BBC News reporting
In order to practice your listening skills, please watch a BBC News report. Think about what you learned and what new phrases you heard. 1) Post a comment below by 22.00 on Monday, September 24th where you write 5-8 sentences about the new information and phrases you learned. 2) Read your classmates comments and post a response to at least two peoples' posts by 22.00 on Wednesday, September 26th.
I have watched the BBC news report about the most famous Muslim intellectual alive today. A lot of people know him as an Oxford professor who has been lecturing about faith for many years, but no one knew that well-educated and charismatic Tariq Ramadan is charged with sexual assault. Women who has suffered from Ramadan is giving an interview in the report. What surprised me the most, Ramadan denied all the allegations. But after the second allegation he went to the police station voluntarily.
ReplyDeleteI have known such words as “zeal”, “presumed”, “prosecute”, “compatible”, “detention”, “penal code”, “strangle”, “harassment”.
Kate
Dear Kate,
DeleteI think that is no matter how well-aducated is people, who have such behavior. It is awful whatever.
But also is positive side that you watched this video. You were learned too much new words. This is great result after watching one small video.
Sofia.
Dear Kate,
DeleteThat really dejects - this is so silly, when so well educated man acts like this, like animal who can't control himself. I don't mean other men (or women) are more allowed to behave like this, but in my opinion with those knowledge and position in society, act like this is a huge shame.
Dear all
ReplyDeleteI watched an episode about building a city under the sea. After spending decades exploring the deep sea, Phil Nuytten is going to build a colony there. Phil`s project is one of a kind, because people in his designed underwater colony are going to live at one atmosphere, the same pressure we are at right now, the pressure humans are designed to exist at. The city is going to be called Vent Base Alpha. Although the idea is super splendid, Phil did not reveal the exact purpose of building the colony, I assume it might be used as either an underwater research base or maybe some type of a bunker in the future.
New words for me were “pioneering” (develop or be the first to use or apply), “vent” (an opening that allows air, gas, or liquid to pass out), “Stirling cycle engine” (an engine that works on temperature differentials on the sea floor), “pistons” (a disk or short cylinder fitting closely within a tube in which it moves up and down against a liquid or gas), “shallow water” (not deep), “conceived” (form a plan or idea in the mind).
Indra
Dear Indra, thank you for your comment about an episode you've watched. It is very interesting to get to know that information about possible city under the sea. I'm also excited to know the exact date when constructing will start. And many thanks for the desctiption of the words you've mentioned, they're new to me as well.
DeleteKate
Dear Indra, I wonder, how will Mr. Nuytten realise such an cost-based project and how this city will be protected from pressure and damage. Also it sounds creepy to live in such place, so I doubt that in the beginning there will be many enthusiasts. The oceans and seas are not explored enough and there is always a chance, that something may go wrong.
DeleteCan you write your name, so I know who to give credit to? Thanks, Rhonda
DeleteDear all
ReplyDeleteI watched video about artist Howard Lee who creates illusions out of everyday objects.
The Gateshead artist taught himself how to create his hyper-realistic drawings which he now makes a living from.
It is about creating illusion, whereby you don`t know which item is real and which is a drawing. It makes people ask themselves, is it that they see reality or not? It is about how our brain works, how people see different things and how then they understand that they were tricked.
For me new word were “pouring stuff” and “chopping”, “to get smashed”.
Olga G
Dear Olga G,
DeleteYou watched really interesting video. Illusions and other tricks always was interesting phenomen fo people. I dream about go one time to illusion performance. For me it is hard come up with idea how to trick brain.
Dear Olga G,
DeleteYou watched really interesting video. Illusions and other tricks always was interesting phenomen fo people. I dream about go one time to illusion performance. For me it is hard come up with idea how to trick brain.
Sofia
Olga,
DeleteNadezhda D watched the same video and found similar words. Brain research and studies are so fascinating.
- Rhonda
I watched the same video. I think that people need such kind of "good" news because in the life there are many problems and "bad" news about death, wars, famine, disasters, accidents upset and scare people. Sometimes people need this videos to disconnect from their own world, thoughts, problems. Simply relax and learn something new and amazing. World and talents are limitless.
Deletedear Nadezda
Deleteit is very interesting that peoply WHANT to be tricked, they make some illusions in their life too. there is some spessial ART- its named OP-ART (OPTICAL ART) -pictures with optical illusions. probably, this kind of art helps people to have a rest from bored reality))
Olga G
I watched the BBC news report about organic farming in state Sikkim in India. In this state every single farm is chemical free. First three years harvest dropped down but goverment gave them an compensates for losses and fined for using pesticides for 1400$ or set to jail for three months. Now the goverment wants replicate this sucsessful model of farming to other states because the goverment see positive changes for nature and people. Since this state went organic, tourists visiting has gone up for 70%.
ReplyDeleteNew words for me were
jail - prison
fined for - penalize
assurance - guarantee
harvest - crop
convince - assure
Sofia
Dear Sofia, an idea of organic farming state sounds really nice to me. We all know how chemicals from foods affect our health, so, if it is the first step to organic agricalture, then in future more and more farms will take this experience into consideration and we and nature around will feel much better. The only thing I do not understand is how being an organic state influenced tourists visiting rate so much. Are people so much interested in argiculture?
DeleteNadezda M
Those are useful words, Sofia. Thanks for posting them.
DeleteDear Sofia,
DeleteThat is an interesting video you have watched. Organic farming is indeed a very popular topic nowadays and highly discussed. I support its concept on the whole as its beneficial for both us, people, and the nature. What is also interesting, tourists are in fact fascinated by the countries which have gone organic, because being eco-friendly is fashionable and prestigious - and that is also great that ecologically friendly views are promoted in nowadays society.
Jelena D
I watched a video about Chinese traditional sweets called "mooncakes". It is sold during Chinese Mid-Autumn festival. Mooncakes are called so because their shape reminds of a full moon, which on the day of the festival is round. Those treats are sweet and chewy and, as one of interviewed people told, Chinese people are into such kind of things. They also find attractive ways of packaging mooncakes - sometimes they are sold in fancy boxes. Just some words from this video were new to me, like "togetherness" - "unity", "to outdo" - "beat" and "elaborate" - "well-thought-out".
ReplyDeleteNadezda M
DeleteDear Nadezhda
DeleteHolidays are always excellent! I think that China always surprises the rest of the world with its sweets and traditions .. I saw this article, and honestly these candies reminded me just a circle))
But I think in China, the moon means a lot more, maybe it's related to their religion and beliefs.
Nadezhda G
Dear Nadezhda,
DeleteI'm completely agree with Nadezhda G and aldo think that China is unpredictible as Estonian weather - you never know what kind of activity they will create.
Kate
Nadezhda, it is nice to read about the Autumn festival. I have had many Chinese students over the past years and they often share moon cakes with their professors. It is a lovely tradition.
Delete-Rhonda
That is so nice, when some things have a story for their given names "mooncakes". It is interesting for me, do they have some different from Estonia cakes tastes or are the the same but with other name and just from China. I would like to buy them!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHello
ReplyDeleteI watched video about a very interesting and unusual profession which I never think about. Martha Whiffen, she is photographer, but instead of photographing landscapes, still life and portraits, she takes pic of various of illnesses. It is called a medical photographer. She can be called into theatre, and photographing really growth things, like patients having their limbs cut off or gangrene feed. Moreover, she often asked to capture injuries, surgeries and procedures. Her job is very important, because photos are used for patient’s portfolio, for teaching purposes. Teachers are using it to teach students a procedure or condition.
One of her responsibilities is capturing life and death, I think that this part of her job is the most pleasant one. Also, she can benefit in the development of medicine. She works with histopathology group, who studies the changes in tissues which caused by diseases and shows the cause of death. By studying they can find the cure/treatment or the causes of the disease, which have been investigated by no one.
In conclusion, this job requires a strong stomach!
New words: limbs (arm or leg of a person), theatre (hospital), intimate (detailed), occasionally (not regularly) graphic, histopathology (the study of changes in cells where disease is present), tissues (a collection of cells), thrive off (_)
Nadezhda G
DeleteInteresting occupation!
Delete-Rhonda
Dear Nadezhda, this video is really astoundingly. I think that not many people reflect about it, about this profession. So I would like to read about it more, thank you for you comment and new words!
DeleteAlina S.
Dear Nadezhda G
DeleteI never knew there was an occupation like this. It is great that you have provided us with lots of examples and explanations to the duties of this job. As we now know, her job helps medical science to improve and develop, however, I have mixed feelings concerning this occupation, because how can she know her "clients" are okay she is taking pictures of them? It is like taking pictures of little kids, who are yet unable to express their wishes of privacy. I am not sure whether it is always possible for her to ask the permission of those people who are in a very awful condition.
Indra
This is Nadezda D. I have watched video "The Gateshead artist whose work makes you look twice". It is about the Gateshead artist who taught himself how to create his hyper-realistic drawings which he now makes a living from. It was hard to spot which is real and which is the drawing in this video. His video is very catchy, objects gets smashed, or cut in half and you see was it real object or not.
ReplyDeleteThis words from video were new for me: "reveal" - "show", "slightly" - "a little", "pouring stuff", "chopping" - "cut", "smash" - "broke". "man-made" - "artificial".
This sounds like a really interesting video, Nadezda. Great words to share!
Delete- Rhonda
Dear Nadezhda, firstly I have watched the same video and I thought to write about it. So this is really interesting and tricky, I personally did not notice, where is a real thing and where is a fake. Thank you for new words, because while watching this video, I recognized that some of them are unknown.
DeleteAlina S.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDear Nadezhda,
DeleteI saw that video, too. It is fascinating how our eyes and brain can be tricked into thinking that the drawing is real. And it also shows a great effort the author has put in his illusions in order for them to seem so real.
Jelena D.
Hi everyone! I have watched video "We shouldn't have to beg for water" and that terrifies me. This video is about+ people living in Basra country and fighting with government. Their problems is unreliable electricity supply and limits of drinking water. In my opinion that's absolute madness, that country's power, government, is so cold and indifferent towards it's own people. I am sure those "powerful" politicians are fully aware of their problems, but they don't even try to solve them. Only thing they are doing - trying to get rid of those (by killing the literally), who are fighting for their family rights and life. That's unbelievable, that in our world are still places, where people can't just survive because of lack of water and they die of dehydration. And in the same moment use water in shower for 20 min, when i actually need only 5 min. That's sad.
ReplyDeleteNew words: fed up ( bored, annoyed, or disappointed, especially by something that you have experienced for too long); legitimate (allowed by low; reasonable); oppress ( to govern people in an unfair and cruel way and prevent them from having opportunities and freedom); demand (to ask for something forcefully) ; underway (smth is happening, beginning).
Rita Guseva
I agree with you it is very shocking that in our modern world there are still places, where people can't just survive because of lack of water and they die of dehydration. Unfortunately, when people get power into their own hands they change for the worse and don't think about people who they are responsible for. This is nowadays very topical issue.
DeleteI agree with Nadezhda D, that people always wanted "the best", but it end up not...
DeleteNadezhda G
Dear Rita
DeleteI agree with your opinion, that it is unbelievable we have to discuss such issues in our 21st century. It is great, although, that we do, since it means that even though we are not struggling from the lack of fresh water, we still do care about other countries, that are not as lucky as we might call ourselves. All in all, topics like this always leave me feeling dissatisfied, because I am not even able to transfer my own saved water to those in need. Feeling helpless after reading news like this, or discussing them is the worst part.
Indra
Dear Rita
Deleteit is always awful to know that some nation , people suffering from unworthy govermant. it is hard to think that in our days there is some country where people do not have enough drinking water and others neсessary things for life.
Hello! I have watched a video "India's rising smartphone powerhouse" and it takes a place in Noida, what is country's smartphone hub. It is the largest factory in the world, that was set up by Samsung. Almost 30% of smartphones are from this area. The Noida is a perfect city with a combination of operetion, manufacturing, development and life. It was a farmland, but now it is a big shopping centre. But there are some negative sides, such as threat to other mobile companies.
ReplyDeleteNew words- hub (the central or main part of something where there is most activity), set up(the way in which things are organized or arranged), crowd (a large group of people who have come together).
Alina S.
Dear all,
ReplyDeleteI have watched a video about some disabled people who are paralysed due to various reasons: sports injury, car accidents etc. These people have always dreamed of walking again. Now, thanks to the new scientific invention, such people can walk up to 1km. There is an electronic implant in a spinal cord of the patient that fixes the signal between the cord and the brain. Unfortunately, the implant is only a temporary solution but hopefully in the future it might be used a base to work with in order to solve the problem of spinal paralysis and other disabilities of such kind. It's a great start.
Some interesting words:
astonished - extremely surprised
spinal cord - the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain lengthwise along the back in the spinal canal
transmitter - a set of equipment used to generate and transmit electromagnetic waves carrying messages or signals, especially those of radio or television
Jelena D.