The Word "That" in Everyday American English

  The 1994 crime film "Pulp Fiction" tells the story of a gunman, played by Samuel L. Jackson. In the film, the gunman is growing tired of his life of crime. Near the end of the movie, he gives two other criminals a chance to leave a bad situation. -“The truth is, you're the weak and I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd. Go." - "I think we should be leaving now." - "Yeah. That's probably a good idea." In this program, we explore the meaning of a word you heard in the recording: the pronoun “that”. And we will look at how Americans use this word in everyday speech. You might be surprised how often Americans use it for different purposes! The word "that" On another Everyday Grammar program, we explored the many uses of the word "that." That belongs to a group of words called demonstratives. Sometimes demonstratives act as pronouns. When acting as pronouns, they suggest that nouns are either close to the speaker or far away.* In American English, speakers use the word "that" to mean people or objects that are at a distance. But they also use it in other ways.  For example, English speakers often use the word "that" to give an opinion about something or to repeat the main points of a conversation. We will now look at each of these uses in greater detail. #1 Evaluating an idea or situation Speakers often use the word "that" in sentences that give an opinion about  an idea or situation. They do this by using the structure, that's + an adjective, or that's + a noun phrase. This audio from the 1996 film "Fargo" gives an example of the first structure: - "They announced it." - "They announced it?" - "Yah." - "So?" - "Three-cent stamp." - "Your mallard?" - "Yah." - "Oh, that's terrific." The term "that's terrific" is an example of that's + an adjective. Here, the word "that" means the idea or situation presented; in other words, the new stamp. The adjective "terrific" gives the speakers positive or good opinion about the stamp. There are any number of adjectives that speakers use to express their opinion. A few other examples are "that's cool" or "that's awesome," two common expressions among younger Americans. English speakers also use the that's + a noun clause structure to give an opinion about a situation or idea. Think back to the lines you heard at the beginning of this program. - "I think we should be leaving now." - "Yeah. That's probably a good idea." Here, the word "that" means the idea that came in the earlier sentence "I think we should be leaving now." The speaker gives his opinion about the idea by using the noun phrase "a good idea." The word "probably" changes the force of his statement. #2 Summarizing the main point of earlier statements The second common structure in everyday speech is that's + a wh- clause. A wh- clause suggests a group of words beginning with the letters w and h, such as why or what. Speakers use this structure when they are noting the main points of earlier statements in a conversation. The comedy film "Clerks" has an example of how speakers use this structure in everyday speech. Here, the actors are having a debate about the best "Star Wars" movie: “Empire had the better ending. I mean, Luke gets his hand cut off, finds out Vader's his father, Han gets frozen and taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings." The main speaker makes several statements and then closes with the words "that's what life is – a series of down endings." The word "that" means the ideas presented earlier: namely, a series of bad events. Hopefully, you do not agree with the speaker's opinions of life! What can you do? Instead of giving you a down ending – such as in the line from the film Clerks – we are going to end on a positive note. Learning and understanding the uses of pronouns such as "that" can be difficult. But, you will be successful if you take a few simple steps. The next time you are watching a film or talking with English speakers, try to listen for examples of the word "that." Ask yourself the following questions: Do the speakers use it to give their opinion? Do they use it to summarize the conversation? Then, find a person to practice with. Try to use the word "that" when speaking to them.   Let us know if you have any questions – we are always happy to help! I'm Alice Bryant. And I'm John Russell.   John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. *The word "that" can also introduce adjective clauses. These types of clauses are beyond the scope of this story. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   demonstrative – n. a word (such as “this,” “that,” “these,” or “those”) that tells who or what is being spoken about conversation – n. a talk involving two people or a small group of people; a discussion phrase – n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence clause – n. grammar a part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb tyranny – n. an oppressive power pronoun – n. a word that is used instead of a noun stamp – n. a small piece of paper placed on something to show that a payment has been made mallard – n. a common duck comedy – adj. something that is meant to make people laugh practice – v. to perform repeatedly; to train  

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US Attorney General Calls for Changes to Asylum Rules

  The United States has long offered asylum protection to people who have fled their own countries and fear they will face threats or harm if they go back. In the latest available report, over 26,000 were granted asylum in 2015. Many came from China, El Salvador and Guatemala. However, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session said recently the current system is hurt by a lot of “abuse and fraud.” And he demanded stronger rules for people seeking asylum in the U.S. Sessions said current policies let some people enter the country without a good reason. The immigration court system, he added, is overwhelmed with 600,000 cases awaiting a hearing, although not all are asylum cases. President Donald Trump has called for major changes to immigration and asylum rules. He has called the current system “broken.” Asylum, a form of protection for refugees Asylum-seekers could face persecution because of their “race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.” The requirements are part of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It is a 1952 law to protect refugees in the U.S. that has been updated over the years to meet changing needs. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security supervises immigration. Recently, the department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review wrote a document, which could influence how judges consider some asylum cases. The document deals with people younger than 18 who entered the country without their parents. It suggests that these minors could find it harder to seek asylum if they are reunited with their parents in the U.S. The document says such young people could lose protections under a 2008 law if they turn 18 during court proceedings. Another possible new standard for immigration judges could require faster  decisions on immigration issues in court. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says asylum laws exist to ensure due process. The laws oversee anyone caught at the U.S. border without documents or immigrants detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Any foreign national can seek asylum protection no matter what their immigration status is. However, asylum-seekers have to apply within one year from the date of their last arrival in the U.S. or show an “exceptional” change in their situation. Most importantly, asylum-seekers must prove to the asylum officer that they have a “credible fear” of returning to their home country. Top U.S. lawyer sees problems with some asylum cases In his speech, Sessions said many asylum cases were not real. He added that the system “…cannot deal effectively with just claims,” and the   Sessions said the number of people claiming they had a “credible fear” of returning to their home country had increased very sharply. In 2009, there were 3,000 cases. By 2016, there were more than 69,000. Session added that 88 percent of asylum cases are approved. Numbers from the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service show that the approval rate for 2017 was 76 percent. Mana Yegani is an immigration lawyer in Houston, Texas. She said the credible fear interview is a “very difficult” process for people seeking asylum. “I had a client who went through a credible fear interview,” Yegani said, “She was 19 and she had been gang raped.” Yegani went on to say that the interviewing officer was a male and her client could not tell the officer about the gang rape. “She was scared. So, she failed the interview,” Yegani said. An immigration judge reviews the questions an interviewing officer asked an asylum-seeker if a credible fear claim is denied. The judge wants to know if there were errors or if the officer missed something. Lawyers for the asylum-seeker, however, cannot speak or present new evidence during the hearing. And the immigration judge’s decision cannot be appealed. Hearings on credible fear claims usually last between five and 10 minutes. Yegani said once she had photographs of dead people from a person’s family that she wanted to introduce as evidence, but they were not accepted. Lawyers say that asylum-seekers also must show that law enforcement or government officials in their home country did not protect them. Yegani said this could lead to denial of a credible fear claim because you have to establish “proof that your government is not willing to support you.” Yegani said that many of the people she represents come from countries where they do not trust the police. They also may fear officers could raid their homes or harm their families. However, some immigration groups note that it is very difficult to know if asylum-seekers are telling the truth. The Federation for American Immigration Reform is a group pushing for reform of immigration laws in the U.S. On its website, the group says, “Because of the nature of asylum claims, the claimant’s true background and history are difficult to verify.” As the number of cases increase, so has the number of people waiting for court hearings. The Associated Press has reported that about 70,000 asylum-seekers were being held at family detention centers waiting for a hearing. I’m Mario Ritter.   Aline Barros reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fraud –n. using dishonest methods to get something persecution –n. to treat someone unfairly because of race, religion or other reasons proceedings –n. the process of appearing before a court so a legal action can go forward due process –n. the guarantee that all legal proceedings shall be fair and follow the processes established by law status –n. the position of someone relating to law exceptional –adj. unusual, not happening very often verify –v. to find out if something is true We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Spanish Officials to Meet on Taking Local Powers from Catalonia

  Spain has called for a special cabinet meeting on Saturday that could start a process that would take away local powers from Catalonia. Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy made the move after Catalonia’s leader wrote that the autonomous area would seek independence unless the two sides began talks. Catalonia’s leader Carles Puigdemont sent a letter to the Spanish prime minister shortly before a time limit for clarifying his position on secession. “If the State Government persists in blocking dialogue and the repression continues, the Parliament of Catalonia will proceed, if deemed appropriate, to vote on the formal declaration of independence,” he wrote. Rajoy’s office answered by announcing a special cabinet meeting that would discuss putting Article 155 of Spain’s constitution into effect. A government statement said, the meeting will “approve the measures that will be sent to the Senate to protect the general interests of all Spaniards.” The law gives Spain’s government the power to take away some or all of the area’s powers of self-rule. The article has never been used since Spain approved its democratic constitution in 1978. Disputed independence vote Voters in Catalonia approved independence in a disputed referendum held on October 1 called for by the Catalan leader. However, opponents said they would boycott the vote and fewer than half of voters took part. The government in Madrid considered the referendum an illegal act and sent police to block voting. Hundreds of people were injured in clashes with police. The government added that many police officers also were injured. Last week, Puigdemont appeared to declare independence in a speech to parliament. However, he suspended official steps for a parliamentary vote. Instead, he called for talks on the issue. Wanting clarification on the question of secession, Rajoy’s government asked the Catalan leader to answer “yes” or “no” by Monday. The government also gave Puigdemont until Thursday to pull back from an independence claim. In addition, the government said it would delay Article 155 if the Catalan separatist leader called for immediate elections in Catalonia to “reestablish legal order.” However, Catalan officials have not accepted that request. Europe watching closely At a meeting of European Union leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU was watching events closely. “We hope that there will be solutions that can be found on the basis of the Spanish constitution,” she said. French President Emanuel Macron called for discussions of the crisis. He also has expressed support for Rajoy and called for “unity” at the EU meeting. However, some European leaders oppose formal discussions of the situation. They say it is an internal issue for Spain. Catalonia is one of 17 autonomous areas in Spain. The area has its own parliament and president. It also represents about one fifth of Spain’s economy and one seventh of its population. The city of Barcelona, the second largest in Spain, is an important center of technology, industry and tourism. The area has a history of seeking independence for hundreds of years and carried out a referendum in 2014. Andrew Dowling is an expert in Catalan history at Cardiff University in Wales. He said an independence declaration by Catalonia would only be symbolic without control over government institutions and borders. He said Catalonia might already have seen the economic results of the dispute. Spain’s Association of Commercial Registers says 700 companies have moved their registration addresses out of the region. They include Catalan banks and large to medium-sized businesses. I’m Jill Robbins. I'm Mario Ritter.   Chris Hannas reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English with additional materials from the AP. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   autonomous –adj. have elements of self-rule, acting separately secession –n. to withdraw from a nation or state referendum –n. a vote on a single issue or law by the public clarification –n. the process of explaining for better understanding internal –adj. taking place inside symbolic –adj. something that may serve as a sign, but has no real effect We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Forbes: Trump’s Wealth Suffers Major Drop Since Presidency

  President Donald Trump’s wealth saw a major drop in the last year, mainly because some of his properties decreased in value. American business magazine Forbes says Trump’s net worth fell $600 million to $3.1 billion over the past 12 months. His net worth was estimated at $3.7 billion a year ago. Each year Forbes puts together a list of the 400 richest Americans. This year, Trump was number 248 on the list, down from 156 in 2016. According to Forbes, much of Trump’s wealth comes from a group of New York City luxury buildings in and around Manhattan. The magazine said property values in the area have dropped recently. One of the buildings is Trump Tower, the headquarters for Trump’s businesses. Trump also lived at Trump Tower with his family before moving into the White House. Trump also owns many other properties, including golf courses, in the United States and around the world. He also owns a winery and licenses his name to many companies worldwide. Forbes also said Trump’s wealth dropped because he spent $66 million on his presidential campaign. He also paid $25 million to settle a legal action against him by former students of Trump University. A few of Trump’s properties did rise in value last year, the Forbes report says. One was a hotel and residential building in Las Vegas, Nevada. The other was an office building in San Francisco, California. Trump is the first billionaire to become president of the United States. He gave his two oldest sons control of his businesses while he serves his presidential term.   Every name in the top ten belonged to a white man. Two women, both white, are in the top twenty: Alice Walton, an owner of the Wal-Mart company and Jacqueline Mars, whose riches come mainly from the candy and pet food industries. Two African-American billionaires made the list. Investor Robert Smith came in at number 226, with a net worth of $3.3 billion. Media businesswoman Oprah Winfrey was number 264, with an estimated worth of $3 billion. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates took the top spot on the Forbes list for the 24th year in a row. His net worth was estimated at $89 billion, up $8 billion from a year ago. At number two was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who added $14.5 billion to his wealth over the past year. The third richest American on the list was businessman and investor Warren Buffett. He was followed by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who had the biggest overall wealth increase of anyone, $15.5 billion. Overall, the magazine said it was another record year for America’s wealthiest people. To make the Forbes 400 list in 2017, people had to be worth at least $2 billion. The group’s total net worth climbed to $2.7 trillion, up from $2.4 trillion a year earlier. The average net worth for the wealthiest Americans rose from $6 billion to $6.7 billion.  I'm Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English based on information from Forbes.com and the Associated Press. 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   luxury – n. a condition or situation of great comfort or wealth winery – n. place where wine is made license – v. give official permission to use something fraud – n. the crime of using dishonest methods to take something valuable from another person residential – adj. area that only has houses and not offices or factories 

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Clinton Criticizes Trump's North Korea Tweets, But Not Policies

  Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized President Donald Trump this week on her visit to South Korea. Clinton, a former U.S. presidential candidate, said she disapproved of Trump’s angry words about North Korea. “There is no reason for us to be bellicose and aggressive,” she said in a speech to the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul. Clinton expressed concern about the president’s description of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as “little rocket man.” She also criticized Trump’s threats to answer a North Korea provocation with “fire and fury.” Clinton said that threats to start a war are dangerous. She noted that a conflict with North Korea could endanger millions of people if a diplomatic solution is not found. She also said that starting fights with Kim Jong Un “puts a smile on his face” and gives him the attention he wants. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson defended Trump’s public words and comments on the Twitter messaging service. Tillerson said they help to “create action forcing events” to move diplomacy forward. While Clinton disagreed with Trump’s words, she seemed to support his administration’s efforts to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. She agreed that North Korean plans to develop a nuclear-armed ballistic missile that can reach the U.S. mainland represent a serious threat to the United States. But the former secretary of state did not suggest other ways to prevent North Korean testing, and offered no ideas to start talks. She did not say anything about the Russian and Chinese plan to suspend the North Korean nuclear program if the U.S. and South Korea end military exercises. Instead she said that other countries, including China, should increase economic pressure on North Korea. She also said the U.S. and its allies need to have strong military defenses. Clinton also was critical of Chinese actions against South Korean businesses operating in China. The actions came after the United States deployed an anti-missile system in South Korea. Clinton said the actions of the United States and its allies should react with “proportional” force to North Korean actions against their interests. Trump has said the United States would “totally destroy North Korea” if attacked. Any preventative military action directed at North Korea’s nuclear or missile test areas could start a war. Some leaders and observers say economic pressure alone will not make the North Korean leadership give up its nuclear activities. Gary Samore is with the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He believes Americans must accept the idea that North Korea will have nuclear arms. He thinks it is no longer realistic to believe the situation can be reversed.  Samore worked as an arms control expert in the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama. Clinton also said the action of the United States must be calm and predictable to keep peace in Asia. Trump’s methods, she believes, have been dangerous and damaging. She said U.S. allies have expressed concerns about whether they can depend on the United States. They note Trump’s comments about unfair trade and criticism of allies for failing to provide enough financial support for U.S. military forces. President Trump to set to make his first official visit to Asia in early next month. He will visit Japan, South Korea and China before going to attend trade and security meetings in Vietnam and the Philippines. The South Korean presidential office said that it expects the U.S. president to talk about relations between the countries and North Korea’s activities. The office said it also expects Trump to explain his policy for the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.   VOA’s Brian Padden reported this story from Seoul. Susan Shand adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   bellicose - adj. having or showing a tendency to argue or fight fury - n. violent anger proportional – adj. having a number or amount that is directly related to reverse - v. to move to an opposite direction peninsula - n. a piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water and is attached to a larger land area

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Apple Co-Founder Launches Technology School

  Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has launched a school to teach computer science and technology-related skills. Wozniak last week announced creation of what is being called an online university, known as Woz U. In the beginning, Woz U will only offer classes through electronic devices connected to computers. Later, the school plans to open up classrooms in more than 30 cities so students can attend in person. Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer, with Steve Jobs, in 1976. They developed and hand-built the company’s first computer, the Apple I, mainly working in Jobs’ home, near San Jose, California. The following year, Wozniak designed the Apple II, which marked a revolution in computer design and development. The Apple II became the world’s first successfully mass-produced personal computer. Throughout its history, Apple has been seen as one of the most innovative technology companies. In addition to computers, it developed industry-changing products, such as the iPod and iPhone. According to Forbes, Apple is currently the ninth largest public company in the world. Steve Wozniak left Apple in 1985. He has said he left because he did not agree with some of the company’s business goals at the time. Since then, he has been involved with several other technology companies. Wozniak has been a supporter of local education in areas where he has lived. He even taught computer classes for young people and has donated technology equipment to schools.  Now Wozniak is teaming up with a for-profit company to provide programs for students interested in learning about technology.  “Our goal is to educate and train people in employable digital skills without putting them into years of debt,” Wozniak said in a statement. He added that his goal is to inspire and prepare “the next generation of innovators” to join the workforce of the future. “People often are afraid to choose a technology-based career because they think they can’t do it,” he said. “I know they can, and I want to show them how.” Woz U currently offers training in software development and computer support. The school plans to add several other subjects in 2018. Students who finish the programs will receive a certificate of completion upon graduation. Wozniak says the school will also work with technology companies to help them identify new workers and train the ones they already have. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on information from the Woz U website and other sources. George Grow 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   innovative – adj. using new methods or ideas inspire – v. make someone want to do something certificate – n. document that is official proof that something happened graduation – n. act of completing an education program  

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How Powerful Personal Experiences Changed Opinions

  Sometimes, an unexpected experience can change the way people see important issues. Country music singer Caleb Keeter had been an opponent of gun control, he wrote on Twitter. That changed on October 1, when 58 were killed and over 500 injured at a country music festival in Las Vegas where Keeter performed. “I cannot express how wrong I was,” Keeter tweeted. “We need gun control RIGHT NOW. My biggest regret is that I stubbornly didn’t realize it until my brothers on the road and myself were threatened by it.” Keeter is not alone. Other people also became strong supporters of gun control after experiencing gun violence. Others changed their opinions on health care policy after getting sick. And a Republican senator dropped his opposition to same-sex marriage after learning his own son is gay. Kyle Kondik is a political scientist at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. He said, “It strikes me that a lot of people change their opinions when something affects them personally. Human nature is such that we just may pay more attention to something when we have a closer personal attachment to it.” Senator Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, is one such person. He explained that he had opposed same sex marriage because he believed it violated his religion. That changed, Portman said, after he learned in 2011 that his son, Will, is gay. Two years later Portman announced his new position on gay marriage. He wrote about it in the Columbus Dispatch, a newspaper based in Columbus, Ohio’s state capital. “Knowing that my son is gay” let him to look at the issue in a different way -- as “a dad who wants all three of his kids to lead happy, meaningful lives with the people they love, a blessing Jane and I have shared for 26 years.” Sought immigration law changes after daughter’s killing Jim Steinle became an activist for stronger immigration laws after tragedy struck his family. His daughter Kate was shot and killed in San Francisco, California in 2015. Officials said the gunman was a Mexican who had been deported five times. Steinle spoke to the Senate Judiciary Committee about how Kate died as they walked together in San Francisco. “Suddenly, a shot rang out, Kate fell, and looked at me and said, ‘Help me dad’ Those are the last words I will ever hear from my daughter,” Jim Steinle said. Steinle asked that local jails be barred from releasing people sought by federal officials for immigration violations. In July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills. One would deny federal money to local governments that do not cooperate with immigration enforcement requests. The other would increase penalties for people legally deported from the United States who try to re-enter the country. The second bill is called “Kate’s Law.” Both bills require approval by the Senate before they can move forward. “We feel that if Kate’s Law saves one daughter, one son, a mother or a father, Kate’s death won’t be in vain,” Steinle said. From Obamacare opponent to supporter Jeff Jeans, an Arizona businessman, appeared on CNN to discuss how getting cancer changed his opinions about the Affordable Care Act. The bill passed during the presidency of Barack Obama. It helps provide health insurance to Americans. “When it was passed, I told my wife we would close our business before I complied with this law,” Jeans said. “Then, at 49, I was given six weeks to live with a very curable type of cancer.” He said that he got insurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act. “I want to thank President Obama from the bottom of my heart because I would be dead if it weren’t for him,” Jeans said. Jeans appeared on CNN with House Speaker Paul Ryan. The CNN show included a discussion on Republican efforts to end the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a new health care bill. So far, those efforts have failed. Not everyone changes their minds Not everybody who experiences life and death situations changes their opinions.  In June, Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana nearly died, his doctors said, after he was shot during a Republican baseball practice. Using crutches to get around, Scalise returned to the Capitol for the first time in three months on September 28, getting a standing ovation from fellow House members. Scalise said that the experience “fortified,” or strengthened, his opposition to gun control. Scalise, a member of the Congressional Republican leadership, said he believes Congress should do little to limit Americans from getting guns. The big majority of people use them for legal reasons -- for hunting and protecting their families, Scalise said. Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, became stronger supporters of gun control after she was shot in the head and seriously injured. The 2011 shooting happened at a shopping center where Giffords was meeting with the people she represented. On October 5, less than a week after the mass killings in Las Vegas, she tweeted this, “93 people die every day from gun violence: it doesn't have to be this way. Congress needs to act.” Carolyn McCarthy, a New York nurse, became a strong supporter of gun control after her husband, Dennis, was killed, and her son, Kevin, was injured when a gunman shot them and other passengers on a Long Island Railroad train. It happened in 1993. McCarthy brought her gun control efforts to the U.S. Congress, winning a seat in 1996. She decided not to run for re-election in 2014. Similar experiences, different response Barry Burden is a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He said people do not always change their opinions from an important personal experience. “Sometimes it actually causes them to change their position, but more often it leads them to put more focus on the issue, becoming a champion of the cause,” Burden said. I’m Jill Robbins. And I'm Bruce Alpert.                       Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   stubbornly - adv. refusing to change your ideas or to stop doing something attention - n. the act or power of carefully thinking about, listening to, or watching someone or something attachment - n. feeling a connection to someone or something gay - n. sexually attracted to someone who is the same sex blessing - n. something that helps you or brings happiness comply - v. to do what you have been asked or ordered to do crutches - n. a long stick with a padded piece at the top that fits under a person's arm -- used to help disabled or injured people get around champion - v. to fight or speak publicly in support of a person, belief, or cause

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New Lego Set Honors 'Women of NASA'

  This is What’s Trending Today… Sally Ride, Mae Jemison, Nancy Grace Roman and Margaret Hamilton are important names in American space exploration. Jemison is an astronaut, as was Ride. Scientists Roman and Hamilton worked with NASA, the American space agency. Each woman is receiving a very high honor. No, they are not being admitted into a space “Hall of Fame.” But this honor might be even better: they are becoming Lego action figures. Thanks to the work of a Lego fan and editor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the four women will be represented in miniature toy form starting on November 1. That is when people will be able to purchase the first-ever “Women of NASA” Lego set. The path to Lego fame began in the summer of 2016. Maia Weinstock is the deputy editor of MIT News, a publication of the famous university. She is also a Lego fan. According to a story in the publication, Weinstock has an interesting hobby. She makes Lego figures representing important people in the history of MIT. But, most recently, she decided not to limit herself to MIT. Weinstock thought bigger and submitted the names of five women to Lego’s “Ideas” website. She called her submission “Ladies rock outer space!” and described how important those women were to U.S. space exploration. As soon as 10,000 people expressed their support for the set, Lego announced it would produce it. In February, Lego said Weinstock’s set would be the next Ideas set. And on Wednesday, the toy-maker announced the set would be available in November. The fifth woman in Weinstock’s proposal was Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician made famous by the recent film “Hidden Figures.” However, Lego could not agree with Johnson and her family about the look of the figure. So, it was not produced. The set also includes representations of the Hubble space telescope and the Challenger space shuttle. Many Lego fans are excited by the news. One Twitter user named Beth had a one-word reaction: “Woohooooooooo!!”  And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Caty Weaver.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reports by the Associated Press and the MIT News. Caty Weaver was the editor. What do you think about this new Lego set? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   inspire – v. to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create Hall of Fame – n. a place that is like a museum with exhibits honoring the famous people and events related to a particular activity figure – n. a drawing, sculpture, etc., that represents the form of a person or animal express – v. to become known or seen as the result of a particular action miniature– adj. very small hobby– n.  an activity that a person does for pleasure when not working ladies– n.  women toy– n.  something a child plays with submit– v. to give (a document, proposal, piece of writing, etc.) to someone so that it can be considered or approved rock– v. (slang) to be very enjoyable, pleasing, or effective

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Another American Writer Wins Man Booker Prize

  American writer George Saunders has won the 2017 Man Booker Prize for his first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo. The story is an imaginary account of a real event on February 22, 1862. That night, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln visited the grave of his 11-year-old son Willie, who was buried in a Washington cemetery. The story imagines Lincoln walking around alone in the dark, troubled by the death of his son and the American Civil War. Meanwhile, Willie is trapped in Bardo – a Tibetan Buddhist term for purgatory. Other dead souls in the graveyard watch young Willie waiting for his father to return. Lola Young, an  author and member of Britain’s House of Lords, led the group of judges. She praised the “deeply moving” book and said it was “utterly original.” In his acceptance speech, Saunders said “we live in a strange time.” He noted the most important question is how to respond to events: with, in his words, “exclusion and negative projection and violence” or “with love.” The 58-year-old Saunders became the second American writer to win the prize. Last year, Paul Beatty became the first American to win for his novel “The Sellout,” a satire about race relations in the United States. In the past, the Man Booker Prize was given only to writers from Britain, Ireland, Zimbabwe or countries in the British Commonwealth. The rules were changed in 2014 to permit authors of any book written in English and published in Britain to compete. Critics of the rule change say it “Americanized” an important British literary prize. The winner receives a cash prize of about $65,000. Other past winners include this year’s Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, Salman Rushdie, Iris Murdoch and Canadian writer Margaret Atwood. I’m Caty Weaver.   Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on the Man Booker Prize and Reuters news reports. Mario Ritter was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   account  --n.  a record, a story purgatory –n. a state where souls go after they have died to be purified, neither heaven nor hell author –n. a person who writes or starts something utterly –adv. completely, totally exclusion –n. the act or process of keeping someone or something out satire –n. using humor to show that someone or something is foolish or bad

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Unrest to Follow Expected Collapse of IS

  The self-declared Islamic State (IS) group appears to be nearing collapse. IS fighters have lost control of Raqqa – the city the group has called its capital. They are now fighting to keep control of small areas of Iraq and Syria. Local forces are said to be attacking them from all sides. But almost no one believes the group will disappear or that the fighting will end soon. The Associated Press notes that the Islamic State was created from what was left of another group: al-Qaida in Iraq. That group battled United States forces after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. In early 2014, the Islamic State began to spread across the Middle East. Its supporters quickly captured the Iraqi city of Fallujah and parts of nearby Ramadi. In Syria, IS militants forced competing Syrian rebel groups to flee Raqqa and took control of the city, naming it as the capital of its caliphate. In June 2014, IS fighters captured Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city. It was there that the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared creation of the caliphate. IS promised justice, equality, and an Islamic religious system. But over the next few years, it terrorized people living under its control. The group killed members of Iraq’s small Yazidi community. It executed Western reporters and aid workers. And it destroyed some of the area’s most important archaeological and cultural treasures. Some foreigners traveled to the Middle East to support IS. Many of them were young men from Europe. However, IS angered many Sunni Muslims. They worried as they saw the group’s version of Islam spread to areas far from Syria and Iraq. When IS declared a caliphate, it created a target. Soon, an international anti-IS coalition was formed. The United States launched its campaign of airstrikes on Islamic State forces in Iraq in August 2014, and a month later on IS targets in Syria. In Iraq, the U.S. military partnered with government forces working with state-approved Shiite-led militias and with Iraqi Kurdish fighters. In Syria, the U.S. partnered with Syrian Kurdish-led fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Supported by tens of thousands of U.S.-led airstrikes, these fighters ousted IS militants from the territories they controlled. The worst defeat for IS took place in July, when they were forced out of Mosul. IS also appears to be heading for collapse in Syria. The SDF and Syrian government forces supported by Russia are attacking IS forces in separate offensives. This week, a top SDF commander announced his forces had taken Raqqa from IS militants. Over the weekend, Syrian troops captured Mayadeen, a town in the Euphrates River Valley near the border with Iraq. The militants had been expected to fight to the death in the town. In northern Iraq, IS forces no longer hold any cities or towns. They lost control of Hawija earlier this month. Iraq’s army is now preparing to fight IS in the last place the terrorists control -- Anbar province, which stretches to the Syrian border. In Syria, IS still controls the town of Boukamal, near the Iraqi border, and small areas in the East. Syria and Iraq have paid a high price to destroy IS. And many people suffered in areas controlled by the militants. The fighting and airstrikes have destroyed cities and towns that had been economically strong. Many apartment buildings, homes, roads and bridges have been destroyed.  Two weeks ago, the U.S.-led coalition said it had returned more than 83 percent of IS-held land to local populations since 2014. It said more than 6 million Syrians and Iraqis had been freed from IS control. At least 735 civilians are reported to have been accidentally killed in coalition airstrikes, but activists believe the number is much higher. The rise of the Islamic State group -- and the wars and alliances that defeated it -- have worsened tensions in Syria and Iraq. Kurdish populations in the two countries gained power, worrying the central governments. Iran and Turkey are also fighting Kurdish separatist movements within their countries. In 2014, during the fight against IS, Iraq’s Kurds seized the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. Iraq has now regained control of the city, seizing oil fields and other infrastructure to try to stop the Kurdish independence movement. More violence may result from the Syrian civil war, tensions between Kurds and ethnic Arabs, and the presence of Shiite militias and government troops in the Sunni towns and cities. In many ways, the fight over former IS territories has just begun. All of the forces fighting IS will have to watch their territories closely even after they recapture the last militant-held areas. Experts say in some ways they face a more difficult fight. Groups linked to the Islamic State continue to carry out attacks in Egypt and Libya. Experts fear IS could re-form and gain strength in the years ahead.   Associated Press Correspondent Zeina Karam reported this story from Beirut. AP Writer Philip Issa provided reporting from Baghdad. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the 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   caliphate – n. the office of an important Muslim leader or the land he governs archeological – adj. of or related to the study of past human life and activities valley – n. a stretch of land between hills or mountains apartment – n. a room or set of rooms that is used as a place to live infrastructure – n. public services, such as roads, bridges and water treatment centers

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Researchers Aim to Clean up South Asia's Dirty Kilns

  Brick, a simple, square block made from baked clay, has been an important building material for thousands of years. But traditional brick-making methods create pollution that affects health and the climate. Laws governing the industry are weak and not enforced. And there seems to be little motivation for kiln owners to improve on the system. Low cost labor in brick making Brickmaking is big business in the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. Around 300 billion bricks per year come out of kilns – the large ovens used for hardening the clay. In India, the industry creates nearly 10 percent of the country's soot. And, it has become a health threat and powerful contributor to climate change. The brick-making industry depends on low-wage seasonal labor. Whole families of workers move from one kiln to another to find work. An estimated 23 million workers are employed in at least 100,000 brick kilns operating across the northern state of Punjab, according to a study released in September by Anti-Slavery International.  Nearly all of the workers are given loans from kiln owners before the brickmaking season begins, immediately putting them into debt. The owners withhold their wages during the season, which lasts up to 10 months. They also keep no records, allowing them to pay workers far less than what is due. Because workers are paid for each piece of brick they make, families put their children to work to increase their output. Many children under the age of 14 work an average of nine hours a day during the hot weather months, according to the study. Health and climate costs The industry also uses low cost fuel in low-technology kilns. The fuel includes high-polluting materials such as powdered coal, coal chips, waste oil, agricultural waste, wood, old automobile tires and plastic. Sachin Kumar is with India's Energy and Resources Institute, also known as TERI. He said that nearly all of the kilns follow one basic design. "[The] existing technology of brick making in India is [the] Bull's trench kiln, which is highly polluting and energy consuming." The Bull's trench kiln dates back to the 1800s. A study by Urban Emissions, an India-based non-profit organization, found that in south Delhi, India, pollution from the kilns might be linked to 15 percent of early deaths caused by pollution in that area.  And in Pakistan, a study by Quaid-i-Azam University found a possible link between brick making and increased cases of anemia and other health disorders. A better method exists TERI and others have been pushing the industry to use zigzag kilns. This kiln is named for how air moves back and forth through the bricks.  "So this technology of zigzag kiln is better than the Bull's trench kiln, not only in terms of energy performance but also in terms of environmental emissions." Kumar says black carbon emissions from the zigzag kiln are about 75 percent lower and it uses 15 to 20 percent less fuel.  That saves owners money, which is a good reason to replace the old kilns. But experts say lack of information, weak laws and poor enforcement make change less likely.   One problem is that authorities generally do not know where many of the polluting kilns are located.  But, Stanford University researchers are working on a way to map them from space.  Stephen Luby is with the Stanford Woods Institute. He saw smoke clouds from kilns while flying over India.  "So then I got thinking, 'Well, wait a minute, if I can do this sitting in a plane, we must be able by remote satellite to detect these as well.'" Luby's team combined satellite images with heat signals to find the kilns. They even found kilns that a team on the ground did not find during their data collection. Mapping is just the first step. Redesigned kilns may be cheaper to operate, but replacing the older kilns costs money in advance. And the owners need technical help, too, notes Sachin Kumar. "Apart from the financial challenge, I think one of the major issues will be availability for the local service providers, because they are the ones who can help him, who can guide him in adopting the zigzag technology." Across South Asia, there are tens of thousands of Bull's trench kilns to replace. I'm Alice Bryant.   This story based on two VOA news reports, including a report by Steve Baragona. It also includes information from other news sources. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story clay – n. a heavy, sticky material from the earth that is made into different shapes and that becomes hard when it is baked or dried soot – n. a black powder that is formed when something (such as wood or coal) is burned output – n. the amount of something that is produced by a person or thing anemia – n. a condition in which a person has fewer red blood cells than normal and feels very weak and tired emissions – n. something sent out or given off black carbon – n. the most strongly light-absorbing component of fine matter formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass remote – adj. capable of being controlled from a distance

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