Winnie Mandela Dies at 81

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela died on Monday after a long illness. Her family said she was 81. She was the former wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela. The two were known for their fight against South Africa’s rule of separating people by race, known as apartheid. The rule effectively permitted the white minority to rule over the black majority in South Africa for many years. Madikizela-Mandela was married to Mandela from 1958 to 1996. Mandela, who died in 2013, was imprisoned throughout most of their marriage. For years, she fought for his release and for the rights of black South Africans. Her own fight against white minority rule also led to months in prison and years of house arrest. On February 11, 1990, she walked hand in hand with her husband out of the Cape Town prison where he was kept for 27 years. The two punched the air victoriously with the clenched-fist sign of black power. Four years later, Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first black president ending years of white minority rule. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela became known as the mother of the new South Africa. In a statement, her family said, “She kept the memory of her imprisoned husband Nelson Mandela alive during his years on Robben Island and helped give the struggle for justice in South Africa one its most recognizable faces.” However, Madikizela-Mandela’s legacy was ruined when she was found guilty of kidnapping and assault in 1991. The crimes were against a 14-year-old suspected of being an informer. She and Mandela separated in 1992. Mandela also removed her from his cabinet in 1995 after accusations of corruption. The couple divorced a year later, after which she took the name Madikizela-Mandela. I'm Jonathan Evans.     Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on AP and Reuters news reports. Mario Ritter was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   apartheid –n. a policy of racial separation that existed in South Africa until 1994 punch –v. to hit out clenched –adj. held in a tightly closed position legacy –n. something that happened in the past that is remembered and carried forward divorced –adj. having gone through a divorce or legal end to a marriage    

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Annual White House Easter Egg Roll

President Donald Trump, joined by the Easter Bunny and first lady Melania Trump start the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, April 2, 2018.

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Scientists: Early Humans Were Not as Simple as One Would Think

  Scientists have discovered evidence that some of the earliest members of the human race, Homo sapiens, were surprisingly advanced. Scientists say these early humans knew how to use color pigments found in nature, create advanced tools and trade for supplies with other groups of people. A report on the discovery was published recently in the journal Science. The scientists said they examined artifacts recovered from southern Kenya. Some of the objects are said to date back to 320,000 years ago. They are about the same age as the earliest-known Homo sapiens fossils found in other parts of Africa. In the report, the researchers described an ochre pigment that produced a bright-red color. They say this pigment could have been used for body painting. They also found tools made from obsidian, a volcanic rock that can have an extremely sharp edge. The researchers found evidence of obsidian being transported to the Olorgesailie Basin, up to 88 kilometers away from where the rock was found. This discovery led the scientists to believe it had come from another group through trade. But they did not know what was provided in exchange for the obsidian. The researchers said the findings show developments in technology and social structures unexpected so early in human history. Rick Potts is a paleoanthropologist and director of the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. He believes that these newly identified mental and social abilities — including recognition of “distant groups, use of pigments and technologies including projectile points — were at the foundation of our species’ origin.” Alison Brooks, another paleoanthropologist, is with the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Speaking of the pigment, she said, “The choice of importing the ochre from a distance rather than using a more common local material…argues that having a red face or hair or clothing or weapons also carried a symbolic message of some sort.” The researchers described the obsidian tools they found as smaller, of better quality, and more specialized than larger stone tools used by earlier human species. The obsidian was used in a number of tools with sharp or pointy edges. The rock was also found in small, sharp points that could be placed at the end of a piece of wood or bone for use as a weapon. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Will Dunham reported this story for the Reuters news service. Jonathan Evans adapted his report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ QUIZ ​ _______________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   advanced – adj. being far along in progress or development artifact – n. a simple object such as a tool or weapon that was made by people in the past journal – n. a publication dealing mainly with issues of current interest pigment – n. a natural substance that gives coloring to animals and plants; a substance that gives color to something else fossil – n. remains of an ancient organism that has been protected in Earth’s surface paleoanthropologist – n. the study of anthropology that deals with fossils projectile – n. something that is thrown as a weapon symbolic – adj. expressing or representing an idea or quality without using words

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Resistance to Ending Child Marriage Continues in Northern Nigeria

  The United Nations Children's Fund says Nigeria has the largest number of child brides in Africa. The custom of young girls marrying much older men happens mostly in the Muslim-majority northern states. Girls in the area are usually married by their early teens, whether they want to be or not. Conservative Islamic groups in the area resist efforts to ban child marriage. But times are changing. Hajia Rabi Salisu is the founder of Arrida Relief Foundation and owner of a children's home in Kaduna. She says that girls are increasingly “running away from child marriages." Salisu and other activists want states to ban marriage before the age of 18. She says she receives death threats because of her activism. She told VOA, "I sleep in a different home almost every night because my life is at stake simply for trying to protect the lives of children." Rahmatu Ibrahim and Naja'atu Abdullahi are both 14 years old. Both girls ran away from their homes so they would not have to get married. They met at Salisu's home for children. Rahmatu says, "I was being forced into an arranged marriage. That was why I ran away. I don't love him and I don't know him. I had never seen him before…” Naja'atu told VOA she wants to get an education. In another village in Kaduna State, VOA spoke with 18-year-old Sumayya Musa.  She has resisted the expectations of her community. She said, "My father wanted me to get married when I was 13, but my mother said no, because she was in support of my decision to further my education.” She added, "People here in this village laugh at me because I am not yet married.” She said that used to make her cry sometimes. But, she said, when she thinks about how her education will better her life, she stops crying. Nigerian lawmakers have been debating marriage customs for more than 20 years. The country’s 2003 Child Rights Act says that people must be at least 18 years old to marry. But individual states can decide whether to approve the law. Most northern Nigerian states have not. Muslim rights groups have been meeting with northern lawmakers to express their concerns. Some activists propose a law that requires a person be at least 15 to marry. But that idea offends Awwal Tesleem Shittu. He is a member of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria. He argues that a girl's readiness for marriage cannot be decided by her age. He says some 15-year-olds might not be ready for marriage while some girls as young as nine might be. He says “in Islam there is no barrier to that.” In 2013, a social media campaign #ChildNotBride began to spread in Nigeria after senator and former governor Ahmad Sani Yerima was accused of marrying a 13-year-old girl. Yerima denied the accusation, but would not tell his wife’s age. Yerima also supported a law that would legally recognize any married female as an adult. In 2014, a 14-year-old girl in Kano admitted to killing her 35-year-old husband with poison. Police said the girl's father had forced her to marry. Later, the murder charges were withdrawn. Rights activists say poverty leads parents to force their young daughters to marry. Activist Mustapha Wakil says, "They just want to take these girls off their hands as fast as possible." He notes that financially poor parents have been accepting unusually low dowries. Some are as little as $8. Parents used to request at least $112. Wakil is campaigning for his state of Yobe to pass the federal Child Rights Act. He says the current laws on marriage are not clear. Rahmatu and Naja'atu want to hold on to their childhoods a little longer. They are attending school and hope their families will one day forgive them for running away.   Chika Oduah reported this story for VOA News. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   bride – n.  a woman who has just married or is about to be married at stake – n. in a position to be lost or gained  dowry – n.  money or property that a wife or wife's family gives to her husband when the wife and husband marry in some cultures arranged marriage – n. a marriage in which the husband and wife are chosen for each other by their parents

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In India, More People Are Buying and Selling Gold Electronically

  India’s $34 billion market for gold is changing. The buying and selling of gold has traditionally been done face-to-face. But now smartphones, e-wallets and some investment programs are bringing new buyers into the business. Digital payment systems have grown in popularity in India since the government stopped producing large-value bank notes in 2016. Now, there are computer software applications that let smartphone users buy, sell or keep gold, even in small amounts. The Reuters news agency reports that a private company keeps gold purchased or sold electronically in secured storage vaults. Online gold purchases have been growing worldwide for years. But they are a new idea in India, where jewelry and pieces of gold are often kept by individuals or given as gifts. “In India, the action is really starting now. The digitization of the economy will certainly lead to the digitization of gold,” said Somasundaram PR. He is managing director of India operations for the World Gold Council. He believes the digitalization of gold will grow in the coming 12-24 months. The World Gold Council estimated total Indian gold demand at 727 tons in 2017, and thinks it could rise to 800 tons in 2018. In China, the country using the most gold, demand was 953.3 tons last year. It is difficult to estimate how many buyers are entering the market because of software apps or the internet. One digital payments company reported that in the first six months after it began offering digital gold last April, it processed about $18.4 million worth of sales. That represents a small part of the Indian gold market. With most purchases made in the traditional way, demand for physical gold is not slowing. Indian buyers are also interested in competitive pricing and the ability to purchase gold in small amounts. Gold-based offerings, such as Gold Accumulation Plans, let users buy and store gold in amounts as small as 0.1 grams. Many young people like these plans, along with other online investment programs. In the past, everyone who wanted gold had to wait until they had saved a large amount of money to make a purchase. Joe Jacob, a 29-year-old businessman, recently bought 5 rupees worth of digital gold as a “trial investment.” He said that buying digital gold is easier and safer than having gold physically in his home. Security experts said that because the gold is guaranteed to physically exist in a secured place, there was little risk of dishonest sellers. And digital wallet providers believe interest will grow. A company called Paytm is at the top of the crowded e-wallet business in India. It announced two new gold gift and savings plans this month. Gold purchases traditionally increase around the time when many marriage ceremonies are performed, experts say. Nitin Misra, senior vice president at Paytm, confirmed the rise. He confirmed that “about 40 percent of sales” happen during the “off-season” for buying gold in India. He said more than half of the company’s users were repeat buyers, and 70 percent were younger than 35. The company said last year it planned to sell $200 million worth of gold during the 12-month period ending on April 1, 2018. But its reported sales appeared to fall short of that number. A competitor, e-wallet provider PhonePe, said the market will grow by 35 percent from 2015 to 2020. Bangalore-based businessman P Vinoth says he likes to buy jewelry and other gold-covered objects from stores. He says e-wallets now offer another way to make purchases. He used to invest in exchange-traded financial programs, he said, but “now I am using Paytm gold.” I'm Susan Shand.   Susan Shand adapted this AP story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   smartphone - n. a wireless device that can make telephone calls, send and receive email, and perform searches on the internet e-Wallet – n. an electronic device that lets the user make purchases electronically application – n. a computer program for a smartphone vault - n. a secure place where money or valuable things are kept accumulation - n. to collect or gather (something) as time passes rupee – n. Indian money equal to .015 of one United States dollar digital – adj. using computer technology; providing information in numerical form online – adj. connected to or involving telecommunications systems

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Afrotectopia: A Celebration of Black Identity in Technology

  Being black and working in the technology industry can be a lonely experience. The New York-based not-for-profit group Ascend Leadership examined the employment information of hundreds of San Francisco tech companies in 2007 and in 2015. Ascend used information from the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Ascend found that black tech professional employment decreased from 2.5 percent in 2007 to 1.9 percent in 2015. It also found that, although there was a 43 percent growth in the number of black executives from 2007, blacks still made up just 1.1 percent of tech executives in 2015. Ari Melenciano is a student in the Interactive Telecommunications Program at New York University. She is African American. “You’re in a sea full of people that just don’t look like you,” Melenciano said of being black in the tech world. So, Melenciano decided to do something about it. She started Afrotectopia, an event that brings together and celebrates black technologists, artists, designers and activists.  The first-ever Afrotectopia took place at New York University. Attendees discussed their work, as well as the difficulties of working in the mostly white world of tech and new media. “It’s really important for us to be able to see ourselves and build this community of people that actually look like us and do amazing things,” Melenciano said. Glenn Cantave is founder and chief of the performance art coalition Movers and Shakers NYC. He attended Afrotectopia. He demonstrated his group’s use of augmented reality and virtual reality with apps that help people deal with racism and discrimination. Cantave said, “My parents told me from a very young age that you will not be treated like your white friends.” Cantave and his team are working on an augmented reality book for children called White Supremacy 101: Columbus the Hero? The book will include pictures that become animated when viewed with an augmented reality app. The book also will have history lessons told from different perspectives. The lessons avoid the traditional white American perspective. Idris Brewster created the app for the book. He is also chief technology officer of Movers and Shakers NYC. He said technology such as augmented reality and virtual reality, “really provides us with a way to tell a story in a very different…way.” Brewster also works as a computer science teacher at Google. Two years ago, only 1 percent of Google’s tech workers were black. Brewster says he hopes more and more African Americans become creators of technology and algorithms – processes that a computer follows. "There's algorithms being created in our world right now that are detrimental to people of color because they're not made for people of color," Brewster said. "We need to start being able to figure out how we can get our minds and our perspectives in those conversations, creating those algorithms.” Jazzy Harvey is a virtual reality filmmaker. She also attended Afrotectopia. She came to present her production “Built Not Bought.” The virtual reality film looks at car collectors living in south central Los Angeles. Harvey says she feels greater creative freedom when working with virtual reality. “There’s no rules, and that fact that I have no rules…I get to choose which story is worth telling.” Afrotectopia attendees discussed many topics, from digital entrepreneurship to education. But the main goal of the event was to have African-American technologists come together in one place. Melenciano said, “To come into a space where …you can just be yourself and talk the way that you actually talk and really have people that can connect with you culturally is so important.” I'm Susan Shand.   Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English based on a story by VOA’s Tina Trinh. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   executive – n. a person who manages or directs other people in a company or organization augmented reality – n. a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view. virtual reality – n. the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors animate – v. to make (something, such as a drawing) appear to move by creating a series of drawings, pictures, etc., and showing them quickly one after another perspective – n. a way of thinking about and understanding something entrepreneurship – n. a person who has the skills to start a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money detrimental - adj. causing damage or injury​ amazing - adj. causing great surprise or wonder​

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Happiness Class One of Yale University's Most Popular Ever

  The search for one of life’s greatest goals, happiness, is what brings almost 1,200 students to one of Yale University’s most popular classes ever. The class is called "Psychology and the Good Life." Psychology professor Laurie Santos teaches the class. One in four Yale undergraduate students has registered to take it. It has the largest class registration size in Yale’s 317-year history. So, why do so many students want this class? Santos says it is the hope that science can help students find peace among all the stresses and difficulties they face at college. "Students report being more depressed than they have ever been in history at college,” she said. Social science research has led to many new understandings of how people find happiness, Santos says. "They really want to learn those insights in an empirical, science-driven way," she said of the students taking her happiness class. Yale was founded in 1701. It is the third-oldest university in the United States. It has had many famous individuals as students, including presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and actors Paul Newman and Meryl Streep. Healthy body healthy mind Santos said feelings of happiness are created through several things.  Among them are socialization, exercise, meditation and plenty of sleep. She added that while many people may see money and possessions as goals in life, those things are not usually what make people most happy. "Very happy people spend time with others, they prioritize time with their friends, time with their family.” Happy people even make time to talk to people who work at coffee shops, Santos added. Santos also notes the psychological happening of "mis-wanting," which leads people to work towards the wrong goals in life. "We work really hard to get a great salary or to buy this huge house," she said. "Those things are not going to make us as happy as we think." School work for the happiness class, also known as Psyc 157, include showing more gratitude, performing acts of kindness and increasing social connections. Because of the popularity of the class, it has been made publicly available -- for free – on the website Coursera. The class is already helping Yale students like senior Rebekah Siliezar. She describes her mindset before taking the class. "What's most pressing on our minds is grades, it's the next job, it's a potential salary after graduation," said Siliezar. Now, she said tries more to “focus on the present moment and the people around me." I’m Phil Dierking.   This story was originally reported by Reuters News Agency.  Phil Dierking adapted it using other media. Phil Dierking adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. What do you think is important for being happy?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   empirical - adj. based on testing or experience​ gratitude - n. a feeling of appreciation or thanks​ potential - n.  capable of becoming real​ prioritize - v. to organize (things) so that the most important thing is done or dealt with first​ meditation - n. the act or process of spending time in quiet thought​ salary - n. an amount of money that an employee is paid each year​ undergraduate - n. a student at a college or university who has not yet earned a degree​

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Everyday Grammar: Lend vs. Borrow

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Lesson 25: Only Human

Summary Lightning Bolt Lady goes looking for her superpowers. But will she ever find them? And will she ever help...anyone?   Conversation ANNOUNCER: When last we saw Anna, she had made a new friend. And they had been talking about superheroes for a while when suddenly Anna became Lightning Bolt Lady!   ANNOUNCER: She tried to find her superpowers. But it did not go well. ANNOUNCER: She can’t fly, become invisible or create a force field. And she really cannot walk through walls. Ouch, Lightning Bolt Lady. ANNOUNCER: She had been walking into that wall for about 15 minutes when she had a great idea. LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: I just had a great idea! ANNOUNCER: I can’t wait to hear this one! But first, let’s talk about grammar. ANNOUNCER: Professor Bot is on vacation this week. I’m the announcer. So, I’m going to tell you about the past perfect continuous. ANNOUNCER: We use this verb tense to show that an action started in the past and continued to another time or action in the past. ANNOUNCER: For example, I said, “She had been walking into that wall for about 15 minutes when she had a great idea.” ANNOUNCER: Had been walking is the past perfect continuous of the verb walk. It’s had been plus the -ing form of the verb. ANNOUNCER: You’ll hear me use this verb tense a few more times today. ANNOUNCER: Now, what am I forgetting? Oh right! Lightning Bolt Lady’s great idea. LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: If I want to know my superpowers, I’ll need to learn about lightning! ANNOUNCER: So, she read many books about lightning. LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Wow. A lightning strike usually lasts less than a second. (She tells this to a person and he slowly moves away.) LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Lightning is really fast and I like speed walking. So, maybe one of my superpowers is super-speed walking! (to stranger) Bye! (She begins to super-speed walk.) LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Check! Super-speed walking is definitely one of my superpowers. LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Lightning has millions of volts of electricity. Amazing! (She puts her hand up and lightning bolts shoot from her fingers.) LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Wow! I can charge a lot of batteries with this superpower! ANNOUNCER: She had been looking for hours for someone to help when she found her chance. WOMAN: Hello? Hello? I’m sorry. I’m going to have to call you back. My phone is dying. LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Excuse me, I can charge your phone. WOMAN: Really? Thanks! LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: I’m Lightning Bolt Lady! (She takes the woman's phone and shoots it with a lightning bolt. But it turns into ashes. Then, she gives the woman lots of money and smiles and says goodbye.)   ANNOUNCER: She had been practicing her superpowers all day. Suddenly, she heard a terrible sound – a child’s disappointment. ANNOUNCER: These children tried to light a fire for over an hour. But then, they gave up. PARENT: Hey kids, that wood will never burn. It’is too wet. LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Small humans, what is wrong? CHILD: Stranger danger! LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: I’m Lightning Bolt Lady! YOUNG MAN: Oh no. It’s you. LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: (to YOUNG MAN:) We meet again. And guess what: I found my superpowers. CHILD: Well, we need a fire to toast the marshmallows to make S’mores. LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: I can help. YOUNG MAN: We don’t need a super-speed walker but thanks! LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Super-speed walking is just one of my superpowers. I can also do this! (She tries to use her lightning bolts but it doesn't go well.) LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Sorry! Let me do it again.   (She lights the fire with her lightning bolts.) CHILDREN: Thanks, Lightning Bolt Lady! YOUNG MAN: Lightning Bolt Lady LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: You’re welcome. But you don’t have enough firewood. Using my super-speed walking, I will get more. (She super-speed walks around to get firewood.) PARENT: Lightning Bolt Lady, come back! A lightning storm is coming! LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: Not a chance! There’s not a cloud in the … CHILD: Lightning Bolt Lady, are you okay? CHILD: Where's your super-suit? ANNA: Oh no! I've lost my superpowers! YOUNG MAN: It's starting to rain. Do you want to go inside and eat some S’mores? LIGHTNING BOLT LADY: You read my mind. ANNA: You know, I thought mind reading would be one of my superpowers. But it wasn’t. CHILD: That’d be a cool superpower. But I’d rather be able to talk to animals. CHILD: That would be a cool superpower.   ​New Words ash – n. the soft gray powder that remains after something, such as wood, has been completely burned and destroyed by fire average – adj. a number that is calculated by adding quantities together and then dividing the total by the number of quantities battery – n. a device that is placed inside a machine (such as a clock, toy, or car) to supply it with electricity cause – v. something or someone that makes something happen or exist charge – v. to give an amount of electricity to something cloud – n. a white or gray mass in the sky that is made of many very small drops of water definitely – adv. without doubt disappointment – n. the state of feeling of being disappointed firewood – n. wood used to make fire give up – phrasal verb. to stop an activity or effort marshmallow -- a soft, white, sweet food made of sugar and eggs million – n. the number 1,000,000 not a chance – expression. there is no possibility second – n. a unit of time that is equal to ¹/₆₀ of a minute s’mores – n. a sweet snack consisting of a chocolate bar and toasted marshmallows sandwiched between graham crackers strike – n. the act of hitting something with force terrible – adj. very shocking and upsetting volt – n. a unit for measuring the force of an electrical current   Practice Now, you try it! First, read about the past perfect continuous verb tense below. Then, write two or three sentences in the Comments section about an action that started in the past and continued to another time or action. Be sure to use past perfect continuous in each sentence! For example: They had been studying English for two years before they began school in Washington, D.C.  Past Perfect Continuous We use the past perfect continuous verb tense in two ways: Use #1 To show that something started in the past and continued up until another time or action in the past Examples: They had been talking about superheroes for a while when suddenly Anna became Lightning Bolt Lady!   How long had Lightning Bolt Lady been trying to find her superpowers? She'd not been trying for more than a day when she found her chance. Use #2 To show that something caused something else in the past Examples: Lightning Bolt Lady was happy because she had been using her superpowers all day. The children were disappointed because they'd been wanting to make S’mores. The young man was surprised when Lightning Bolt Lady arrived because he had not been waiting for her. Notice that, with the past perfect continuous, we often shorten the word had with personal pronouns: I’d / you'd / he'd / she'd / we'd / they'd.   Test Yourself How well do you know the grammar from Level 2? Test yourself! In Lesson 25, you will see examples of grammar that you have learned in Level 2. Look for sentences in Lesson 25 with: Past perfect Conditionals Adverb Clauses Prepositions Passive voice Any other grammar you've learned in Level 2  Then, write those sentences in the Comments section. For example: She had been walking into that wall for about 15 minutes when she had a great idea. (The adverb clause is "when she had a great idea.")   Listening Quiz See how well you understand this lesson by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video, then choose the best answer.​ ​ ​Free Materials ​ Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. For Teachers Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: past perfect continuous Topics: Giving help   Comments Let us know what you think about this lesson. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page.  

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College Admissions: Succeeding in an Interview

Almost all job searches require applicants to meet with the people offering the job to answer questions about themselves. Banks often require people asking for a loan to do the same. And even meeting your romantic partner’s parents for the first time can feel like an examination of your best and worst qualities. Higher education has similar ways of evaluating applicants, David Kobel explains. He works in international student services at the University of Tulsa, a private research university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. ​Kobel says colleges and universities want to know as much as they can about students who want to join their academic programs. Schools get a lot of information about an applicant from their application materials. But there are some things that academic performance records and letters of support from former teachers do not demonstrate. Many students can look similar on paper, Kobel says. So interviews are another method some schools use to learn more about an applicant. Kobel notes that interviewing with a college or university admissions official is different from other interviews in several ways. First, Kobel says there are two kinds of interviews that a college or university applicant might face. One is called an informational interview. Most colleges and universities in the United States do not require undergraduate applicants to complete an interview. But some offer applicants the choice of asking for such an interview. The result of this interview is not a major part of the selection process, Kobel says. But an interview does give an applicant and their school of choice the chance to build a relationship. Admissions officials might ask some general questions, but they also expect students to ask questions, as well. Kobel suggests that by asking questions of their own, a student shows their interest in attending that school. The more interest a student shows and the stronger a relationship they try to build with a school, the better. But Kobel adds that the kinds of questions a student asks are important. “You wouldn’t want to ask, ‘How many international students do you have here at the university?’” he told VOA. “That’s a question you could go find on the website. You would want to ask something more like, ‘What do you feel that international students contribute to your … community?’  … That shows them that you’re really thinking, you’re really wanting to know ’What you would value in me as a student?’” ​Kobel adds that asking questions that are deeper and less general demonstrates greater interest. They also show that an applicant has researched the school. Undergraduate students should try to make sure they are studying in a program that is the right fit for them. Gathering information about a certain program is the main goal of an informative interview. Doing your research and knowing about a school are also important for the second kind of interview college applicants may face, Kobel says. This is called an evaluative interview. Kobel notes that, although undergraduate programs may not require an interview, graduate study programs in the United States often do. Evaluative interviews are a chance for admissions officials to ask questions that examine an applicant’s qualities and decide if they will be a good fit for a given program. He suggests applicants do research on the school they are applying to. One common and very important question interviewers may as is, “Why do you want to study here?” Kobel says admissions officials want applicants to show they know exactly what a program offers and why that matters to them. The greater detail an applicant can give as to why the program is right for them, the better. “Look at the academic program that you want to study,” he said. “Look at the faculty. Look at the research that they’ve done and point out how that fits your goals … They don’t want to know that you want to go there because it’s close to home or because of … the prestige. They want to know that there’s a general interest in that.” Thoughtful answers are important for all interview questions, Kobel says. After all, almost every college and university wants to admit as many different kinds of people as they can. Someone who gives general answers to questions about their strengths and weaknesses, for example, does not demonstrate to the officials how different or special the applicant may be. “Saying, ‘Well, I’m good at English’ or ‘I’m good at math,’ those are too general,” said Kobel. “Try to get into what strengths you have and how have you used those to be academically strong. And then, with your weaknesses, be honest here. They don’t want you to say, ‘I don’t have any weaknesses.’ That will come across as arrogant. … Come in with an explanation of what you’re doing to overcome those weaknesses.” It is also important that international students understand the general rules of interviews in the United States, Kobel says. For example, being on time to a meeting is extremely important in the U.S. So applicants should arrive at their interview no less than 10 minutes before the planned start time. Kobel adds that smiling, looking the interviewer in the eyes, and shaking their hand firmly when meeting can all be signs of confidence and honesty.​ Finally, Kobel suggests that applicants should try to act natural and remember the interview is not the only thing that decides if they are admitted. Being calm can help ease the discussion and strengthen the connection between the interviewer and interviewee. And doing practice interviews with friends and family is a good way to feel relaxed during the real thing, he adds. It is also a good idea to start the interview by making brief, informal conversation with the interviewer, Kobel says. This helps build the relationship between everyone involved. However, avoid discussing topics like politics and religion. Americans usually do not talk about these subjects with people they do not know very well. I’m Pete Musto. And I’m Dorothy Gundy.   Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. What are some other important things to consider when going into an interview? How else do you think applicants should prepare? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ QUIZ ​ ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   applicant(s) – n. someone who formally asks for something, such as a job or admission to a college evaluating – v. judging the value or condition of (someone or something) in a careful and thoughtful way academic – adj. of or relating to schools and education interview(s) – n. a meeting at which people talk to each other in order to ask questions and get information undergraduate – adj. describing a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after four years of study contribute – v. to give something such as money, goods, or time to help or improve a person, group, cause, or organization  graduate – adj. describing a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after about two or more years of additional study following an undergraduate degree faculty – n. the group of teachers in a school or college prestige – n. the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being successful or important arrogant – adj. having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people practice – adj. something that is done again and again in order to become better at it relaxed – adj. calm and free from stress, worry, or anxiety

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Have You Ever 'Played the Fool?'

  Hello and welcome to Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. On this program we explore common words and expressions in American English. In the United States April 1 is a day when you need to be a little careful. Why? It is April Fool’s Day so someone might play a practical joke on you -- a harmless trick for fun. We did a program on fool expressions a couple of years ago. We explained how to use foolhardy and foolproof. We talked about the idiom “A fool and his money are soon parted.” But we left out some things. So, here we are again talking about fools! Probably the most common definition of “fool” is someone who is silly and, well, foolish. It is very easy to trick a fool. “To fool” can also mean to pretend. For example, “The child said he was sick but he was only fooling. He was in perfect health.” If you say, “I was only fooling” that means you are not serious. You are kidding. So, if you say something to someone as a joke but they take you seriously, you can say to them, “I was only fooling.” Here, you could also say, “I was only kidding.” We often pair “fool” with the verbs “play” and “act” to form the expressions play the fool and act the fool. They both describe someone who is easily tricked or deceived. Or sometimes, we play the fool because we fall deeply in love and cannot think clearly. Love runs deeper than any ocean You can cloud your mind with emotion Everybody plays the fool, sometime There's no exception to the rule Listen, baby, it may be factual, may be cruel I want to tell ya! Everybody plays the fool The Main Ingredient sings “Everybody Plays the Fool” Sometimes we use it to describe someone who is not easy to fool. For example, if your friend John is really smart and not easily tricked, you could say that he’s not one to play the fool. If that is too wordy, you can simply say he is no fool. If you make a fool of yourself, you do something that makes you look foolish or silly. For example, imagine you are at a party. Suddenly your best friend sees a young woman who he really likes. He wants to get her attention. So, he starts dancing. But, no one else is dancing. In fact, there is no music playing. You calmly go up to him and say, “You might want to stop. You are making a fool of yourself.” But making a fool of yourself is better than making a fool of someone else. That is just mean. If a person tries to make a fool of you by yelling at you in public, just walk away. He will end up making a fool of himself. Now, if you are fooling yourself you are unwilling to accept the facts of a situation. In other words, you are in denial. If you think that you can learn perfect English in a very short time without studying or practicing, you are really fooling yourself. Now, when we pair the word “fool” with “around,” we get an expression that has several meanings. One is to spend time without any purpose. If you have the day off from work, you might decide to fool around all day. Another meaning is to behave playfully. The two friends were fooling around near the train tracks when they heard a call for help! But be careful. “Fool around” also means light-hearted sexual activity. For example, the husband and wife were fooling around in the kitchen when their friends and family walked in for dinner. Awkward! In these three example, you could also say mess around. It has the same meaning and we use it in the same situations. Finally, we often use the word “fool” in warnings to others. For example, “Don’t fool around with that! You will break it.” Or, “Stop fooling around.” And the ever popular, “This is no time to fool around.” I’m Anna Matteo. And that’s end of this program. And this will be the last Words and Their Stories … ever. I’m just fooling. We’ll back next week with a new show. No fooling! And you're fooling yourself if you don't believe it You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it Why must you be such an angry young man When your future looks quite bright to me   Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. The song at the end is Styx singing “Fooling Yourself.” _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   practical joke – n. a joke involving something that is done rather than said : a trick played on someone pretend – v. to act as if something is true when it is not true kid – v. to speak to (someone) in a way that is not serious : to say things that are not true to (someone) in a joking way deceive – v. to make (someone) believe something that is not true denial – n. a condition in which someone will not admit that something sad, painful, etc., is true or real awkward – adj. not easy to deal with

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