World’s First Robot College Student Learns About Love

  Imagine you are a college student at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California. You walk into your philosophy class on the first day of the new term only to find a robot looking you right in the eye. This robot is no huge piece of equipment that builds automobiles, or small device that cleans your floor. It is Bina48. Bina48 looks like a human – at least the head and shoulders of one. Her voice sounds somewhat like a human voice. And in the fall of 2017, she became the first-ever robot with artificial intelligence, or A.I., to complete a college class. The story of Bina48 Bina48’s story began thirteen years earlier. In 2004, businesswoman Martine Rothblatt began studying the possibility of using technology to keep a human mind alive after the person’s body died. Rothblatt’s organization, called the Terasem Movement Foundation, developed a system for keeping a computerized record of a person’s thoughts, opinions and memories. The organization calls these records “Mindfiles.” In 2007, the organization asked the company Hanson Robotics to design an A.I. program based around a Mindfile. The program would be a robotic representation of a living person. The person the designers chose was Rothblatt’s wife, Bina Aspen Rothblatt. Bruce Duncan is the managing director of the Terasem Movement Foundation. He says Bina48’s programming includes as much of the human Bina’s thoughts, opinions and memories as she could provide. He notes the robot can use unique combinations of this information to process new information and speak in a human-like way. The robot’s mind does not operate exactly the way a human mind does. And the robot does not possess the most highly developed A.I. technology available. Still, Duncan argues that Bina48 does express some understanding of the world around her. “She…is aware that she’s both a robot and that she’s based on a specific person named Bina,” he told VOA. “And she recognizes that she’s not human at this point, that she wants to be human. So she has sort of an awareness of her own identity and who she is to some … degree.” Bina48 goes to college Bina48 was not created to go to college. But then Notre Dame de Namur professor of philosophy William Barry learned about the experiment. He thought it would be interesting for his students to meet a thinking machine. So he invited Bina48 to speak to one of his classes. The students enjoyed the conversation. And apparently so did Bina48: After several discussions, the robot actually said that she would like to go to college. Last fall, Barry and Duncan agreed to place Bina48 in an upper level class called the Philosophy of Love. In it, students examine the works of writers and thinkers such as C.S. Lewis, Bell Hooks and Soren Kierkegaard. They use this information to attempt to create a definition of what love is and identify different kinds of love. Barry thought the addition of a non-human mind would add an interesting element to discussions of the meaning of love. He says the topic is challenging even for his 31 human students. ​“So, A.I. is really a reflection of who we are and what our values are,” said Barry. “And one of the hard things is, are we clear about what our values are? The Philosophy of Love is one example of where we weren’t clear. The students came in, thought, ‘Hey, how hard can this be? Love: it’s a feeling. Everyone knows what love is’ …And then all of a sudden, they’re like, ‘Oh my God. There’s 31 different definitions.’” Barry notes that having a robot in his class became especially useful as a teaching tool. Some of the students expected Bina48’s A.I. to be far more developed, while others saw Bina48 as nothing more than a simple machine, he says. But once they saw they could teach her the things they themselves were learning, they became more invested in Bina48’s involvement in the class. Students are much more likely to remember and understand information if they are required to teach that information to others, Barry says. Barry adds that both he and the students accepted the fact that Bina48 could never actually feel love. But by the end of the class, they were very pleased to see the robot was able to demonstrate the ability to recognize different kinds of love. She did so by making a final presentation with another student, discussing the biological, sociological and intellectual representations of love. ​What’s next? Bina48’s first college class was such a positive experience that this winter the robot began studying in another class with Barry. This one is about people’s views of new technologies. Barry says he hopes teachers will use A.I. like Bina48 as teaching aids at all levels of education in the future. Northeastern University president Joseph Aoun agrees. He recently wrote a book called “Robot-Proof.” It is about the effects A.I. might have on the world in the years to come. Aoun says A.I. is already being used in Internet-based education programs. “A.I is being integrated in one way or another, in the education process,” he told VOA. “But what hasn’t happened yet is a massive integration in education, and you are going to see that more and more.” Some people view the growing use of A.I. with fear, says Aoun. In fact, a recent study of public opinion from the research company Gallup showed exactly that. It found that 73 percent of Americans expect the increased use of A.I. will remove more jobs that it creates. And 63 percent believe the development of new technologies and smart machines will widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Aoun acknowledges those concerns. To face them, he recommends being prepared and keeping an open mind. I’m Alice Bryant. And I’m Pete Musto.   Pete Musto reported this story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. How do you think A.I. will affect education in the future? What concerns do you think are worth considering? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _________________________________________________________________ QUIZ _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story philosophy – n. the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, and the nature and meaning of life shoulder(s) – n. the part of your body where your arm is connected artificial intelligence – n. the power of a machine to copy intelligent human behavior unique – adj. used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else aware – adj. knowing that something, such as a situation, condition, or problem, exists specific – adj. special or particular recognize(s) – v. to accept or be aware that something is true or exists challenging – adj. difficult in a way that is usually interesting or enjoyable reflection – n. something that shows the effect, existence, or character of something else sociological – adj. related to people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values, social institutions, and social relationships positive – adj. good or useful integrate(d) – v. to make something a part of another larger thing massive – adj. large in amount or degree gap – n. a difference between two people, groups, or things acknowledge(s) – v. to say that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of  recommend(s) – v. to suggest that someone do something

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2Eu22Vz
via IFTTT

Pulling on Your 'Heartstrings'

  And now, it’s time for Words and Their Stories -- our weekly program about common, everyday expressions in American English. Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14. It is a day for love and hearts can be seen everywhere! So, naturally, I had my heart set on producing a completely new program about heart expressions. I really wanted to do it! I found every single “heart” expression that I could. I wrote about how heart-to-heart describes two people talking in private about something important and somewhat sensitive. I explained that cold-hearted is a good word to describe a person who doesn’t seem to have feelings for others. And the heart expressions went on and on and on! My heart was really into it. I threw myself, heart and soul, into the writing process. I felt as if my whole body were involved. I researched and researched. I wrote and wrote. I gave a whole-hearted effort. And it felt good! If you really have your heart set on something, you are not going to do it half-heartedly. That’s for sure. Why do something with only your heart when you can give it all you’ve got. So, I wrote a story that used all the heart expressions I could find. I wanted to pull at the listener’s heartstrings and really make them feel the powerful emotions that I was feeling. So, I included a heart-warming example of two people deeply in love. The story was really long, but I was pleased with it. Later in the office, I poured my heart out to a coworker. I gushed and gushed about how hard I had worked on the story. She understood. Well, of course, she did. I was wearing my heart on my sleeve. I told her exactly how I felt. But then she said that I couldn’t use my story. You see, years ago someone had already written and produced a show all about heart expressions. I would have to write another story! I was heart-broken! All that time researching the subject and writing was wasted. After my story was rejected, I just didn’t have the heart to stay in the office. I walked the city streets with a heavy heart. I felt tired and sad. I knew that I had to find another subject and fast. The publication date was nearing. But I had no enthusiasm. I had lost heart. I didn’t feel like writing ... anything. After hours of walking around, friends saw me, seemingly lost in the city. Concerned about me, my friends bought me dinner in a lovely restaurant. After hearing what happened, they offered many ideas about what I could write for Valentine’s Day. “What about the word 'love,' ” they asked. “It’s been done,” I answered. “What about different types of relationships?" “Been done,” I said. They tried to think of something else that would be a good subject for Valentine’s Day. But nothing sounded good. Look, I know that their hearts were in the right place. They are my friends and wanted to help. And they are really kind-hearted people. But I still felt alone. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that they couldn’t help me. This was something I had to fix on my own. But then late in the dinner, something happened. We ordered a tasty chocolate dessert. One of my friends said that she had had a fabulous dessert recently at another restaurant. She thought it was interesting that the two desserts were made with the exact same ingredients but tasted completely different. Suddenly, I had a change of heart. I decided to look at my situation in a new way. Although all the heart expressions had already been used in an earlier program, there was no reason I couldn’t write another story using the expressions in a different way! And that’s what I did. I also learned something. If you have your heart set on doing something and then find out that someone has done it before, don’t lose heart! Simply follow your heart. Just do what you want and do it your own way! And that’s Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. I’m Anna Matteo.   "And I'm waiting for your change of heart, waiting for your change of heart."   Anna Matteo wrote this story wholeheartedly for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. The song at the end is Cyndi Lauper singing "Change of Heart." ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sensitive – adj. likely to cause people to become upset heartstrings - n. deep emotions < That movie really tugs/pulls at your heartstrings. [=makes you emotional] >  soul – n. the spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body and in many religions is believed to live forever gush – v. to speak in an extremely enthusiastic way enthusiasm – n. strong excitement about something : a strong feeling of active interest in something that you like or enjoy dessert – n. sweet food eaten after the main part of a meal fabulous – adj. very good ingredient – n. one of the things that are used to make a food, product, etc.

from Voice of America https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/pulling-on-your-heartstrings/4241136.html
via IFTTT

Students ‘Make History’ with New Dinosaur Find in Egypt

  Researchers have discovered the remains of an up until now unknown dinosaur in Egypt’s Western Desert. The researchers say the long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur was about the size of a city bus. A group of scientists from Mansoura University in Egypt’s Nile Delta area found the remains of the creature. They believe it lived about 100 million years ago. The group says the find is important because it is one of the few dinosaurs from that period in Earth’s history ever found in Africa. The recently-discovered dinosaur is being called “Mansourasaurus Shahinae.” It was named after the university and a founder of its paleontology department. Hesham Sallam, the team’s leader, worked with four Egyptian and five American researchers. They wrote a report on the discovery. It was published January 29 in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. Sallam said, now that his team has found a plant-eating dinosaur, it makes sense that they should try to find a meat-eating dinosaur. “As in any ecosystem, if we went to the jungle, we’ll find a lion and a giraffe. So we found the giraffe, where’s the lion?” he asked. Find does not appear to support earlier theories Experts say the discovery could help scientists better understand a period in Africa that they know little about. That period is called the Mesozoic Era. Earlier theories suggested that African dinosaurs developed independently from ones in Europe. But the researchers say the fossilized skeleton of Mansourasaurus appears to be very similar to European dinosaurs of the same time period. They say this suggests there may have been a land bridge between Africa and Europe at the time. Other researchers have found the remains of large dinosaurs in Egypt. In 2001, an American team from the University of Pennsylvania published a report on their discovery of a similar dinosaur. However, that dinosaur, called Paralititan Stromeri, was much bigger than Mansourasaurus and the two creatures may not have lived at the same time. Mansourasaurus is believed to have been the size of an African elephant and, including its tail, was about 10 meters. The find was the result of hard work and long searches. The group looked around the Western Desert for five years before finding the partial skeleton in 2013. Sallam said he and a group of graduate students were traveling to a local university when they saw a good place to hunt for bones. They later returned to the place and searched an area covering several kilometers. Then, one of the students made a discovery. Sallam said he knew immediately that it would be something important from her telephone call. “She even called me on the phone because I was about two kilometers away from her. And she told me, ‘Doctor, there are a lot of bones, come and see them.’ So, I went, and I saw that it was a partial skeleton of a dinosaur. That, for us was a very big thing.” Sallam told his students, “If this comes out as I expect, your names will go down in history.” Now there are hopes that the discovery will bring more financial support for paleontology research in Egypt. Sallam added that he is pleased that the find can help make science real to people who may not think about it often. “I mean, we’ve made the average Egyptian man, or the Arab man, talk about dinosaurs,” he said. I’m Mario Ritter.   Faith Lapidus reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English with materials from AP. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story founders –n. a person who creates or establishes something paleontology –n. the study of ancient bones fossilized –adj. organic materials that have been buried and changed so that minerals have replaced all of what was once tissue We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2EfZZ3S
via IFTTT

Study Finds Little Short-Term Threat from US Foreign Fighters

  United States citizens who joined extremist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq appear to present little immediate threat to Americans or U.S. territory. A new study found that the same is true of non-citizens who left their American homes to fight in Syria and Iraq. In fact, only a handful of the fighters have returned to the U.S. from the battlefront, the study notes. The findings are from a project of the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. It identified 64 individuals who fought or assisted Islamic State, al-Qaida and other groups in Syria and Iraq. Of the 64 travelers, only 12 are known to have returned to U.S. territory, the study found. Nine of them have been arrested and charged with crimes relating to terrorism. The study noted that none have successfully carried out an attack in the United States. “The risk of returned travelers being engaged in terrorist attacks has, to date, been limited,” said a report on the study. The writers of the report noted, “There is currently no publicly available evidence to suggest that American travelers have slipped into the country without the knowledge of authorities.” They said that "homegrown" extremists currently appear to be more likely to carry out jihadist attacks than returning travelers. Compared to European countries, the U.S. faces a smaller risk from returning travelers. That is partly because of the greater distance and difficulty in reaching the Middle East from the United States. U.S. intelligence officials estimated that more than 40,000 foreign fighters have traveled to Syria and Iraq. Of these, only 5,000 to 6,000 were said to come from Western countries. The exact number who successfully left from the United States is unclear. Officials have said that about 250 to 300 U.S.-based people left or tried to leave to join groups fighting in Syria. Not all of them made it. The study found at least 50 were arrested before leaving the United States. That represents about one-third of all U.S. residents who have been charged with crimes related to the Islamic State group. Of the 64 travelers identified in the study who did leave the U.S., 22 are thought to have died in Syria or Iraq. Officials are unsure of the condition and whereabouts of the others. Lone returnee charged The study identified a single returning traveler who sought to carry out an attack in the United States. That was 23-year-old Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, a naturalized citizen from Somalia. Mohamud left his home in Ohio to join Jabhat al-Nusra, a group allied with al-Qaida, in April 2014. While in Syria, he was trained in explosives and hand-to-hand fighting. He was sent back to the United States in June to carry out an attack. But in February 2015, while still plotting the attack, Mohamud was arrested. He admitted guilt to the charges and was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Other than Mohamud, only one other traveler sought to carry out a terror attack. But that attack, a suicide bombing, happened only upon returning to Syria after avoiding prosecution in the United States. In any case, the study’s authors say the findings suggest fears once voiced by U.S. officials of a “terrorist diaspora” seem to be overstated. Possible concerns Yet the George Washington University study did find some reasons for concern. Study co-author Seamus Hughes says the average prison sentence for those who went overseas to take part in the fight in Syria and Iraq is only 10 years. He noted that that sentence is shorter than the average prison term for a would-be U.S.-based jihadist arrested at the airport. Part of that might be linked to the difficulty in making a criminal case based on terrorist activity in another country. Hughes said another issue could be that the returnees may have been able to share information with investigators and anti-terrorism officials in exchange for lighter sentences. But just like with the would-be jihadists, these travelers will eventually get out of prison. And Hughes and others believe the United States should be doing more to help these individuals. They note the lack of U.S. programs for former prisoners returning to society could lead to problems in the future. I'm Jonathan Evans. Jeff Seldin reported this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted his report for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   engage – v. to take part in authorities – n. officials jihadist – n. a Muslim who supports a campaign against non-believers resident – n. a person who lives in a place for some length of time whereabouts – n. the place where someone or something is prosecution - n. the act of trying someone accused of a crime diaspora – n. a group of people who live outside their homeland or the home of their ancestors  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2Cb3RBs
via IFTTT

Aid Groups: Syrian Refugees Face danger if Forced to Return Home

  International aid groups are warning countries with refugees from the Syrian conflict against forcing them to return to Syria. Humanitarian groups, including the Norwegian Refugee Council and CARE International, released a report about the refugees this week. It noted the dangers the Syrians will face if they are forcibly returned to a land where fighting continues. "Hundreds of thousands of refugees are at risk of being pushed to return to Syria in 2018, despite ongoing violence, bombing and shelling that are endangering the lives of civilians," the report said. "Return would neither be safe nor voluntary for the vast majority who fled the war and the violence," said Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council. He said that even in areas where fighting has slowed, his group has noted intense violence, “targeting of hospitals and schools, and death.” Forced from home The United Nations says at least 300,000 Syrians have fled fighting over the past few weeks in the northwestern province of Idlib. The area has come under heavy attack from Russian and Syrian airplanes. Officials noted that those Syrians had been displaced from their homes earlier. Aid agencies estimate that 721,000 Syrian refugees returned to their home country last year. In 2016, the number was 560,000. The report warns that continuing violence is expected to force 1.5 million Syrians from their homes this year. In countries bordering Syria, including Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey, talk of returning the refugees has increased. The report said Syria’s neighbors have been closing borders, expelling some refugees, and forcing others to return involuntarily. It added that more governments are planning such repatriations -- not just of Syrians, but also those who have fled from war in other countries, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Governments are under the influence of rising populist anger against immigrants and public fear of foreigners. The aid agencies also warned of economic migrants being sent back to their home countries. Repatriations planned to increase Israel is planning to remove an estimated 20,000 migrants from Sudan and Eritrea. In Italy, a coalition of political parties is campaigning for more than 100,000 migrants to be sent home over the next 12 months. Aid agencies remember the year 2015 for a migration crisis, with large numbers of people arriving in Europe. Now, humanitarian workers fear 2018 could become the year of repatriation. "Return and repatriation of refugees and migrants is high on the European political agenda," the UN children's agency warned. However in Italy, interior minister Marco Minniti, has led an effort to take the migration issue away from populist politicians. Minniti has become known for making deals with militias along Libya's coast and tribes in its desert to stop human trafficking. Recently, a deal with Libya's coastguards has seen asylum-seekers stopped at sea and returned to Libya before they ever get to Italy.  Humanitarian groups have warned that those being stopped at sea face bad conditions in detention in Libya. International agreements on refugees At the United Nations Refugee Convention 1951, countries signed a treaty defining who is a refuge. Since then, European governments have not taken part in mass forced repatriation of war refugees. But now there has been an increase in the return of asylum-seekers from Afghanistan. The Afghans are not considered war refugees by the European Union, or EU. The convention says that refugees may not be returned if they fear their "life or freedom may be threatened" because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group or opinion. U.N. refugee policies also state that once asylum is approved in another country, refugees can be forced to return home only when conditions in their home country have improved. In recent weeks, the European Parliament has pressured Britain and other European countries to explain why they have refused requests and sent back hundreds of Afghan asylum-seekers. In 2016, EU officials reached an aid agreement with Afghanistan. This included the Afghan government’s willingness to take back refused asylum-seekers. However since the agreement, involuntary repatriations have increased quickly.  The International Organization for Migration says 500 Afghans were forcibly removed to Afghanistan in 2017.  Human rights activists say people sent home could be killed. Iraqi officials are also concerned about plans in Europe for the forced return of Iraqi refugees whose asylum requests have been denied.  Last month, the head of the Iraqi parliament's foreign relations committee urged the government to refuse to negotiate with EU countries concerning forced repatriation of Iraqis. I’m Phil Dierking.   Jaime Dettmer reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted his report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think the rules should be for how long refugees should be allowed to stay in another country?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story agenda - n.  a list of things to be considered or done despite - prep. used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true migrant - n. a person who goes from one place to another especially to find work​ repatriation - n. when someone is returned to his or her own country​

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

Lesson 20: What Can You Do?

Summary Anna meets her friend Pete in a coffee shop. Pete needs a job. Can Anna help him to find the right job for him? Speaking In this video, you can practice saying the new words and learn how to ask questions when you do not understand someone clearly. Pronunciation This video teaches about the shortened form of cannot and the two ways to pronounce can. Conversation Anna: Hi, there! Washington, D.C. is a great place to work. Many people here work in government and politics. But there are many other jobs. You can work at a hospital; a university. You can work in a coffee shop. Wait a minute, I think I see a friend of mine. Pete? Is that you? Pete: Hi, Anna. Anna: You look different. Your beard … is really big. Pete: You don’t like it, do you? Anna: No, no. You just look … different. (To server) Thank you. So, what’s wrong? You look sad. Pete: I don’t have a job. Anna: Sorry, I can’t hear you. Pete: I do not have a job! Anna: Oh. I’m sorry to hear that, Pete. Pete: I don’t have a skill. Anna: Everyone has a skill. You need to find yours. Pete: I don’t know, Anna. Anna: Pete, I am good at asking questions. Let me ask you some. Pete: Really, Anna? Can you help me? Anna: Yes, I can. Let me help. Pete: Sure, Anna. Maybe you can help. Anna: Can you write code? Pete: Sure, c-o-l-d. How is this going to help? Anna: No, not “cold.” Code; you know, for making phone apps, or websites. You can make tons of money writing code. Pete: Tons of money? But I can’t code. Anna: Next question. Can you drive? Pete: Do you mean drive a race car? It’s really hard to be a race car driver. First, you need a race car ... Anna: No, I mean drive a taxi or drive a bus. Pete: No, I always fall asleep when I drive. Anna: Oh, that’s not good. Next question. Can you teach? You can be a teacher in a school. Pete: No, I cannot teach. Anna: Can you cook? You can be a chef in a restaurant. Pete: No, I can’t code! I can’t teach! I can’t cook! Anna, I can’t do anything. This is sad. I’m gonna write about my feelings in my blog. Anna: You write a blog? Pete: Yeah, I write a blog. Anna: How many followers do you have? Pete: I don’t know … 59,538. Anna: Pete, that's a lot of followers! You can make money writing! Pete: Writing is easy. Everyone can write. Anna: Not everyone can write well. You can be a writer! Pete: I can be a writer. I can be a writer! I can be a writer! Thanks, Anna. Marsha: Hi, Pete. Hi, Anna. Pete: Hi, Marsha. Excuse me, I have to go. Marsha: Where are you going? Pete: I’m going to be a writer! Marsha: Good luck, Pete! (To Anna) He does know that it’s not easy to be a writer, doesn’t he? Anna: There are many different jobs you can have in Washington, D.C. Pete wants to be a writer. I wish him luck. Lots of luck. Until next time! Writing In this lesson, Anna is helping her friend Pete. He needs to find a new job. How do you try to help your friends? Write to us to tell us about the ways you help your friends. Send us an email or write in the Comments section. Use the Activity Sheet to practice talking about jobs and skills.     Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is identify problems​. When we are talking with someone in English it helps to identify problems in understanding and get the information we need to correct the problems.  In the video for this lesson, there are three problems. Here are two of them. 1. Anna identifies one problem. Pete is not talking loud enough. She tells Pete. "Sorry, I can’t hear you." Pete speaks more loudly so she can hear him. 2. Later, Pete does not understand Anna. He asks, "Do you mean drive a race car?" Anna explains that she means to "drive a taxi or drive a bus." Can you find another time in the video when Anna or Pete identifies a problem? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Listening Quiz ​Test your understanding by taking the listening quiz. Listen to the short video, then choose the best answer.​ ______________________________________________________________ New Words app - n. a computer program that performs a particular task (such as word processing) beard – n. the hair that grows on a man's cheeks and chin blog - n. a Web site on which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences chef - n. a professional cook who usually is in charge of a kitchen in a restaurant code - n. -  a set of instructions for a computer code - v. to change (information) into a set of letters, numbers, or symbols that can be read by a computer drive - v. to direct the movement of a vehicle such as a car, truck, or bus easy - adj. not hard to do follower - n. a person who likes and admires (someone or something) very much good luck - expression. used to say that you hope someone will succeed hard - adj. physically or mentally difficult lot(s) or a lot (informal) lots - n. a large amount hospital - n. a place where sick or injured people are given care or treatment and where children are often born school - n.   a place where children go to learn taxi - n.  a car that carries passengers to a place for an amount of money  teacher - n. a person or thing that teaches something university - n.   a school that offers courses leading to a degree and where research is done website - n.  a place on the World Wide Web that contains information about a person, organization, etc., and that usually consists of many Web pages joined by hyperlinks well - adv. -- in a skillful way ______________________________________________________________ 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 write the names of jobs and talk about what people do at work.  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: Expressing ability; Can & Can't; Contractions  Topics: Occupations and skills; Helping friends Learning Strategy: Identify Problems​ Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Asking clarification questions; Pronouncing can & can’t ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tjp5ch
via IFTTT

English in a Minute: Social Butterfly

Would you describe yourself as a social butterfly?

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

February 9, 2018

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2nVvEk5
via IFTTT

'One Thousand Dollars,' by O. Henry

Our story today is called “One Thousand Dollars.”  It was written by O. Henry.  Here is Steve Ember with the story. "One thousand dollars," said the lawyer Tolman, in a severe and serious voice.  "And here is the money.” Young Gillian touched the thin package of $50 bills and laughed. "It's such an unusual amount," he explained kindly to the lawyer. “If it had been $10,000, a man might celebrate with a lot of fireworks. Even $50 would have been less trouble." "You heard the reading of your uncle's will after he died," continued the lawyer Tolman. "I do not know if you paid much attention to its details. I must remind you of one. You are required to provide us with a report of how you used this $1,000 as soon as you have spent it. I trust that you will obey the wishes of your late uncle." "You may depend on it," said the young man respectfully. Gillian went to his club. He searched for a man he called Old Bryson. Old Bryson was a calm, anti-social man, about 40 years old.  He was in a corner reading a book. When he saw Gillian coming near he took a noisy, deep breath, laid down his book and took off his glasses. "I have a funny story to tell you,” said Gillian.  "I wish you would tell it to someone in the billiard room," said Old Bryson. "You know how I hate your stories." "This is a better one than usual," said Gillian, rolling a cigarette, and I'm glad to tell it to you. It's too sad and funny to go with the rattling of billiard balls. I’ve just come from a meeting with my late uncle's lawyers. He leaves me an even $1,000. Now, what can a man possibly do with $1,000?" Old Bryson showed very little interest.  "I thought the late Septimus Gillian was worth something like half a million." "He was," agreed Gillian, happily.  "And that's where the joke comes in. He has left a lot of his money to an organism. That is, part of it goes to the man who invents a new bacillus and the rest to establish a hospital for doing away with it again. There are one or two small, unimportant gifts on the side. The butler and the housekeeper get a seal ring and $10 dollars each. His nephew gets $1,000 thousand dollars." "Were there any others mentioned in your uncle’s will?" asked Old Bryson. "None." said Gillian. “There is a Miss Hayden.  My uncle was responsible for her. She lived in his house. She's a quiet thing … musical … the daughter of somebody who was unlucky enough to be his friend.   "I forgot to say that she was in on the ring and $10 joke, too. I wish I had been.  Then I could have had two bottles of wine, given the ring to the waiter and had the whole business off my hands. Now tell me what a man can do with $1,000." Old Bryson rubbed his glasses and smiled. And when Old Bryson smiled, Gillian knew that he intended to be more offensive than ever. There are many good things a man could do with $1,000,” said Bryson. "You?" he said with a gentle laugh. "Why, Bobby Gillian, there's only one reasonable thing you could do. You can go and buy Miss Lotta Lauriere a diamond necklace with the money and then take yourself off to Idaho and inflict your presence upon a ranch. I advise a sheep ranch, as I have a particular dislike for sheep.” "Thanks," said Gillian as he rose from his chair. "I knew I could depend on you, Old Bryson. You've hit on the very idea. I wanted to spend the money on one thing, because I have to turn in a report for it, and I hate itemizing.” Gillian phoned for a cab and said to the driver:  "The stage entrance of the Columbine Theatre." The theater was crowded. Miss Lotta Lauriere was preparing for her performance when her assistant spoke the name of Mr. Gillian. "Let it in," said Miss Lauriere. "Now, what is it, Bobby? I'm going on stage in two minutes." “It won't take two minutes for me. What do you say to a little thing in the jewelry line?  I can spend $1,000." “Say, Bobby,” said Miss Lauriere,  “Did you see that necklace Della Stacey had on the other night?  It cost $2,200 at Tiffany's.” Miss Lauriere was called to the stage for her performance. Gillian slowly walked out to where his cab was waiting.  "What would you do with $1,000 if you had it?" he asked the driver. "Open a drinking place," said the driver, quickly. "I know a place I could take money in with both hands. I've got it worked out -- if you were thinking of putting up the money.” "Oh, no," said Gillian. “I was just wondering.” Eight blocks down Broadway, Gillian got out of the cab. A blind man sat on the sidewalk selling pencils. Gillian went out and stood in front of him. "Excuse me, but would you mind telling me what you would do if you had $1,000?” asked Gillian. The blind man took a small book from his coat pocket and held it out. Gillian opened it and saw that it was a bank deposit book. It showed that the blind man had a balance of $1,785 in his bank account. Gillian returned the bank book and got back into the cab. "I forgot something," he said. "You may drive to the law offices of Tolman and Sharp.” Lawyer Tolman looked at Gillian in a hostile and questioning way. "I beg your pardon," said Gillian, cheerfully.  "But was Miss Hayden left anything by my uncle's will in addition to the ring and the $10 dollars?" "Nothing," said Mr. Tolman. “I thank you very much, sir," said Gillian, and went to his cab. He gave the driver the address of his late uncle's home. Miss Hayden was writing letters in the library. The small, thin woman wore black clothes. But you would have noticed her eyes. Gillian entered the room as if the world were unimportant. “I have just come from old Tolman's," he explained. “They have been going over the papers down there. They found a …”  Gillian searched his memory for a legal term.  “They found an amendment or a post-script or something to the will.  It seemed that my uncle had second thoughts and willed you $1,000. Tolman asked me to bring you the money.  Here it is.” Gillian laid the money beside her hand on the desk. Miss Hayden turned white. "Oh!" she said. And again, "Oh!" Gillian half turned and looked out the window. In a low voice he said, "I suppose, of course, that you know I love you." "I am sorry," said Miss Hayden, as she picked up her money. "There is no use?" asked Gillian, almost light-heartedly. "I am sorry," she said again. "May I write a note?" asked Gillian, with a smile.  Miss Hayden supplied him with paper and pen, and then went back to her writing table. Gillian wrote a report of how he spent the $1,000: “Paid by Robert Gillian, $1,000 on account of the eternal happiness, owed by Heaven to the best and dearest woman on Earth." Gillian put the note into an envelope.  He bowed to Miss Hayden and left. His cab stopped again at the offices of Tolman and Sharp. “I have spent the $1,000," he said cheerfully, to Tolman. "And I have come to present a report of it, as I agreed.” He threw a white envelope on the lawyer's table. Without touching the envelope, Mr. Tolman went to a door and called his partner, Sharp. Together they searched for something in a large safe. They brought out a big envelope sealed with wax. As they opened the envelope, they shook their heads together over its contents. Then Tolman became the spokesman. "Mr. Gillian," he said, “there was an addition to your uncle's will. It was given to us privately, with instructions that it not be opened until you had provided us with a full report of your handling of the $1,000 received in the will. “As you have satisfied the conditions, my partner and I have read the addition.  I will explain to you the spirit of its contents. “In the event that your use of the $1,000 shows that you possess any of the qualifications that deserve reward, you stand to gain much more. If your disposal of the money in question has been sensible, wise, or unselfish, it is in our power to give you bonds to the value of $50,000. But if you have used this money in a wasteful, foolish way as you have in the past, the $50,000 is to be paid to Miriam Hayden, ward of the late Mr. Gillian, without delay. “Now, Mr. Gillian, Mr. Sharp and I will examine your report of the $1,000.” Mr. Tolman reached for the envelope. Gillian was a little quicker in taking it up.  He calmly tore the report and its cover into pieces and dropped them into his pocket. "It's all right," he said, smilingly. "There isn't a bit of need to bother you with this.  I don't suppose you would understand these itemized bets, anyway. I lost the $1,000 on the races. Good-day to you, gentlemen." Tolman and Sharp shook their heads mournfully at each other when Gillian left.  They heard him whistling happily in the hallway as he waited for the elevator. Download activities to help you understand this story here. _______________________________________________________________ QUIZ ​ ________________________________________________________________ Words in this Story will - n. (law) a legal document in which a person states who should receive his or her possessions after he or she dies billiards - n. any one of several games that are played on a large table by hitting solid balls into one another with the end of a long stick bacillus- n. a straight rod-shaped bacterium that requires oxygen for growth safe - n. a strong metal box with a lock that is used to store money or valuable things ward - n. a person (such as a child) who is protected and cared for by a court or guardian

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2EU1cz1
via IFTTT

A Big Birthday for the Big Easy

  The Louisiana city known as the Big Easy is celebrating a big birthday this year. New Orleans turns 300 years old. The celebration began December 31 with a huge fireworks show over the Mississippi River. Performances, parties and other events throughout 2018 will honor the tricentennial, including the city’s most famous celebration: Mardi Gras. Kristian Sonnier is with New Orleans' Convention and Visitors Bureau. She says the city’s three centuries of history include “colonization by both France and Spain, a British invasion, devastating fires, pirates, yellow fever and hurricanes, among other challenges.” But, through it all, New Orleans has held on to what Sonnier calls “authentic traditions and a sense of place.” Origins The city was born in the spring of 1718. At first it was French: the French Mississippi Company, led by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, established La Nouvelle-Orléans. Forty-five years later the Spanish took control of the city. The United States gained it in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The Roman Catholic Church has also played a major part in New Orleans’ culture. On February 9, 1718, a church leader placed a cross on the site where the St. Louis Cathedral now stands. Visitors can learn about the city’s Catholic history at the Old Ursuline Convent Museum. The exhibition is called “The Church in the Crescent: 300 Years of Catholicism in New Orleans.”    Objects linked to the city’s early period, including Native Americans and enslaved Africans, can be found at another show. The Historic New Orleans Collection will open “New Orleans, the Founding Era” February 27. The New Orleans Museum of Art’s “Changing Course: Reflections on New Orleans Histories” marks the tricentennial with seven modern art projects. Museum officials say the show, which opens June 21, will center on the forgotten or less famous histories of the city. Then, beginning October 26, the museum will feature works by painters such as Raphael, Rembrandt and others from the Duke of Orleans’ collection. It will continue through early 2019. Other sights to see Another important period in New Orleans’ history was the War of 1812. At the end of that conflict, Andrew Jackson commanded U.S. troops in the famous Battle of New Orleans. His victory over Great Britain made him a national hero. Later, Americans elected him president. Visitors interested in learning more about the event can visit Chalmette Battlefield, just outside New Orleans. It is part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Yearly events that will mark the tricentennial include the French Quarter Festival from April 12 to 15. It features music from gospel to jazz to Cajun and zydeco. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest, arguably the city’s most famous event, takes place April 27 to May 6. More than 100 artists will take part this year, including Aretha Franklin, Trombone Shorty, Archie Shepp Quartet, Aerosmith and Buddy Guy. An event already under way, Prospect.4, is a citywide art exhibition. There are 16 displays around town by dozens of artists including Louis Armstrong, Yoko Ono and Kara Walker. Other New Orleans attractions include the National World War II Museum, boat rides on the Mississippi River, the zoo and aquarium at the Audubon Nature Institute, City Park and the Garden District. Regional attractions include bayou tours, the Tabasco hot sauce factory on Avery Island, and Laura Plantation. The former farm has been linked to the collection of famous West African traditional tales known as the Brer Rabbit stories. Tours at Laura Plantation include the history of the enslaved Africans and their descendants who lived and worked there. I’m Caty Weaver.   Caty Weaver adapted this Associated Press story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   tricentennial –​ n. the three-hundredth anniversary of a significant event.​ devastating –​ adj. causing great damage or harm​ challenge –​ n. a difficult task or problem : something that is hard to do​ authentic –​ adj. real or genuine: not copied or false​ dozen –​ n. a group of 12 people or things​ attraction –​ n. something interesting or enjoyable that people want to visit, see, or do​ aquarium –​ n.a building people can visit to see water animals and plants​ regional –​ adj. of a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way​ bayou –​ n. an area of water in the southern U.S. in which the water moves very slowly and is filled with many plants​

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2Bk96C1
via IFTTT

Ethiopian Industrial Park’s Expansion Opens Old Wounds

  The small Ethiopian town of Dukem has some of the most fertile land in the country. It also is home to Ethiopia’s first industrial park. Dukem is part of a government-led push to turn the mostly agricultural country into Africa’s manufacturing center. The industrial park, the Chinese-owned Eastern Industrial Zone or EIZ is in the process of expanding. Plans call for an additional 167 hectares to be developed. This will force about 300 farmers from their land, a move that has reopened old wounds with the local population. No more land to farm or live The Ethiopian government plans to have 15 industrial parks nationwide by June 2018. Chinese companies are building 5 more. However, many farmers are still unhappy over losing their land when the first industrial zone was created.  “We were the first,” said Shewangizaw, a farmer who lost his fields to an Ethiopian-owned factory back in 2006. He and around 40 other farmers were forced to move when some of the first factories arrived in the area 10 years ago. The farmers say they failed to get paid for what the land was worth. “I don’t have any land now,” said 72-year-old Bashada, who lost nearly five hectares of farmland. He now pays an older neighbor $367 a year for use of his farmland. The group is campaigning to have its case heard by the federal government. “It’s not fair,” said Shewangizaw. “Our families were just destroyed. At the time compensation paid to us was so, so cheap. And we don’t have any land to farm or live on now.” Opening old wounds Muhammed Tilahun is with the Dukem Land Development and Management Office. He told the Reuters news agency the local government was now considering the concerns of farmers. That includes 190 farmers and their children who lost their land in 2007. He said they are now being given extra land to support them. Yet many others across central Ethiopia are still angry. The area has experienced fast development and industrialization over the past 10 years. In 2014, the government planned to expand the capital, Addis Ababa, into the surrounding area of Oromia. Under the proposed expansion, the city would, in effect, swallow up towns like Dukem. The proposal incited large protests, which spread across the country. The unrest resulted in hundreds of deaths and eventually led the government to declare a nine-month state of emergency. Peace has now returned to Dukem, but farmers who will lose their land to the EIZ expansion are angry once more. “Our land came from our ancestors,” said Telahun Chaka, a 57-year-old farmer in Goticha village. Chaka said he expects to lose his remaining farmland this year. “I was hoping to give it to my children, too. Now I have nothing for them to inherit,” he said. Chaka and his neighbors tried to resist the plan, he said, leading police to briefly detain four of them. Solomon Basha, a representative for the Dukem town administration, said this was not true. “No farmers are protesting the expansion now,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “No farmers were arrested or killed in this process.” The EIZ has promised to build a hospital, a school and a market center for farmers. It has also promised over $4,000,000 in compensation for the latest step in the expansion, Basha said. Each farmer will receive 500 square meters of replacement land along with their payment, he added. But farmers like Chaka don’t trust these promises. “This is propaganda,” Chaka said. “They promise us a lot of things - new land, a school for our children, electricity, running water - but after they take it nothing happens. So we lose our land and end up in poverty.” Demand for better pay However, compensation rates have changed in Ethiopia since the first time EIZ started taking control of and developing land. Muhammed Tilahun, the local official, said compensation during the first part of development was “very low” and did not include new agricultural land. He said they had set up a committee to identify people who had suffered under the earlier rules. He added that the price of compensation had more than doubled. In Ethiopia, all land is under the control of the government, and there is no established price for farmland. Officially, households should be paid 10 times the market value of what can be produced on their land in a single year. But this can be difficult to measure, and easily abused by government officials. “The amount of money they pay for compensation is actually quite high,” said Stefan Dercon, chief economist of the UK Department for International Development. The government also plans to increase compensation to farmers again later this year. Low pay The industrial zone currently employs more than 10,500 Ethiopians. They are mostly from the Dukem area, notes the Ethiopian Investment Commission.  But locals criticize low wages and poor treatment by employers. Lemma Teshome, the son of a farmer whose land is being developed this year, worked for three years at a factory. “Nothing was good,” he said. “The pay was low and our hours were long. We were so disappointed.” I'm Jonathan Evans. And I’m Phil Dierking.   Tom Gardner wrote this story for Reuters. Phil Dierking adapted his story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   inherit - v.  to receive (money, property, etc.) from someone when that person dies​ cheap - adj. not costing a lot of money​ industrial park - n. an area outside of a town or city that is designed especially for factories or offices​ zone - n. an area that is different from other areas in a particular way​

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2H0ZNHs
via IFTTT