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.

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 socio-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.
 

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).

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.