VIP Class Notes (Raph)[R]

Homework

Read the article below one more time. After that, write a paragraph talking about it and giving your opinion on the subject.

Vocabulary

Lyrics (n): 1- the words in a song.
E.g.: Yoko is learning the lyrics to Adele’s “Someone Like You”.

Period (n): 1-  a length of time. 2- the bleeding from a woman’s womb that happens once a month when she is not pregnant:
E.g.: Her work means that she spends long periods away from home.
E.g.: The study will be carried out over a six-month period.
E.g.: I can’t go swimming today, because I’m on my period.
E.g.: She’d missed a period and was worried.

Flexible (adj): 1- able to change or be changed easily according to the situation.
E.g.: My schedule is flexible – I could arrange to meet with you any day next week.

Issue (n): 1- a subject or problem that people are thinking and talking about.
E.g.: There are many environmental issue connected to the project.
E.g.: Don’t worry about who will do it – that’s just a side issue (= not the main problem).

Likely (adj): 1- If something is likely, it will probably happen or is expected.
E.g.: Do remind me because I’m likely to forget.
E.g.: What’s the likely outcome of this whole business?
E.g.: I suppose that might happen but it’s not very likely.
E.g.: It’s quite likely that we’ll be in Spain this time next year.

Increase (v): 1- to (make something) become larger in amount or size. (≠ Decrease)
E.g.: Sales have increased over the last few years.
E.g.: The cost of the project has increased a lot since it began.
E.g.: The value of the US dollar has decreased a lot this past year.
E.g.: The managers are worried about the decreasing sales.

Diabetes (n): 1- 糖尿病

Owl (n): 1- 猫头鹰

Reading

Going to bed late shortens our life, says study
(Source: www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1804/180416-sleeping-late.html)

A new study says that going to bed late may be bad for our health. It may even shorten our life. The study was carried out in the United Kingdom. Researchers spent six-and-a-half years looking at the lifestyles of 430,000 adults between the ages of 38 and 73. At the end of the study, the researchers compared the deaths of people who went to bed early to those who went to bed late. They found that night owls (people who go to bed late) were 10 per cent more likely to die during the period of the study. The researchers concluded that night owls were at higher risk of an early death than early birds (people who slept early). Night owls were also at a greater risk of poor health compared to early birds.

The researchers said society and working patterns needed to change to reduce the risks of ill health for night owls. Researcher Malcolm van Schantz said: “This is a public health issue that can no longer be ignored.” He suggested that night owls should be allowed to start and finish work later in the day so they could sleep longer in the morning. The researchers said that night owls were more likely to suffer from mental problems, diabetes, and stomach and breathing troubles. They were also more likely to smoke, drink alcohol and coffee, and take drugs. Researchers also said different sleeping patterns during the week and at weekends could increase the chances of health problems for night owls.

Grammar

My read is better than my speak. My reading is better than my speaking / I read better than I speak.

I think it depend what job. – I think it depends on that kind of that is.

Pronunciation

Stylist: /ˈstaɪ.lɪst/

Cosmetic: /kɑːzˈmet̬.ɪk/

Lyrics: /ˈlɪr·ɪks/ 

Says: /sɛz/

Adult: /ˈæd.ʌlt/ /əˈdʌlt/

Owl: /aʊl/

Society: /səˈsaɪ.ə.t̬i/

Period: /ˈpɪr.i.əd/

Flexible: /ˈflek.sə.bəl/

Issue:/ˈɪʃ.uː/

Ignore: /ɪɡˈnɔːr/

Allow:  /əˈlaʊ/

Diabetes: /ˌdaɪ.əˈbiː.t̬əs/

Stomach: /ˈstʌm.ək/

Alcohol: /ˈæl.kə.hɑːl/

Drug: /drʌɡ/