Text 11. Transgender teenager sues McDonald's

Learn English through Reading

This could be the news, short stories or novels, texts from your textbook. Don’t look up every word which is new to you – even without a dictionary you will understand a lot. Just concentrate on what you do understand and try to find out the rest by intelligent guessing. That works rather well, especially if you are interested in the topic. The following texts are taken from BBC News, Section BBC LEARNIG ENGLISH

Text 1. Dad Dancing 10 September 2010

British people are frequently embarrassed by their fathers' dancing, so the term 'dad dancing' now means bad moves on the dance floor. Scientists at Northumbria University have analysed what makes dancing attractive to women. What do your moves say about you?

The researchers asked young men to dance in a laboratory to a very basic drum rhythm. Their dances were played back to a group of women who rated them on a scale of one to seven. The researchers had expected that the movement of arms, legs and hands would be important as they can often convey expressive gestures.

But instead they found that there was a greater focus on the torso, neck and the head. And higher ratings were given for variation and mixing up dance moves. What went down badly though were twitchy and repetitive movements – often called 'dad dancing'.

The researchers also found from blood tests on the dancers that those who had good moves were in better physical condition. And so, as is the case with courtship rituals with wild animals, dancing ability may well be a way of assessing a suitable mate.

Vocabulary

embarrassed by/about sth=ashamed, nervous or uncomfortable in a social situation

rated=evaluated, graded

convey=express, demonstrate, e.g. to convey one’s feelings/emotions

torso=the upper part of the body, not including the arms and legs

mixing up=changing

went down badly=was thought bad

twitchy=sudden and nervous

physical condition=bodily health

courtship rituals=actions and ceremonies that attract a male or female to have babies

assess= make a judgement about a person or a situation

suitable mate=good partner to have babies

Text 2. Golden Globe winners announced 18 January 2010

Caption: Director James Cameron

The science fiction epic Avatar has been named best drama at the Golden Globe awards in Hollywood. The film, which has broken records at the box office, also picked up an award for its director James Cameron.

James Cameron, who's spent the past five years working on Avatar, was named best director. The film, which is on course to become the highest grossing movie of all time, is now considered to be in pole position to do well at the Oscars.

The Hangover, a film based around a stag party in Las Vegas, won the award for best comedy. Jeff Bridges, who plays a country music singer in the film Crazy Heart, was named best actor. And Meryl Streep took the award for best actress in a comedy for her portrayal of the American TV chef, the late Julia Child, in Julie and Julia.

Many of the celebrities wore ribbons in support of the people of Haiti. TV viewers were encouraged to give money. The organisers of the show, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, said they were donating $100,000 to the earthquake relief fund.

Vocabulary

on course to=seems to be going to

the highest grossing movie=the film which has taken most money from people going to see it

to be in pole position to do well=to be a strong favourite and most likely to win

a stag party=a party which a man has before he gets married, usually with only his male friends

her portrayal of=her playing the part of

late=now dead

ribbons=small pieces of coloured material often worn to show support for a particular cause

donating=giving, usually for a charitable cause

the earthquake relief fund=a collection of money to be used to help people affected by the earthquake in Haiti

Text 3. Child directs air traffic at JFK5 March 2010

US officials are investigating how a child was apparently allowed to direct planes at JFK airport. Pilots heard the voice of a surprisingly young boy instructing them from air traffic control.

JFK Airport in New York is one of the largest airports in the country, handling nearly a thousand take-offs and landings a day. But just after 8pm on the 16th of February, there was somebody else in the control tower directing air traffic and giving instructions to pilots.

Recording from air traffic control:

Boy: JetBlue 171 clear for take off.

Pilot: Clear for take off JetBlue 171.

The boy was speaking to an airbus A320 heading for Sacramento. The child's father, who is a certified controller, brought his son to work and then put him to work as well.

Recording from air traffic control:

Boy: JetBlue 171 contact departure.

Pilot: Over to departure JetBlue 171. Awesome job.

The young boy continued directing pilots for several take-offs, pilots appearing to be more amused than worried.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates Americas airports, hasn't released the names of the controllers involved but it's not treating it as a joke. It's investigating the controller, as well as his supervisor. Both have been relieved of their duties.

Some are saying the incident is being blown out of proportion since the youngster was repeating standard, routine directions to pilots with the adults, presumably, alongside him. It's been revealed the controller in question brought his daughter in the following evening.

The FAA has released a statement saying "This lapse in judgement not only violated the FAA's own policies but common sense standards for professional conduct. These kinds of distractions are totally unacceptable."

Vocabulary:

the control tower=the high building in an airport from where instructions are given to help people takeoff and land airplanes safely

pilots=people who fly airplanes

an Airbus A320=a type of airplane

to be amused=thought something was funny

his supervisor=his manager, the person who makes sure that he does his job properly, gets training to do it and that his behaviour at work is acceptable

relieved of their duties=had their jobs taken away, are no longer allowed to work

is being blown out of proportion=is being made to seem much more serious than it actually is

lapse in judgement=falure = проступок; оплошность

violated=broke the rules or guidelines

distractions= pleasant and not very serious activities that stop people from concentrating on what they should be doing.

Text 4. Clean money for New Year15 February 2010

Chinese people around the world are celebrating their most important holiday, Chinese New Year. But for one man in Taiwan, it's all about business as he washes dirty banknotes for gifts.

According to Chinese tradition, parents give their children clean, fresh banknotes at the start of the new year. But such notes are in high demand in the run-up to the holiday period, and Yao Guan Cheng noticed a gap in the market.

Yao Guan Cheng (translated): "When we first started this business, it was for family members who liked to collect antique banknotes. But later on, it struck me that this service would come in handy for the Chinese New Year. It is one of our customs to put banknotes inside little red envelopes in order to bring our children good luck.

"To do that, people change old notes for new ones at the banks. But here in Taiwan, there are all sorts of restrictions as to how much you can change, what days you can do that and which banks you can go to. That's inconvenient. So I thought: why not give people an alternative?"

He doesn't just soak the notes in water, he uses special chemicals that are a closely guarded secret. His services don't come cheap, he charges about $10 for washing twenty banknotes. But in the run-up to the new year holiday, he's been in demand, cleaning people's banknotes and in the process, giving a new, cleaner, image to the term 'money laundering'.

Vocabulary

are in high demand=are wanted in large numbers by many people

in the run-up to=during the time just before an event or specific date

a gap in the market=a business opportunity, a chance to make money by providing something or a service that was not available

antique=something that is very old, usually more than a hundred years old

it struck me=it suddenly occurred to me, I suddenly realised that

handy=useful and easy to use

inconvenient=difficult, causes problems

soak the notes in water=leave the money in water for quite a long time

a closely guarded secret=information that is only known to a few selected people

money laundering=an illegal process by which criminals attempt to hide money from government officials because it has been earned illegally or taxes should be paid on it

Text 5. Parisian shop sues crime writer9 April 2010

Lalie Walker, the author of a crime thriller, is being taken to court because the action of her new book takes place in a well-known shopping emporium in Paris. The owners of Marché Saint-Pierre say her book damages its reputation.

It's a highly unusual legal situation where the author of a piece of fiction is taken to court because the action takes place in a particular locality, and the owners of that locality feel their name has been dragged through the mud. Yet that's what's happened in the case of Lalie Walker's book, Aux Malheurs des Dames.

The Marché Saint-Pierre, where the murder story unfolds, is a well-known fabric store near Montmartre. In the book, staff members go missing as voodoo dolls are pinned to the walls and rumours swirl around the behaviour of the shop's managers.

In their plea, the real-life owners of the Marché Saint-Pierre say it's a registered trade mark and that no one can write about it without prior permission. They say their image has been seriously harmed by the book, and they want damages of two million euros - more than two and a half million dollars.

The author Lalie Walker is mystified. "If you can't set stories in real-life places," she says, "then you might as well just give up."

Vocabulary

a piece of fiction =a story that is made-up, invented or not factual

locality =place, location

their name has been dragged through the mud=their reputation has been insulted by the things someone (here, the writer Lalie Walker) has said about them

unfolds=happens, takes place

fabric store=shop which sells material for making clothes, curtains etc.

voodoo dolls=figures or models of people which are used in a type of religion involving magic and the worship of spirits

rumours swirl around=people are talking a lot about interesting stories which may or may not be true

plea=a statement by somebody in a court of law

real-life owners =the people who own the shop (as opposed to the characters in the book who own the shop)

a registered trade mark=a particular name or logo for a product that a company has a legal right to use

without prior permission =without getting the legal right to do something before doing it

Marché Saint-Pierre – Рынок Святого Петра; Aux Malheurs des Dames – Горе для Дам

Text 6. AOL to buy Huffington Post7 February 2011 Reporter: Maddy Savage

US internet firm AOL has agreed to merge (to join together to form one thing) with the Huffington Post online newspaper for $315 million. Co-founder Arianna Huffington will stay on as editor and she will also be in charge of content for AOL's existing websites.

If you haven't heard of the Huffington Post, here's what you need to know. It launched (=started) six years ago as a small start-up company and now ranks as one of the top ten current events and global news sites in America. The woman behind it is Arianna Huffington, a Greek-American columnist with a long list of high-powered friends and celebrity contacts. Those connections (people who you know) began blogging on the website. Soon the Huffington Post became a pioneer at encouraging both established and new writers to post their thoughts online for free.

With around 25 million monthly visitors it's certainly got momentum. But business analysts say AOL's 300 million dollar deal to buy the site could be a risky bet on the future of online content. AOL's fortunes have been sliding over the past decade as its dial-up customers flock to broadband internet services.

The company will be counting on its latest acquisition to secure its future as a major internet brand. It will face competition from other emerging online newspapers, such as Rupert Murdoch's The Daily, which launched last week, and is designed to be read on Apple's portable iPad computers.

Similar purchases by AOL and Rupert Murdoch haven't always been a success. They believed that the websites Bebo and MySpace represented the future of social networking. Both were rapidly overtaken by Facebook.

Vocabulary

start-up company=newly created business

columnist=journalist who writes regular articles, usually on a particular topic

high-powered=influential or famous

got momentum=has the ability to keep growing and developing

risky bet=gamble that could be dangerous

sliding=here, shrinking or reducing significantly

flock=hurry or rush to all at the same time

acquisition=purchase

face competition=have to deal with or experience rivalry

overtaken=here, outdone or surpassed in size

content - контент - текстовые и графические материалы, наполняющие конкретный веб-сайт

Text 7. YouTube is five15 December 2010

Five years ago, YouTube was officially launched. The site has helped launch international singing careers, played a role in election campaigns and cheered up millions of users who've logged on to watch everything from giggling babies to skateboarding ducks.

Caption: Scottish singer Susan Boyle became famous overnight due to YouTube

It began with three friends searching for an easier way to share videos. One - Jawed Karim - uploaded the site's first clip - a movie of himself dressed in an anorak at San Diego Zoo.

By the end of its first year YouTube was broadcasting 25 million videos a day and it was soon bought by the internet giant Google. In 2010 24 hours of video are now uploaded every minute.

The site's also become an important political tool - almost a million people watched a wounded girl dying during protests in Iran in July 2009. President Barack Obama successfully used the site during his election campaign.

Thousands of teenagers around the world have also used the site to upload embarrassing videos of friends and its creators have been forced to deny claims that it's encouraged bullying.

With online habits and fads constantly changing no-one's sure what the next five years hold for YouTube. Some believe it could end up as a TV channel beamed into our living rooms. Others predict it will be overtaken by new technology and dumped on the internet scrap heap.

Vocabulary

аnorak=coat that protects the wearer against rainy weather

wounded=injured

deny=in this case, to say that something is not true

bullying=hurting or intimidating someone less powerful

fads=activities or items which are very popular for a brief period of time

end up=to eventually become something

beamed=sent out as an electronic or radio signal

overtaken=replaced or surpassed

dumped=abandoned

scrap heap=a pile of discarded metal or rubbish

Text 8. Susan Boyle: unlikely superstar? May 2009

A few weeks ago Susan Boyle was just a face in the crowd. Now her clip is the most watched in the world!

Less than a few weeks ago Susan Boyle was a virtual unknown. However, since auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent, a televised talent competition, she has experienced a stratospheric rise to fame. A YouTube video of her audition has been watched by more than 26 million people, making it one of the most watched videos on the internet in recent times. It is undeniable that technology such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter has helped to spread the word about Susan’s performance.

So just what is it about Susan that the people find so fascinating? Arguably, it is the fact she is such a class act. However, many have suggested that her biggest appeal lies in her unassuming persona.

Susan’s persona and appearance have been somewhat controversial and the initial reaction to her audition has made many people question whether they are guilty of judging a book by its cover. With her plain Jane, middle-aged looks and her no-nonsense approach to life, Susan is perhaps the most unlikely star to be discovered of late.

Commenting on her rise to fame, Max Clifford, a renowned PR guru, said that the massive public interest in her is partly due to people having to challenge (=refuse to accept) their own assumptions and prejudices.

So what’s next for Susan? For the moment, she is preparing for her next appearance on Britain’s Got Talent and she is the odds-on favourite to win.

Looking forward, with talk of record contracts and celebrity duets, it is very likely that we’ll soon be seeing a Susan Boyle album in the charts!

Glossary:a virtual unknown=not at all famous

experienced a stratospheric rise to fame=became widely known very quickly

undeniable=true

to spread the word about=to make many people aware of/know about

a class act=here, a performer who has a very good singing voice and a tasteful manner

unassuming persona=a quiet character, or person who shows no desire for attention or admiration

are guilty of judging a book by its cover=make assumption, or form opinions based only on how someone or something looks

plain Jane=ordinary, average, not very attractive or interesting female (a set informal saying)

no-nonsense approach to-=being realistic, practical and/or serious about

PR guru=somebody who is respected for their knowledge of a particular subject (here, public relations, or PR) and often asked for advice

Prejudices=showing dislike for something or someone for no good reason

odds-on favourite=here, most likely

Text 9. Sarah Ferguson 'sorry' for bribe deal24 May 2010

Sarah Ferguson has been keeping a low profile while visiting Hollywood after a newspaper secretly filmed her trying to sell access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.

She's not normally camera-shy but a tired-looking Sarah Ferguson avoided reporters on her arrival at Los Angeles airport. And again later when she was due to be the star of a Hollywood red-carpet event, honoured by a children's charity for her humanitarian work. But her efforts to help others have been overshadowed by her attempts to help herself and Ms Ferguson sneaked in to collect her award.

She has said she's sorry after a newspaper secretly filmed her offering access to Prince Andrew for half a million pounds. There's no suggestion he knew of her plan.

In the past Sarah Ferguson has been an author, TV presenter and film producer. But her media company recently collapsed with large debts. She admitted money problems but said they were no excuse for a serious lapse in judgement. This attempted deal, though not illegal, may have gone too far.

Vocabulary:to sell access= to arrange a business meeting

camera-shy=someone who doesn't want photographers to take photographs of her

red-carpet event=an occasion when a long, red floor covering is put down for important guests to walk on when they visit somewhere and receive a special official welcome or a special prize

humanitarian work=projects which benefit people who are poor, sick, suffering or in need of help

overshadowed by=seen to be less important than something else

to help herself=to look after her own needs and desires (before considering the needs of others)

sneaked in=entered a building in a secretive way, in a way that would not attract attention

collapsed with large debts=failed and owed a lot of money

admitted money problems=said that she had difficulties because she didn't have enough money

a serious lapse in judgement=a failure

have gone too far=have behaved in a way that upsets or annoys people

Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, caught on tape trying to sell access to ex-husband, Prince AndrewBY EDGAR SANDOVAL AND KATIE NELSON DAILY NEWS Sunday, May 23, 2010

Sarah, Duchess of York is a British charity person, spokesperson, writer, film producer, television personality and former member of the British Royal Family. Britain's royal family gathered in crisis state of mind last night to decide the fate of Duchess of York after she got caught trying to make big bucks off Buckingham Palace.

Sarah Ferguson used secret meetings in New York and London to sell access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew for more than $750,000, a British tabloid revealed. The duchess, 50, offered the access to her ex-hubby to an undercover reporter for the News of the World posing as an Indian businessman seeking trade connections.

The reporter and the duchess were introduced in January and met again May 14 at The Mark hotel in London. Accompanied by two assistants, Fergie chatted about a book she is writing and her "rented room" in Prince Andrew's 30-bedroom Royal Lodge.

Prince Andrew, 50, works as a special representative for Britain's international trade and investment. She invited the "businessman" to meet Andrew. "So, as soon as you come to London, come to Royal Lodge. I'll introduce you and sit down and you'll talk to him about whatever," she said.

A second meet-up took place Tuesday over pea soup and lamb at a posh London restaurant and then at the businessman's "apartment." It was then that the duchess made known her clever trick for payments: a $40,000 cash advance, 500,000 pounds (about $723,000) as a wire transfer in exchange for access to Britain's royal family.

Ferguson was caught on tape smoking and drinking a glass of red wine in front of pile of bills - the $40,000 down payment - spread before her on a coffee table. On the video, which is publicly available, Sarah is heard to say to the reporter, "Five hundred thousand pounds when you can, to me, open doors".She is seen taking away a briefcase containing $40,000 in cash.

Sarah excused her behaviour in an interview with Oprah Winfrey by saying, "I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused." Fergie said her "financial situation is under stress," but added: "That is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened."

Ferguson and Prince Andrew have two daughters, Princesses Beatrice, 21 and Eugenie, 20. They married in 1986. By 1991, the marriage was in trouble. While her husband was away on naval or royal duties, the Duchess was frequently seen in the company of other men. Andrew and the Duchess of York finally announced their separation on 19 March 1992.

Text 10. New research on the power of smiling 2 June 2010

We all know that smiling is important when meeting new people. However, new research suggests that different types of smiles affect what people think of us.

There are any number of sayings about the power of the smile. 'Peace begins with a smile.' 'A smile is the universal welcome.' 'Life is short but a smile only takes a second.' All good advice. But it may not be as simple as that. According to new research, if you want to make a good impression when you meet people, it's not just that you smile. It's how you smile.

The study was carried out by the Go Group, a business support organisation based in Scotland. They looked at people's reactions to different grins. They found that responses varied considerably.

Through this they say they have found three types of smile to avoid: The first is 'The Enthusiast', very wide, all teeth showing, possible evidence that you can have too much of a good thing. Then there is the 'Big Freeze', a fixed grin that looks practised and fake. Finally comes 'The Robot', a small, thin smile, lacking in warmth.

The group also warns about smiling too quickly, saying it can make you look insincere. The best smile, they say, is slower and floods naturally across the whole face.

Vocabulary

to make a good impression=to make people think well of you

to carry out a study/plan/programme/reform-=to do sth that needs to be organised or planned

grins=smiles

responses varied considerably =people reacted very differently

to avoid=not to do sth; stay away from sb/sth

enthusiast=person who is very positive and encouraging, who always looks on the bright side of things

have too much of a good thing=(fixed expression) it's possible that if you have something that you really like (a treat) too often, you'll eventually not enjoy it very much

fake=false, not true or genuine

lacking in warmth=not having very much friendliness and openness; e.g. lack of time/interest/vitamin

floods=spreads, moves across

Text 11. Transgender teenager sues McDonald's

Zikerria Bellamy, a teenager in the US who changed her gender from male to female, is taking legal action against the fast food chain McDonald 's for alleged discrimination.

Zikerria Bellamy is a 17 year-old male who's been living as a female for about the past six years. According to a complaint, filed by the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, the teenager applied for a job at a McDonald's restaurant in Orlando. It's alleged that two managers at the branch refused to give Miss Bellamy an interview and on one occasion a manager saw the teenager, who arrived wearing a suit, and laughed at her. The complaint goes on to claim that one of the managers later left an insulting voice message on Miss Bellamy's

answering machine. It's alleged the manager used a gay slur and informed the teenager that she'd never be given a job. A spokesman for the branch here in Florida said that McDonald's had a zero tolerance policy prohibiting discrimination or harassment. Most US states don't have laws that specifically protect transgender people in the workplace.

Vocabulary:

living as a female=someone who was born as one gender (here, male) has been dressing and behaving like the opposite gender (here, female). A transgender person may also take drugs and have surgery to change their gender from male to female or from female to male

according to a complaint, filed by=from the point of view of the person or people bringing a case in front of a judge; to file a complaint/lawsuit

applied for a job=asked for employment

it's alleged ==it is suggested, without proof, that someone has done something wrong

the branch=the office, shop or here, restaurant, that forms part of a large business organisation with many other similar offices, shops or restaurants

to claim=to say that something is true or is a fact, although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it

insulting=rude or abusive

a gay slur=a word or term that is insulting (as above) to homosexual people

a zero tolerance policy prohibiting discrimination or harassment=have laws and rules that mean people are not allowed to behave in an insulting or aggressive way to people based on their race, sex, religion, sexual preference, etc.

the workplace=a general term for a building or room where people work (i.e. an office, shop, factory, etc.)

Text 12. Large Latvian drugs find24 March 2010

Marijuana plants

Latvian officials have uncovered the country's biggest ever marijuana crop. 3,500 marijuana plants were discovered by customs officials in a surprise raid. It's taken customs officials over a year and a half to find this plantation tucked away in a remote forest clearing in the Latvian countryside.

They first became suspicious when large amounts of marijuana started crossing the border into neighbouring Estonia. Two men have now been arrested. They lived on site, hiding away on the plantation telling relatives that they were working abroad.

Customs officials believe the plantation has been in operation (=working) for the past three years, selling marijuana mainly to Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

The plants were grown in a barn, and the marijuana then cleaned and dried in a farmhouse. Three powerful diesel generators were kept in the garage, along with six tons of diesel fuel to keep power supplies going.

But the drug dealers were not taking any chances of discovery. Prying eyes were kept away by high-security surveillance systems and three guard dogs, while the pungent smell of the marijuana plants was covered up by keeping pigs and chickens on site.

Vocabulary

plantation=large area of land which is used to grow a particular crop or plant

tucked away=hidden in a place which is not easy to find

remote=far away from places where there are many people

became suspicious=began to think something illegal might be happening

on site=in the same area

prying eyes=people who are curious about and interested in seeing what might be happening

high-security surveillance systems=equipment and devices including, for example, cameras and microphones, used to watch an area and protect it from unwanted visitors

pungent smell=strong, powerful and very distinctive

covered up=kept hidden

Text 13. South Korean family planning20 January 2010

South Korean government workers are being told to 'go home and multiply'. Tonight the Ministry of Health, concerned about the country's falling birth rate, will force staff to leave the office early and return to their loved ones.

Forget that still unwritten report or the backlog of paperwork building up on the desk, on this cold and rainy mid-week night there can be no excuses to stay late in the office. South Korea's Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs will be turning off all the lights at 7pm in a bid to force staff to go home to their families and, well, make bigger ones. It will repeat the experiment once a month.

The country now has one of the world's lowest birth rates, lower even than neighbouring Japan, and boosting the number of newborn children is a priority for this government, staring into the abyss of a rapidly ageing society, falling levels of manpower and spiralling health care costs.

The Ministry of Health, now sometimes jokingly referred to as the 'Ministry of Matchmaking', is in charge of spearheading that drive and it clearly believes its staff should lead by example. Generous gift vouchers are on offer for officials who have more than one child and the department organises social gatherings in the hope of fostering love amongst its bureaucrats. But critics say what is really needed is wide-scale reform to tackle (=to deal with) the burdensome cost of childcare and education that puts many young people off from starting a family ( put sb off doing sth=to make you not want to do sth or to delay doing sth

Vocabulary

the backlog of paperwork =building up the large and increasing amount of office documents (letters, reports etc) that you should have dealt with before but which you still need to deal with

birth rates=the number of babies born in a particular place during a certain period

boosting=increasing

staring into the abyss=looking to a future situation which will be difficult

rapidly ageing society=when the population of a country is getting older with not enough younger people to take their place

falling levels of manpower=when there are not enough young and fit people to do all the jobs needed to maintain the country's economy

spiralling=steadily increasing

spearheading that drive=taking charge of the plan

fostering love amongst its bureaucrats=encouraging office workers to start having relationships with each other

burdensome=difficult and requiring a lot of responsibility, time and money

Modern British Families

Father leaves for work in the morning after breakfast. The two children take the bus to school, and mother stays at home cooking and cleaning until father and the kids return home in the evening. This is the traditional picture of a happy family living in Britain. But is it true today? The answer is - no! The past 20 years have seen enormous changes in the lives and structures of families in Britain, and the traditional model is no longer true in many cases.

The biggest change has been caused by divorce. As many as 2 out of 3 marriages now end in divorce, leading to a situation where many children live with one parent and only see the other at weekends or holidays.

There has also been a huge rise in the number of mothers who work. The large rise in divorces has meant many women need to work to support themselves and their children. Even when there is no divorce, many families need both parents to work in order to survive. This has caused an increase in childcare facilities, though they are very expensive and can be difficult to find in many areas. In addition, women are no longer happy to stay at home raising children, and many have careers earning as much as or even more than men, the traditional breadwinners.

There has also been a sharp increase in the number of single mothers, particularly among teenagers. Many of their children grow up never knowing their fathers, and some people feel the lack of a male role model has a damaging effect on their lives.

However, these changes have not had a totally negative effect. For women, it is now much easier to have a career and good salary. Although it is difficult to be a working mother, it has become normal and it's no longer seen as a bad thing for the children. As for children themselves, some argue that modern children grow up to be more independent and mature than in the past. From an early age they have to go to childminders or nurseries, and so they are used to dealing with strangers and mixing with other children.

So while the traditional model of a family may no longer be true in modern Britain, the modern family continues to raise happy, successful children.

Vocabulary

Divorce=when a marriage ends and the former husband and wife separate from one another

a huge rise=a very big increase/growth (opposite to fall/decrease/decline)

to support=here, to provide with a home and the necessities of life

childcare facilities=special institutions whose job is to look after children while parents are working

raising=bringing up and educating

breadwinners=a breadwinner is the person who earns the most money in their family

sharp=here, big and happening over a short period of time

single mothers=women who raise their children by themselves because they live separately from the children's fathers

lack=if there is a lack of something, there is not enough of it

male role model=a man who thinks and acts in the way that is traditionally perceived as being typical of men

nurseries=places equipped for looking after very young children

dealing with=managing, doing what is necessary to achieve the result you want

mixing with=socialising, living together with, joining

Text 15. Edinburgh festivals ( from BBC News )

Summer in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, is the time for festivals. In August and September there are several different festivals which take place there.

The original Edinburgh International Festival started in 1947, and offers visitors a rich programme of classical music, theatre, opera and dance. The same year that the official festival began, a handful of theatrical companies gatecrashed the festival and organised their own event, which grew into what is now called the Fringe Festival.

The term 'fringe' means something on the outside of the main event, but over the years, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has become the largest of all the festivals, and indeed the largest arts festival in the world! The Fringe features performers and acts which are less traditional and more unconventional than those in the International Festival, and includes a lot of stand-up comedy shows, music and children's entertainment. The Edinburgh Fringe is seen as an important place for up-and-coming stand-up comedians to perform at.

At the same time in Edinburgh there are various other festivals, such as the Jazz and Blues festival, the Book Festival, the Film Festival, and even an Internet Festival! There is also a multicultural festival called Mela, which celebrates the diversity of people living in Edinburgh, in particular people with South Asian origins.

Edinburgh Castle is the site of one of the most spectacular events - The Military Tattoo. A military tattoo has nothing to do with a tattoo on your skin! It means a performance of military music, for example, by marching bands. In Scotland the military tattoo traditionally includes bagpipes and drums. This year the display will also feature dancers, horses and motorbikes!

Though you have to pay to attend most of the events at the various festivals, there are several groups who organise large numbers of free events as well.

Vocabulary

Festivals==a festival is an organized set of special events, such as musical performances

a handful of=a small number of, not many

gatecrashed=came uninvited

traditional=well-established (e.g. practice or custom) within a social group

unconventional=unusual, original

stand-up comedy=when a performer stands before an audience and tells jokes

up-and-coming=making good progress, likely to succeed

multicultural=including people who have many different ways of life, traditions, customs and beliefs

diversity=here, when people of different backgrounds live in one place, variety

spectacular=an event or performance that is very exciting to watch and usually involves a lot of people

military=connected with the armed forces

marching bands=a marching band is a music band (usually playing brass instruments) that plays as it moves along

bagpipes=a type of musical instrument, played especially in Scotland and Ireland, from which you produce sound by blowing air into a leather bag and forcing it out through pipes.

Soap operas

Watching TV is a very popular pastime in the UK. But what kind of programmes do British people like to watch? Well, the most-watched TV programmes every week are very popular dramas that are usually on at least four times every week. They are dramas based in one neighbourhood that try to depict ordinary life in the UK - we call these dramas 'soap operas' or 'soaps'.

In the early days of TV, there were often dramas on during the day. Back in

those days, it was traditional for the husband to go out to work and for the wife to stay at home and look after the house and the children. Most of these daytime dramas were aimed at entertaining the housewives who would traditionally be at home, probably doing the washing. Companies selling washing powder would advertise their products at times when these dramas were on, and sometimes those companies would even sponsor the drama. Hence the word 'soap'.

So what about the word opera? Well, that's because these dramas are often an exaggeration of real life. They are supposed to represent ordinary lives but, to make them entertaining, lots of dramatic events, like murders, divorces, affairs etc., all happen probably much more regularly than they would in a normal neighbourhood.

Most soap operas these days are shown in the evening. Each show will have several different storylines happening at once that continue over several shows. The same cast members will appear in every show, too.

There are lots of different soaps on in the UK on different channels but there are three main popular ones. 'Coronation Street' has been on since 1960. It is set in a suburb of Manchester and it's supposed to represent working class life in the north of England. Then there's 'Eastenders' which started in 1985, set in the East End of London, and 'Emmerdale', which is set on a farm in Yorkshire, in the north of England.

The BBC even has a soap opera to help you learn English - so if you want to experience one of these dramas in English, 'The Flatmates' would be a good place to start.

Vocabulary

Pastime=what you do outside work for enjoyment, e.g. a hobby

Neighbourhood=an area where people live rather than work or do shopping

to depict=to describe, to show, to represent

housewives=women who work at home, doing the cleaning, cooking, etc., and who usually have no other job

washing powder= a cleaning substance in powder form used for washing clothes

advertise=show short television commercials to promote

sponsor=here, pay for filming

hence the word 'soap'=this is how the word 'soap' became part of the expression

an exaggeration=showing or representing something in a more dramatic, serious or shocking way than it really is

affairs=here, intimate relations outside marriage

at once=here, simultaneously, at the same time

cast members=actors in a particular film or TV series

it is set in a suburb of Manchester=the action takes place in an area near Manchester (people from suburbs usually work in the city which they are close to, however there are usually very few or no businesses within a suburb itself)

it’s supposed to represent=the intention is to show; it's meant to show

What to wear?

One of the biggest shocks when you arrive in a new country can be the clothes people are wearing. You may look fashionable at home, but you suddenly find you are behind the times or simply someone to laugh at when you arrive abroad. With this in mind, let's take a look at teenage fashion in the UK for girls.

One of the things that may shock an outsider most is piercings. These days it is not enough to simply wear rings in your ears. You will see many teenagers with rings in their navel, or belly button, nose, lip, or even their eyebrow. Ouch!

Some girls go for a 'glam' look. They wear T-shirts; trousers are usually preferred, blue or black, and the look is finished off with metallic bags and shoes and arms full of bracelets. Another alternative is the 'rocker' look. You start with a T-shirt of your favourite band and tight jeans or a long skirt. On top of this you can wear a denim jacket. Jewellery tends to be large and metallic, and to add colour, wear a scarf.

If neither of these is for you, why not go 'sporty'? T-shirts are usually tie-dyed in hot colours. Wear long shorts, short jeans or a denim skirt. And on your feet? Beach sandals, of course! If you prefer something more feminine, there's the 'girly' look. Skirts are long, to the floor. Wear a top with butterflies or flowers printed on it!

Finally, how about the 'Tom Boy' look? Wear flared jeans and a T-shirt with a logo. Don't forget your waistcoat, of course!

Follow the fashion tips above, and you shouldn't feel out of place. However, it's important to remember to wear clothes and choose a look that you feel comfortable with. Don't just be one of the crowd - be yourself!

Vocabulary

behind the times=out-of-date, unfashionable, not modern

piercings=holes made in the body for wearing jewellery, such as rings or studs

glam=short for 'glamorous', i.e. dressed and/or made up to be extremely good-looking and very fashionable

finished off=completed, given final touches

rocker=someone who really likes rock music (and dresses like a rock music fan)

denim=a thick strong cotton cloth, often blue in colour, used especially for making jeans

scarf=a piece of cloth worn around the neck

tie-dyed=designs on cloth dyed by tightly tying portions of it with waxed thread so the dye only affects the exposed areas

sandals=light open shoes with straps

flared=(trousers or skirts) that widen significantly below the knee (popular in the late 1960s - early 1970s)

waistcoat=a sleeveless garment worn on the upper body over a shirt and usually having buttons down the front

out of place=strange, as if you don't belong

Text 18. Artist has camera implanted into his scalp31 December 2010 by Stephanie Hancock

Many teachers would probably want to have eyes in the back of their head to watch their pupils. A New York-based artist has done just that. Wafaa Bilal had a tiny camera implanted into the back of his head, which will then send photographs to a museum in Qatar.

To have the camera installed in the back of his head, Iraqi-born Wafaa Bilal had to undergo a painful surgical procedure to tuck the camera firmly under his scalp.

The camera is at least small - just the size of a thumbnail and less than an inch thick - but it will be switched on 24 hours a day for an entire year.

The camera will take a photograph every single minute, digitally capturing every aspect of Wafaa Bilal's life.

The images will then be beamed from New York, where the artist lives, to the Middle East, where the photographs will be displayed at Qatar's new Arab Museum of Modern Art.

The artist says the project will raise important social, political and artistic questions, and has vowed to go about his daily life as normal.

But he admits some things, like sleeping for example, will be a bit tricky.

He now has to sleep sitting upright, and cannot use a pillow.

There's also the question of privacy.

Wafaa Bilal says dinner party invitations have already started drying up.

Vocabulary

surgical procedure=medical operation

tuck=put something into a convenient place

an inch thick=a depth equivalent to about 2.54 centimetres

beamed=sent out a radio or electrical signal

displayed=shown

vowed=promised