WORD CHECK UP. Luxury. Exorbitant. Ensure

Transcription

1 DAY 26 Parents anger at $730 Armani school uniforms Parents of a Tokyo elementary school are up in arms at being asked to pay $730 for their child's school uniform. A public elementary school in Tokyo's upmarket Ginza district has decided to adopt new school uniforms designed by the luxury Italian designer Armani. The bespoke uniforms, which include a hat and bag, are priced at over 80,000 ($730) each. Parents are angry at the school's decision and are protesting at what they view as the exorbitant price for a uniform of an eight-year-old child. The school said it wanted a designer uniform that represented the rich area of Ginza. School officials visited top department stores and decided to ask the fashion brand Armani to design the uniform. The expensive uniform has created such a fuss that it has been discussed in Japan's parliament. One lawmaker said that since the school is public and not private, "a certain price range needs to be considered". Finance Minister Taro Aso said: "Clearly it's expensive. It would be tough if a student could not afford to pay for it." Japan's education minister said steps would be taken to ensure the financial burden placed on parents for uniforms, "would not be excessive". Twitter users said young children are not interested in designer clothes. The school principal said: "With humility, I take the criticism that the explanation has been insufficient and not welltimed. I will go on explaining carefully to those concerned." Luxury Exorbitant Ensure GIVE YOUR BEST ANSWER The uniform's price includes the school bag and a hat. School officials went to department stores to look for a uniform. The school uniform's price has been discussed by Japan's government. Japan's Finance Minister said the uniform's price was not expensive. What term did the article use to describe the parents' anger? In what area of Tokyo is the elementary school? What did the article say the uniform's price included? Why does the school want such an expensive uniform?

2 DAY 27 On the market!!! Monty Well that was a frustrating customer visit. Jack Really? You seemed to be away a long time. Didn't you get an order? Monty No, I didn't. The guy didn't seem to be that interested in the features of our product, and you know it's about the best on the market. Jack It sure is. So what did you talk about? Monty Well, it was mostly idle chat about his new car, baseball and stuff like that. Jack Maybe he was checking you out to see if he liked you. I'd try him again in a couple of weeks' time, if I were you. Explanation : On the market - Available for sale Example: This is one of the best televisions on the market KEY WORDS AND PHRASE 1. Frustrating 2. Features 3. Idle

3 DAY 28 Earth's magnetic poles are about to flip When doom-and-gloom merchants warn us about threats to our existence, we usually hear about climate change, asteroid strikes or nuclear war. Now scientists have warned of the potential threat from Earth's magnetic poles flipping upside down. The North Pole and South Pole are responsible for creating a special barrier around Earth that protects us from killer radiation from space. All life on Earth depends on this shield. Without it, scientists say solar rays could cause considerable damage. The poles could flip in the next thousand years. This is because a rolling layer of liquid iron under the earth's crust is changing direction. The revolving currents of this molten iron at Earth's center act as a gigantic electromagnet. Historically, Earth's North and South magnetic poles have flipped every 200,000 to 300,000 years. The last time was 780,000 years ago, so the next flip is well overdue. Some scientists say the flip could destroy satellite communications and power grids; that dangerous solar rays would greatly multiply rates of cancer; and that climate change could kill billions of creatures. Some scientists forewarn that a polar flip could even blow Earth's atmosphere away. However, one scientist dismissed the doommongers. He believes that the effects of any increase in radiation would be as harmful as lying on a hot beach for a day. He suggested a "floppy hat" would be enough to protect us from any increased radiation. Merchant Overdue Forewarm GIVE YOUR BEST ANSWER The article reported news about an imminent asteroid strike. The article said the East and West Poles create a radiation shield. The magnetic poles could flip within the next millennium. Liquid gold inside the earth's center serves as a huge electromagnet. What do we sometimes hear about hitting the earth? What does a magnetic shield protect Earth from? When did the article say the poles could flip? What is happening to the molten iron at the center of the earth?

4 Day 29 What's the buzz? Vera Hello stranger! Haven't seen you for ages. Timothy That's because I've been in Europe for almost a month. Vera Well, there have been quite a few developments while you've been away. Timothy Really, what's the buzz? Vera Well, everybody's saying that we'll be getting a new chief executive. Timothy Wow, that's quite a surprise. The current one hasn't been in post that long. Vera I know, but it's all to do with a new business strategy which the board wants to be introduced. Explanation: Buzz - Rumor, gossip Example: There is a strong buzz that they will soon get married. KEY WORDS AND PHRASE 1. Verge 2. Academia 3. Industry

5 DAY 30 Monaco running out of space for millionaires The tiny city-state of Monaco on France's Mediterranean coastline is having problems finding space for rich people. Monaco is less than 2 square kilometers in size and has some of the richest people in the world living there. It is called the playground of the rich and is home to a Formula 1 Grand Prix, a famous casino and a luxury yacht-lined harbor. Over 30 per cent of its 38,000 residents are millionaires. The country is running out of space for more millionaires. House prices are already the highest in the world, with an average price of around $100,000 per square meter. City planners say an estimated 2,700 more millionaires are hoping to move there in the next 10 years. Monaco's ruler, Prince Albert II, has decided to build more homes in Monaco. He wants to reclaim land from the sea. He has OK'd a $2.1 billion project to fill in 15 acres of the sea with concrete and sand. The project will have a harbor big enough for 30 ships, a landscaped park, a Japanese garden and 120 new waterfront homes for the rich and famous. There will be a huge demand for the new homes. People are attracted by the luxury lifestyle and no income tax. Marine experts are worried the construction will cause great damage to sea life and the environment. The Prince said he cares about the environment. He said important species would be moved to a new artificial reef. 1. Estimate 2. Reclaim 3. Species Give your best answer Monaco is just over 2 square kilometers in size. Over half of Monaco's 38,000 residents are millionaires. House prices in Monaco are the highest in the world. One square meter of property in Monaco can cost $100,000. What is the size of Monaco? What kind of playground do some people call Monaco? How many people live in Monaco? How much house space would $100,000 buy in Monaco?