SYNONYM MATCH DAY 16. World's 26 richest as rich as poorer half of world GIVE YOUR BEST ANSWER

Transcription

1 DAY 16 World's 26 richest as rich as poorer half of world The combined fortune of 26 of the world's richest people is equal to the total wealth of the 3.8 billion poorest people. This startling disparity in wealth is according to a report from the charity Oxfam. It reported that since the global financial crisis in 2008, the number of billionaires in the world has doubled. They are also getting $2.5 billion richer every day. This is in stark contrast to the world's less fortunate - the poorest half of the planet is seeing its wealth slowly shrink as prices of commodities increase, wages are squeezed and land prices and rents rise. Oxfam's report highlights the growing gap between the world's rich and poor and the everwidening gap in wealth inequality. The report says that most of the world's mega-wealthy have made their huge fortunes from technology companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook. The world's richest person is Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. His amassed $100 billion fortune is 100 times greater than the annual health budget of Ethiopia. Oxfam said it was time to try and redress the imbalance in wealth. It recommended taxing income at fairer levels, increasing tax on personal earnings and corporate profits, and eliminating tax avoidance schemes commonly used by companies and the super-rich. It said: "In many countries, a decent education or quality healthcare has become a luxury only the rich can afford." SYNONYM MATCH GIVE YOUR BEST ANSWER TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F). The world's 26 richest people have the same wealth as 3.8 billion. T / F The figures in the article come from the World Bank. T / F The world's richest are getting $2.5 million richer every day. T / F The poor are getting poorer because rents and prices are rising. T / F Most of the mega-rich are wealthy because of technology companies. T / F Amazon's CEO gave $1 billion to help Ethiopia's health service. T / F A charity wants higher taxes on personal earnings. T / F The charity said only the rich can get quality healthcare in many nations. T

2 DAY 17 (D) around 2. The local team scored three goals the first half of the match. Stick at it!!! Niall Don't you find these rowing machines hard work? (C) for (D) below Harry I certainly do, but they're supposed to be. 3. Many species of insects were wiped when the jungle was cleared. Niall How often do you come to the gym for a workout? Harry Three times a week at least if I can manage it. Niall No wonder you look so fit and trim. Harry Thanks. Stick at it and you can be the same. Explanation : If you stick at a task or activity, you continue doing it, even if it is difficult. Example : He became more and more irritated by her inability to stick at anything. GRAMMAR EXERCISES (A) away (B) out (C) of (D) off 4. The staff co-operated the management to increase productivity. (A) for (B) by (C) to (D) with 5. You can obtain the answer adding the date of birth to this figure. (C) to (D) by 1. The island is so small that there are only five houses it. (C) over

3 DAY 18 China grows plants on the moon For the first time ever, plants from Earth are growing on the moon. The China National Space Administration showed photos of cotton seeds sprouting into life. The administration said the cotton plants were among several plants that were "growing well". Other plants that are now growing on the moon are potatoes, rock cress and rapeseed. The plants are part of a project on China's space mission to the far side of the moon. The project is called a "moon surface micro-ecological circle". Project leader Liu Hanlong says the cotton seeds were the first to sprout. He said the plants were chosen because they were small, strong and could grow in the difficult conditions on the moon's surface. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F). 1. Plants have never grown on the moon before this mission. T / F 2. Chinese scientists showed photos of moss growing on the moon. T / F 3. The plants are growing on the far side of the moon. T / F 4. Cotton seeds were the first plants to sprout. T / F 5. Scientists said their long-term aim is to grow plants on Mars. T / F 6. Scientists said there are no chances of survival in space. T / F 7. There are sixty different organisms in the Chinese eco-system project. T / F 8. The article said dead plants will be used to provide oxygen for fruit flies. T / F Professor Hanlong said the project's aim was to understand more about how plants grow outside of Earth. The long-term aim is to develop plants that can grow on the moon or on planets like Mars. The professor said: "We have given consideration to future survival in space. Learning about these plants growing in a low-gravity environment would allow us to lay the foundation for our future establishment of a space base." The project also includes yeast and fruit flies. The professor hopes the six organisms in the project will make up a mini-ecosystem. The plants will produce oxygen and food for the fruit flies, and the yeast could manage the flies' waste and the dead plants to provide another food source.

4 Day 19 You are on the right track!!! Greg I am trying to figure out who the murderer is in this story. Curtis Who do you think it is! Greg I think it's Mr. Johnson because he was in the house at the time of the murder. 2. He is not a difficult man to work. 3. Is this the house you read in the newspaper? 4. She does not have enough money to live for the rest of the month. 5. Where did you think the voices came? 6. This is the man I was speaking. 7. Where is the knife I usually sharpen my pencils? Curtis No, but you are on the right track. 8. I wonder what she is dressing up? Explanation : If you are on the right track, you are acting or progressing in a way that is likely to result in success. 9. We don't know what he is hinting. 10. Who is he angry? Is he complaining her again? Example : Guests are returning in increasing numbers - a sure sign that we are on the right track... GRAMMAR EXERCISES 1. Which drawer did he put his clothes?

5 DAY 20 U.S. government shutdown over border wall The U.S. government will partially shut down over the Christmas period due to a lack of agreement over funding for the proposed wall along the Mexico border. Politicians say it is likely that the federal closures will continue until after Christmas. It is the third government shutdown of the year. U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats do not fund the border wall. Mr Trump wants the Senate to authorize $5.7 billion to finance the wall, which was one of the President's major election promises in He said: "I hope we don't, but we are totally prepared for a very long shutdown." He tweeted: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for border security. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F). 1. The U.S. government will totally shut down over Christmas. T / F 2. This is the first time this year that the U.S. government has shut down. T / F 3. Donald Trump wants $5.7 million to build a border wall. T / F 4. Donald Trump said he is prepared for a very long shutdown. T / F 5. The shutdown means Donald Trump won't be in Florida for Xmas. T / F 6. The article says Mr and Mrs Trump will spend Christmas together. T / F 7. There is currently no federal funding for national parks. T / F 8. Over half-a-million federal workers are at home without pay. T / F The shutdown has affected Mr Trump's holiday plans. The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed this in a statement. She said: "Due to the shutdown, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. and the First Lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together." The shutdown means there is gridlock in large parts of the federal government's operations. Funding has expired for departments that operate national parks, homeland security, law enforcement, tax collection and transportation. Around 400,000 federal workers have to stay at home without pay until a deal is reached. Many government services have been halted until the Senate reaches a deal.