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I.Vocabulary
1. Labor productivity

Meaning: the rate at which a worker, a company or a country produces goods, and the amount produced, compared with how much time, work and money is needed to produce them
Example: Wage rates depend on levels of labor productivity.

2. Unemployment benefits

Meaning: money paid by the government to somebody who is unemployed
Example: In times of economic crisis, the amount paid in unemploymentnbenefits is an added burden on the government budget.

3. To acquire experience/knowledge/skill:

Meaning: to gain experience/knowledge/skill by your own efforts or behavior
Example: Some school leavers prefer to acquire experience working in anchosen profession rather than entering university.

4. Put knowledge gained into practice

Meaning: to put to practical use the knowledge that you have acquired
Example: Vocational training courses enable students to put the knowledgengained during their studies into practice.

5. Minimum wage

Meaning: the lowest wage that an employer is allowed to pay by law
Example: A minimum wage is necessary in order to ensure a decent standard of living for low-paid workers.

6. To job-share

Meaning: to share the hours of work and the pay of one job between two people
Example: Many employers are willing to employ people part-time or allow them to job-share, as long as the duties of each person are clear.

7. Flexible working hours

Meaning: hours of work that can be changed by agreement between the employer and the employee
Example: For some employees, flexible working hours are more important even than a high salary.
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8. Health and safety in the workplace

Meaning: Conditions which are safe and are not a danger to health in factories, offices or other places where people work
Example: Government inspectors should regularly monitor companies to ensure that standards of health and safety in the workplace are observed.

9. Working mothers

Meaning: Mothers who have to go out to work as well as to look after children
Example: Workplace practices such as job-sharing and flexible working hours have made life easier for working mothers.

10.To take early retirement

Meaning: to stop working before reaching the age at which people usually stop working
Example: Older employees should take early retirement to give young people a better chance to find work.

11.Aretirement package

Meaning: the money or other benefits that you receive from a company or organization when you stop working there because of your age
Example: Companies who value their employees should offer a generous retirement package.

13. Sick leave

Meaning: permission to stay away from work because of illness or injury
Example: Important factors when choosing a job include holiday entitlement, sick leave and a company pension scheme.

14. Annual leave

Meaning: a period of time when you are allowed to be away from work for a holiday/vacation
Example: Parents often take their annual leave at the same time as the long school holidays.

15. Job prospects

Meaning: the chances of being successful and having more opportunities at work
Example: People with qualifications and experience usually have the best job prospects.

16. Promotion opportunities

Meaning: chances to move to a more important position in a company or organization
Example: Perhaps the most important factor when choosing a job are the promotion opportunities/promotion prospects.

17. To move up the career ladder

Meaning: a series of stages by which you can make progress in your career
Example: Ambitious employees look for a job in which there is a chance to move up the career ladder.

18. To pursue a successful career

Meaning: to have a series of jobs in a particular area of work, with more responsibility as time passes
Example: While many people wish to pursue a successful career, for others it is more important to find work which is interesting and enjoyable.

19. To take a career break

Meaning: a period of time when you do not do your usual job, for example because you have children to care for
Example: Some companies offer female employees the opportunity to take a career break for a few years if they have young children to care for.

20. To have no career ambitions

Meaning: to have no desire to be successful or to move up the career ladder
Example: Those who are content to do the same job and have no career ambitions are often happier in their work and do not suffer from stress.

21. Job satisfaction

Meaning: the good feeling that you get when you have a job that you enjoy
Example: A high salary is not necessarily the most important factor in job satisfaction.

22. Working environment

Meaning: the conditions that you work in
Example: If work is to be enjoyable, then a friendly working environment is essential.

23. Supportive work colleagues

Meaning: people that you work with who give you help and encouragement
Example: A very important aspect of job satisfaction is having supportive work colleagues.

24. To be a good team player

Meaning: to be cooperative and work well as a member of a team
Example: In the modern working environment, it is important to be a good team player and communicate with colleagues.

25. A heavy workload

Meaning: a lot of work that an individual employee has to perform
Example: While some people enjoy the challenge of a heavy workload, others find too much work very stressful.

26. Labour-intensive

Meaning: (of work) needing a lot of people to do it
Example: New technology has replaced the need for workers to do many labour-intensive jobs, such as producing cars.

27. An internship

Meaning: a period of time in which a student or new graduate gets practical experience in a job
Example: In order to gain essential professional experience, graduates should do an internship if they have the opportunity.

28. A desk job

Meaning: a job in an office, where you sit and work all day at a table or desk
Example: Many young people enjoy the excitement of a dangerous profession to the boring routine of a desk job.

29. To have a steady job

Meaning: to have a job which you are unlikely to lose, but which is usually the same routine
Example: Although some people prefer to change jobs, others prefer to have a steady job and a set daily routine at work.

30. To dismiss somebody (from something)

Meaning: to officially remove somebody from their job
Example: Employment legislation prevents employers from dismissingan employee without a good reason.

II.News
2.1  Should I be working from home now?
What do firms have to do to keep workers safe?
Employers are asked to follow official safety guidance and carry out Covid risk assessments for those staff who are in the office.

Safety measures can include:

improving ventilation
additional cleaning
turning away people with Covid
There is more detailed advice for some industries - including construction, hospitality and manufacturing, plus specific advice for employers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Face-coverings remain mandatory for staff and customers in shops and on public transport across the UK, apart from England.

Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland have Covid passport schemes which are partly designed to protect staff who work in hospitality and events.

If employees feel unsafe, they can raise concerns with their local authority, Citizens Advice or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
If employees feel unsafe, they can raise concerns with their local authority, Citizens Advice or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Does working from home help stop Covid?
Working from home is one of the most effective ways to reduce exposure to Covid, according to the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).

It greatly limits face-to-face contact - both with colleagues and on public transport.

2.2 61% of people working from home
More people are choosing to work from home because they want to, even if their office is open and they're less concerned about Covid risks, according to new findings from Pew Research Center.

According to a January survey of 5,889 workers, 61% of people working from home today say they're not going into their workplace because they don't want to, and 38% say their office is closed. It's a reversal from October 2020, when 64% of people were working from home because their office was closed, and 36% were doing so out of preference.
Even as more offices open up, "people are making a conscious choice to work from home, rather than just out of necessity," says Kim Parker, Pew's director of social trends research.

Remote workers report better balance, more productivity
Teleworkers say they're choosing to stay home for better work-life balance, productivity or because they've relocated away from the office. Fewer people say Covid is the main reason why they're working from home (42% now vs. 57% in 2020). Roughly one-third of parents cite child care as a major reason they telework. And most say working from home hasn't impacted their ability to advance in their career.
III. Additional notes
This week is the first week of the Advanced Interpreting course, and I could see Ms Sa.This reminds me of the first time I tried to use MSteam for my online class when I was beginning to interpret. Time flies by so quickly. I remember the day I first encountered Interpreting, trying to learn all the basics and practicing with some simple paragraphs, and now I am learning the final level of Interpreting, the highest level in the curriculum, with Ms Sa-the first tutor in this course of Interpreting. I'm very excited.

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I. VOCABULARY

humanities: studies about human culture, such as literature, languages, philosophy, and history.
| Chloe excels in humanities subjects. She’s adept at arts and languages.

sciences: studies about the world, such as physics, biology, chemistry, and maths.
| Mark doesn’t like scientific subjects, he’s just too lazy to learn formulas.

A for effort: a good mark, which is given someone for trying hard rather than for a success.
| Although I’m not the smartest in my group, I often get an A for effort, because I try hard.

bachelor’s degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3 or 4 years.
| I will receive my bachelor’s degree in two years.

bookworm: a term to describe someone who really likes to read and spends a lot of time on it.
| I’m a real bookworm. I won’t stop until the book is read.

distance learning (e-learning): education that takes place remotely, usually via the Internet.
| Distance learning is more flexible than traditional education, because students don’t have to attend classes and can schedule their timetables as they want.

eager beaver: an enthusiastic and hard-working person.
| My friend is an eager beaver. He studies everything with pleasure and gets great marks.

face-to-face classes: a traditional way of studying – in a classroom with a teacher.
| When I was a kid, face-to-face classes had no alternatives, but nowadays a myriad of educational establishments offer online courses and individual tuition.

higher education: education that is followed after high school.
| I plan on getting higher education after finishing school.

hit the books: begin studying hard.
| I’m on my third year in the university, it is time to finally hit the books.

individual tuition (private tuition): instruction received individually or in a small group.
| Individual tuition is sometimes more effective than group work.

intensive course: a course that offers longer and more frequent classes.
| A few years ago I took an intensive French course in the university.

internship: a temporary position which students usually take to get work experience and practical knowledge.
| Before I went into design industry, I took an internship in a company.

master’s degree: a graduate course, which follows after bachelor’s degree.
| Master’s degree is often important to find a job with a higher salary.

mature student: someone who’s older than others.
| Nowadays it’s not uncommon to face a mature student in the class. People often change professions and get a second or third degree in their midthirties.

not the sharpest tool in the shed: a polite way of saying that someone isn’t very smart.
| Maybe John isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s a good friend nonetheless.

public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK.
| My friend finished a public school a few years ago.

schoolboy error: a very basic and stupid mistake.
| Sam made a schoolboy error on his English test.

single-sex schools: schools for either boys or girls.
| My brother studied in a single-sex school

small fraction: small part.
| A small fraction of students managed to pass this exam.

state school: a school which is paid for by the state or country.
| It is hard to find a good state school nowadays.

subject specialist: a person who is very talented in one specific field.
| My math teacher was a real subject specialist. Thanks to him math is my favourite subject now.

teacher’s pet: student whom teachers like the most.
| Hugo is a teacher’s pet, he attends all classes and manages to get good marks with poor knowledge.
three R’s: basic educational skills (reading, writing, arithmetic).
| Pupils in a primary school study the three R’s.

to attend classes: to visit classes.
| In my college, students need to attend classes five times a week.

to fall behind with studies: to progress less quickly than others.
| Mary was ill for two weeks, so she fell behind with her studies.

to give feedback: to give some information or criticism on a subject.
| I launched a project a couple of days ago and I want my friends to give me some feedback.

to goof around: spend time doing nothing important.
| Sometimes I like to goof around, although my parents scold me for that.

to learn something by heart: to memorize something.
| Last year i had to learn a very big poem by heart for my literature class.

to meet a deadline: to finish something within a time limit.
| Unfortunately, we weren’t able to meet the deadline for our project.

to pass with flying colours: to pass easily and with excellent result.
| I’m studying hard and I will pass IELTS with flying colours.

to play truant: to skip classes without permission.
| During my school years I often played truant with my friends.

to pursue studying: to continue studying.
| Lora would like to pursue studying in the future to become a professor.

to set aside some time: to take some time.
| I need to set aside some time to collect my thoughts.

to sit an exam: to take an exam.
| Tomorrow I’ll have to sit a two-hour math exam.

to take a year out: to spend one year working or traveling before studying in the University.
| My friend took a year out and went traveling to the UK.

tuition fees: money you pay for your education.
| I had to pay tuition fees this summer.

II.NEW:

2.1 Encourage today’s girls to become ‘tomorrow’s leading scientists and innovators’

A significant gender gap has persisted at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines around the world.

Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields.

And from school closures to a rise in violence and greater homecare burdens, the COVID-19 pandemic has simply increased gender inequalities.
“This inequality is depriving our world of enormous untapped talent and innovation”, he continued, underscoring the need for women’s perspectives “to make sure that science and technology work for everyone”.

Science and gender equality are both vital to reach the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

And yet, despite past decades of efforts to inspire and engage women and girls in science, women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully.

“We can – and must – take action”, said the UN chief.

He called for policies that “fill classrooms” with girls studying technology, physics, engineering, and maths; and targeted measures to ensure that women are afforded opportunities to “grow and lead at laboratories, research institutions and universities”.

Mr. Guterres also stressed that determination was needed to end discrimination and stereotypes about women in science along with more rigorous efforts to expand prospects for minority women.

2.2 Promoting Gender Equality in New Rural Development in Viet Nam

Achieving gender equality has been one of the prime concerns of many countries around the world. In Viet Nam, gender equality is also seriously considered by the Government in the policy making process, including the NTP NRD. Resolution No.26-NQ/TW of the Communist Party of Vietnam on agriculture, rural areas, and farmers is the foundation for the New Rural Development. The Resolution sets the targets for agriculture and rural development by 2020 and details eight main solutions. Out of these solutions, promotion of gender equality was briefly mentioned as a theme under solution 3 on improving the living standard of rural population.

“Accounting for 50% of the population, Vietnamese women play an important role in the fields of s ocio-economic development of the country in general, and in new rural development in particular. Women are key players in the development process and the beneficiaries of the Programmes achievements. With the functions and tasks of a representative socio-political organization: securing, protecting women's rights and legitimate interests, solidarity and mass gathering of women classes, Vietnam Women’s Union has performed well its core role in advocating, guiding and supporting women to participate in rural development”, Ms Do Thi Thu Thao, Vice President of Vietnam Women’s Union, emphasized the role of women in agriculture and rural development.
III Additional notes
This week, i learn more about gender inequality in VietNam, just like in the developing world in general, women continue to form a large majority of the working poor, earn less income, and are more often affected by under- and un-employment and precarious working conditions than men. I think  Women in VietNam are principally found in lower paid occupational sectors or in vulnerable employment. The majority of women work as unpaid family workers, and in largely "invisible" areas of informal employment as migrant domestic workers, homeworkers, street vendors and in the entertainment industry.
Therefore, I personally think vietnamese should strengthening the equality dimension in labour legislation such as prohibiting direct and indirect discrimination, and promoting equal pay for work of equal value, action against sexual harassment and equalizing the retirement ages for women and men.

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Hilton Survey Finds U.S. Traveler Breakfast Preferences - LODGING

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I. VOCABULARY
dine in: dine at home.
| We’re dining in tonight.

dine out: dine at a restaurant.
| We’re dining out tonight.

fussy eater: someone who is very picky about the food and doesn’t eat everything.
| My husband is a fussy eater, and he’s never pleased with my cooking.

home-cooked food: food cooked at home, usually implies that food is healthy.
| Preparing home-cooked food is a good way to make a balanced meal.

in a walking distance of: close to.
| I usually dine at a restaurant that’s in a walking distance of my home.

Italian cuisine: traditional Italian food. You can also say French cuisine, Russian cuisine, Chinese cuisine and so on.
| I adore pasta, pizza and Italian cuisine in general.

more of a chore than a pleasure: something you do rather unwillingly.
| I think that cooking is more of a chore than a pleasure.

mouth–watering: delicious, appetizing.

my mouth is watering: that is to say you find something very appetizing. People use this expression when they see/smell food that looks very delicious.
| My mouth is watering every time I think about my grandmother’s apple pie.

nutritious products: products rich in calories.
| A nutricious breakfast is a great way to start the day, as it gives your body the nutrients and you get enough energy.

processed food: food that has been modified in an undesirable or unhealthy way to achieve its current state.
| Try to avoid processed foods like flavored nuts and cereal bars. It is much healthier to eat organic food.

quality justifies the bill: when a product is worth buying due its good quality, even if it’s expensive.
| I first thought those strawberries were too expensive, but when I tasted them I understood that their quality justified the bill.

quick snack: a light and quick meal, usually unhealthy.
| Eating quick snack instead of main meal can be harmful for stomach.

ready meal: a meal that you buy already cooked, which only requires reheating to be eaten.
| I had no desire to cook, so I bought a ready meal in a nearby supermarket.

restrain one’s hunger: to avoid eating when you really want to. Usually practiced during diets.
| John couldn’t restrain his hunger anymore and went to the nearest fast-food restaurant.

slap-up meal: a quick and fatty meal. To slap up means to cook something very quickly.
| I feel like making a slap-up meal tonight.

starving hungry: to be extremely hungry.
| I woke up starving hungry yesterday and ate the whole roast chicken.

take-away: a meal prepared in a café/restaurant and eaten at home.
| I’m going to ring the Japanese restaurant and order a takeaway.

the main meal: the most important meal of the day.

to be dying of hunger: an exaggerated way of saying you are really hungry.
| I haven’t eaten all day. I’m dying of hunger!

to be full-up: to eat to the point that you can’t eat anymore.
| Would you like more chips? – No, thank you, I’m already full-up!

to be ravenous (to have ravenous appetite): to be really hungry, starving, voracious.
| After working all day, I had a ravenous appetite.

to be starving hungry: an exaggerated way of saying you are very hungry.

to bolt something down: to eat a large amount of food very quickly.
| Don’t bolt your food down like that, it’s very rude!

to catch a snack: to eat a little portion of food very quickly.

to eat a balanced diet: to eat correctly and in time.

to eat like a horse: to always eat a lot.
| She’s so thin, yet she eats like a horse.

to follow a recipe: to cook a meal using instructions.
| Although she had never cooked a jugged hare before, she followed a recipe and made a fantastic meal.

to foot the bill: to pay the bill.
| You paid for dinner last time. Let me foot the bill for lunch today.

to grab a bite to eat: to eat something quickly.
| I won’t eat the whole cake, just let me grab a bite to eat.

to have a sweet tooth: to enjoy eating sweet food.
| Dave eats candy all the time. He must have a sweet tooth.

to overeat oneself: eat too much, eat immodestly.
| If you overeat, you’re bound to get fat.

to play with your food: to push food around the plate without eating it.

to spoil your appetite: to do something that would hinder your desire to eat.
| Stop talking about the snails, you’re spoiling my appetite!

to tuck into: to eat something greadily and with pleasure.
| After not eating the whole day, he tucked into the ham like a savage.

to wine and dine: to banquet, to “entertain with good food”. If you wine and dine someone, you usually take him out to dinner at a fancy restaurant.
| The company wined and dined us, hoping to convince us we should accept the job.

to work up an appetite: to do something that will lead to hunger.
| He must have worked up an appetite in the gym

II. NEWS
2.1 U.S. Traveler Breakfast Preferences
MCLEAN, Virginia—According to a recent consumer survey conducted by Hilton, complimentary breakfast is the top value amenity guests look for when booking a hotel. The survey revealed 73 percent cite unexpected food costs as a major pain point when on the road, and 40 percent of U.S. travelers have stayed at a hotel just to avoid cooking breakfast altogether.

As 60 percent of U.S. travelers are currently planning spring and summer trips, when staying at Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and Home2 Suites by Hilton, they can enjoy their breakfast for free—including omelets, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, sausage or bacon, and potatoes. The 70 percent of U.S. travelers that revealed that pancakes are their top choice on the road will enjoy Tru’s new brand offering, a hands-free pancake machine.

“Hilton’s brands that offer free hot breakfast allow guests to enjoy breakfast favorites that are oftentimes reserved for special occasions, every time they travel. And, with the added bonus of convenience, it saves guests both time and money, allowing them to make the most of their vacations or time on the road,” said Bill Duncan, global category head, focused service and all suites, Hilton. “Our guests can enjoy a variety of delicious offerings, including healthy options, made with high-quality, fresh ingredients each morning, along with our brands’ thoughtfully-designed accommodations, value-driven amenities, and exceptional guest service.”

2.2 Nutrition and Taste

According to results from IFIC’s 2021 Food & Health Survey released in May, some of the notable trends that IFIC reported early in the COVID-19 pandemic last year have begun to abate. Just under three-quarters of U.S. respondents (72 percent) reported some change to their eating or food preparation habits because of the pandemic, compared to 85 percent a year prior. Fewer people said they are cooking at home more than usual (47 percent in 2021 vs. 60 percent in 2020), snacking more (18 percent in 2021 vs. 32 percent in 2020), and eating more in general (11 percent in 2021 vs. 20 percent in 2020). But even as consumers are returning to some of their previous habits—like eating out more and cooking at home less—they remain focused on choosing nutritious options, according to the survey. Among notable trends in this year’s survey results, 73 percent of U.S. consumers said they are confident in their ability to choose healthy foods, and consumers are increasingly defining “healthy” foods as those with “good” components like nutrients, fruits, and vegetables (27 percent in 2021 vs. 17 percent in 2016).

Ingredients Matter

Results from another IFIC survey released in June emphasized the importance of ingredients to consumers’ F&B purchasing decisions; 63 percent of adults reported that ingredients have at least a moderate influence and 62 percent said they are focusing more on ingredient lists than they did five years ago. Nearly half of U.S. respondents said they seek out natural flavors at least some of the time, 41 percent seek natural sweeteners, 40 percent seek natural preservatives, and 35 percent seek colors from natural sources versus artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and preservatives, which nearly half said they avoid at each at least some of the time. While concerns around ingredients largely centered on health (26 percent), other reasons ranged from environmental concerns (7 percent) to digestive issues (7 percent), ingredient sensitivities (6 percent), and food allergies (5 percent).
III. ADDITIONAL NOTE
This week, I've learned so much about food and nutrition from the presentations in class that I no longer pay attention to what I eat, which is becoming a huge health problem for me. I strive to improve my health by eating more balanced meals that include fish, meat, and vegetables.
I get stressed out when I consume nutritious things, which could be due to my cooking skills. As a result, I've decided to take a cooking class with my friends in the hopes of becoming a better cook in the future and making myself pleased with what I cook.

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MCLEAN, Virginia-According to a recent consumer survey conducted by Hilton, complimentary breakfast is the top value amenity guests look for when booking a hotel. The survey revealed 73 percent cite unexpected food costs as a major pain point when on the road, and 40 percent of U.S. travelers have stayed at a hotel just to avoid cooking breakfast altogether.

As 60 percent of U.S. travelers are currently planning spring and summer trips, when staying at Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and Home2 Suites by Hilton, they can enjoy their breakfast for free-including omelets, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, sausage or bacon, and potatoes. The 70 percent of U.S. travelers that revealed that pancakes are their top choice on the road will enjoy Tru's new brand offering, a hands-free pancake machine.

"Hilton's brands that offer free hot breakfast allow guests to enjoy breakfast favorites that are oftentimes reserved for special occasions, every time they travel. And, with the added bonus of convenience, it saves guests both time and money, allowing them to make the most of their vacations or time on the road," said Bill Duncan, global category head, focused service and all suites, Hilton. "Our guests can enjoy a variety of delicious offerings, including healthy options, made with high-quality, fresh ingredients each morning, along with our brands' thoughtfully-designed accommodations, value-driven amenities, and exceptional guest service."

When asked if U.S. travelers could have one breakfast item for the rest of their lives, respondents said pancakes, followed by toast and waffles, with bacon topping the list as the favorite breakfast side. Hilton's breakfast offers options that suit both buffet-loving families and those with picky eaters. Ninety-one percent of families pay an average of up to $50 on breakfast alone, with 82 percent reporting they prefer buffets with options to satisfy the entire family.

Time is of the essence when traveling for those hitting the road or filling their day with adventure. Hilton's breakfast is offered right in the hotel, eliminating the need to drive to a restaurant and the wait for food, both of which are among some of the biggest pain points U.S. travelers reported for dining out. Plus, breakfast in the lobby allows guests to grab a plate and bring it back up to their guestroom or head down to enjoy a morning meal.

Only 19 percent of those surveyed say they have time to eat breakfast daily, even though 79 percent feel more productive after eating it in the morning. With Hilton's brands that offer complimentary hot breakfast, U.S. travelers reported it's easier than ever to have a hearty morning meal or grab a quick healthy choice.

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Hilton Survey Finds U.S. Traveler Breakfast Preferences - LODGING

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MCLEAN, Virginia-According to a recent consumer survey conducted by Hilton, complimentary breakfast is the top value amenity guests look for when booking a hotel. The survey revealed 73 percent cite unexpected food costs as a major pain point when on the road, and 40 percent of U.S.

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How artificial intelligence can help us figure out how life began

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I. Vocabulary
1. to be computer-literate
Meaning: able to use computers well
Example: In today’s competitive job market, it is essential to be computerliterate.

2. to computerize something
Meaning: to provide a computer or computers to do the work
Example: The factory has been fully computerized, enabling it to produce more efficiently.

3. advances in technology
Meaning: the improvement or development in technology
Example: Recent advances in medical technology are making a great contribution to the search for a cure for Aids.

4. to download podcasts
Meaning: to save a copy of a file from the internet to your own device
Example: Computer technology is extremely useful for learning a new language. I often download podcasts to improve my listening skills.

5. video conferencing
Meaning: to see and discuss with people in different locations using the Internet.
Example: In the worlds of business and education, video conferencing has enabled people to exchange ideas without travelling across the world.

6. the college intranet
Meaning: a network of computers within a college that can only be accessed by the staff and students to set and mark work, enter into contact etc.
Example: Distance learning in education has been made possible by innovations such as the college intranet system.

7. silver surfer
Meaning: an old person who spends a lot of time using the Internet
Example: Although young people are often more computer-literate than the older generation, nevertheless there are many silver surfers who use the internet all the time.

8. a technological breakthrough
Meaning: an important new discovery in technology
Example: The development of the micro-chip was atechnological breakthrough which transformed the way in which people communicate.

9. discourage real interaction
Meaning: to result in less face-to-face communication with other people
Example: the availability of new communication technologies may also have the result of isolating people and discouraging real interaction.

10. leading-edge technology
Meaning: the most advanced position in technology
Example: Manufacturers of electronic devices always advertise their products as having the latest leading-edge/cutting-edge technology.

11. to become obsolete
Meaning: to be no longer used because something new has been invented
Example: Technological innovation is now so rapid, that even the latest electronic devices soon become obsolete.

12. the digital revolution
Meaning: the advancement of technology to the digital technology available today
Example: The digital revolution has fundamentally changed the way that people work, communicate, behave and even think.

13. labour-saving appliances
Meaning: machines that reduce the amount of work or effort needed to do something.
Example: The technological revolution in the home started with the introduction of labour-saving appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers.

14. to apply something to something
Meaning: to use something or make something work in a particular situation
Example: The new technology applied to farming has led to a huge reduction in the agricultural workforce.

15. to gain access to the internet/to access the internet
Meaning: to have the opportunity to use the internet
Example: Millions of people are able to access the internet in cafes, libraries or other public places.

16. wireless technology
Meaning: using radiowaves to transmit information, rather than wires
Examples: Wireless technology has enabled places such as hotels, airports and coffee shops to offer wi-fi connection to customers wishing to access the internet.

17. e-commerce
Meaning: buying and selling products or services using the internet
Example: Businesses which rely on e-commerce make huge savings on offices, retail outlets and rents paid to landlords who own high-street properties.

18. online shopping
Meaning: shopping while connected to the internet
Example: For people who are physically disabled, or even for people who are simply very busy, online shopping is convenient and may also be cheaper.

19. to go viral
Meaning: to become very popular on the internet
Example: One reason why people sometimes talk about ‘the global village’ is that an image or news on the internet sometimes goes viral and is seen by millions of people worldwide.

20. computer hackers
Meaning: people who find a way of looking at or changing information secretly on somebody’s computer system
Example: One disadvantage of computers is that computer hackers may be able to discover your personal details, such as bank account information.

21. online scams
Meaning: clever and dishonest plans using the internet in order to make money.
Example: Many internet users have been victims of online scams, paying money for goods or services that do not exist or are worthless.

22. to microwave something
Meaning: to cook or heat food very quickly in a microwave oven
Example: The food industry was quick to adapt to the demands of customers who wanted to microwave ready meals after coming home from work.

23. a smart card
Meaning: a small plastic card used to make payments and to store information, which can be read when connected to a computer system.
Example: People rarely need to visit a bank these days, and it is easy and convenient to make purchases using your smart card.

24. supermarket checkouts
Meaning: the place where you go to pay for the things that you have bought
Example: Personal service in shops has been replaced by the impersonal experience of superstore shopping and queues at supermarket checkouts.

25. driverless vehicles
Meaning: cars, buses and other vehicles that have the technology to drive themselves, without a person in control
Example: The first driverless vehicles have already been invented and will soon be seen on the roads.

26. text-messaging
Meaning: the act of sending written messages using a mobile/cell phone
Example: The ability to write using accurate grammar is declining, partly as a result of text-messaging instead of writing letters.

27. robotics technology
Meaning: the design, construction and operation of robots
Example: There are examples of robotics technology everywhere, from space programs to manufacturing.

28.to be in its infancy
Meaning: to be in the early development of something
Example: It is clear that robotics technology is still in its infancy, and it is impossible to imagine the possible future developments.

29. to be superseded by
Meaning: to be replaced by something which is better
Example: The latest technological innovations are usually soon superseded by new and more advanced devices.

30. to become over-reliant on
Meaning: to need something so that your survival or success depends too much on it
Example: Businesses have become over-reliant on complicated computer systems, so that if these systems fail the results will be disastrous.
II.News
2.1 Endlessly recyclable materials could fix our plastic waste crisis

Read more:
One thing chemists do superbly is make bonds between atoms. We are now wading through the consequences of that success: plastic waste that ends up burned, landfilled or floating in the oceans. Plastics are polymers, long chains of molecules linked by strong chemical bonds. This is why they can be hard to degrade or recycle. Snipping apart those chemical bonds, to return to the small molecular building blocks, is often a tricky chemical problem.

There has been varying success in dealing with the main plastics we use. The low-hanging fruit is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used to make plastic bottles. It can simply be shredded and remoulded into fresh bottles. No chemists need apply.

It is a different story with most other important plastics. Take polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is ubiquitous in double-glazed windows and plenty besides. “PVC’s an absolute nightmare,” says chemist Anthony Ryan at the University of Sheffield, UK. There is no known way to recycle it, and even if you did, you would end up with vinyl chloride, a toxic compound that can increase the risk of cancer.

One job for chemists, then, is to devise new reactions that can break plastics into molecules that can be reused. Susannah Scott at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has recently had success doing this with polyolefins, a class of plastic that includes polyethylene. She developed a technique that uses a catalyst to break down these plastics into smaller molecules without having to use bucketloads of heat. These smaller molecules could be used in detergents, paints or pharmaceuticals.
2.2 How artificial intelligence can help us figure out how life began

Read more:
How did Earth turn from a sterile ball of rock into a lush, green world of living things? This question of how life got started is one of the hardest of them all.

Still, we are inching closer to answering it. Several scientists have created things that approximate to life. Late last year, a team led by Josh Bongard at the University of Vermont reprogrammed frog skin cells into “xenobots“. These groups of cells can swim and reproduce, working together to corral loose cells into new versions of themselves.

But if you drill right down to the heart of this question, you reach a bedrock of chemistry. How did a selection of inanimate molecules start joining together and replicating themselves? In the 1950s, chemists Stanley Miller and Harold Urey put a mixture of chemicals in a sealed jar and showed that amino acids, a key ingredient in living things, could be formed spontaneously. That was a big step, but it still doesn’t tell us how those molecules formed a self-replicating system.

This is why chemists are interested in trying to recreate the moment that inanimate chemistry turned into the simplest possible life. There are billions of ways this could have happened. So Lee Cronin at the University of Glasgow, UK, is employing robots to help investigate. He and his team have set up machines that combine a selection of simple substances – acids, inorganic minerals, carbon-based molecules – to react randomly. The outcome is analysed and then an algorithm helps the robot choose how to proceed.
III. Additional notes

This week was the lastbweek of the Advanced Interpreting course, and I ran into Ms Sa, who was in charge of my Interpreting 1 course. This reminds me of the first time I tried to utilize Zoom for my online lesson while I was learning to interpret. Time goes by so quickly. I recall the day I first encountered Interpreting, attempting to understand all of the fundamentals and practicing with some simple paragraphs, and now I am studying the last level of Interpreting, the highest level in the curriculum, with Ms Sa, the first and last instructor in this course of Interpreting. I'm not sure whether I've improved at all over the course, despite numerous opportunities to practice and apply what I've learned.

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How inanimate molecules first arranged themselves into life is one of the great mysteries. The answer could lie in a systematic exploration of chemical space

How did Earth turn from a sterile ball of rock into a lush, green world of living things? This question of how life got started is one of the hardest of them all.

Still, we are inching closer to answering it. Several scientists have created things that approximate to life. Late last year, a team led by Josh Bongard at the University of Vermont reprogrammed frog skin cells into " xenobots ". These groups of cells can swim and reproduce, working together to corral loose cells into new versions of themselves.

But if you drill right down to the heart of this question, you reach a bedrock of chemistry. How did a selection of inanimate molecules start joining together and replicating themselves? In the 1950s, chemists Stanley Miller and Harold Urey put a mixture of chemicals in a sealed jar and showed that amino acids, a key ingredient in living things, could be formed spontaneously. That was a big step, but it still doesn't tell us how those molecules formed a self-replicating system.

This is why chemists are interested in trying to recreate the moment that inanimate chemistry turned into the simplest possible life. There are billions of ways this could have happened. So Lee Cronin at the University of Glasgow, UK, is employing robots to help investigate. He and his team have set up machines that combine a selection of simple substances - acids, inorganic minerals, carbon-based molecules - to react randomly. The outcome is analysed and then an algorithm helps the robot choose how to proceed. In this way, the robot can hunt through vast swathes of ...

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How artificial intelligence can help us figure out how life began

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How inanimate molecules first arranged themselves into life is one of the great mysteries. The answer could lie in a systematic exploration of chemical space How did Earth turn from a sterile ball of rock into a lush, green world of living things?