Online Class Notes (Vicki)

Reading 1

Teachers and schools try many things to stop students cheating in exams. However, it is difficult to stop all students from cheating. Modern technology has given students new and novel ways to cheat. A college in the Philippines has adopted a low-tech way of making sure students keep their eyes only on their paper and not on those of students’ around them. The Bicol University College of Engineering is getting students to wear anti-cheating hats during tests. The hats prevent students from being able to see around them and peeking at others’ papers. They can focus only on their own test paper. Students are happy with the idea because they get to design and make their own hat.

Photos of the anti-cheating hats have gone viral on social media. Students have come up with all kinds of weird and wonderful creations. They have used cardboard boxes, egg cartons, coat hangers and other recycled materials to create their hats. A professor said the hats were a “fun way” to make sure there was “integrity and honesty” in her tests. She added that the hats had been “really effective” in keeping students focused. The professor said: “I’m proud of my students because their engineering mid-term exams can be full of pressure and be stressful, yet they managed to add some colour and fun.” Many students finished their tests early and no one was caught cheating.

Reading 2

Members of one of the world’s most popular pop bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon be taking a break from music. The seven band members will be joining the military to do two years of national service. South Korea is one of the few countries in the world to require men to do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years in the military. This is because technically, South Korea is still at war with North Korea. The two nations never signed a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the band members want to do their duty. It said: “It’s the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve.”

There was a lot of talk in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people feel that the band are too important to be taking a break to join the army. Many Koreans view them as national treasures. In 2020, Korea’s government said the band could delay their military service until the age of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is currently 29 years old. BTS have brought a lot of worldwide attention to their country. They have also received a lot of praise for speaking out about mental health issues. South Korea’s defence minister said it could be possible for the band to perform together while in the army. He said: “There could be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together.”

Vocabulary

novel (noun.) – 小说

novel (adj.) – creative 创新的

Philippines – 菲律宾

adopt (verb.) – use

low-tech – low in technology

peek – to see in a sneaky way

to go viral – to become very popular on the internet

hanger – 衣架

recycled materials – 循环利用的材料

integrity – 正直

honesty – 诚实

loyalty – 忠诚

effective – 有效的

efficient – 有效率的

proud – 骄傲的
i.e. I’m proud of you. 我为你感到骄傲

national service – 国役

able-bodied – normal and healthy

peace treaty – 和平条约

honor – 荣誉

treasure – 宝藏

praise – 夸奖

defence – 防御防守

defense minister – 国防部部长