Most Americans Pause From Using Facebook

Unlocking Word Meanings 
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. intend [in-TEND] (v.) – to have an action in mind; to plan to do something

Example: The student intends to delete his Facebook account so he can focus on his studies.

2. break [breyk] (n.) – a time to stop or rest from doing an activity

Example: I took a break from visiting Facebook because it started to bore me.

3. profile [PROH-fayl] (n.) – a summary of one’s personal data on a website

Example: He added his e-mail address and phone number to his Facebook profile so old friends could contact him.

4. fatigue [fuh-teeg] (n.) – condition of being very tired

Example: She felt fatigue after playing computer games for three days without sleep.

5. plateau [pla-toh] (v.) – to be in an unchanging level; to stop increasing

Example: The number of users of the website has plateaued because people are not excited to join the site anymore.

Article 
Read the text below.

Facebook has become accessible anytime and anywhere. With a reported one billion and more active users, it is now one of the most popular social networking sites in the world. But a new research revealed that many Americans actually get tired of the social networking site and pause from using it. The research by the Pew [pyoo] Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project said that in US, around 67% of people who use the Internet also use Facebook. The Pew researchers found that of US Facebook users, 27% intended to spend less time on the site this year while only 3% planned to spend more time on Facebook. Pew researchers also learned that 61% of the users took a break from using Facebook for several weeks. However, most users did not remove their Facebook profiles during their breaks. Only 20% of people who left Facebook deleted their accounts. The most common reason for “Facebook fatigue” was that people did not have enough time for the site, especially when they were busy with real-life responsibilities. Others said that Facebook was just a waste of time or that they were no longer interested with what they saw on Facebook. A few people also mentioned lack of privacy as their reason. In addition, only 8% of American non-Facebook users wanted to join the site. This lack of interest suggests that the number of Facebook users could plateau. If users continue to leave the site, Facebook may end up like fallen social media companies Friendster and MySpace.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Do you think a site like Facebook can fail, given that it has around a billion users? Why or why not?

·         In your opinion, how can a website or online service keep its number of users?

Discussion B

·         Why do some people easily get tired of something?

·         What motivates you to keep doing a tiresome activity?

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Why Sharing Private Data with a Partner Is Not Safe

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. share [shair] (v.) – to tell one’s thoughts, opinions or information to others

Example: My brother will soon share with everyone the news about his engagement.

2. snoop [snoop] (v.) – to look at something to find personal or private information

Example: Donna trusts her husband and does not snoop on his e-mail messages.

3. ex [eks] (n.) – an informal term for a past girlfriend or boyfriend

Example:  I removed my ex from my list of Facebook friends.

4. threaten [THRET-n] (v.) – to express possible danger or harm to someone

Example:  The angry boyfriend threatened to reveal his girlfriend’s secrets.

5. in the first place [in-thuh-furst-pleys] (idiom) – used to mean something should or should not be done from the start

Example:  The girl should not have posted her phone number on her blog in the first place.

Article
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Mobile devices and digital services have made sharing information very easy. People often share their online passwords, bank account details and social security numbers with people they love. However, sharing such private information, even with boyfriends or girlfriends, can be a bad idea. McAfee, a security software company, recently did a survey about what private information people reveal to others. Of those who answered, more than half have shared their passwords with their partners. Around 56% of respondents have also snooped on their partner’s social media pages and online banking data. Another 48.8% said they have snooped on their partner’s e-mails. Many people share passwords and pictures with their partners, thinking the information will stay private. According to McAfee security expert Robert Siciliano, couples also think sharing passwords with each other is a way of showing affection and love. However, when relationships end badly, an angry ex may threaten to post private pictures or videos of an ex-partner for everyone to see. Several people in the study admitted to posting their ex’s private data online. Siciliano recommended using security software to protect information on mobile devices. He also said people should change passwords right away when a relationship ends. In addition, psychologist Erika Holiday advised people to wait until they fully trust someone before sharing private online information, although getting to trust someone could take years. The experts also said that the best way to prevent an ex from revealing one’s information is by not sharing passwords or account details in the first place.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Have you shared your passwords with anyone before? Why or why not?

·         In your opinion, when is it safe to tell someone your password? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         Why do you think some people are not careful about their private information?

·         How can we keep our information safe when using the Internet or mobile phones?

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Heart Transplant Patient Successfully Gives Birth

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. undergo [uhn-der-GOH] (v.) – to experience or to go through

Example: My sister will undergo a series of blood tests before she gives birth to her baby.

2. in vitro fertilization [in VEE-troh-fur-tl-uh-ZEY-shuhn] (n.) – a medical procedure in which the sperm cell and egg cell are combined outside a woman’s body

Example: Women who have difficulties getting pregnant naturally choose in vitro fertilization.

3. transplant [TRANS-plant, -plahnt] (n.) – a medical procedure in which an organ from a person is transferred to another person

Example: I need to go through a kidney transplant after one of my kidneys stopped working.

4. infertility [in-fer-TIL-i-tee] (n.) – inability to reproduce or produce an offspring

Example: Cancer in the ovaries can cause infertility.

5. optimistic [op-tuh-MIS-tik] (adj.) – thinking positive or being hopeful about something

Example: Despite her weak body, the patient is optimistic about getting better.

Article
Read the text below.

An Argentine woman who was a heart transplant patient successfully gave birth nine months after undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). According to experts, no transplant patient has successfully gotten pregnant through IVF, until now. Thirty-nine-year-old Juliana Finondo gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Emilia on January 15 of this year. After going through a heart transplant in 1999, Juliana was advised by doctors that getting pregnant would be very risky for her. Pregnancy stresses the heart, which might then cause early birth or problems in the baby’s growth. Medications for IVF could also complicate a transplant patient’s pregnancy. Despite the risks, Juliana and her husband decided to have a baby. For two years, the couple tried to get pregnant in a natural way, but they were unsuccessful. A doctor said that the transplant medications may have caused infertility, which might explain why she could not bear a child. But Juliana remained optimistic and tried In vitro fertilization. Doctors first checked if her body rejected the transplanted heart before giving her fertility medicines. Luckily, Juliana got pregnant immediately after the first IVF procedure. Doctors regularly monitored Finondo during her pregnancy to make sure that there were no complications. Juliana’s ability to bear a child even after a heart transplant proves that transplant patients may have fewer limitations than expected, said Sergio Perrone, a heart doctor. Perrone believes this story might inspire people to donate organs and help save other people’s lives. In 2012, 630 people have donated organs to 1,458 patients in Argentina. However, Argentine government said that 7,290 people still hope for organ donors.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         If you were in Juliana Finondo’s place, would you still want to have a child despite the risks? Why or Why not?

·         How do you think Juliana Finondo felt after giving birth to her daughter?

Discussion B

·         Do you think it is right to encourage people to donate organs? Why or why not?

·         In your opinion, why do some people willingly donate their organs?

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2013’s Most Expensive Cities to Live in

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. outrank [out-RANGK] (v.) – to be in a higher rank or position than others

Example: The island of Boracay outranked other places as the most popular vacation spot in the Philippines.

2. deflation [dih-FLEY-shuhn] (n.) – an overall decrease in prices in an economy

Example: Companies worry that deflation will lead to much loss in profit.

3. trend [trend] (n.) – a direction in which things behave or move

Example: The current trend in India is for people to leave rural communities and to find work in cities.

4. upscale [UHP-SKEYL] (adj.) – expensive or costly

Example: Many famous actors and actresses live an upscale lifestyle.

5. bi-annually [bahy-AN-yoo-uh-lee] (adv.) – twice a year

Example: The magazine is released bi-annually, usually in June and in December.

Article
Read the text below.

Tokyo has outranked Zurich [ZOOR-ik], Switzerland as the world’s most expensive city to live in, a recent Worldwide Cost of Living Survey revealed. The city of Tokyo ranked number one despite the Japanese deflation and the weakening of yen. Australian cities, Sydney and Melbourne, went up four places from last year, with Sydney in third place and Melbourne in 4th place this year. The city of Singapore took 6th place, jumping from last year’s 9th place. The top 20 expensive cities on the list consisted of eleven Asian cities, eight European cities and two Australian cities.  The list reflected the increasing trend of upscale living in the Asia-Pacific region. No U.S. city reached the top 20. New York and Los Angeles were tied in 27th place. Vancouver city in Canada ranked as the most expensive city in North America.  Caracas, Venezuela ranked 9th, making the city the most expensive in both North and South America. Caracas was also the biggest mover on the list, as it was number 34 last year. On the other hand, the survey revealed that cities from South Asia are the cheapest to live in, with low cost of living mostly in cities from Pakistan, India and Nepal. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) bi-annually publishes the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. To come up with the list of cities, the EIU checks and compares the prices of 160 products such as food, drinks and household supplies among the cities. The EIU also considers the cost of services such as rent, water, electricity, transportation and education.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A 

·         Do you think it is important to know which cities have a high living cost? Why or why not?

·          Why do you think some cities become very expensive to live in?

Discussion B

·          What do you think about the cost of living in your area?

·         Without thinking of how expensive it could be, which place do you think would be interesting to live in?

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Burger Chain Owner Becomes America’s Youngest Female Billionaire

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. chain [cheyn] (n.) – a group of businesses or establishments owned by a single company

Example: McDonald’s is one of the famous fast food chains in the world.

2. avid [AV-id] (adj.) – loyal or devoted

Example: I am an avid fan of burgers and fries.

3. purchase [PUR-chuhs] (v.) – to get something by paying for it

Example: We can purchase some meals for only two dollars at the nearby restaurant.

4. made-to-order [MEYD-too-AWR-der, -tuh-] (adj.) – made according to a specific demand from a customer

Example: Betty asked for a made-to-order pizza with her chosen ingredients.

5. franchise [FRAN-chahyz] (v.) – to allow someone to sell a company’s products or services

Example: The company earned more money after it franchised stores to local citizens.

Article
Read the text below.

America’s youngest female billionaire, Lynsi Torres, is now included in the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. She is said to have earned $1.1 billion from her burger chain profits. In 2010, the thirty-year-old became the president of In-N-Out Burger, a popular burger restaurant in US. Torres, however, did not confirm whether Bloomberg’s estimates were true because In-N-Out has kept its financial status confidential. Aside from being a CEO, Torres is also a car racer and a mother to twins. But people know little about Torres because she is a very private person and has only done a few interviews. Torres’ did not start the chain by herself. Her grandparents built In-N-Out Burger in 1948 as California’s first drive-through burger stand. Her grandmother even managed the accounting of the company. Since its establishment, the chain has only served burgers that are made-to-order and made with the best and high quality products. According to a case study, the restaurant chain has kept control on the products’ quality because In-N-Out has never franchised. Simple and limited menus, together with avid customers, also contributed to the company’s success. In-N-Out now has about 280 stores in five American states. The restaurant’s latest expansion was in Texas, where a new warehouse and burger patty-making factory was built. In addition, the chain’s sales reached around $625 million in 2012. Other billionaires have even noticed the food chain’s success. Billionaire Warren Buffett, who is also a fan of In-N-Out burgers, said in a student interview that he wanted to purchase the In-N-Out chain.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         What do you think are some factors that make a company successful?

·         How does a person become successful in his or her career?

Discussion B

·         If you were a billionaire, how would you manage your money?

·         What do you think are the disadvantages of being billionaire?

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South Korea Successfully Launches Satellite

Unlocking Word Meanings 

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. launch [lawnch, lahnch] (n.) – the act of shooting something into the air, water or space

Example: Many people criticized North Korea’s surprise rocket launch last December.

2. satellite [SAT-l-ahyt] (n.) – a natural or man-made space object that revolves around a larger space object

Example: The moon is the Earth's natural satellite.

3. orbit [AWR-bit] (n.) – the circular path of a space object as it moves around something
Example: Planets follow their own orbits as they move around the suns

4. monumental [mon-yuh-MEN-tl] (adj.) – historic or very important

Example: Neil Armstrong's moon landing is one of man's most monumental space achievements.

5. precede [pri-SEED] (v.) – to come before something

Example: Two failed launches preceded the latest rocket launch.

Article 
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After two unsuccessful launches, South Korea has finally sent its own satellite into space. South Korea, together with Russia, created the 140-ton rocket that was launched last month from the Naro Space Center, 480km away from Seoul. Science Minister Lee Ju-ho confirmed that the rocket, also named Naro, was in the right orbit. Lee said the rocket released the satellite 540 seconds after the rocket took off. Lee added that the rocket launch was a monumental achievement for the country, especially since South Korea wants to perform space explorations independently. In the past South Korea’s satellites had to be sent into space by other countries. South Korea expects the recently launched satellite to collect information about the climate in space. The day after the launch, scientists at the Space Center started receiving communication and information from the satellite, proving the launch was indeed a success. South Korea's earlier rocket launches were unsuccessful. In their first attempt to launch a satellite in 2009, the satellite failed to separate from the rocket while in their second attempt in 2010, the rocket exploded right after its launch. The launch of South Korea’s satellite was preceded by North Korea's own rocket launch last December. North Korea’s success in putting a satellite into orbit had pressured South Korea to have a successful launch.

Viewpoint Discussion 
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         Why do you think a lot of countries want to launch rockets into space?

·         In your opinion, do achievements like rocket launching improve a country’s international image? Why do you think so?

Discussion B

·         Do you think a country should prioritize exploring outer space? Why or why not?

·         How can learning about outer space help people on Earth?

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