FEEL LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS

Sean: I bumped into Nick at the salon yesterday. He looked great, but I noticed that he had a slight limp when he walked.I guess you didn't know that he had an operation on his knee.

Lea: No, I didn't. How's he feeling ?

Sean: He says he's feeling like a million dollars now. Apparently the pain in his knee is all gone.

Lea: It's good that he's feeling so wonderful. It must be a refreshing change not having to put up with all that discomfort.

Idiom

Knock the socks off !!!
Jack	Rachel, I'm pleased with the way you turned things around.
Rachel	Thank you, Jack. It's only because I have a great team.
Jack	You're an excellent manager, and your department is number one.
Rachel	Thanks! Next quarter I really want to knock the socks off the competition.
Jack	I know you can do it.
Rachel	I won't let you down.

Breaking News English

Apple Inc. is suing Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. for copying the design, look and even the packaging of its iPhone and iPad products. Apple alleges that Samsung’s Galaxy phones and tablet computers infringe the patents of its products. Included in the list of infringements are the use of the hand gestures used on Apple’s touch screens, the colour and shape of Samsung’s devices, and even the design of the boxes in which Samsung’s gadgets are sold. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, accused Samsung of violating Apple trademarks and patents. He included the Korean tech giant in a list of companies making tablets that would make 2011 the “Year of Copycats.” Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesperson, said the company had to protect its intellectual copyright.

Samsung executives are not happy at having to fight Apple in court. The two companies are dependent on each other in many ways. Samsung supplies many of the parts for Apple’s iPhone. A Samsung spokesperson said his company’s “development of core technologies and the strengthening of our intellectual property portfolio are keys to our continued success.” He added: “Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property.” The courtroom battle is set to last months, perhaps years. A lot is at stake. Industry analysts predict tablet computers will soon overtake personal computers in global sales. Apple is determined the iPhone, introduced in 2007, and the iPad, which came in 2010, will continue as market leaders.

EXERCISE QUESTIONS:

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Apple is suing Samsung for copying the way it boxes its products.	T / F
b.	Apple is also suing over the use of its touch-screen hand gestures.	T / F
c.	The Apple SEO has not yet accused Samsung of copying.	T / F
d.	An Apple spokesperson said Apple didn’t need to protect its copyright.	T / F
e.	Samsung executives are very happy to fight Apple in court.	T / F
f.	Apple makes all its own parts for the iPhone.	T / F
g.	It is expected the trial could take several years.	T / F
h.	Tablets like the iPad could soon start outselling personal computers	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	suing	a.	abusing
2	alleges	b.	step on
3.	infringe	c.	reliant
4.	violating	d.	representative
5.	spokesperson	e.	taking to court
6.	dependent	f.	suitable
7.	core	g.	says
8.	appropriate	h.	carry on
9.	last	i.	basic
10.	continue	j.	continue for

EXERCISE QUESTIONS: Four Main Layers of the Earth

Please answer the questions below carefully.


1. According to the article, how many years ago was the planet earth formed?


2. What are the four main layers of the earth?


3. What is lithosphere? What is the other name for "lithosphere"?


4. The largest layer of the earth is the mantle. What is it made up of?


5. What do you call the third layer of the earth?


6. Which do you think among the four layers of the earth is the thinnest layer?


7. What layer of the earth can be regarded as a ball of very hot materials?


8. What do you call the innermost layer of the earth?


9. How thick is the inner core?


10. The earth is enveloped by atmosphere. What are the five major layers of the atmosphere?

Breaking News English

INTERNET ACCESS IS A HUMAN RIGHT

Most of the world’s Internet users believe Internet access is a basic human right. This is according to a new poll conducted for the BBC. A survey of more than 27,000 adults in 26 different countries found four out of five people believed access to the World Wide Web was a right everyone in the world needs and should have. The chief of the International Telecommunication Union, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, told the BBC World Service: "The right to communicate cannot be ignored. The Internet is the most powerful potential source of enlightenment ever created." Dr. Toure believes online access should be available everywhere, just like roads and water. In some countries, this has already happened. Finland and Estonia have laws saying access is a human right.

The survey also showed how the Internet is quickly becoming a vital part of our life, all across the world. Over 75 per cent of Japanese, Mexican and Russian people said they could not live without it. It is easy to see why. Almost everything we do in our life today, from communication, study, work and leisure, needs the Internet. Without access to the Web, many people would feel helpless and powerless. Almost 80 per cent of those who took the survey believe the Web had a positive impact, with nearly four fifths saying they have greater freedom. Other people were worried about the dangers of using the Internet. One big surprise was that the majority of Germans felt it was not safe for them to express their opinions online.

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	The article says the UN has made Internet access a human right.	T / F
b.	A poll questioned 27,000 adults in 126 countries.	T / F
c.	A telecommunication chief said the Web was important for light.	T / F
d.	There are at least 2 countries with laws saying the Internet is a right.	T / F
e.	Three-quarters of Mexicans cannot live without the Internet.	T / F
f.	The Internet makes it easy for us to see.	T / F
g.	Four fifths of people said they feel the Web is a positive thing.	T / F
h.	Most Germans surveyed were worried about freedom of expression.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	believe	a.	learning
2	chief	b.	possible
3.	ignored	c.	weak
4.	potential	d.	free time
5.	enlightenment	e.	disregarded
6.	vital	f.	effect
7.	leisure	g.	think
8.	helpless	h.	talk about
9.	impact	i.	head
10.	express	j.	necessary

Breaking News English

INTERNET ACCESS IS A HUMAN RIGHT

Most of the world’s Internet users believe Internet access is a basic human right. This is according to a new poll conducted for the BBC. A survey of more than 27,000 adults in 26 different countries found four out of five people believed access to the World Wide Web was a right everyone in the world needs and should have. The chief of the International Telecommunication Union, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, told the BBC World Service: "The right to communicate cannot be ignored. The Internet is the most powerful potential source of enlightenment ever created." Dr. Toure believes online access should be available everywhere, just like roads and water. In some countries, this has already happened. Finland and Estonia have laws saying access is a human right.

The survey also showed how the Internet is quickly becoming a vital part of our life, all across the world. Over 75 per cent of Japanese, Mexican and Russian people said they could not live without it. It is easy to see why. Almost everything we do in our life today, from communication, study, work and leisure, needs the Internet. Without access to the Web, many people would feel helpless and powerless. Almost 80 per cent of those who took the survey believe the Web had a positive impact, with nearly four fifths saying they have greater freedom. Other people were worried about the dangers of using the Internet. One big surprise was that the majority of Germans felt it was not safe for them to express their opinions online.

Conversation

That really makes my blood boil !!!
Georgina	That's the last time we'll give a party. It'll take ages to clean up this mess and get back to normal.
Greg	Yes, look at these wine stains on the carpet and the scratch marks on the table.
Georgine	I know, they'll be almost impossible to get rid of completely.
Greg	Oh no! Look here, people have been stubbing their cigarettes out on the sofa.
Georgina	I can't believe it ! That really makes my blood boil.
Caroline	This is going to cost us a fortune.

EXERCISE

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered in Damascus on Friday.	T / F
b.	Security forces did not use tear gas or batons on the crowds.	T / F
c.	This is the largest protest in Syria since unrest began in mid-March.	T / F
d.	The police used their guns but did not shoot into the crowds.	T / F
e.	America’s Secretary of State asked Syria’s leader to stop the violence.	T / F
f.	The Secretary did say Syria had addressed Syrians’ needs.	T / F
g.	Syria’s leader has promised his people some reforms.	T / F
h.	Every arrested protestor is still in prison.	T / F