VOLUME 3

Webnews 1
Title: RICHEST ONE PERCENT GETS RICHER
Source: https://cgi2.nhk.or.jp/e-news/news/index.cgi?ymd=20150325

Webnews 2
Title: Businessman claims responsibility for drone crash at Himeji Castle
Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/09/20/national/drone-crashes-roofhimeji-castle-national-treasure/#.Vf8hvEB97IX
Vocabulary:
Drone noun
-a deep continuous sound : HUM usually singular
*There was an endless drone of washing machines at the laundry.

Unmanned adjective
-not carrying or done by a person
*It is an unmanned aircraft.

Webnews 3
Title: JAPAN: Bad Affirmative Action for women Drives Out Good
Source: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1183141

Webnews 4
Title: Why Do People Waste So Much Food?
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/food-waste-up-to-half-of-worldsfood-thrown-away-voa/2975776.html
Vocabulary:
1. sustainable adj. involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy
natural resources
Ex. Farmers need sustainable water supply.
2. Her behavior disgraced [=shamed] the whole family n. loss of respect; v.
bringing shame or discredit on someone or something
Ex.Her behavior disgraced [=shamed] the whole family

3. app n. a computer program that performs a particular task, generally on a

smartphone
Ex. Line is a popular app among East Asians now.

Comprehension Questions:
1. What did expert say about the food waster both in poor and rich countries?
2. Make a comparison on how rich and poor people waste food.
3. What kind of app did Elliot Wooley created and how can it help people?
What do you think:
1. Do you agree that a lot of food is wasted right now in the world?
2. What should we do to prevent wastage of food?
3. What should be done to people who waste food?
Word of the day: Loose ones cookies
Idiom -> puke, barf, or upchuck
The garbage smelled so terrible I almost lost my cookies.

Webnews 5
Title: Cell Phone Use Among Friends? How Rude!
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/cell-phone-use-among-friendshow-rude/2983035.html
Vocabulary:

1.) buzz - v. to make the low, continuous sound of a flying insect (such as a bee)
2.) antisocial - adj. not friendly to other people
3.) explicit - adj. very clear and complete: leaving no doubt about the meaning
4.) infographic - n. a visual image such as a chart or diagram used to represent
information or data.
Comprehension Question:
1. What is the meaning of #FOMO?
2. What does Pew Research Center found on their recent study about checking
your phone in public?
3. How many percent of people said they had used their cell phones during a
recent social event?
What do you think?
1. What is cell phone etiquette in your country?
2. Do you use your cell phone when you're around others?
3. Did you use your cell phone at your last social event?
4. Have people ever been rude to you when they used their cell phones?
5. Should there be a strict policy on the usage of cell phone is
Word of the day:
One moment please

Webnews 6
Title: NASA: Strong Evidence of Liquid Water on Mars
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/nasa-strong-evidence-of-liquidwater-on-mars/2982778.html
Vocabulary:

1.) hydrated adj. relating to something formed when water combines with
another substance
2.) implication n. a possible future effect or result
Comprehension Question:
1. Who announced that there is a strong evidence of salt water on
the planet Mars?
2. What did Jim Green said during the conference?
3. According to Doug McCuistion, what is the implication of this discovery?
What do you think?
1. Would you like to live in another planet someday?
2. What do you think your life would be if you are living in Mars?
Word of the day:
down-to-earth

Webnews 7
Title: Smaller plates help reduce obesity
Source: http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1509/150917-obesity.html
Vocabulary Words:
Fancy adjective

-a feeling, especially one that is not particularly strong or urgent, that you like
someone or want to have something
Ex. Fancy diets do not work.
Obesity noun
-when someone is very fat in a way that is unhealthy
Ex. Obesity is becoming a worldwide problem among children today.
Comprehension Questions:
Which university conducted the research?
By how much could Americans see a reduction in their calorie intake?
Who is Gareth Hollands?
What do you think?
When is it difficult to stop overeating?
How does the size of your plates affect how much you eat?
What experiences do you have of going on a diet?
Why do we eat too much?
Word of the day
Binge verb
-to do too much of something, such as eating or drinking, in a short period of time
Ex. Whenever she's depressed she binges on chocolates.

Webnews 8
Title: Woman Not Diabetic After Cell Transplant
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/woman-not-diabetic-after-celltransplant/2959944.html
Vocabulary:

stem cell - n. a simple cell in the body that is able to develop into any one of various
kinds of cells, such as blood cells or skin cells
insulin - n. a substance that your body makes and uses to turn sugar into energy
injection - n. the act or process of forcing a liquid medicine or drug into someone or
something by using a special needle
Comprehension question:
1. How old was Wendy Peackock when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?
2. When did MsPeackock receive the stemcell treatment?

Webnews 9
Title: Kampai! Japan Brings Sake and Sushi to Washington
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/kampai-japan-brings-sake-andsushi-to-washington/2998530.html

Webnews 10
Title: Jobless young people a big problem
Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1510/151011-youthunemployment.html
Vocabulary:
Gloomy adjective
-sad because you think the situation will not improve
Ex. Anne dismissed these gloomy thoughts from her mind.
Coming down- phrasal verb
-to be long or deep enough to reach a particular lower point or level

Ex.The jacket came down almost to his knees.

Comprehension Questions:
Where is youth unemployment falling?
What was the level of youth unemployment in China in 2010?
Where is there a youth unemployment rate of 45%?
What do you think?
How easy or difficult is it to find a job in your country?
Why is it so difficult for young people to find a job?
How would you feel if you had no job for a long time?
Word of the day
Jack / Jill of all trades (master / mistress of none) idioms
-A person that is competent with many skills but is not outstanding in any particular
one.
Ex.She can turn her hand to anything, she's a real Jill of all trades.

Webnews 11
Title: Walking Fast a Sign of Longer Life
Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1101/110107-walking.html
Vocabulary:
1) longevity noun
the amount of time that someone or something lives
*The worms have a longevity of about two years.
1) tandem doing something together or at the same time as someone or
something else
*The two companies often work in tandem.

2) survival the state of continuing to live or exist

*Illegal hunting is threatening the survival of the species.
Comprehension Questions/What do you think?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Do you think walking is a good form of exercise?

How important is going for a walk to you?
Will you remember to walk quickly when youre over 65?
Do you think there is a connection between walking speed and longevity?
Do you think kids walk enough these days? Why or why not?

Word of the day

Feel like a million dollars idiom
to look or feel extremely attractive
*You look like a million dollars in that dress!

Webnews 12
Title: French radio wants to play English songs
Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1510/151005-english-songs.html
Vocabulary
1) fundamental - adjective
->relating to the most basic and important parts of something
*We have to tackle the fundamental cause of the problem
2) daft - adjective
->silly
*She's as daft as a brush
3) punk - noun

->a type of loud music popular in the late 1970s and 1980s
Comprehension Question:
How old is the system that tells DJs to play songs in French?
What are music lovers changing to instead of the radio?
What influences does France want to protect its culture from?
WDY:
How much English is part of your language?
Do you prefer songs in English or songs in your own language?
How should the law protect musicians and singers?
face the music - idiom
Accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
*After failing a math test, Tom had to go home and face the music.

Webnews 13
Title: Internet gives new meanings to common words
Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1510/151020-words.html
Vocabulary:
commemorate

recognizable

era

v. to do something to
show that you remember
and respect someone
important or an important
event in the past
v. to know and remember
(someone or something)
because of previous
knowledge or experience
n. a period of time in
history that is known for a
particular event, or for
particular qualities

The festival
commemorates the town's
founding.
I didn't recognize you at
first with your new haircut.
We live in an era of instant
communication.

Comprehension Questions:
1. When did the website Dictionary.com start?
2. What did Liz McMillan say has shaped our word use over time?
3. What does the article say is Internet-enabled?

What do you think:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What three English words do you really like (and why)?

How has the Internet changed the words in you?
What would life be like without the Internet?
How has the Internet changed your life?
How does the Internet help you study English?

Word of the day:

Mouse potato noun
-a person who spends large amounts of time operating a computer.

Webnews 14
Title: Federal agents crackdown on 'birth tourism' in California
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31717213
Hostels
fraud
crackdown
Schemes

defrauded

n. a place where people can

stay and eat fairly cheaply
n. the crime of deceiving people
in order to gain something such
as money or goods
n. action that is taken to deal
more strictly with crime, a
problem, protests etc
n. a clever plan, especially to do
something that is bad or illegal used in order to show
disapproval
v. to trick a person or
organization in order to get
money from them

There are a lot of hostels

downtown
He's been charged with
tax fraud.
It is the government's
crackdown against drugs.
There is a scheme to pass
false checks.
She defrauded her
employers of thousands of
pounds.

Comprehension Questions:
1. How much money did the Chinese women paid for the "birth tourism" hostels?
2. How many children were estimated to be born in the US each year?

3. How did the Chinese "trainer" help the applicant for this birth tourism?
What do you think?
1. Do you have the American dream?
2. Why do you think a lot of people wanted to be naturally born citizen of America?
3. How do you naturalize a non-Japanese person in Japan?
Word of the day:
Xenophobia n. strong fear or dislike of people from other countries

Webnews 15
Title: What Makes Beauty So Appealing?
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/article/3020677.html
Attractive
Unique

Preference

adj. having a pleasing

appearance
adj. used to say that
something or someone is
unlike anything or anyone
else
n. a feeling of liking or
wanting one person or
thing more than another
person or thing

Women seem to find him

attractive.
Each person's fingerprints
are unique.
Do you have a colour
preference?

Comprehension Questions:
1. Who did People name the most beautiful person in the world?
2. What are the factors that shaped an observers judgement of beauty?
3. What is the website where people rate photos?
What do you think
1. How do you define beauty?

2. What do you find beautiful in a face?

3. What can you say about this statement: Beauty is skin deep.
4. Do you think the media dictates how people define beauty?
Word of the day:
beauty is in the eye of the beholder - expression judgment on what is beautiful
is personal, not objective

Webnews 16
Title: Ecotourism a danger to wildlife
Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1510/151014-ecotourism.html
Vocabulary:
Pristine
Habitat
Mortality

Predator
benign

Adj. extremely fresh or

clean
n. the natural home of a
plant or animal
n. the number of deaths
during a particular period
of time among a particular
type or group of people
n. an animal that kills and
eats other animals
Adj. kind and gentle

He always wears a pristine

white shirt.
The grassland is an
important habitat for
many wild flowers.
Mortality from heart
disease varies widely
across the world.
There are a lot of
predators in the wild.
He shook his head in
benign amusement.

Comprehension Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

What adjective did the article use to say ecotourism was doing well?
How many people visit pristine natural areas every year?
What did the article say ecotourism is doing to animals' confidence?
What might the animals encounter that could put them at risk?

What do you think?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What are the problems of ecotourism?

Should we leave animals alone in their natural habitat?
What are the benefits of ecotourism?
How can we best help animals in the wild?
What will be the state of animals' natural habitat in the future?

Word of the day:

take the bull by the horns idioms. face a challenge or danger boldly
If you really think you deserve a promotion, you'll have to take the bull by the
horns.

Webnews 17
Title: Chinese Prof Sugggests Wife-Sharing for Lonely Bachelors
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/chinese-prof-suggests-wifesharing-for-lonely-bachelors/3024975.html
moral

monogamy

condemn

misery
insult

adj. concerning or relating

to what is right and wrong
in human behavior
(opposite is immoral)
n. the state or practice of
being married to only one
person at a time : the
state or practice of having
only one sexual partner
during a period of time
v. to say in a strong and
definite way that someone
or something is bad or
wrong
n. extreme suffering or
unhappiness
v. to do or say something
that shows a lack of

It is easy to have an
opinion on a moral issue
like the death penalty for
murder.
Monogamy is rare in
most animal groups, but is
common among birds.

Politicians were quick to

condemn the bombing.
What we are witnessing
here is human misery on
a vast scale.
Nobody insults my family
and gets away with it!

audacity
ratio

respect for (someone)

n. bold or arrogant
disregard of normal
restraints
n. the relationship that
exists between the size,
number, or amount of two
things and that is often
represented by two
numbers

I can't believe he had the

audacity to ask me for
more money!
The ratio of nursing staff
to doctors is 2:1.

Comprehension Questions:
1. What did the economics professor suggest the Chinese men?
2. According to the professor what is the effect of imbalance between the
number of men and women?
3. What was the reaction of social media to the professors proposal?
What do you think?
1. What do you think about the professors proposal?
2. Do you agree that it is somewhat immoral as what the social media claim?
3. Do you think it is a misogynistic idea? Explain your answer

Word of the day:

Misogynist n. a man who hates women. I could say that the professor is definitely
misogynist and chauvinist.
*chauvinist - someone, especially a man, who believes that their own sex is better
or more important than the other sex

Webnews 18
Title: Rent a hot guy to make you cry, then wipe your tears away
Source: http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/rent-a-hot-guy-to-makeyou-cry-then-wipe-your-tears-away
Vocabulary
immaculate

Adj.very clean and tidy

pent-up

Adj. pent-up feelings or

energy have not been
expressed or used for a
long time
v. to persuade someone to
do something, especially
something that does not
seem wise
Adj. influenced by the
most fashionable styles
and ideas
n. something that people
like or do for a short time,
or that is fashionable for a
short time

induce

trendy
fad

Comprehension Questions:

He wore an immaculate
dark-blue suit.
She spent years of pent
up anger and frustration
on her chosen career.
Nothing would induce me
to vote for him again.
La Mesa Grill is a trendy
Bay Area restaurant.
Interest in organic food is
not a fad, it's here to stay.

1. What kind of company is Ikemeso?

2. What can you say about the guys who work for Ikemeso?
3. How much is the service of Ikemeso guys?
What do you think?
1. Is crying important as laughing? Why?
2. What is your opinion on the service of these Ikemenso guys?
3. Would you avail of their service?
Word of the day:
down in the dumps idioms - Someone who is down in the dumps is depressed or
feeling gloomy.
Ex. Alex has been down in the dumps since he failed his exam.

Webnews 19
Title: China ends one-child policy
Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151101-one-child-policy.html
Vocabulary:
surge
adhere

peak

n. a sudden, large
increase in a feeling
v. to continue to behave
according to a particular
rule, agreement, or belief
n. the time when
something or someone is
best, greatest, highest,
most successful etc

I felt a sudden surge of

excitement.
We adhere to the
principles
of equal
rights and freedom of
expression for all.
The British Empire was at
its peak in the mid-19th
century.

Comprehension Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

When was the one-child policy introduced?

What was surging that the Chinese government wanted to restrict?
What kind of boost will the new two-child policy provide China?
What was the peak of China's labour force?

What do you think?

1.
2.
3.
4.

What do you know about China's one-child policy?

How can we control overpopulation?
How balanced is the population in your country, regarding age?
What is the problem of a low fertility rate?

Word of the day:

Baby boomers - A person who was born between 1946 and 1964.

Webnews 20
Title: WHO: Bacon, Hot Dogs Can Cause Cancer
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/bacon-hot-dogs-deemedcancer-foods/3023769.html
bowel

sufficient
asbestos

diesel
carcinogenic

n. the long tube in the

body that helps digest
food and carries solid
waste out of the body
adj. having or providing as
much as is needed
n. a soft gray mineral that
was used especially as a
building material in the
past, and that can cause
serious diseases of the
lungs when people
breathe its dust
n. a vehicle (such as a
truck or bus) that has a
diesel engine
adj. likely or able to cause
cancer

He was diagnosed with

cancer or the bowel.
We need sufficient time to
deal with the problem.

Carcinogenic substances
cause cancer.

broad

adj. including or involving

many things or people :
wide in range or amount

We went along a broad

passage.

Comprehension questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

How is processed meat preserved?

What does IARC stands for?
According to IARC what are the substances that cause cancer?
What did Dr. Kurt Straif said about eating red meat?

What do you think?

1.
2.
3.
4.

Do you like red meat?

How much red meat do you usually consume?
How about processed meat, do you like eating them?
How can weprevent ourselves from having cancer?

Word of the day:

Bitter pill to swallow idiom
->an unpleasant fact that one must accept
*Losing the election was a bitter pill to swallow for the candidate.

Volume 4
Webnews 01
Title: Low-fat diets not best for weight loss: study
Source: http://www.japantoday.com/category/health/view/low-fat-diets-not-best-forweight-loss-study
regime

shed
optimal
contradictory

n. a special plan of food,

exercise etc that is
intended to improve your
health
v. to get rid of something
that you no longer need or
want
Adj. the best or most
suitable
Adj. two statements,
beliefs etc that are
contradictory are different
and therefore cannot both
be true or correct

I have this very nice diet

regime
I have this perfect diet to
help you shed pounds

robust
adherence
abysmal

Adj. a robust person is

strong and healthy
n. when someone behaves
according to a particular
rule, belief, principle etc
Adj. very bad or of bad
quality

He is a robust man of 6
foot four.

The reunion was an

abysmal failure.

Comprehension Questions:
1. Who said that low-fat diet is not recommendable to lose weight?
2. What kind of diet led to greater weight loss?
3. What did the journal Cell Metabolism found on their study?
What do you think?
1. Do you believe in going on a diet?
2. What is your diet regimen?
3. How should people lose weight?
Word of the day:
Put on weight idiom
->to gain weight; to get fat
*He has put on a lot of weight since last year.

Webnews 02
Title: More and more 70-year-olds working
Source: http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151110-working.html
Vocabulary:
retirement
pension

n. when you stop working,

usually because of your
age
n. an amount of money
paid regularly by the
government or company
to someone who does not
work anymore, for
example because they
have reached the age
when people stop working
or because they are ill

He became a keen golfer

after his retirement from
politics.
If you are self-employed,
you should think about
taking out
a private
pension.

Comprehension Questions:
1. How many working 70-74 year-old people were there in 2005?

2. What percentage of 70-74 year-old people are now working in the UK?
3. What do 70-74 year-old people need to make a genuine choice?
What do you think:
1. At what age do you want to stop working?
2. What is the best retirement age?
3. What are the difficulties for people when they retire?
Word of the day:
Fortnight n. Two weeks
Example:
We usually receive our pension on the fortnight.

Webnews 03
Title: This Alarm Clock Slaps You Awake
Source: http://mentalfloss.com/article/71137/alarm-clock-slaps-you-awake
momentous

snooze
contraptions

detangle
Comprehension Questions:

adj. a momentous event,

change, or decision is very
important because it will
have a great influence on
the future
v. to sleep lightly for a
short time [= doze]
n. a piece of equipment or
machinery that looks
funny, strange, and
unlikely to work well
v. to remove tangles,
untangle

His colleagues all

recognized that this was a
momentous occasion

The figurine was a bizarre

contraption.

1. Who builds this crazy contraption?

2. What did the inventor use in making this crazy alarm clock?
3. How will this alarm clock wake a person who sleeps?
What do you think?
1. What do you think of this invention?
2. Would you like to have this alarm clock? Why?
3. Do you think this invention will be effective in waking up people? Why?
Word of the day:
Wake up and smell the coffee idiom
-When someone doesn't realize what is really happening or is not paying enough
attention to events around them, you can tell them to wake up and smell the coffee.
It's time you woke up and smelled the coffee, Don. We're just not getting enough
business any more.
naive - not having much experience of how complicated life is, so that you trust
people too much and believe that good things will always happen [ innocent]:

Webnews 04
Title: More couples saying, I do but not yet
Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/11/14/national/medianational/couples-saying-not-yet/
Vocabulary Words:
stalked off
withered
hervibore

Comprehension Questions:

to walk in a proud or
angry way, with long steps
a withered person looks
thin and weak and old
an animal that only eats
plants [ carnivore,
omnivore]

1. In 2010, what is the percentage of men and women classified themselves as

lifetime singles?
2. Where did Mr. Takahashi met his wife?
3. What is gokon?
What
1.
2.
3.

do you think?
What is your view on singledom
Is arranged marriage still practice in your country?
Most Asian societies, like Korea are very strict about getting married. What is
Japans stand on this?
4. Would you like to try gokon someday?

Word of the day:

May-December love Affair idiom
-When a dating couple has a larger-than-average age gap between them

Webnews 05
Title: Amazon enters UK grocery shopping market
Source: http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151116-grocery-delivery.html
cutlery
replenish
innovate

knives, forks, and spoons

that you use for eating
and serving
to put new supplies into
something, or to fill
something again
to start to use new ideas,
methods, or inventions

More vaccines are needed

to replenish our stocks
The company has
successfully innovated
new products and
services.

Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the name of Amazon's new grocery delivery service?
2. What will Amazon customers be able to buy later?

3. What did a spokeswoman say customers would like about the service?
What do you think?
1. What do you think of grocery shopping?
2. What do you think of shopping online for groceries?
3. How convenient do you think Amazon Pantry might be?
Word of the day:
bitter pill to swallow idiom
-something unpleasant that one must accept
It was a bitter pill to swallow when I learned that I would not get the new job.

Webnews 06
Title: Japan and blood types: Does it determine personality?
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-20170787
transfusion

temperament

eccentric
monotheism

n. the process of putting

blood from one person's
body into the body of
someone else as a
medical treatment
n. the emotional part of
someone's character,
especially how likely they
are to be happy, angry etc
adj. behaving in a way
that is unusual and
different from most people
n. the belief that there is
only one God

A blood transfusion saved

his life.

Jill has such a lovely

relaxed temperament.
His eccentric behaviour
lost him his job.

Comprehension Questions:
1. According to the article, how do they describe people with blood type A?
2. What is the key question in everything from matchmaking to job applications?
3. What book did Masahiko Nomi in 1970?
Word of the day:
walk down the aisle together
- to get married (in this case in a church where the bride walks down the aisle to the
altar)

Webnews 07
Title: Slurp Your Soup, Yes! Share Your Sticks, No! Japanese Dining Rules
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/slurp-your-soup-yes-share-yoursticks-no/3020084.html
Vocabulary:
taboo

spear

scrape
slurp

Comprehension Questions:

n. a custom that says you

must avoid a particular
activity or subject, either
because it is considered
offensive or because your
religion does not allow it
v. to push a pointed
object, usually a fork, into
something, so that you
can pick it up
v. to remove something
from a surface using the
edge of a knife, a stick etc
v. to drink a liquid while
making a noisy sucking
sound

There are taboos against

appearing naked in public
places.

Scrape the carrots and

slice them thinly.

1.
2.
3.
4.

What is Izakaya?
What kinds of food are served in Izakaya?
What do Japanese say when they raise their glasses?
Give some taboos about using chopsticks in Japan.

What do you think?

1. Please tell me about some table manners that you have in Japan.
2. Why are slurping and burping accepted table manners in Japan?
3. What are the things that one should not do when dining in Japan?
Word of the day:
Bite your tongue idiom. When you stop yourself from saying something because
you realize it might cause offense or be hurtful.
Barack Obama said he bit his tongue many times during his primary fight against
Hillary Clinton.

Webnews 08
Title: Money is the internationally leading cause of stress
Source: http://www.msn.com/en-ph/health/medical/money-is-the-leading-cause-ofstress-internationally/ar-AAfIiBG?li=AAb2fpp&ocid=LENDHP
Vocabulary:
deprivation

lack
conduct

n. the lack of something

that you need in order to
be healthy, comfortable,
or happy
n. when there is not
enough of something, or
none of it
v. to carry out a particular
activity or process,
especially in order to get
information or prove facts

Sleep deprivation can

result in mental disorders.
New parents are suffering
from lack of sleep
We are conducting a
survey of consumer
attitudes towards organic
food.

Comprehension Questions:
1. Aside from lack of sleep and self-pressure, what is one of the top three major
of stress?
2. According to a 22-country survey from GfK, how many percent of people are
stressed about money?
3. Which countries suffer least from this stress?

Comprehension Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Does money give you stress?

What can you say about this statement: Money is the root of all evil?
Why do you think Japanese are not so stressed about money?
Do you think money can buy happiness?

Word of the day:

Cheapskate - a person who will not spend much money, a stingy person
*My friend is a cheapskate and will not go to a movie with me.

Webnews 09
Title: 5 cups of coffee a day might make you live longer, study suggests
Source: http://www.msn.com/en-ph/health/nutrition/5-cups-of-coffee-a-day-mightmake-you-live-longer-study-suggests/ar-BBn6FHA?ocid=LENDHP
decaffeinated

consumption
premature

adj. coffee or tea that is

decaffeinated does not
contain caffeine (=the
substance that keeps you
awake)
n. the amount of energy,
oil, electricity etc that is
used [ consume]
Adj. happening before the
natural or proper time

We have may enjoy

decaffeinated drinks at
night.
There is a dramatic rise in
fuel consumption
Exposing oneself to
sunlight causes premature
ageing of the skin

Comprehension Question:
1. Who conducted the study on drinking coffee?
2. According to the study what are the benefits of drinking coffee?
3. What did Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation Emily Reeve
said about drinking coffee?

What do you drink?

1. Do you like drinking coffee?
2. How healthy do you think coffee is?
3. Which do you think is healthier to drink, coffee or tea? Why?
Word of the day:
Sprudge:
Sprudge is both neologism and parody. Sprudge is a made-up word for the coffee
crumbs, blotches and splats present on a baristas clothing and shoes after a long
shift on bar. Well use it in a sentence: Listen, you finish dividing up the tips, I gotta
go get this sprudge off my shoes.
Sprudge is also a portmanteau of the words Espresso and Drudge. In our
early, funny days, Sprudge.com was a painfully exact visual parody of The Drudge
Report circa 2009, right down to the omnipresent Hugo Chavez.

Webnews 10
Title: Burned Firefighter Gets Historic Face Transplant
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/burned-man-gets-historic-facetransplant/3067301.html
transplant

recipient
plastic surgery
critical

medical : to perform a
medical operation in
which an organ or other
part that has been
removed from the body of
one person is put it into
the body of another
person
n. a person who receives
something
n. surgery that improves
or repairs the form or
appearance of body parts
adj. extremely important

The heart transplant was a

success.

She is the main recipient

of the lifetime
achievement award.
Plastic surgery is cheap in
Thailand.
Many economists are
critical of the
government's economic
policies.

third-degree

adj. causing severe injury

positive

adj. thinking that a good

result will happen :
hopeful or optimistic

The patient was put to ICU

due to her third-degree
burns.
I am positive that we are
going to win the game
tonight.

Comprehensive Questions:
1. What is the name of the man who received the new face?
2. What is the name of the plastic surgeon and how long was the operation?
3. Who is the donor of the face?
What do you think?
1. Can you imagine yourself having a different face?
2. Are you willing to donate any parts of your body someday? How about
your loved ones body parts?
3. How can this face transplant benefit its recipient?
4. What do you think are the possible flaws of this transplant?
Word of the day:
face would stop a clock idiom. A face that is strikingly or shockingly
unattractive.
(+)He walked down the streettall, muscular, and with a face that could stop a
clockand everyone stared to admire his beauty.
(-)His physique was remarkable, but unfortunately he was cursed with a face that
would stop a clock.

Webnews 11
Title: In Japanese, Onigiri Means Love and Comfort
Source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/onigiri-love-means-comfortfood-in-japan/3055495.html
Vocabulary:
grasp

v. to take and hold

(something) with your
fingers, hands, etc

Comprehension Questions:
1. In Japanese culture, what is the meaning of onigiri?
2. What is Table for Two?
3. Who is their president?

What do you think:

1. Why is onigiri considered a comfort food in Japan?
2. How can one make an onigiri healthy?
3. Other than onigiri, what are some comfort food in Japan?
Word of the day:
Sumptuous adjective
-very impressive and expensive
*Veronica prepared a sumptuous feast for her daughters 7 th birthday.

Webnews 12
Title: Celebrating 1st birthday is big deal in Okinawa
Source: http://www.japanupdate.com/2013/12/celebrating-1st-birthday-is-big-dealin-okinawa/
Vocabulary:
predict
regal

Comprehension Questions:

v. to say that something

will happen, before it
happens
Adj. typical of a king or
queen, suitable for a king
or queen, or similar to a
king or queen in
behaviour, looks etc

Sales were five percent

lower than predicted.
James watched with regal
detachment

1. What is Tanka Yu-eh?

2. What is the highlight of this celebration?
3. How do families in Okinawa celebrate this event in a modern style?
What do you think?
1. Do you have the same birthday celebration in your region?
2. What do you think of tanka-uranai?
3. What do you think is the importance of this celebration?
Word of the day:
let your hair down = forget all your inhibitions: "Go on! Let your hair down for once
and have a good time."

Webnews 13
Title: 13 things mentally strong people don't do
Source: http://www.msn.com/en-ph/lifestyle/smart-living/13-things-mentally-strongpeople-dont-do/ar-AAgbrNn?li=AAb2fpp#page=2
Vocabulary:
crucial

pull the strings

Adj. something that is

crucial is extremely
important, because
everything else depends
on it
Idiom. to be in control of
an organization, often
secretly

This aid money is crucial

to the government's
economic policies.
I'd really like to know
who's pulling the strings in
that organization, because
it's not the elected

anxiety
bottled up

household name

Keep your eyes on the

prize

n. the feeling of being

very worried about
something [= concern]
Idiom. to hold one's
feelings within; to keep
from saying something
that one feels strongly
about.
Idiom. well known by
everyone; commonly and
widely known. (*Typically:
be ~; become ~; make
something ~.)
Idiom. to stay focused on
the end result; to not let
small problems get in the
way of good results

committee.
There is growing public
anxiety over levels of air
pollution in our cities.
Don't bottle up your
problems. It's better to
talk them out.
Some kid named Perry
Hodder has become a
household name!
I know it's difficult going
to class after work, but
just keep your eye on the
prize. At the end of next
year, you'll have your MBA

Comprehension Questions:
1. What did the writer said about feeling sorry for one self?
2. According to the writer, what are the five stages of change?
3. Who is the famous person that the writer used as an example who has a
strong grip on power?
What do you think:
1. Are you a strong person?
2. Do you agree with this article?
3. How do you deal with change?
Word of the day:
Push over - to be easy to persuade, influence, or defeat
Ex.They aren't the best team in the league, but they're no pushover, either.

Webnews 14
Title: Chinese man sues his wife for being ugly, and the court AGREES...
awarding him 75,000
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2223718/Chinese-man-sues-wifeugly-court-AGREES--awarding-120-000.html

Vocabulary:
sue

v. to make a legal claim

The company is suing a

outrage

False pretenses

against someone,
especially for money,
because they have
harmed you in some way
n. a feeling of great anger
and shock
n. behavior intended to
deceive others

former employee.

The response to the jury's

verdict was one of
outrage.
He obtained money by
false pretenses.

Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the name of the man who divorces his wife?
2. What was his reason for divorcing his wife?
3. How much did he get from suing his wife?
What do you think?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Do you think it is his right to sue his wife for cheating?

What is your feeling towards cosmetic surgery?
What do you think is the womans reason for changing her looks?
Can we blame the media for distorting our views on beauty? Please give
reasons to support your answer.

Word of the day:

Go under the knife have a surgery
Samanthas going under the knife, as she thinks her nose is too big.

Webnews 15
Title: Why being messy can be a positive trait, according to researchers
Source: http://www.msn.com/en-ph/lifestyle/smart-living/why-being-messy-can-be-apositive-trait-according-to-researchers/ar-BBnAwxe?li=AAb2fpp&ocid=LENDHP
Vocabulary:
pleas

n. a request that is urgent

The parents made an

or full of emotion
myriad

Adj. very many

clutter

n. a large number of
things that are scattered
somewhere in an untidy
way [= junk]
v. to wait somewhere
quietly and secretly,
usually because you are
going to do something
wrong

lurks

emotional plea to their

child's kidnappers.
We were plagued by a
myriad tiny flies.
Could you get rid of some
of that clutter in your
bedroom?
She didn't see the figure
lurking behind the bushes.

Comprehension Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Which university did this study?

What is the name of the lady who led the study?
What did they ask the participants to do?
What was the result of the activity?

What do you think?

1.
2.
3.
4.

Do you agree with the saying that a clutter desk is a sign of a clutter mind?
What can you say about people who keep their things cluttered around?
Do you want other people to tidy your room?
Do you agree that cluttered people are more creative than those who are
clean freak? Give reasons to your answer.

Word of the day:

Brainchild - n. an idea, plan, organization etc that someone has thought of without
any help from anyone else
Iphone is the brainchild of Steve Jobs.

Webnews 16
Title: How much exercise it takes to burn off junk food including Big Macs,
fries and chocolate
Source: http://www.msn.com/en-ph/health/nutrition/how-much-exercise-it-takes-toburn-off-junk-food-including-big-macs-fries-and-chocolate/ar-BBnCBqI?
li=AAb2fpp&ocid=LENDHP

Vocabulary:
pitfalls

scoff

tucking

vilified
detriment

n a problem or difficulty
that is likely to happen in
a particular job, course of
action, or activity
v.to laugh at a person or
idea, and talk about them
in a way that shows you
think they are stupid [=
make fun of]
v.to eat a lot of food,
usually quickly and with
enjoyment (British
English)
v. to say or write bad
things about someone or
something
n. harm or damage

He gave me advice on
how to
avoid the
pitfalls
of the legal
process.
David scoffed at her fears.

They tucked into a hearty

breakfast of eggs.
Johnson was vilified in the
press for refusing to
resign.
He worked very long
hours, to the detriment of
his marriage.

Comprehension Questions:
1. How much calories would take in by eating a Big Mac at Mc Donalds?
2. How many minutes of exercise do you need to burn it off?
What do you think?
1. Do you like eating fast food?
2. How do you usually feel after eating fast food?
3. How popular are fast foods in your country?
Word of the day:
Supersize v. to make very large
Supersize drinks and meals in the fast food nowadays are blamed to increasing
number of obese people all over the world.