grant because of the unusual story about his middle initial. When the future 18th president was born, his parents named him Hiram Ulysses Grant. But the boy was known as Ulysses. When Grant was a young man, a member of Congress appointed him to a top college: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. The congressman did not know Grant personally. He thought Grant used his mother’s family name, Simpson, as his middle name. So the congressman called him Ulysses S. Grant. The middle initial “S” became official. Years later, Grant joked that it did not mean anything. During the Civil War, however, Grant’s middle name did come to have a popular meaning. In a famous battle in the state of Tennessee, Grant’s army overpowered their opponents. The Confederate general sent a note asking for the terms of surrender -- in other words, what would the Union army require of them if they withdrew from the battle? General Grant replied: “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender.” The answer did not please the Confederate general, but he agreed. In the North, people celebrated the victory. They began saying Grant’s first two initials stood for “Unconditional Surrender.” Early life Grant was born in the state of Ohio. He was the oldest of six children. Grant’s father worked as a tanner – a person who makes leather from animal skin. As a boy, Grant helped his father. But he did not like the work. He said he would not do it when he was an adult. So, when Grant was a young man, his father asked West Point officials to admit his son as a student. The Grants had little money to pay for the boy’s college education. But they knew he was intelligent and skilled, and West Point was free. In exchange for their education, West Point graduates serve in the military. Grant probably did not seem like a soldier. He was quiet and sensitive. He hated seeing men die in battle, and he questioned the value of war. But he turned out to be an excellent military leader. After he graduated from West Point, he fought in the Mexican War and earned medals for bravery. He was given more power and added responsibilities. However, Grant was lonely. Early in his career, he married Julia Dent, the sister of a college friend. He was devoted to Julia and their four children. But his family could not come with Grant on all his deployments for the military. They were separated for years at a time. Without his family nearby, Grant began having problems with money. Some people said he also drank too much alcohol. One day, Grant resigned from the army. He returned home to his family. At first, he tried to farm, but he could not make enough money. Then he tried other jobs. Finally, he asked his father for help. His father gave him a job, but it was the one the young Grant swore he never wanted: working in a leather shop. Civil War Then things took a surprising turn. The Civil War began. The Union needed experienced military leaders. Grant accepted a position leading a difficult group of troops. He was able to train them and earn their respect. Quickly, Grant’s public image as a military leader grew. He won major victories for the Union in battles at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, and Vicksburg, Mississippi. The president at the time, Abraham Lincoln, liked the way Grant planned the battles. He also liked that Grant did everything he could to win. Grant permitted so many of his soldiers to die that his critics gave him a nickname: The Butcher. Grant’s methods were harsh, but effective. The Civil War effectively ended when the famous Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The following year, Grant was named general of the U.S. armies. The only other person to hold that position was the military leader during the Revolutionary War, George Washington. Presidency Like George Washington, Grant became president although he did not really seek the position. But Republican Party leaders realized that the former general was very popular. And they knew that Grant opposed the policies of the president at the time, Andrew Johnson. So the Republicans nominated Grant as their candidate in 1868. He won easily. But Grant’s popularity and ability as a military leader did not make him a successful president. Grant tried to work for the political and civil rights of African-Americans, many of whom had been enslaved. One of Grant’s most important acts was to support the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The measure gave African-American men the right to vote. At the same time, Grant tried to give states control over their own laws. So, sometimes he used the power of the federal government to protect the rights of African-Americans. And he sometimes let states use violence to prevent African-Americans from exercising their rights. Grant also spoke about treating Native Americans with greater respect. He used government resources to help native people become farmers. But other government policies helped white settlers continue to push tribes off their lands. Few Native Americans saw their lives really improve under Grant. Finally, his administration suffered because of corrupt government officials. Grant himself did not get rich from their actions. But he remained loyal to people who worked for him, even when they profited from their position. As a result of all this, many Americans lost interest in Reconstruction and lost faith in the federal government. But Grant himself remained popular. He won a second term more easily than the first. Shortly after, the country entered a bad economic depression. Grant tried to improve the situation by supporting the gold standard. But many Americans – of all backgrounds – continued to suffer. Legacy Because of the problems in his government, Grant is not remembered as one of the country’s best presidents. But he is remembered as a war hero and as a kind-hearted man with an interesting life. In his last months, Grant worked nearly nonstop on writing his memoirs. Final images show him, covered in a blanket and with a pen in his hand, diligently working. Grant died in 1885, a few days after the book was finished. It was a major success. It earned enough money to provide for his family for the rest of their lives. People across the country mourned the loss of Grant. More than a million and a half watched his funeral parade in New York City. He is buried there, along with his beloved wife, in a well-known memorial popularly called Grant’s Tomb. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly. Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Listening Quiz See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. Play each short video, then choose the best answer.  ​ ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   initial - n. a first letter of a name graduate - n. a person who has earned a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university devoted - adj.  having strong love or loyalty for something or someone shop - n. a building or room where goods and services are sold resources - n. a supply of something (such as money) that someone has and can use when it is needed gold standard - n. a system in which a unit of money (such as the dollar) is equal to a particular amount of gold diligently - adv. working carefully and continuously

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World’s First Electric, Self-Driving Ship to Launch Next Year

  Driverless technology will soon enter another major global industry: shipping. Several companies recently announced plans to launch self-sailing ships to improve safety and efficiency. One of them is Norwegian chemical company Yara International. Yara has teamed up with another Norwegian company, Kongsberg, to build an autonomous cargo ship expected to launch next year. Kongsberg developed the ship’s electrical technology and autonomous control systems.    The ship is fully electric to reduce air pollution. It is designed to carry cargo containers normally transported by truck. This means the ship will also improve road safety by replacing about 40,000 truck trips a year, the company said.   The ships will be transporting shipments from Yara’s main production plant to two ports where its materials are shipped to cities around the world. The company plans to operate the ships by remote control beginning sometime next year. By 2020, the ships should be loading and sailing themselves. While Yara’s ships will be limited to Norway at first, the company plans to greatly expand its autonomous shipping operations in the coming years.    Another company putting a high priority on self-sailing ships is the world’s largest mining company, Australia’s BHP Billiton. The company’s Vice President of Freight, Rashpal Bhatti, recently spoke about the technology in a website post. Bhatti said he believes automation will be one of the biggest changes for shipping in the future. “Autonomous vessels offer significant opportunities to improve safety and provide better efficiency outcomes to the marine supply chain.” He added that self-sailing ships could become a reality within the next decade. Rolls-Royce, the British automobile and engine manufacturer, is also developing unmanned shipping technologies. Oskar Levander is the company’s head of marine operations. He told a conference last year, “This is happening. It’s not if, it’s when.” Levander said these autonomous ships could be controlled by remote operators from anywhere. He added that because these ships will be designed to be unmanned, they can be built smaller, more efficient and environmentally friendly. In Japan, several shipping companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to develop self-sailing ships expected to hit the high seas by 2025. These ships will be equipped with technology to collect weather and sea data. They will then use the data to plan out the safest, shortest and most fuel-efficient route.  Autonomous ships have also been developed for military use. Last year, the U.S. Navy introduced a warship that can direct itself and be used to hunt enemy submarines. The 40-meter-long vessel is called Sea Hunter. It is powered by two diesel engines and does not carry weapons. Sea Hunter can sail for two to three months without a crew. It can operate at a cost of between $15,000 and $20,000 per day, far less than the amount required to run manned ships. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Now, test your understanding with this short quiz. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   efficiency – n. capability to produce desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy cargo – n. something carried from one place to another remote – adj. happening from a distance priority – n. something more important than other things that needs to be done or dealt with first automation – n. running of something by machines, computers, etc, instead of people marine – adj. of or relating to the sea route – n. way to get from one place to another  

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Ancient Conditions Around the Dead Sea Could Signal a Drier Future

  The Dead Sea is losing about a meter of water each year. The sea is on the border of Israel and Jordan. It is the lowest place on Earth meaning its surface is farther below sea level than any other place. And the sea’s surface is getting lower because of below average rainfall in the area. Now, an international team of geologists is seeking to understand how climate changes, over 200,000 years, have affected the area. They also may have found that a severe drought deeply changed the Dead Sea thousands of years ago. The scientists have been studying soil sediment that shows dry seasons and wet seasons over thousands of years. Marwan al-Raggad studies hydrology, or how water moves on the Earth. He is a member of a team studying the Dead Sea area. He said the group is looking at rocks and soil to find evidence of the climate in the area thousands of years ago. He said he is trying to develop a clear idea of the current conditions in order to “forecast the future climate of the Dead Sea area.” Recently, the team gathered samples from the eastern shore of the Dead Sea and from rivers and streams that flow into it. Yael Kiro is a geochemist with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in New York City. She says her group is seeking a better understanding of the area’s climate. “We want to learn what’s going on in the Dead Sea in terms of how much water [is coming] from the eastern side and what is the composition of water and what is the composition of sediments. We can’t understand without this, the changes that we see in the Dead Sea and therefore we can’t understand the climate without knowing what is going on here.” Members of the group said they are finding evidence of a huge drought thousands of years ago. The lack of rains was so severe that it dried up 80 percent of what today is a very salty lake. Stephen Goldstein also is with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. He said understanding the past can help plan for the future. “What happened in the past tells us something about what's possible in the future. And what happened in the past in this area is that the water that people are using now and need now stopped running.” Scientists with the observatory say that the area may have faced two periods of extremely dry conditions. One was 120,000 years ago, the other as recent as 10,000 years ago. During those periods, rainfall dropped to one fifth of its current level. The area is already considered arid, or very dry. Kiro and Goldstein were among the authors of a study that provided evidence of past periods of extreme drought in the Dead Sea. The study was published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. The authors said their findings could be important as current climate models predict that the area may be in another historic dry period. I’m Mario Ritter. Faith Lapidus reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   drought –n. a severe lack of rain sediment –n. soil or rock that settles to form a layer in the earth forecast –n. a prediction composition –n. what makes up a material We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Show with Copies of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Masterpieces

  A new exhibit in New York City lets people get a close look at famous paintings by the artist Michelangelo. In the early 16th century, he painted many walls and ceilings at the Vatican. People can see more than 30 large reproductions of his paintings from the Sistine Chapel at the Oculus art center in the Westfield World Trade Center. The Westfield is an underground shopping center. “The Last Judgment” is one of the artist’s best-known paintings. Michelangelo worked on it for four years. It covers more than 160 square meters of a wall at the Vatican.  But, visitors are not given much time to look at the highly detailed painting. However, at the New York exhibit, people can look for as long as they want. Lynn Catterson, an art historian, was among the visitors to the Oculus. “It’s not crowded. The security guards aren’t yelling at you and you can actually take the time -- instead of trying to comprehend the whole ceiling as a very complex program, you can focus leisurely on motifs, different parts of it.” The reproductions are based on photographs by Austrian photographer Erich Lessing. They were transferred to cloth in Germany. Scott Sanders runs the Oculus art center. “This is a really unique exhibit because we’re giving people the opportunity to see Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel up close. When you go to the Vatican, when you go to the Sistine Chapel in Rome, the art is on the ceiling, you sort of move through it rather quickly.” Other paintings at the exhibit include “The Creation of Adam” and “The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden.” Catterson notes that she and other visitors can come as close to the paintings as Michelangelo did when he was creating them. “I think one of the things to take away is people can really appreciate how monumental the style of Michelangelo is. He is empowering these figures to be heroic, including the women, and I think that’s something we don’t see so well from the ground in the Sistine Chapel.” After a month at the Oculus, the exhibit will move to Los Angeles, Sacramento, Seattle, Chicago, Annapolis and San Diego. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   VOA’s Zlatica Hoke reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver 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   comprehend – v. to understand the meaning of leisurely – adj. slowly or purposefully motif – n. a single or repeated design unique – adj. special; being without equal opportunity – n. a good chance or possibility for progress appreciate – v. to recognize with thanks; to understand the quality of meaning of  

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