Everyday Grammar: You Had Better Learn Modals!

For VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar. This week we are going to show you how to give advice using modal verbs. Modal verbs (called modals for short) are auxiliary verbs that express a speaker's attitude and the strength of that attitude. For example, "He should visit Prague." In this sentence, should is the modal verb, and visit is the main verb. The simple form of a verb goes after a modal. Do not add the third person "s" to a verb after a modal. It would sound strange to say "He should visits Prague" or "He should to visit Prague." The correct way is "He should visit Prague." There are about 17 modals in English—grammar experts do not agree on an exact number. Today we will focus on three common modals used for giving advice: should, ought to, and had better. Using should Let's start with should. Should has multiple meanings. It can be used to express certainty, such as, "He should be here by five o'clock." Should can be a substitute for the conditional word if. You might hear someone say, "Should you need help, just ask me." But more often, we use should to give suggestions and friendly advice, such as "You should apply for that job" or "You should try that new restaurant." The past form of the modal should is should have + the past participle. For example, "I should have brought my wallet." Notice that the main verb brought is in the past participle form. Use should have to express regret, or a negative feeling about the past. Imagine you trusted someone and that person later cheated on you. You could say, "I should have known better than to trust him." The Beatles used the expression in a popular song. I should have known better with a girl like you That I would love everything that you do And I do Hey hey hey Using ought to The next modal we will talk about is ought to. Ought to is another modal for giving advice. Sometimes ought to sounds more like "otta" as in this romantic song by Al Green. Sit back down and talk to me About how you want to be You ought to be with me Yeah you ought to be with me Ought to is similar in meaning to should, but it is not used as often. In modern American English, ought to is seldom used with the past tense or in the question form. Using had better Let's move on to had better. Had better is stronger than should and ought to. Had better carries an indirect threat. For example, if you said, "You had better finish the report," you are not making a polite suggestion. You are making an indirect threat. In other words, if you don't finish the report, you are in trouble. Authority figures sometimes use had better when speaking to people below them. Parents also use this form often. Listen to cartoon character Malory Archer. Malory is the head of a spy agency. People think she is arrogant and heartless. Listen to her tone when she uses had better. Oh for—I'll send up some help. And Missy, you had better watch it! As you can hear, Malory is not making a polite suggestion. She is threatening someone in a lower position. Had better is not always impolite, it could express a sense of urgency as in, "Your plane is leaving! You had better run!"  In other words, "If you don't run, you will miss your flight." Had better has no past tense or question form. Modals in rapid speech Should, ought to, and had better can be difficult for English learners to hear. Native speakers often shorten these words in casual conversation. In rapid speech, modals seem to disappear because they are shortened and often fall on unstressed syllables. We will read some examples for you. The first sentence will be in slow, careful speech. Then we will read it again in rapid, informal speech. I should have been listening to what she had to say. I shoulda been listenin' ta what she had t' say.   You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You otta be ashamed of yourself. You had better decide what you want to do. You'd better decide whatcha wanna do. That's all the advice we have for you today. There is much more to learn about modals. We will cover them in more detail in future episodes. Until then, you should practice modals with British punk band, The Clash. Darling you've got to let me know Should I stay or should I go If you say that you are mine I'll be here till the end of time So you've got to let me know Should I stay or should I go I'm Pete Musto. And I'm Jill Robbins.   Adam Brock wrote this story for Learning English. Dr. Jill Robbins was the editor. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   modal verb - a verb (such as can, could, shall, should, ought to, will, or would) that is usually used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission auxiliary verb - a verb (such as have, be, may, do, shall, will, can, or must) that is used with another verb to show the verb's tense, to form a question, etc. attitude – n. the way you think and feel about someone or something certainty – n. the state of being or feeling about how likely it is that something will happen conditional – adj. showing or used to show that something is true or happens only if something else is true or happens past participle - the form of the verb that is used with "have" in perfect tenses and with "be" in passive constructions arrogant – adj. having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people unstressed – adj. not having an accent syllable – n. any one of the parts into which a word is naturally divided when it is pronounced Now it's your turn. Think of a friend that you would like to give advice. Write to us in the comments section. Write two sentences - using should, ought to, or had better - giving advice. We'll give you feedback. ​ ​

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News Words: Recreational

Recreational comes from the word recreation - an activity you do for fun.

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Putin Claims Russia Has New Weapons to Make Others 'Useless'

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia has developed new nuclear weapons that cannot be stopped by western defense systems. The claims by the Russian leader raise concerns that a new arms race could be taking place. Putin spoke in a yearly speech before Russian officials and lawmakers in Moscow. The speech comes weeks before Russia’s presidential election on March 18 in which Putin is seeking his fourth term as president. New nuclear weapons Putin said Russia’s military had tested a group of new strategic weapons aimed at defeating western defense systems. The Russian leader used videos shown on a large screen to present some of the weapons he discussed. He said the new weapons included a nuclear-powered cruise missile, a laser weapon and a nuclear-powered underwater drone. The Russian leader described the cruise missile as being able to travel a “practically unlimited” distance. And he added that it could defeat antimissile systems by moving unpredictably. Another weapon described was a nuclear-powered underwater drone able to travel at great depths under the sea. Putin said the device could target aircraft carriers and would avoid measures to stop it by traveling 10 times faster than any other ship. Other weapons systems discussed included an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, able to travel at 20 times the speed of sound. Putin said a hypersonic air-launched missile, called Kinzhal, with a range of 2000 kilometers was already deployed. And Putin said Russia had tested its Sarmat ICBM that could strike anywhere in the world carrying many nuclear warheads. He said the new weapons had made the missile defenses of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) “useless.” Reactions from American lawmakers Putin’s speech drew quick responses from American lawmakers. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina told VOA, “I view Mr. Putin like I view any murderer or criminal. When they say something, they’re probably lying, but you have to take it seriously.” And Democratic Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland added that "Countries that boast about their military — there’s a reason why, because they know that their capacities are far less than what they claim to have.” Senator Dick Durbin is a leader of the Senate Democrats. He said, “Some of the things that Putin said today in Moscow are frightening, because they suggest advancements by the Russians when it comes to lethal technology.” Durbin added that he wants “to sit down with our people in the Pentagon and the intelligence community to measure whether this is just bluster or a serious threat.” Strains on the economy The Russian leader also spoke about economic problems. Putin set a goal of cutting the number of Russian poor people in half. Government numbers show that nearly 14 percent of Russians live below the poverty line and real incomes decreased in 2017 for a fourth year. The poverty rate is nearly four percent higher than it was in 2010. Russia has struggled economically as it faces international sanctions for its seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and low prices for oil. Putin also called for improvements to the nation’s health care system and building needed infrastructure projects. I’m Mario Ritter.   Mario Ritter adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on AP and VOA news reports. Hai Do was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   strategic –n. related to a long-term strategy or plan cruise missile –n. a guided missile that flies long distances closer to the earth drone –n. a vehicle that does not have people on it but is controlled remotely unpredictably –adv. behaving in an unexpected way intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) –n. a powerful rocket that travels into space to reach a distant target on earth hypersonic –adj. many times faster than the speed of sound (which is about 1200 kilometers and hour) lethal –adj. having the ability to kill, deadly bluster –n. words that are loud and aggressive We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Nigerian Families Demand Justice in Child Abuse Cases

  Activists in Nigeria are seeking stronger laws to punish those found guilty of sexually abusing children. Their appeals come as some families break the culture of silence surrounding the issue and demanding justice for the victims. Mercy Philip will never forget January 12, 2017. That day her eight-year-old daughter came to her and asked if she could wash her underwear. After Philip asked why, the girl said a male neighbor had "climbed on her body" and then told her to wash the underwear. The mother immediately took her daughter to a health center. A short time later, Philip and her husband went to the police. The neighbor was arrested and is now waiting to be tried. However, the family’s life has only become more complex. They have been criticized by other neighbors, pressured to drop the charges, and condemned for "trying to ruin a man's life," Philip said. When her daughter leaves home, people laugh or throw rocks at her, she added. Complex social humiliation The disrespect and social stigma tied to sexual abuse stops most families in Nigeria from seeking justice. Sexual abuse cases are usually settled with payments, often quietly negotiated by religious leaders. "To settle means to forget about it. Let sleeping dogs lie," said Bukola Ajao, the Philips' lawyer. "Please, we are sorry, but this kind of matter is not something that you just apologize for." The most recent records available on child sex abuse in Nigeria are from 2014. They come from Nigeria's National Population Commission, the United Nations Children's Fund and America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those studies showed that one in four girls and one in 10 boys in Nigeria experience some kind of sexual violence before the age of 18. The Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital at Kaduna State University answers requests for evidence of suspected child sex abuse. Doctor Musa Shuaibu, a specialist on children’s health issues, said the hospital treats many youngsters. "Nearly on a daily basis, there would be one form of abuse or the other,” she noted. She added that it is worrying because not many cases actually get reported to a hospital. Activists seek new law Activists are urging Kaduna state to approve the federal Child Rights Act of 2003. It requires a 14-year jail sentence for anyone found guilty of child sex abuse, and life in prison for rape. Kaduna and 10 other states in Northern Nigeria have yet to approve the act. Instead, those states use religious Islamic courts as well as a system of rules from British colonial rule to try those accused of child sex abuse. Hajia Hafsatu Mohammed Baba is Kaduna’s State Minister of Women and Social Development. She told VOA the state government wants to pass the act. But the Supreme Sharia Council says the federal rule is a Western import and an attempt to restrict religious courts. This often leaves families with difficult choices. "You know how things are around here. Things like this can never be buried," said Asabe Musa, whose daughter was abused when she was five years old. "This is the kind of story that goes around…maybe when the girl does find someone to marry, someone will go and tell his family what happened to her." Few cases come to court Hauwa Hassan owns and operates an orphanage, which cares for children who have lost both parents. For the past 10 years, Hassan has worked with about 20 families dealing with child sex abuse. She says only three of them took her advice to go to court, and those families are still waiting for a final ruling. One young woman living at the orphanage, named Ladi, left her home after her father raped her daughter.  "My daughter was covered in blood. I picked her up and just stood there. He was someone I had always respected, so I didn't say anything to him. I picked her up and went to town with her in the morning." Ladi cannot return to her village because her father is a chief there. But she is not alone. One 7-year-old at the orphanage said he was walking to school when an old fruit seller persuaded him to go to the back of his business. The abuse continued until the boy told an uncle about pains in his body. The uncle, Anas Abdullahi Umar, said he went to the police. He said a lot of his friends first suggested they go beat up the accused abuser.  But he did not want to take the law into his own hands. Others told him to forget about the case, but he refused that idea. The court found the fruit seller guilty under a colonial-era sodomy law. He was unable to pay the 80,000 naira fine (about $200), so he is serving a three-year jail sentence. "That is what he deserved…The judgment passed was not enough but still, I thank God there was some sort of judgment," Umar said. I’m Phil Dierking.   Chika Oduah reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think the best way us to deal with sexual abuse in countries with stigma against it?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   ridicule - v. the act of making fun of someone or something in a cruel or harsh way ​ sodomy - n. anal sex with someone​ stigma - n. a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something​

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China Blocks Winnie the Pooh, Again

This is What’s Trending Today… The Chinese Communist Party is moving forward with plans to remove presidential term limits from China’s constitution. Under the proposal, President Xi Jinping could continue leading the country after serving two five-year terms in office. People in China have criticized the move on social media. Some Chinese have been doing so by posting images of Winnie the Pooh. Pooh bear has appeared in a number of Walt Disney films. He was the best known character in books by the English writer A.A. Milne. Social media users have been comparing Xi’s physical appearance to that of Winnie the Pooh for several years. They have often used images of the Disney character to make fun of the Chinese leader. One image on China’s WeChat this week showed Pooh holding a jar of honey, his favorite treat. Users shared the photo along with the words, “Find the thing you love and stick with it.” But recently, Chinese social media sites appear to have blocked images of Winnie the Pooh. And other images, words, and expressions that might be used to criticize Xi are also censored. Blocked terms are said to include “my emperor,” “ascend the throne,” and even “board a plane.” In Chinese, those words sound like “ascend the throne.” The names of several books by British writer George Orwell -- including 1984 and Animal Farm – also are currently blocked. This is not the first time Pooh has been unwelcome on Chinese social media sites. According to the site WhatsOnWeibo, the Pooh comparisons began with a 2013 photo of Xi with then U.S. President Barack Obama. People on social media noted a likeness between Xi and Pooh, while comparing Obama to Tigger, another animal character. Posts of side-by-side comparison photos spread quickly on Weibo and other sites. But they were also quickly removed. And Pooh went from a sweet, friendly creature to a political meme in China. Over the past five years, China has blocked Pooh from time to time. But it remains to be seen how long the honey-loving bear may remain offline this time. And that’s What’s Trending Today…. I’m Alice Bryant. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   post  - v. to add (a message) to an online message board character - n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show jar - n. a container that has a wide opening and usually a lid emperor  - n. a man who rules an empire censor - v. to examine books, movies, letters, etc., in order to remove things that are considered to be offensive, immoral, harmful to society, etc. ascend - v. to go up : to rise or move toward the sky throne  - n.  the special chair for a king, queen, or other powerful person according - adv. as said by or in meme - n. an amusing or interesting picture, video, etc., that is spread widely through the Internet

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Study: Neanderthals Were Artists

  Some of the world’s oldest cave art is too old to have been made by modern humans, researchers say. Studies suggest that Neanderthals were responsible for creating cave drawings found in modern-day Spain. They also appear to have painted and cut holes in seashells for use as jewelry. Reports on the studies were published in the journals Science and Science Advances. Neanderthals were related to Homo sapiens, the scientific name for modern human beings. Neanderthals lived in Europe and Asia before disappearing about 40,000 years ago. Around that time, scientists believe, Homo sapiens arrived in Europe from Africa. New evidence, old theory Researchers say the new studies provide evidence that the artwork was made about 20,000 years before modern humans came to Europe. The findings were a surprise to Wil Roebroeks, an expert on Neanderthals. He said it represents “…a major breakthrough in the field of human evolution studies.” Now, he said, Neanderthal “ownership of some cave art is a fact.” Roebroeks, who was not part of either study, is a professor at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Collecting evidence Until now, most scientists thought all cave paintings were the work of humans. In the first study, researchers examined artwork in three caves in northern, southern and west-central Spain. They attempted to estimate the age of three paintings. Modern technology has made it easier for scientists to date each painting. They used a process called the uranium-thorium method to estimate the age. The scientists removed small pieces of rock material that had formed on the surface of the artwork, and studied them in a laboratory. They found the cave art dates back to 64,000 years ago. Dirk Hoffmann, of Germany’s Max Planck Institute, said the artwork is simple, but important for what it represents. He said one work is a collections of lines that look like a ladder; the others include red marks and rounded objects on rock formations. Another painting is in the shape of a hand. Making the image of the hand involves many steps, Hoffmann and the other researchers noted. This led them to decide that it was a slow, thoughtful creation.   The second study attempted to identify the age of shells that had been colored and cut in another cave in southeast Spain. Researchers studied rock that had formed above where the shells were found. Their investigation found that the shells were around 115,000 years old. This is about 20,000 to 40,000 years older than comparable artifacts linked to Homo sapiens. Those objects were found in Africa or Western Asia. Researchers said the findings show that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens shared similar thinking. They said this suggests the two species were not all that different in their mental ability. “Undoubtedly, it is showing Neanderthals were thinking and behaving just like modern humans,” said University of Southampton professor Alistair Pike. “We should no longer think of them as different species, just humans in different places,” he added. Pike helped to prepare a report on the studies. Some experts have yet to be persuaded by the findings. Harold Dibble, an archaeologist at the University of Pennsylvania, studies Neanderthal behavior. He wondered if the coloring and holes in the seashells could have happened naturally. He also said he would like to see the dating on the cave artwork confirmed by another lab. I’m Phil Dierking.   Malcolm Ritter reported this story for the Associated Press. Phil Dierking adapted his report for VOA Learning English. He also used information from VOANews.com. George Grow was the editor. Do you think that Neanderthals were capable of making art?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Quiz ​_________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   artifact - n. a simple object (such as a tool or weapon) that was made by people in the past​ drawing - n. a picture, image, etc., that is made by making lines on a surface with a pencil, pen, marker, chalk, etc., but usually not with paint​ evolution - n. a theory that the differences between modern plants and animals are because of changes that happened by a natural process over a very long time​ ladder - n. a device used for climbing that has two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope with a series of steps or rungs between them​ species - n.  a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants​

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US Teacher Arrested after Firing Gun in Classroom

  A high school teacher in the American state of Georgia was arrested after firing a gun in his classroom. Police said the teacher had locked the classroom door to keep his students out in the hallway. He then fired a shot when the school’s principal tried to open the door. No students were hurt from the gunshot. One student suffered a minor leg injury while running from the scene. The shooter is a teacher at Dalton High School in Dalton, Georgia. The school is about 145 kilometers north of Atlanta. After responding to reports of gunfire at the school, police said they found the teacher inside a classroom with a handgun. A Dalton Police Department spokesman told reporters that the incident began when a group of students tried to enter the classroom. But they were stopped from doing so by the teacher, who forced the door shut. A single gunshot was heard from inside the room as the principal tried to open the door. This led to a school-wide security lockdown, police said. The police spokesman did not say whether the fired shot was a suicide attempt. But he said, “This teacher apparently did not want to involve students in this incident in any way.” The incident came two weeks after a deadly shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. A gunman shot and killed 17 students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It was the country’s deadliest school shooting in over five years. The attack led to calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for arming teachers as a way to stop school shootings. I'm Dorothy Gundy.   Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters news reports. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   principal - n. the person in charge of a school scene - n. the place of an event or action apparently - adv. used to describe something that appears to be true based on what is known  

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UN: North Korea Sends Banned Equipment to Syria, Myanmar

An unpublished United Nations report says that North Korea sent materials that could be used in chemical weapons to Syria and missile technology to Myanmar. Both exchanges, if true, would be violations of UN Security Council resolutions. The report says the materials sent to Syria included thermometers and special valves. The document also says that North Korea made at least 40 shipments of materials to Syria between 2012 and 2017. The Associated Press says the UN report could be made public in the middle of March. Group of UN experts release unpublished findings The report contains the findings of eight UN experts. They are observing UN sanctions against North Korea. Some details of the report have been released as fighting in the Ghouta area of Damascus has intensified and the number of civilian dead grows. The United States and other nations have accused Syria of using chemical weapons against rebel-controlled areas. They say chemical weapons have been used recently near Damascus. The government of Syrian President Bashar al Assad denies this. The report says there is “new substantial evidence” about North Korea’s involvement with Syria since 2008. It says North Korean missile experts were seen working at Syrian chemical weapons and missile factories. Syria answered the experts’ questions about North Korean involvement. It said, “There are no [North Korean] technical companies in Syria and the only presence of some [North Korean] individuals are confined to the field of sports under private individual contracts for training athletics and gymnastics.” However, an unidentified UN member state said a North Korean corporation was involved in Syria’s long-distance missile program. Report: North Korea continues weapons trade The UN experts say that an unnamed member state also reported that North Korea continues to keep a “global procurement network” for finding parts. In addition to Syria, an unnamed UN member state reported that there is evidence of Myanmar receiving weapons from North Korea. The weapons include rocket launchers and short and long distance missile equipment. On February 2, the AP reported that North Korea had exported products related to ballistic missile systems to Syria and Myanmar. The exports, banned by the UN Security Council resolutions, are said to have earned nearly $200 million for North Korea in 2017. The experts said they had earlier found that a company from Myanmar had been involved in the “attempted transfer of prohibited nuclear-related items in 2012.” In 2015, Myanmar told the UN that it had only “normal diplomatic ties” with North Korea. Myanmar expelled one North Korean diplomat last year for dealings with a banned North Korean company. Myanmar said in January it was “investigating the UN experts’ requests for information.” I’m Mario Ritter.   Mario Ritter adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on AP news reports. Hai Do was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story thermometer –n. a device for measuring temperature valve –n. a mechanical device that controls the flow of a liquid or gas sanctions –n. measures taken against a country to make it obey international law usually by limiting trade substantial –adj. not a small amount confined –adj. limited to, within a small space procurement –n. the process of finding and providing products, services, etc. ballistic –adj. related to missiles shot over long distances We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Parkland Students Return to School After Mass Shooting

Students in Parkland, Florida returned to their high school on Wednesday, two weeks after a gunman killed 17 people there. A former Stoneman Douglas student, Nikolas Cruz, carried out the attack. About 50 heavily armed police officers from several states surrounded Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school. The officers were there to make the community feel safe. However, some students said they felt less secure seeing officers carrying AR-15s, the same rifle used in the attack February 14. Student David Hogg said “This is a picture of education in fear in this country. The NRA wants more people just like this, with that exact firearm to scare more people and sell more guns.” Hogg has become an activist in a nationwide student movement for gun law reform, including a ban on semi-automatic guns. Preparing for the return Grief counselors also are deployed at the school. Broward County school official Robert Runcie said the workers were called in to help students “ease back” into their school life. Volunteers passed out cookies and other treats to students. Comfort animals including dogs, a donkey, and two horses are also available at the school. Officials have barred the use of backpacks for now. The school day schedule was changed for the first day. Students returned to the classes they were in when the attack began. The building where most of the shooting happened remains closed. Student Casey Sherman thinks the schedule change was a good idea to help kids, in her words, “get it over with.” The 17-year-old said she is not afraid to be returning, just worried. “We did go through a tragedy,” she said. “It was terrible but if you let it stop you ... it’s not how you go down, it’s how you get back up.” Sherman is among the student activists preparing to protest March 14 in a national school walkout to stop gun violence. Some students remain severely injured from the shooting, both physically and psychologically. Alexis Grogan is a 15-year-old in the 10th grade. She said it might be too soon to continue normal school life without her friends who were killed. But she said the activism of the Parkland students is helpful. She added, “I am so proud of how the kids at my school have been fighting because we all want change to happen and, as we see the progression, it really shows us that people do care and they do hear what we have to say.”  I’m Jonathan Evans.   The Associated Press reported this story. Phil Dierking adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   grief counselor - n. a health professional that aims to help people cope with saddnes and mourning following the death of loved ones, or with major life changes that trigger feelings of saddness. backpack - n. a bag for carrying things that has two shoulder straps and is carried on the back comfort - n. a state or situation in which you are relaxed and do not have any physically unpleasant feelings caused by pain, heat, cold, etc. cookie - n. a sweet baked food that is usually small, flat, and round and is made from flour and sugar NRA - n. The National Rifle Association, or NRA, is an organization that is active in supporting the rights of U.S. citizens to own guns. semi-automatic - adj. able to fire bullets one after the other quickly but not automatically

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New Playthings Help Build Emotional Intelligence in Children

  Children of all ages gathered in New York City recently for the International Toy Fair. Hidden among already popular toys were new, high-tech educational products. Educational products are important to the toy industry. In recent years, parents have shown an interest in STEM-related toys – ones that help teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. But now, toymakers are working to create products for improving a child’s emotional intelligence. These toys reportedly not only help raise intelligence in children, but also their emotional quotient, or EQ. Companies showed off their products last week at New York’s Jacob Javitz Convention Center. PleIQ is a set of plastic toy blocks. It uses augmented reality technology to teach words, numbers and other things. Edison Durán directs the company that makes PleIQ. She showed people at the toy fair how virtual images appear on the blocks when they are held in front of a tablet camera. Intelligence includes intrapersonal skills -- processing information within one’s mind -- and interpersonal skills, or dealing with other people. Durán said PleIQ builds on both by having children act as teacher or guide to a companion character. On the other side of the convention center, Karen Hu demonstrated an educational robot called Woobo. Hu asked the hairy green robot: “Hi, what’s your name?” With a childlike voice, the toy answered, “Are you trying to trick me? My name is Woobo.” The robot comes programmed with educational games and activities. Children use its touchscreen face to get them started. Toys that work as companions also aid in social development. Hu described how the robot can help a child who has autism spectrum disorder. “He [the child] can communicate with Woobo and he can follow some of the instruction Woobo is giving because he think(s) of this as a companion instead of a parent or someone else telling him to certain things.” A more low-tech companion is a toy animal called Manimo. The manufacturer says this toy can help reduce hyperactivity in children and improve their ability to pay attention to a subject. Whether it's a snake, dolphin or other animal, Manimos can be placed across a child's arm, chest or neck. Karine Gagner, president of Manimo, explained that adding deep pressure to one’s body can help calm a child before bedtime. At the EQtainment stand, sales director Jonathan Erickson explained the company's toys. "The purpose of all of our products is to develop emotional and social intelligence,” he said. Erickson showed off a board game called “Q’s Race to the Top.” Kevin Chaja, also of of EQtainment, said the game got his 4-year-old daughter to open up. “The biggest thing, is her talking. And that’s the key of all this, is getting her to talk, getting her feelings expressed out. Like, ‘Hey, what does it feel like to be sad? Or how does it feel like to be happy?’” It remains to be seen whether a game or toy can improve emotional intelligence. But toymakers are doing what they can to help parents in their efforts to raise well-rounded children. I'm Susan Shand.   Tina Trinh reported this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted her report for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   toy – n. a plaything; something a child plays with quotient – n. the amount of level to which a certain quality exists augmented reality – n. a version of reality made by the use of technology companion – n. someone or something that keeps company with another autism – n. a disorder in which the person is unable to form normal relationships with others hyperactivity – n. a condition in which a person is overly active  

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Cambodia ‘Saddened’ over US Decision to Cut Aid

  Cambodia is criticizing the United States government for deciding to cut the amount of aid it gives the country. The Trump administration said in a statement Tuesday it was stopping or reducing aid programs worth $8.3 million. It said the cuts were being made because of “recent setbacks in democracy” in Cambodia. The setbacks had caused U.S. officials “deep concern,” the statement said. The concern led the government “to review its assistance to Cambodia to ensure that American taxpayer funds are not being used to support anti-democratic behavior.” The cuts relate to assistance programs provided by the Treasury Department, USAID and the U.S. armed forces. In Phnom Penh, a government spokesman said Wednesday Cambodian officials were “saddened and shocked” over the “disrespectful” decision. The official defended his country’s record and promised Cambodia would “maintain and continue democracy with energy.” The U.S. announcement came days after Cambodian Senate elections in which the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) claimed victory in all 58 seats. The vote was held after thousands of opposition lawmakers and local leaders were denied voting rights. Senate seats are elected by parliament members and local officials across Cambodia. Rights groups and members of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, or CNRP, called the vote a “sham” and “undemocratic.” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters the elections had “failed to represent the genuine will of the Cambodian people.” Until last November, the CNRP was the only opposition party in parliament. Then, acting on a government request, Cambodia’s Supreme Court ordered the party dissolved. The high court also barred its members from holding office in the future. Cambodia has been led for more than 30 years by Hun Sen, who currently serves as prime minister. Political observers say they think general elections planned for July will extend the rule of his Cambodian People’s Party. Kem Sokha, the leader of the CNRP, was arrested in September. He is accused of trying to overthrow the government with U.S. support. He remains jailed on treason charges. U.S. officials and rights groups have criticized the Cambodian government actions as part of a larger effort to crush political opposition and independent media. In a report, Cambodia’s main media watchdog group said a “façade of media freedom” collapsed in the country in 2017. The Cambodian Center for Independent Media spoke with more than 70 local journalists working in Cambodia. They came from both pro-government and more independent media organizations. The center says the study was carried out anonymously. As one example, the report noted the closures of 32 radio stations that produced broadcasts often critical of the government. It said the government had also forced other often-critical media organizations to suspend operations because of tax investigations. One of them is the Cambodia Daily newspaper, which was ordered closed over a disputed tax bill. Radio Free Asia suspended its Cambodia operations last year, noting threats and a dispute over its tax situation. Radio Free Asia and VOA are each part of the U.S. government-supported Broadcasting Board of Governors. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from VOANews.com, Radio Free Asia, the Associated Press and Reuters. 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   setback – n. a problem that make progress difficult or success less likely ensure – v. make sure something is done or happens fund – n. an amount of money set aside for a special purpose review – v. to examine or study sham – n. something that is not what it appears to be and that is meant to trick or people genuine – adj. real; not a copy or reproduced dissolve – v. to officially end façade – n. a way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation journalist – n. someone who writes or reports a study for a media company anonymously – adv. not named or identified  

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