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Unit 1> Detective in Novels

Not all fictional crime fighters have super powers and wear tight, brightly colored clothing. In the world of mystery

novels, detectives rely solely on their minds, and use their powers of inference to solve difficult mysteries. No

criminal is safe when these detectives are on the case. The most famous detective is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s

legendary Sherlock Holmes. Holmes’ specialty is his special power of observation. For example, just by looking at

stains on his clients’ hands and the color of the dirt on their pants, this investigator can assume the person’s

occupation, hometown, and whether he is left- or right-handed. This famous detective only takes cases that lead

him to some extraordinary adventure, like the one in *the Hound of the Baskervilles. Another popular fictional

detective is Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. This mustached Belgian detective is described as being fat and having

an egg-shaped head. As well as expertly analyzing clues like Sherlock Holmes, Poirot also considers criminals’

psychologies. He focuses on getting people to talk because he believes that certain types of people commit

particular crimes. His methods often reveal interesting characteristics of the personalities. Hajime Kindaichi is

another exceptional fictional hero of Seimaru Amagi’s popular mystery series, the Kindaichi Case Files. Kindaichi is

an especially bright high school student, with an IQ of over 180. Although he seems lazy, he proves himself to be

more than able to solve any mystery. The series is so popular that more than 90 million copies have been sold in

Japan and exported to many Asian countries. Holmes, Poirot, and Kindaichi are only three popular detectives in the

vast world of mystery fiction. There are thousands more cases waiting to be solved, just waiting for readers who

love exciting thriller adventures.

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Unit 2> Scientists on Banknotes

Famous scientists are celebrated in many different ways. For example, an electric car company is named Tesla, after

the famed inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. A bronze statue of Albert Einstein rests near the National

Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C. Also, some scientists have been memorialized in a slightly more unusual,

but common, medium—banknotes. First issued in 1978 and last issued in 1984 from the Bank of England, a one-

pound note featured the face of the greatest physicist and mathematician, Sir Isaac Newton. Newton discovered

some of the most fundamental laws of physics, and laid the foundation for scientific inquiries for ages to come. He

is credited for the theory of gravitation from having an apple fall on his head. The legendary astronomer, physicist,

engineer, and mathematician Galileo Galilei was featured on the Italian 2000 Lire note from 1983 to 2002. Often

referred to as the “father of modern science,” Galileo used his improved version of the telescope and became the

world’s first man to observe celestial bodies. Galileo’s accomplishments include finding the moons of other planets,

discovering the rings of *Saturn, and taking some of the first steps into modern physics. Benjamin Franklin, one of

the Founding Fathers of the United States, as well as an extraordinary inventor, decorates the $100 bill. Franklin was

a highly influential figure in the American Enlightenment, and invented the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin

stove. He also contributed to studies in electricity, oceanography, and meteorology. Banknotes hold a surprising

amount of historical significance! Newton, Galileo, and Franklin are only three out of many accomplished figures

memorialized on currency. Although they have long passed away, these scientists’ legacies live on in their

contributions to the world of science, and in the form of these banknotes.

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Unit 3> Desserts around the World

In ancient times, a dessert wasn’t a chocolate ice cream cone or a piece of birthday cake you enjoy now. Ancient

people enjoyed simple desserts such as honey-covered nuts or fruits. However, sugar was later manufactured in the

Middle Ages, allowing people to enjoy various desserts as a course in their meals. After desserts became a

significant part of our meals, different countries developed unique desserts. For example, churros with hot

chocolate sauce are a breakfast menu for the Spanish. To make a good churro, sugar, oil, and a pinch of salt need

to be boiled with water. Then, after the flour is stirred into the hot water solution, the dough is deep fried with a

pastry bag. A star-shaped nozzle at the tip of the pastry bag can be used to make the most typical and iconic

churros. In France, madeleines, tiny French butter cakes, are the most prominent desserts. These soft sponge cakes

are made with vanilla bean, lemon, butter, sugar, and flour batter. Then the batter is baked in a scallop, shell-

shaped cake pan. Madeleines have become so famous that you can find this special cake pan in any kitchen supply

stores. While churros and madeleines are westerners’ indulgence, Gulab jamun, a syrup-absorbed milk donut, is

well-known throughout countries of South Asia. Jamun is a milk-based donut, made with milk powder, melted

*ghee, and other basic baking ingredients. The syrup contains water, sugar, a pinch of *cardamom, and rose water.

Then the milky, fried balls are put into syrup to soak it up. Eating desserts is often considered as an unnecessary,

unhealthy thing to do. However, there are healthy ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Why don’t you try making your

own desserts with wholesome ingredients instead of buying a packet of chocolate chip cookies from the grocery

store?
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Unit 4> Desert

A desert is one of the most extreme landscapes nature has to offer. This mystical place is the home for many living

organisms, which have adapted to the beauty and also to the lack of elements including water. Approximately one-

fifth of the earth is a desert, and it contains numerous amounts of vegetation that have the ability to survive there.

A desert is an area where the annual rainfall is less than 50cm. People usually think of the Sahara Desert located in

Africa when they hear the word desert. However, there are different forms of deserts: hot and dry, *semiarid,

coastal, and cold. For example, the entire continent of Antarctica is a desert since the most rain it gets annually is

about 200mm. If a desert doesn’t get much rain, how about snow? Sometimes, hot deserts in Africa and the Middle

East don’t get snow in over a hundred years. However, in 2013, snow fell in Cairo, Egypt, for the first time in 112

years. In 2015, a winter storm passed through the Middle East that led shepherds and their camels to find shelters

to avoid freezing. Although desert soils have little water, they have abundant nutrients that help sustain living

organisms. However, there is a limited number of large mammals living in the desert. We will often find small

mammals like the kangaroo mice, the fennec fox, and the meerkat. These mammals have adopted special diets to

survive in the harsh land. For example, meerkats eat mostly insects and scorpions. Deserts all around the world can

be considered as the most dangerous and vicious place for living creatures, and yet some animals are comfortable

living in such conditions. Why don’t you travel to a desert and see its breathtaking sceneries for yourself?
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Unit 5> Vacuum

In the science fiction movie Total Recall, the main character Douglas Quaid finds himself on the airless surface of

Mars. He breathes in air. His eyes swell out monstrously and his head inflates. Does that really happen in outer

space? The answer is yes; outer space is a nearly perfect vacuum. A person can actually survive several minutes in

outer space. However, once enough time passes, people will become unconscious and blow up like a balloon. In a

vacuum, the gas in a person’s body expands like Douglas Quaid’s. Fortunately, one can completely recover from a

vacuum if he returns to normal air pressure. Then, what is a vacuum? A vacuum is a space that has no solid, liquid,

or gas particles. Removing solid and liquid particles is simple enough, but spaces are actually Listen and filled with

invisible gas particles though they look empty. It is difficult to remove them because nearby gases rush to Listen

and fill spaces where there is no gas. A vacuum cleaner actually uses such features of a vacuum created by a fan

on the inside. T he fan blows the air inside the vacuum outwards, causing a suction effect. The same idea is used

for a drinking straw. When people use a straw to drink their soda, they are creating a partial vacuum inside their

mouths. Another useful application is a vacuum-sealed bag. It protects food from chemically reacting with oxygen

to produce negative results. Fruits and vegetables do not brown and meats do not discolor or lose flavor in

vacuum-sealed packaging. Who knew that simply removing matter would have such practical uses? Vacuums have

fascinating properties when used properly. In outer space, though, it’s probably still best to stay inside the space

station.
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Unit 6> Quebec’s Winter Wonderland

After watching Disney’s “Frozen,” you may have dreamt about lodging in an icy castle. It may seem like a fantastic

dream, but this dream can actually come true in an ice hotel located in the province of Quebec, Canada. If you’re

thinking of visiting, make sure to brush up on your French first! Everything in Quebec is in French. But why don’t

Quebecers use English as their official language? Quebec’s history can provide the answer. In 1534, Francis I of

France sent an expedition to Gaspé, a city in the eastern region of Quebec. The French attempted to settle in the

area because of its plentiful natural resources. However, they failed until 1608, when Samuel de Champlain and his

28 men founded New France and Quebec City. Quebec has since then created a different identity. Canada’s largest

French-speaking province has around 7 million French-Canadians, mostly descendants of early immigrants from

France and Haiti. They have their special constitutional protection, the Quebec Act, which has no assembly, few

taxes, and so on. Also, it has maintained both European and North American cultural influences. Examples include

its own national holiday, and cooking treasures like princess scallops and foie gras made from duck liver. Unlike

most vacation destinations, Quebec’s cold winter gives the city its unique appeal. Staying at the Ice Hotel provides

tourists with a very special experience. The hotel opens only when temperatures are below zero, and it completely

melts down in the spring. Architects use this opportunity to show off their new designs and themes through

impressive ice sculptures every winter. Just like other beautiful Canadian provinces, Quebec displays breathtaking

sceneries of nature and water. Although some Quebecers complain about the extremely cold and snowy winters,

the beauty and excitement of Quebec still draws many tourists from all over the world every year.
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Unit 7> Lost in the Mountains

Aron Ralston was hiking in Blue John Canyon when a large boulder fell on his arm. As shown in the movie 127

Hours, Ralston cut off his arm and wandered for six hours before being rescued. Although hiking is fun, you can

easily get lost in the mountains or wilderness. Here are some things to remember if you get stuck in a desperate

situation. The first step is to think. Even though Ralston was scared, he knew that he had to stay calm. Like Aron,

stop, calm down, and think. Examine your situation and create a plan. Hopefully, your plan won’t require an action

as desperate as Ralston’s. Step two is to find water. After calming down, Aron began to save his water. A human

being can survive three weeks without food, but only three days without water. Avoid smelly water that harbors

bacteria and try to find a source of flowing, drinkable water. Rescue teams frequently search for lost people near

water. So make sure to stay close to rivers and streams. The third step is to establish contact. Ralston was lucky

because he was found by other hikers, but you may not have the same privilege. Tell people where you are by

scratching arrows into trees or making “SOS” messages. If you have a whistle, blow on it and let people know your

location. The final step is to find shelter and food. Be sure to get a shelter that keeps you safe and warm. Also, be

very careful what you eat. If you carry food with you, try to make it last as long as you can. Aron Ralston is a

survivor. Today, Ralston travels and gives inspirational speeches. You, too, can survive an ordeal in the mountains.

Just remember to think and stay calm at all times.

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Unit 8> Vinegar

Is staying healthy an important issue in your life? Do you skip meals to keep your body slender? Then drink apple

cider vinegar instead! It is better than a strict diet program that leaves you hungry all the time. Vinegar can be

used for purposes other than just a salad dressing. Vinegar comes from the French words vin aigre, meaning “sour

wine.” It was known for its health benefits throughout history. According to historical records, it was used by the

ancient Egyptians in 3000 BC. They used it as a tonic to improve the circulation of blood and as a weight-loss

remedy to help burn body fat faster. Ancient Greek documents also show that Hippocrates used it around 400 BC.

He prescribed it as a remedy for coughing, fever, and sore throats. He found vinegar to be a natural *antiseptic and

*antibiotic. In spite of its medicinal effects, people think vinegar is an acid food because of its sour taste. They

worry that drinking it will make their bodies acidic. However, studies have shown that it’s not true! Acetic acid in

vinegar alkalizes blood. This means the acetic acid balances the acid ash that stops food from digesting in your

system. In addition, did you know that vinegar removes the toxins in your body? It also helps release energy from

fats and carbohydrates, increasing your metabolism. This means you can keep your waistline slim and have an

attractive figure. So, are you interested in staying slender by drinking this wonder drug? Just make sure to take two

spoons of vinegar with a glass of water. Also, add some honey if you don’t like the sour taste. However, avoid it at

night because it may prevent you from falling asleep. That’s a terrible thing if you have an exam the next morning!
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Unit 9> Animated Films and a Multiplane Camera

In the early 1900s, it was hard to make animations. Even creating one moving figure was a huge task. For example,

movie makers used backgrounds, over which they placed frames of moving characters. This created a 3D depth,

but it was expensive and time-consuming. Why? Because the background had to be repainted again and again.

All of this changed in 1937, when Walt Disney Studios unveiled their multiplane camera. Disney Studio’s William

Garity invented this camera to use in the production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Before that, it was

tested in an animated film called The Old Mill and it won the 1937 Academy Award for Animated Short Film.

As its name suggests, a multiplane camera is a motion picture camera that captures different “planes” of images.

Firstly, the camera takes different “planes” of images. One scene is cut into many different layers of images. Then

layers are painted on panes, which are moved in different directions and speeds. This creates an impression of

depth. The multiplane camera also has a camera that points down. This is placed above a rig holding seven

different “planes.” Finally, the painted glass panes are arranged, and then each level is moved for each frame. It

allows objects in the front to move faster than those in the back. For example, trees move in and out of the field of

vision while the moon remains mostly still. It looks as if it’s following the viewer, just like in real life! The

background is no longer dull but alive. The multiplane camera was a great invention that breathed life and

movement into animated worlds. It gives depth and reality to cartoons, paving the way for special effects.
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Unit 10> The Wind of Change in the Furniture Industry

There was once a time when buying furniture required a full day’s work. You had to visit countless furniture stores

to find something you liked. Then you had to rent an expensive truck and spend hours hauling heavy wooden

loads up and down stairs. However, the furniture industry has been slowly changing, putting more power in the

hands of the customer in the furniture-buying process. One of the customer-oriented ideas is the furniture

catalogue. Rather than limiting buyers to a small selection, furniture companies began using catalogues to display

their goods. Some companies have recently even implemented better reality catalogues! By using a smartphone

app and a built-in camera, shoppers can now place 3-D virtual furniture in their homes to see what it would look

like. The use of elaborate showrooms also made furniture buying easier. In addition to browsing the catalogues,

interested buyers can now walk through display stores that showcase most of their products in simulated settings.

Customers can feel more confident buying furniture they can see, rather than ones they only see in pictures.

Another significant change was the introduction of DoIt-Yourself attitude. Instead of selling furniture pre-assembled

or packaged in inconvenient, bulky boxes, companies like IKEA began selling furniture in compact boxes.

Assemblies are designed to lie flat for simple transportation, and are easy to build. This not only appeals to the

customers, but helps to save money on shipping costs. Those changes can satisfy both customers and sellers.

Pretty realistic simulations lower the risk of returning items. Also, customers can enjoy the process of doing self-

assembly, expecting that their own DIY furniture will be the same as what they saw in the catalogues and

showrooms. Nowadays, how people decorate their homes is totally changing!

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Unit 11> World Wide Fund for Nature

How much do you know about non-domesticated wildlife? Just by seeing a documentary about exotic animals

running on the fields of Africa, you probably know that the earth is facing numerous threats and wildlife on earth is

at risk. To draw more attention to our at-risk wildlife, there are some people dedicating their time and effort.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the globally wellknown organizations that work to save wildlife. In 1961,

World Wildlife Fund began working to raise awareness and funds for the International Union for Conservation of

Nature (IUCN). Then, the organization changed its name to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 1986 because it

decided to expand its work beyond wild animal conservation. World Wide Fund for Nature majorly seeks for the

harmony of living species and landscapes. For example, WWF is working to save freshwater species and their

habitats. The lack of free-flowing water has caused the number of species living in freshwater to decline even faster

than other terrestrial animals. Therefore, WWF’s experts and other organizations are promoting the importance of

free-flowing rivers and their protection. Although you may consider yourself not valuable when it comes to saving

wildlife, there is another way for you to participate. On the WWF website, you can “adopt” any endangered species

you want. Then, WWF will send you a plush doll of a species of your choice and the adoption certificate. Your fund

will be supporting on-going projects. It is easy for us to overlook how much damage we are causing nature. That’s

why WWF exists. Environmental and conservation experts working for WWF all around the world have one common

goal, and it’s changing the world into a better place. Now, it’s time to lend a helping hand!
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Unit 12> The Library of Alexandria

Ptolemy 1 Soter was a successor of Alexander the Great. In the third century BC, he built a beautiful library. T he

Library of Alexandria was dedicated to educational growth, enlightenment, and nationalistic pride. However, it

ultimately became a tragic symbol of the destruction of knowledge. The library once contained 400,000 to 700,000

papyrus scrolls. It was famed in the ancient world for its vast collections. The library gathered its scrolls in several

ways. For instance, when visitors came to Egypt, Ptolemy III of Egypt took their scrolls by force. T hen he had

scribes make copies for the library before giving them back to the owners. The library also contained large meeting

rooms and gardens and it was organized by Demetrius of Phaleron, a student of Aristotle. It was where scholars

came to discuss important matters. Unlike other libraries, it even had a zoo of exotic animals. Historical records

show that the Library of Alexandria grew until around 30 BC. After that, records of the library become unclear. The

first record of the library’s partial destruction comes from 48 BC. This was during Caesar’s Civil War. Julius Caesar

tried to gain an advantage by setting fire to his own ships. The fire spread to the great library and burned the

building. We don’t know how much destruction was caused by Caesar’s fire. However, records show that some of

the library survived until AD 391. At that time, Emperor Theodosius ordered all pagan temples to be destroyed.

Unfortunately, this also included the Great Library. Much of the Library of Alexandria has been lost, and only its

historical records remain. It is as if the great library never existed. Although a new Alexandrian library has been

built in modern times, its former glory may never be known again.
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Unit 13> De-polluting Plants

Polluted air, water, and soil can have many harmful effects on a plant’s wellbeing. Acid rain destroys leaves and kills

trees. Polluted water causes water plants to become toxic. And polluted soil upsets plant metabolism and wipes out

entire crops. So how can plants survive under these attacks? Plants fight pollution by taking in carbon dioxide and

converting it to oxygen. Even water plants can de-acidify water by consuming carbon dioxide. In fact, recent studies

have shown that plants can fight back in even greater capacities. The NASA Clean Air Study found out that plants

can remove oxygenated volatile organic compounds (oVOCs) from the air. oVOCs are toxic compounds used in

things such as spray cans and byproducts of factories. They are very harmful for the environment and to human

beings. A similar study conducted by the National Center for Atmospheric Research found that plants such as

maples, birch, willow, and oak remove oVOCs four times as fast. Some plants can soak up dangerous chemicals in

the soil. Most of the plants do this to defend themselves from nearby animals that feed on plants. Also, they are

able to remove the soil in the process. In a certain town in Brazil, small gold mines leaked mercury into the soil. So

what did scientists do? They grew maize and canola, which soaked in the heavy metals into the soil. The ruined

crops were then destroyed, and the soil became clean once more. Scientists are learning more about the potential

of plants. In fact, they have tried to genetically modify them to produce more of the enzyme that has cleansing

abilities. More research is needed before such trees can be used in the wild. But soon, our environment could be

Listen and filled with pollution-eating plants and trees!

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Unit 14> Halal

Every religion has standards and requirements. One commandment of Islam is halal, which means “permissible.”

Most of the time, halal is used to describe foods that are considered clean according to the Quran. Unclean foods

are called haram. The most widely known halal restriction is pork. For cultural reasons, pork is absolutely haram. For

non-pork meat to be halal, a Muslim must say certain religious words before killing the animal. T his is done in a

particular way: a sharp knife is used, and all blood is then drained. Halal culture is especially relevant in Muslim

countries in the Middle East as well as ones in Asia. A few examples are Pakistan and Egypt in the Middle East and

Bangladesh and Indonesia in Asia. Also, there are many Muslims living in Europe, including the United States,

Canada, and Australia. As such, immigrant Muslims need to be able to buy halal products with peace of mind. The

halal industry is growing at a rate of 20% per year. In fact, the global halal food trade is nearly 1.4 trillion USD per

year. That’s 16% of the entire global food industry! This is because of a growing Muslim population, and the

Muslims’ desire to pass down the halal culture for future generations. Because there is growing demand for halal

goods, organizations like the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) provide quality service of the halal

industry. The HDC ensures that all goods should go through close quality tests. Also, it tries to encourage

investments in and exports of halal goods. The halal industry is more than just food products. It has expanded to

health products and cosmetics, as well as marketing and financing. Because halal is important to Muslims,

nonMuslims should become more considerate of their dietary laws and practices.
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Unit 15> National Birds

For some people, birds like pretty blue jays are pleasant to look at. For others, birds like city pigeons are merely

flying creatures that cause annoyance. However, some birds have very important jobs for entire countries. They are

called “National Birds” and are symbols that represent their countries. Countries choose certain birds for many

reasons. A nation might select a bird because it originates from that country, much like how Japan chose the green

pheasant to represent them. Another may choose a bird because it stands for an important virtue. For instance, the

Italian sparrow symbolizes intelligence and fertility. Some may just like a certain bird and oftentimes, others select it

through a vote. Great Britain held a four month long “Vote National Campaign” in August 2014 in order to select

its official feathered symbol. This engaged the people’s attention and the robin was selected to be Britain’s national

bird. It is believed to symbolize hope and good luck. Actually, the robin had been voted as the nation’s “favorite”

bird in 1961, but it was never officially declared as a national bird. Over time, the great bald eagle has come to

represent bravery and freedom. Interestingly, Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States,

thought that bald eagles were of “bad moral character” because they were lazy scavengers. Leaving his opposition

behind, the bald eagle was instituted as the national bird of the United States. The official national bird of India is

the peacock. When choosing it, the Indian government considered how it was deeply related to Indian myths and

legends. Also, it was important how well-distributed the bird was within the country and if it would be confused

with any other national birds. The peacock met all the requirements. Likewise, many nations around the world have

been careful in selecting their national birds, placing much weight on them.
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Unit 16> Gorkha Earthquake in Nepal

Tragedy struck Nepal in the spring of 2015 when a destructive earthquake shook the mountainside country. The IX

intensity “Violent” level Gorkha earthquake destroyed almost all of Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. Geologists said that

they were studying large underground pieces of rock called “*plates.” From the study, they knew that the Indian

Plate was rapidly sliding underneath the *Eurasian plate. They expected that an earthquake could be coming, but

they just did not know when. They just assumed that the citizens would be safe from any threats because they had

already had an earthquake in 1934. Sadly, the dreaded Gorkha earthquake began on April 25, 2015, approximately

80 km away from Kathmandu. The Indian Plate’s sliding beneath the Eurasian Plate caused the ground to shift. It

led to a mass of snow, ice, and rocks to fall down in nearby Mount Everest. Loose rocks in the ground and the

shallowness of the earthquake made its effects stronger. The aftermath earthquake was felt as far as Pakistan and

Southwestern China. Needless to say, many homes and villages in Nepal were destroyed, and there were about

8,800 deaths and 23,000 injuries. Important structures like the Dharahara tower and Manakamana Temple were

demolished. Terribly, another earthquake hit the land just several weeks later. About 90% of the army was sent to

needy areas to help with reconstruction. Many international organizations responded as well. Above all, the Nepali

citizens’ response to the disaster was quite religious. They thought of it as their God’s will. Rather than

complaining, both volunteers and victims banded together to help rescue efforts. It was one of the worst natural

disasters to happen in Nepal’s history, but the people still have high hopes to recover soon.