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minutiae (n.)

original:  people are living their lives completely out in the open, laying bare all manner of minutiae online.

Definition: a small or minor detail.

minute(adj.)

My own sentence: When planning one event, we have to pay attention to all minutiae points because usually small points decide the result.

Synonyms: trivial, small.

shortsighted (adj.)

original: This approach is shortsighted and isn't an effective way to build trust.

Definition: lack foresight or scope.

shortsightedness(n.)

My own sentence: That commander is shortsighted so when the war started, that country quickly failed.

Synonyms: myopic, superficial.

DQ Answers:
2.  I think it depends. For example, for restaurants, I believe they have to let their every process of making a dish to be transparent, including where they buy those materials, the condition of their kitchens and chef’s cooking process.

3.I think social media plays an important role in promoting and showing transparency. Nowadays, social media is widely used and people can get anything from social media. If we can use social media promote and show transparency, it will be very effective. For example, once I saw an article that said one factory’s products exceeded the criteria of toxic chemicals. In a short time, most people in the country knew this news because of social media and stopped buying products from this factory.

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Forthright(adj.)
Original: Customers will be far more forgiving of mistakes if a company  has a history of being forthright with all interactions-not just negative ones.
Definition: Describing a person is straight, direct and clear when talking.
My own sentence: Ken is a forthright guy--he always says what he wants to say.
Synonyms: frank, blunt

Premium(n.)
Original: Employees put a high premium on transparency in their interactions with different levels of management, going as far as naming it the top factor in determining their happiness and satisfaction in the workplace.
Definition: an insurance or payment
Premium(adj.)
Definition: something has a superior quality.
My own sentence: I paid insurance premium every quarter to the campus.
Synonyms: reward, value, bonus

Answers:
1. I think everyone should promote transparency including companies themselves. Because all of us are customers, even leaders or employers in companies have to purchase stuff they need.
3. Social media is strong enough to disclose dark motives and concealed production of companies. Take an example of World Consumer Rights Day, a lot of companies are exposed by social media that their productions do harm to environment or customers' health./

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modest(adj.):
Original: Average reductions of one or two days a month are modest, but "there are some patients who have had a complete response — they become headache-free," Hershey said.
Definition: Describing a person is successful without calling attention or showing off.
My own sentence: I think Yanxin is modest every time she got a good grade.
Synonyms: humble, decent

abdomen (n.)
Original:For six months, they were given monthly shots into the abdomen of a high dose of the drug, a low dose or a dummy medicine.
Definition: the part of body around belly
My own sentence: The doctor asked me if my abdomen hurt.
Synonyms: belly, stomach

Answers:
1. I did hear about migraines and I know it is going to be really hurt. I hope I will never infect with this illness.
3. I will take "drugs" as long as its benefits outweigh the side effects. Based on the article, if I have migraines, I will definitely take drugs without caring about side effects too much, but I still hope more advanced curing approach being figured out.

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Vocabulary & Discussion - Yanxin Fu     Article 6

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Vocabulary & Discussion - Yanxin Fu     Article 6

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worrisome (adj.):
Original: No worrisome side effects emerged, but the studies were very short, so long-term safety and effectiveness are unknown.
Definition: causing distress or worry or anxiety
My own sentence: The most worrisome part was that I couldn't cancel that order.
Synonyms: distressful, perturbing

plague (n./v.):
Original: Migraines plague more than a billion people worldwide, more than 38 million in the U.S. alone.
Definition: as a verb: cause to suffer a blight
as a noun: any epidemic disease with a high death rate
My own sentence: A terrible plague hit that small town.
Synonyms: infestation, blight

Discussion:
1. I believe that a migraine now is a common essential headache. Some of my friends have migraine headaches and sometimes they will use essential balm to relieve it. However, I've never suffered from migraines before, so I don't how serious it can be.

3. I don't like to take medicines. Or it's better to say that I only take medicines when it's necessary. So, if one medicine has great side effects, I probably will not take it. However, a few side effects are totally acceptable and unavoidable.

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notoriously(adv.)

original:  Studies of two of these medicines, given as shots every month or so, found they cut the frequency of the notoriously painful and disabling headaches.

Definition: known widely and usually unfavorably.

notorious(adj.)

My own sentence: This notorious news made that factory go bankrupt because the factory used toxic raw materials.

Synonyms: infamous, ill-famed.

substance(n.)

original: They work by interfering with a substance involved in modifying nerve signaling and progression of pain and symptoms.

Definition: Any material that possesses physical properties.

substantial(adj.)

My own sentence: All substance is made of atoms, including water, air and humans.

Synonyms: material, item.

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Article 5：Let's be Real: Why Transparency in Business should be the Norm (CC10)

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Article 5：Let's be Real: Why Transparency in Business should be the Norm (CC10)

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Summary: As social media platforms continue to soar, everyone in the world are indeed connected and people's desires for knowing everything are increasing. People now post everything online no matter what kinds of information it is. People expect transparency. That's why it's important for companies to achieve it. However, business owners have to understand that transparency should response to all interactions in order to build up trust and loyalties instead of simply being used to right a wrong. The increased satisfactions people have when they have meals in restaurants where they could watch the food being prepared is a great proof of the power of transparency. And transparency is related to not only customers, but also employees. Businesses need to provide the employees with comfortable and satisfied workplaces and let employees know their long-term plans. Being personally and internally transparent, transparent with corporate objective, bold and giving updates are several simple and useful steps to make one company become more transparent. It's crucial for businesses to use social networks to express their ideas on their own, keep transparent inside the company and be brave to experiment with transparency.

Response: Because of the improvement of people’s consumption consciousness, it becomes more and more important for companies to promote transparency. To achieve transparency, businesses need to share all the information consumers need instead of simply sharing the information they want to share so that they can build up mutual trust with both the customers and employees. In today's world, transparency is one key point for companies to become successful.

DQs:
1. Do you think the promotion of transparency is necessary?
2.Personally, how can companies become transparent? Be specific.
3. Use personal experiences to explain the relationship between social media and transparency.

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Wenru Shi                 Summary & Response Article 6: New, Long-acting Drugs Cut Frequency of Migraine Headaches in Trials 

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Wenru Shi                 Summary & Response Article 6: New, Long-acting Drugs Cut Frequency of Migraine Headaches in Trials 

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Summary:

Nowadays people find new drugs that may relieve people’s migraines in a long term. These drugs work to interfere some materials that influence the signaling of nerves and pain progressing. Dr. Andrew Hershey, who tested other migraine drugs and wrote articles for these drugs, pointed out that these drugs are new direction to treat migraines. One study from Amgen and Novartis showed that these drugs could effectively reduce the frequencies of migraines of those people who averaged eight migraines a month and had tried other drugs before. There were also no side effects. However, because the study was short, long-term safety and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. In addition, these drugs only took placebo treatment instead of comparative treatment.

Response:

It is my first time to know migraines can be so torturing because these patients suffer from migraines for average 8 times a month. It is fortunate that these new drugs can help them a lot. Many experiments have shown that these drugs are effective and even can cure migraines. However, there are also safety hazards that cannot be tested. I hope these new drugs can be tested for more times now and save more people from migraines in the future.

DQ Questions:

1.     Have you ever heard about migraines or experienced it?

2.     Do you think these new drugs can be effective even though they only had placebo treatment?

3.     Will you take one drug even it has side effects?

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New, long-acting drugs may offer hope to millions of people who suffer from migraines. Studies of two of these medicines, given as shots every month or so, found they cut the frequency of the notoriously painful and disabling headaches.

The drugs are the first preventive medicines developed specifically for migraines. They work by interfering with a substance involved in modifying nerve signaling and progression of pain and symptoms.

"It's a whole new direction" for treatment and an important advance for people who don't want to take or aren't helped by the daily pills sometimes used now to prevent recurrences, said Dr. Andrew Hershey, neurology chief at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

He had no role in the research but has tested other migraine drugs and wrote a commentary published with the studies Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine.

Migraines plague more than a billion people worldwide, more than 38 million in the U.S. alone. They're more severe than an ordinary headache - throbbing, squeezing pain and pressure, often accompanied by vision problems, sensitivity to light, noise or smells, and nausea. They can leave people unable to work or do simple things like cooking or even holding a conversation.
What studies show
One study tested erenumab, from Amgen and Novartis, in about 900 people who averaged eight migraines a month. Nearly half had already tried other preventive medicines.

For six months, they were given monthly shots into the abdomen of a high dose of the drug, a low dose or a dummy medicine. The number of days they suffered migraines each month dropped by three to four in the drug groups and nearly two in the placebo group. Half of the patients on the higher dose saw their migraine days cut at least in half.

"I very definitely benefited," said Anne Vickers, who got the lower dose through one of the study leaders at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Missouri.

"I can have anywhere from 15 to 18 headaches per month, and probably five of those days are migraines," but that dropped 40 percent on the drug, she said. "I have three kids, so for me it meant having more days when I was able to live my everyday life, cook a meal at home, go to events at school."

The second study tested fremanezumab, from Teva Pharmaceutical, for chronic migraines, defined as headaches on 15 or more days per month, at least eight of them migraines.

About 1,000 patients were given monthly shots for three months: One-third got the drug each time, another third got the drug the first time and then dummy shots the next two times, and the rest got dummy shots each time.

Monthly headache days dropped by four to five in the groups given the drug and by two to three for those given dummy treatments.
The caveats
Average reductions of one or two days a month are modest, but "there are some patients who have had a complete response - they become headache-free," Hershey said.

No worrisome side effects emerged, but the studies were very short, so long-term safety and effectiveness are unknown.

The new drugs were not tested against existing ones, only placebo treatments.

Many study leaders work for or have other financial ties to the drugmakers, and the companies helped analyze results.

Biotech drugs like these tend to be very expensive, and if they're approved, insurers may set big co-pays or require patients to try older medicines first, Hershey said. When the drugs did work, the benefit was seen right away, so there's less financial risk in trying one or two doses.

"The patient will know quickly if this is a drug for them, and if not, move on to something else," Hershey said.

Both drugs have been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval. Eli Lilly and Co. and Alder Biopharmaceuticals also are testing similar drugs.

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голос америки

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New, Long-acting Drugs Cut Frequency of Migraine Headaches in Trials

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New, long-acting drugs may offer hope to millions of people who suffer from migraines. Studies of two of these medicines, given as shots every month or so, found they cut the frequency of the notoriously painful and disabling headaches. The drugs are the first preventive medicines developed specifically for migraines.

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Wenru's DQ Answers and Vocabulary for Article 4

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Wenru's DQ Answers and Vocabulary for Article 4

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DQs’ answer

1.     The government can help the farmers learn more about the local processing to let them know how to process cocoa. Then these farmers will pay attention to the quality of cocoa because they sell the produced cocoa, like chocolate. Also, the government can make policies to not to harvest cocoa early to give farmers prized and subsidies.

3.     Yes, I like eating chocolate because it has a specific good flavor. Also, the chocolate can keep my energy for a long time. If I eat one bar of chocolate before exam, i can keep my mind up for the whole exam.

halt(v.)

Original: He advises that production should not be dropped and the quality of the crop should be controlled by halting early harvests.

Definition: stop from happening or developing

halt(n.)

My own sentence: To reduce the impact of too much carbon dioxide to global warming, the government halts many factories’ plans.

Synonyms: arrest, hold.

Drastically(adv.)

Original:  The result, he said, is that prices will continue to be drastically reduced because the cocoa is of very poor quality.

Definition: in a drastic manner

Drastic(adj.)

My own sentence: The unprecedented fore in California drastically reduces the primeval forests.

Synonyms: strikingly, uncommonly.

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Vocabulary & Discussion - Yanxin Fu    Article 4

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Vocabulary & Discussion - Yanxin Fu    Article 4

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plummet (v./n.):
Original: And there are indications production will plummet.
Definition: as a verb: drop sharply
as a noun: the mental bob of a plumb line
My own sentence: The share prices have plummeted for a few days.
Synonyms:  plumb, plunge

timid (adj.):
Original: I pray that the production should not reduce this year because we noticed that there is very timid bearing of cocoa, …
timidity (n.)
Definition: showing fear and lack of confidence
My own sentence: The little girl is as timid as a hare.
Synonyms: unadventurous, shy, unassertive, bashful

Discussion:
1. First of all, I think African farmers should be educated about modern farming methods,  privatization and marketing. They have to understand that some of their radical actions will only result in worse outcomes Also, the government should introduce policies, such as incentive policy, in order to keep the quality of cocoa and stop the cocoa industry from being abandoned.

3. I like those snacks made of cocoa very much because cocoa itself has huge health benefits. Cocoa is rich in a group of antioxidant compounds, flavonoids, which can be used to help lower our blood pressure and keep our blood sugar levels in our target range. And it contains a variety of healthy fats. In addition, I am a big fan of sweets. They have a positive influence on my emotions.

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Article 4: Falling Cocoa Prices Hit African Farmers

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Article 4: Falling Cocoa Prices Hit African Farmers

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Discipline: Economy

Summary: The global decline in coca's prices has led to a severe damage to African farmers and a lot of them are going to abandon plantations. To deal with the problem, cocoa post-harvest processing and treatment center in inaugurated to help farmers conserve the cocoa, and when the price of cocoa recovers, they sell the cocoa. However, since a boom with increasing demand for cocoa in 2015, it pushed a surplus of 400,000 tons cocoa. As a vicious cycle, the condition get worse in 2016 and 2017. The surplus was become more and more, and since farmers wanted to compete with price, the price dropped officially from $3 to $1 per kilogram. Hence, farmers are hesitant to harvest cocoa that is not ready and it leads to a drastically decline in price due to the poor quality of cocoa. At the same time, the environmental factors are doing harm to production of cocoa as well: there is black spots regardless the use of insecticides and fungicides. All in all, the most important thing is that Africa should remain the high-quality of cocoa and production should not be dropped. This is the  way to improve Africa's economy.

Response: As we all known, making cocoa production accounts for a great proportion of African economy. However, since the decline of price of cocoa, more and more farmers are going to live in poverty. And this condition goes worse due to vicious circle of competition. The quality of cocoa goes down since a lot of harvest are made from growing cocoa, and unfortunately with the damage from environments, some cocoa cannot even be sold with black spots. The country that is in charge of processing would make more profit than the country that produces. The same to the issue here, Africa makes a little money since they are not competent with processing the harvest. What they need to improve and make a change is that they should advance their technology to produce and process cocoa in their own country.

DQs:
1. What suggestions can you make to help remain the quality of cocoa?
2. What role does cocoa play in Africa's economy, why?
3.  Do you like to purchase snacks and chocolate made from cocoa? why or why not?

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agenda (n.):
Original: Producers have suggested that the issue of cocoa price decline should be included in the agenda of the Africa-EU summit to be held later this month in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, which, together with Ghana, contributes 60 percent of the cocoa sold in the world.
Definition: an organized plan that need to be finished
My own sentence: I think doing homework should be included in my agenda.
Synonyms: schedule, docket

map out (v.):
Original:  In Cameroon, however, cocoa producers are mapping out ways to encourage more local processing.
Definition: make a plan for solving some problems
My own sentence: I am trying to map out ways to celebrate Christmas.
Synonyms: arrange, plan

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critic (n.):
Original: Moser admits that the strategy does have its share of critics in the world of psychology.
Definition: It is someone who finds some things or words are incorrect, h/she would judge them and give constructive suggestions.
critical (adj.):
Definition: Something is characterized by careful evaluation and judgment.
My own sentence: As a critic, my father loves my paintings and gives me some suggestions to make them better.
Synonyms: judge, evaluator

effortless (adj.):
Original: He says the most exciting thing he learned from this research is that third-person self-talk is effortless.
Definition: Things are easy to be done and require no effort.
effort (n.):
Definition:  The total use of your energy put into work.
My own sentence: Solving math problems is effortless to me.
Synonyms: easy, facial

Answers:
2. I would hang out with my friends at weekends to release my stress, but if it is not feasible for some reasons, I prefer working out, running and playing basketball to release it.
3. Yes, because I have same experience about talking to myself in third-person standpoint. Especially when I am taking tests, I would imply my brain that I would be successful just like thousands of successful Ken. And I imagine the scenes when I succeed, with the help of talking to myself, that makes me feel relaxed.

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Article 3: One Method for Controlling Emotions, Stress 

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Article 3: One Method for Controlling Emotions, Stress 

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Discipline: Health & Lifestyle

Summary: An American researcher Jason Moser, who tries to find easy way for people to regulate their emotions, seems to come up with a new strategy to help control stress: talk to yourself in the third-person (he, she or it). Moser states that third-person self-talk can create "a kind of psychological distance between people and people's emotions": it is like giving ourselves suggestions. Moser performs two experiments to determine if this method is effortless. For the first study, people are asked to use either first-person pronouns or third-person self-talk to think about pictures. And the brain activities are recorded by an electroencephalogram or EEG. For another one, subjects are going to think of difficult memories, again using both first-person pronouns or third-person self-talk. And the brain activities are recorded by fMRI. Both of the two experiments indicate that third-person self-talk does not need extra effort: it is effortless.

Response: There is no doubt that each of us will experience some degrees of pressure. It is a fact of life. If these pressures are not released in time, we may cause harm to ourselves, even to the society. It is of great importance to know there is such an easy way to regulate our emotions. It seems that I stand back to look at the problems I have from another point of view and give myself suggestions. It is quite interesting and useful. And the main point here is that it is effortless which means that almost everyone can achieve this easily. The existence of this method is exciting to me.

DQs:
1. Do you think third-person self-talk is an effective way to our control emotions?
2. How do you usually relieve your stress?
3.When you are feeling anxious, will you try to use this third-person self-talk method?

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Wenru's Answers and Vocabulary for Article 3

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Wenru's Answers and Vocabulary for Article 3

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Intuitive(adj.)

original:  And they’re not exactly easy or intuitive in the moment.”

Definition: having the ability to understand or know something without any direct evidence or reasoning process.

Intuition(n.)

My own sentence: I had an intuitive understanding when I saw that question.

Synonyms: spontaneous, instinctive.

Depressed(adj.)

original: And when you ask people who are anxious or depressed, for instance, to do that -- you see that it’s really difficult for them to do that.

Definition: down in spirit or value, sad and lack energy

Depression(n.)

My own sentence: I felt depressed after the exam because I suddenly found that I mistakenly calculated one question wrong.

Synonyms: dejected, dispirited.

2. I usually watch my favorite idol’s videos to relieve stress. Also, if there is much stress, I will do more things because then I will have no time to think about stress. Usually when doing multitasks, I will have no time to think about stress even though there is a lot of work.

3. Yes. I think I try use this method because I think it is a good way for me to calm down and have a peaceful feeling. Also, the research indicates that it is effortless to do the third-person self-talk. I think it is important for me to have a peaceful feeling without thinking hard.

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adopt (v.):
Original: In doing therapy with my clients one of the things that’s really frustrating is that many times it’s hard to get clients to adopt strategies you want them to adopt.
adoption (n.)
Definition: 1. take into one’s family
2. choose and follow
3. Put into dramatic form
My own sentence: 1. The family adopted the orphan as their own.
2.  I finally decided to adopt his suggestions after much deliberation.
Synonyms:  espouse, follow, comply

anxious (adj.):
Original: And when you ask people who are anxious or depressed, for instance, to do that -- you see that it’s really difficult for them to do that.
anxiety (n.)
Definition: causing or fraught with or showing anxiety
My own sentence: I am anxious for my future.
Synonyms: nervous, queasy, troubled

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This sounds like a very interesting place to visit!
Make sure to enable comments on the posts!

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sandwich(v.):
Original:"As a travel destination Bhutan remains unique, sandwiched between its heavily industrialized neighbors China and India."
Definition:insert tightly between two people or objects.
sandwich(n.):
Definition: two slices of bread with a filling between them.
My own sentence: I was sandwiched in a seat between to girls on class.
Synonyms:enter, infix

lodge(v.):
Original: It covers lodging in three-star accommodations (extra luxury can be had for a premium), all meals, a licensed tour guide, camping and trekking equipment, domestic travel (excluding flights), and taxes and fees.
Definition: stay in an inn for overnight
lodge(n.):
Definition:a hotel providing overnight sleep for travelers
My own sentence: I want to lodge in the hotel built in forests.

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1. To me I think Bhutan is the happiest country all over the world because it has extraordinarily beautiful scenes, fresh air and low consumption cost. Even though it depends on tourism to develop economy mostly, I will say people live there would not need to concern other stuff or work except from making money from tourists.
2. I really want to live in this kind of place because the environment is good and food are harmless, organic, and green. Especially living in an outdated society, now I feel depressed and stressful living under an advanced but rush society. So even I cannot live there forever, I want to travel to Bhutan, take a break, and temporarily escape from the fast-developing society.

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Vocabulary & Discussion - Yanxin Fu    Article 2

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Vocabulary & Discussion - Yanxin Fu    Article 2

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counterintuitive (adj.):
Original: One of the ways foreigners can contribute to the country’s conservation efforts is counterintuitive: by visiting.
Counterintuitively (adv.)
Definition: contrary to intuition or to common-sense expectation
My own sentence: I find it is hard for me to accept this counterintuitive notion.
Synonyms:  reasonable

enlightened (adj.):
Original: Our enlightened monarchs have worked tirelessly to develop our country, balancing economic growth carefully with social development…
enlightenment (n.)
Definition: having knowledge and spiritual insight
My own sentence: I believe that reading can lead us to a more enlightened road.
Synonyms: edified, educated

Discussion:
1. I do think Bhutan is the happiest country in the world because a good ecological environment can not be bought with money. And I don't think the reliance on tourism is a big problem. As the article mentions, the monarchs there work tirelessly to balance economic growth with social development, environmental sustainability and cultural preservation. I believe people there will perfectly protect such a pure land while maintain the country's economic development.

2. I am more than happy to live in such a country. In fact, I often complain of the rapid pace of modern life. Living in Bhutan can give myself a break. I will feel refreshed and rejuvenated under more primitive circumstances. However, I believe I will need a very long period of time to adapt to the life there based on the fact that I've got used to living in prosperous metropolis.

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Alleviation(n.)

Original: This goes towards funding education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation…

Definition: provide physical relief, as from pain

Alleviate(v.)

My own sentence: In order to alleviate the pressure of too much populations, China started to implement “one-child” policy in the 1960s.

Synonyms: assuage, relieve.

Complacent(adj.)

Original:  But that’s not to say the country can be complacent.

Definition: contented to a fault with oneself or one’s actions

Complacently(adv.)

My own sentence: He became complacent after he won several matches.

Synonyms: content, self-satisfied

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Article2: Visit the World's Only Carbon-Negative Country Wenru

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Article2: Visit the World's Only Carbon-Negative Country Wenru

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Discipline: Culture

Summary: In the article “Visit the World's Only Carbon-Negative Country”, the author, Soo Youn, indicates that Bhutan is a country without air pollution. Soo points out that Bhutan is the world’s happiest country that with “carbon negative”. Soo mentions that Bhutan uses sustainability as its national identity, protecting environment by increasing controlled, low-impact tourism. Then, Soo finds that tourists who visit Bhutan need to pay a mandatory additional fee from $200-$250 to pay for accommodations since there is no independent travel in this country. In addition, Tourists need to pay one daily sustainable fee for the country’s welfare and infrastructure. Soo points out that many reasons lead to Bhutan’s carbon negative, including protected forests, tree planting, small populations and outdated infrastructure.

Response: I was surprised to know there is a country between China and India with “carbon negative” when I first saw the title. However, I learned the reasons that Bhutan can keep such good air quality. Bhutan controls the tourism and charges fees from tourists to maintain the country’s infrastructure and good air quality. They have outdated constructions and depends on financial aid from other countries. I am curious about what will Bhutan be when it starts to develop the industry and companies rapidly.

DQs:

1)Do you think Bhutan is the happiest country in the world because of carbon negative even though its finance relies on tourism mostly?

2)Would you like to live in such country?  (with good environment but with outdated society)

3)Can you give three labels on what is the definition of  the happiest country?

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Bhutan is arguably the world's happiest country. It's also one of the greenest. That's no coincidence. In fact, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck developed his signature Gross National Happiness index based on four pillars: sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and good governance. Other countries have taken note, since the Himalayan kingdom is not only carbon neutral, but carbon negative.

Also noteworthy: This is happening despite increasing tourism. One of the ways foreigners can contribute to the country's conservation efforts is counterintuitive: by visiting.

As a travel destination Bhutan remains unique, sandwiched between its heavily industrialized neighbors China and India. The isolated nation only opened up to foreign visits in 1974 and allowed TVs in 1999.

Bhutan has built sustainability into its national identity. "Our enlightened monarchs have worked tirelessly to develop our country, balancing economic growth carefully with social development, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation, all within the framework of good governance," Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan's Prime Minister said at a 2016 TED Talk.

In fact, the constitution mandates that 60 percent of its landmass be maintained and protected as forest. One of the ways the country maintains this is controlled, low impact tourism.

Unless you're from India, Bangladesh, or the Maldives, you'll need a visa to explore this cheery pocket of south Asia-there is no independent travel. In addition to the visa ($40), tourists must pay an additional $200 to $250 " Minimum Daily Package Fee " and book through an officially approved tour operator. The fee can confuse or put off potential visitors, so it's worth clarifying what it is. It covers lodging in three-star accommodations (extra luxury can be had for a premium), all meals, a licensed tour guide, camping and trekking equipment, domestic travel (excluding flights), and taxes and fees.

A daily sustainable development fee of $65 is also included in the package. This goes towards funding education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure to accommodate growing tourism.

"The health facilities in Bhutan are free and education up to high school is also free. For those who advance, the education is free until the [college] degree," a representative of the Bhutan Tourism Council wrote in an email.

There are many reasons Bhutan is carbon negative. Aside from its protected forests, it has won world records for planting the most trees per hour, says Erin Levi, the author of the forthcoming Bradt Travel Guide to Bhutan.

"The ratio of people to land mass-it's about the same size as Switzerland with just one tenth the population. Its slow path to development-the first road was only built in the 1960s, which also means people were very slow to get cars," Levi said.

But that's not to say the country can be complacent. "Now, however, for the first time there is rush hour traffic in Thimphu, the only capital in Asia that has no traffic lights."

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Visit the World's Only Carbon-Negative Country

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Bhutan is arguably the world's happiest country. It's also one of the greenest. That's no coincidence. In fact, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck developed his signature Gross National Happiness index based on four pillars: sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and good governance.

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Article 1: “Could Carbon Farming Help Slow Rising Temperatures?” by Anne Ball

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Article 1: “Could Carbon Farming Help Slow Rising Temperatures?” by Anne Ball

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Discipline: Science

Summary:  Since Earth’s atmosphere is in trouble, a group called the Marin Carbon Project says it has a proven way to slow the rise in temperature and even partially reverse the condition. It is scary to watch the ocean die-off, and animals in South and North poles have nowhere to live due to the melting of the ice. As a result, making a plan to improve the condition admits no time to delay. The article indicates that Jeff Creque, an ecologist, developed a theory that processed compost can help reduce rising temperatures. And then, In December 2008, Creque and Wick tested the theory by comparing one test area which is covered by one and a quarter centimeters of processed compost to the other test area without compost. The result supports Creque’s idea. The compost-treated land pulled carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and take in carbon during photosynthesis. The experiment shows that carbon farming can control the rising temperature. Nonetheless, some people think that more work and experiments should be done to verify that if the carbon farming could be applied effectively to every plot of different land.

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It’s encouraging to be informed of the success of the experiment. Because if the approach is popularized and widely used in large-scale land, the rising temperature problem will be alleviated in the close future. However, as mentioned in the article, since Creque and Wick only did the experiment once, it cannot prove that if all kinds of land, covered by compost, can pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Maybe Creque and Wick’s findings cannot be true in larger areas. Simultaneously, I am wondering that even when the method is proved to be true to all kinds of land, is it possible to inform all land owners to use carbon farming method? Or how long is it going to take to help people form a habit to cover land with compost? In my opinion, even though it is essential and meaningful that we have figured out the approach to deal with rising temperature, there are more challenges and barriers when we want to implement the plan.

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DQs: 1. Do you think carbon farming is a good way to solve the rising temperature problem, why?

2. Can you describe how does the rising temperature influence the world?

3. Can you please try to give several advices that can help control rise in temperature?

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Vocabulary & Discussion - Yanxin Fu    Article 1

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Vocabulary & Discussion - Yanxin Fu    Article 1

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photosynthesis (n.):
Original: … pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and take in carbon during photosynthesis.
photosynthesize (v.)
Definition: synthesis of compounds with the aid of radiant energy (especially in plants)
My own sentence: Plants can convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar in the process of photosynthesis.
Synonyms:  /

enhance (v.):
Original: … should increase production of food and fiber, fuel and flora in a way that actually enhances the resources.
enhancement (n.)
Definition: to improve or argument, especially in effectiveness, or value
My own sentence: My living expense has enhanced recently.
Synonyms: heighten, improve

Discussion:

1. I think carbon farming is more than simply saying good or bad.  Using plants is the most efficient way to absorb carbon dioxide. Everything else we do only can reduce the emissions. However, the problem the passage mentions is also unavoidable: different regions have different soil textures. Carbon farming will not always work. If we can overcome the geographic boundaries, it is unquestionably good for our environment.

3. advices:
a. Use renewable (alternative) energy, such as hydroelectricity and tidal power, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas.
b. Classify the rubbish .
c. Take more public traffic instead of driving or choose fuel- efficient vehicles.

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reverse(v.): to change or switch something completely or to an opposite condition
Original:“ The group, called the Marin Carbon Project, says it has found a proven way to slow the rise in temperatures — and possibly reverse it.”
reverse(n.):  turning into an opposite direction
My own sentence: I put the car in reverse.
Synonyms: turn, change, invert

arid(adj.): very dry, no water, often describing places like desert
Original: “So, the water implications of this, particularly for a state like California - but really across the American West and much of the arid regions of the world - increasing soil organic matter what little bit of rain we do get - allows us to hang on to that and make better use of it."
My own sentence: Living in an arid desert is excruciating.
Synonyms: waterless, dry

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Implications(n.)

original: So, the water implications of this, particularly for a state like California...

Definition: An implication is something that is suggested, or happens, indirectly.

Implicate(v.)

My own sentence: This crime implicated three men, what made me surprised is that one of the criminals worked for government.

Synonyms: deduction, entailment.

Prescriptions(n.)

original: Multiplication is pretty easy, but the site-by-site prescriptions are much more complicated than that.

Definition: an idea or suggestion about how you should behave, or how to make a situation, activity.

Prescript(v.)

My own sentence: We should follow the prescriptions to successfully finish our homework due to the complicated operations of the applications we have to use.

Synonyms: direction, instruction.

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1.     Maybe. Even though Creque and Wick’s experiment is successful, Hedt, who works for the U.S. government’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), thinks every land is different. I think more research needs to be done in the world to know whether carbon farming is a good way to solve global warming.

3.(1) Reduce the pollution discharged by the factories in the world.

(2) Protect the forests in the world

(3) use more electric fuels instead of petroleum in order to reduce the CO2