ESSENTIAL READING

Chapter 1: The Power of Double Speaking,

P. 7

  1. euphemism
  2. ancient
  3. avoid
  4. offense
  5. politician
  6. reality
  7. deferred success
  8. hearing-impaired
  9. current
  10. be charged with
  11. inarticulate
  12. accusation
  13. merit
  14. be busy (with)
  15. spontaneously
  16. translate
  17. Minister of Education
  18. master (v.)
  19. arithmetic
  20. motivationally
  21. challenged
  22. Department of Transportation
  23. deny
  24. access to
  25. numerous
  26. previous
  27. announce
  28. intention
  29. toilet
  30. pass away
  31. sensitive
  32. evolve
  33. blended
  34. replace
  35. divorcee
  36. exploit
  37. sinister
  38. purpose
  39. military
  40. read between the lines
  41. factual
  42. afflict
  43. deplore
  44. policy
  45. dehumanize
  46. mask (v.)
  47. civilian
  48. protect
  49. be likely to
  50. comprehend
  51. claim
  52. target
  53. destroy
  54. terrorist
  55. admission
  56. innocent
  57. in danger of
  58. desensitized
  59. campaign
  60. statistics
  61. gruesome
  62. witness
  63. grief
  64. survivor
  65. demand
  66. hypocrisy
  67. glorify
  68. justify
  69. denounce
  70. opposing
  71. soldier
  72. factually
  73. statement
  74. disappear
  75. cowardly
  76. rebel
  77. serve as
  78. potentially
  79. ally
  80. instantly
  81. image
  82. bravery
  83. selflessness
  84. as soon as
  85. after all
  86. evil
  87. inhumane
  88. versus
  89. naïve

Chapter 2: Travelers’ Tales, P. 17

  1. global
  2. originally
  3. Isle
  4. career
  5. bargain
  6. haggle
  7. norm
  8. get into it
  9. expert
  10. praise
  11. be aware
  12. of
  13. festival
  14. alien
  15. reverence
  16. royal
  17. deserve
  18. affection
  19. tokenistic
  20. initially
  21. start off
  22. liberal
  23. lifeguard
  24. immediately
  25. zoom
  26. scooter
  27. let off
  28. come up against
  29. intimidated
  30. at the thought of
  31. apparently
  32. petrochemical
  33. transportation
  34. phase out
  35. tell off
  36. cop
  37. loiter
  38. courteous
  39. abrupt
  40. straightforward
  41. novelty
  42. barely
  43. amazingly
  44. breast augmentation
  45. despite
  46. infectious
  47. ooze
  48. positivity
  49. root
  50. disoriented
  51. route
  52. manage to
  53. mystery
  54. be about to
  55. explode
  56. adapt to
  57. head for
  58. aspect
  59. wallet
  60. optimistic
  61. coconut
  62. chop
  63. straw
  64. end up
  65. in awe of
  66. dress down
  67. eccentric
  68. punk
  69. bat
  70. eyelid
  71. multi-cultural
  72. population
  73. nationality
  74. co-exist
  75. whereas
  76. be suspicious of
  77. be astounded by
  78. thrift
  79. donate
  80. unique

Chapter 3: International Travelers Shouldn’t Miss…

  1. contest
  2. take place
  3. contestant
  4. take part in
  5. overweight
  6. drawback
  7. elastic
  8. stomach
  9. competitor
  10. stretch
  11. dip
  12. swallow
  13. currently
  14. mustard
  15. tradition
  16. preserved
  17. sheer
  18. variation
  19. recipe
  20. clay
  21. appearance
  22. cheesy
  23. salty
  24. flavor
  25. acquired
  26. mining
  27. curious
  28. attendance
  29. chef
  30. exotic
  31. open-minded
  32. insect
  33. scorpion
  34. venison
  35. tongue
  36. available
  37. kangaroo
  38. emu
  39. steak
  40. earthworm
  41. snail
  42. stage
  43. dough
  44. mallet
  45. sample
  46. bilingual
  47. volunteer
  48. poisonous
  49. blow fish
  50. emperor
  51. grocery store
  52. iguana
  53. rare
  54. species
  55. ban from
  56. stew
  57. Easter
  58. Lent
  59. Catholic
  60. abstain from
  61. nutritious
  62. medicinal
  63. claw
  64. unfortunately
  65. extend

Chapter 4: Spotlight on

  1. cabin
  2. investigate
  3. mysterious
  4. surreal
  5. captivate
  6. audience
  7. incredible
  8. buff
  9. nevertheless
  10. buff
  11. achieve
  12. reputation
  13. director
  14. sequel
  15. commercial
  16. contain
  17. nudity
  18. gore
  19. novelty
  20. be haunted by
  21. imagination
  22. screenwriter
  23. intend
  24. strategy
  25. element
  26. rigid
  27. genre
  28. version
  29. atmosphere
  30. suggestion
  31. suspense
  32. in common with
  33. revenge
  34. disturbed
  35. creepy
  36. element
  37. ghost
  38. partial
  39. masterstroke
  40. box office
  41. crouch
  42. martial art
  43. classic
  44. throughout
  45. karate
  46. occasionally
  47. genuine
  48. samurai
  49. sword
  50. animation
  51. technique
  52. approach
  53. studio
  54. survive
  55. hype
  56. release
  57. budget
  58. no longer
  59. guarantee
  60. review
  61. golden age
  62. typical
  63. blockbuster
  64. carrier
  65. hinder
  66. subtitle
  67. convey
  68. romance
  69. comedy
  70. trick
  71. contemporary

Chapter 5: Fashion

  1. be willing to
  2. turn up
  3. cheery
  4. exuberant
  5. formality
  6. contradiction
  7. stereotype
  8. encounter
  9. casually
  10. browse
  11. district
  12. recommend
  13. set off
  14. enlighten
  15. Goth
  16. subculture
  17. hang out
  18. isolated
  19. celebrity
  20. consumer
  21. dominate
  22. urban
  23. not to mention
  24. confusion
  25. attempt
  26. accurately
  27. accessory
  28. frilly
  29. independence
  30. crucifix
  31. lipstick
  32. outfit
  33. odd
  34. sewing machine
  35. suntan
  36. blonde
  37. suede
  38. enormous
  39. superficiality
  40. skater
  41. surfer
  42. punk
  43. admit
  44. recession
  45. industrialized
  46. insanely
  47. income
  48. disposable
  49. parasite
  50. unemployed
  51. spoil
  52. verdict
  53. medal

Chapter 6: Controversy

  1. legalize
  2. publicity
  3. desperately
  4. be exposed to
  5. tabloid
  6. exclusive
  7. excessive
  8. rehabilitation
  9. clinic
  10. treatment
  11. addict
  12. addiction
  13. campaigner
  14. advocate
  15. issue
  16. on the rise
  17. concern
  18. be responsible for
  19. shoplifting
  20. theft
  21. burglary
  22. cannabis
  23. ecstasy
  24. misguidedly
  25. harmless
  26. impair
  27. co-ordination
  28. visual
  29. perception
  30. expel
  31. illegal
  32. substance
  33. intelligence
  34. allergic
  35. hold back
  36. performance
  37. depression
  38. paranoia
  39. provision
  40. absence
  41. productivity
  42. properly
  43. manufacturer
  44. promote
  45. alcohol
  46. unethical
  47. destroy
  48. make it clear
  49. decriminalize
  50. providing
  51. cause harm to
  52. risky
  53. skydiving
  54. forbid
  55. be connected to
  56. unregulated
  57. impure
  58. furthermore
  59. retailer
  60. ensure
  61. adult
  62. prosecute
  63. gang
  64. corruption
  65. torture
  66. opium
  67. coca
  68. spray
  69. cocaine
  70. irritation
  71. victim
  72. biased
  73. bureau
  74. offense
  75. community
  76. commissioned
  77. discriminate

1

INDEPENDENT READING MATERIALS

  1. Is Younger Always Better?

Will learning a second language too early interference with the mother tongue? When will second-language instruction be most effective? Is earlier always better? The answers to these questions are not as straightforward as some people believe.

Dr. Laura-Ann Petitto, director of the cognitive neuroscience laboratory for language and child development at DartmouthCollege, claims it is never too soon for a child to learn a second language. Petitto observed 15 children growing up bilingual in a variety of languages, and found there were no substantial differences between the language they learned and monolingual users.

The earlier a child was exposed to a second language, the better the child did,” says Petitto. “This flies in the face of educational policy that suggests exposing a child to only one language at first. A child is not confused by a second language or delayed in learning the community language.” Petitto found that children who first learned one language, and then began to learn a second, were never quite as good as those who learned both languages simultaneously.

Petitto’s findings are consistent with most recent research in the field of bilingualism. There is a good deal of support for the “critical period”: the theory that a child’s brain is best suited to learn a language effortlessly and perfectly during the early years. The brain loses this capacity around the onset of puberty (roughly 10-14 years old). Some researchers even claim that as early as the age of five some ability to absorb a new language begins to diminish.

  1. Extensive Reading

Do you want to have a good TOEFL or TOEIC score? Maybe you should start thinking about extensive reading. Researchers have found that students who often read in English in their free time tend to have high TOEFL scores, while those who do not, tend to have low scores. They found that reading was a better predictor of TOEFL performance than even the number of years studying English and living in English-speaking countries. Another study showed that students who only read enjoyable books made consistent gains on their TOEFL scores, averaging 3-4 points on the test each week.

How is it that just reading alone can bring all of these benefits? Extensive reading allows students to see a lot of the language in context over and over again, giving them the exposure they need to understand, organize, remember, and use it. It builds and strengthens fundamental vocabulary, and grammar knowledge. In short, extensive reading provides a very strong foundation on which to build all language skills.

Extensive reading is not the only way to learn a language. Most language scholars would agree that language students still need to spend a lot of time practicing speaking, listening, writing, and so on in order to become advanced in the language. However, adding extensive reading to your private study can certainly do some great things for your language ability. Not only is extensive reading effective, but it can be a very enjoyable way to learn a new language. Give it a try and see what it will do for you!

  1. The Greatest Thing About Being Rich

Bill Gates is the head of Microsoft, which he co-founded in the ‘70s.

However, it was only when Microsoft stock prices soared in the ‘90s that he became the world’s richest billionaire. Warren Buffett is an American businessman who learned the tricks to great wealth through wise investing. By doing so, he became the world’s second wealthiest billionaire.

Together, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett were worth over US$90 billion arlier

this year! However, Buffett’s worth dropped back in July when he started giving away about 85% of his wealth, most of it to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This charity focuses on promoting equality among all peoples, especially in the areas of health and education. Its founder, Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, promote the idea the world’s problems can be solved if people work together for the common good. They believe that this can happen if more people learn the importance of demanding ethical and unselfish behavior of themselves.

It seems that the two wealthiest men in the world have figured out the greatest thing about being rich—giving their money back to society.

  1. The Body of Superstitions

Perhaps all cultures in the world have had superstitions relating physical features of the body to personality traits. England is no exception, and had a large number of such beliefs in the past. People with red hair, for example, were believed to be naturally hot-tempered. Black or dark brown hair was believed to indicate strength of character, while light-colored hair implied the opposite. The shape of one’s ears and nose were also said to be predictive of personality and character. Small ears indicated a gentle, delicate character, while people with thick, large ears were believed to be of a rough nature. People with prominent noses were expected to be intelligent and determined, while those with thin noses were believed to be jealous and uncertain. Few people these days are even aware of these old superstitions, let alone claim to believe them now. Yet some scholars say that subconsciously many of these beliefs might still exist.

  1. Breakfast Like a King

There is a saying: Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a

pauper. This means that breakfast should be the largest meal of you day. In many countries, the biggest meal of the day is dinner. So why does this saying advise us to eat a large breakfast instead?

The answer is in the word breakfast itself, which means the ‘breaking’ of a ‘fast’ or a long period without eating. The gap between dinner and breakfast can be up to twelve hours, so the meal that breaks your fast should be healthy and wholesome. Also, unlike your evening meal, the food you consume for breakfast will give you energy to use while you are active during the day. There is evidence that eating a big breakfast particularly one containing whole grains fruit, can improve your concentration and mood, boost your energy levels.

Although health experts stress the importance of eating a good breakfast and having one’s meal earlier in the day, not many people are changing their daily eating habits. In the U. S., for example, about two-thirds of the population still has its main meal in the evening. Many of the most popular types of American food , such as steak and potatoes, are full of fat and carbohydrates, which make them slow to digest and fattening.

Many nutritionists suggest that people eat small, low-fat meals five or six times a day. Most agree, however, that good nutrition and what you eat is more important than when you eat it. Keeping to a balanced diet of nutritious, low-calorie foods like vegetables, whole grains, fish, and fresh fruit is the best way to enjoy a healthy life. Eat healthy, and stay healthy.

  1. Your Diet Destroying the Environment

A vegetarian diet is often praised for its healthy benefit. Vegetarians usually have

lower levels of heart disease, and studies have also shown that they have a lower risk of diabetes than people who eat meat. What most people are less aware of, however, are the effects that a vegetarian diet, compared to a non-vegetarian diet, can have on the environment.

Researchers from the Union of Concerned Scientists in the U. S. recently studied how consumer behavior affects the environment. The study showed that meat consumption is one of the main ways that humans can damage the environment, second only to the use of motor vehicles.

So, how can eating meat have a negative effect on the environment? For a start, all livestock animals such as cows, pigs, and sheep release methane gas by expelling wind from their bodies. One cow can produce up to sixty liter of methane each day. Methane gas is the second most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Many environmental experts now believe that methane is more responsible for global warming than carbon dioxide. It is estimated that twenty-five percent of all methane released into the atmosphere comes from farm animals.

Another way in which meat production affects the environment is through the use of water and land. Two thousand five hundred gallons of water are needed to produce one pound of beef, whereas twenty gallons of water are needed to produce one pound of wheat. One acre of farmland used for raising livestock can produce 250 pounds of beef. One acre of farmland used for crop production can produce 40,000pounds of potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots, or 50,000 pounds of tomatoes.

Many people now see the benefits of switching to a vegetarian diet, not just for health reasons, but also because it plays a vital role in protecting the environment. However, some nutritionists advise against switching to a totally strict vegetarian, or began, diet. They believe a vegan diet, which excludes all products from animal sources, such as cheese, eggs, and milk, can be deficient in many of the necessary vitamins and minerals our bodies need.

  1. Harry Porter: A Magic Ending

The critics of the Potter series have not slowed down the interest in the books and movies. The series has set records, from being the fastest-selling book in history to making J. K. Rowling the richest woman in the UK. These books also inspired students’ interest in reading. When recess comes, young people are carrying Potter books instead of basketballs. Teachers are delighted that students, who before were uninterested in reading, now can hardly wait for the next 700-page book.

Children and adults across the world lined up at bookstores in 2005 for the sixth book in the Harry Potter series. It left readers shocked by the death of Dumbledore and filled with many questions. Rowling has been very quiet about what the seventh book will bring us, but she let it slip in interviews that we can expect two main characters to die in the final book.

Will Harry be able to finish off Voldemort? Will Rowling let Harry die? Only the author and her publishers know who will sacrifice their lives in this fight against evil. Rowling has already proven that no one in her books, no matter how popular or loved, is safe. Readers can only wait and see to learn the grand finale of the Harry Potter series.

  1. The History of Hollywood

Say the name Hollywood and many people think of glamorous celebrities and

expensive homes. For many years, Hollywood was the center of the move-making world. The area has changed a lot over the years, but today young actors who hope to be on TV, or in the movies, still travel to Hollywood to try and start their careers in show business. Many film companies also continue to have their studios and business offices here.

In 1886, a man named H.H. Wilcox bought a part of Rancho La Brea, which his wife renamed Hollywood. Later, Wilcox began to develop this area into a small community. He believed that California’s warm weather could attract people to the area, and he was right. Soon, Wilcox was building luxury homes for many wealthy Americans from the middle and northern parts of the United Staes.

In 1911, the first film studio opened in Hollywood on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street. Soon after, movie director Cecil B. Demille made the first feature-length film, the Squaw Man. Over the next ten years, many more movies were made in Hollywood. During the 1920s and 1930s, as the film industry grew, business replaced farms. Glamorous nightclubs and expensive homes were built for the growing population that worked in the movie industry.

In the 1950s, many stars were leaving the area and moving to nearby places like Beverly Hills. When they left, so did many of the upscale shops and restaurants. Hollywood was still a move-making center, but a lot of it glamour disappeared.

  1. Wireless Wearables

Today, high-tech companies together with clothing firms are putting miniature

computers into everything from watches to running shoes. They are wireless and can be linked to each other and to the Internet. An American company, for example, has inserted a microphone into a necklace, speakers into a pair of earring, and a mouse under the stone of a ring. And a Japanese company is bringing out a wearable, wireless Internet device with a lightweight headset that lets you walk, talk, and surf the Web at the same time.