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This week I have marked my first visit to Lancaster University and my first time in Europe. Everything here is new to me, and I love the environment around Lancaster. According to the class, the most memorable parts were Language and Culture and Academic Listening and Discussion.

On the first day in the seminar room, we learned about the culture of the UK and the different accents found in each region. I particularly enjoyed this part because it allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the history of England, the place I will live in the future. This exploration of regional accents and cultural nuances broadened my knowledge and enriched my appreciation for the diversity within the UK.

On the following day, through the process of mutual discussion and idea exchange, I aim to understand how people from different countries perceive the same article and what related people, events, or things they associate with it.

Although we don’t have many class hours, I think the overall planning of the course is good. Since this is our first week in the UK, we have many things to take care of and items to purchase. This course schedule gives us ample time to adapt and prepare for future studies.

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Why robots can be culturally insensitive – and how scientists are trying to fix it

This article talked about an interesting thing about robots that face different cultures. In this part, my role is a connector, so I need to make a connection to it, at the same time, my major is data science, and I am also very optimistic about the development of technology and artificial intelligence.

As we know, the science fiction movies of the past few decades were fascinating to people at the time, but now technology has caught up with those imaginative ideas and made them part of our daily lives. For instance, self-driving cars and robots in restaurants are continuously evolving. In some restaurants in Taiwan, many robots assist with serving food. If these robots are advanced to the point where they can politely greet and serve customers like human waitstaff, they may need to develop better cultural sensitivity to respond appropriately. Additionally, the training content for employees will need to be synchronized with the data used by the robots.

Humans are gradually shaped by learning from family, friends, and teachers. Similarly, a robot's teacher is its creator, the engineer, who determines how it operates and responds based on the information it receives.

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🔖division

KK [ dəˋvɪʒən ]

n. 名詞

•  部分,分開,分配

•  【數】除(法)

•  不一致

There was a division of opinion on the matter.

🔖diversion

KK [ daɪˋvɝʒən ]

n. 名詞

•  轉移,轉向,消遣

•  分散注意力的東西

I think your last argument was a diversion to make us forget the main point.

🔖rendition

KK [ rɛnˋdɪʃən ]

n. 名詞

•  解釋,表演,演奏

•  翻譯,投降

She gave a splendid rendition of the song.

🔖platypus

KK [ `plætəpəs ]

n. 名詞

•  鴨嘴獸

The platypus spends a great deal of its time looking for food.

🔖insensitive

KK [ ɪnˋsɛnsətɪv ]

a. 形容詞

•  感覺遲鈍的,麻木不仁的,不敏感的

•  對…沒有感覺的

It's insensitive to laugh at unfortunate people.

🔖concentrate

KK [ ˋkɑnsɛn͵tret ]

vt. 可及物動詞

•  聚集,濃縮,集結

•  集中

Our population is concentrated in the big cities.

vi. 不及物動詞

•  聚集,全神貫注

•  集結

•  集中,全力以赴

She couldn't concentrate on a book very long.

n. 名詞

•  濃縮物,濃縮液,濃縮

It is an orange concentrate which you dilute with water.

🔖conceptually

KK [ kənˋsɛptʃuəlɪ ]

adv. 副詞

•  概念地,概念上

🔖fragmented

KK [ ˋfrægməntɪd ]

a. 形容詞

•  破裂的

•  無條理的,不完整的

•  片斷的,裂成碎片的

🔖offensive

KK [ əˋfɛnsɪv ]

a. 形容詞

•  冒犯的,討厭的,與進攻有關的

•  唐突的,進攻的,侮辱的

•  進攻性的,煩擾人的,用於進攻的

•  令人作嘔的

The boss kicked him out for an offensive remark.

n. 名詞

•  攻勢

•  進攻,進攻勢態

•  攻擊

In meetings she always takes the offensive before she can be criticized.

🔖notorious

KK [ noˋtorɪəs ]

a. 形容詞

•  聲名狼藉的,臭名昭著的,惡名昭彰的

•  臭名昭著的

They made the place a notorious centre of piracy.

🔖nuance

KK [ njuˋɑns ]

n. 名詞

•  意義,音調

•  (色調、見解等的)細微差別

He watched her face intently to catch every nuance of expression.

🔖stereotype

KK [ ˋstɛrɪə͵taɪp ]

vt. 可及物動詞

•  使成為陳規

•  【印】把...澆鑄成鉛板

v. 動詞

•  對…形成模式化的看法,使用鉛版

n. 名詞

•  刻板模式,鉛版,陳規

•  典型,模式化觀念

The idea is an old-fashioned stereotype.

🔖 trait

KK [ tret ]

n. 名詞

•  特點

•  少許,特徵

•  微量,特性

The priest preached a sermon with a trait of humor.

🔖 replete

KK [ rɪˋplit ]

a. 形容詞

•  飽食的,充滿的,完備的

•  裝滿的

It was a big meal and we all felt replete.

n. 名詞

•  【昆】貯蜜蟻

🔖awry

KK [ ə`raI ]

a. 形容詞

•  扭曲的,歪曲的,斜

It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry.

adv. 副詞

•  斜,歪,曲

•  錯誤地

Our plans went awry.

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South Korea bans dog meat

Before I went to South Korea, I had heard that people there eat dog meat. I have been to South Korea twice, once to Jeju Island and once to Seoul. During these two trips, I never saw a restaurant selling dog meat. Additionally, I noticed that many people keep pets, such as dogs.

Some people cannot understand why others eat dog meat.

Similarly, dog meat is not only unacceptable, but rabbit meat is also a very cruel dish. However, it depends on the acceptance of people in each country. The ethics or laws would differ in different countries, and people can have many kinds of meals in their dishes.

Some people are even vegetarians. From their point of view, eating chicken, pork, and beef should also be banned.

Nowadays, some South Korean people disagree that people in their country can eat dog meat, so they ban it. I believe it would become a better way because that is not the only meat people can eat, they could have several options to choice.

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Stages of culture shock

This is the second week that I have been in the UK, and I still find everything here fantastic and interesting. Based on the five stages of culture shock, I am still in the honeymoon stage.

I had my first individual tutorial with a teacher and attended the Drop-in Conversation Cafe. Both of these sessions were relaxing opportunities to communicate with others in English.

My friends and I joined a trip to the Lake District on Friday. On the way, we saw many sheep and cows. When we arrived, I fell in love with the scenery. The Lake District is also the hometown of Peter Rabbit, so I bought a tea selection as a souvenir. It was a nice trip.

However, I encountered some troubles this week. My friends and I planned a trip to Manchester for Saturday and had already bought our tickets. Unfortunately, there was a train strike this week. Despite this, we still decided to try to go.

We successfully took the train in the morning and arrived in Manchester, where we visited the museum and Old Trafford. When we planned to return home, many trains were cancelled. At first, we were unaware and waited for about 30 minutes.

Finally, we decided to take an Uber back to school. It was a memorable experience for me. I hope this will be the last time I encounter such an issue and that I will have only joyful trips in the future.

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1. Strike (n.) 罷工

Meaning: A work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work, typically to protest working conditions or other grievances.

Synonyms: Walkout, stoppage, protest

Related Words: Striker, striking

Example: The workers organized a strike to demand better wages and benefits.

2. Domination (n.) 支配，優勢

Meaning: The exercise of control or influence over someone or something.

Synonyms: Control, supremacy, dominance

Related Words: Dominate, dominant

Example: The company's domination of the market made it difficult for new competitors to thrive.

3. Negotiation (n.) 協商；談判

Meaning: Discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

Synonyms: Bargaining, mediation, discussion

Related Words: Negotiate, negotiator

Example: The negotiation between the two companies resulted in a mutually beneficial contract.

4. Flat (adj.) 單調的；淺的 (n.) 公寓 (adv.) 正好 (v.) 變平

Meaning (adj.): Lacking interest or excitement; dull.

Meaning (n.): A set of rooms forming an individual residence, typically on one floor and within a larger building.

Meaning (adv.): Directly or exactly.

Meaning (v.): To make or become flat.

Synonyms: (adj.) Dull, lifeless, level

Related Words: Flatly, flatness

Example: The landscape was completely flat, stretching for miles without a single hill.

5. Flatter (v.) 諂媚

Meaning: To praise someone excessively or insincerely, often to gain favor.

Synonyms: Compliment, praise, butter up

Related Words: Flattery, flattering

Example: He tried to flatter his boss in hopes of getting a promotion.

6. Brexit (n.) 英國脫歐

Meaning: The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

Synonyms: UK exit, British withdrawal

Related Words: Brexit deal, post-Brexit

Example: The economic implications of Brexit are still being debated.

7. Commonwealth (n.) 聯邦；共和國

Meaning: An independent country or community, especially a democratic republic.

Synonyms: Federation, republic, confederation

Related Words: Commonwealth countries, commonweal

Example: Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

8. Plagiarism (n.) 嫖竊；抄襲

Meaning: The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.

Synonyms: Copying, theft, infringement

Related Words: Plagiarize, plagiarist

Example: The student was expelled for plagiarism after it was discovered he copied his entire essay from the internet.

9. Authenticate (v.) 證明；鑑定

Meaning: To prove that something is genuine or true.

Synonyms: Verify, validate, confirm

Related Words: Authentication, authenticator

Example: Experts were called in to authenticate the painting before it was auctioned.

10. Refund (v.) 退款

Meaning: To return money to someone, typically because they have returned a product or have not received what was promised.

Synonyms: Repay, reimburse, compensate

Related Words: Refundable, refunding

Example: The company offered to refund the full amount to unsatisfied customers.

11. Breeze (v.) 逃走 (n.) 爭吵

Meaning (v.): To move quickly and confidently; to escape or get away easily.

Meaning (n.): A gentle wind or, informally, a quarrel.

Synonyms: (v.) Dart, sprint, bolt

Related Words: Breezy, breezing

Example: She breezed through the exam, finishing in record time.

12. Carriage (n.) 運輸；馬車

Meaning: A vehicle, typically one with four wheels, used for transportation; also refers to the manner in which someone carries themselves.

Synonyms: Vehicle, cart, conveyance

Related Words: Carriageway, horse-drawn carriage

Example: The royal family arrived in a horse-drawn carriage.

13. Conveyance (n.) 輸送

Meaning: The action or process of transporting someone or something from one place to another.

Synonyms: Transportation, transfer, delivery

Related Words: Convey, conveyor

Example: The conveyance of goods across the country is essential to the economy.

14. Granule (n.) 顆粒

Meaning: A small compact particle of a substance.

Synonyms: Particle, pellet, grain

Related Words: Granular, granulation

Example: The granules of sugar dissolved quickly in the hot water.

15. Lutein (n.) 葉黃素

Meaning: A type of vitamin known as a carotenoid, found in leafy greens, which is important for eye health.

Synonyms: Carotenoid, antioxidant

Related Words: Luteinizing (related to the hormone), luteinic

Example: Many people take lutein supplements to help protect their eyesight as they age.

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'How do maps affect the way we see the world?'

There are different types of maps in the world. In this article, we will compare cartography and digital maps.

In the past, people could only use cartography maps, which depicted information with symbols on paper. However, even without maps, they could find their way using the sun, stars, or a compass, which are basic navigation skills.

Nowadays, map data collection and representation have changed. We can use various apps or systems to find our way, and digital maps have become popular. Moreover, digital maps and related technologies are used for various purposes, such as reading and locating maps on smartphones, which is easier than reading paper maps.

However, if people rely too much on digital maps, they may lose the ability to memorize paths and it can affect their spatial cognition. A Japanese study found that using paper maps can enhance our ability to interpret locations and improve our navigation skills.

Therefore, although technological developments are convenient, we should not rely on them entirely.

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What I had learnt from the presentation

Time flies. This is the third week I have stayed in the UK.

This Tuesday, we had a chance to practice thinking through a problem and finding a solution. At first, we discussed the topic with each other. Since we have different majors, we tried to combine everyone's ideas. However, after only a few minutes of discussion, the teacher asked us to go on stage to present. Unfortunately, I was in the first group and had to present immediately. As the first speaker, I realized I still have a lot of room for improvement. Here is what I learned from this experience.

While listening to my classmates' presentations, I noticed that a good report might not only rely on the topic itself but also on our confidence in the content we are describing. Additionally, it is important to address all the questions including the topic. At the same time, we need to clarify the structure of our report and introduce it step by step, making it easier for the audience to understand what we are discussing.

I hope that next time I can use these skills in my future presentations.

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🔖 Garbage boy

# insulting someone who is dishwasher, not cook

# ​a person whose job is to remove waste from outside houses, etc

# Same meaning words: Rubbish/ trash/ waste

🔖 You are cooking?

# Someone who I didn’t expect to be cooking

🔖 where do you get the gall?

# how dare you?

# (v.) to make someone feel annoyed

# (n.) rudeness and the quality of being unable to understand that your behaviour or what you say is not acceptable to other people

# I think it galls him to take orders from a younger and less experienced colleague.

🔖 monumentally

# very large, significant, impressive, or important

# (adj.) extremely (usually used when describing something in a negative way)

# He stated that, in his opinion, this was a monumentally bad decision.

🔖 drawing and quartering

# a cruel form of executing people from Medieval times.

# (adj.) extremely unkind and unpleasant and causing pain to people or animals intentionally

# Don't tease him about his weight - it's cruel.

🔖 blathering (+about)

#describe someone who talks too much (often annoying or not interesting)

# (v.) to talk for a long time in a silly or annoying way

# What on earth are you blathering on about?

🔖 overreaching

#(v.) someone are trying to achieve or do more than is reasonable or achievable, usually to gain more power, control, or success than they are entitled to or capable of.

# (n.) the act of doing more than your authority allows

# Courts act as a safeguard against executive overreach in individual counter-terrorism cases.

🔖 reputation

# (n.) means how a person or place is viewed by others, usually based on their actions,behavior,and character.

# His reputation was destroyed when he was caught stealing some money.

🔖 hanging by a thread

# means there is very little keeping it attached to the whole.

# imply it is unstable and only a slim chance of saving something.

# The mayor's political future has been hanging by a thread since the fraud scandal

🔖 hang in there

# typically used to encourage someone to persevere or keep going despite difficulties or challenges.

# Work can get tough in the middle of a term but hang in there and it'll be OK.

🔖 dispose of

# get rid of (usually by throwing away or selling)

# There is a recycling bin in the car park where you can dispose of your drinks cans.

🔖 involuntary

# (adj.) happens automatically without us choosing or deciding to do it.

# A sharp tap on the knee usually causes an involuntary movement of the lower leg.

🔖 responsible for

# (adj.) means that you are in charge of making sure it gets done or taking care of.

# Her department is responsible for overseeing the councils.

🔖 councils

# (n.) the group of people elected to govern a particular area, town, or city, and organize services for it

# Residents complained to the council about the condition of the road.

🔖 sneaky

# (adj.) describe someone is behaving in a way that can’t be trusted.

# She snuck out for a sneaky cigarette.

🔖 listicle

# (n.) a newspaper, magazine, or online article that is in the form of a list

# I hate those listicles called things like "10 Things You Didn't Know About Cats".

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Learn English with RATATOUILLE — Remy Meets Linguini

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California’s wastewater beer

Over the past few years, the issue of drought in the American West has significantly worsened, resulting in a limited water supply. At the same time, it has inspired two enterprises in San Francisco to use wastewater recycling to produce beer.

"Toilet to Tap" is becoming a new way to recycle rapidly depleting water sources. The greywater from showers, laundry machines, and dishwashers in a skyscraper is further cleansed by ultraviolet light and chlorine.

At first, people were not ready for recycled water. However, Chris Garrett ran out of water and found a way to incorporate it into everyday products such as beer. A percentage of this treated water is fed back into the Devil’s Canyon Brewery to be turned into beer.

In conclusion, the public is starting to accept this concept of reusing water. Aaron Tartakovsky believes that the beer project has shown that the public is much more ready for recycled water than we give them credit for.

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Paragraphing two sentences from core text 3

# A different approach is to compare the responses of individuals living in different countries.

-> Comparing the responses of people residing in various countries is a different approach.

# Participants who were interested could access the study online and were first provided with information about the study.

-> Interested participants could access the study online, where they were first given information about the study.

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1. Ambiguous (adj.)

- Meaning: Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.

- Synonyms: Vague, unclear, uncertain

- Related Words: Ambiguity, ambiguously

- Example: The wording in the contract was ambiguous, leading to different interpretations.

2. Convey (v.)

- Meaning: To communicate or make known; to transport or carry.

- Synonyms: Communicate, transmit, express

- Related Words: Conveyance, conveyor

- Example: The speaker used visuals to better convey his message to the audience.

3. Deviate (v.)

- Meaning: To depart from an established course or norm.

- Synonyms: Diverge, stray, veer

- Related Words: Deviation, deviant

- Example: The train deviated from its usual route due to track maintenance.

4. Enhance (v.)

- Meaning: To increase or improve in quality, value, or extent.

- Synonyms: Improve, augment, boost

- Related Words: Enhancement, enhanced

- Example: The company plans to enhance its customer service by offering 24/7 support.

5. Inhibit (v.)

- Meaning: To hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process.

- Synonyms: Restrain, impede, suppress

- Related Words: Inhibition, inhibited

- Example: His fear of public speaking inhibited him from participating in the debate.

6. Justify (v.)

- Meaning: To show or prove to be right or reasonable.

- Synonyms: Defend, rationalize, validate

- Related Words: Justification, justifiable

- Example: She justified her decision to leave the job by explaining the toxic work environment.

7. Reluctant (adj.)

- Meaning: Unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.

- Synonyms: Hesitant, unwilling, resistant

- Related Words: Reluctance, reluctantly

- Example: He was reluctant to share his personal information online.

8. Mitigate (v.)

- Meaning: To make less severe, serious, or painful.

- Synonyms: Alleviate, reduce, lessen

- Related Words: Mitigation

- Example: The government introduced new policies to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis.

9. Notion (n.)

- Meaning: A conception of or belief about something.

- Synonyms: Idea, concept, belief

- Related Words: Notional, notionally

- Example: The notion of fairness is central to the legal system.

10. Plausible (adj.)

- Meaning: Seemingly reasonable or probable.

- Synonyms: Believable, credible, possible

- Related Words: Plausibility, plausibly

- Example: His explanation for the missing money seemed plausible at first.

11. Reinforce (v.)

- Meaning: To strengthen or support an object, idea, or behavior.

- Synonyms: Strengthen, bolster, fortify

- Related Words: Reinforcement, reinforced

- Example: The teacher used examples to reinforce the lesson.

12. Subsequent (adj.)

- Meaning: Coming after something in time; following.

- Synonyms: Following, succeeding, ensuing

- Related Words: Subsequently, subsequence

- Example: The subsequent investigation revealed new evidence.

13. Tentative (adj.)

- Meaning: Not certain or fixed; provisional.

- Synonyms: Uncertain, hesitant, provisional

- Related Words: Tentatively, tentativeness

- Example: They made a tentative agreement to meet next week.

14. Viable (adj.)

- Meaning: Capable of working successfully; feasible.

- Synonyms: Feasible, workable, practical

- Related Words: Viability, viably

- Example: The company is looking for a viable solution to its financial problems.

15. Warrant (v./n.)

- Meaning: (v.) To justify or necessitate a certain course of action; (n.) a written authorization.

- Synonyms: Justify, authorize, guarantee

- Related Words: Warranted, unwarranted

- Example: The situation does not warrant such drastic measures.

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What colour is the sun?

It is obvious that when we think about the colour of the sun, we might imagine it as red, orange, or yellow. However, these are not its true colours. The colours we see are influenced by the atmosphere, which allows only orange and red wavelengths to pass through, creating the sunrise and sunset hues. Moreover, NASA scientists have found that the sun emits a significant number of green light photons, suggesting that the sun's colour might be green. However, this idea has been challenged by astrophysicist Ethan Siegel, who argues that the white colour we perceive on Earth is the sun's true colour. Additionally, cultural and linguistic differences play a role in how people perceive the sun’s colour. For instance, some cultures do not distinguish between green and blue, and in Japan, the sun is often depicted as red, as seen on the national flag. Thus, the perception of the sun's colour varies depending on scientific interpretations, as well as cultural and linguistic influences.

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A month has passed. From initially getting acquainted with the environment and finding everything novel, to starting small trips to different cities and challenging myself with new recipes someday, and then dealing with an increasing amount of assignments, I am now focused on preparing my report. It has been a fulfilling month for me.

This week, there was an unexpected listening and reading test, which was different from the previous test I had never done and did not meet my expectations. However, this practice test might remind me that I should study more diligently. I need to review the assignment materials more thoroughly, practice grammar structures more, and go over the supplementary materials from class. I encourage myself to perform well in formal exams and learn more in the following classes.

Otherwise, my cooking skills would improve faster than my English skills! lol

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Introduction

English is often considered an easy language to learn in some countries, especially when compared to languages, such as German, Chinese, or Arabic. However, from certain perspectives, it is not viewed as an easy language to learn all the time. The difficulty of learning English can vary greatly depending on a learner’s native language, age, aptitude, cognitive style, motivation, and personality. For instance, English might be easier than German for students in Sweden because they perceive English as having less complex grammar. On the other hand, English, like any other language, can be challenging for immigrants. This essay will discuss whether English is easy or difficult to learn for people with different levels of learner motivation and various mother tongues. It will also explore the aspects of language that contribute to this perception and examine the challenges involved in learning English.

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There is no doubt that learner motivation plays a crucial role in determining how easy or difficult it is to learn English, especially for speakers of different mother tongues. For example, speakers of languages with similar linguistic structures to English, such as Norwegian or Swedish, often find English easier to learn. This is because these languages share a significant amount of vocabulary and grammar rules with English, reducing the cognitive load on learners. However, for speakers of languages with vastly different structures, like Chinese or Arabic, English can be more challenging due to the unfamiliar grammar, syntax, and pronunciation. Nevertheless, a highly motivated learner can overcome these challenges more effectively. Motivation drives learners to engage more deeply with the language, practice regularly, and seek out opportunities for immersion, all of which can significantly enhance language acquisition. Therefore, while the native language can influence the ease of learning English, a learner's motivation often determines the overall success and speed of the learning process.

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Grammar: s+v+o (technology)

People in different countries have different ideas of the usage of AI.

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1. Burden (n.)

- Meaning: A heavy load, typically something difficult or unpleasant to bear.

- Synonyms: Load, responsibility, strain

- Related Words: Burdensome, burdened

- Example: The financial burden of the medical bills was overwhelming for the family.

2. Demonstration (n.)

- Meaning: A public display of a group’s opinion or support, often in the form of a protest or rally; also, an act of showing how something works.

- Synonyms: Display, protest, exhibition

- Related Words: Demonstrate, demonstrative

- Example: The scientist gave a clear demonstration of the new technology.

3. Pandemic (n.)

- Meaning: An outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.

- Synonyms: Epidemic, outbreak, plague

- Related Words: Pandemics

- Example: The COVID-19 pandemic changed daily life across the world.

4. Adherence (n.)

- Meaning: The act of sticking to a rule, belief, or commitment.

- Synonyms: Obedience, compliance, attachment

- Related Words: Adhere, adherent

- Example: Adherence to safety regulations is crucial in the workplace.

5. Regime (n.)

- Meaning: A system or planned way of doing things, especially one imposed from above; also refers to a government, especially an authoritarian one.

- Synonyms: System, government, administration

- Related Words: Regimen, regimented

- Example: The new regime implemented several reforms to modernize the economy.

6. Treatment (n.)

- Meaning: The management and care of a patient to combat a disease or condition; also, the manner in which someone or something is dealt with.

- Synonyms: Therapy, care, approach

- Related Words: Treat, treating

- Example: The patient responded well to the new treatment for cancer.

7. Trial (n.)

- Meaning: A formal examination of evidence in a court of law or the testing of something over a period to assess its effectiveness.

- Synonyms: Test, examination, lawsuit

- Related Words: Trials, trialed

- Example: The new drug is currently undergoing clinical trials to ensure its safety.

8. Velocity (n.)

- Meaning: The speed of something in a given direction.

- Synonyms: Speed, pace, acceleration

- Related Words: Velocities, velocious

- Example: The velocity of the car increased as it descended the hill.

9. Infection (n.)

- Meaning: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body.

- Synonyms: Contamination, disease, illness

- Related Words: Infectious, infect, infected

- Example: The infection spread rapidly, causing widespread health concerns.

10. Brim (n.)

- Meaning: The upper edge of a container, typically full to the point of overflowing.

- Synonyms: Edge, rim, lip

- Related Words: Brimmed, brimming

- Example: She filled the glass to the brim with water.

11. Charity (n.)

- Meaning: An organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need; the voluntary giving of help.

- Synonyms: Donation, aid, nonprofit

- Related Words: Charitable, charitably

- Example: She donated to the local charity that helps homeless families.

12. Vendor (n.)

- Meaning: A person or company offering something for sale, especially in a street market or a business setting.

- Synonyms: Seller, merchant, supplier

- Related Words: Vending, vend, vending machine

- Example: The vendor sold fresh produce at the farmers’ market.

13. Exacerbated (v.)

- Meaning: To make a problem, situation, or feeling worse.

- Synonyms: Worsen, aggravate, intensify

- Related Words: Exacerbation, exacerbating

- Example: The heavy rainfall exacerbated the flooding in the area.

14. Occasional (adj.)

- Meaning: Occurring, appearing, or done infrequently and irregularly.

- Synonyms: Infrequent, periodic, sporadic

- Related Words: Occasionally, occasion

- Example: He made occasional visits to his hometown after moving away.

15. Velocity (n.)

- Meaning: The speed of something in a specific direction.

- Synonyms: Speed, pace, swiftness

- Related Words: Velocities, velocious

- Example: The velocity of the spacecraft was critical for it to escape Earth’s gravity.

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Malaria vaccine changing children's lives

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first malaria vaccine for widespread use in Africa, marking a historic milestone in the fight against the disease. Malaria, a mosquito-borne illness, causes over 400,000 deaths annually, mostly among children in sub-Saharan Africa.

The vaccine took over 30 years to reach this point and has proven effective in pilot programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. WHO Africa Director expressed optimism that the vaccine would protect many African children, helping them grow into healthy adults. The vaccine requires four doses before a child turns two to be effective. Despite the financial challenges of distribution, the urgent need to combat malaria, which costs approximately $12 billion annually, underscores the importance of making the vaccine accessible. Additional vaccines from BioNTech and Oxford University are also in development.

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This week seems to be passing so quickly.

During the weekdays this week, I mainly focused on my presentation for Thursday. I wanted to make it easier to understand, and I also tried to memorise the content I needed to present. When Thursday came, it unexpectedly started raining heavily, and I should have brought an umbrella. In class, only half of the usual number of students were there, which significantly lessened my pressure.

This time, I was the first one to present again, just like last time, haha. I was a bit nervous, but I think I managed to convey what I needed to within the time limit, which went better than I expected. During the Q&A session, a classmate asked if I had any relevant data to support my points. This made me realise that I could include more statistics, such as how much total benefit it brings to companies. This was a great experience for me to practise presenting and to have the opportunity to read some articles related to my field of study. As I mentioned before, I hope to perform even better in the formal presentation later on.

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rewrite introduction and produce an essay structure outline

Introduction

English is often perceived as an easy language to learn, especially when compared to languages like German, Chinese, or Arabic. However, this perception is not universal. The ease or difficulty of learning English can vary significantly depending on several factors, including a learner’s native language, age, aptitude, and motivation. For instance, native speakers of languages with less complex grammar might find English relatively straightforward, while others may struggle with its nuances. This essay will examine how these factors influence the learning process and determine whether English is truly an easy language to learn. It will also explore the linguistic challenges that learners face and how different backgrounds impact their experience with the language.

Paragraph

Learner motivation plays a vital role in determining the ease of learning English, regardless of a person’s linguistic background. While speakers of languages with similar structures to English, such as Norwegian or Swedish, may find the learning process relatively straightforward due to shared vocabulary and grammar, this is not always the case for everyone. For those whose native languages differ significantly from English, like Chinese or Arabic, learning can be more complex due to the unfamiliar grammar, syntax, and pronunciation. (Bauer and Trudgill, 1998, p. 50-57)Despite these challenges, motivated learners can overcome such barriers more effectively. Motivation pushes individuals to engage consistently with the language, practice regularly, and seek immersion experiences, all of which are critical to successful language acquisition. Ultimately, while a learner’s native language influences their initial approach to English, it is motivation that often determines the speed and overall success of the learning journey.

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1. Intricate (adj.)

- Meaning: Very complicated or detailed.

- Synonyms: Complex, elaborate, convoluted

- Related Words: Intricacy, intricately

- Example: The artist’s intricate design captured the attention of everyone at the gallery.

2. Advocate (v.)

- Meaning: To publicly support or recommend a particular cause or policy.

- Synonyms: Support, promote, endorse

- Related Words: Advocacy, advocator

- Example: She advocates for environmental protection and works with various organizations to promote sustainable practices.

3. Plausible (adj.)

- Meaning: Seeming reasonable or probable.

- Synonyms: Believable, credible, likely

- Related Words: Plausibility, plausibly

- Example: The detective found the suspect’s explanation plausible, but further investigation was still needed.

4. Consolidate (v.)

- Meaning: To combine (a number of things) into a single more effective or coherent whole.

- Synonyms: Merge, unite, integrate

- Related Words: Consolidation, consolidator

- Example: The company plans to consolidate its operations to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

5. Imminent (adj.)

- Meaning: About to happen.

- Synonyms: Impending, forthcoming, near

- Related Words: Imminence, imminently

- Example: The weather report warned that a storm was imminent, urging residents to take precautions.

6. Resilient (adj.)

- Meaning: Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

- Synonyms: Strong, tough, flexible

- Related Words: Resilience, resiliently

- Example: After facing numerous challenges, she proved to be a resilient leader who never gave up.

7. Subsequent (adj.)

- Meaning: Coming after something in time; following.

- Synonyms: Following, ensuing, succeeding

- Related Words: Subsequently

- Example: The subsequent chapters of the book delve deeper into the complexities of the plot.

8. Conducive (adj.)

- Meaning: Making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible.

- Synonyms: Favorable, beneficial, advantageous

- Related Words: Conduce, conduciveness

- Example: A quiet room is conducive to studying, as it helps to improve concentration.

9. Arbitrary (adj.)

- Meaning: Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

- Synonyms: Random, capricious, unpredictable

- Related Words: Arbitrarily, arbitrariness

- Example: The decision to cut funding was arbitrary and lacked any clear rationale.

10. Substantial (adj.)

- Meaning: Of considerable importance, size, or worth.

- Synonyms: Significant, considerable, ample

- Related Words: Substantially, substance

- Example: The charity received a substantial donation that will greatly aid their efforts.

11. Ambivalent (adj.)

- Meaning: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

- Synonyms: Uncertain, conflicted, undecided

- Related Words: Ambivalence, ambivalently

- Example: She felt ambivalent about the job offer, torn between excitement and doubt.

12. Inherent (adj.)

- Meaning: Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.

- Synonyms: Innate, intrinsic, natural

- Related Words: Inherently

- Example: The risks inherent in the process made many investors hesitant to get involved.

13. Cohesive (adj.)

- Meaning: Forming a united whole.

- Synonyms: Unified, integrated, connected

- Related Words: Cohesion, cohesively

- Example: The team worked well together, demonstrating a cohesive approach to the project.

14. Disparity (n.)

- Meaning: A great difference.

- Synonyms: Inequality, discrepancy, gap

- Related Words: Disparate, disparately

- Example: There is a significant disparity in income between the wealthy and the poor in the city.

15. Feasible (adj.)

- Meaning: Possible to do easily or conveniently.

- Synonyms: Achievable, practicable, workable

- Related Words: Feasibility, feasibly

- Example: The engineers presented a feasible plan to upgrade the infrastructure within the budget.

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This week felt like it passed by quickly. Our class had a few extra students because another teacher was on leave, and with a shorter course schedule, one of our lectures was even cancelled. Most of my focus was on preparing for the Mock Exam. While I felt confident about the reading and listening tests, I struggled with the writing section. Perhaps due to insufficient preparation, my thoughts were scattered, and I didn’t manage to complete the 600 word essay. I realize I should put in more effort to prepare for the writing exam.

The day after the exam, on Friday, I went on a trip to Liverpool with the school. It’s the hometown of The Beatles. I bought some postcards and a bar of Hotel Chocolate, which I heard is a popular souvenir. I’m curious to see how it tastes.

I also noticed that the atmosphere in a big city like Liverpool is quite different from Lancaster. Life there seems faster-paced, with busier traffic and more shopping options. However, I find that Lancaster feels safer and more suitable for me.

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Amazon destroys millions of unsold product

Amazon is the e-commerce platform I have used most frequently since arriving in the UK. According to a report by ITV News, the multinational e-commerce giant disposes of millions of pounds worth of unsold stock annually. Secret footage from inside Amazon's Dunfermline warehouse revealed a culture of excessive disposal, with new products like smart TVs, laptops, drones, and sealed face masks being labelled for destruction instead of being donated to charities or those in need. A former employee disclosed that the weekly target was to dispose of 130,000 items, including valuable and unused products. This wasteful practice is largely driven by Amazon's business model, where vendors store their products in Amazon's warehouses, but as storage costs increase over time, disposing of unsold goods becomes the most cost-effective option. Environmental groups, such as Greenpeace, have criticized this behaviour and called for government intervention. Despite public outrage, these practices remain within the law, and Amazon has shown no intention of changing them. I hope that in the future, Amazon can find more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to manage these products.

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1. Inherent (adj.)

- Meaning: Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.

- Synonyms: Innate, intrinsic, natural

- Related Words: Inherently

- Example: The risks inherent in the project were too significant to ignore.

2. Scrutiny (n.)

- Meaning: Critical observation or examination.

- Synonyms: Inspection, investigation, examination

- Related Words: Scrutinize, scrutinized

- Example: The documents were under close scrutiny during the audit.

3. Adverse (adj.)

- Meaning: Preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable.

- Synonyms: Unfavorable, detrimental, harmful

- Related Words: Adversely, adversity

- Example: The adverse weather conditions delayed the flight.

4. Plausible (adj.)

- Meaning: Seeming reasonable or probable.

- Synonyms: Believable, credible, likely

- Related Words: Plausibility, plausibly

- Example: Her explanation was plausible, but I still had some doubts.

5. Coherent (adj.)

- Meaning: Logical and consistent; making sense.

- Synonyms: Logical, consistent, rational

- Related Words: Coherence, coherently

- Example: The essay was clear and coherent, making it easy to follow.

6. Imminent (adj.)

- Meaning: About to happen; impending.

- Synonyms: Impending, forthcoming, looming

- Related Words: Imminence, imminently

- Example: The storm's arrival was imminent, and everyone prepared for the worst.

7. Negligible (adj.)

- Meaning: So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant.

- Synonyms: Insignificant, trivial, minor

- Related Words: Negligibly, eligibility

- Example: The cost difference between the two models is negligible.

8. Subsequent (adj.)

- Meaning: Coming after something in time; following.

- Synonyms: Following, ensuing, successive

- Related Words: Subsequently

- Example: The subsequent events were even more surprising than the initial one.

9. Ambiguous (adj.)

- Meaning: Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.

- Synonyms: Vague, unclear, uncertain

- Related Words: Ambiguity, ambiguously

- Example: The wording in the contract was ambiguous, leading to different interpretations.

10. Prevalent (adj.)

- Meaning: Widespread in a particular area or at a particular time.

- Synonyms: Widespread, common, dominant

- Related Words: Prevalence

- Example: The disease was most prevalent in urban areas.

11. Mandatory (adj.)

- Meaning: Required by law or rules; compulsory.

- Synonyms: Obligatory, compulsory, required

- Related Words: Mandate

- Example: Attendance at the meeting is mandatory for all staff.

12. Viable (adj.)

- Meaning: Capable of working successfully; feasible.

- Synonyms: Feasible, workable, practical

- Related Words: Viability, viably

- Example: The plan is viable, but it will require significant investment.

13. Apprehensive (adj.)

- Meaning: Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

- Synonyms: Anxious, worried, uneasy

- Related Words: Apprehension, apprehensively

- Example: She felt apprehensive about the upcoming surgery.

14. Deteriorate (v.)

- Meaning: To become progressively worse.

- Synonyms: Decline, worsen, degrade

- Related Words: Deterioration, deteriorated

- Example: The patient's condition began to deteriorate rapidly.

15. Impartial (adj.)

- Meaning: Treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.

- Synonyms: Unbiased, neutral, fair

- Related Words: Impartiality, impartially

- Example: The judge was known for being impartial in all her decisions.

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This week also felt like it passed by quickly. Maybe it is because this Monday is a Bank holiday and Thursday was a presentation, so we only have two days of classes. However, I still learn a lot of writing skills, and also in this week's tutorial, the teacher explained the issues and taught me how to fix up my writing essay, which helped me better understand the direction I need to take.

Today, I also received my reading and listening scores. The reading results were a bit disappointing, so with upcoming exams in the next few weeks, I know I need to prepare more diligently. Because of this, I spent my independent study time on Friday having an English breakfast before heading to the school library to study and complete this week’s assignments. The day was rare in its warmth and sunshine, so I took a break midway through to go for a walk outside and soak up some sun. It was a great way to relieve the stress of studying.

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New controller for disabled gamers

Sony recently launched the Access Controller, a new PlayStation device designed to improve gaming accessibility for people with disabilities. This launch addresses longstanding industry neglect in this area. The controller's customizable design allows disabled gamers to enjoy a more comfortable and manageable gaming experience. A study by the UK charity SCOPE found that two-thirds of disabled gamers face challenges in gaming, and 40 percent have bought games they couldn't play due to accessibility issues. The Access Controller aims to overcome these hurdles, enabling longer and more comfortable gaming sessions. As accessibility in gaming gains more attention, Sony's device marks a significant step towards inclusivity in the industry.  I believe that as more companies follow suit, we'll see even greater innovation in making technology accessible to all.