1
SECOND EDITION
Reading for the Real World 1 Second Edition Casey Malarcher · Andrea Janzen · Adam Worcester
© 2009 Compass Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Acquisitions Editor: Jordan Candlewyck Content Editor: Rob Jordens Copy Editor: Kelli Ripatti Cover/Interior Design: Design Plus email:
[email protected] http://www.compasspub.com The authors of this book would like to acknowledge the following writers for contributing materials to this series: Michael Souza, Michael Pederson, Paul Edmunds, Paula Bramante, Kandice MacDonald, Barbara Graeber ISBN: 978-1-59966-420-0 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 14 13 12 11 10
Photo Credits pp. 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 43, 46, 47, 48, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55, 58, 60, 61, 66, 71, 72, 73, 76, 83, 84, 85, 88, 89, 91, 94, 95, 96, 97, 100, 101, 102, 106, 107, 108, 109, 112, 115, 118, 120, 124, 125, 127, 130, 131, 132, 133, 136, 137, 139, 142, 143, 144, 145, 148 © Shutterstock, Inc. pp. cover, 29, 59, 64, 65, 67, 70, 82, 90, 100, 103, 126, 138 © iStock International Inc. pp. 42 © BigStockPhoto pp. 113, 114, 119, 121 © Yonhap News pp. 77, 78, 79 © Jupiterimages Corporation
Contents Unit 1
Strange & Unusual Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
American Superstitions / 5 Bigfoot / 11
Unit 2
Computers & Technology Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
The History of the Internet / 17 Gamers: Image and Reality / 23
Unit 3
Health & Medicine Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
Body Mass and Weight / 29 Studying Headaches / 35
Unit 4
Social Issues Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
High School Dropout Rates on the Rise / 41 Where Are All the Boys? / 47
Unit 5
Environmental Issues Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
Sixth Extinction / 53 A Plan to Curb Greenhouse Gases / 59
Unit 6
Law & Crime Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
The History of the Death Penalty / 65 Bounty Hunters / 71
Unit 7
Language & Literature Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
King’s March on Washington Address / 77 Desiree’s Baby By Kate Chopin / 83
Unit 8
Space & Exploration Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
The Space Race / 89 Asteroid Impacts on Earth / 95
Unit 9
Sports & Fitness Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
Cheating in Sports / 101 Gi / 107
Unit 10
People & Opinions Reading 1 :
Reading 2 :
Barack Obama’s Keynote Address at the Democratic National Convention / 113 Anita Roddick / 119
Unit 11
Cross-Cultural Viewpoints Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
Ideas About Beauty / 125 Bribery or Business as Usual? / 131
Unit 12
Business & Economics Reading 1 : Reading 2 :
Adventure Tours for Charity / 137 Rating Companies / 143
U N I T
1
S t r a n g e & U nusua l 1
American Superstitions Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What are some good-luck superstitions? 2. What are some bad-luck superstitions? 3. Do you follow or believe any of these superstitions?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. clover
a. inclined to believe in chance or magic
2. conduct
b. a small plant with white berries; a Christmas decoration
3. confess
c. a small flowering plant, usually with three leaves
4. optimistically
d. to do
5. mistletoe
e. to admit
6. superstitious
f. positively; in a positive way
6
American Superstitions
E
Track 1
very culture has superstitions. Some people believe them more than others. Even in our modern technological society, superstitions
still hold a powerful influence. Most people seem to 5
outgrow them. But how many people continue to believe (or at least act like they believe) these superstitions as adults? A survey conducted for the journal American Demographics by the research firm Market Facts found some surprising results. In modern America, where
10
superstitions are seen as nothing more than the beliefs of a weak mind, 44 percent of the people surveyed still admitted they were superstitious. The other 56 percent claimed to be only “optimistically superstitious,” meaning they were more willing to believe superstitions relating to good luck over ones related to bad luck. For example, 12 percent of those who said they were not really
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superstitious confessed to knocking on wood for good luck. And 9 percent confessed they would pick up a penny on the street for good luck. A further 9 percent of non-believers also said they would pick a four-leaf clover for luck if they found one. And some still believed in kissing under the mistletoe for luck. Of the 44 percent of Americans who admit their superstitious beliefs, 65
20
percent said they were “only a little” superstitious, 27 percent were “somewhat” superstitious, and 8 percent were “very” superstitious. Among this group of believers, some interesting differences appeared when the men and women were considered separately. In the survey, women comprised 60 percent of the entire superstitious group, seeming to indicate that women tend to be more
25
superstitious than men. However, more than half (64 percent) of the “very” superstitious believers were male. Additionally, age also showed significant differences between the believers and non-believers. More young people admitted their superstitious nature than
23 24 27
comprise --- to make up indicate --- to show; to suggest significant --- major; large
32 35 37 38 40 41 51
expect --- to guess; to consider likely respondent --- a person who answers a survey minimal --- low; of the smallest amount common --- usual; occurring frequently check --- to mark widely --- over a large range or area cross one’s fingers --- to put the second finger over the first finger
older people in the survey. For people between the ages of eighteen and twenty30
four taking the survey, 64 percent claimed to be at least a little superstitious. But for seniors 65 and older, only 30 percent admitted to believing any superstitions. It might be expected that people with more education would be less superstitious, but results from the survey indicated almost equal numbers of believers between those with and without college degrees. Of those survey
35
respondents who never finished or only finished high school, 42 percent reported being at least a little superstitious. For those with a college education, 47 percent claimed the same minimal level of belief. In the survey, ten common superstitions were listed for the people who responded. Of these superstitions, five were related to good luck and five to bad
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luck. Respondents were then asked to check the ones they believed. Of the superstitions in the list, good-luck superstitions were more widely held. The top superstitions related to good luck that most people followed “very much” were picking four-leaf clovers (79 percent), knocking on wood (72 percent), picking up pennies (70 percent), and crossing fingers for luck (59 percent). Of the bad-luck
45
superstitions, the most common belief was that breaking a mirror brought bad luck (82 percent). Other bad luck superstitions listed in the survey included seeing black cats, walking under ladders, seeing the bride before the wedding, and doing anything on Friday the 13th.
50
Many people would like to think it could not hurt to do something like knocking on wood or crossing your fingers to bring a little luck. After all, who doesn’t want a little luck? Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
574 words
7
8
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ The majority of people said they do not believe in bad luck. 2. ____ None of the non-believers think four-leaf clovers are lucky. 3. ____ It is bad luck to climb a ladder. 4. ____ Few people thought that breaking a mirror was bad luck.
B Choose the best answer. 1. Which of the following would bring bad luck? a. b. c. d.
A cracked mirror Crossed fingers Money on the street Walking under mistletoe
2. Which of these good-luck traditions was most commonly followed by non-believers? a. b. c. d.
Avoiding black cats Kissing under mistletoe Knocking on wood Picking up money
3. Who would be most likely to admit being superstitious? a. b. c. d.
A nineteen-year-old, female, college student A thirty-year-old, male, high school drop-out A forty-year-old, male, college graduate A seventy-year-old, female, college graduate
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. What was the main purpose of the survey? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. What are the different groups of superstitions? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the phrases from the list. Use each phrase only once. in good-luck picking four-leaf clovers
breaking a mirror who responded to
confessed to being the superstitious beliefs
A marketing research firm conducted a survey to find out information about 1 _________________ of Americans. It was found through the survey that many Americans actually 2 _________________ at least “somewhat” superstitious. Most people see themselves as “optimistically superstitious,” meaning they believe more 3 _________________ than bad-luck superstitions. Some common good-luck superstitions in the survey included 4 _________________ and kissing under mistletoe. Bad-luck superstitions on the survey included walking under a ladder and 5 _________________ . Of the people 6 _________________ the survey, young people said they were superstitious more often than old people.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. horoscope
curse
omen
fate
astrologist
faith
1. An __________ can tell your fortune by the stars. 2. Oh, no! I just saw a crow. That’s a bad __________. 3. According to my __________ in the newspaper, I will have a good day today. 4. Have __________! Everything will turn out all right in the end. 5. The archeologist had bad luck after he opened the tomb. He received the mummy’s __________. 6. I can’t do anything about it. It’s my __________ to be in this situation.
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10
S upplemental Reading “Unlucky” Number 13
1
Track 2
998 was a very bad year, especially for people who believed the number 13 is an unlucky number. In 1998, three months had a Friday that
fell on the 13th of the month--February, March, and 5
November. That is actually the most Friday the 13ths possible in a year. The origin of the number 13 being an unlucky number goes back to the time of Jesus’s death. At the last supper, Jesus gathered his twelve followers for a special meal, but including himself, there were a total of 13 people at the table.
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One of those followers later betrayed Jesus and turned him over to be killed. Today, superstitions about the number continue to worry people. As a result, most American skyscrapers do not have a 13th floor. In addition, most airplanes lack a 13th row because few customers would buy tickets to sit there. Perhaps surprisingly, when asked, only 13 percent of the American population
5 15
admit they believe that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day. The percentage is slightly higher among young people. About 30 percent of Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four say they try to generally be a little more careful on a Friday falling on the 13th. Interestingly, the nine movies of the horror series Friday the 13th were all released during this age group’s formative years (1980-
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1993). Perhaps the series has had a greater effect on people than anyone would like to admit.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Can superstitions ever be helpful? 2. Do you have any item that brings you luck? What is it and where did you get it?
U N I T
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S t r a n g e & U nusua l 2
Bigfoot Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. Do you know any stories about mysterious creatures? Where were they seen? 2. Do you think that strange creatures like the Loch Ness monster exist? Why or why not? 3. What have you heard about “Bigfoot”?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. aggressive
a. a dead body or bones
2. remains
b. a smell; a scent
3. creature
c. to travel; to move from one country or area to another
4. description
d. a statement that tells what something looks like
5. migrate
e. an animal or monster
6. odor
f. quick to attack; not afraid
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Bigfoot
N
Track 3
ative American and Canadian Indian tribes have passed down stories going back thousands of years about giant ape-men
living in the forests of the western United States and
5
Canada. They called these creatures Sasquatch, Yerin, or Mountain Devils. Regardless of the name, the descriptions of these animals are usually the same. The Bigfoot is usually described as being very tall, well over two meters. It is covered in thick, dark hair and usually gives off a bad odor.
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The Bigfoot’s body is usually very muscular and ape-like, yet it walks upright and has a face more similar to that of humans than of apes. For the most part, these creatures appear not to be violent or aggressive. Bigfoot sightings are usually of lone, or single, creatures, but there have been reports of people seeing groups, or families, of Bigfoot. People in other countries also tell stories of similar ape-men. In the
15
Himalayas, a mountain range in Nepal, people call these creatures Yeti, or Abominable Snowmen. The Africans call them Ngoloko, and the Chinese tell stories of the Gin-Sung, or bearman. Though sightings have been reported for centuries, is there any scientific 20
evidence for the existence of these creatures? Some say yes, and others say no. Dr. Grover Krantz, a physical anthropologist at the University of Oregon, believes that Bigfoot may be a type of creature known as a Gigantopithecus. A Gigantopithecus is an animal that lived in Asia over 300,000 years ago and looked like a mix between an ape and a very large man. Dr. Krantz believes that
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these animals, which lived long before humans, may have migrated from Asia and decided to settle in the heavily wooded area of the Pacific Northwest,
2 6 17 19 21 24 26
pass down --- to tell from one generation to the next regardless of --- in spite of; not considering abominable --- terrible sightings --- fact of seeing; something seen anthropologist --- a person who studies the development of humans mix --- a combination wooded --- having many trees
45 49 50
trickster --- a person who cheats others deeper --- farther inside elusive --- not easy to find; good at hiding
where food was plentiful. Is it possible that creatures like these could have survived for so many years unknown to humans? Cryptozoologists compare the case of Bigfoot to that of the 30
coelacanth. The coelacanth is a type of fish that was believed to have gone extinct over 70,000,000 years ago, but this fish has been discovered to be still living off the coast of South Africa. Cryptozoologists believe that the animals that we now call Bigfoot have been able to survive by living in an area that people, until recently, have seldom gone.
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There are, however, some questions that science has been unable to answer. For example, why have no dead Bigfoot bodies ever been discovered? And where is the physical proof of their existence? Bigfoot researchers point out that it is unusual to find the dead remains of any animal in the forest.
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Most of the time, they say, other animals eat the remains soon after death; this may be the case for Bigfoot, too. Many skeptics, people who do not believe in Bigfoot, say that the video and photographs of Bigfoot are really pictures of people wearing an ape costume. They also believe that the Bigfoot footprints are really the footprints of a bear, or
45
footprints made by tricksters trying to fool scientists. It is possible that we may never know the truth about these animals. If they have avoided being seen for the last several thousand years, then maybe they will stay hidden for another several thousand. Or it may be that as we humans go deeper and deeper into the forests of Northwest America and Canada, we may
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finally come face to face with the elusive Bigfoot. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
572 words
13
14
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Stories of Bigfoot are only very recent. 2. ____ Bigfoot could be related to an animal that lived thousands of years ago. 3. ____ Many people think that Bigfoot evidence is not real. 4. ____ The coelacanth is an extinct Bigfoot.
B Choose the best answer. 1. Why do cryptozoologists think that the coelacanth is good evidence for the existence of Bigfoot? a. b. c. d.
The coelacanth is an old kind of fish that can live out of water. The coelacanth also looks strange. The coelacanth is originally from Asia. The coelacanth shows that living ancient animals exist without being easily found.
2. Why don’t skeptics think Bigfoot exists? a. b. c. d.
Only pictures of Bigfoot have been taken. They believe that the footprints were made by bears or tricksters. Skeptics made a Bigfoot costume. They are very big.
3. According to the reading, what do cryptozoologists probably study? a. b. c. d.
Fish All animals Unknown or mysterious creatures Humans
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. What is Dr. Krantz’s theory about Bigfoot? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. If Bigfoot does exist, why is the Northwest a good habitat for it to live in? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the phrases from the list. Use each phrase only once. believers say a bad odor
found or sighted came from Asia
are not aggressive usually eat them
Descriptions of Bigfoot indicate they are larger than men, have lots of hair, and usually have 1 _________________. One theory says that Bigfoot 2 _________________ originally, but it migrated to North America to find food. Some people wonder why more people have not 3 _________________ a Bigfoot. Bigfoot researchers say it is because these creatures 4 _________________ and hide when humans come near them. Skeptics also point out that no one has ever found a dead body of a Bigfoot; however, 5 _________________ that fact is not so strange. It is actually rare to find the remains of any dead animal because other animals 6 _________________.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. lair
monsters
legends
hoax
uncanny
supernatural
1. Where does the fox live? Its __________ is over there. 2. Is the Loch Ness monster real? I think it is just a(n) __________. 3. Long ago, people thought that rain was __________. They didn’t realize that it was a natural process. 4. “Do you think __________ exist?” “Well, I’ve never seen one.” 5. Bob had a(n) __________ experience. He still feels strange about it. 6. There are many __________ about ghosts.
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S upplemental Reading The Death of Bigfoot?
I
Track 4
s Bigfoot dead? The answer is “yes” according to the family of Ray L. Wallace, who died November 26th, 2002 in Seattle, Washington. After the death of his
father, Michael Wallace told a story that surprised many
5
people who have been trying to solve the Bigfoot mystery. He claimed that his father thought of the idea of a Bigfoot creature; though he did not make the name, Bigfoot, he developed it as a practical joke to make money. According to Michael, Ray Wallace asked a friend to make a pair of 16-inch (40 cm) footprints out of wood. He then used these
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footprints for making fake Bigfoot tracks around the woods near his house. Mr. Wallace would use these footprints to support stories about Bigfoot that he would tell to newspapers. Some of these stories were quite strange. He once told a newspaper reporter, “Bigfooted creatures are people, they speak a language.” Mr. Wallace then used these stories to make money. He made
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tape recordings of strange sounds that he said were “Bigfoot conversations” and sold the tapes to tourists along with Bigfoot photos, posters, and pieces of animal hair that he said came from Bigfoot. Though his family claims that Bigfoot died with Ray Wallace, others are not so sure. Scientist Jeff Meldrum, a professor at Idaho State University, does not
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believe that Bigfoot was imaginary. Professor Meldrum claims to have copies of over forty footprints that he says belong to a very large, unknown creature, which he believes is Bigfoot.
Discussion 1. If Bigfoot exists, what kind of creature do you think it could be? 2. What other kinds of hoaxes have you heard about?
U N I T
2
C o m p u t e r s & Te c hnology 1
The History of the Internet Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. During which decade were computers first used in homes? 2. During which decade did lots of people start using the Internet? 3. Was the original use of the Internet for business or some other purpose?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. accelerate
a. a set of operation instructions for a computer program
2. access
b. easily carried by hand
3. cable
c. to go faster
4. code
d. a person skilled at programming, usually having a mischievous purpose
5. hacker
e. a cord made of strands of metal wire
6. portable
f. to use by permission
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The History of the Internet
A
Track 5
lmost everyone knows about the Internet. More than a billion people around the world are now online. The Internet is a powerful tool for information and communication.
The basic concept of the Internet was first thought of in the early 1960s. It
5
began as a military research network, designed to be decentralized or spread out over many locations. If one location was attacked, the military could communicate from another location. The first small network went online in 1969. It connected four universities in the United States. This network was very successful from the beginning. Scientists could now
10
share information about their research. In 1972, email was invented and quickly became the most popular application. By the end of that year, the network connected many universities and government research centers. The general public became aware of the network in the late 70s. A new version allowed anyone to get online. People from all over the world joined online groups to talk
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about thousands of different subjects. The term Internet was used for the first time in 1982. New technology had created a common language for the network computers. The Internet was now recognized as an international network. This was also at the time when privacy and
20
security started becoming important issues. Hackers and viruses began to emerge. In 1990, the original
25
military network went offline, and a year later the 2 5 11 13
online --- connected to the network decentralize --- to put in many different locations application --- a special purpose for which something is used aware of --- conscious of; informed about
29 34 36 36 40 44
navigate --- to direct or manage its course search engine --- a computer program that searches the World Wide Web annual --- yearly approximately --- nearly consortium --- a group formed with the purpose to work together data --- information
World Wide Web was born. The World Wide Web is in fact a browser for the Internet---a kind of software program that allows users to access and navigate 30
within information on the net. With the introduction of the World Wide Web, the development of the Internet accelerated at a rapid pace. The first computer code of the web was created in 1991 allowing programmers to combine words, pictures, and sounds on web pages. In the early nineties, the first search engine, Gopher, and the first web
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browser, Mosaic, were developed, allowing easier and simpler access to the Net. Traffic on the Internet started growing at an annual rate of approximately 340,000 percent. At the end of the 1990s, Internet2 was born. Internet2 uses fiber optic cables to link together a
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consortium of hundreds of high-speed networks around the world. Instead of connecting to the Internet solely through telephone lines, people could now connect in a wide variety of ways, including via satellite. These new methods have more data carrying capacity, or bandwidth,
45
than telephone lines. This made the Internet faster and able to convey much more information. People could soon watch TV shows and movies online. In the future, people will not need a computer to access the Internet. The browser will become a platform for the Web. Information will no longer need to be stored in a computer hard drive. Instead, it will be stored in places around
50
the world. People can retrieve it through cell phones, music players, and other portable devices. This is called “cloud computing,” because it seems as if information floats down from the sky. A 2008 study said that the Internet will continue to grow. By 2020, a low-cost global network will allow people even in remote areas to have Internet access. English will remain the primary Net language,
55
but other languages, especially Mandarin, will increase. Also, a segment of society will refuse to use the Net and live without modern technology. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
562 words
19
20
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ The first small network went online in 1969. 2. ____ Gopher was the first Internet search browser. 3. ____ The Internet2 allowed people to watch TV online. 4. ____ By 2020, English will no longer be the primary language of the Internet.
B Choose the best answer. 1. Which of the following is NOT an Internet-based technology? a. b. c. d.
Mosaic Gopher Hacker World Wide Web
2. The first computer virus probably appeared in ____. a. b. c. d.
the early 70s the late 70s the early 80s the early 90s
3. What was Gopher? a. b. c. d.
A computer company A computer virus A program application A search engine
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why was the first small network useful for scientists? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. In the future, why will people no longer need computers to access the Internet? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the words from the list. Use each word only once. portable cables
code accelerated
hackers access
Although it has only a short history, the Internet has had a great impact on modern society. The concept of the Internet came from military research in the 1960s. The military wanted to 1 _________________ its research and control centers through connections to many locations by computers. As more and more people began using the system during the 1980s, privacy and security became an issue due to the threat of 2 _________________ and viruses. In the 1990s, the development of the Internet 3 _________________ rapidly thanks to the World Wide Web and the invention of the first computer 4 _________________ for web pages. Soon after, fiber optic 5 _________________ made the Internet faster and able to carry much more information. In decades to come, 6 _________________ devices will be used instead of computers to retrieve information from the Internet.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. install
downloaded
idle
crashed
click
frozen
1. I lost all of my homework when my computer __________. 2. Do you know how to __________ this program? 3. To open the file, just __________ on its name. 4. Casey has __________ over 400 MP3 files. 5. If your computer is __________ for a few minutes, the screensaver will start. 6. The computer screen is not responding to the mouse. I think your computer is __________.
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S upplemental Reading Internet and Freedom of Speech
O
Track 6
ne of the most important things that the Internet has fostered or strengthened has been freedom of speech and
freedom of expression. The Internet is a very large
5
common public area that is shared by people all around the world. Due to the diversity of the Net’s users, no one standard can be applied to govern speech on the Net. Furthermore, the Internet technology itself prevents complete blocking of access to information.
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The Internet has helped to promote political freedom in many cases and allowed protesters a way to express their discontent. In 1990, the Internet allowed Chinese dissidents to bypass government censorship and inform the world Chinese community of the rebellion in Tiananmen Square and its tragic outcome. Similarly in 1991, people both in the Soviet Union and around the
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world were able to access eyewitness accounts of the attempted coup against Mikhail Gorbachev in spite of an information blackout. During Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, Internet users got up-to-date information through Internet connections with Kuwait even though radio and television broadcasts had been cut off. In the late 1990s, many countries became alarmed at the freedom of speech
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accessible on the Internet and tried to restrict it. Singapore mandated that political and religious sites must register with the government. China ordered that all Internet users register with the police. And Saudi Arabia restricted Internet use to only universities and hospitals. However, due to the nature of the Internet, none of these efforts has had much lasting effect.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. What do you usually use the Internet for? 2 How has the Internet changed since you first began using it?
U N I T
2
C o m p u t e r s & Te c hnology 2
Gamers: Image and Reality Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What are the most popular computer games today? 2. Do you know any people who play a lot of games on the computer? What are these people like? 3. What do you think most gamers have in common?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. antisocial
a. highly developed; complicated
2. activity
b. a picture; an idea of how something looks
3. image
c. an action to hurt or kill others
4. recognize
d. disliking other people; not fitting in with others
5. sophisticated
e. an action; a way to enjoy free time
6. violence
f. to see and understand
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Gamers: Image and Reality
V
Track 7
ideo games have become very popular. There are numerous games for the personal computer. Additionally, game systems, like the Sony
Playstation and the Xbox, can be found in many
5
homes. As video games have become more popular and sophisticated, they have influenced popular culture. The character of Lara Croft from the game, Tomb Raider, is well known even to people who have never played the game. There have been
10
several movies based on video games, Tomb Raider included. Obviously, the video game industry is highly profitable, and the designers of a successful game can become very rich. Of course, what this means is that there are many people buying and playing video games. What kinds of people are they? There are many stereotypes about gamers. The first one is that most gamers
15
are males. Another stereotype about gamers is that they are not interesting or attractive people. According to this view, gamers are mostly fat because they always play games instead of exercising. Even if they are not fat, they are still unhealthy because they rarely go outside or do anything active. Another part of 20
this image is that gamers are ugly. They play games because it is impossible for them to find girlfriends. Not only are they ugly, but they are also boring. Gamers have no interests outside games, so games are all that they can talk about, besides computers. Further, this image of gamers implies they are antisocial. They do not know how to communicate with other people. This is the main
25
reason that they play games. Gamers spend all of their time alone with their computers, and they only connect with other people through the Internet, where
2 7 10 11 19 23
numerous --- many character --- a person in a story based on --- originating from; taken from profitable --- able to earn money for a company rarely --- seldom; not often imply --- to suggest; to seems to mean
31
36 37 46
emotional problems --- extreme emotional reactions not usually found in others destruction --- damage; complete ruin views --- ideas commit --- to do; to carry out
they can pretend to be different people. This sort of communication is not real, since gamers would never be able to talk the same way with people in the normal world. 30
The most negative stereotype about gamers is that they possibly have emotional problems. Many video games are violent, so gamers might be influenced by that violence. They may start to feel that it is OK to use violence in real life. Further, gamers spend too much time in the false worlds of their games. The result is that they can no longer recognize the real world. They may come to
35
believe that they are characters in a game. The result of this could be violence or destruction of property, either real or through computer hacking. Of course, these views are only stereotypes. There may be some gamers that fit the negative stereotype. However, a recent study about gamers was conducted in the United States by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. This research
40
involved a survey of 1,162 college students across the United States. The survey found that most gamers are the same as normal people. According to the survey, both gamers and non-gamers spent the same amount of time doing different kinds of activities, like studying and exercising. Gamers did not spend all their time playing games. They did not spend all their time alone, either. Most of the
45
gamers in the survey lived normal lives and had normal friends. For them, gaming was a social activity. These gamers were unlikely to commit violence against others. Finally, the survey found that just as many women as men played video games. According to this survey, at least, gaming has become a normal hobby, like any other, and as is the
50
case with many other stereotypes, the stereotypical image of gamers does not seem to match with reality.
Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
591 words
25
26
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Gamers are not thought to be like normal people. 2. ____ Gamers are thought to be antisocial. 3. ____ Many gamers always play games as a way to enjoy time with friends. 4. ____ More men play video games than women.
B Choose the best answer according to the reading. 1. What is the main idea of this reading? a. b. c. d.
Gamers have similar personalities, likes and dislikes. Gamers are similar to people’s ideas of them. Gamers are different from people’s ideas of them. Gamers are not similar to each other.
2. What is NOT a stereotype of a gamer? a. b. c. d.
They don’t make friends easily. They dislike sports. They are often boring to other people. They frequently interact with other people.
3. According to the reading, what does “stereotype” probably mean? a. b. c. d.
An idea about gamers that is usually true An idea about gamers that is good to have An idea about gamers that is often too simple An idea about gamers that is wrong
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why is it dangerous for gamers to think video games are the real world? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Why do people think that gamers play computer games? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the words from the list. Use each word only once. antisocial recognize
activity sophisticated
image violence
Over the years, video games have become more popular and 1 _____________. For most people, the 2 _________________ of a gamer is a man who is overweight and lazy. Because gamers sit in front of computers all day, their lack of physical 3 _________________ makes them gain weight. People also think that gamers are 4 _________________ because they spend so much time alone, playing games that typically focus on killing. However, research indicates that gamers easily 5 _________________ appropriate and inappropriate behavior. In other words, they are not more likely to commit acts of 6 ________________ than non-gamers.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. bias
points
weird
ammunition
juvenile
select
1. Roger does very strange things, so most people think he is __________. 2. Now you have to __________ what color hair you want your character to have. 3. Don’t act in that childish way. It’s very __________. 4. Hey! I got 50 __________ for picking up the gold coin! 5. You need a lot of __________ to shoot all your opponents in Quake III. 6. He has a(n) __________ against people who play computer games. He doesn’t like to talk to them.
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S upplemental Reading Why Play Computer Games?
P
Track 8
eople like video games for different reasons. Playing a game like Quake III allows people to have an imaginary battle, where they can shoot or destroy their opponents. This sort of game can be exciting for some.
Others find that it helps to take away their stress. Quake III is an example of a 5
first-person-shooter (FPS) game, one of the most popular kinds of games. There seems to be a thrill that comes with fighting, especially when it is with other people on the Internet. Other games provide a different world for the player to enter. These are called adventure games.
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The games may place a player in a different time or place or create an entirely imaginary world. A player may be able to win by fighting, using strategy, or solving puzzles, but the most important point is the different world of the game. Myst and Riven are two of the most famous
5 15
adventure games. Some role-playing adventure games allow players to create new characters for themselves. In the game, a player can be a hero, monster, or any number of other kinds of characters. Role-playing games are very popular, particularly on the Internet. One of the most popular is Everquest. In this game, players join
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others online to have adventures. They can play many different characters, making different names, abilities, and personalities for themselves. The feeling in these games is like becoming a character in a book. There seems to be a game for just about every kind of personality.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. What are the advantages of playing video games? 2. What are some problems that playing video games can cause?
U N I T
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H e a l t h & M e dic ine 1
Body Mass and Weight Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What are some health problems caused by too much body fat? 2. How can you tell if someone is unhealthily fat? 3. What do you think BMI is?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. density
a. a way; a procedure
2. inaccurate
b. mass divided by volume
3. mass
c. having well-developed muscles
4. method
d. not exact; not correct
5. muscular
e. exact; accurate
6. precise
f. a measure similar to weight
30
Body Mass and Weight
T
Track 9
o be obese means to have too much fat on the body. Obese people are not just overweight. Such people are likely to suffer health problems because of their weight. The precise cause of obesity is not clear.
However, it is clear that obesity is a problem in most countries. One study
5
estimated that about 55 percent of people in the United States are obese. People need to understand what obesity is and how to tell if they themselves are obese so that they can change their condition. An obese person does not have to look extremely fat. Even people who seem only slightly overweight can actually be considered obese. If a person has a certain
10
amount of fat on their body, then their health might be in danger. This amount of fat is usually thought to be 40 percent of the body’s total composition. Finding a person’s exact fat percentage is troublesome. Most people still rely on their weight measurement to tell them if they are overweight or obese. There are problems with this method, however. There are recommended
15
weights for different ages. In addition, weight alone says nothing about a person’s percentage of body fat, which is most important. People have different body types, which can make weight measurements unreliable. For instance, athletes usually have more muscle mass than other people. Muscle weighs more than fat. Therefore, an athlete may weigh more than their recommended weight, but this does not mean
20
they are not healthy. A more accurate measurement of body fat is needed. Probably the most popular method of determining body fat today is the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a person’s weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of his or her height (in meters). For men, a BMI of 24 to 27 is normal. For women, it is 23 to
25
26. A BMI of 30 or more means a
1 8
9 9 11 14 17
obese --- overweight in an unhealthy way extremely --- to the utmost degree; exceedingly; excessively slightly --- a little certain --- particular composition --- a mix of all the various parts recommend --- to suggest unreliable --- not able to be trusted
27 38 45
general --- vague; not definite or specific criticism --- a critical comment result --- the final outcome
person is obese. Many experts feel that BMI is a reliable way to determine if a person’s weight is unhealthy. However, others feel that BMI is too general to be really useful. The numbers come from comparisons of large groups of people. It is not related to an individual’s body composition. BMI says nothing about a 30
person’s actual percentage of body fat. There are many different ways that BMI can be affected by body shape and size. Muscular people may show a high BMI, even though they are perfectly healthy. Some people have higher bone density than others, which increases their weight. In some cases, those who have very low body fat and are also not muscular can have a BMI
35
that is too high. BMI is also unreliable for children and the elderly. Even supporters of BMI think that it should not be used for people under eighteen or over seventy years old. Despite these criticisms, there are strong positive aspects of BMI. The main one is that it is very simple. The measurement can
40
be performed easily. It does not take special knowledge or equipment. Though BMI is a general measurement, it still gives useful information. At least, it can suggest that there might be a problem. Furthermore, some studies have shown that people with higher BMI numbers have a higher risk of health problems. It takes only
45
a minute to get a BMI number, but the results can be very important to a person’s life. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
563 words
31
32
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ An obese person always looks very fat. 2. ____ The most popular way of determining body fat is by weight. 3. ____ BMI is not always a very reliable way to measure body fat. 4. ____ Only very skilled people can measure BMI.
B Choose the best answer according to the reading. 1. What people would NOT show high BMIs? a. b. c. d.
Obese people Very muscular people Elderly people Average people
2. What is the main advantage of using the BMI? a. b. c. d.
It is based on the individual’s body. It is always reliable. It does not require special equipment or skills. It is of limited use.
3. Why is the BMI important to get? a. b. c. d.
We can plan a diet. We can understand our body’s processes. We know how healthy we are. We can enjoy eating.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. When do we consider a person obese? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Who do supporters of BMI think that this test should NOT be used for? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Select THREE answer choices to complete the summary. First Sentence: There are a couple different ways that people use to determine if a person has a healthy or unhealthy body weight. 1. A muscular person weighs more because the density of muscles is greater than the density of fat. 2. Most people still rely only on a person’s weight as a method for determining obesity, although it is considered inaccurate. 3. The Body Mass Index (BMI) compares a person’s weight with his or her height, and the resulting number is indexed with average people. 4. According to a study, about 55 percent of Americans are considered to be obese. 5. Despite the fact it is not precise, the BMI still gives a person useful information about her or his body.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words or phrases that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word or phrase from the list. Use each word or phrase only once. prone to
scale
measuring tape
disgnoses
protein
carbohydrates
1. A __________ measures your weight. 2. A doctor __________ and then treats diseases. 3. According to the __________, my waist is thirty inches. 4. Bread, rice and vegetables all contain __________. 5. Kathy’s family is __________ allergies. Almost every person in her family is allergic to something. 6. Meat contains a lot of __________.
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S upplemental Reading Health Problems of Obesity
I
Track 10
t is important to understand that obesity is not just an uncomfortable condition of the body. Obesity can cause serious health problems. Many people are not aware of these problems, so they do not try to prevent the
problems before they appear. This is unfortunate, since prevention is possible,
5
though difficult. One of the worst health problems caused by obesity is Type 2 diabetes. One study found that about 80 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes are obese. People with diabetes do not have insulin in their bodies. Insulin helps the body to absorb, or take in, sugar. If the body cannot absorb sugar, several bad things
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can happen. A person with diabetes can suffer from seizures (losing control of the body) or fall into a coma. A number of other problems related to obesity have also been found. Obesity can cause heart disease. Heart disease happens when the vessels that deliver blood to the heart become blocked. This makes it more likely that such
5 15
people will suffer from heart attacks, which take place when the heart loses blood supply and cannot pump properly. Furthermore, obesity causes problems with breathing, especially when sleeping. Obese people are at high risk for arthritis as well as certain kinds of
0 20
cancers. All of these problems, and others, can be prevented. Of course, losing weight is very difficult. Changing a lifestyle is hard and often painful. Even so, the results of obesity are much worse.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. What method do you use to determine your body fat? Would you like to try the BMI? Why or why not? 2. What do you think is the best way to lose weight?
U N I T
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H e a l t h & M e dic ine 2
Studying Headaches Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. How often do you get headaches? 2. When you get headaches, what do you do? 3. Is there anything you can do to avoid headaches?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. bark
a. to feel pain
2. cluster
b. a small group of things close to each other
3. insight
c. the covering on a tree’s trunk
4. powder
d. to start; to begin
5. set off
e. small pieces, like dust
6. suffer
f. an understanding of something
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Studying Headaches
H
Track 11
eadaches are a big problem. But they are not just a problem for the person suffering from the headache. They are a problem for society as well. Each year, millions
of people suffer from severe headaches that keep them from 5
doing their jobs. In fact, according to one estimate, headaches cost individuals and businesses more than $50 billion each year! This is one of the reasons research into headaches has become a worldwide effort. Although he did not know much about how headaches work, Hippocrates
10
was the first doctor to find a way to treat them. Before 400 B.C., Hippocrates discovered that the bark from willow trees was useful in treating pain. He made a white powder from the tree’s bark and gave it to his patients. Hippocrates did not know it, but he was actually prescribing a natural chemical in willow bark called salicin. When a person eats salicin, the
15
chemical is changed inside his or her body into salicylic acid. It turns out that salicylic acid is good for stopping pain, including headache pain, but it is bad for a person’s stomach. In the 1800s, a chemist in Germany changed the acid’s form a little to make it easier for people to take. This new form of the chemical was called acetylsalicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin today. Aspirin was used throughout most of the 1900s to treat headaches, but
20
doctors had little idea about what really caused headaches. When doctors know the cause of a disease, they can find better ways to treat it. Therefore, as medical technology developed, doctors began to use the technology to learn more about the human brain and about headaches. Currently, doctors classify headaches into two general types: primary and
25
secondary. A primary headache is a condition suffered as only the headache itself.
4 5 9 14 14
severe --- strong; very bad estimate --- a guess; approximate calculation Hippocrates --- a Greek doctor who started the study of medicine willow --- a kind of tree, having narrow leaves salicin --- C13H18O7; a glucoside related to the sugar family
29 31 33 34 51
symptom --- a sign; an indication tension --- mental strain or overuse dull --- not intense or sharp migraine --- a severe, recurring headache disable --- to cripple; to stop an ability
On the other hand, a secondary headache is one caused by another condition. For example, someone who catches the flu may suffer from headaches along with other symptoms of the illness. Flu headaches are thus secondary headaches. 30
For primary headaches, doctors have determined three possible causes. One kind of primary headache is caused by stress. Doctors usually call headaches of this kind tension headaches. Such headaches are characteristically felt on both sides of the head as a dull, steady pain. Another kind of primary headache is the migraine headache. Doctors
35
believe this headache is caused by reduced flow of blood to certain parts of the brain. A migraine sufferer usually feels intense pain on one side of the head. The sufferer also becomes sensitive to light and noise. If the migraine is severe, the sufferer may vomit repeatedly. The third kind of primary headache is known as the cluster headache.
40
Cluster headaches typically occur around the same time each day for weeks or months at a time. The person suffering from this kind of headache usually feels pain on one side of her or his head, and the pain is centered around one of the person’s eyes. Doctors do not know much at present about cluster headaches, but they seem more common among men and could be related to alcohol or
45
other things that affect a person’s blood flow. Using computers and more advanced medical equipment, doctors continue to learn more about what happens in the brain before and during headaches. Especially in the case of migraines, some doctors believe they have found the part of the brain that sets off the reaction for severe attacks.
50
With this new insight into brain processes, doctors hope new ways will be discovered to disable headaches before they begin. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
598 words
37
38
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ The first treatment for headaches was prescribed over 2,000 years ago. 2. ____ There are different types of headaches. 3. ____ Cluster headaches occur regularly. 4. ____ Migraine headaches are caused by stress.
B Choose the best answer according to the reading. 1. What was the first treatment for headaches? a. b. c. d.
Powder from the outer part of a tree Powder from tree roots Willow bark Acetylsalicylic acid
2. What is NOT a possible cause of a primary headache? a. b. c. d.
A reduced flow of blood Alcohol Stress Catching the flu
3. What will doctors likely study to treat migraines in the future? a. b. c. d.
How aspirin stops migraines How to make drugs less expensive How the brain develops in childhood How drugs can stop parts of the brain from reacting
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why are many scientists interested in finding out about headaches? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. How is a secondary headache different from a primary headache? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Select THREE answer choices to complete the summary. First Sentence: Doctors have classified various kinds of primary headaches that people can suffer from. 1. Hippocrates was the first doctor to find a way to treat headaches. 2. Tension headaches are when a person suffers a steady and dull pain on both sides of their head. 3. Aspirin has been used for hundreds of years to treat a headache, but doctors had almost no insight about the actual causes of the condition. 4. When there is a reduced flow of blood to certain parts of the brain, doctors believe this sets off a migraine headache. 5. A headache that occurs at the same time every day for weeks at a time and involves pain around one of a person’s eyes is called a cluster headache.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. chronic
throbbing
placebo
alleviate
dehydration
tablet
1. __________, or lack of water, can cause headaches. 2. My headache is so painful right now. My head is really __________. 3. Aspirin can __________ pain. 4. A(n) __________ headache is a headache that occurs regularly. 5. As part of the research project, the doctor gave half the people a tablet with no aspirin; it was a(n) ________. 6. Most people take aspirin in __________ form, not in liquid form.
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S upplemental Reading Fighting Migraines
A
Track 12
spirin may work well for fighting minor headaches, but it may not be the best choice for dealing with migraines. Doctors have found that after treating a migraine sufferer with aspirin, the next migraine attack becomes
stronger. Therefore, doctors have searched for other ways to treat migraines.
5
From brain research, doctors have learned that certain cells in parts of the brain release proteins during a migraine attack. By using a drug which acts like the natural chemical serotonin in the brain, the cells can be stopped from releasing protein. This has the effect of blocking the migraine. Now drug companies are producing even better products developed from this idea.
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However, the most effective of these drugs must be taken as liquid and put directly into the bloodstream. The drug is not yet available as a pill. The above example is only one kind of medicine doctors have found useful in fighting migraines. It also turns out that drugs used to fight depression work well to relieve migraines. And surprisingly, some migraine sufferers claim Botox
5 15
has proven helpful for them. (Botox is a chemical injected into the face for the purpose of removing wrinkles.) Not all migraine sufferers are turning to medicine for help with their problem. Some of them use alternative remedies to fight migraines. For example, many people use yoga or meditation to
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relieve stress and reduce the number of migraines they suffer. And in some cases, people know that certain foods or fluorescent lights trigger their migraines. These people simply try to avoid things that set off migraine attacks.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Was your last headache a primary or secondary headache? How did you treat it? 2. Would you be willing to test a new headache drug that affects your brain activity? Why or why not?
U N I T
4
Social Issues 1
High School Dropout Rates on the Rise Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What is the high school dropout rate in your city? 2. What are some reasons why a student may drop out of high school? 3. What are some ways to decrease the number of high school dropouts?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. convince
a. to abandon an attempt or activity
2. diploma
b. a report that examines and analyzes a topic
3. drop out
c. a document certifying graduation
4. economy
d. the condition of economic life
5. philanthropic
e. to persuade
6. study
f. characterized by acts of goodwill
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High School Dropout Rates on the Rise Track 13
H
ow many students drop out of high school in the United States? Nobody seems to know with certainty, but statistics indicate it might be a lot more than most people think. Recent studies have found that
only about 75 percent of all high school freshmen receive a high school diploma 5
and that in the fifty largest US cities, the number falls to 52 percent–barely more than half. Previous studies had shown that 85 percent of all high school students graduated. The US now has the highest dropout rate of all industrialized countries. It is estimated that more than 1 million students drop out of high school every year, or 7,000 each school day. According to one study, America is
10
the only industrialized nation in which children are less likely to graduate from high school than their parents. The rising dropout rate has alarmed both educators and economists. In this age of advanced technology, education is more important than ever. To get a good job, workers need to know how to read. They must be able to quickly
15
calculate complex math problems. High school dropouts hurt not only themselves but also the American economy. They hinder America’s ability to compete against the rest of the world. A worker without a high school diploma earns an estimated $300,000 less in his or her lifetime than a high school graduate. A dropout has less spending money to help the economy and less to pay the
20
government in the form of taxes. Because the government collects less tax money, it cannot pay as much to retired people who have worked hard their entire lives. One report estimated that high school dropouts in one recent school year will cost the US almost
25
$330 billion. In addition, dropouts are more likely to get into trouble. They often rely on 4 10 12 12 15 16 18
freshman --- a student in his or her first year of high school or college industrialized --- well-developed; stable educator --- a person who works in the education field economist --- a specialist in economic matters calculate --- to figure out; to solve hinder --- to cause delay graduate --- someone who has finished high school or college
28 31 38
prisoner --- a person in prison mayor --- the head of city government campaign --- coordinated actions to achieve a result
government welfare programs, which are funded by American taxpayers. Studies have shown that as much as 75 percent of all prisoners in the United States, for example, did not finish high school. 30
Several cities have formed programs to help high school dropouts. In Houston, Texas, volunteers---including the mayor---go to dropouts’ homes and try to convince these students to give school another try. More than 5,000 city dropouts have returned to the classroom since the program started in 2004. In Virginia, a private business has donated money to open two non-traditional
35
schools for high school students who are struggling in conventional schools and are likely to drop out. And in Washington, D.C., a private welfare agency has started a program to help dropouts learn job skills. Now there is a new national campaign to reduce American dropout rates. A group called the Promise Alliance is giving money to several states. It wants
40
each state to develop a plan for increasing its graduation rates. Alliance leaders hope that all fifty states will have a plan in place by the year 2010. The campaign is funded by both businesses and philanthropic organizations. It aims to unite government and business leaders with parents and educators. “The key is to start working together,” said Marguerite Kondracke, president and CEO of
45
Promise Alliance. “We need to recognize that by working together, we can make enormous strides to ensure that our children succeed.” Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
547 words
43
44
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ The US has the highest dropout rate of all industrialized countries. 2. ____ The new national campaign is funded by the government. 3. ____ The majority of prisoners in the US did not finish high school. 4. ____ High school dropouts cost the US economy billions of dollars a year.
B Choose the best answer. 1. The mayor of which city visits homes of dropouts to persuade them to go back to school? a. b. c. d.
Washington, D.C. New York Houston Los Angeles
2. Which of the following was NOT a statistic in the reading passage for the number of high school dropouts recorded in the United States? a. b. c. d.
52 percent 75 percent 80 percent 85 percent
3. Which of the following groups was NOT mentioned in the new campaign of working together? a. b. c. d.
educators business leaders parents economists
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why is getting an education important? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Why is the rising high school dropout rate bad for the economy? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks in the table with the sentences below according to the category they belong to. Use each sentence only once. High School Dropouts Problems
Solutions
1. Businesses and philanthropic organizations are funding campaigns to increase graduation rates. 2. High school dropouts put a strain on the economy. 3. Volunteers go to dropouts’ homes to try and convince them to go back to school. 4. Recent studies state that barely half of the students in the fifty largest cities in the United States graduate from high school. 5. High school dropouts also hurt their chance of getting a good job. 6. Promise Alliance is giving money to several states for them to develop their own plans to decrease the number of high school dropouts.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. enact
pedagogy
administration
credit
fosters
tuition
1. The University’s decision to raise __________ made many students angry because they feel the cost of attendance is already too high. 2. Assistant principals aid the principals with the overall __________ of the school. 3. Because he was always absent for class, the teacher decided to fail him. So, he did not receive __________ for the class. 4. The government should __________ a law that gives more money to schools. 5. Every teacher has a(n) __________, or style of teaching, that they follow when instructing in the classroom. 6. The classroom should be an environment that __________ learning.
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S upplemental Reading What Does “Dropout” Really Mean?
O
Track 14
ne popular saying in America is that “there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.” This means that statistics are often deceiving. Statistical numbers reveal facts that appear to be true but, in reality, mask a
truth that is much more complicated.
5
Many researchers think this is the case with dropout statistics. National high school dropout rates are difficult to accurately determine for several reasons. First, each state records dropouts differently. There is no national standard for what
0 10
the term “dropout” means. Some students “drop out” of one school after their freshman year and then go to another school to finish their high school career. Others do not finish high school but later take a special test and receive a General Education Diploma, or GED, which is equivalent to a high school diploma.
5 15
Statistical discrepancies can cause confusion. For example, several studies have recently claimed that the US high school dropout rate is about 25 percent. But the National Center for Education Statistics showed the US dropout rate at 14 percent. How can the statistics be so different? Which ones are more correct? The answers are not clear, and researchers add to the confusion by arguing
0 20
among themselves. The validity of statistics depends on how they are calculated. Statistics often don’t reflect different factors in determining the statistics. They give us a picture of a situation, but the picture is not always accurate.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Do you think that it is OK to use deceiving statistics if it is for a good cause? Why or why not? 2. Think of an example of a misleading statistic that an individual or organization has used. What was the purpose of them doing so?
U N I T
4
Social Issues 2
Where Are All the Boys? Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What percentage of the students at your school are women? 2. Which majors do men usually choose? Which majors do women choose? 3. What kinds of jobs do men do if they do not attend university?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. dilemma
a. registration in a class or school
2. decline
b. to relate to a particular cause or source
3. enrollment
c. to decrease; to go down
4. attribute
d. a problem; difficulty
5. ensure
e. to seek; to go after
6. pursue
f. to guarantee
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Where Are All the Boys?
T
Track 15
hese days, college lecture halls in the United States are being filled more and more by female rather than male students. Women now make up 55 percent of the college population---and that number
continues to rise. Within ten years, three million more women than men may be 5
attending US colleges. Thirty years ago, male students were the majority on college campuses in the United States. Traditionally, men acted as the breadwinners of their families, and college was seen as the path to career advancement and higher salaries. But during the feminist movements of the 1970s, more women aspired to having
10
careers and enrolled in college to pursue degrees. By the mid-1980s, more women than men were attending college. At the same time, there was an unexpected decline in the number of males applying to college. Educators are still uncertain of the cause of this decline, but it continues to affect enrollment numbers for men in higher education. Researchers have suggested a number of theories to account for
15
males’ seeming decline in interest in seeking college degrees. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, males leave or are kicked out of high school in higher numbers than females. And male students are three times more likely to be placed in special education programs. Author Christina Hoff Sommers attributes the drop in male enrollment to early stereotyping
20
of boys as “aggressive” and “non-academic.” In her book, The War Against Boys, Sommers writes that many boys don’t receive enough mentoring and academic support to become straight-A students and therefore lose interest in higher education. Others believe the drop in male enrollment can be
25
attributed to the growing number of men seeking jobs in repair, construction, and technology. These are careers that
3 7 15 17 18
make up --- to comprise breadwinner --- primary money maker seeming --- appearing to be true kick out --- to throw out; to remove special education --- education that is modified for slow learners or those with special needs
36 36 41 49 51
bachelor --- a four-year college degree doctorate --- a five-to-seven-year graduate degree priority --- something that takes importance over other things lawsuit --- a legal action in court weight --- importance; likelihood of selection
often don’t require a four-year degree from a university but still promise good salaries. The effect of there being more women than men at 30
colleges has created some noticeable changes. The higher number of female students has already led to more diverse classes and programs offered at universities, especially in the field of Women’s Studies. And at graduation time, one may notice a difference in what types of university degrees are
35
awarded to men and women. While women earn a higher percentage of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, men still earn a higher percentage of doctorate degrees. But fewer men on campus have not changed the male/female ratios in some majors. There are still fewer women in fields such as math, engineering, science,
40
and computers. Women’s advocacy groups like the American Association of University Women are urging colleges to make this issue a priority, but the focus for many schools still centers on recruiting more men. To increase male enrollment, some schools have formed partnerships with male mentoring groups to encourage younger students to aim for college. Other schools have modified
45
their recruiting and admissions policies, sending out extra mailings to boys and paying closer attention to male candidates. However, public universities may face legal challenges from women about these recruiting practices that favor males. Recently, the University of Georgia lost a lawsuit filed by female students because of an affirmative action policy that
50
favored males. As one female junior complained, “It’s not fair that a boy would get extra weight (in the admissions index) over a girl, but it would be better if there were more boys on campus.” This dilemma presents a challenge for colleges: How can a school attempt to close the gender gap in ways that ensure that both men and women have equal access to opportunities in universities? Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
598 words
49
50
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Women first outnumbered men on college campuses in the 1980s. 2. ____ Sommers wrote a book about boys in high school. 3. ____ Colleges are offering more courses that focus on women and women’s issues. 4. ____ Men need to go to college to get a job with a good salary.
B Choose the best answer. 1. Which is NOT a reason suggested for the decline in the number of men in colleges? a. b. c. d.
Fewer males in society Stereotyping against males in high school Males entering jobs that don’t need high degrees Males lack mentors in high school
2. Which is probably true about Sommers’s book? a. b. c. d.
It describes laws related to education. It focuses on boys. It looks at the progress girls have made. It tells about her experience in school.
3. Which is true about males in high school? a. b. c. d.
They enjoy studying. They cause less trouble than the females. They get better marks than the females. They get into more trouble than the females.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. What ways have schools tried to increase male enrollment? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Why have some universities had legal problems with their recruiting policies? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks in the table with the sentences below according to the category they belong to. Use each sentence only once. Low Enrollment of Male Students in University Causes
Effects
1. There is a higher number of males who leave or are kicked out of high school compared to females. 2. Some researchers attribute the decline to discrimination against boys in high school. 3. The growing number of women has led to more diverse courses at university. 4. Other researchers believe that the drop in enrollment is because more men are pursuing jobs with a high salary that don’t require a university degree. 5. University administrators have instituted policies that encourage more men to enroll. 6. Universities now face the dilemma of how to recruit more boys while at the same time ensuring equal opportunity to girls at universities.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. dorm
elective
major
semester
transcript
tuition
1. He took four required courses and one __________ last semester. 2. Her parents pushed her to __________ in medicine and become a doctor. 3. Many students work while in university to help cover the cost of their __________. 4. She wanted to take a(n) __________ off from school to travel in Europe. 5. The company requested a copy of his final __________ proving he finished his degree. 6. When I lived in the __________ on campus, I shared a room with another student.
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S upplemental Reading TOEIC or Not TOEIC?
S
Track 16
tudents all over the world want to attend university in America. When students apply, universities need a reliable way to assess their English skills. Most universities use a test called
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language.
5
Businesses use a test called TOEIC: Test of English for International Communication. Today, however, many universities are also using TOEIC. This test measures English listening, reading, writing, and speaking. But is it a true indicator of English ability? Many people
0 10
do not think it is. Students know they must get a high score on the TOEIC to attend university or get a good job. They often spend several years and lots of money studying for it. Several students achieve very high TOEIC scores. When universities and
5 15
employers see those scores, they think the applicants must have very good English skills. As soon as the high scorers begin studying or working, however, it quickly becomes apparent that they do not. They have learned how to pass English tests but do not know how to use English in everyday life. This causes frustration for both the English learners and the teachers or bosses who must work with them.
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In Korea, major companies have started to use a new test to measure employees’ English, called the Oral Proficiency Interview Computer system, or OPlC. They have not completely abandoned the TOEIC, however. Even though it may be imperfect, the TOEIC remains the best path to success for English learners.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Should all students be required to take English test preparation classes or should it be the student and the parents’ choice? Why? 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of English being the dominant global language?
U N I T
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E n v i ro n m e n t a l Issue s 1
Sixth Extinction
Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. In what ways do humans cause damage to the planet? 2. Do you think that humans are in danger of becoming extinct? Why or why not? 3. What are some things we can do to help prevent the extinction of a species?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. alien
a. specific kinds of plants or animals
2. extinct
b. no longer existing
3. grim
c. from another place
4. habitat
d. belonging to a particular place
5. native
e. gloomy; somber
6. species
f. an environment where something lives and grows
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Sixth Extinction
M
Track 17
ost species of plants and animals that have ever lived on Earth are now extinct. Though most have become extinct slowly, some have been almost completely wiped out in a sudden, massive,
catastrophic event. These mass extinctions have happened at least five times 5
in the history of the Earth. The first mass extinction occurred about 450 million years ago, when sudden changes in sea level, caused by melting glaciers, killed most marine species. The most recent mass extinction was 65 million years ago, when most scientists believe an asteroid struck the Earth in Mexico and extinguished the dinosaurs. Now scientists claim a “Sixth Extinction” is underway. This extinction is not
10
caused by one big event but by a series of human actions that disrupt the environment. Edward O. Wilson, a Harvard University scientist, estimates that human harm will cause half of all species of life to be extinct by 2100. Scientists say that human activities are causing biological extinction at a rate hundreds of 15
times faster than ever before. Humans cause damage to the Earth in three primary ways. The first is exploitation. Humans hunt animals for food, clothing, and sometimes just for fun. They also collect plants and insects---such as butterflies---for
20
recreation. The second way humans impact the Earth is by putting alien plant or animal species in new environments. In Africa, for example, some fisherman put perch from Egypt’s Nile River into Lake Victoria. Nile perch like to eat other fish. Since they came, more than
25
200 native species of fish have disappeared from the lake. The third way humans cause damage is by destroying
4 6 7 8 17
catastrophic --- violent and destructive glacier --- a large body of ice marine --- relating to the sea asteroid --- a large rock floating in space exploitation --- using something for your own purposes
30 36 38 39 40
tropical --- relating to warm climates status --- state or condition verge --- brink or threshold amphibian --- an animal with characteristics of fish and reptiles coniferous --- cone-bearing
natural habitats. They clear trees from forests to build houses, farms, cities, and roads. One of the most terrible instances of habitat destructions is the cutting 30
down of the tropical rainforests. It is estimated that these rainforests, which cover less than 10 percent of the Earth, contain almost half of all the world’s plant and animal species. Human activity has had a devastating effect on the natural environment.
35
Each year, an international organization of scientists releases a special “red list” that updates the status of more than 44,000 animal and plant species. In 2008, the organization reported that 25 percent of our planet’s 5,487 mammals are on the verge of extinction. It also claimed that almost 40 percent of all species are “threatened” with extinction, including 33 percent of all amphibians, a quarter of
40
the Earth’s coniferous trees, and about 12 percent of all birds. Of all threatened species on the red list, about 3,000 are “critically endangered,” which means they could disappear soon. What would happen to people if the “Sixth Extinction” takes place? Scientists say life on Earth would be grim. There would not be enough food to eat, and water
45
would be too polluted to drink. New species of pests and plants would invade the natural areas that remain. These invaders could carry new kinds of germs, causing diseases that human bodies cannot resist. Without plants to help cool the sun, the ice at the North and South Poles could melt, causing sea levels to rise and wash away coastal cities. By wiping out other species, human beings might be paving
50
the way for the greatest extinction of all: their own. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
547 words
55
56
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Some scientists estimate that half of all species will be extinct in the next century. 2. ____ The Earth is facing its third mass extinction in history. 3. ____ A higher percentage of bird species face extinction than coniferous trees. 4. ____ Forty percent of all mammals are threatened with extinction.
B Choose the best answer. 1. How many ways does the reading passage indicate that humans harm the environment? a. b. c. d.
One Two Three Four
2. Which is NOT an outcome of mass extinction of life on earth? a. b. c. d.
Rising of sea levels Food shortages Lack of fresh water Natural disasters
3. Which kind of animal is the Nile perch? a. b. c. d.
amphibian fish bird mammal
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why are rainforests important to the planet? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. How can mass extinction of living species lead to the extinction of humans? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the phrases from the list. Use each phrase only once. being destroyed continues unchecked
introduce alien plants numerous species
kills native species cutting down forests
Human activity is a primary reason why 1 _________________ are now extinct and many more are endangered. The problem is that habitats are 2 _________________ not by one single event, but by a series of actions. One example is when people 3 _________________ or animals to a new environment where they have no natural predators. This risks disrupting the ecological balance in the area and 4 _________________. Humans also damage the Earth by 5 _________________ for development and agricultural purposes. If this trend 6 _________________, the future of the planet will be a grim one indeed.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. brink
ecosystem
magnitude
deforestation
conserve
wildlife
1. Earthquakes are measured on a scale ranging from minor to great depending on their __________. 2. With a population of less than 350, the California Condors are on the __________ of extinction. 3. One of the main reasons for the destruction of the rainforest is __________. 4. An __________ is a community of living and non-living things that work together. 5. It is important to __________ water when living in the desert. 6. It is far easier to see __________ in rural areas than in the city.
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S upplemental Reading Extinction of Dinosaurs
S
Track 18
ixty-five million years later, the extinction of the dinosaurs remains a great mystery. Scientists think that dinosaurs existed on Earth for almost 200 million years. How could these great beasts, some of which
weighed thousands of pounds and stood 100 feet tall, suddenly disappear?
5
The most popular theory is that dinosaurs were killed off when an asteroid crashed into southern Mexico. The asteroid’s collision caused earthquakes, fires, and tidal waves. Volcanoes erupted, spewing poisonous gases into the sky and lowering the oxygen level in the oceans. Plants died, removing the food source for plant-eating dinosaurs. As these dinosaurs died, there was no food for
0 10
meat-eating dinosaurs. In a short period of time, the dinosaurs were gone, and the first mammals began to appear. Many scientists note that, while the asteroid had a major impact, the Earth’s climate had already begun to change. The planet was cooling, and the colder temperatures were likely killing plants. Some scientists claim that mammals already
5 15
on Earth before the asteroid might have facilitated the extinction by eating dinosaur eggs. We may never know for certain what caused the extinction of dinosaurs. But it was most likely the result of a combination of the asteroid, colder climates, disease,
0 20
and egg-stealing mammals rather than the single event of the asteroid hitting the Earth.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Scientists generally agree that the Earth is currently in a warming phase. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of global warming? 2. What are some other ways that humans could face extinction? How can these possible extinction scenarios be prevented?
U N I T
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E n v i ro n m e n t a l Issue s 2
A Plan to Curb Greenhouse Gases Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What produces greenhouse gases? 2. Why is the greenhouse effect bad? 3. Is the yearly rate of air pollution in your country now better or worse than the rate in 1990?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. consequence
a. a meeting between heads of governments or officials
2. delegate
b. unlikely; not very possible
3. improbable
c. something given off or released into the air
4. emission
d. a person acting as a representative
5. protocol
e. a result
6. summit
f. a first draft from which a treaty is prepared
60 Track 19
A Plan to Curb Greenhouse Gases
A
s sunlight shines on the Earth, solar radiation is absorbed and then radiated back into space as thermal radiation (heat). However, some of this heat is trapped by gases in the atmosphere. The trapped heat
increases the temperature of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. The process is 5
similar to the way a greenhouse is kept warm. The Earth’s natural levels of water vapor and other gases produce this greenhouse effect, making life on Earth possible. However, some scientists are now predicting that higher levels of certain greenhouse gases are causing temperatures to rise beyond natural limits. Since the beginning of the industrial age, carbon dioxide (CO2) has been
10
building up in the Earth’s atmosphere as a result of the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas). CO2 is considered the major cause of global warming on Earth. Other natural greenhouse gases include water vapor, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). Additionally, several man-made gases are also thought to contribute to the greenhouse effect, namely chlorofluorocarbons
15
(CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Researchers have estimated that the atmospheric concentration of CO2 has increased by at least 30 percent since the 1800s. Industrial processes have also led to a 145 percent increase in CH4, and 15 percent increase in N2O in the atmosphere. The buildup of these gases is believed to be the major cause of higher than
20
normal average global temperatures in recent years. Consequences of such global warming could include higher sea levels, the spread of deserts in areas around the Earth’s equator, and the drying up of fresh water sources. In December 1997, at a United Nations
25
summit on global warming in Kyoto, Japan,
2 10 16 23
radiate --- to send out like light fossil fuel --- fuel made from fossil remains of plants and animals concentration --- the amount of a specific thing found in an area equator --- the imaginary line around the Earth at O(zero)º latitude
27 33 39 42 50 53
adopt --- to take as one’s own; to follow adhere to --- to follow; to obey oppose --- to speak against; to take action against prediction --- a statement about the future indicate --- to show ratify --- to formally accept
representatives from over 150 nations adopted a treaty to limit emissions of CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, and SF6. The so-called Kyoto Protocol called for reducing emissions 30
to at least 5 percent below 1990 levels of these gases by 2012. The Protocol was signed by 38 industrialized countries attending the summit. Developing nations attending the summit were not required to adhere to the guidelines of the Protocol. The 15 EU nations at the summit agreed to further reduce emissions
35
to 8 percent, the US to 7 percent, and Japan to 6 percent below the 1990 levels. The US officially signed the Protocol on November 12, 1998, but the US president then did not send it to the Senate to officially approve the treaty because he knew there was little hope for its approval at that time. When the next president took office in 2000, the new administration openly opposed the
40
Protocol. The Bush administration claimed the standards set in the Protocol were unfair to developed countries. Australia also rejected the Kyoto Protocol on the basis that the UN predictions of industrial growth (and thus future greenhouse emissions) were improbable. Even with the predictions of the Protocol called into question, many
45
countries continued to push for its approval. In July 2001, delegates met again in Bonn, Germany, to discuss the Protocol. At the Bonn meeting, the delegates agreed, despite opposition from US representatives, on setting guidelines and timetables for achieving the reductions set in the Kyoto Protocol. The following year, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South
50
Africa, Russia indicated it would soon officially approve the Kyoto Protocol. However, in late 2003, Russia said it needed to further study the Protocol’s requirements and predictions before signing. Without Russia’s approval, there seems little chance the Kyoto Protocol will ever be completely ratified. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
583 words
61
62
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ The greenhouse effect began in the 1800s. 2. ____ A consequence of global warming could be floods along coastlines. 3. ____ Some people believe the standards in the Kyoto Protocol are wrong. 4. ____ The Kyoto Protocol officially went into effect in 2001.
B Choose the best answer. 1. How is the Earth’s atmosphere like a greenhouse? a. b. c. d.
It has lots of plants growing in it. It is full of gases that are not good to breathe. It lets in light and traps heat. It stays one temperature all year round.
2. Which of these greenhouse gases is NOT produced naturally? a. b. c. d.
CH4 CO2 O3 SF6
3. Which is true about the US and the Kyoto Protocol? a. b. c. d.
The US congress has asked the president to approve the Protocol. The US does not plan to follow the Protocol. The US has already met the standards set by the Protocol. The US is a strong supporter of the Kyoto Protocol.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. What did the Kyoto Protocol call for? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. What was decided at the summit in Bonn, Germany? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with phrases from the list. Use each phrase only once. an international summit to reduce emissions
serious consequences signed the Protocol
approve the Protocol level of man-made
Since the 1800s, the 1 _________________ CO2 in the atmosphere has risen, which some scientists predict will lead to warmer global temperatures. This global warming could have 2 _________________. In order to reduce the emission levels of greenhouse gases, countries met at 3 _________________ to sign the Kyoto Protocol. According to the Protocol, industrialized countries would agree 4 _________________ of greenhouse gases below emission levels in 1990. Delegates from many countries around the world 5 _________________. The US and Australia did not officially 6 _________________ because they thought it was unfair and its predictions were improbable.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. glaciers
erosion
negotiating
forecast
debating
precipitation
1. The weather __________ stated that it will be sunny on the weekend. 2. Many politicians are __________ how to best manage the environment. 3. Cutting down trees causes __________ of the soil on the mountains. 4. The __________ at the South Pole are starting to melt because of global warming! 5. Industrialists are __________ acceptable emission levels with politicians. 6. The Sahara gets about 13mm of __________ a year.
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S upplemental Reading Emission Credits
A
Track 20
ccording to the Kyoto Protocol, various nations agreed to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases below emission levels in 1990. Developing nations such as China and India are exempt from meeting
the standards set by the Protocol. In order for the treaty to go into effect, 55
5
countries representing 55 percent of the emissions by industrialized countries must ratify it. More than 100 countries have already ratified the Protocol, but all of these countries only represent 43 percent of the emission levels from 1990. The way the plan works is that industries first set a limit, or cap, on emission levels for the industry. Industries such as oil and gas producers,
0 10
generating plants, and industrial plants would all take part in establishing the limits. Once the treaty is in effect, companies that produce emissions below the cap level can “sell” their unused level to other companies. New industries that would produce emissions must then buy or trade with existing industries to keep the national emissions within limits.
5 15
Supporters of the Kyoto Protocol were hopeful that Russia would ratify the agreement in 2003. However, Russia decided to postpone its ratification. One of the reasons Russia was originally interested in signing the Protocol was that they were already well below 1990 emission levels. This meant if they took part in the agreement, they would have plenty
0 20
of credits to sell. However, since the US is not participating, Russia is hesitant to sign the agreement. With the absence of the US, there appears to be less of a market for the Russian emissions credits.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. If you were a government head, would you approve the Kyoto Protocol? Why or why not? 2. Are you personally doing anything to decrease the amount of pollution? If yes, what are you doing?
U N I T
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Law & Crime 1
The History of the Death Penalty Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. Is the death penalty still used in your country? If not, when was it stopped? 2. In the past, which crimes could bring the death penalty in the United States? 3. How were people usually put to death in the past?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. firing squad
a. regularly; usually
2. humane
b. a person in jail
3. inmate
c. with kindness and sympathy; not cruel
4. routinely
d. to check to prove true; to show to be correct
5. verify
e. a line of people with guns given the job of executing criminals
6. execute
f. to kill by court order
66 Track 21
The History of the Death Penalty
I
n the United States, the death penalty is sometimes given to people who are guilty of committing very serious crimes. These crimes could include first-degree murder and treason, or betraying one’s country. Capital
punishment was brought to America by early settlers from Europe. In early 5
America, people who were found guilty of murder and rape were routinely executed, either by hanging or by a firing squad. Convicted burglars, thieves, and even counterfeiters often received the death penalty. This was thought to be a deterrent to other criminals. People began to feel that criminals were not evil. Instead, they were victims of
10
poverty, poor education, and lack of opportunity. Society should help criminals, rather than kill them, they thought. Another reason for the change in thinking was economic. Prisons were very expensive. Early American states could not afford to keep many people in prison. Rather than keep them in prison, convicted criminals were executed. But as society became richer during the Industrial Revolution,
15
prisons became more affordable for society. Because of this and other reasons, keeping criminals in prison rather than executing them became a viable option. By the mid-1800s, many states banned the death penalty except in the case of convicted murderers. But those states were mostly the northern states. The southern states kept the death penalty for many crimes. That trend continues in
20
modern America. Even today, most executions happen in the southern states. The southern states are considered more conservative than northern states. In the southern states today, death by injection is
25
the standard form of execution. It is considered the most humane form of the death penalty. 5 6 7 8
23
rape --- to use violence to force someone to have sex burglar --- a person who enters a place to steal things counterfeiter --- a person who makes fake money deterrent --- something frightening or unpleasant that stops some bad action conservative --- not wanting change; not liberal
32 36 45 48 49
death-row --- the part of a prison where people sentenced to death are held halt --- to stop exhaust --- to use completely first-degree murder --- killing on purpose or with a plan in favor of --- for; supporting
In the last few years in America, the debate over the death penalty has grown more widespread. A recent argument against the death 30
penalty is that some of the people who are found guilty and sentenced to die are not actually guilty. New methods of verifying evidence, such as DNA testing, have helped free many death-row inmates. Because in many cases, criminals cannot be proven 100 percent guilty, it is not right to sentence them to death,
35
opponents say. There is a chance that they may be innocent. In fact, the governor of Illinois recently halted all executions in his state. In Illinois, some death-row inmates were shown later to be innocent of the crime for which they were imprisoned. After that, the governor was afraid that some people being executed were
40
wrongly convicted. Another argument against the death penalty is the high cost of executing a prisoner. Someone sentenced to die has the right to appeal the sentence several times. The state has to defend its case each time before a higher court. One study found that it costs more than $1,000,000 in legal costs for a prisoner to
45
exhaust all appeals against the death penalty. Despite the often-heated national debate, the majority of Americans are still in favor of the death penalty. According to a recent study, approximately 65 percent of Americans still believe that the death penalty is appropriate for crimes such as first-degree murder. In cases of mass murder, the percentage in favor of capital punishment is even
50
higher. More than 80 percent of Americans wanted the death penalty given to Timothy McVeigh, the man who killed hundreds in the Oklahoma City bombing. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
555 words
67
68
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ The death penalty is still used in the United States today. 2. ____ In the past, people could receive the death penalty for stealing. 3. ____ As the United States became wealthier, the use of the death penalty increased. 4. ____ Most people said Timothy McVeigh should receive the death penalty.
B Choose the best answer. 1. Which was a reason for the use of the death penalty during the early 1700s? a. b. c. d.
Executions were a kind of entertainment. People were very religious. American states were poor. The states could not control the criminals.
2. Which states stopped using the death penalty? a. b. c. d.
Eastern states Northern states Southern states Western states
3. Why did the governor of Illinois stop the execution of prisoners? a. b. c. d.
To give DNA tests to all death-row inmates To keep innocent people from dying To save money for the state To win support for his re-election
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Today, why do most executions happen in the southern states? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Why is it expensive to sentence a person to death? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the words or phrases from the list. Use each word or phrase only once. routinely humane
firing squad verified
execute inmates
In the past, criminals in America were 1 ________________ put to death for crimes. Executions were usually either by hanging or by a(n) 2 ________________. It was not until after the Industrial Revolution that the prison system grew large enough to hold many 3 ________________ at one time and became an alternative to the death penalty. However, some southern states still 4 ________________ quite a few prisoners. Even though more 5 ________________ methods of execution, such as lethal injection, have been found to execute prisoners, there are other points opponents still debate about the death penalty. For example, the innocence of some prisoners on death row has been 6 ________________ through DNA testing.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. charged
defendant
witness
confessed
chamber
testimony
1. The police officer arrested the man and __________ him with murder. 2. The __________ told the police officer what she had seen. 3. The man __________ to the murder when the police arrested him. 4. The judge heard the __________ of the arresting officer. 5. The accused man is the __________ in court. 6. The murderer was sentenced to death and so went to the gas __________.
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S upplemental Reading Daryl Atkins and the Death Penalty
M
Track 22
entally challenged people have IQs of below seventy. Many mentally challenged people with IQs of fifty-five and above can hold jobs, have children, and do many things that “normal” people do. They
even commit murder and other crimes. When mentally challenged people
5
commit crimes and are convicted, is it fair to put them to death, as other criminals are sentenced to death? This is a question that American people and their courts have struggled with for many years. However, in recent years, it seems that the majority of Americans have come closer to agreement on the issue. Many people now think that putting mentally challenged people to death
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is a “cruel and unusual” punishment. Daryl Atkins had an IQ of fifty-nine. In the late 1990s, Atkins was found guilty of killing a person and was given the death penalty in Virginia. His case was appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court. In 2002, the court ruled that
5 15
Atkins and other mentally challenged persons may not be executed. This decision opposed a 1989 Supreme Court decision that said mentally challenged persons may be executed. Since 1976, approximately thirty-five mentally challenged people have been executed in the United States.
0 20
In the 2002 decision, the court said that the nation had come to a consensus against executing the mentally challenged. They said it is unfair to execute someone who cannot fully understand how bad their actions were. It is a violation of the US Constitution’s ban against “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Do you agree with the death penalty? Why or why not? 2. In your opinion, what people should be exempt from the death penalty?
U N I T
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Law & Crime 2
Bounty Hunters
Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What happens to criminals who escape to other countries or cities? 2. Besides police, what other people can catch criminals? 3. Have you ever gotten money for returning something that was lost?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. capture
a. a person who commits a crime
2. criminal
b. a strict keeping; imprisonment
3. custody
c. the area or region where laws apply
4. flee
d. to catch
5. fugitive
e. to run away in order to escape
6. jurisdiction
f. a person who has escaped
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Bounty Hunters
B
Track 23
ounty hunters are people whose job is to go after “skips.” Skips are people who either escape from police custody or never show up
to their court dates. Sometimes skips are dangerous 5
criminals who commit terrible crimes like murder or rape, but most often skips are people who have committed more minor crimes, things like having drugs or failing to pay child support for their children. Sometimes, criminals who run away from the
10
police or don’t show up at court are helped to hide by their friends and family, or they may flee to another country where the laws are different from the laws of their native country. In these cases, the police may offer a special reward, or bounty, for anyone who helps to capture the fugitives. This is where the term, bounty hunter, comes from. Bounty hunters are not
15
official members of the law-enforcement community, but they have a special role to play nonetheless. They are paid to go after and capture criminals that the police are unable to find or are unable to capture. Sometimes the bounty, or reward, is small, just a few thousand dollars. Other times, however, the reward can be quite large, up to several million dollars. For example, in 2003, the
20
United States put a twenty-five-million-dollar bounty out for Osama Bin Laden. If a bounty hunter were to find and capture Osama Bin Laden, he or she would become a very rich person. Bounty hunters operate outside of jurisdictions, or boundaries, which means that they can go anywhere to catch a criminal while most police cannot.
25
For example, a police officer in New York cannot go to California to follow a suspected criminal. He or she must wait until the police in California catch the
5 8 23 26
commit --- to perform child support --- money paid to a spouse to care for children after divorce operate --- to work suspected --- assumed
28 29 33 39 43 44
relatively --- in comparison with others chase --- to follow or run after to catch skip --- a slang term for “run away” appoint --- to set; to assign license --- an official document of permission felon --- a person guilty of committing a serious crime
criminal or the criminal returns to New York. In most cases, if the crime that a person is suspected of is relatively minor, or small, the police may not spend the time and money to chase the person. However, if the person is wanted for a 30
serious or dangerous crime, the police may send out notices offering rewards to whoever captures the suspect. This is where bounty hunters come in. Is bounty hunting legal? The answer is both yes and no. In most states, it is legal to go after people who have “skipped bail.” Skipping bail is when a person commits a crime in a city or a state and then tries to run away to
35
another city or state before his or her court date. For many situations in the US and Canada, if someone commits a minor crime, he or she can pay some money to the court and stay out of jail until the court date; this money is called bail. If the person goes to court on the appointed date, then they get
40
the money back. If they miss the court appointment, then they lose the money and must go to jail for a longer time if they are caught by the police or a bounty hunter. Many states also allow bounty hunters who have special licenses to go after dangerous criminals called felons, but some do not allow this at all.
45
Illinois, Kentucky, and Oregon have laws against bounty hunting, while California only allows it up to 180 days after the skip flees. Interestingly enough, in the states that allow bounty hunting, people are allowed to break the law in order to catch a fugitive. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
579 words
73
74
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Only police can catch criminals. 2. ____ Bounty hunters hunt so they can get the reward money. 3. ____ Bounty hunters may travel to do their jobs. 4. ____ Bounty hunting is illegal in some places.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What information is probably important for bounty hunters to know? a. b. c. d.
The law in different states Exchange rates for money in different countries The names of important police officers How to break the law
2. What is bail? a. b. c. d.
The money bounty hunters collect The money criminals steal The money the police offer for reward The money given to the court
3. When do the police use bounty hunters? a. b. c. d.
When they are too busy When the criminals have committed a serious crime When a dangerous criminal escapes the police’s area When a criminal committed a minor crime
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. When can’t bounty hunters go after criminals? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. How do bounty hunters get paid? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the words from the list. Use each word only once. custody flees
jurisdiction criminals
fugitive capture
A bounty hunter is a person who tries to catch 1 _________________. These criminals may have either escaped from police 2 _________________ or skipped bail. When a person skips bail, a bounty hunter may try to catch the 3 _________________ and collect a reward by taking the person to the police. In some cases, the police cannot pursue criminals outside their 4 _______________. However, bounty hunters can 5 _________________ criminals in other states. And even if the criminal 6 _________________ to another country, bounty hunters may still go after them.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words or phrases that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word or phrase from the list. Use each word or phrase only once. handcuffs
probation
case
offense
violated
track down
1. “How did you __________ the criminal?” “I just went to his girlfriend’s house.” 2. Police officers use __________ so the criminal can’t get away. 3. George is on __________ now because he was caught drinking and driving. Next time, they will take away his license. 4. Tom __________ his probation when he was caught stealing. 5. Now a lawyer is defending Tom’s __________. 6. Since it is Tom’s first __________, the lawyer thinks he will not go to jail.
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S upplemental Reading The Most Successful Bounty Hunter
T
Track 24
hough bounty hunting is very dangerous work, it is a job that is not limited to men; some women are bounty hunters, too. Mackenzie Green is a woman--- and a very well-respected bounty hunter. In fact,
she has been called “the most successful bounty hunter in the US.” Why is she so
5
successful? She relies more on her brain than on physical strength. “A good bounty hunter relies on gut feelings and people skills to pick up information on the whereabouts of a skip,” she says. This means that she trusts her feelings about people and situations to figure out if they are telling her the truth or if they are trying to hide something. She also doesn’t carry a gun. “You can’t tame
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a bull by hitting it with a stick,” she says. This means that violence always leads to more violence. She prefers to use good people skills to get people to trust her. Then, when they least expect it, she arrests them. When asked what qualities make a good bounty hunter, Mackenzie Green had this to say, “Being a
5 15
bounty hunter is difficult work, and a person has to have experience in self-defense like judo and boxing, as well as a familiarity with weapons. A person also must be part detective to track down the skips, part lawyer to know what the different
0 20
state laws allow, and part actor to try and get people to give you information that they otherwise wouldn’t give out. A person must also be patient and lucky.”
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Do you think bounty hunting is a dangerous, exciting or difficult job? Why? 2. If you were a bounty hunter, what kind of equipment or techniques would you use?
U N I T
7
L a n g u a g e & Lit e ra t ure 1
King’s March on Washington Address Pre-Reading P R di Questions Q i Think about the following questions. 1. What is Martin Luther King, Jr. famous for? 2. When did he live? When did he die? 3. What was his “dream” that he spoke about in the famous speech he gave?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. blow off steam
a. a strong belief or trust in something
2. discrimination
b. to do something to get rid of a feeling of frustration
3. equal
c. the unfair treatment of one group in society
4. faith
d. official separation of two or more groups
5. freedom
e. the right to make your own choices or decisions
6. segregation
f. the same
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King’s March on Washington Address Track 25
O
ne hundred years ago, Lincoln signed a law that gave freedom to all slaves in the United States. But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later,
the life of the Negro is still sadly chained by segregation and discrimination. 5
When the creators of our vast republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were making a promise to all of their children. This promise was that all men would be guaranteed the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is clear today that America has not kept her promise as far as her citizens of color are concerned. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that
10
the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be quiet and happy will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to doing things the way they have always been done. There will be neither rest nor peace in America until the Negro is given his 15
rights as a citizen. But there is something that I must say to my people who stand waiting at the doorway into the palace of justice. In the process of getting our rights, we must not be guilty of wrongful acts. We must not allow our protest to fall into violence. Again and again we must rise to the challenge of meeting physical force with soul force. Go back to Mississippi. Go back to Alabama. Go
20
back to Georgia. Go back to the ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. In spite of the difficulties of the moment, I still have a dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true
25
meaning of its belief that all men are created equal. I have a dream that my four children will
4
9 12 22 24
negro --- past term to refer to African-Americans, now considered offensive as far as . . . are concerned --- with regard to rude awakening --- shocking surprise in spite of --- despite live out --- to live according to
39 39 40 48 48
‘
tis --- old poetic form for “it is” thee --- old poetic form for “you” pilgrim --- a traveler, usually following her or his religious beliefs almighty --- having complete power at last --- finally
one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream that one day in the state of Alabama little black boys and little 30
black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. This is our hope. This is the faith
35
with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning, “My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I
40
sing. Land where my fathers died. Land of the pilgrim’s pride. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.” And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the peaks of California!
45
Let freedom ring from every hill in Mississippi. When we let freedom ring, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
577 words
79
80
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ King had no children at the time of this speech. 2. ____ King believed that the men who wrote the Constitution wanted Blacks and Whites to be equal. 3. ____ King said that violence is only necessary when others use violence. 4. ____ When this speech was made, Blacks had equal rights so they were “free at last.”
B Choose the best answer. 1. What is the main idea of the reading? a. b. c. d.
The fight for equal rights has been won. The fight for equal rights must continue. The fight for equal rights should begin. The fight for equal rights will be violent.
2. In the song “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” what is the “land where my fathers died”? a. b. c. d.
Alabama England The South The United States
3. What is an “old Negro spiritual”? a. b. c. d.
A ceremony to celebrate freedom A famous Black leader A song that lifted people’s spirits The place where Black slaves prayed
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. What will give some people a “rude awakening” about Black protests for equal rights? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. How does Martin Luther King hope his children will be judged? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Select THREE answer choices to complete the summary. First Sentence: King’s speech talks about the freedom and rights that all people should have regardless of who they are. 1. He dreams of a time when there will be no segregation or discrimination in America. 2. At the time, some people thought that Blacks were only protesting in order to blow off steam. 3. King believes that Blacks will not have to use violence in fighting for their equal rights. 4. King has faith that someday all people of color will be treated as equals in the United States. 5. Racial discrimination is especially a problem in southern states like Alabama and Georgia.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. rally
community
boycott
minister
prejudice
inspirational
1. He organized a(n) __________ in the park to protest the new policy. 2. He asked people to stop buying the company’s product in order to __________ their products. 3. Two hundred people from the working __________ supported his efforts. 4. They didn’t like the __________ the factory owners showed against working women. 5. “Did you know that Dr. King was a(n) __________?” “Yes, his church was very popular.” 6. His sermons were very __________. Everyone felt moved afterwards.
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S upplemental Reading Malcolm X: “By Any Means Necessary”
M
Track 26
alcolm X was born in Nebraska on May 19, 1925. His real name was Malcolm Little. Malcolm’s father died when he was thirteen. A few years
later, he started a life of crime. He was arrested for stealing in
5
1945 and spent seven years in prison. In prison, he educated himself by reading books. At the urging of two of his brothers, he joined the Nation of Islam. After leaving prison, he became a minister for the Nation of Islam and then an important leader in the AfricanAmerican civil rights movement. He took the last name “X” to symbolize his
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true, unknown African name. Malcolm X had a different philosophy than Martin Luther King. While King wanted black people and white people to live together peacefully, Malcolm X at first claimed that black people were superior to white people and should live separately from them. Also, while King urged equal civil rights for black people
5 15
and white people, Malcolm X emphasized equal human rights. “Human rights are something you were born with,” he said. He saw the struggle for equality as being international and wanted to affect worldwide change at the United Nations. While King stressed non-violence, Malcolm X said that black people should be able to protect themselves “by whatever means necessary”–– including weapons.
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Later in his life, Malcolm X no longer called white people a race of “devils.” He continued, however, to encourage African-Americans to have pride in their heritage, and he continued to advocate violence, if necessary. Malcolm X was shot to death while giving a speech in New York on Feb. 21, 1965.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Do you think violence is ever necessary? Why or why not? 2. What types of protests have occurred in your country recently?
U N I T
7
L a n g u a g e & Lit e ra t ure 2
Desiree’s Baby by Kate Chopin
Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. Do you know anyone who has a multiracial background? 2. In the past, how were multiracial people treated by society? 3. How are multiracial people treated by society today?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. blow
a. a room devoted to reading and studying
2. bonfire
b. a forcible stroke to the body
3. curse
c. a large fire built outside
4. remnant
d. an unusual public display
5. spectacle
e. a small remaining part
6. study
f. to bring great evil upon
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Desiree’s Baby by Kate Chopin
D
Track 27
esiree sat in her room, one hot afternoon. The baby lay asleep upon her own great mahogany bed. One of La Blanche’s little quadroon boys stood fanning the child. Desiree’s eyes had been fixed absently
and sadly upon the baby. She looked from her child to the boy who stood beside 5
him and back again “Ah!” The blood turned like ice in her veins, and a clammy moisture gathered upon her face. She stayed motionless, with her gaze riveted upon her child and her face the picture of fright. Presently, her husband entered the room and without noticing her, went to a table and began to search among some
10
papers. “Armand,” she called to him. But he did not notice. “Armand,” she said again. Then she rose and tottered toward him. “Armand,” she panted once more, clutching his arm, “look at our child. What does it mean? Tell me.” “It means,” he answered lightly, “that the child is not
15
white; it means that you are not white.” When she could hold a pen in her hand, she sent a despairing letter to Madame Valmonde. “My mother, they tell me I am not white. For God’s sake, tell them it is not true. I will die. I must die. I cannot be so unhappy and live.” The answer that came was brief:
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“My own Desiree: Come home to Valmonde, back to your mother who loves you. Come with your child.” When the letter reached Desiree, she went with it to her husband’s study, and laid it open upon the desk before which he sat. He said nothing. “Shall I go, Armand?” she asked in tones sharp with
25
agonized suspense.
2 2 5 5 11
La Blanche --- the name of the head slave quadroon --- a person with one-quarter black ancestry vein --- a vessel that carries blood toward the heart clammy --- damp, sticky, and cool totter --- to walk unsteadily
34 38 42 49 56
gallery --- an outdoor balcony plantation --- a large farm or estate that produces huge harvests of crops L’Abri --- the name of the plantation that Armand owned espousal --- marriage brand --- a mark of disgrace
“Yes, go.” “Do you want me to go?” “Yes, I want you to go.” 30
She turned away like one stunned by a blow and walked slowly toward the door, hoping he would call her back. “Good-bye, Armand,” she moaned. He did not answer her. Desiree went in search of her child. Zandrine was pacing the gallery with
35
it. She took the little one from the nurse’s arms and, descending the steps, walked away. Desiree had not changed the thin white dress nor the slippers which she wore. She did not take the broad road which led to the far-off plantation of Valmonde. She walked across a deserted field, where the stubble bruised her
40
tender feet and tore her thin gown to shreds. She disappeared among the reeds and willows that grew thick along the banks; and she did not come back again. Some weeks later there was a curious scene enacted at L’Abri. In the center of the backyard was a great bonfire. Armand Aubigny sat in the wide hallway that commanded a view of the spectacle; and it was he who dealt out to a half
45
dozen negroes the material which kept this fire ablaze. The last thing to go was a tiny bundle of letters that Desiree had sent to him during the days of their espousal. There was the remnant
50
of one back in the drawer from which he took them. But it was not Desiree’s; it was part of an old letter from his mother to his father. He read it. She was thanking God for the blessing of her husband’s love: “But above all,” she wrote, “I thank the good God for having so arranged
55
our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery.” Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
599 words
85
86
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Desiree and Armand had a loving relationship before the baby was born. 2. ____ Desiree’s Mom asked her to bring her baby and come home to Valmonde. 3. ____ Desiree took the easiest road when she left L’Abri. 4. ____ Armand was angry that his slaves started the great bonfire.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What does Armand accuse Desiree of? a. b. c. d.
Not taking care of their child Not being white Cheating on him with another man Threatening to leave him
2. According to the passage, Zandrine was ________. a. b. c. d.
a slave Desiree’s sister a housekeeper a nurse
3. What does Desiree do immediately after Armand tells her to go? a. b. c. d.
She burns all of the letters she wrote to Armand. She runs away to her mother’s house. She goes looking for her child. She waits for her husband to stop her from leaving.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why was Desiree frightened when she looked at her baby’s face? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. What was shocking about the letter from Armand’s mother to Armand’s father? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Select THREE answer choices to complete the summary. First Sentence: Desiree is so shocked by her husbands response to their son, she decides to end her and her baby’s life. 1. She walked across a deserted field, where the stubble bruised her tender feet and tore her thin gown to shreds. 2. She disappeared among the reeds and willows that grew thick along the banks. 3. Desiree did not take the easy road to get to Valmonde. 4. She did not come back again. 5. The baby slept on Desiree’s big, mahogany bed.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. Creole
accuse
impulsive
cultivate
moral
devastated
1. If a person is __________, it means they are easily influenced by their emotions and act without thinking. 2. A plantation’s main source of income is to ________ crops such as corn or wheat. 3. Louisiana is famous for ________ food and culture that evolved from the different ethnic groups who first settled there. 4. She was completely ________ when she heard the news that her father had passed away in a car accident. 5. It is a serious matter to ________ somebody of a crime. 6. Some stories have a(n) ________ or lesson that the author wants the reader to consider.
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S upplemental Reading Master or Slave?
D
Track 28
esiree’s Baby was one of Kate Chopin’s (1851-1904) first and most famous short stories. In this story, Chopin explores the theme of race more strongly than in any of her other works.
Desiree is married to Armand, who owns a plantation and many African-
5
American slaves that work on it. This was typical in the southern United States at that time. Black people were brought to America, primarily from Africa, as slaves and consequently bought and sold like property. White people viewed African-Americans as an inferior race, and it was shameful for a white person to have “mixed blood,” as would result from having parents of unequal races.
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This explains Desiree’s concern after realizing that her son had black characteristics. When Armand told Desiree that “the child is not white” and that “you are not white,” he was referring to more than skin color. He meant that his wife and child were inferior and were no longer acceptable to him. This rejection was more than Desiree could bear, and she felt it was better
5 15
to die than to live in such disgrace. When she walked away, the bushes tore her white gown, symbolizing that she was no longer a white person. When Armand discovered the baby’s mixed blood came not through Desiree but through his own mother, he had already lost his wife and son, and his life was
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destroyed. One critic noted that Armand was as much a slave to his racial views as the real slaves that he controlled. “No real distinction based on color can be made between slave and master.”
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. What reasons did the south use to justify having slaves? 2. What are some arguments against slavery?
U N I T
8
S p a c e & E x p lora t ion 1
The Space Race Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What country was the first man in space from? 2. What countries were involved in the race for space? 3. Who was the first man to walk on the moon?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. accomplish
a. a well-done job; an accomplishment
2. achievement
b. the aim; the result that is hoped for
3. beat
c. to send up or send away, usually with great speed
4. goal
d. to win over another, as in a race
5. launch
e. something sent to collect information
6. probe
f. to do; to complete
90
The Space Race
T
Track 29
he space race occurred during the 1960s, as the United States and the Soviet Union competed for new achievements in space. Both
countries improved their technology and made new
5
scientific discoveries. Their astronauts also showed great heroism. Though the space race began as national and political competition, it remains one of the great moments of history. The space race had no clear goals at first. Each
10
country wanted to show the world that it could do more than the other. At first, the Soviet Union seemed to be winning. Besides sending the first artificial satellite into orbit, Sergei P. Korolev---the person in charge of the Soviet space program---also had many other successes. The Soviet space program sent the first unmanned spacecraft
15
to the moon. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, and later the same year, Gherman Titov spent the first whole day in orbit around the Earth. In 1963, the Soviets accomplished the first long-term mission, spending five days in orbit. Moreover, in the same year, the first woman went into space, Valentina Tereshkova. The Vokshod 1 mission was in 1964 and carried three astronauts. This
20
was the first time a single spacecraft had carried more than one person. In addition, the first spacewalk was conducted in 1965 by Alexi Leonov. Also during this time, the Soviets sent many unmanned space probes to the moon and elsewhere. The American space agency used modified missiles at first. The US attempted to launch its first satellite in 1957, but the rocket exploded. Then in
25
1958, a satellite, Explorer 1, was successfully launched. On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space. Twenty days later, President John
12 16 23 24
artificial --- not natural; man-made orbit --- a circular path in space around a planet modify --- to change explode --- to burst into pieces
29 29 32 38 41 52
firmly --- solidly; strongly establish --- to set target date --- future date for completion capsule --- part of the rocket where people work abandon --- to give up; to leave forever land --- to arrive on the ground
F. Kennedy gave a speech which set a specific goal for the American space program. This goal was for men to land on the moon before the end of the 1960s. This goal became firmly established when John Glenn orbited the 30
Earth in 1962. At this time, the space race became a race to the moon. In contrast to the United States, the Soviet moon program was secret. Its target date for reaching the Moon was 1967 or 68. However, the Soviet program began to have problems. Early designs of the N-1, a more powerful rocket, failed frequently. Many exploded after launch. Then in 1966, Sergei P.
35
Korolev died during a medical operation. This was a great loss, since few people could replace Korolev. Even so, the Soviets continued their efforts. In 1967, the astronaut Vladimir Komarov, testing a possible moon vehicle, died when his capsule crashed. Two more rockets failed that year. The biggest shock of all came in 1968, when Yuri Gagarin, the hero of the Soviet space program, died in
40
a plane crash. The Soviets began to abandon the idea of going to the moon. However, in 1968 a robotic probe circled the moon and took pictures of it. This
45
would have been a bright moment, except that the probe crashed when it returned. In 1969, two more N-1 rockets exploded. It became clear that
50
the Soviet Union would not only fail to beat the United States but fail to reach the moon at all that decade. On July 20, 1969, the American mission Apollo 11 landed, and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. The space race was over. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
558 words
91
92
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ The space race involved many countries from all over the world. 2. ____ An American was the first man in space. 3. ____ The final goal of the space race was to land on the moon. 4. ____ The space race is still continuing today.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What country was considered to be the leader in the beginning of the space race? a. The Soviet Union because of their advanced N-1 rockets b. The US because they landed on the moon c. The Soviet Union because it sent up the first satellite and the first man in space d. The US because they orbited the Earth in 1962 2. What was probably the main reason why the Soviet Union lost the space race? a. b. c. d.
Their N-1 rockets were not as good as the American rockets. Their space program was a secret, so it couldn’t improve quickly. Their robotic moon probe crashed, wasting a lot of money. They lost hope when some important and skilled people in the space program died.
3. According to the reading, what is probably true? a. b. c. d.
The Soviet Union never replaced Sergei Korolev. It took the Soviet Union many years before sending someone to the moon. The US never had any space accidents. The US succeeded in its first space mission.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why did the space race occur? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Why did the Soviets begin to abandon the idea of going to the moon in 1968? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks in the table with the phrases below according to the category they belong to. Use each phrase only once. Soviet Union Space Program Achievements
Failures
1. Frequent failures of the early designs of the N-1 rocket 2. The first country to launch a satellite into orbit 3. The death of Sergei P. Korolev during a medical operation 4. Sent the first woman astronaut into space 5. In 1968 a robotic probe took pictures of the moon, but crashed when it returned 6. The first manned orbit of Earth
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. budget
booster
landing gear
re-entry
vacuum
pioneers
1. NASA needs a big __________ to run its space program---over a billion dollars! 2. __________ rockets are important for the space shuttle. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to break free of Earth’s gravity. 3. When an object in space comes back down through Earth’s atmosphere again, that is called __________. 4. Yuri Gagarin is considered to be one of the __________ of space since he was the first man in space. 5. The space shuttle must put down its __________ prior to landing. 6. Space has no air in it, so it is considered to be a(n) __________.
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S upplemental Reading Two Very Different Space Programs
T
Track 30
he Soviet and American space programs were very different. In the United States, a government agency called the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) had existed since 1915. This agency
was involved with the development of flight in the US. In 1958, the name was
5
changed to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). NASA was a government agency, but it did not depend completely on government support. The American space program was only about 50 percent military. It was operated primarily by civilians. The Soviet military was strongly involved with the
10 0
space program. About 95 percent of the program was related to the military in some way. Many of the Soviet space projects tested military applications. Also, the technical operations, like launching and mission control, were handled by the military.
5 15
One of the biggest differences between the Soviet and American space efforts was how each was presented to the media. The Soviet space program was very secret. The Soviet government only publicized its program’s successes. For example, in 1960, a rocket exploded on its launch pad, killing one hundred people, but this was not revealed until much later. Even the
0 20
name of the “Grand Designer,” Sergei P. Korolev, was not announced until he died in 1966. However, almost all of NASA’s actions were reported not just to Americans but to the whole world. NASA’s failures were just as clear as its successes.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Most recently, space probes have been exploring Mars and Jupiter. What do you think the next goal of the space program should be? 2. Would you like to go into space? Why or why not?
U N I T
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S p a c e & E x p lora t ion 2
Asteroid Impacts on Earth Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. Why did the dinosaurs all die out? 2. When was the last time a large rock from space or an asteroid hit Earth? 3. Which do you think are more dangerous, big asteroids or small asteroids?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. blast
a. the distance across a circle or sphere
2. detect
b. to change to gas by some process
3. diameter
c. an explosion
4. locate
d. to know by seeing or measuring
5. strike
e. to hit
6. vaporize
f. to find
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Asteroid Impacts on Earth
A
Track 31
steroids are small objects in space. They are small compared to the Earth and the other planets. They are made of different kinds of rock or metal. They orbit the sun, mostly between the paths of Mars and
Jupiter. Astronomers know where many asteroids are, but not all. Though they 5
may seem small and far away, asteroids have hit the Earth many times, sometimes causing extreme destruction. It also seems clear that an asteroid will hit the Earth again in the future. Most asteroids are located in what is called the “Main Belt.” This is an orbit between Mars and Jupiter. All of these asteroids are very far from the Earth and
10
will never come close. Several hundred asteroids follow Jupiter in its orbit. These are called “Trojans.” Asteroids can also be found in the outer solar system, past the orbit of Saturn. There is also a set of asteroids that orbit close to the Earth. These are called NEAs (Near-Earth Asteroids). These are also
15
included in a group called Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) which also includes comets. Because of their closeness, NEAs are dangerous to the Earth. More than half of all NEAs have been discovered. There are still many asteroids that are unknown. There is no way to know when such asteroids could
20
strike the Earth. In 1989, a NEA passed very close. However, it was only discovered as it was going away. If it had hit the Earth, it would have been a complete surprise. It could have had 50,000 times the destructive force compared to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Though the possibility of an asteroid striking the Earth soon is not great, it is definite that the Earth will be struck
25
sometime. NEAs have struck the Earth before. Most scientists believe that a NEA caused
3 4 11
12 16
Mars --- the fourth planet from the sun; the “red” planet Jupiter --- the fifth planet from the sun; the largest planet solar system --- the group of objects in space including the sun and planets near Earth Saturn --- the sixth planet from the sun; the planet with rings comet --- a visible asteroid due to its “tail” of gases
30 38 42 44 47
block out --- to cover from sight visible --- able to be seen remote --- isolated; far from other people or things vibrations --- small movements, like shaking vaporize --- to change to gas form
the extinction of the dinosaurs. This sort of asteroid would have been one or more kilometers in diameter. If it had hit land, it would have caused a huge cloud of 30
dust that would have blocked out all sunlight for at least a year. This would have caused a short ice age, leading to the deaths of numerous plants and animals. If the asteroid had hit the water, which is more likely, the cloud of water vapor it produced would have had a
35
similar effect. Further, the shock from the impact could have caused volcanoes to erupt, adding to the dust and vapor around the Earth. Scientists think these kinds of events happen every million years or so. The outlines of the craters of some of these impacts are still visible from space. The last time a large NEA struck the Earth was in 1908, in the forests of
40
Tunguska, Siberia. This asteroid was between 30 and 60 meters across and exploded in the air instead of hitting the ground. This explosion was just as powerful as a nuclear bomb. Because Tunguska was a very remote place, no-one was killed. However, closer to the blast, windows were smashed, and people could feel extreme heat. Vibrations were recorded in the Earth as far as
45
1,000 kilometers away. The forest near the blast site had been flattened as far as 30 kilometers from the center. Some trees were burned completely. The asteroid itself had vaporized completely. Though people may worry about large asteroids striking the Earth, they are easy to detect. Smaller NEAs are much harder to find, and there are many more
50
of them. The history of asteroids and the Earth has not ended. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
590 words
97
98
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Most asteroids are located between Mars and Jupiter. 2. ____ NEAs have probably caused the extinction of animals in the past. 3. ____ In 1989, a NEA hit Earth. 4. ____ The effect of an asteroid strike can be similar to that of a nuclear bomb.
B Choose the best answer. 1. Why do scientists think that big asteroids hit the Earth in the past? a. b. c. d.
There is evidence in space. We can see big marks on Earth. We have experienced it recently. We have had an ice age.
2. How could a NEA have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs? a. b. c. d.
By hitting the dinosaurs By making poisonous vapor By causing the climate to become very cold By causing volcanoes
3. Why are NEAs more dangerous to us? a. b. c. d.
We can’t easily find them to destroy. They are too big to destroy. They are smaller and faster. We know where they are.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. In terms of hitting the Earth, where are the most dangerous asteroids located? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. What is the probable reason why the Tunguska asteroid did less damage than the dinosaur-killing asteroid? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks in the table with the sentences below according to the category they belong to. Use each sentence only once. Asteroid Impacts on Earth Types of Asteroids
Effects of Impact
1. Even though the NEA that struck the Earth in 1908 vaporized before it hit the ground, the blast still caused a lot of damage in the area. 2. Asteroids whose orbits are located near the Earth are called NEAs. 3. Scientists believe that an asteroid that was one or more kilometers in diameter may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. 4. Asteroids that follow Jupiter in its orbit are called “Trojans.” 5. The NEA in 1989 that scientists failed to detect could have been 50,000 times more destructive than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima if it had struck the Earth. 6. Another name for a comet is NEO or Near-Earth Object.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. debris
collision
disaster
aftermath
precautions
probability
1. The __________ of an asteroid with Earth could cause a lot of damage. 2. In fact, an asteroid strike would be a(n) __________. 3. In the __________ of a large asteroid strike, dust and clouds would prevent sunlight from reaching Earth. 4. The __________ of a large asteroid strike is very low---much less than 1 percent. 5. The __________ from the plane crash was found all over the mountain. 6. If we take __________, we should have no trouble.
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S upplemental Reading It’s All in the Location
D
Track 32
ifferent kinds of NEAs can produce different kinds of damage. The kind of damage depends first on the size and speed of the asteroid. However, it also depends on where the asteroid hits. An asteroid that
hits the ocean will have a very different effect than one that strikes the land.
5
An asteroid that hits the water would produce the most destruction. While an asteroid hitting land would cause damage in only one place, an ocean strike would cause a tsunami (a giant wave). This could severely damage or destroy cities close to the ocean over a very large area. Seventy percent of the Earth is covered by oceans, so an ocean impact is more likely. If a large asteroid struck
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the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the tsunami could destroy cities on the east coast of North and South America, as well as western cities of Europe and Africa. Such an asteroid would only have to be about forty to sixty meters wide. An asteroid strike on land would be destructive in a concentrated way. It would take an object of about seventy-five meters wide to destroy a city. This
5 15
would not include all parts of the city, and suburbs might not be damaged so severely. To destroy an entire urban area would take an asteroid of around 160 meters. A 700 meter asteroid could destroy a small country. However, a one or two kilometer asteroid strike
0 20
would be deadly enough to kill millions of people, simply by the dust and vapor it would throw into the atmosphere.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. What are some possible solutions to reducing the threat of asteroids? 2. Do you think that the government should spend money on protection against an asteroid hit? Or is the money better spent on other areas like health care and education?
U N I T
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S p o r t s & F i t ne ss 1
Cheating in Sports
Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. How do you think professional athletes cheat? 2. Which sports are the most violent? 3. Who is usually to blame for cheating, players or coaches?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. ingenious
a. clever
2. loophole
b. not earned; not merited
3. opponent
c. a rival; an enemy
4. single-mindedly
d. with all one’s attention or thought
5. sluggish
e. slow; moving like a slug
6. undeserved
f. a missing part of a rule allowing people to avoid the rule
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Cheating in Sports
S
Track 33
ports are about competition. The goal of every athlete, or every team, is to win. Unfortunately, two factors have been pushing American sports in an unhealthy direction. One of these factors is the obsession with
winning, no matter what the cost. The other factor is money. These two factors 5
put extreme pressure on both players and coaches to focus single-mindedly on winning. This has resulted in a problem that is spreading and becoming more serious. That problem is cheating. Of course, there are rules in all sports to penalize cheating. So coaches and players have had to come up with ingenious ways to get around the rules.
10
Getting a competitive edge, even unfairly, is seen as a “strategy” rather than cheating. Illegal acts are now even being accepted as part of the game. Coaches encourage players to cheat, or coaches simply look the other way when they know players commit illegal acts during games. And referees rarely do anything to discourage cheating, or they impose minimal penalties. A professor of sports and recreation, Dr. James Frey, introduced the term,
15
“normative cheating” to refer to the methods of cheating commonly used in sports today. This refers to strategies used to create conditions of some advantage over an opponent. These strategies do not actually break the rules. Instead, coaches and players have learned how to use 20
loopholes in the rules to gain a competitive advantage. There are many forms of normative cheating. In basketball, for example, it is common for a player to pretend to be fouled in order to receive an undeserved foul shot. In football, players are typically coached to use illegal
25
techniques to hold or trip opponents without referees noticing.
2 3 8 12 13 14 14
factors --- things or situations that cause a result obsession --- extreme single-minded focus penalize --- to punish encourage --- to support; to inspire referee --- a judge for a sport discourage --- to prevent by causing others to lose will or desire impose --- to require; to demand
26 37 47
doctor --- to change or fix in an illegal way recruit --- to seek new members letter of the law --- the exact wording of the law
And in baseball, home teams often “doctor” their fields to suit their strengths and minimize the strengths of their opponents. For example, if a home team knows they will face a fast team, they will spread water or sand between 30
bases to slow down the runners of the other team. Other techniques used by home teams to cheat include increasing the heat in the visitor’s locker room to make the athletes sluggish. And some schools even use psychological tricks such as painting the visitor’s locker room pink, a color said to
35
reduce strength and make people less aggressive. Normative cheating extends to off-the-field areas of sports as well. Colleges compete to recruit the best high school players in the country. Although there are rules about when and how often colleges can contact recruits, coaches are adept at bending these rules. For instance, it is
40
against the rules to send newspaper clippings about a university sports team to players being recruited. However, if a newspaper clipping is attached to the back of a letter, it is technically OK, even if the letter has only one sentence. Normative cheating has even crept into American high school sports. If a good athlete wants to play for a school far away from where he lives, he may
45
move to the home of a relative or friend that does live near that school. That way, he technically lives within the school district of his new school. He has obeyed the letter of the law, but not the spirit. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
537 words
103
104
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Both coaches and athletes are to blame for widespread cheating in sports. 2. ____ Pink is a good color for a locker room. 3. ____ Not all forms of cheating break the rules of sports. 4. ____ There are rules against cheating in sports.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What is the definition of “normative cheating”? a. b. c. d.
Cheating by changing the rules Cheating normally used to break rules Cheating that gives an edge within the rules Cheating that is easily noticed
2. Which is NOT an example of normative cheating? a. b. c. d.
Acting as if you have been hit by another player Creating a bad atmosphere in another team’s area Hitting another player on purpose to hurt the player Hold or trip opponents without referees noticing
3. Which statement would the writer probably agree with? a. b. c. d.
Athletes who cheat should be banned from participating in sports. Everybody cheats, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. If cheating is not controlled, sports will suffer more and more. Just because an action is technically not cheating doesn’t mean that it is OK to do.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. What is primarily responsible for the increase in cheating in sports? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. How has normative cheating made its way into high school sports? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the phrases from the list. Use each phrase only once. normative cheating a team might
cheating is illegal undeserved foul shot
loopholes in rules athletes and coaches
Because some 1 __________________ are single-minded and focused on winning no matter what the cost, cheating has become more common in sports. Of course, 2 _________________, so players and coaches have come up with ingenious ways to get around the rules. They have found 3 _________________ that allow them to cheat to get an advantage over opponents. This kind of cheating is called 4 _________________. One example of this kind of cheating is when a player pretends to be fouled in order to get a(n) 5 _________________. Or 6 _________________ set the heat very high in the opponent’s locker room to make players on that team sluggish during the game.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. spectators
umpires
tactics
leagues
injured
season
1. Baseball has __________, not referees. 2. The baseball __________ starts in early spring. 3. There were over 10,000 __________ at the stadium for the final game of the World Series. 4. Many sports have amateur and professional __________ that athletes play in. 5. The hockey player __________ his leg in the game. 6. Some teams use unfair __________ to try to win. For example, they try to hurt the other players so they can’t play as well.
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S upplemental Reading Drugs in Sports
T
Track 34
he International Olympics Committee has established special rules banning drugs to enhance performance. However, some athletes are experimenting with new drugs that are difficult to detect.
The IOC forbids athletes from using steroids as strength builders. The most
5
popular steroids are man-made forms of testosterone, a hormone already present in the body. Another popular performance-enhancer is EPO. EPO, or Erythropoientin, regulates red blood-cell production. These cells deliver oxygen throughout the body. The oxygen boost it provides
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can improve an athlete’s performance in a 20-minute run by thirty seconds. In a marathon, it could give an athlete a 4-minute advantage. EPO is dangerous because it can make the blood too thick for the heart to pump. Human growth hormone, a third commonly used
5 15
enhancer, is a naturally occurring amino acid which helps control growth from birth to adulthood. Genetically engineered HGH became available in 1985. Athletes use HGH to develop bigger muscles and then take steroids to strengthen the muscles. The drug is hard to detect because
0 20
it passes out of the body in less than 45 minutes. The newest wave of performance enhancement is through a blood substitute called Hemopure. The effect of using Hemopure is similar to the effect of EPO. However, there is no current test that can detect Hemopure in the blood.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Do you think athletes should have the freedom of choice to use performance enhancing drugs? Why or why not? 2. Some say that mandatory drug testing is a violation of a person’s right to privacy. Do you agree or disagree?
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S p o r t s & F i t ne ss 2
Gi Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. Do you think that each person has a special energy inside them? Why or why not? 2. How can meditation or acupuncture help people? 3. What do you think gi is?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. build up
a. a strong attention or effort
2. circulate
b. an uncomfortable feeling
3. concentration
c. to do or attempt
4. discomfort
d. very deep and quiet thought
5. meditation
e. to collect; to be contained
6. undertake
f. to move in a continuous way
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Gi
Track 35
W
hat is gi? Gi means different things to different people. Some say that it is a force created by practicing breathing exercises. Some say that it is highly developed concentration. Still others say that it
is an electrical force that circulates within the body of all living creatures. Some
5
even claim that gi is a person’s soul. Where does the idea of gi come from? Most information about gi comes from Asia. For thousands of years, the people of India have believed in this type of energy, which they call prana. According to Indian mystics, or holy men, highly developed prana can allow a man to equal the physical strength of several men; letting him bend thick metal bars and lift
10
heavy objects. The Chinese call this force chi, the Koreans gi, and the Japanese ki. Regardless of the name, the traditional thinking in Asia is that this energy can be used for health, relaxation, and self-defense. Special gi doctors in China, Korea, and Japan believe that gi travels through our body like cars on a highway. They believe that some types of pain are caused by gi not being able to flow smoothly,
15
similar to a traffic jam on a road. They use a special system of needle therapy called acupuncture or a type of massage, reiki, to help unblock those areas where gi cannot flow freely.
2 8 13 16
force --- power; energy mystic --- a person who practices religious rites self-defense --- the act of protecting oneself when attacked by another therapy --- a treatment
33 35 37 38 40 42
20
sensitive --- responding readily actual --- real; existing brainwaves --- activity of the brain shown through electrical data electromagnetic --- related to electric and magnetic fields practitioner --- a person who regularly does a specific activity observe --- to see
Sometimes these doctors are able to direct the gi from their own bodies into the bodies of their patients. Gi meditation, popular in China, teaches its followers to send their gi to the muscles of the heart, stomach, face, and neck. These are the places where stress builds up the most. These people believe that learning how to direct their gi to these areas will help them relax and live longer, healthier lives.
25
Probably the most well-known examples of gi development can be found in the area of martial arts. Exercises like hapkido, aikido and tai chi teach people to develop their gi for self-defense. The Shaolin Monks of Central China are known for their ability to control their gi and do amazing things with their bodies. They are able to bend heavy iron bars with their bare hands, touch their tongues to
30
red-hot swords without injury, and endure freezing cold temperatures with no discomfort. Can science prove the existence of gi? With modern computer technology and sensitive recording equipment, maybe it can. Researchers from the University of Southern California have been performing experiments to see if there are any
35
actual physical changes in the bodies of people who undertake gi meditation, and they have found interesting results. By attaching special computers that measure brainwaves to the heads of gi meditation students, scientists have been able to detect large increases of electromagnetic waves in their brains. Also, computerized brain scans show that people who do gi exercises use 25 percent more of their
40
brain area than people who do ordinary meditation. Gi-gong practitioners are also able to direct energy to different parts of their body. This energy can be observed on special machines used to record body heat. Is gi meditation helpful? Is gi real? Whether science says it is or not, many people throughout Asia have no doubt about its existence or its healthy benefits.
45
Maybe the only way to know for sure is to try for yourself! Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
562 words
109
110
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ People have known about gi for a long time. 2. ____ Most of the information about gi is from North America. 3. ____ Using gi, people may be healthier, more relaxed, or more powerful. 4. ____ Gi is only located in our brain.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What is known about gi? a. b. c. d.
Only Asian people have it. It has been completely proven by scientific experiment. Gi can be used for health and self-protection. Not many people believe in it.
2. According to the reading, what is probably true? a. b. c. d.
If gi circulates freely in our body, we feel healthier. Gi is our soul. It takes a long time to develop gi. Gi is unknown in the West.
3. According to this reading, in which country was gi first known? a. b. c. d.
Korea China India Japan
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. What ability do Shaolin monks have because of their control of gi? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. What is the scientific evidence for gi? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the phrases from the list. Use each phrase only once. form of concentration endure extreme temperatures
direct the flow prove the existence
give themselves power stress building up
Today, people still use gi in many kinds of activities. Some say gi is a force while others believe it is a 1 __________________ in many kinds of activities. Gi doctors in Asia say they 2 __________________ of gi in their patients’ bodies, helping the gi circulate more easily and thus relieve pain. Many people also practice gi meditation because they believe controlling gi helps prevent 3 __________________ in the muscles of the body. Finally, people in the martial arts develop their gi in order to 4 __________________. With gi, they can bend iron bars and 5 __________________ with no discomfort. Presently scientists are undertaking experiments to try and scientifically 6 __________________ of gi.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. channel
fist
mental
visualize
abdomen
inhale
1. When you are doing heavy exercise, you should __________ through your nose and exhale through your mouth. 2. In martial arts like Tae Kwon Do, development of __________ skills like concentration is just as important as development of physical skills. 3. In order to use your gi, you must be able to __________ it to different places of your body. 4. To __________ something means to see a picture of it in your mind. 5. You must make a(n) __________ with your hand before punching anything. 6. If you sing from your __________, your singing will be more powerful.
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S upplemental Reading Gi as a Weapon?
T
Track 36
hough most people study gi for health reasons, the Russians may have used it for much more sinister purposes. Some researchers believe that the Russians have made a machine that uses gi energy as a weapon to
hurt, and sometimes kill, other people. This machine, invented in secret during
5
the 1960s, was discovered by the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the late 1980s after the fall of communism. “We started getting all of these files that were once secret,” said one retired Air Force Colonel who helped translate Russian military documents into English. “We thought that this was a joke. I mean, who would have taken this stuff seriously, the idea that mind waves could
10 0
kill a person? But the KGB did a lot of research into the stuff,” he said. The machine looked like a fighter pilot’s helmet, but with a lot of wires and computer attachments on its outside. According to some Russian scientists who worked on this top-secret project, test subjects would put the helmet on their head, direct their eyes at their target, and concentrate. After a few seconds, the
5 15
targets would begin to react strangely. “We were able to achieve success (death) with small animals up to the size of a dog. Larger animals and humans would just get hot and sweaty,” said a Russian military officer who worked on the program. Thankfully for the dogs and cats of the world, this program was stopped in the mid
0 20
1960s, when Russia decided to focus more on the space race with the United States to reach the moon.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Do you believe in gi? Why or why not? 2. If gi does exist, what are some ways that gi could possibly be used as a weapon?
U N I T
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P e o p l e & O p inions 1
Barack Obama’s Keynote Address at the Democratic National Convention Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. Do you think America is the land of opportunity? Why or why not? 2. What social issues you are concerned about? 3. What are some ways individuals can help to solve these social issues?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. affirm
a. persisting; not stopping
2. bribe
b. accepting of differences
3. perseverance
c. to assert positively; to confirm
4. priority
d. a tall building
5. skyscraper
e. money or a favor given to get something you want
6. tolerant
f. the most important thing
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Track 37
Barack Obama’s Keynote Address at the Democratic National Convention
T
onight is a particular honor for me because, let’s face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats and
went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a
5
domestic servant to the British. But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place, America, that shone as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before him. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on
10
the other side of the world, in Kansas. My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or “blessed,” believing that in a tolerant America, your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren’t rich, because in a
15
generous America you don’t have to be rich to achieve your potential. Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy; our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago: “We hold these truths to be self-
20
evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” That is the true genius of America, a faith in
25
simple dreams, an insistence on small
7 11 19 19 22 22
beacon --- a source of light or inspiration abiding --- continuing premise --- something assumed to be true declaration --- a formal announcement endow --- to provide with inalienable --- incapable of being surrendered or transferred
27 31 34 38
tuck in --- to make comfortable in bed retribution --- punishment union --- a workers’ association health benefits --- money paid by employers for health care
miracles; that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea 30
and start our own business without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution; and that our votes will be counted. And fellow Americans, I say to you, tonight, we have more work to do --more work to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that’s moving to Mexico, and now they’re having
35
to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour; more to do for the father I met who was losing his job and choking back the tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits that he counted on; more to do for the young woman in East St. Louis and thousands more like her who have the grades, have
40
the drive, have the will, but don’t have the money to go to college. People don’t expect the government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
562 words
115
116
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Obama’s father was a cook. 2. ____ Barak is an African name for “blessed.” 3. ____ He is in favor of cheap foreign labor. 4. ____ Obama’s parents believed in a tolerant America.
B Choose the best answer. 1. How did Obama’s parents meet? a. b. c. d.
In a Maytag plant in Mexico While his father was studying in university While living in the same village in Kenya While working in Galesburg, Illinois
2. Which is NOT a right mentioned in the reading passage? a. b. c. d.
Liberty Petition Life Pursuit of Happiness
3. Which statement would the writer probably agree with? a. b. c. d.
Living in Kenya taught him many valuable life lessons. You don’t have to be rich to achieve your dreams in America. Government programs can solve all social problems. The pride of America’s greatness lies in the strength of its military.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. According to the reading passage, what are some social causes that Obama supports? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Why does Obama say, “We have more work to do”? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the words from the list. Use each word only once. priority affirm
bribe skyscrapers
perseverance tolerant
Through 1 __________________ and hard work, a person can achieve their dreams, even if they are not rich. For the greatness of our nation is not our sophisticated 2 __________________, the health of our economy, or the power of our military technology. It is that we continue to 3 __________________ to this very day that all people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness no matter who they are. In other words, America is a 4 __________________ nation, where people are treated equally. This includes knowing that we are free to say what we think, and that we can open a business without having to pay a 5 __________________. That is why it must be our 6 __________________ as a nation to continue working toward keeping the door of opportunity open for everyone.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words or phrases that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word or phrase from the list. Use each word or phrase only once. oval office
veto
pardon
impeach
citizen
Cabinet
1. If a legislative body determines that the President should be forcibly removed due to wrongdoings, they vote to __________ him. 2. The President has decided to __________ the new budget bill because it does not cut enough taxes. 3. When at the White House, the President does most of his work from the __________. 4. The body of high ranking officials who advise the President is known as the __________. 5. The President has the power to grant a(n) __________ if he or she feels the prisoner should be set free from prison. 6. In order to qualify to be President, a person must be a natural born __________ of the United States. 117
118
S upplemental Reading Do as We Say, Not as We Do
A
Track 38
merica was founded on the principle that all people have the same right to live in freedom and be happy. Its main law,
the Constitution, states that every person must be
5
treated equally. But for most of the country’s history, this hasn’t been the case. After the United States earned independence from Britain, for example, it continued to allow slavery. After the Civil War, when slavery was outlawed and slaves were declared free, African-American
10 0
people did not have the same rights as white people. In fact, until less than fifty years ago, African-American people were usually separated from white people. They went to separate schools, slept in separate hotels, and ate in separate restaurants. They could not vote for the president and could not get the same jobs as white people.
5 15
American women, too, have been treated differently than American men. Until 1920, women did not have the right to vote. Until the mid-1960s, they could be denied jobs due to their gender. Despite amendments to the Constitution, many women and people who belong to minority groups still feel unfairly treated in the US today.
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US leaders admit the country has made mistakes in the past. However, they point out that because of the laws written in the Constitution, there is always hope of change. Other countries don’t have this hope, so America still provides the fairest opportunity in the world.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. In what ways do you think people are treated unfairly in society today because of their gender? What can be done to improve their situation? 2. In what ways do you think people are treated unfairly in society today because of their ethnicity? What can be done to improve their situation?
U N I T
10
P e o p l e & O p inions 2
Anita Roddick Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. Do you use any cosmetics? If so, which ones? 2. Do you think animal testing is OK? If so, when is it OK? 3. What are some unethical practices businesses do?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. activist
a. a woman’s last name before she marries
2. cause
b. a product related to beauty
3. charity
c. a brother or a sister
4. cosmetic
d. someone who supports one side of a controversial issue
5. maiden name
e. a principle
6. sibling
f. an institution that helps the poor
120
Anita Roddick
A
Track 39
nita Roddick was born in an English bomb shelter on October 23, 1942, during World War II. Her maiden name was Anita Lucia Perilli. Anita’s parents and her three siblings had fled from Italy just before the war
began. Her mother ran a café, and Anita helped her after school and on weekends. 5
Her parents divorced when Anita was nine, and she later found out that her biological father was the cousin of her mother’s husband. After finishing university, Anita taught briefly at a secondary school. She soon quit, however, and traveled to places such as Australia, South Africa, and Tahiti. In 1970, she married a poet named Gordon Roddick. The couple opened a restaurant and then a hotel.
10
They had two daughters together, Justine and Samantha. In 1976, Gordon wanted to fulfill a dream. He was going to ride a horse from South America to North America. Anita needed money while he was away. So, in 1976, she opened a small cosmetics store called The Body Shop. Her first store offered only fifteen products. In time, this number would grow to more
15
than 300. Roddick used ideas she had learned of in her travels, such as selling products made from all-natural ingredients. Most cosmetics were tested on animals, and some animals were killed to produce beauty products. Roddick refused to sell products that harmed animals, as well as ones that damaged the natural environment. She also promoted the idea of fair trade with third-world
20
countries. She recycled all her bottles and used recycled items in the store. She believed that businesses could be run ethically and still make a profit. This idea was called “ethical consumerism” and was a precursor to the modern green movement. The Body Shop was enormously successful. By the time the company was
25
sold to L’Oreal in 2006, it had more than 2,000 stores throughout the world. Customers voted it the second most-trusted
6 22 22 22
biological --- natural ethical --- moral precursor --- a forerunner green --- environmental
33 34 39 40 43 45
discrimination --- prejudicial treatment orphan --- a child whose parents have died anoint --- to choose fortune --- wealth transfusion --- the direct transferring of blood into a blood vessel. hemorrhage --- heavy bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel
brand in Great Britain, and it was the 28th best-known brand in the world. As The Body Shop grew, Roddick became an activist for 30
several environmental and social causes. These included protecting the rain forests, helping poor farmers, saving whales, and working to end sex discrimination. In 1990, she founded Children on the Edge, a charity that helps orphans in
35
Europe and Asia. She also helped establish a magazine called The Big Issue, which was produced and sold by homeless people. Her volunteer work earned Roddick many awards and honors. In 1991, she received the World Vision Award for Development and Initiative. In 2003, the Queen of England anointed her a Dame of the British Empire.
40
In 2005, Roddick announced that she was going to give away her fortune. It was estimated to be more than $100 million. In 2007, Roddick told the public that she had hepatitis C, an incurable disease. She had gotten it from a blood transfusion in 1971. It was diagnosed in 2004. During the last three years of her life, she campaigned to raise public awareness of hepatitis C. Roddick died of
45
a brain hemorrhage on September 10, 2007. She was sixty-four. She did not leave any of her money to her daughters. Instead, she gave it all to charities. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
539 words
121
122
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Roddick is not the last name Anita was born with. 2. ____ Her husband’s dream was to open an eco-friendly cosmetics store. 3. ____ Roddick was worth over $100 million dollars. 4. ____ When she died, she gave her money to her children and charity organizations.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What is the main idea of the reading? a. b. c. d.
Anita Roddick was the first woman to sell all-natural cosmetics. Anita Roddick dedicated her life to helping others and the environment. Anita Roddick deserved the many awards and honors she received. Anita Roddick is an example for women to fight for their rights.
2. Which is NOT an ideal mentioned in the reading that Anita believed in? a. b. c. d.
Cosmetics should be made from all-natural ingredients. Profits went to aid assistance for disaster victims. Her products should not be tested on animals. There should be fair trade with third-world countries.
3. What cause did Roddick campaign for in the last three years of her life? a. b. c. d.
Working to end sex discrimination Raising money for orphaned children in Asia and Africa To raise awareness about hepatitis C Saving the whales
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why did Anita open up her first Body Shop cosmetics store? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. What is the meaning of the term “ethical consumerism”? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks with the words or phrases from the list. Use each word or phrase only once. activist cosmetics
cause maiden name
siblings charities
Anita Roddick along with her parents and three 1 __________________ fled from Italy before the start of World War II. Her 2 __________________ was Perilli and changed to Roddick after she married Gordon Roddick in 1970. Six years later, she decided to open up a(n) 3 __________________ shop while her husband was on a horse riding trip from South America to North America. During her life, she became a passionate 4 __________________ who worked to raise awareness about many problems that are effecting people around the world. One 5 __________________ she felt strongly about was the protection of the environment. In 2007, she was estimated to be worth over $100 million dollars, which she donated to 6 __________________ when she died.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. lobby
civic
resolution
justice
altruistic
humanitarian
1. A person is considered __________ if they are concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others above themselves. 2. The United Nations sends __________ aid to countries that are suffering from epidemics such as AIDS or malaria. 3. One method for causing social change is to __________ representatives to support adopting laws or policies that help their cause. 4. It is the __________ duty of every citizen of a country to vote and participate in the democratic system. 5. It is the responsibility of the court to seek __________ for all people without prejudice. 6. There needs to be a(n) __________ to this problem before the situation gets worse. 123
124
S upplemental Reading The Green Myth
“G
Track 40
reen” has become a popular English phrase. It means that something is good for the environment. Customers are looking for products that are “natural,” “pure,” and “made from recycled
material.” They feel good about helping the Earth and 5
about buying food and cosmetics that are healthier for their bodies. Anita Roddick sensed this when she founded The Body Shop in 1976. She advertised cosmetics that were “100 percent pure” and boasted that The Body Shop’s products were not tested on animals. Also, she said The
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Body Shop did not take unfair advantage of the workers in poor countries. For some people, this sounded too good to be true. In 1994, reporter Jon Entine wrote a famous magazine article disputing Roddick’s claims. He said that The Body Shop cosmetics were actually only 1 percent pure. Entine also pointed
5 15
out that most of the ingredients in The Body Shop’s products were, indeed, tested on animals. This prompted Roddick to change the phrase on her cosmetic labels. Instead of “not tested on animals,” it became “against animal testing.” Later, other critics joined in. The London chapter of Greenpeace accused The Body Shop of exploiting poor workers.
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Today many other “green” companies face similar criticism. Are products marketed as “green” really good for environment, or do producers simply claim that they are so they can make more money? It’s a tough question. Thanks to writers such as Entine, however, one thing is certain: They are less likely to trust the manufacturer’s word.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Do writers such as Jon Entine do more harm than good with their articles attacking business? Why or why not? 2. Should a company be punished for false advertising? Why or why not?
U N I T
11
C ro s s - C u l t u r al V ie wp oint s 1
Ideas About Beauty Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What is the first thing you usually notice about another person? Why is that so? 2. Why do you think that you notice that part of a person first? 3. Do your friends notice this part of other people first also? If not, what do your friends notice first?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. factor
a. alone; apart from all others
2. find out
b. to discover
3. influence
c. one thing of possible influence
4. isolated
d. to put in order from best to worst
5. judge
e. to say if something is good or bad / right or wrong
6. rate
f. to have some effect on
126
Ideas About Beauty
R
Track 41
esearchers have collected convincing evidence that people tend to rate beauty in much the same way. Groups even from different cultures do not really show that much difference in judging the main factors of
beauty. However, researchers do not agree on whether the factors which influence 5
how most people judge beauty come from genetics (nature) or culture (society). Devendra Singh, a psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin, conducted an experiment in 1993 to find out if different men found different female body shapes attractive. Dr. Singh gave drawings of different female body shapes to a variety of men and asked them to choose the most attractive body
10
shape. Even though men came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, they all tended to rate the “hourglass” body shape as the most attractive. In fact, Dr. Singh found that any woman whose waist is 70 percent as wide as her hips is judged as attractive by most men no matter how big the woman is overall. Body shape, not weight, seemed to be viewed as the critical factor for attractiveness
15
by men in this survey. Dr. Singh explained this result from the perspective of evolution. Women who develop an hourglass shape have a relatively higher level of estrogen, a female hormone, than women who do not have this body shape. Because estrogen
20
levels also influence fertility, men may subconsciously view a woman with an hourglass figure as a good candidate for producing children. Therefore, according to Dr. Singh, the men who choose these types of women have the potential for having more children. Over time, evolution would favor men who have
25
inherited genes from their fathers which influence the selection of this type of “fertile” woman. 11 14 20 20 21 23 25
hourglass --- an instrument filled with sand to measure time critical --- most necessary fertility --- the ability to have children subconsciously --- without thought candidate --- a person to choose potential --- capable of doing inherit --- to get; to receive
30 41 53
exposure to --- experience of reliability --- accuracy; ability to be believed versus --- against
Douglas Yu, a biologist at Imperial College in London, disagrees with Dr. Singh’s hypothesis. Dr. Yu thinks that culture, especially culture developed through 30
exposure to mass entertainment and advertising, has had the largest influence on how men judge beauty. In order to test his theory, Dr. Yu traveled to southeast Peru to interview men in an isolated community far from the reach of modern television,
35
movies, and magazines. Through his own survey, Dr. Yu found that the men in this isolated community preferred heavier women with a wider waist than the body shape preferred by the men in Dr. Singh’s study. Because this small community has lived apart from western mass communication, their own
40
culture has not been influenced by outside standards of beauty. In order to check the reliability of his study, Dr. Yu surveyed two other groups of men from this same community. However, the second and third groups surveyed by Dr. Yu had more exposure to western entertainment and advertising. The results of these later surveys showed that as men from this
45
isolated community came into contact with western movies and magazines, their standards of beauty began to change more toward the western standard of beauty. Dr. Yu concluded from these findings that even if evolution played a part in men’s selection of mates, cultural influences are more powerful in the end and work faster in changing men’s standards.
50
With both satellite communication and the Internet flooding every corner of the world with images and information from almost every culture, it is becoming harder and harder to find isolated communities. Soon it may be impossible to prove which side is correct in the genetics versus culture debate simply because there will be no uninfluenced groups left to ask. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
578 words
127
128
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Researchers have found that only genetics have shaped men’s standards of beauty. 2. ____ Both studies in this reading used surveys to collect data. 3. ____ All of the men that Dr. Yu talked to had never watched television. 4. ____ Media has a great influence on men’s perceptions of beauty.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What is the main idea of the reading? a. b. c. d.
Contrasting studies of how people judge beauty Describing the most beautiful body shape Explaining how beauty has changed over time Listing one culture’s ideas of beauty
2. What did the men in Dr. Singh’s survey rate more important than weight? a. b. c. d.
Breast and hip size Breast and waist size Hip and leg size Waist and hip size
3. Where did Dr. Yu find a community of men who had no exposure to mass entertainment? a. b. c. d.
Africa Australia On an island South America
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. What do some people believe the “hourglass” body shape implies about a woman? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Why will Dr. Yu’s study be difficult to do again? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Select THREE answer choices to complete the summary. First Sentence: Researchers do not agree as to what factors have a greater influence on how most people judge beauty. 1. One perspective believes that the hourglass body shape is rated highest by men because the evolution of the brain associates this body figure with fertility. 2. In modern times, the power of mass media is thought to be a stronger influence than genetics because it changes a man’s idea of beauty. 3. Conducting a survey is the most reliable to find out how men judge a woman’s beauty. 4. As the world becomes more globalized, it will become more difficult to prove which side is correct because there will be no one left who is uninfluenced by the mass media. 5. If a woman’s waist is 70 percent as wide as her hips, she is judged as attractive by most men even if she is overweight.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. spouse
sterile
gorgeous
symmetry
appealing
consensus
1. A __________ is a wife or a husband. 2. She is so beautiful that she is just __________. 3. They can’t have children because they are __________. 4. I don’t care about appearance as much as personality. If someone has a good personality, that is very __________ to me. 5. “Are you all in agreement?” “Yes, we have reached a __________.” 6. Scientists have found out that if a face is well balanced or has __________, people think it is more beautiful.
129
130
S upplemental Reading Exporting Beauty
V
Track 42
enezuela may make most of its money from exporting oil, but this country is probably more well known for exporting beautiful women. Ever since 1985, there has always been a woman from Venezuela in the
finals of both the Miss World and Miss Universe contests. In fact, in 1995 5
women from Venezuela held both titles. No other country comes close to matching Venezuela’s record for sending winners to these contests. How does a country with only 21 million people do it? The answer is probably connected to the Miss Venezuela Academy, a special school for any Miss World or Miss Universe contestant run by Osmel Sousa. With his staff, Sousa chooses
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women from discos, shopping centers, schools, and off the street to apply for his school. Other women come to the school on their own. A few of the things that Sousa and his staff look for are age (only women between the ages of seventeen and twenty-four are considered), education (the women must be able to answer difficult contest questions), and height (the
5 15
women must be at least 1.7 meters/5 feet 7 inches). And one more thing, the women must look good in a swimsuit. The finalists for the school are chosen in March so that the school’s special plastic surgeons will have time to work on the women because everything must be healed by September, when the
0 20
contests begin. The surgery is all paid for by the school, so few of the women complain. After completing the academy, even the women who don’t win Miss World or Miss Universe end up in modeling, broadcasting, or acting.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. The reading says that the “hourglass” body shape for women is preferred by men. What type of body shape for men do you think is preferred by women? Why? 2. Which of the two studies from the first reading do you find more convincing? Why?
U N I T
11
C ro s s - C u l t u r al V ie wp oint s 2
Bribery or Business as Usual? Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What are some cultural differences that you know about between countries? 2. What happens when people don’t understand each other’s cultural differences? 3. Are there any cultural differences in business?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. crack down
a. a slippery material made from oil
2. grease
b. to endure; to put up with
3. harassment
c. to enforce a law or rule more strongly
4. sensitive
d. to add in order to make bigger or better
5. supplement
e. aware; careful of
6. tolerate
f. an action meant to bother, disturb, or annoy
132 Track 43
Bribery or Business as Usual?
C
ross-cultural researchers and trainers often advise those traveling through or working in another culture to be sensitive to cultural differences. Implied in this sensitivity is the suggestion to accept
behaviors of the new culture even if they seem strange or wrong. In cross-cultural 5
contact, right and wrong may be understood differently by the two cultures. According to this view of relativism, ethical behavior may appear very different from one culture to another. Take, for example, the behavior of bribery. In most countries, businesses which resort to bribing government officials in order to receive special favors or special treatment are understood to be acting
10
unethically. However, this behavior may be tolerated or even expected in some cultures. As reported by a German magazine, one of the ministers in the Thai government office of land management was quoted as saying, “Bribes are part of traditional Thai culture.” This minister went on to explain that his employees were instructed to accept any money offered to them, as long as they did not ask
15
for it. The bribes were considered a supplement to the extremely low pay of this office’s employees. Bribes may be required in a variety of business situations. They are most commonly paid just before a contract is finalized. Bribes may also be paid to suppliers to ensure prompt delivery, or they may be given to distributors to
20
guarantee delivery of high quality products. When such bribes are meant to speed up a business transaction or make a deal go smoothly, it may be referred to as a “grease payment.” Additionally, bribes may be used to buy “protection” for a business, either against some harmful act or against government harassment. In an effort to crack down on the payment of bribes to foreign governments,
25
the United States passed a law in the 1970s called the Foreign Corrupt Practices 6
6 7 8 11 26
relativism --- a philosophy which states that good and bad are relative to culture and groups ethical --- related to right and wrong; moral bribery --- giving or taking money for influence resort to --- to do as a last choice minister --- a high level government official corrupt --- dishonest
44 45 48 50
combating --- fighting transaction --- an agreement induce --- to influence to do rendered --- done; given
Act (FCPA). This law was created after official investigations revealed how much money US companies were paying in bribes to governments and 30
officials in other countries. The investigation showed that more than 400 companies doing business internationally had paid over $300 million in bribes. These bribes were hurting the image of the companies within the United States. Therefore, the American government proposed the FCPA to restore integrity to
35
American business and confidence among American consumers. According to the FCPA law, any US business caught paying bribes to any official or agent of another country’s government could be punished by fines or possible imprisonment. The fines could be up to twice the amount of the bribe, and imprisonment could be up to five years. But this law actually put US
40
businesses at a disadvantage in the global market. Companies from other countries were still paying bribes to do business. Therefore, the US government worked with its major trading partners to establish an international treaty to crack down on such unethical business practices as bribery. In 1997, thirty-four countries signed an agreement called the Convention on Combating Bribery of
45
Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. However, there is nothing that clearly distinguishes the difference between bribes and gifts in either the FCPA or the international Convention. But if a gift, and especially a gift of money, is given with the intent to induce some favorable action, then it is probably a bribe. On the other hand, a gift is not considered a
50
bribe when given after the deal is closed or service has been rendered. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
576 words
133
134
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ Bribery is bad in all cultures. 2. ____ US companies paid bribes to businesses in other countries. 3. ____ The US passed a law against Americans paying bribes to officials in other countries. 4. ____ Giving a gift is always bribery.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What is the main idea of this reading concerning bribery? a. b. c. d.
Bribery is not common in Thailand. Bribery is wrong everywhere. Few countries will fight bribery in the future. Some countries disagree that bribery is wrong.
2. What is NOT a bribe? a. b. c. d.
Some money given to prevent a harmful act An expensive bottle of wine given before the contract is signed Some gift given after the deal has been completed An expensive necklace given to guarantee products of high quality
3. Which statement would the writer probably agree with? a. b. c. d.
People should only follow one style of business. People should try to find a compromise between cultural differences. People should not do business internationally without help from a consultant. International business is difficult the first time.
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why was the FCPA created? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. When do people give “grease payments”? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Select THREE answer choices to complete the summary. First Sentence: International business practices are a sensitive issue due to cultural differences between countries. 1. Even though some countries view bribery as illegal, others tolerate it or even view it as a supplement to their wages, to ensure quick payment and to prevent harassment. 2. Grease payments are bribes that can speed up the completion of a deal and even ensure the delivery of high quality goods. 3. Recently the US government cracked down on the American businesses that were taking part in bribery, but it put American companies at a disadvantage. 4. The US government worked with its international trading partners and established a business treaty to combat bribery. 5. An investigation showed that more than 400 American companies doing business internationally had paid over $300 million in bribes.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. wholesale
retail
merchandise
contract
kickback
incentive
1. I buy directly from the company, so I get things at a cheaper __________ price. 2. My boss gave me a(n) __________ of $1,000. I feel motivated to work harder now. 3. Occasionally I buy running shoes from a Nike store. Then I must pay full __________ price. 4. He received a(n) __________ of $50,000 from the boss of the ABC company because he agreed to buy ABC products. 5. “What kind of __________ do you sell in your store?” “Mainly clothing, but we also sell some accessories, too.” 6. He signed a(n) __________ stating that he would deliver all the goods by next month. 135
136
S upplemental Reading Promoting Business Ethics
A
Track 44
surprising number of employees in large companies report feeling pressure to “do the wrong thing.” One out of eight workers reported that their co-workers or managers somehow pressured them to do
something against the company’s ethical standards. Such internal corruption has
5
led several large companies into difficulty and even complete failure. When a large corporation fails due to corruption, a clear message is sent to the public. That message is “unethical behavior will get you in trouble.” It appears more students are getting this message as enrollment in
0 10
Business Ethics courses is rising. Interestingly, however, very few MBA programs in North America require students to take any Business Ethics courses. For this reason, the international organization called Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is actively working to train young businesspeople to make ethical business decisions.
5 15
SIFE works through teams of university students who volunteer their time to work in training courses and to develop projects. These teams can be found on more than 1,500 campuses in thirty-seven countries around the world. The organization is supported by faculty advisors on these campuses, and many international corporations take part in events organized by SIFE.
0 20
Each year, the teams from each university write an annual report of their activities and give a presentation in a competition where the best team is awarded the SIFE World Cup.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. What kinds of business cultures are there in your country? Do you think they are positive or negative practices? 2. Do you think that it is possible to be too tolerant or accommodating of another culture? Why or why not?
U N I T
12
B u s i n e s s & Ec onomic s 1
Adventure Tours for Charity Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What is the most exotic place you have visited? 2. Would you call your visit to that place an “adventure”? Why or why not? 3. What are some famous charities that you know of? Who do these charities help?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. adventure
a. collecting
2. donation
b. an organized vacation or holiday
3. minimum
c. to do together or participate
4. raising
d. an exciting or strange trip
5. take part in
e. a gift given to a cause or charity
6. tour
f. the least level or amount
138
Adventure Tours for Charity
I
Track 45
n almost any magazine or newspaper in England, you can find advertisements for adventure tours to exotic places. These exciting tours can be bicycling, hiking, or even motorcycle trips across deserts, over mountains,
and around live volcanoes! Many of these tours are for charity, which makes them 5
more interesting to some people. One advertisement offers people a “Bike Ride to Hell and Back,” a 400-kilometer bicycle tour across the lava fields of Iceland. The advertisement says that the tour is like a ride
10
across the face of the moon. The organization that sets up this tour is advertising for people who can give time and effort to raising money for a good cause. For their hard work, these people will also be able to take the holiday of a
15
lifetime. The first thing that people have to do is sign up for the tour. The number of people who can go on each tour is limited, and many tours fill up fast. Those who sign up then have to pay a deposit in order to hold their space on the tour. People cannot get their deposit back later if they change their mind, so they had
20
better be sure they really want to go. The deposit is usually between £150-250 (US $200-375). Next, each person must raise a minimum amount of money for the charity. This money could be anywhere between £1,500-2,500 (US$2,000-3,500). In order to raise this much money, some people send letters to friends and relatives
25
asking for help. Other people have big parties where all of the guests must pay to come to the party. One farmer even divided up his field into one meter squares
2 8 12 18 26
exotic --- unusual lava --- rock, either hot and fluid or solidified, which comes from a volcano raise --- to collect deposit --- money paid to reserve a place divide up --- to separate
30 38 40 43 46
cow patty --- a pile of cow dung overall --- general; including everything typically --- commonly; usually not for everybody --- not suitable or appealing for all people Namib Desert --- a very dry area in Southwest Africa
to raise money. People could buy one square of the field for £1 each. Then the farmer let his cow walk across the field. Whoever bought the square where the cow dropped its first 30
“cow patty” won a prize. Surprisingly, the majority of people who go on the adventure tours end up collecting more than the minimum money that the charity asks for. Some people see a problem with this system
35
of raising money for charities. They think that it is wrong for part of the money that people collect to be used to pay for someone’s holiday. However, charities try to keep the overall cost of the tours low so that at least 60 or 70 percent of the money which is raised goes to the charity. One charity said, “We
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expect to make an average profit of £50,000 per trip.” This charity typically runs between ten to fifteen tours each year. Do people really want to spend their holiday doing something like bicycling for 400 kilometers when they could be resting on a beach? These tours are not for everybody. But the people who sign up for them all agree that it is a great
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experience. After hiking across the Namib Desert, a young construction worker from London cried as he hugged all of the other people who had been on the tour with him. Everyone cried. Most of them never thought that they could take part in an adventure like that. They had not only finished a difficult hike, but they had
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done it for someone else, for the charity. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
554 words
139
140
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ The adventure tours appeal to everyone. 2. ____ Less than half of the money that people raise for the charity is used to pay for expenses on the trip. 3. ____ The farmer described in the reading sold his cow to raise money for the charity. 4. ____ The charities set no limit on the number of people who can go on each tour, so some tours get very crowded.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What is the main idea of the reading? a. b. c. d.
Comparing tours arranged by two charities Describing a dangerous tour set up by a charity Explaining how charities raise money through tours Giving information about interesting places to visit
2. What makes the tours described in the reading interesting for people? a. b. c. d.
They are exciting. They are a great experience. They raise money for charities. All of the above
3. What would probably NOT be an adventure tour for charity? a. b. c. d.
Climbing Mt. Everest Staying on a beach in Thailand Crossing the Sahara desert Sailing across the Pacific Ocean
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. Why should a person be careful when they pay a deposit for a charity adventure tour? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. Why do some people disagree with this method of raising money for charities? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks in the table with the phrases below according to the category they belong to. Use each phrase only once. Adventure Tours for Charity Adventure Activity
Fundraising Activity
1. Asking guests for donations to buy a plot of farm land for a “cow patty” 2. Raising the minimum donation after putting down a deposit for the tour 3. Taking part in a bike tour across the lava fields of Iceland 4. Writing letters to friends and relatives to ask for money 5. Hiking across the Namib Desert 6. Taking a motorcycle trip over a mountain
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. risk
challenge
journey
telethon
worthy
volunteer
1. A long and adventurous trip is sometimes called a(n) __________. 2. The biggest __________ in this trip will be to cross the Sahara Desert during the day. 3. There’s a(n) __________ of falling when bungee jumping, but some people think that makes it more exciting. 4. If you have some extra time, you should __________. Although you won’t get paid, you will feel rewarded in other ways. 5. “What are you watching on TV?” “I’m watching the __________ for the flood victims. I think that I’ll phone in and donate some money.” 6. “Do you know of any good charities I could donate something to?” “How about the Women’s Center? Helping out battered women is always a(n) __________ cause.” 141
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S upplemental Reading Helping Charities Can Help You, Too!
T
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here are lots of people in the United States who give donations to charities just because they believe strongly in what the charity is doing. However, what some of these people don’t realize is that all of the
donations they make to these charities can help them save money on their taxes
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each year, too! The average American pays about 33 percent of her or his yearly income in taxes, so any way to save money on the taxes a person has to pay each year is a welcomed benefit. And these donations to charities are not limited to cash only. If a person donates an old stereo or clothes, the estimated value of these items can help lower a person’s taxes as long as they get a receipt from the
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charity. Other than the usual small items that people usually give to charities, big things can help charities make money, too. For example, if you have a really old car that you want to get rid of, a car dealer might only offer you a
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few hundred dollars for it. A charity might be able to match what the car dealer would give you, and then the charity can fix up the car and sell it at an auction. The charity gets needed funds from selling the car, and you get a break on your taxes for the value of the car when
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the charity took it! Other things that people don’t often think of as possible donations to charities include computers, stocks, and even land.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. In your country, can you save money by donating to charities? 2. Have you ever helped a charity? How?
U N I T
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B u s i n e s s & Ec onomic s 2
Rating Companies
Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions. 1. What company is rated #1 in your country? How do you know? 2. Who do you think rates companies? 3. How do you think companies are rated?
Vocabulary Preview Match each word or phrase with the correct definition. 1. assign
a. a business manager
2. criterion
b. a number
3. executive
c. the opinion people have about something; the good name
4. figure
d. a standard of judgment
5. financial
e. to designate
6. reputation
f. related to managing of money
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Rating Companies
P
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ublications such as Business Week and Fortune are two of the several publishers that produce
ratings of different American and international
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companies. These ratings not only concentrate on public or private companies, but many other kinds as well. Companies are assigned two main types of ratings. One of these can be summarized as the company’s actual performance. The other type of rating pertains to the results of publishers’ surveys. There are several reasons why publishing companies rate companies. One is
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for the companies that are ranked to know where they stand in their industry. Investors and lenders of the rated company also use the ratings to decide the risk associated with doing business with the company. Consumers also use ratings to learn about the company’s reputation and to rate companies when making investment decisions. Companies’ actual financial performance is one of the most important
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indications in ranking companies. There are two types of measurements for companies’ performance. All companies involved in the ratings must publish financial data and must report part or all of these figures to a government agency. Ratings are based on yearly reported financial statements. A second 20
type of performance measurement used in ratings is companies’ market performance. This includes their market value, market share, and number of employees. Some rankings use only financial performance or market performance as the basis for their rating of companies, such as the Wall Street Journal. However, some ratings will use both measurements, such as the
25
Fortune 500 and Business Week’s ratings. The other major category of ratings relies on the results of surveys sent to
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indications --- a sign; a criterion financial statement --- a record of how money comes in and goes out market share --- percentage of the market controlled by a company
27 30 31 34 38 45 50
analyst --- a person who studies trends in a particular field revenue --- profit; income securities analyst --- a person who studies stocks and the stock market respondent --- a person giving answers privately held --- owned by one person primarily --- mainly; for the most part crop up --- to appear; to show up
executives, company employees and analysts by the publishers. The publishers’ surveys present detailed statistical and analytical data on the companies that they rank. For example, in order to rank America’s most admired companies, 30
Fortune magazine started with the ten largest companies by revenue in sixtysix industries. They surveyed 10,000 executives, directors, and securities analysts related to those companies, who then rated the various companies in their own industries based on certain criteria. For the most admired companies, the survey respondents were asked to select the ten companies in any industry
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that they admired most. Another popular example is Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For rating. To determine which companies make it on the list and where they should rank, the publisher sends surveys to employees of all the Fortune 1,000 companies, plus the 200 largest privately held US companies. Among all the ratings, the most trusted and well-known rankings are done
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by Fortune and Business Week magazines. Fortune magazine publishes many company rankings every year, including the Fortune 500, Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, Global Most Admired Companies and Fortune Global 500. In Fortune magazine’s Global 500, a few of the companies that regularly show up on the list include General Electric, Exxon Mobile, IBM, and Bank of
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America. This list’s ranking is based primarily on financial performance. By comparison, the Fortune Global Most Admired rankings are based on executives’ surveys. Companies regularly appearing on this list year after year include General Electric, Wal-Mart, and Microsoft. Finally turning to Business Week magazine’s Global 1,000 ratings, one will find such companies as General
50
Electric, Exxon Mobile, and Wal-Mart crop up in the top five companies year after year. Reading Time _______ minutes _______ seconds
550 words
145
146
R eading Comprehension A Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading. 1. ____ People use company ratings to make investment decisions. 2. ____ Only public and private companies are rated. 3. ____ One of the most important things used to rank a company is its financial performance. 4. ____ Wal-Mart is considered one of the top companies in the world.
B Choose the best answer. 1. What is NOT a reason for ranking companies? a. b. c. d.
To help people make investments To let companies know how well they are doing To help companies make business decisions To help companies make marketing decisions
2. Fortune’s Most Admired Company ranking is based on what survey? a. b. c. d.
A survey of entry-level workers A survey of high-ranking business people A survey of marketing analysts A survey of customers
3. In which list is General Electric usually a top company? a. b. c. d.
Fortune’s Global Most Admired Fortune’s Global 500 Business Week’s Global 1000 All of the above
C For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and write them on the lines provided. 1. How is a company’s financial performance measured? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2. What is probably most important for a company when company rankings are made? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
S ummary Fill in the blanks in the table with the sentences below according to the category they belong to. Use each sentence only once. Rating Companies Reasons Why Companies are Rated
Methods for Rating
1. When a company is rated, it tells them where they stand in their industry. 2. According to a kind of survey, companies can be assigned ratings on their performance based on the figures in their financial statements. 3. A company can be judged by the opinions of executives and other employees. 4. People use these rankings as an indication of the company’s reputation. 5. Another criterion for determining a company’s performance is to evaluate their market performance. 6. Investors and lenders want companies to be rated.
V ocabulary Extension Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only once. assets
profit
monopoly
bankrupt
debt
conglomerate
1. Bill Gates almost has a(n) __________ on computer operating systems. Almost everyone uses Windows on their computer. 2. Even after paying taxes and all expenses, Microsoft still made a huge __________. 3. My cousin’s company is going __________. He can’t pay all the money that he owes. 4. GE has many buildings, manufactured goods, and other __________ of value. 5. Money you owe is called a(n) __________. 6. GE is a(n) __________; that is, it is one big company that consists of many smaller companies in different fields.
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S upplemental Reading Where Are the Asian Companies?
S
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ince 1999, the US magazine Forbes has published a special list of the “best” companies around the world: the A-list of Best Big Companies. One of the first requirements is that a company must have over US $5
billlion in sales per year. Next, Forbes looks at the company’s history over the past
5
five years. Only companies with stable growth of sales and solid stock prices remain on the list. In looking at the list of companies selected by Forbes, it appears businesses worldwide are not really equally represented. For example, a person might assume that the number of companies from a country should be related in some
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way to that country’s economic power. But companies from the United States and Europe seem overly represented on Forbes’ A-list. Companies from the United States and Europe represent 85 percent of the companies on the list! Why are Asian companies underrepresented on this list? Actually, there are several reasons business analysts have suggested to
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account for this underrepresentation. Most of these reasons are related to the “bad” business practices of many Asian companies. For example, companies that hire relatives or friends as managers typically do not have stable growth. They usually fail. Both the legal and political systems in some countries allow businesses to operate in ways considered
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unethical. Such practices make these companies poor choices for investors and thus remove these companies from Forbes’ A-list.
Discussion Discuss the following questions. 1. Do you agree with how Fortune and Business Week rank companies? Why or why not? 2. What do you think is the most important thing to consider in order to have a successful company?
