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UNIT 1 actually live. Suzie, when you travelled, did

you see any interesting or strange homes
The Grand Canal
around the world?
This is Venice, Italy. It is full of fantastic palaces
Suzie: Well, it depends what you mean
and, of course, a lot of canals.
by strange. I live in a detatched house, so
There are 117 little islands between the canals the apartment buildings in New York, for
and 400 bridges. Historically, Venice is an example, seem pretty strange to me.
important city for art and business. But these
James: I really mean places that very few
days, most people know it as a popular tourist
people know about …
centre.
Suzie: Oh, I see … erm. Well, when I was on
The Grand Canal is the largest canal in Venice.
holiday last year in Peru, I saw a really old
It’s more than two miles long. It’s Venice’s
city made out of mud. You could say that is
busiest road, but you won’t see cars here.
interesting.
Instead, you’ll see a kind of boat called
James: Yes, that is very interesting! And so are
the gondola.
the cave houses at a place called Matmata.
At one time, there was probably a river here,
Suzie: Matmata? Is that in Egypt?
but the Grand Canal is man-made. The palaces
and other buildings are on stilts – long legs James: No, it’s in Tunisia. Take a look at the
that go deep into the ground under the canal. picture. You might recognize it from the Star
Wars films. They filmed some of the scenes
A gondola ride takes about half an hour. It’s
there because the cave houses look strange,
one of the best 30 minutes you can spend in
like maybe they aren’t real. But actually, these
your life.
houses in the caves are real. People started
Here is the Ca’ d’Oro, one of Venice’s most
living in them 700 years ago. They made them
beautiful palaces. It was built in the 15th
out of the rock.
century and was then decorated with gold.
Suzie: Wow! That’s ancient! Where is
And this is the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge
it exactly?
across the Grand Canal. It’s made of stone and
James: It’s about 355 kilometres south of the
for nearly 300 years, it was the only way to
capital, Tunis. I’d love to go there. Actually,
cross the Grand Canal on foot.
when I was younger I went to Cappadocia in
No wonder two of Venice’s nicknames are
Turkey. It was fantastic! There are cave houses
‘The City of Bridges’ and ‘The Bride of the Sea’.
there, too. It’s in Anatolia, in the centre of
1.1 Turkey. Take a look.
place Suzie: The buildings look like mushrooms!
hot James: Interesting place, isn’t it? The caves
quick formed from rock more than 8,000 years ago.
up People changed them into homes during
the Roman period. Some people still live
1.2 there now.
James: Welcome to the Travel Podcast. I’m Suzie: Now? That’s amazing. But did you know
James. I’m here with Suzie and today we’re that some people live on bridges? Look at
looking at unusual places where people these two photos.
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 James: Oh yeah. This one is beautiful and it and land. Vancouver has the best parts of
looks very old. It’s in Italy, isn’t it? Is it Rome? green forests and city life. I would like to talk
Suzie: Well, it is in Italy. It’s called the Ponte about some of the history of Vancouver
Vecchio, but it’s actually in Florence, north as well as some of the advantages and
of Rome. They built the bridge in 1345. There disadvantages of this ‘green’ city.
was another bridge there before, but an Vancouver originally was a place where the
accident destroyed it. So they made this one native people of the area lived and traded for
and people started to live there. It’s amazing, thousands of years before Europeans came to
isn’t it? live there in the 1800s. Then in 1886, at the first
James: Yes, it is. But the bridge in the other city meeting, the people of Vancouver asked
picture looks newer. the national government to give the city 1,000
Suzie: Yeah, that’s Neft Dashlari in Azerbaijan. acres to use as a park. They got the land from
James: Where? the government and started Stanley Park. This
Suzie: Azerbaijan. You know – was the start of Vancouver becoming a green
A-Z-E-R-B-A-I-J-A-N. city with many parks and beautiful views. But
being a green city with lots of parks has both
James: Oh, of course. The bridge looks really
advantages and disadvantages.
long and it looks like it has a lot of factories.
Do a lot of people work there? First of all, let’s look at some of the positives.
Obviously, Stanley Park is a large park. In
Suzie: Yes, they drill for oil from under the sea
fact, because it is located in the city of
there. They decided that the workers needed
Vancouver, it is the third largest urban park in
somewhere to live, so they built a kind of
North America. It has many gardens, walking
‘city’ above the sea. The bridge is about
paths, trees and even animals, such as bald
48 kilometres long. They put houses, libraries,
eagles, coyotes and seals. As we know, lots
schools and even a cinema there.
of trees help clean the city air. Also, lots of
James: Really? So, hundreds of people
parks give people many places to walk, so
live there?
they’re healthier. Since Vancouver is near the
Suzie: About 2,000 people live there. It even mountains and the ocean, people can enjoy
appeared in a James Bond film. the outdoors easily during the warm, sunny
James: Well, it makes my house look summers. When people go to Stanley Park,
really boring! they can enjoy ancient trees as they walk near
Suzie: Mine, too! the ocean or they can have fun by Beaver
Lake, which, like Stanley Park, helps make
1.3
Vancouver one of the healthiest and cleanest
Teacher: OK, everyone. Today we are talking cities in the world.
about interesting places. I’d also like to talk about some disadvantages
I’d like to talk about the city of Vancouver, of parks in Vancouver. Space in a city is very
in British Columbia, Canada. It’s one of the important. Having many parks means that
most beautiful cities in the world. We often people have less space to build houses and
think cities are urban areas, with traffic and apartments. Because Vancouver is located
modern buildings. We don’t usually think between the mountains and the ocean,
cities have woods, lakes and fields. But there’s not much room for new buildings.
Vancouver is a ‘green city’ – a place that’s This makes Vancouver an expensive city. Also,
good to live in because it has clean air, water

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 when you have a beautiful place to live, a lot 4 Finally, while I think these disadvantages mean
of people want to go there. This makes the that some people would not want to visit
city crowded. Actually, Vancouver has very Vancouver, I personally feel that most people
bad traffic. Lastly, when you have a lot of would enjoy Vancouver.
parks, wild animals in the parks can sometimes
1.6
be a problem. For example, Stanley Park gives
information to people about what to do I’d like to talk about the city of Vancouver, in
if they see a coyote. In my opinion, having British Columbia, Canada.
coyotes in a city park is bad.
1.7
Finally, while I think these disadvantages might
mean that some people would not want to First of all, let’s look at some of the positives.
visit Vancouver, I personally feel that most
UNIT 2
people would enjoy Vancouver. In my opinion,
being close to nature and having a healthy city Harbin’s ice festival
are worth paying a little more money for. And Narrator: This is Harbin in China, also known
a lot of people agree with this idea because as ‘the Ice City’. Every winter, for over
Vancouver is a very popular place to visit and 30 years, Harbin has held an ice festival.
live in. So I would recommend that people These days tourists from all over the world
visit Vancouver and enjoy the many parks, the come to visit.
clean, healthy city and the interesting sights. It takes 7,000 people working together
to build the ice city. There are large snow
1.4 sculptures and full-size buildings.
1 Obviously, Stanley Park is a large park. They cut ice bricks from the frozen Songhua
2 In fact, because it is located in the city of River. But for some sculptures they need
Vancouver, it is the third largest urban park in clear bricks that look like glass. The clear
North America. bricks are made for the festival using very
3 As we know, lots of trees help clean the pure water. This stops air bubbles from
city air. freezing into the ice.
4 Finally, while I think these disadvantages might In the day time, visitors can see the snow
mean that some people would not want to sculptures at ‘Sun Island’. They can also watch
visit Vancouver, … the artists at work or, for visitors who want to
5 … I personally feel that most people would make their own sculptures, there are classes
enjoy Vancouver. and competitions.
6 In my opinion, being close to nature and At night, the buildings of ‘Ice and Snow World’
having a healthy city are worth paying a little light up with a rainbow of colours. There
more money for. are ice castles, ice skyscrapers and ice slides,
which are very popular with children.
1.5 Harbin is in the northeast of China where cold
1 I’d like to talk about the city of Vancouver, in winds from Siberia bring them an average
British Columbia, Canada. winter temperature of minus 16.8 °C – the
2 First of all, let’s look at some of the positives. perfect temperature to build from ice and
3 I’d also like to talk about some disadvantages snow. The freezing temperatures do not keep
of parks in Vancouver. the visitors away. This year over a million

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 people are expected to come. Besides 1642 and 1651. It was really interesting!
exploring the ice city, visitors can play ice Yesterday, I played games to find out
sports and games and see amazing firework about gravity. It was a science activity. And
shows. The festival opens on the fifth of tomorrow, I’m going to a talk on the global
January each year and stays open for at least economy, which I’m sure will really make me
four weeks and often much longer – until the think!
spring comes and the Ice City melts away for Reporter 1: Are there any things you don’t like
another year. about it? Are you ever bored?
Judith: Not really. The only problem is that it’s
2.1
really crowded!
Reporter 1: Today I’m at the Festival of Reporter 1: Judith, like many others, is really
Ideas, which has been held in the UK every enjoying the Festival of Ideas. Nowadays
October since 2008. It’s a free festival with around the world, there are many festivals,
lots of activities, organized by the University often based on nature, food or culture. Take
of Cambridge. But it isn’t just for students. the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan, for
Anyone interested in arts and science example. In Tokyo, the capital of Japan, the
can go to the lectures, talks, classes and cherry blossom festival is held in early April.
performances. The festival gets bigger and It is an important festival celebrating nature.
bigger every year; the first year, 7,000 people The actual dates change every year, because
attended, but by the third year that number the celebration happens only when the trees
had almost doubled. We asked one of the have cherry blossoms. So, it is a little different
visitors about the festival. from a festival that has the same date every
Hello, there. Can you introduce yourself and year and it’s not organized in the same way
tell me, is this your first time at the festival as many other festivals. Our reporter Mike
here in Cambridge? Pearce went to Tokyo to find out.
Judith: My name is Judith, and no, I come here Reporter 2: Today, I am talking with Yuki.
every year! She sells food during the cherry blossom
Reporter 1: Can you tell us why you like festival in Ueno Park in Tokyo. Hi, Yuki.
coming to the festival? Yuki: Hi. Welcome to the cherry blossom
Judith: Well, it’s an interesting event to come festival!
to. It’s great for kids and adults. I enjoy Reporter 2: Thanks. So, what happens here?
learning about all the new ideas people have Yuki: Well, as you can see, it’s a cherry
on important topics. We don’t get much time blossom festival. It is a celebration of spring
to really think or learn about new things in and the cherry flowers. So, it doesn’t have
everyday life, but you can do exactly that at specific activities that people do. Instead,
this festival. people come to enjoy the cherry blossoms
Reporter 1: So, what kinds of things do people and have a picnic under the trees. We have
learn? Do people concentrate on learning just about a thousand trees, full of beautiful
one thing? flowers.
Judith: No, most people plan on going to Reporter 2: Do you have many people here
several events. For example, today I learnt from other countries?
some history. I went to a lecture about the Yuki: Yes. Our visitors are from all over the
English Civil War, which happened between world. In addition to the cherry blossoms,

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 there are lots of food stalls and people can 2.2
hire a boat to go around the lake too. There
Well, it’s an interesting event to come to.
are many beautiful, natural places here. Some
people prefer to visit some of the park’s 2.3
many museums, but I think Tokyo is one
1 So, what kinds of things do people learn?
of the best places to come for the cherry
2 Are there any things you don’t like about it?
blossom festival.
3 Do you have many people here from
Reporter 2: Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of
other countries?
the event!
Reporter 1: Visiting such festivals is not just for 2.4
entertainment; it’s also a fantastic way to find 1 Do you like your job?
out about the culture of a different country.
2 Are you a chef?
I went to Oman in the Middle East recently to
3 What time does the festival start?
do just that.
4 What kinds of food do you have?
I’m here in Muscat at the festival of culture
5 Is it all good?
and heritage, talking to Nasrra. She is visiting
6 Where do people eat their lunch?
the Muscat Festival with her family. The event
is held in January and February each year 7 Do you like the food?
in Oman, and Nasrra has been coming for 8 Is the work interesting?
the last couple of years. Hi, Nasrra. Are you 2.5
enjoying the festival?
Ali: Paul, you have cousins in the US, don’t
Nasrra: Yes! It’s wonderful!
you? What’s your opinion? Which is the best
Reporter 1: Can you tell us something about
North American holiday or celebration?
the festival?
Paul: Hmm. Well, I like Independence Day in
Nasrra: Of course. It’s a chance for people to
the US because of the fireworks and New
learn about the heritage and culture of Oman.
Year’s Eve often has fireworks, too. But I think
Reporter 1: So, why are you here?
the best holiday is Thanksgiving.
Nasrra: My mother and father want to watch
Ali: Why do you like Thanksgiving?
some of the sports; there was cycling last
Paul: Everyone has something to be thankful
year and also a camel race. You can also learn
for, so everyone can celebrate it. Both the US
traditional dance. But I decided to go to the
and Canada celebrate it.
fashion show.
Ali: Really? How do people celebrate it?
Reporter 1: That sounds great.
Paul: Well, most people get together with
Nasrra: Yeah. And after we finish watching
family and friends and have a big meal.
the races and shows, we’ll go and eat some
Ali: What do they eat?
traditional food.
Paul: They usually eat a traditional meal. This is
Reporter 1: Sounds amazing! I hope you all
usually a delicious turkey with stuffing for the
have a great time.
main dish. You should try it! Most traditional
So these international festivals, with lots
Thanksgiving meals have food which is
of music, food and fashion, are providing a
from the Americas, like potatoes, corn and
different type of experience for people. Next
cranberries. For dessert, they eat pumpkin pie,
week, we’ll be looking at …
but some people prefer different kinds of pie,
like apple.
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 Ali: Is the food the same in both countries? autumn harvest. But Americans celebrate
Paul: Actually, there are some differences the autumn harvest and remembering the
in the food. In Canada, for example, the Native Americans helping settlers hunt and
pumpkin pie is spicy, but in the US it’s sweet. grow food.
I like the American style, with whipped Ali: That sounds like a lot of fun. I want
cream. You have to try it! Another dish which to go to a Thanksgiving celebration in
is different is the stuffing. For instance, in both countries!
Canada stuffing is often made from rice or
2.6
bread, but in the southern US it could be
made from cornbread. In the eastern US, 1 … some people prefer different kinds of pie,
sometimes oysters are used in the stuffing. like apple.
Ali: That all sounds delicious. Are there any 2 … people often decorate their dinner tables
special decorations for Thanksgiving? and homes with things such as colourful
Paul: Well, people often decorate their leaves, autumn vegetables and candles.
dinner tables and homes with things such 3 For example, both countries celebrate with
as colourful leaves, autumn vegetables and parades with marching bands and people
candles. The decorations usually have autumn in costumes.
colours, like red, yellow and orange. 4 Well, for instance, in Canada, the holiday is
Ali: Do people give gifts or do some special celebrated on the second Monday in October.
activities?
Paul: Well, people don’t really give gifts, but
UNIT 3
there are some special activities. For example, Fibre optic cables
both countries celebrate with parades with In the middle of the ocean, deep underwater,
marching bands and people in costumes. It’s violent volcanic activity changes the
also traditional to watch sport on TV. ocean floor.
ALi: It sounds like the celebration is almost the Usually we don’t know anything about this –
same in both countries. until the internet stops working.
Paul: Well, there are some differences 99% of all internet traffic between continents
between Canadian and American goes through cables at the bottom of the
Thanksgiving. ocean.
Ali: Like what? But sometimes there are problems. For
Paul: Well, for instance, in Canada, the example, ten years ago nine important fibre
holiday is celebrated on the second Monday optic cables on the ocean floor between
in October. But in the US it’s on the fourth Taiwan and the Philippines suddenly
Thursday in November. Another difference went dead.
is that in Canada people enjoy small, local Computers all over Asia crashed. Engineers
parades. In the US they have a huge parade looked for the problem and they found that
in New York City and people all over the US the cables were broken.
watch it on TV. Volcanic activity caused heavy rocks to move
People in the New York parade sometimes and break the cables.
wear costumes. One last difference is that Suddenly, many people in Southeast Asia
each country has different reasons for the couldn’t use the internet. What would happen
holiday. In Canada the holiday celebrates the

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 to businesses? It took weeks to find and repair robots are coming into our lives in other ways.
the cables. In Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong, for example,
Engineers used this special ship, called there are robot waiters in restaurants and
the Wave Sentinel. Its job is to keep the in South Korea a robot is used as an English
internet connected. teacher. Robots weren’t used very much in the
past, since they were always really expensive.
3.1 But because they have become cheaper, they
disabled save are being used in new and interesting ways.
fish shave One key area is the way robots can help with
kitchen watch medical care.
suit wash Host: Can you explain that a little more?
pollution Professor: Well, a good example is the robotic
suit for disabled people. Robots can now
3.2 assist people who can’t walk. They can help
1 station 6 robots them to move again. People ‘wear’ the robot,
2 sort 7 match like clothes. The robot then helps move the
3 short 8 ocean person’s arms or legs. For example, one man,
4 Joey Abbica, couldn’t walk because of an
wish 9 accident
accident at work three years earlier. Before
5 which 10 cheap
the accident, Joey could surf really well. In
3.3 fact, he won lots of competitions, but after
1 sorts 4 sea the accident he couldn’t walk at all. He wasn’t
even able to sit up on his own when a visitor
2 cheap 5 shave
came. And he couldn’t even feel his legs when
3 wash
doctors touched them. But when he put on
3.4 the robotic suit, he was able to stand up and
walk on his own again. He isn’t able to walk at
Host: Welcome to University Radio, the
all without the suit. Robotics changed his life.
station run by students for students. I’m Chen
Hu and this is Science Today. Our subject is Host: So people have a much better quality of
technological development and our guest life, thanks to these new types of robots?
is Professor Joanne Kent, expert in robotics. Professor: Yes, that’s right. Service robots are
Thanks for coming in, Professor. When we also very helpful to people.
think of robots, we generally think of science Host: What do service robots do?
fiction films. Is this out of date? Professor: Well, one of the reasons that
Professor: Yes, it is. Technology has developed service robots were invented is to save people
very fast over the last ten years and robots are time. They do all the jobs around the house
part of everyday life. Robots can now do many that people find difficult, dirty or boring.
important things. For instance, robots can put clothes into a
Host: What kinds of things? washing machine, and plates and cups into a
Professor: Well, they have been used in dishwasher and they can clean your kitchen
factories for years; Japan and China have the and bathroom. But for some people, service
most industrial robots in the world. But now robots are really important; they’re not just

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 a luxury. Elderly people, for example, can’t questions. They found that what we think
always do housework easily. They might need when we hear difficult questions has changed
help from robots. The robot means they are because of websites like Google™. When
able to stay in their own homes for longer. people were asked difficult questions in the
Host: So, robots can help people in their past, scientists believe they tried to think of
everyday life, but how do they help the answer to the question. However, because
more generally? of modern technology, the first thing people
Professor: Robots are now solving modern think about now is how to find the answer;
problems, too. Have you heard of robotic fish? they don’t try to answer it themselves.
Host: I haven’t, but I assume they are robots For example, they think about what they
that swim in water. What do they do? might put into Google™, but in the past they
Professor: They were developed to help thought about the question itself.
scientists with information collection. They Second, scientists found that computers
look like fish, they swim and move like other have changed the type of information
fish, but when they are swimming, they can we remember. There are advantages
collect information about the amount of and disadvantages to these changes. A
pollution in the water. Scientists can find disadvantage is that it seems that people
out about pollution quickly, due to the now forget facts, especially if they know
robotic fish. the information will be saved in a file. On
Host: Well, we’ve heard of robots that clean the other hand, an advantage is that they
your house, so it’s good to know they can remember the location of the fact: in other
help keep the environment clean, too. OK, words, where to find it. In one test, scientists
we have some questions coming in, so let’s told university students some facts and also
hear the first one … where the facts were saved in a file. Most of
the students couldn’t remember the facts, but
3.5 they were able to remember the files and the
1 You will hear the main ideas and some location of the facts.
additional information. In conclusion, it seems that computers are not
2 You will hear the main ideas as well as some making us stupid, but they are making us lazy!
additional information. Scientists believe that we are spending time
remembering where and how we can find
3.6 things, but we’re not trying to remember the
News reporter: For a long time, people have information itself anymore.
asked the same question: Do computers
3.7
stop us from learning and developing? Do
they make us stupid? A recent study at 1 When people were asked difficult questions
Columbia University in New York looked at in the past, scientists believe they tried to
this question, in particular how computers think of the answer to the question. However,
affect our memory. They wanted to find because of modern technology, the first thing
out if computers have changed the way we people think about now is how to find the
remember information. answer …
First, the scientists did research on what
happens when people are asked difficult

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2 For example, they think about what they 4.1
might put into Google™, but in the past they
1 A: Did you know global warming is
thought about the question itself.
still increasing?
3 … it seems that people now forget facts,
B: Is it?
especially if they know the information will
2 A: It’s my birthday today.
be saved in a file. On the other hand, an
advantage is they remember the location of B: Really? Happy birthday!
the fact: in other words, where to find it. 3 A: The weather got really chilly, didn’t it?
4 In conclusion, it seems that computers are not B: I suppose so.
making us stupid, but they are making us lazy! 4 A: Thanks for inviting me to your party!
B: You’re welcome. It’ll be nice to see you!
UNIT 4 5 A: Dinner was great.
The impact of oceans on climate B: Good. Glad you liked it.
Water covers almost 70% of the Earth. But it
doesn’t just stay in the same place.
4.2
Like the air above it, the water in the oceans Sergio: So we need to think of some
moves around the planet. It moves because questions for this survey about the weather,
the Earth is spinning and this has a big effect Murat. Should we make a list of them?
on our climate. Murat: I think we should decide what we
The spinning of the Earth causes large circles want to find out. Professor Hadland told us
of currents in the oceans. These circular we should look at all the different things we
currents are called ‘ocean gyres’. North of the could survey, group them and then try to
equator, they move clockwise. South of the choose the most important ones.
equator, they move in the opposite direction. Sergio: Right. Effects of weather on mood.
These gyres move water and heat. That’s why Murat: Well, we’re looking at weather in
they are important to our climate. northern Europe where it is often cold and
Ocean currents move lots of energy and heat wet. Generally, in northern Europe people
away from the equator. This changes our see sunshine as positive, which I find strange.
climate. For example, warmer water from the In my country, it’s hot all the time, so we like
equator moves thousands of miles north. The cool days. But anyway … I read some research
result is warmer weather there. about weather and moods in Sweden. I
South of the equator, ocean gyres are really enjoyed reading it, but it had so many
also important. They move cooler water different answers it wasn’t clear that weather
north along the west coast of Chile in changes people’s mood.
South America. Sergio: Oh … great …
This water has lots of food in it, so it’s a Murat: But they did find some specific results.
perfect place for fish to live. In fact, 20% of They noticed that good, dry, sunny weather
the fish we catch for food comes from this didn’t make people happier. But bad weather
small part of the ocean. made people more upset, if they were already
Without these ocean gyres, our world would unhappy.
be a very different place. Sergio: And … ?

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 Murat: And, therefore, unhappy people felt Murat: I see what you mean. We could choose
even worse when it was wet and windy. either of those. I’m not sure about the bad
Sergio: Oh, OK. So for the ‘good weather’ weather one. It’s a bit depressing, isn’t it?
category – no link. But for the ‘bad weather’ Which do you prefer?
part – it causes unhappy people to feel worse. Sergio: I don’t really care.
Murat: Yes. And the amount of sunlight seems Murat: Well, if you don’t care, let’s do the one
to be linked to feeling tired. When it is sunny, about sunshine and having energy. It’s more
people have more energy and are less tired. positive.
So they like doing more things outside.
4.3
Sergio: OK, I’ve added that.
Murat: Also, I read something about humid Murat: … and so I put all the results into a
weather. Another experiment showed that spreadsheet on my laptop. Here are all the
really humid weather changes how people answers from the surveys I did, 12 of them. Oh
work. When it is humid, they might plan to and the three surveys that you did.
study at a different time. Or maybe they Sergio: OK … let’s see what they say.
might stop studying and take a break when Murat: We asked how people felt when they
they begin having difficulties. As a result, it woke up on a sunny day.
is more difficult to work and it’s hard to pay Sergio: And?
attention. And there was something about Murat: Fourteen out of fifteen people said
heat and anger. Really hot weather can make they feel better in sunny weather than when
people angrier, I think. it is very wet or rainy. They prefer sunshine.
Sergio: Are you sure? Should I add it? Sergio: OK.
Murat: Well, write it down anyway. Murat: And 13 of them said it made them feel
Sergio: OK, which area do you think we should they could get a lot done that day. Also, 12
look at then? out of 15 people said that they did more when
Murat: I think the humid one is important. the weather was good.
Especially for students. Sergio: What about when they feel most
Sergio: But the one on bad weather making tired?
people feel worse could be interesting, too; Murat: Well, everyone said that they felt tired
it sounds like there are more useful facts with if the weather was cloudy and dark. And 14
that topic. said they had the most energy when there
Murat: Yes, true. I’m not sure about the was lots of light.
really hot weather and being angry; I can’t Sergio: So, good weather means that people
remember if that’s true. So let’s leave that have more energy.
out. That leaves three possible topics – humid Murat: Yeah, that is what our survey seems
weather stops us working, sunny weather to show. Of course, it might be different in
makes us less tired or bad weather makes another country. Maybe it depends on the
people feel worse. place you live.
Sergio: Hmm, the one about humid weather
looks at how people study. It isn’t really about
how people feel, so it isn’t useful for us. I’d go
with bad weather or sunny weather.

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 4.4 Biju is going to present information about the
forests next week. He hopes to get people
Reporter: Global warming is an important
interested in saving this frog and other animals
issue around the world. Recently it has created
that live in rainforests. During the next week,
problems in the Western Ghats rainforests
many people are meeting to talk about the
of India. Forests are important for slowing
climate and saving the rainforests. According
down global warming because of the work
to Biju, we need to plan now or we will
that trees do for us. Trees are global cleaners.
probably lose some species completely. If we
They take in carbon dioxide (CO2), the gas that
don’t think carefully about the climate of
heats the atmosphere. So, we keep making
the forests, the purple frog possibly won’t be
global warming worse every time we cut
around for much longer. On to the weather
down trees. Then global warming continues
report now …
to damage the forest. More trees disappear
because the changes in temperature stop 4.5
the normal growth of the forest. Nowadays,
1 It is more difficult to work in high humidity, so
rainforests get less rain and this is changing the
our concentration drops.
way they work.
2 People have more energy in sunny weather.
Governments around the world are
Therefore, they can get a lot done if the sun is
beginning to work on the problem. Although
shining.
governments say they will stop people
3 Some countries are really hot and don’t get
damaging the forests, scientists don’t think
much rain. As a result, there isn’t enough water
the work is happening quickly enough. The
for people to drink.
scientists say the forests are changing. The
animals, and the plants that animals need, are UNIT 5
changing. In fact, scientists believe 45% of the
Kasparov versus Deep Blue
forest areas are going to change completely in
the next 80 years. Narrator: Humans began playing chess in
northern India nearly 1,500 years ago. But
This is where the purple frog becomes
we only recently began competing against
important. A report tells us that the frog is
computers. Garry Kasparov is one of the
in danger of disappearing forever. The frog
greatest world chess champions in history. In
can run very fast, makes a noise like a small
the 1990s, he played a famous match against
chicken and is one of the most unusual
an IBM super computer. The computer’s
animals in the world. Of course, for some
name was Deep Blue. To play chess well, you
people, the end of one type of frog is not
need many different skills. But computers
important. But it is for Sathyabhama Das
can only calculate numbers. Kasparov started
Biju, a researcher from Delhi University
the first game. An engineer from IBM moved
who discovered it in 2003. For him, the
the chess pieces for Deep Blue. A chess
problems of the purple frog show what global
genius like Kasparov can think about three
warming is doing to the Indian rainforests. He
moves a second. But in that same second,
explains that this interesting animal won’t be
the computer is able to process 200 million
around much longer if we don’t look after
possible moves. Garry Kasparov played the
the forests.
first game very well. It took nearly four hours.
In the end, the computer lost.

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 Commentator: And Garry Kasparov has I mean chess and then do some boxing, and
won the first game against Deep Blue in they continue doing each activity back and
fantastic style. forth – alternating. The person who wins the
Narrator: But the second game was different. boxing match or the chess game first is the
Kasparov tried to trick Deep Blue into a champion. One benefit of this sport is that it
mistake. But the computer didn’t make gives people a chance to compete physically
a move. It was quiet for 15 minutes. It seemed and mentally. It isn’t just thinking or physical
like the computer was thinking. It wasn’t activity; it’s both.
tricked. Instead, it made a great move of Another sport that challenges people is urban
its own. This time the human was losing to golf. Urban golf is similar to normal golf, but
the machine. Kasparov tried to escape, but you don’t need to go to a golf course. You get
he couldn’t. For the first time in history, a clubs and a golf ball – well, actually, it’s a soft
computer beat the world chess champion. tennis ball instead of a hard golf ball. Then you
Commentator: And Kasparov has resigned. can play in the street, which is why it’s called
‘urban’. If you play urban golf, you don’t need
5.1 to go anywhere special or need much money
1 The teacher’s name isn’t Mr Rosso. It’s to play. You just agree where you want to hit
Mr Rosson. the ball, for example, at a sign in the street or
2 I had a golf lesson, not a tennis lesson. a rubbish bin. On the other hand, intelligent
3 The match is at 6:00 tonight, not 6:30, so players know that you may break something
don’t be late. if you hit the ball too hard, so they try to play
4 Yasmin doesn’t do Drama classes, she does fairly carefully.
Gymnastics classes. Next, I’d like to talk about the Moroccan
5 The competition will be in Colombia, not desert footrace, which is also called the
in Brazil. Marathon des Sables or the Sahara Marathon.
This race is held every year over a week or
5.2 rather over six days. The runners have to be
Amina: For my project I looked at some really strong. On the longest day, the runners
unusual sports that people play around the have to run 92 kilometres. The best thing
world. These aren’t team sports. Instead about it is that the champion can say he, or
people compete to win individually. I’d like to she, has won the hardest marathon in the
start by talking about ‘chess boxing’. You may world.
already know about the two sports. Chess Finally, I’d like to look at sepak takraw. This
is a game played with a board and different is a type of volleyball and is very popular in
chess pieces. Very intelligent people often Southeast Asia. The players use a different
play this game because players need to think kind of ball and they can use their feet to
very carefully. Boxing is a totally different kick the ball or hit it with their knees, chest
kind of sport, though. Being strong is more or head. The sport began in Indonesia and
important because boxers have to hit each it – no, not Indonesia – it began in Malaysia,
other. They wear gloves and helmets in the although it is also very popular in Thailand
ring, but it’s still difficult. Now, chess boxing and Indonesia. One good thing about sepak
is a new type of sport, where the players do takraw is that it is now played in schools in
both activities. They start with boxing, sorry, many countries, including Japan and gets
children to play sport.

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 5.3 Andre: Well, I would say that all athletes, even
the rich and famous ones, are still very focused
1 Now, chess boxing is a new type of sport
on the sport. Without the sport, they have
where the players do both activities. They
no job! And athletes who aren’t famous or
start with boxing, sorry, I mean chess and then
are only a little famous, deserve to make all
do some boxing and they continue doing
the money they can. Many athletes devote
each activity back and forth – alternating.
their whole lives to training. How can they live,
2 Urban golf is similar to normal golf, but you
work and pay for coaching all by themselves?
don’t need to go to a golf course. You get
Being an athlete, especially one who doesn’t
clubs and a golf ball – well, actually, it’s a soft
get paid, is extremely expensive. The cost
tennis ball instead of a hard golf ball.
of training is really high and athletes need to
3 Next, I’d like to talk about the Moroccan spend a lot of time training to be good at a
desert footrace, which is also called the sport.
Marathon des Sables or the Sahara Marathon.
So big companies might give money to
This race is held every year over a week or
sports teams and individual athletes to help
rather over six days.
them train. In some competitions, like the
4 Finally, I’d like to look at sepak takraw. This Olympics, there are both professional players
is a type of volleyball and is very popular in and amateurs – you know, people who do
Southeast Asia. The players use a different the sport as a hobby, and not as a job. I think
kind of ball and they can use their feet to both should be able to get support from
kick the ball or hit it with their knees, chest companies. Look at Novak Djokovic. He’s a
or head. The sport began in Indonesia and Serbian tennis player who is paid money by
it – no, not Indonesia – it began in Malaysia, a clothing company to wear their clothes
although it is also very popular in Thailand and and be in their adverts. Other companies
Indonesia. support him, too. Without all the help from
5.4 companies, he might not have enough money
to play tennis as his ‘job’. Having that time and
Ian: Andre, I know you played in a university
money allows him to be such a good tennis
football team in the US, so I’d like to ask your
player!
opinion about something. Do you think the
Ian: But when a big company pays a team or
Olympic athletes, and other athletes, like
an athlete, it makes them wear the company
football and tennis players, are too focused
name and designs and they sign contracts …
on getting money from companies? I went
isn’t that really like being an employee and
on holiday in the US last year and every time
working for a company? To me, these athletes
I turned on the TV, I saw a famous athlete in
work in advertising and marketing!
an advert for some product. Those athletes
Andre: You have a point, but if the athletes
are getting paid a huge amount of money
don’t get good coaching, they might
to be in adverts. It seems like the athletes
not score a lot of points and do well in
are more interested in making money than
competitions. If that happens, they can lose
in representing their countries. I think there
their chance to make a lot of money after
is definitely more marketing and business in
the competitions are over. And actually, only
sport than ever before. As a long-time sport
about five percent of Olympic athletes get
fan, I really think all this money and advertising
money from big companies to be in adverts.
from big companies is taking something away
from sports and competitions.
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 Ian: That doesn’t sound fair. Shouldn’t countries UNIT 6
pay their own athletes a salary to train? After
Food in coffee shops
all, they do represent the countries. I read that
in the UK, the government pays the country’s Narrator: Starbucks and Costa Coffee are two
Olympic athletes to train, so there is less of the biggest coffee shop chains in the world.
pressure there to get money from a company. But in England, Caffè Nero is growing quickly
Also, there are prizes for all the competitions and has now opened up its first American
and sometimes that gives them extra money. stores in Boston, Massachusetts.
Andre: Well, a lot of countries can’t pay the Gerry Ford: We didn’t look at Costa or
costs for training athletes. And of course, the Starbucks and try to mimic them at all or do
countries with lots of money can train their anything similar. And, for better or for worse,
athletes very well. If companies are supporting we kind of marched to our own drum.
lots of athletes, more people can participate in Narrator: Gerry Ford started Caffè Nero in
competitions. London, but his stores use an Italian model.
Ian: Still, I think all this money takes something Coffee is the most important item, but coffee
away from the Olympics and other sporting shops only really do well if they can get their
events. We see adverts almost everywhere! customers to spend money on food, like
sandwiches and cookies.
Andre: But being in an advert is a great
opportunity for the athlete and the business. Gerry Ford: The driving force is the core
If an athlete lets his or her face be on a cereal product of coffee and the craftsmanship and
box or wears some clothing with a company’s the quality that goes into that, but the food
name on it, people will probably buy the sort of complements that. We have 30% of
product. So it’s good for the company and the our sales, um, are in food, which is higher than
athlete gets more money to train. I also think either of the other two major brands and
that all the adverts at big competitions like higher than most local independents.
the Olympics or the World Cup help lower Narrator: Lunchtime at Caffè Nero stores is
the ticket prices for fans, so the competitions always busy. At the London headquarters,
don’t have to charge so much. It’s good for food consultant Ursula Ferrigno helps Caffè
everyone! Nero give their food some real Italian flavour.
Ian: Hmm … I’m not sure if I agree with you, but But what kind of food do customers want
I understand your point. the most? In the end, this British company
has found a successful business model
5.5 selling Americanized Italian food and good
1 I think there is definitely more marketing and quality coffee.
business in sport than ever before. 6.1
2 And actually, only about five percent of
1 forty-eight percent
Olympic athletes get money from big
companies to be in adverts. 2 a half / one half
3 And of course, the countries with lots of 3 a fifth / one fifth
money can train their athletes very well. 4 thirty-one point five
5 one hundred and three / one oh three
6 one thousand, five hundred and forty
7 six thousand and one
8 nought point nought one
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 6.2 Prof. Gould: So, what are some effects of
people not working very hard?
Prof. Gould: OK, Alika. Should we look at your
Alika: Hmm … if people aren’t working hard,
project now?
companies don’t get what they are paying for.
Alika: Yes, OK.
Prof. Gould: Can you give me some examples?
Prof. Gould: You’ve done a lot of reading for
Alika: Well, when people don’t work hard,
this, which is great. I can see you wrote a lot
productivity goes down. Because productivity
of information down.
depends on how fast workers make things or
Alika: Yes, but I haven’t finished yet – I ran
provide services, if workers are not working
out of time. But I read as much as I could –
hard, the company doesn’t make a profit.
about 103 different reports. I took part in the
Then they can’t pay higher salaries.
discussions on this with students from my
study group. I studied the way people work. 6.3
Prof. Gould: Good. Can you tell me what Joe: Hi, Sam. Good to see you again.
you learnt?
Sam: Hello, Joe.
Alika: Well, I looked at how people spend
Joe: So, last time we met we talked about your
time at work. I was interested in how people
business goals. Was it useful?
wasted time and why they didn’t work hard
Sam: Useful? … Yeah, it was. You really made
at their jobs; I mean, the reasons why they
me think! But now I have a lot of stress about
didn’t focus on their work. I found out a
losing money.
lot of interesting information. For example,
Joe: Oh, yes? What is making you stressed
almost half of the workers wasted time on
about that?
the internet. They were surfing the internet or
writing personal emails. It was 48% of workers, Sam: Well, I realized how many weaknesses a
in fact. 31.5% also said they spent time talking business can have! One careless mistake and
to colleagues instead of working. And a little I could lose a lot of money.
under half that amount, 15%, said they took Joe: Exactly! But there are things you think will
longer coffee and lunch breaks than they cause you to lose money?
should. Only 5% said they spent time texting Sam: Well, when we looked at the company’s
friends and making plans for after work. strengths and weaknesses, we talked about
Prof. Gould: Good. And did you find out the the quality and happiness of my workers, the
reasons why? costs of running the business and reaching
Alika: Yes. Approximately half said they didn’t new customers to help grow the business.
work hard because they weren’t happy in Each of these areas could be a way to help
their jobs. make money, or a way to lose money if you
don’t have a good plan.
Prof. Gould: I see.
Joe: Wow – that’s great! Those are
Alika: And about a third, 33.5%, thought they
all important to think about. Is there
didn’t earn a good enough salary. They said
anything else?
they didn’t have enough money for holidays
or nice clothes. They had just enough money Sam: And what else was there? Oh, of
to get by, so they didn’t work as hard as they course, customers!
could. Some people, about 19%, said they had Joe: Well, that gives us plenty to talk about
to work too many hours. today! So, let’s think about what you can

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 do for your employees. You said that your colour. More colour could help the design
workers were unhappy and not working hard pop out a bit more and prevent customers
enough. Keeping your employees happy will from leaving the website before buying
make them more likely to work hard for the anything.
business. Try organizing some social events Sam: Uh-huh … That’s a good idea. I actually
once a month during work hours. That could like blue, too. I think someone else told me
be a good first step! Also, maybe you should about colours people prefer, but I forgot.
paint the walls a brighter colour. The office Joe: Yes. It’s easy to forget to think about
is really dark and people feel like they’re in a something as simple as colour. The web
cave. Brighter colours can help make people designer you hire might have some good
happier. And happier employees will also ideas about which colours to use. So, for our
work harder. next meeting, you should create your website
Sam: Oh, OK. Well, that’s good to know. design and bring a plan. You could think about
Joe: You also have to cut costs. You spend far how it looks, as well as what it says. You don’t
too much money on electricity every month. want it to look … well, you would want to be
Turn off the lights and computers at the end sure it looks well organized and the best it can
of the workday. You should also find some be. It should also be really easy to use. Next
cheaper parts for your products, which are still time we’ll go over your design and see how to
well made. It’s a tough job, but I can help you make it better. We will also think about hiring
find them. a good web designer to make your website
Sam: I see. That would be great! look great and be easy to use.
Joe: If you spend less money, you can make Sam: OK, great! I’ll do that and bring it in
a better profit. You have some excellent next week.
adverts. But you mentioned that you are
6.4
having trouble reaching new customers and
growing your number of customers is really Joe: Hi, Sam. Good to see you again.
important for a successful business. So if I Sam: Hello, Joe.
were you, I would try adding online sales to Joe: So, last time we met we talked about your
get more customers. business goals. Was it useful?
Sam: Yeah, I like that idea. I have a website Sam: Useful? … Yeah, it was. You really made
already, but it looks pretty old and messy. me think! But now I have a lot of stress about
Joe: But there are things we can work on. If losing money.
you want to sell online, you should start by Joe: Oh, yes? What is making you stressed
making sure that the website doesn’t look about that?
messy. If you don’t have the skills to make it Sam: Well, I realized how many weaknesses a
look neat, hire a professional web designer! business can have! One careless mistake and I
You want a neat, clean website. It isn’t could lose a lot of money.
something you want to be careless with. Joe: Exactly! But there are things you think will
Sam: I see. Well, I would like to have a lot of cause you to lose money?
black on the website. I think that colour is Sam: Well, when we looked at the company’s
professional and serious-looking. strengths and weaknesses, we talked about
Joe: I understand. But I think if you want to the quality and happiness of my workers, the
make the website attractive, it needs more costs of running the business and reaching

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 new customers to help grow the business. Woman: Some people here didn’t have houses
Each of these areas could be a way to help before, but now they do. Some people didn’t
make money, or a way to lose money if you have animals for food, but now they do. Now
don’t have a good plan. we can buy a lot of things. Some of us couldn’t
Joe: Wow – that’s great! Those are send our children to school, but now we can.
all important to think about. Is there That’s the most important thing for me.
anything else?
7.1
6.5 Student presenter: Hello, everyone. So
Joe: Exactly! But there are things you think will in this presentation I’d like to discuss the
cause you to lose money? designers of some everyday objects: Arne
Jacobsen, Sir James Dyson and Sir Jonathan
6.6 Ive. These people designed simple things
a Was it useful? that have changed our lives and how we do
b Exactly! But there are things you think will everyday things. Today we are going to think
cause you to lose money? about these inventors and designers, their
c Oh, yes? achievements and how their inventions and
d Well, when we look at the company’s designs have helped us.
strengths and weaknesses … I would like to start with Arne Jacobsen, who
e What is making you stressed about that? was born in Denmark in 1902. When he was a
f Useful? … Yeah, it was. child, he loved to paint, but his father thought
being an artist wasn’t a good career. So
UNIT 7 Jacobsen became a designer of many things,
including buildings and furniture. For example,
Trash artists
here is a chair he designed in 1958. It’s called
Narrator: Kiwayu Island is located off
the ‘Egg chair’. Have any of you seen this kind
the coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean.
of chair before?
There aren’t many tourists on these
Razia: I have. Did they call it the egg chair
beautiful beaches. The people who live here
because of its shape? It’s an interesting design.
seem very isolated from the rest of the world.
But they are actually connected to the rest of Student presenter: Yes, you have a good
the world in a surprising way. Plastic and other point. I think it was called that because of
trash from around the Indian Ocean washes the egg-like shape. Nowadays, we still see
up onto the beach daily. So every day the Jacobsen’s designs around us. When you
women of Kiwayu go to the beach to pick up look at the chair design, can you guess what
trash. Why? To earn a living. They collect flip- Jacobsen was like as a person?
flops and bring them to their villages. There, Razia: His chair looks like a simple, neat design.
artists and craftsmen turn the trash into So maybe he liked simple and neat things and
colourful ornaments and souvenirs to sell. not complicated things.
The people of Kiwayu make good money this Student presenter: Actually, that’s right. He
way. They send most of their ornaments to did. For example, when he was growing up,
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. These are then he painted his room white because he didn’t
exported to stores around the world or sold like all the flowers on the wallpaper he had.
on the internet. And as an adult, he worked hard to make

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 his designs perfect. In fact, he often kept his Student presenter: That’s right. This was a
workers at work until late, trying to make piece of art that Dyson made in 2003, called
things better. But even though he worked Wrong Garden. It tricks the eye. This shows
hard, Jacobsen liked to joke and do funny Dyson’s love of good design as well as being
things. For instance, as a child he liked to play an inventor. Dyson is still inventing new
jokes on others and as an adult he once wore things. But he is also interested in supporting
a melon for a hat when someone dared him education for students, and gives money to
to. He also liked working on his own projects schools to help students study so they might
in his free time and found painting to be become inventors, too. He has even donated
relaxing. These days, Jacobsen is famous for money to the University of Cambridge to
his modern, simple designs. His work showed support students and research there, with a
that he thought about the purpose that his focus on technology.
designs would serve for people. Now, I have one last picture to show you.
Next, I’d like to talk about an inventor, James It’s a phone with a special design. It’s called
Dyson. Can anyone think of something you the iPhone. I think a lot of us know about
often use that might have his last name, this phone. It was designed by Sir Jonathan
Dyson, on it? Ive for Apple. He is responsible for a lot of
Razia: I know, a vacuum cleaner! Apple’s product designs, which are simple,
Ebru: Or a hand dryer? clean and slim. Ive has won a lot of awards
Student presenter: Both of those things for his Apple designs and you can see a lot of
are correct. Dyson’s designs and inventions his work in museums, too. He is from London
are made to solve problems. His ideas come and he was made a Knight Commander of
because he sees things that could work the British Empire in 2012 for his design work.
better, like the vacuum cleaner and hand He is known as being hard-working and
dryer. But how did he start? Well, Dyson creative. I think that his designs will continue
was born in England in 1947. His father died to influence the way we live and work for a
when he was only nine. As a result, Dyson long time!
ended up becoming someone who never 7.2
gave up. He studied Art and Design before he
studied Engineering. When he saw something Yasmin: Hello.
that didn’t work well, he got frustrated and Luisa: Hi, Yasmin. It’s Luisa.
worked to improve it. For example, his first Yasmin: Hi, Luisa! How are you?
invention was a wheelbarrow with a ball for Luisa: OK, I guess. Actually, I’m not that great.
a wheel. This made it easier to carry heavy Yasmin: Oh, no! What’s up? Is something
things in the garden and over rough ground. wrong?
It was an interesting new use for a ball. Also, Luisa: It’s the presentation for our course.
even though he changed subjects, he was still You know, the one on remarkable people
interested in art as well as designing. Take a who have done something really interesting
look at this photo. What do you see? or unusual. I’m having trouble doing it. Have
Ebru: It looks like a waterfall made from glass you finished it yet?
and water, with the water running up instead Yasmin: Yes, almost. I just have to write a
of falling down. That’s surprising. conclusion.

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Luisa: Good for you. I bet it’s really good. people get jobs. That’s important because a
Yasmin: Thanks, Luisa. I’m pretty happy with lot of young people in her area don’t have
it, but the introduction’s not great. It needs a enough work. So, she’s an entrepreneur, a
little more work. How much have you done? company leader and a working mother.
Luisa: Well … I haven’t done all of it … Luisa: That’s amazing! Wow … I need to find
Yasmin: All? Or any of it? someone like that.
Luisa: I’m not very good at finding things to Yasmin: Why don’t you do something on
present. I’m having trouble thinking of ideas. Yoshiro Nakamatsu? Do you know about
Who did you do yours on? him?
Yasmin: I chose Sima Najjar. She’s a Luisa: Umm … I don’t know a lot about
remarkable woman. Yoshiro … who … ?
Luisa: Who’s she? Why are you interested in Yasmin: Nakamatsu. Well, he was born in
her? Japan. He is now over 90 years old and he is
Yasmin: Well, she’s from Jordan. She was still an inventor.
working in fashion. She used to be the head Luisa: Umm … his life doesn’t sound that
of a modelling company before and she extraordinary.
worked with female Arab clothing designers. Yasmin: He has created more than 3,000
So, she has had a lot of success. But she inventions, including a chair that is supposed
is famous because she started a website to help you think better. Some of his
with videos in Arabic showing people how inventions are a bit odd, like a pair of shoes
to do things and, without even marketing made for jumping, and glasses in the shape
the videos, they started getting one million of eyes so that other people can’t see them.
views a month! He even made fake hair that can help keep
Luisa: How did she do that? you safe from others. I think Nakamatsu’s
Yasmin: Well, the videos are based on what situation is a little different from some
people are searching for the most online. inventors, because not everyone agrees that
They are often about fashion, food, health, he has that many real inventions, but he does
parenting and art. Many of the people who have a lot. Also, he didn’t retire even after
view her videos are Saudi Arabian women. he reached the age of 80. You might want to
Another interesting thing is that she is a look up more information about him online.
mother who is working full-time. Some Luisa: OK … I’ll check him out.
of her videos help other mothers to have Yasmin: Do you know what the teacher
better health after they have their babies. wants us to present?
Luisa: That’s great that she has become really Luisa: Well, I’m not sure I understand
successful. Is there anything else about her everything …
life or her company that’s amazing?
7.3
Yasmin: When her company started, most of
the videos were made by people in their 20s. 1 I’m pretty happy with it.
Nowadays, she has three full-time workers 2 She’s a remarkable woman.
making videos. She says that as her company 3 That’s amazing!
gets bigger, she wants to start hiring others 4 I’ll check him out.
to make videos, too. This will help more

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 7.4 of what’s happening to Voyager, just like our
children were.
My presentation is about Thomas Edison. He
Narrator: And what’s really amazing is
was an American inventor and he was born
that we’re still learning new things from
in 1847. He is a remarkable person because
Voyager. Almost 40 years later, Voyager still
he invented a lot of the things we know and
communicates with this dish over 11 billion
use every day, such as the electric light bulb.
miles away. Its message travels at the speed
Well, he wasn’t the first to invent one, but he
of light, but it still takes more than 17 hours
was the first person to invent one that could
to get here. This little green triangle shows
last a long time. This was in 1879 while he was
Voyager in deep space. It is a message from
working in his research lab in Menlo Park, New
the spacecraft. In 2012, Voyager 1 left our
Jersey, in the US. It lasted 13.5 hours! Another
solar system and became the first man-made
important example of Edison’s amazing
object ever to travel outside the empire of
inventions is the motion picture camera.
the sun.
We all know this today as the video camera.
Edison and his team invented it in 1891 and 8.1
they showed short six-minute films. Equally
1 When the sun is out, I make sure my son uses
important was Edison’s work with Henry Ford,
sunscreen so he doesn’t get sunburnt.
who started the Ford Motor Company. Edison
2 Have you read the information about the
was worried about America’s dependence
Red Planet?
on foreign rubber for tyres. So while he was
working at a lab in Florida in 1927, he found a 3 We are having a picnic, whether it is hot or
new source of rubber in local plants … not. It has been good weather recently, so we
are hoping it will be nice.
UNIT 8 4 She ate her dinner before she went out at
Empire of the sun eight o’clock.
Narrator: Here in the Mojave Desert in 5 There are two doctors in the family, and their
California, NASA, America’s space agency, daughter is also studying medicine.
communicates with the spacecraft Voyager. 6 Our guest was in the house for an hour.
Project scientist Dr Edward Stone became 8.2
part of the Voyager team before it began
its journey in 1977. Voyager’s goal was to fly 1 The weather is really nice today.
by the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and 2 I waited for an hour.
Neptune and to send back information to 3 Are you going there later?
the Earth. 4 I read the book yesterday.
Dr. Edward Stone: None of us knew how long 5 We ate our dinner.
the spacecraft could survive. When I started 6 I don’t mind.
on the Voyager, my two daughters were young
and by the and of course, by the time they
8.3
were in university, we were already, er, past Host: In this episode of Astronomy Today, we
Saturn. We were on our way to Uranus, they are looking at space travel and the journeys
got married. The Voyager just kept going. that people hope to make beyond the moon.
We had grandchildren and Voyager just kept We’ll think about the planets people haven’t
visited yet and whether we are likely to visit
going and so now our grandchildren are aware
some of them in the future. Let’s begin inside
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 our own solar system, which is made up of Lucy is about 4,000 kilometres across, less
all the planets and the sun. Venus, Jupiter and than half as wide as Earth. Even though it is
Neptune are probably the first names that come small, it weighs about as much as our sun.
to mind when you think of the solar system. But If Lucy were mined, there would be more
the planet scientists hope to visit next is Mars. diamonds found on it than all the diamonds
Mars is known as the ‘Red Planet’ because of its on Earth through history. Even though it is
colour. NASA, the US government organization
a dead star, this dwarf star is hot. It has a
that studies space, so far has only sent robot
temperature of about 2,700 degrees Celsius.
explorers to Mars. But they are working to send
But scientists call Lucy a cold star, because it
humans to Mars and want to reach Mars by the
2030s. Even with the danger, many people want is only half as hot as our sun. And while the
to travel to Mars. trip to explore Mars is planned for the 2030s,
scientists have not found a way to travel
8.4 outside our own solar system yet. Perhaps
Host: NASA wants to send humans to an one day.
asteroid by 2025. An asteroid is like a very
8.5
large rock that goes around the sun like the
planets do. First, NASA wants to send a robot Host: Hello, everyone. We’ll begin today’s
on a journey to reach the asteroid and take a discussion with a look at how to pay for space
large boulder from its surface. Once the robot exploration. We’ll also evaluate the benefits
takes the large boulder from the asteroid, the of space exploration and whether the money
robot will set the boulder on a path around we spend is worth it. We will first look at the
the moon. After that, NASA wants to send options for paying for space exploration. I
people to explore this asteroid piece in the have three experts with me today: Dorota
2020s. They plan a journey to the boulder Loy, an engineer from the Space Development
in a spacecraft named Orion. Orion won’t Project; Raj Padow, a researcher in economics;
be able to land on the surface of Mars, but and Dr Jun Wu, who is a professor of
it will travel to the asteroid boulder to get astrophysics. Let me ask Dr Wu to start us
information. Orion will also help test new off by giving us a little information about
spacecraft and give NASA information that it the impact of space exploration and the
needs to safely send people to Mars. importance of spending money on it.
Outside our solar system, there is a place even 8.6
more surprising than Mars and many people
Host: Let me ask Dr Wu to start us off by
would go there if we had the spacecraft to
giving us a little information about the impact
send them. Its scientific name is BPM 37093,
of space exploration and the importance of
but it is usually called Lucy. It is actually a dead
spending money on it.
star or a white dwarf star. It is what is left over
when a star uses up all its energy. It doesn’t Jun: Thanks for having me. Well, to answer
burn anymore, but it shines with heat. But the your question, space exploration is important
most surprising fact is that this dead star is a because we do research and get information
huge diamond. Scientists have always known about many things. For example, as scientists
about the diamond-like white dwarf stars, explore space, we learn about biology and
which are made by heat. They are all outside about physics, as well as space. So for me, the
our own solar system, like Lucy. most important thing is that governments
give enough money for future exploration.

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 Dorota: You have a point that space public government money and I feel exactly
exploration is used for a lot of scientific study. the same as Raj about private money. But
But it is very expensive and there is less public we can do both of these things – public or
money to pay for it nowadays. Is having the government money, helps us keep the people
government pay really the only option for who know the most, like those at NASA,
paying for space exploration? focused on the research and private money
Jun: I hear what you’re saying, Dorota. It helps bring in other talent from companies
isn’t cheap to run space programmes, but that would also like to explore space, such
the money we spend is certainly worth it. as Virgin Galactic or SpaceX. Companies like
Government and public money must be these have already spent a lot of money on
included. So far, space exploration has shown this important type of travel …
us many things about how space works, what Jun: Yeah, – important space travel that
stars do, the effects on people who stay in governments should …
space for a long time and so on. We must Dorota: Please allow me to finish. There are
continue to do this work so that we can also other choices that neither of you have
explore places in space farther away and … talked about yet. Space exploration benefits
Raj: Can I just say something here? the world. What about money from private
Host: Yes, Raj? individuals? There are wealthy people around
Raj: I agree 100 percent with Dr Wu that we the world that might be interested in giving
need space exploration. But even he says it is money for these projects. Also, with the
very expensive. I know that we have to spend internet, people from around the world
money to develop our space programmes could give money for these projects. Lots
and we need more money than governments of people could make donations directly to
have. So for me, an alternative would be to their favourite projects. I think in the future
bring in thinkers from different industries we can get money for space exploration from
to discuss different ways to pay. If we are more than one place. We should study these
exploring space, we could have private different ways and use the best solution.
companies pay for it. For me, this is the main Host: Dr Wu, Raj Padow, let’s get your
reason we … thoughts on this. Do you agree with these
Jun: But Raj, space exploration is so important. ideas for paying for space exploration?
Governments must … Jun: Yes … Dorota could be right. Space
Raj: Sorry, Dr Wu, can I finish my point? If so exploration needs money to come from many
much money is spent on space exploration, places, as long as the government is still a part
the most important thing should be of this important area of exploration.
finding money from places other than the Raj: And I think she might be right, too. But
government. It shouldn’t be just taxpayers as I said, only if there is money from private
paying for it. Private companies make lots of companies, too.
money from the discoveries made in space Host: OK, so you have some agreement here
exploration, so they should pay for the costs. then. Let’s go back to the benefits of space
Host: Dorota, you haven’t said much so far. exploration and think about that a little more.
Any thoughts? So does anybody want to …
Dorota: Well, I personally don’t see a
problem. Dr Wu has a good point about

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