TOEIC TOEFL IELTS TRAINING

Transcription

1 DAY 25 Astronauts' brains change shape during spaceflight Researchers from the University of Michigan in the USA have found that the brain of astronauts changes shape during spaceflight. It is the first study to look into how the brain changes on the journey into space. Researchers looked at pictures of the brains of 26 astronauts who spent time in space. The photos were taken by high-tech medical machines called MRIs. Twelve of the astronauts spent two weeks as Space Shuttle crew members, and 14 spent six months on the International Space Station. All of them experienced increases and decreases in the size of different parts of the brain. The researchers said that the longer an astronaut spent in space, the bigger the differences in size were. The research produced some interesting findings. The researchers explained that, "gravity is not available to pull fluids down in the body". This means there is a shift in the position of the brain inside the skull. The brain becomes either more squashed or bigger in size. The findings could help doctors in the future to treat problems that affect the brain's function. One possibility is to treat people who develop problems caused by long-term bed rest. Another possibility is to treat those who have a build-up of fluid in the brain, which can lead to brain damage. The researchers also say we will understand more about how neurons in the brain make connections. In addition, the findings will help future space travelers on their journey to Mars. 1. Conclusion 2. Comprehend 3. Underwent TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F). The research is from a university in France. This is the second study into how spaceflight changes the brain. Researchers look at photos of the brains of 26 astronauts. A longer time in space meant smaller size differences in the brain. A lack of gravity was one reason for the changes in brain shape and size. This study could help people who have to stay in bed for a long time. This research will not increase understanding about neuron behavior. The findings will help humans on their journey to Mars.

2 DAY 26 My luggage went astray!!! I had a terrible time on my last trip to Europe. Bernard Why, what happened? Did you have an accident? No, my luggage went astray. When I arrived in Paris and went to collect my case from the baggage carousel, it never arrived. Bernard What happened to it? Had somebody collected it by mistake or stolen it? No, it had been sent on to London by mistake. Bernard Did you get it back. Yes I did, but it took two whole days. I was absolutely furious. Explanation : If something goes astray, it gets lost while it is being taken or sent somewhere. Example : Many items of mail being sent to her have gone astray. KEY WORDS AND PHRASE 1. Accident 2. Terrible 3. Stolen Pattern Practice 1. We met an accident last night. 2. That was a very terrible act. 3. My phone just got stolen from the bar.

3 DAY 27 Starbucks plans to employ 10,000 refugees Starbucks boss Howard Schultz has said his company would employ 10,000 refugees over the next five years. Mr Schultz is the CEO of the international coffee shop chain. He is very unhappy with President Donald Trump's new ban on the citizens of seven Middle Eastern and North African countries. Schultz said his promise was, "a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination". He added: "There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business." Many people are angry at Mr Schultz's plans. Trump supporters have asked people to boycott Starbucks coffee shops. They say that Mr Schultz should be doing more to help the 40,000 unemployed military veterans in the USA instead of refugees. Starbucks said it has already hired 8,800 of the 10,000 veterans it promised to hire in 2013 by Trump supporters have also asked consumers to quit doing business with other companies who are critical of the President, like Macy s and Amazon. On the opposite side, opponents of Mr. Trump have started the hashtag #GrabYourWallet. This encourages consumers to avoid doing business with companies that have supported Mr Trump or have business links to him. 1. Boycott 2. Consumers 3. Employ TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F). Starbucks will employ 10,000 refugees by the end of this year. Starbucks' CEO will welcome people who are fleeing from war. The U.N. says there are 65 million refugees in the world. Starbucks operates in 75 countries worldwide. Many Trump supporters want people not to go to Starbucks. The Starbucks CEO said he would help 40,000 military veterans. Starbucks hired 10,000 U.S. military veterans in The hashtag #GrabYourWallet gets people to boycott Starbucks.

4 Day 28 Explanation : They've probably been held up by the traffic!!! To hold somebody or something up means to delay somebody or something. Example : Traffic was held up for several hours by the accident. You're not looking too cheerful. Well, I arranged with Bob and Chris to meet me here for a drink at seven o'clock. It's now a quarter to eight and neither of them has turned up. I wouldn't give up hope. They've probably been held up by the traffic. It's been very heavy for the past hour. Even so, they should have turned up by now. Well, I'd give them another quarter of an hour or so. OK, but after that I'm going home. KEY WORDS AND PHRASE 1. Cheerful 2. Arrange 3. Neither Pattern Practice 1. I always find her cheerful. 2. Don t worry, I have arrange our date this valentine s day. 3. I am not going to the party neither do you.

5 DAY 29 Half a million at Washington D.C. Women's March New figures reveal that as many as 500,000 people attended the Women's March on Washington on January 21st. There has been debate over the size of the crowds because there were no turnstiles or ticket sales. However, high-tech analysis from the company Digital Design and Imaging Service provides a "solid estimate" of there being 440,000 marchers, with a possibility of half a million. It was the biggest demonstration in the USA since the Vietnam War protests in the 1960s. The New York Times reported that the Women's March was three times the size of President Donald Trump's inauguration, which they said had 160,000 attendees. Five million people participated in women's marches around the world. The Women's March was a global protest aimed at highlighting and protecting women's rights. The marchers also focused on immigration, healthcare, the environment, LGBTQ rights, racial equality, freedom of religion, and workers' rights. The marches were held the day after the inauguration of President Trump. Event organisers said they wanted to, "send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights". They added: "We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all." 1. Equality 2. Parity 3. Protest TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F). New figures show that over half a million were at the Women's March. There were record sales of tickets for the Women's March. President Trump's inauguration saw bigger crowds than the Women's March. Around five million people attended women's marches worldwide. Marchers at the Women's March only focused on women's rights. The Women's March was the day after Donald Trump became President. Women's March organisers wanted to send a message to President Trump. Women's March organisers said there is no peace without justice.