Listen to news in easy English. ~ Canada Adopts Ugly Packaging for Cigarettes

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

WHO: the World Health Organization

pilot: to test

vaccine: a substance that provides protection against a disease

dose: a single amount of medicine

insecticide: a substance that keeps insects away

in conjunction: together

WHO Pilots World's First Malaria Vaccine

Malawi, , and Ghana are the first countries to take part in a trial of the world's first malaria vaccine. 360,000 children will the vaccine in this pilot project. Years of testing show that the vaccine offers protection from malaria 40% of the time. If taken as , with four doses before the age of two, the partial protection could save tens of of lives. The WHO notes that other protective measures, including the use of bed nets and insecticides, must be used in conjunction with the vaccine. While it is a preventable and disease, over 400,000 people die of malaria each year.

Comprehension Questions

What is the report mainly about?

What percentage of malaria cases is this vaccine expected to prevent?

According to the report, what other protective measures help prevent malaria?

Discussion Question

If you lived in an area where malaria was common, would you feel comfortable giving your child this vaccine? Why or why not?

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WHO Pilots World's First Malaria Vaccine

Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana are the first countries to take part in a trial of the world's first malaria vaccine. 360,000 children will receive the vaccine in this pilot project. Years of testing show that the vaccine offers protection from malaria 40% of the time. If taken as directed, with four doses before the age of two, the partial protection could save tens of thousands of lives. The WHO notes that other protective measures, including the use of bed nets and insecticides, must be used in conjunction with the vaccine. While it is a preventable and treatable disease, over 400,000 people die of malaria each year.

The report is mainly about a new vaccine for malaria that is being piloted in Africa.

The WHO estimates that approximately 40% of malaria cases could be prevented with this vaccine.

Other preventative measures include using bed nets and insecticides.

Listen to news in easy English ~ "Florida Man" Google Search Goes Viral

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

black hole: a dead star that sucks up objects in space

telescope: an instrument that shows close-up pictures of stars and planets

massive: very large or heavy

astronomer: a person who studies space

keep under wraps: to keep hidden or secret

theoretical: based on calculations rather than physical proof

First Picture Taken of Massive Black Hole

Astronomers have released the first-ever picture of a black hole. The picture was taken by a group of telescopes as the Event Horizon Telescope Project. The black hole was first photographed in 2017, but the photo was kept under wraps until now. The black hole, which is almost the size of our solar system, looks like a dark with an orange ring around it. This is an important moment for astronomers because, until now, black holes were theoretical.

Comprehension Questions

When was the black hole first photographed?

How many telescopes are part of the Event Horizon Telescope Project?

Why is this picture important for astronomers?

Discussion Question

Photographing a black hole was previously thought to be impossible. What other “impossibilities” do you think will be made possible in this century?

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First Picture Taken of Massive Black Hole

Astronomers have released the first-ever picture of a black hole. The picture was taken by a group of eight telescopes known as the Event Horizon Telescope Project. The black hole was first photographed in 2017, but the photo was kept under wraps until now. The massive black hole, which is almost the size of our solar system, looks like a dark circle with an orange ring around it. This is an important moment for astronomers because, until now, black holes were simply theoretical.

The black hole was first photographed in 2017.

There are eight telescopes used in the Event Horizon Telescope Project.

This picture is important for astronomers because it provides visual evidence that black holes are real.

Listen to news in easy English. ~ The Boy with a Fake Smile Finds Fame in China

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

get even: to take revenge

dispute: a disagreement or conflict

unique: very different; not normal

reserved: saved for a specific person or group

naked: having no clothes on; bare

mannequin: a human-like figure used to display clothing that is for sale

nosy: paying too much attention to someone else's life

bylaw: a law or rule that applies to members of a community or organization

Man Gets Even After Fence Dispute

A California man who was forced to lower his after a neighbour complained about its found a unique way to get even. He filled his yard with naked mannequins and a garden party. His included a reserved seating note for the "nosy neighbour" who complained to the city about the bylaw infraction. The home owner said he had built his fence to keep his dogs from getting out of the yard. Now everyone can see in and he hopes they like what they see.

Comprehension Questions

What did the California man want to get even about?

How did he get even?

What was on the note?

Discussion Questions

Have you ever complained to the city about a neighbour? What neighbourhood complaints are common in your region? Do you think they are valid or should neighbours stop being so nosy?

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Man Gets Even After Fence Dispute

A California man who was forced to lower his fence after a neighbour complained about its height found a unique way to get even. He filled his yard with naked mannequins and threw a garden party. His scene included a reserved seating note for the "nosy neighbour" who complained to the city about the bylaw infraction. The home owner said he had originally built his fence to keep his dogs from getting out of the yard. Now everyone can see in and he hopes they like what they see.

The California man wanted to get even because a neighbour complained about the height of his fence.

He got even by lowering his fence and filling his yard with naked mannequins.

The note indicated that the neighbour who complained had a reserved seat at the garden party.

Listen to news in easy English ~ NBA Star Supports 'Egg Boy' for Standing Up to Racism

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

the Great Lakes: a group of interconnected freshwater lakes along the Canada-US border

bill: a proposed law

pollution: the introduction of harmful substances to an environment

referendum: a special vote about a specific issue

flourish: to grow in a healthy way

ecosystem: a group of plants and animals and the living space they rely on

Great Lake Granted "Right to Exist"

Citizens of Toledo, Ohio voted to give legal rights to Lake Erie, one of North America's Great Lakes. Locals who support the bill claim that pollution is a major threat to their region's drinking water. In a special referendum this month, decided that Lake Erie has the right to "exist, flourish, and naturally evolve." The Lake Erie Bill of Rights gives citizens the power to for the rights of the lake on behalf. This is not the first time a natural resource has been given legal in the US. Other countries including New Zealand, India, and Chile have also granted legal rights to certain ecosystems. In , Bolivia passed the Law of the Rights of Mother Earth, giving nature legal rights that usually apply to humans.

Comprehension Questions

What group of lakes does Lake Erie belong to?

What are Toledo citizens concerned about?

Why does the report mention Bolivia?

Discussion Questions

Do you think a lake has a legal right to exist like a human does? If yes, what about forests and animals? Should humans have the right to enforce the rights of nature?

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Great Lake Granted "Right to Exist"

Citizens of Toledo, Ohio voted to give legal rights to Lake Erie, one of North America's Great Lakes. Locals who support the bill claim that pollution is a major threat to their region's drinking water. In a special referendum this month, voters decided that Lake Erie has the right to "exist, flourish, and naturally evolve." The Lake Erie Bill of Rights gives citizens the power to fight for the rights of the lake on its behalf. This is not the first time a natural resource has been given legal status in the US. Other countries including New Zealand, India, and Chile have also granted legal rights to certain ecosystems. In 2010, Bolivia passed the Law of the Rights of Mother Earth, giving nature legal rights that usually apply to humans.

Lake Erie belongs to North America's Great Lakes, a group of interconnected freshwater lakes on the Canada-US border.

Toledo's citizens are concerned about the pollution of Lake Erie, which provides their drinking water.

The report mentions Bolivia because it passed the historic Law of the Rights of Mother Earth in 2010.

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

publish: to print and share with readers

beloved: loved by many

aka: also known as

manuscript: a written copy of text (before publication)

commission: to assign a job to a creator

enthusiast: one who has an interest or passion for something

sculpt: to shape into art

Discovered Dr. Seuss Story To Be Published This Fall

A new story by beloved children's author Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, is due to be published this fall. The manuscript for Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum was discovered in the home after he died. The artwork was not yet finished, so an illustrator was commissioned to complete the book. The story art and how we each see the world differently. It features photographs of real horse art by famous artists including Picasso. Dr. Seuss was a modern art enthusiast. In addition to illustrating children's books, he painted and sculpted realist as a hobby.

Comprehension Questions

Where and when was the manuscript discovered?

What is the book about?

Why does the report mention Picasso?

Discussion Questions

Many children learn to read by listening to and reciting rhymes from Dr. Seuss's storybooks, such as Fox in Socks and The Cat in the Hat. What was your favourite children's storybook and why?

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Discovered Dr. Seuss Story To Be Published This Fall

A new story written by beloved children's author Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, is due to be published this fall. The manuscript for Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum was discovered in the author's home after he died. The artwork was not yet finished, so an Australian illustrator was commissioned to complete the book. The story celebrates art and how we each see the world differently. It features photographs of real horse art by famous artists including Picasso. Dr. Seuss was a modern art enthusiast. In addition to illustrating children's books, he painted and sculpted realist pieces as a hobby.

The manuscript was discovered in Dr. Seuss's house after he died.

The book is about art and how we each see the world differently.

The report mentions Picasso because Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum features photos of real artwork from famous artists like him.

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

goodie bag: a small surprise bag of treats

in advance: before an event occurs

gesture: an action that expresses meaning

not make a peep: to not make a sound

fellow: in the same position or activity

Mom Hands Out Goodie Bags for Long Flight

A mom prepared 200 goodie bags for her fellow passengers on a flight from Seoul to San Francisco. The goodie bags contained candy, , and a note apologizing in advance for the noise the 4-month old baby might make. said the gesture was very but also noted that the baby didn't make a peep. This is not the first mother to hand out goodie bags before a long flight with an infant. In fact, this is becoming a in air travel.

Comprehension Questions

Where did the flight depart from?

What did the mom apologize for in advance?

What was in the goodie bags?

Discussion Questions

Do you think this was a kind gesture or do you think this sets unrealistic expectations for parents travelling with young children? Do air travellers need to show more compassion towards parents travelling with small children?

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Mom Hands Out Goodie Bags for Long Flight

A Korean mom prepared 200 goodie bags for her fellow passengers on a flight from Seoul to San Francisco. The goodie bags contained candy, earplugs, and a note apologizing in advance for the noise the 4-month old baby might make. Passengers said the gesture was very thoughtful but also noted that the baby didn't make a peep. This is not the first mother to hand out goodie bags before a long flight with an infant. In fact, this is becoming a trend in air travel.

The flight departed from Seoul.

She apologized in advance for the noise her 4-month old baby might make.

The bags contained candy, earplugs and a note of apology.