CHRISTOPHER CRUISE-Voa

Scott Joplin, 1867-1917: King of Ragtime Music STEVE EMBER: I'm Steve Ember.BARBARA KLEIN: And I'm Barbara Klein with PEOPLE IN AMERICA in VOA Special English. Today we tell about the life and work of one of America's greatest music writers: Scott Joplin, the King of Ragtime.(MUSIC)STEVE EMBER: That song is called "Maple Leaf Rag." Scott Joplin wrote it more than one hundred years ago. The song changed Joplin's life. It was very popular. The composer earned a good living from the sales of the sheet music. He also became famous.But, even today, much about Scott Joplin remains a mystery. There is conflicting information about the most basic facts, like when and where he was born. Official population documents suggest Scott Joplin was born in eighteen sixty-seven or eighteen sixty-eight. He was born in Texas, probably near the border with Arkansas. The Joplins moved to Texarkana, Texas sometime after eighteen seventy-five and Scott grew up there.(MUSIC)BARBARA KLEIN: Scott was the second of seven children born to Giles and Florence Joplin. His father was a freed slave who worked on the railroad. His mother cleaned people's homes.The whole Joplin family was musical. Scott's father played the violin. His mother played the banjo. And all the Joplins enjoyed singing together at home.Scott learned to play several musical instruments. But Florence Joplin wanted her son to learn how to play the piano. When Scott was about seven years old he began taking piano lessons with a music teacher at his school. The Joplins were poor, so Scott's mother paid for the weekly lessons with food. Florence Joplin also got permission for her son to use a piano in one of the houses she cleaned in Texarkana.Florence and Giles Joplin separated before Scott became a teenager. Some experts think Scott blamed himself for the break-up. Many experts also think Scott Joplin's opera "Treemonisha" included incidents of his life with his mother after Giles Joplin left. For example, the character "Treemonisha" receives music lessons paid for by her mother who cleans people's houses.Listen to this aria from the opera. Carmen Balthrop is Treemonisha. (MUSIC)STEVE EMBER: Scott Joplin's early piano lessons did not include ragtime. That kind of music was played in dance and drinking places and was not considered acceptable. Scott first studied classical music with several teachers. They included a German immigrant named Julius Weiss who probably had the strongest influence on the boy.BARBARA KLEIN: Scott left Texas when he was a teenager. He worked as a piano player and gave lessons in the guitar and mandolin. In his twenties he settled in Sedalia, Missouri. He formed a group called the Texas Medley Quartet. The group sometimes traveled great distances to perform. Scott Joplin began his music-writing career in Sedalia. He attended college classes to learn to become a composer.Joplin also got a permanent job in Sedalia playing the piano in a new nightclub. Sedalia's most important citizens visited the Maple Leaf Club. The job permitted Joplin time to write and play his own work.Something even more important happened to Joplin in Sedalia. He met John Stark, the owner of a local music store. In eighty ninety-nine, Stark published the song "Maple Leaf Rag." It was not Joplin's first published music. But it was the he was most proud of.Stark offered to pay Joplin a percentage of each sale of "Maple Leaf Rag" sheet music. This was an extremely unusual business agreement for a white publisher and black composer at that time. Usually, white publishers paid only a small amount of money for full ownership of music written by African-Americans. The agreement was very good for both Scott Joplin and John Stark.(MUSIC)STEVE EMBER: Ragtime music is dance music. It combines a solid, often lively, beat with a looser, complex melody. Most experts agree that the traditional music and dance of American slaves played a big part in the development of ragtime.Here is a perfect example. Scott Joplin and John Stark published "A Breeze From Alabama" in nineteen-oh-two. It is music for a dance called the two-step. (MUSIC)。

By Christopher Cruise26 August, 2012BARBARA KLEIN: Welcome to the VOA Special English program THIS IS AMERICA. I'm Barbara Klein.CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: And I'm Christopher Cruise. This week we tell about several American actors who were widely recognized years ago. But they now are not big stars or famous like they once were. We ask them how they dealt with these changes. (MUSIC)BARBARA KLEIN: Imagine you are one of the most-famous movie stars in the world. Millions of people pay to see your films, and everyone seems to know your name. Thirty years later, you are attending a comic book convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You sit alone, almost unrecognized, waiting for people to com e and shake your hand. Richard Roundtree played the part of police detective John Shaft in three movies in the early nineteen seventies. The movies made him an internationally recognized movie star. Since then, he has had a good career on television shows. But he has never been as famous as he was when he played John Shaft.CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Richard Roundtree was so well-known for the part that he was chosen to play few other roles in the nineteen eighties and nineties. That was because casting directors believed that movie goers could not see him as anyone other than John Shaft.The actor told VOA the fame that came from the Shaft movies was not easy for his family. But he says he missed the recognition when it went away.Actor Richard Roundtree arrives at a church near Memphis, Tennessee, for a "Tribute to Isaac Hayes," who won an Academy Award in 1972 for best song for the "Theme from Shaft" and died of a stroke in August 2008RICHARD ROUNDTREE: "I used to hate it when I was out with my kids at dinner, and whatnot, and being asked for autograph when I really wanted to just enjoy the company I was with. And now that it doesn't happen, there are times when I say ‘Wow, you know,I'm not getting the best seat in the house, I'm not getting the best table.' But I look at the people who are going through that and I said, ‘You know, that's a blessing.' I'm still working, I still have a career. And I'm still [a] viable entity in the industry. So I got the best of both worlds."Richard Roundtree says he once told his father that he was unhappy to be known only as John Shaft. He says his father told him that many people would want to be in his position. The actor told VOA that his father told him to "shut up" and stop complaining.BARBARA KLEIN: Actress Vivica A. Fox was at the same event in Philadelphia as Mr. Roundtree. She appeared in many movies and television shows in the nineteen nineties and in the first few years of the twenty-first century.Back then, Vivica A. Fox was known for her good looks. She is now forty-eight years old. While still beautiful, she is no longer as busy or as famous. Younger actresses are given parts she once played. She says she is not surprised by that.VIVICA A. FOX: "Everyone has a turn. And, and I've never been a person that's been bitter or jaded about a person shining and getting their moment. I believe that there's room for everyone. Everyone has a turn. And how you work your moment is up to you. Because, you know, in a career you should be able to discover several moments, if you transition into different chapters of your career -- being a young ingenue, playing a mom, playing a producer, playing a director. There're different genres for you to get into. You can't always be ‘the one.'"Ms. Fox has taken her own advice. She has moved away from the roles that beautiful, young actresses play to being a beautiful, older actress. She does not appear in as many movies as she did when she was younger, but she stays busy in acting. And for manyactors, that -- and not stardom -- is what matters.(MUSIC)CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Adam West is known as Batman to many people in the United States. He played the role in the Batman television series in the nineteen sixties. The show can still be seen on television stations around the world.Adam West says that after the show was cancelled, he had a difficult time being les s famous than he once was. But he says that period lasted just a short time. Then, he got back to work.Adam West, who played Batman on TV in the 1960s, with a fan in 2002ADAM WEST: "It's a matter of not really examining it. You know, just going along putting one foot in front of the other and not thinking too much about it. And, when work comes along, think about the work. It's no big thing. It's easy. What the heck."Mr. West told VOA that as long as he is paid for his work, that is all that matters. He says being famous does not pay for food, housing and other costs, but work does.BARBARA KLEIN: Burt Ward played Batman's young helper, Robin the Boy Wonder, in the television series. Like Adam West, Burt Ward appears often at fan conventions. Many people pay to see their childhood heroes, and are happy to have their picture taken with them. Mr. Ward told VOA his fame has never really gone away.BURT WARD: "Well actually, the fame is there -- it just takes a different form. I mean, you know, you, you think of our show being prime time, but when I come out here and I meet people, they're just as excited as I was during Batman days. So, it's not that the peoplechange. Maybe, you know, the, the perception is different, but it, honestly, nothing has changed – I'm the same person I was before I made the series that I am now."Reports say Burt Ward was paid very little to play Robin in the television series. But he says he has made a good living appearing at fan conventions over the past forty-five years.Lou Ferrigno also is known for playing a superhero. The former bodybuilder was "The Incredible Hulk," a green-skinned comic book character on the television series of the same name. The show was popular in the late nineteen seventies and early eighties. Lou Ferrigno says he has dealt with the ups and downs of fame by doing different things.Lou Ferrigno, star of the original "Incredible Hulk" in New York in 2004LOU FERRIGNO: "Well, for me, I never really peaked because my life is still growing because I shoot different paths, like bodybuilding, like the movies, like I became a deputy sheriff. So everything is spread out."(MUSIC)CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Finally, John Schneider is best known for playing the role of Bo Duke in "The Dukes of Hazzard." It was one of the most-watched television series in the United States in the early nineteen eighties. John Schneider was in his early twenties when the series began. Now in his early fifties, he is still tall and good-looking. Mr. Schneider says he has a difficult time dealing with the idea that he will never be as famous as he once was.John Schneider, from "The Dukes of Hazzard," autographs a replica of the show's "General Lee" car at the Big Apple Comic Con in New York in 2009JOHN SCHNEIDER: "Part of me still believes that my best days are ahead of me. I see it happen all the time to people. I have a lovely wife, I have lovely children. They get you through a lot of it. But it really, it is devastating to have gone up to bat and hit a grandslam, and hit doubles and triples from that point on. None of its good enough. So, I can'tremember who said it, but I just recently heard somebody say ‘I started at the top and worked my way down.' Sad but true."John Schneider told VOA he thinks the actor James Dean got it right: die young and when you are most-famous. The actor died in a car crash in nineteen fifty-five at the age of twenty-four. Mr. Schneider said that if Dean and the actress Marilyn Monroe had lived, they would probably be making appearances at fan conventions like he does.BARBARA KLEIN: Maggie Jessup and her husband, Jay, operate a business called Platform Strategy. It helps people becom e and stay well-known. Maggie and Jay Jessup wrote a book called "Fame 101." She says actors can avoid losing their fame by being willing to accept different parts -- and by not letting others to define them.MAGGIE JESSUP: "The ones that seem to get pigeonholed are the ones that are so convincing in one character that you can't possibly see them in another. They bring themselves into it instead of become the character. What you need to do is choose a role that is so polar opposite from the one that you're known as and do it convincingly and then people will look at you as an actor."Maggie Jessup says a lot of the stars of today are making the same mistakes as those who have gone before them. As a result, they are not as marketable as they once were. MAGGIE JESSUP: "Especially the younger ones. It seems that they have gotten their start because they've got a really cute face, a very cute personality, they've got the dimples and all the little tweens fall for them. But they never quite break out of that role and at some point you grow out of that role and those little tweens have, you know, grown out of you." Ms. Jessup knows of actors who were once famous, but are no longer as in demand like they once were. She says many of them have a difficult time dealing with the new reality. So she tells her new clients to separate themselves from what others are writing and saying about them. In her words, if you believe everything others say about you, there is nowhere to go but down.MAGGIE JESSUP: "So, if people can go into the business understanding this is a job -- all the publicity, all the press, all the hoopla and all the complime nts and the yes people and those people. If they can understand that that is just part of the job and not let it go to their heads, they stand a possibility of making it. And if they look at it as a business they'll treat it as a business. If they look at is as part of their personality and expect people to bow to them everywhere they go, that's not going to happen!"CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Over the years, a lot has been written about the price of fame. The early Christian philosopher St. Augustine said, "The desire for fam e tempts even noble minds." The writer Henry David Thoreau said he would rather have truth than love, money or fame. And Ardelia Cotton Barton called fame "a bubble on life's wave," that is "tossed about," "a worthless thing." She noted that "all in nature must decay."Perhaps David Nicholls put it best when he said, "to have had fam e, even very minor fam e, and to have lost it, got older and maybe put on a little weight is a kind of living death."(MUSIC)BARBARA KLEIN: And that's THIS IS AMERICA, a VOA program in Special English. Our producer was Brianna Blake. I'm Barbara Klein, with Christopher Cruise, who wrote this week's program. Join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special Engl。

VOA慢速英语：活动家继续往朝鲜放气球Activists to Continue Launching Balloons into North KoreaBy Christopher Cruise19 October, 2021Activists in South Korea are working to bring news and information to North Koreans. Recently, a group of activists launched balloons full of leaflets into North Korean airspace. The pieces of paper carried messages and other information.After the balloon launch, North and South Korean troops exchanged gunfire along the border. In addition, North Korean officials threatened to cancel talks aimed at improving relations between the two sides.VOA recently spoke with the leader of one of the activist groups. He says he and the others will continue with their efforts to bring news from the outside world into North Korea.Lee Min-bok is a North Korean who sought asylum in South Korea. Mr. Lee leads a group called the Campaign for Helping North Korea in a Direct Way. It uses balloons to send printed leaflets, CDs and even little radios to North Korea. The activists say they want to give North Koreans the chance to receive news and information without restrictions from the government.Mr. Lee says the balloon launch is "a primitive humanitarian activity for human rights which opens the eyes, ears and mouths of the North Korean people that have been closed by the North Korean regime."The North Korean government tightly controls thecountry's news media and use of the Internet. Lee Min-bok and other activists in South Korea launch thousands of balloons into North Korea every year. Mr. Lee says the North does not know about most of the launches. But a recent launch led to a military exchange of gunfire at the border, and increased tensions between the two countries.North Korea reacted through KRT, the state-operated television station. It threatened to answer the launches with deadly attacks and cancel high-level talks to ease military tensions.The presenter said "if South Korea truly wants a good relationship with North Korea, it must respect us first."Military officials on both sides reportedly met to discuss the recent launch.Lim Byeong-cheol is with South Korea's Unification Ministry. He says the government does not have the power to stop balloon launches.He says "the government has been calling on the groups to make careful and wise decisions on sending anti-North Korea leaflets due to concern for people's safety."Lee Min-bok says he understands the risks and concerns, but he does not plan to stop.He says "I don't do this for political reasons. This activity is justified in the spirit of the constitution. But the activity must be done more quietly."Mr. Lee says he does not think the balloon launches will incite a military conflict between the North and South. He says that when the winds permit them to launch more balloons, the activists will do so.I'm Christopher Cruise.This story was reported by VOA Correspondent Brian Padden and VOA News Producer Youmi Kim. They reported from Seoul. Christopher Cruise wrote, narrated and produced this storyfor Learning English. The editor was George Grow._____________________________________________________________Words from this Storyexchange – v. to direct (words, looks, gunfire) at each otherrelations – n. the way in which two or more people, groups, countries talk to, behave toward, and deal with each otherthreatened – adj. to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially in order to make someone do what you wantasylum – n. protection given by a government to someone who has left another country in order to escape being harmedcontrols – v. to set or adjust the amount, degree, or rate of (something)Now it's your turn to use these Words from this Story. In the comments section below, write a sentence using one ofthese words and we will provide feedback on your use of vocabulary and grammar.。

This is Science in the News, in VOA Special English. I'm Christopher Cruise.Today we tell about experiments at a major university in the central United States. Northwestern University researchers are studying how music affects the human brain. Jim Tedder has the story.It doesn't matter whether you play a guitar, a piano, a horn, or a drum. And what kind of music you play is not important. Maybe you like to play classical music like this.Dwight Yoakam performing at a music awards ceremony in JuneOr maybe you like to play this kind of music.Or this...Or even this...Just play it! It will do good things for your body because..."We've known for some time that playing a musical instrument can change the anatomy as well as the function...the way the brain works."Nina Kraus is a professor at Northwestern University near Chicago, Illinois. She is also the head of the Auditory-Neuroscience Laboratory, where she investigates how music affects the human body.Recently, she did tests in her lab using forty-five volunteers. Some of them had taken music classes and played an instrument, and others had not."People will play and study a musical instrument for some time in their lives and then that's it! And we wanted to know did this early experience have a lasting effect on the way the nervous system responded to sound."Professor Kraus began by gently placing electrodes onto the heads of the volunteers. The wires from these electrical devices were then connected to a computer."Nerves in your brain that respond to sound give off electricity, and we can capture that electricity, and we can determine how does your nervous system respond to speech, to music, to elements of sound that we think are important for communication." One of the simplest sounds played for the volunteers was "da". Listen carefully because the sound is very short and quick. Here is the sound again.After the human brain processed the sound, it sounded like this.That sound came through the computer and was played on a speaker. Again...The volunteers also heard other sounds, like this music from the British rock group Deep Purple. Here is a very small part of the song "Smoke on the Water." Listen carefully.Now, here is what it sounded like on a speaker after going through the brain of a volunteer.The second sound is not as clear as the first, but it provided the information needed to be studied on a computer screen. Ms. Kraus says she could see an important difference in the way the processed sounds looked."These young adults who received formal music instruction as children had more robust neural responses to sound than peers who had never participated in music lessons."She says she could look at the computer screen and easily see who was a musician, and who was not. The computer screen's graph, or picture of the sound, was larger for the volunteers who played music.Every sound we hear has a main or "fundamental" frequency. This helps us determine the "pitch". In music, that helps us decide if one sound, or musical note, is higher or lower than another. So, for a musician..."The responses to this fundamental frequency that carries pitch information was simply larger in magnitude...the voltages...the electrical activity was larger in response to these pitch elements."Professor Kraus says the people tested in the experiment could have been listening to any kind of sound, or any kind of music. They could even have been asleep. She could still see how their brains were understanding and identifying what they were hearing.So now we know that the brains of musicians are different from those of other people. What is the big deal? Why is this important? According to Nina Kraus, that matters a lot as we get older. Many people notice that, as the years go by, their hearing gets worse. Just hearing an old friend's voice in a noisy place can be difficult. But if you have ever played a musical instrument..."Your nervous system automatically gets good at responding to sounds that the brain has learned are important."So ... ... ..."If you're talking to me in a noisy restaurant and my nervous system is very good at locking onto the sound of your voice, then I'm going to be better able to understand what it is that you say."The research at Northwestern University shows that playing a musical instrument is good for your brain. And although our ears may not work as well as we age, the brain remembers how to "lock onto" the important sounds. And that helps us to hear better."Musicians become quite good a being able to pull out the part of the sound that they are interested in listening to. For example, the sound of their own instrument."And there is something else good about playing music...if I could only remember...Oh, yes! Our brains get better at remembering things. When we play a piano, for instance, we force our brains to remember the note we just played. If your brain could talk, it might ask itself, is that the right sound? Or is it this one? Should I play the notes like this? Or this? Does this sound better with a major chord...a happier sound? Or a minor chord, a sadder sound? Ms. Kraus says when we play a musical instrument we are exercising and making important electrical connections, orpathways, in our brains. This might even help our brains when we are trying to learn another language, or a new subject in school. So, if learning to play a simple song is good, is it better to try to learn to play something much more complex, like Bach or Chopin, for example? Professor Kraus says she has yet to test that proposal, but ..."We know that pushing ourselves, physically or intellectually, is very good for the development of the nervous system. Certainly the more challenging the task and the more engaging the task, the stronger the connections are likely to be." Over twenty years ago, a French scientist wrote about what he called the "Mozart Effect". He said that just listening to the classical music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart could help the human brain. Some researchers said that Mozart's music would make you smarter, or even help your brain cure some health disorders. Others said that there was nothing special about Mozart's music. Any kind of high energy music would work. So if the cost of a musical instrument or music lessons is too costly, can we get the same brain experience just by listening? Ms. Kraus says...no."Usually people do have teachers, or they can teach themselves. But the point is they're actively playing a musical instrument. They're actively engaging in making music. We're not talking about the effects of simply passively listening to music. I like to give the analogy that you are not going to get physically fit by watching spectator sports."Professor Kraus thinks it would be a very good thing if young people around the world could take music lessons in school. Even in difficult economic times, she urges school teachers and the administrators who control the money, not to cut back on musical training."Music, beyond being inherently a wonderful activity in and of itself, seems to confer benefits that extend outside the music domain, and extend into areas that are very, very important for human communication."A report on the study was published in the August twenty-second edition of "The Journal of Neuroscience." There is much more about Nina Kraus' work at her website:.She is sure that playing a musical instrument is a really good and important thing to do. It is fun, and it helps your brain, now and in the future."I'm a biologist and I study learning. Whether it's music or anything that we engage in, we are what we do. And our nervous system really changes according to how we spend our time."。

IntroductionThe Blackwing BW 635RG is an ultralight two-seater aeroplane designed for recreational flying and training purposes. It features a sleek and modern design, with a composite airframe and a low-wing configuration. The Blackwing has a cruising speed of up to 120 knots and a range of approximately 700 nautical miles, making it suitable for both short and long-distance flights. The cockpit is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, including a glass cockpit display and an autopilot system. The Blackwing is also known for its superior handling and stability, making it a popular choice among flying enthusiasts and flight schools. The BW 635RG is powered by the venerable Rotax 915 iS engine.Development Credits:Mal Cartwright Product LeadRuss White3D Modelling, Interior and Exterior TexturingJack Lavigne IntegrationHarry Stringer AnimationPropAir Flight Model and SystemsJordan Gough ManualWith special thanks to our Beta Testers:Rob Abernathy John BurgessNick Cooper John DowMatt McGee Darryl WightmanTable of ContentsIntroduction (2)Development Credits: (2)With special thanks to our Beta Testers: (2)Table of Contents (3)Notes on Hardware (4)Overview (5)Aircraft Limitations (6)Airspeed Limitations (6)Engine Limitations (6)Operating Conditions (6)Fuel (7)Other Limitations (7)Emergency Procedures (8)Engine Failure on the Take-off Roll (8)Engine Failure after Take-off (8)Glide Performance (8)Emergency Landing (9)Spin Recovery (9)Normal Procedures (10)Before Starting Engine (10)Starting Engine (10)Before Taxiing (11)Taxiing (11)Engine Runup (11)Before Take-off (11)Take-Off (12)Initial Climb (12)Cruise Climb (12)Cruise (12)Landing (13)Balked Landing (13)After Landing (13)Securing Aircraft (14)Basic Performance (15)Stall Speeds (15)Take-Off Performance (15)Landing Performance (16)Systems Description (17)Instrument Panel Layout (17)Switch Logic and Electrical System (18)Master Switch (18)Fuel Pump Switch (19)LAND/TAXI Switch (19)Strobe/Nav Switch (19)Electrical System Diagram (20)Engine (21)Propeller (21)Fuel (21)Notes on HardwareDue to the unusual 3-position switches in this aircraft, conventional hardware 2position toggle switches (eg. strobe or nav light switches) cannot be translated tothe single 3-position switch which combine these.Additionally, as this aircraft utilises a single level power control (throttle), conventional throttle/prop/mixture hardware may interfere with the function of this system, and not work as intended. It is recommended to place your propeller and mixture levers in the IDLE position, and not move them while the engine is running.OverviewThe Orbx BW 635RG has been developed using official documentation and Computer Aided Design (CAD) resources from Blackwing Sweden. As a result, the aeroplane has been created through masterful modelling, texturing, systems integration, and flight model development.Figure 1 – Aircraft 3-viewAircraft DimensionsLength 6.6m Height 2.2m Wingspan8.4mWeightsBasic Empty Weight 375kg Maximum Take-off Weight 600kg Maximum Fuel Capacity (Litres)130LThe content in this manual and the operation of the BW 635RG in Microsoft Flight Simulator strictly must not be used as reference material in any form for operating the real aircraft.Aircraft LimitationsAirspeed LimitationsAirspeed Description Airspeed (KIAS) RemarksVne Never Exceed Speed 157 Must not exceed this speed in any operation.Va Manoeuvring Speed 109 If full or abrupt control deflection is made, the airframe may be overstressed.Vfe1 Max flap extended speed20 degrees90 Maximum speed for flaps 20°Vfe2 Max flap extended speed35-45 degrees 70 Maximum speed for flaps 35-45°Vlo Maximum landing gearoperating speed 70Do not extended or retract the landing gearabove this speed.Vle Maximum landing gear extended speed 90 Do not exceed this speed with the landing gearalready down.Vs0 Stall speed flaps/gearextended 38 Stall speed with gear down/flaps >0° and in level flight at MTOWVs1 Stall speed clean 49 Stall speed flaps retracted, gear up and in level flight at MTOWEngine LimitationsEngineEngine Manufacturer Rotax Engine Model Rotax 915 iSMaximum Power Take-off (Max 5 min.) 141 hp Continuous 135 hpMaximum RPM Take-off (Max 5 min.) 5800 Continuous 5500Critical Altitude 15000ft AMSL Maximum OperatingAltitude23000ft AMSL Operating ConditionsAerobatic manoeuvres, flight in IFR conditionsand flights in icing conditions are prohibited inthis aircraft.FuelFuel TanksLeft Right Litres US Gal Litres US GalTotal Fuel in Tank 67.5 17.8 62.5 16.5Unusable Fuel 2.5 0.7 2.5 0.7 Total Useable Fuel in Tanks 66.5 17.6 61.5 16.2Other LimitationsMaximum demonstrated crosswind for the BW 635RG is 20 knots.Emergency ProceduresNote: The following procedures have been modified to be suitable for simulation. It does not cover emergencies that are a) not simulated and b) not reasonable. Checklist items from the real procedures have been omitted and these procedures must not under any circumstances be used for training purposes.Engine Failure on the Take-off RollThrottle: IDLEIgnition: OFFFuel Pump: MAIN (DOWN POS)Brakes: APPLYWhen stopped: SECURE AIRCRAFTEngine Failure after Take-offNose: IMMEDIATELY LOWERAirspeed: 65 KNOTSLanding Area: DETERMINE WITHIN 30° OF NOSEFlaps: USE AS REQUIREDLanding Gear: USE DESCRETIONFuel Selector: OFFIgnition: OFFMaster Switch: OFFGlide PerformanceThe BW 635RG, the approximate performance for a glide is 65 KIAS which willgive approximately a 545ft/min rate of descent in the clean configuration.Glide performance will degrade significantly on extension of flaps and landinggear.Emergency LandingAirspeed: 65 KIASField: PICK BEST OPTIONLanding Gear: USE DISCRETION DEPENDING ON FIELD TYPEFlaps: AS REQUIREDFuel Selector: OFFIgnition: OFFFuel Pump: MAIN (down)Master Switch: OFF BEFORE LANDINGSpin RecoveryThrottle: IDLEControl Stick: AILERON NEUTRALRudder: FULL OPPOSITE TO DIRECTION OF ROTATIONControl Stick: POSITIVELY FORWARD OF NEUTRALRudder: NEUTRAL WHEN ROTATION STOPSControl Stick: SMOOTHLY PULL OUT OF DIVEWARNING:INTENTIONAL SPINS ARE NOT APPROVED INTHIS AIRCRAFT.Normal ProceduresNote: The pre-flight inspection portion of the normal procedures has been removed due to impracticality in the simulator.Before Starting EngineIgnition: OFFMaster Switch: OFF (down)Backup Battery: OFF/AUTO (down)Landing Gear Lever: DOWNCircuit Breakers: INCanopy CLOSED (CLICKING THE LATCHON THE INSIDE LEFT SIDEWALL.) Starting EngineParking Brake: HOLD TOE BRAKES AND ENGAGE PARKINGBRAKEMaster Switch: ENGINE START (middle position)Fuel Selector: SETFuel Gauge: CHECKFuel Pump: BOTH (up)Ignition: BOTHNav Lights: STROBE (middle position)Throttle: SET ½-1 INCH OPENIgnition: STARTOil Pressure: GREEN WITHIN 10 SECWarnings: NONEBefore TaxiingMaster Switch: NORMAL OPERATION (up)Altimeter: SETAvionics: SETParking Brake: DISENGAGETaxiingInstruments: CHECKED (COMPASS/HSI/BALL/ATT) Engine RunupParking Brake: ENGAGERPM: 2500 RPMFuel Pump: CYCLE, CHECK FUEL PRESSUREIdle: CHECK IDLE 1800 +/- 100 RPM Before Take-offCanopy: CLOSED AND LOCKEDFlaps: 1 STAGE (20°)Elevator Trim: SET FOR TAKE-OFFEngine Instruments: NORMALLanding Light: ON (up)Controls: FULL FREE AND CORRECT MOVEMENTParking Brake: DISENGAGETake-OffThrottle: FULLControls: NEUTRAL45 Knots: ROTATEAccelerate: NOSE ON HORIZON, ACCEL TO 80 KIASPositive Rate of Climb: GEAR UPLanding Light: OFF (down)Flaps: RETRACT ABOVE 500’ AGLInitial ClimbThrottle: MAX CONTINUOUS (5500 RPM)Airspeed: 90 KIASFuel Pump: MAIN (down) ABOVE 500’ AGL Cruise ClimbThrottle: MAX CONTINUOUS (5500 RPM)Airspeed: 130 KIASCruiseThrottle: 55-75% PowerAirspeed: 120-157 KIAS (<130 KIAS IN TURB)LandingFuel: QTY CHECKEDFuel Selector: FULLEST TANKFuel Pump: BOTH (up position)Airspeed: 90 KIASFlaps: EXTEND FLAP 1 <90 KIASDownwind Airspeed: 65 KIASLanding Gear: DOWN @ 65 KIAS; CHECK 3 GREENLanding Light: ON (up position)Base Leg: EXTEND FLAP 2 < 65 KIASFinal Approach Airspeed: 60 KIASBalked LandingThrottle: SMOOTHLY INCREASEAirspeed: 60 KIASTrim: COURSE TRIM TO RELIEVE PRESSUREFlaps: RETRACT TO POSITION 1 (20°)Gear: UPTrim: TRIM FOR CLIMBAfter LandingFlaps: RETRACTExterior Lights: AS REQ’DFuel Pump: MAIN (down)Securing AircraftParking Brake: ENGAGEDThrottle: IDLESwitches: ALL OFF EXCEPT ACL AND MASTERIgnition: OFFNav Lights: OFF (down)Master Switch: OFFBasic PerformanceStall SpeedsMTOW 600kg | CG 32% MAC | Power Idle | Level FlightFlap Position Stall Speed (KIAS) 0° 49 20° 44 35° 39 45°38Take-Off PerformanceMTOW | ISA CONDITIONS | SEA LEVEL | FLAPS 1 (20°) | MTOW (600kg)Cruise PerformanceRunway Surface Ground RollOver 50ft Obstacleft mft mPaved Runway328 100 656 200 Unpaved (Grass) Runway 361110689208Pressure Altitude Power (%) TAS Fuel Flow LPH MAP (inHg) Endurance(hr)Range (nm) 500055 161 19.7 30 5.8 941 65 170 23.3 34.1 4.9 827 7517826.937.44.1738Landing PerformanceMTOW | ISA CONDITIONS | FLAPS 2 (35°) | MTOW (600kg) | Speed 1.3 x VsoRunway Surface Ground Roll Over 50ft Obstacle ft m ft mPaved Runway 525 160 951 290 Unpaved (Grass) Runway 558 170 984 300Systems Description Instrument Panel LayoutSwitch Logic and Electrical SystemThe electrical switches in the BW 635RG are 3-position switches. These are generally known as “DOWN”, “MIDDLE” and “UP”. They are briefly explained below.Master SwitchThe MASTER switch functions in a unique way, with the following switch logic:1.When the MASTER switch is DOWN, all battery power is off. There will beno electrical power provided to the aircraft.•Note: The engine CANNOT be shut down when the master switch isoff. Electrical power must be present for the engine to turn off.2.When the MASTER switch is in the MIDDLE (Engine Start) position, limitedsystem functionality will be present. The backup battery will be activatedand power the following systems:•Primary Flight Display•Compass•AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System)•Radio3.When the MASTER switch is UP (Normal Operation), full electrical supplywill be provided to the aircraft. The following systems will be powered on: •Note: the engine CANNOT be started with the MASTER switch in theUP position. If the engine won’t start, check the switch is in theMIDDLE position•Multi-Function Display•Transponder•Autopilot•Audio panel•STBY instruments•Pitot Heat•Main battery is disconnected from running engine. Alternatorprovides power.See Section NORMAL PROCEDURES for positioning of the MASTER switch.Fuel Pump SwitchThe Fuel Pump switch also has some advanced logic to it, due to two fuel pumpsbeing present, however, to put it simply, it operates in the following way:1.In the DOWN position, the main fuel pump is in use.2.In the MIDDLE position, the auxiliary fuel pump is in use.3.In the UP position, both fuel pumps will be on.LAND/TAXI SwitchThe LAND/TAXI switch powers the Taxi and Landing lights. It operates in the following logic:1.In the DOWN position, both lights will be OFF.2.In the MIDDLE position, the taxi light will switch on when the landinggear is extended.3.In the UP position, the Landing Light will switch on when the landinggear is extended.Strobe/Nav SwitchThe Strobe/Nav switch powers the Navigation (Red/Green) and Strobe (flashingwhite) lights. It operates in the following logic:1.In the DOWN position, both lights will be OFF.2.In the MIDDLE position, the STROBE light will be on.3.In the UP position, both the strobe and Nav lights will be on.Electrical System DiagramThe BW 635RG’s electrical system is modelled in the following way in Microsoft Flight Simulator.Because the starter system is connected to the BACKUP BUS, this means you cannot start the engine with the MASTER switch in the UP position, due to the BACKUP BUS being disconnected from the circuit once the MAIN BAT BUS is powered.Page 21 of 21User Guide v1.0 –RevisionEngineThe BW 635RG is powered by the Rotax 915iS. The Rotax 915iS is a four-stroke, four-cylinder, fuel-injected, turbocharged aircraft engine with a maximum power output of141 horsepower. The engine utilizes electronic fuel injection (EFI) technology toprovide precise fuel delivery and improved fuel efficiency. It also features a modernliquid-cooling system and a dual electronic ignition system for reliable performance.The Rotax 915iS engine has a maximum operating RPM of 5,200, with a recommended continuous operation range of 5,000 RPM or less.PropellerThe propeller is a 3-blade wood-composite design, which is hydraulically adjustable for operation at various pitch angles, controlled independently of the pilot. The propeller is linked to the engine through an electronically controlled governor, where RPM isadjusted in accordance with the position of the throttle control. This pitch curve cannot be adjusted in flight, however is designed to ensure maximum performance in allphases of flight.FuelBoth wings have fuel tanks, which are fed to the engine via electric fuel pumps. Fuelsystem information is fed via sensors to the Garmin avionics suite and can be viewedon the displays inside the cockpit.AIRPLANE WEIGHTSBasic Empty Weight……………………….…375 KgMaximum Takeoff Weight…………………..600 KgMaximum Fuel Weight………………………...95 Kg Maximum Landing Weight………………….600 Kg TANK USABLE FUEL LEFT WING TANK67.5 litres 17.8 US Gallons RIGHT WING TANK62.5 litres 16.5 US Gallons TOTAL 130 litres34.3 US GallonsFUEL CAPACITY AIRSPEEDS Never Exceed Speed ……….…………….173 KIAS Max Structural Cruising Speed…………..156 KIAS Maneuvering Speed MTOW……………….109 KIAS Initial Climb………………………………………80 KIASBest Angle Climb……………………………….75 KIASBest Rate of Climb……………………………..90 KIASMax Flap Ext 20°……………………..............90 KIASMax Flap Ext 35-45°……………………………70 KIASMax Landing Gear Operation……………….70 KIASMax Landing Gear Extended………………..90 KIASPlanned Cruise TAS………………………….130 KIASFinal Approach Speed………………………..60 KIAS POWERPLANT LIMITATIONSENGINE LIMITS (RPM)Take-off (5 Minutes)………....5800 RPM Max Continuous……………….5500 RPMALTITUDE LIMITSMaximum Operating Altitude………………23 000ftFor Microsoft Flight Simulator Use Only0-12023 Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd BW 635RG QUICK REFERENCESHEETIssued: 21 Apr 2023Revised: 21 Apr 20230-2PROCEDURESBEFORE STARTING ENGINEPreflight Inspection………………………….COMPLETECrew Briefing………………………………….COMPLETEIgnition…………………………………………………….OFFMaster Switch…………………………………………..OFFBackup Battery …..…………………………….OFF/AUTOLanding Gear Lever………………………………..DOWNCircuit Breakers…………………………………………..IN Canopy………………………………………………CLOSED STARTING ENGINEArea……………………………………………………..CLEARParking Brake……………….HOLD TOE BRAKES ANDENGAGEMaster Switch …..……………….ENGINE START (MID)Fuel Selector…………………………………………….SETFuel Pump………………………………………BOTH (UP)Ignition………………………………………………….BOTHExternal Lights……………………………………..AS REQThrottle ………………………..………..Τ12-1 INCH OPENIgnition………………………………………………….START AFTER START Oil Pressure.…………………………………………RISING Master Switch ……………………………..NORMAL (UP)Radios………………………………………………………SET Altimeter…………………………………………………..SET ATIS and Clearance…………………………..OBTAINEDBEFORE TAXIBrakes/Park Brake ………………………….DISENGAGEFlight Instruments……………………………..CHECKEDCompass…………………………………………CHECKED BEFORE TAKEOFFCanopy/Harnesses………………………………SECURE Flaps…………………………………….……1 STAGE (20°)Trim ..……………………………………SET FOR TAKEOFF Flight Instruments………………………………………SET Engine Instruments………………CHECKED NORMAL Avionics…………………………………………………….SET External Lights………………………………………AS REQ Flight Controls…………..FULL, FREE AND CORRECT Takeoff Safety Brief………………………….DELIVERED TAKEOFFBrakes/Park Brake………………………….DISENGAGEPower…………SMOOTHLY INCREASE TO MAXIMUM45 knots………………………………………………ROTATEAccelerate……….…NOSE ON HORIZON, TO 80 KTSPositive Rate of Climb………………………….GEAR UPLanding Light.……………………………….OFF (DOWN)Flaps ………………………..RETRACT ABOVE 500’ AGLMEMORY ITEMS 2023 Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd ENGINE RUN UP Parking Brake ……………………………………..ENGAGE Engine Instruments……………………………CHECKED Engine RPM…………………………………SET 2500 RPM Fuel Pump…………………………………………….CYCLE Idle …………………..…..CHECK IDLE 1800 ±100RPM Navigation Equipment …..…………………………….SETFor Microsoft Flight Simulator Use OnlyIssued: 21 Apr 2023Revised: 21 Apr 2023AFTER TAKEOFF Engine Instruments……………………..WITHIN LIMITS Climb Speed…………………………………………90 KIAS Fuel Pump………….MAIN (DOWN ) ABOVE 500’ AGL0-3CRUISEPower….……………………………………….SET 55-75%Airspeed…..……….120-157KTS (<130KTS IN TURB.)DESCENTAltimeter…………………………………………………..SETFuel Selector………………………………FULLEST TANKPower Lever………………….AS REQUIRED FOR RODApproach Brief………………………………PLETE BEFORE LANDINGBrakes……………………………………………………..OFFFuel ………….………………………………QTY CHECKEDFuel Selector………………………………FULLEST TANK Fuel Pump……….………………………………BOTH (UP)LANDINGDOWNWINDAirspeed….………………………………………….90 KIASFlaps….………………………………………STAGE 1 (20°)Airspeed………….………………………………….65 KIASLanding Gear…..…………………….DOWN @ 65 KIASCHECK 3 GREENLanding Light………………………………………ON (UP)BASEFlaps…………………………… STAGE 2 (35°) < 65 KIASFINALAirspeed………….………………………………….60 KIASTouchdown ……………………….MAIN WHEELS FIRSTStick………………………………………………FULL BACK Brakes…………………………………………………..APPLYAFTER LANDING Flaps………………………………………………..RETRACT Landing Lights…………………………………………..OFFFuel Pump….………………………………MAIN (DOWN)SHUTDOWNParking Brake ……………………………………..ENGAGE Throttle……………………………………………………IDLE Switches….………………………….OFF EXCL. MASTERIgnition..…………………………………………………..OFFLights….……………………………………….OFF (DOWN)Master Switch..……………………………..OFF (DOWN)MEMORY ITEMS 2023 Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd For Microsoft Flight Simulator Use OnlyPROCEDURESIssued: 21 Apr 2023Revised: 21 Apr 2023。

VOA慢速英语听力:海洋状况影响人类健康From VOA Learning English, this is SCIENCE IN THE NEWS in Special English. I’m Shirley Griffith.And I’m Christopher Cruise. Today, we tell about a new way to measure the health of the world’s oceans. We also tell about efforts to develop medicines from underwater organisms. And we tell about a newly identified species found in the Caribbean Sea.A new system has been developed to measure the health of the world’s oceans. Scientists say the system will change the way we think about oceans and how they affect our lives. It is called the Ocean Health Index. The index is designed to tell if anything is wrong with the oceans and, if so, what can be done about it.Greg Stone is chief ocean scientist for the environmental group Conservation International. He is also vice-chairman of the Global Agenda Council on Oceans at the World Economic Forum.Scientists calloceans the world’s most important resource. (Conservation International)”The Ocean Health Index is the first global, totally scientific and transparent measure of ocean health that we’ve ever had. It’s meant to guide policymakers and the public to the underlying importance that the oceans are the life support system of the Earth and that we’d better take care of them if we are to survive on this planet.”Greg Stone spoke to VOA from the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. Representatives from sixteen island nations met there earlier this year to talk about caring for the ocean. Mr. Stone says oceans are the Earth’s most important resource.“You can’t manage anything that you can’t measure. So, like any good portfolio investments, if you want to make sure you are prospering and you’re taking care of your investments -- and believe me, the health of our planet is no greater investment that there could be -- you need a metric in order to measure it and see that we have a sustainable relationship with this resource on an ongoing basis.”He says the Ocean Health Index will help end alot of ignorance about the seas.“You may have heard from one source or another that, ‘Oh, hey, the oceans are in trouble’ and you say ‘Why are they in trouble?’ And then somebody says ‘Well, the coral reefs are dying.’ And then the next day someone will tell you that ‘the tuna fish are all g one’ or ‘the haddock are all gone’ or ‘the halibut are all gone.’ And you say ‘Oh OK, I hear that.’ And then someone else will say ‘The oceans are turning acidic’ -- which they are. It’s been a very confusing landscape of information.”And he says whether you live in the United States or in the middle of Africa, you should care about what happens to the oceans.“Most of the oxygen that you breathe comes from the ocean. The oceans are the primary climate adaptation system. They absorb carbon. Hey, listen, if you want to know what the Earth would be like without an ocean you’ve got plenty of examples in our solar system -- all those hot, dusty, dry, cold inhospitable places are basically that way because they do not have a liquid ocean to provide all these benefits, includingfood. One out of four people on the planet get their daily source of protein from the ocean.”The Ocean Health Index uses two hundred separate measurements. Once a year, scientists will use it to announce whether the oceans successfully passed the test.People have looked to nature for medicines since ancient times. And modern scientists have searched the world’s rainforests for new medicines. But the ocean may be an even better source. At least twenty-six drugs that come from sea organisms are currently being used or developed. And a new generation of chemists hopes to increase that number.Chemist Mande Holford has an unusual partner in her hunt for new medicines: a fierce, little snail that eats fish. But she admits that her studies of the creature are not all scientific.“I fell in love with snails because their shells are gorgeous.”Yet the tongue-like proboscides of the snails are deadly. They inject their victims with venom made of poisonous chains of amino acids called peptides.“What I like to say is that the snails produce sort of a cluster bomb. Inside of each venom, you have between fifty to two hundred peptides, and all of those peptides target something major along the nervous system. One thing that they hit is a pain signal. When they silence the pain signal, the prey doesn’t go into fight or flight mode.”So the fish stays calmer than it normally would, even as it is being eaten! Mande Holford says chemists have already had one major success using the snail’s peptides. It is a drug called Prialt. It eases pain for people with cancer and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.“On your neurons, you have these ‘gates’ that allow things to pass back and forth. The gate that controls chronic pain, they found a way to shut it down using one of the peptides.”At first, Mande Holford may have wanted to study snails because of their beauty. But she is part of a larger movement toward marine, or undersea, research.David Newman directs the Natural Products Branch of America’s National Cancer Institute.“We’ve found some absolutely fascinatingchemistry.”After years of collecting organisms on land, Mr. Newman’s team now collects only sea creatures such as sponges or corals. He says that because these creatures cannot move, they use chemicals to fight.“I have been known to say that weapons of mass destruction are alive and well on a coral reef, if you happen to be a fellow sponge who’s trying to encroach or you’re a starfish that’s trying to eat the spon ge. These are extremely toxic agents because of the dilution effect of seawater.”For an organization looking for ways to kill cancerous cells, such powerful chemicals are an inviting weapon.William Fenical directs the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine at the Scripps Institute for Oceanography in California. He says that about nine kilometers underwater lies what may be an even more promising source of medicine -- mud.“Close to seventy percent of the surface of the earth is really d eep ocean mud.”His team studies microorganisms living on theocean floor.“These muds contain about one billion cells in the volume of a sugar cube.”For comparison, that is one-million times the organic matter you are likely to find in a similar amount of soil on land. The large number of sea creatures excites Mr. Fenical.“For the last fifty years, microorganisms that occur on land have been exploited for the production of antibiotics, cancer drugs, and cholesterol-lowering drugs. What we believe is that the ocean is a completely new resource for such microbial products.”His team already has two drugs in development. And he believes there will be many discoveries of ocean-based medicines.A small blood-sucking crustacean has been discovered in the Caribbean waters off the Virgin Islands. The creature may help increase scientists’ understanding of how disease is passed among marine animals.The new species is called Gnathia marleyi. It was named for the reggae star Bob Marley. Paul Sikkel isa marine biologist at Arkansas State University. He says the species is the first new find in the crustacean-like gnathiid family in twenty years.“What’s interesting about them is that they’re only parasitic in the juvenile stage. So they only feed when they are juveniles, and they go through three different juvenile stages -- one bigger than the other, each bigger than the other. And they look a little bit like, like ticks or fleas. They look very similar to, you know, to terrestrial blood feeding organisms.”Paul Sikkel captured the juvenile marleyi at what researchers call a “cleaning station.” That is a place on the coral reef where big fish gather so smaller fish and shrimp can eat parasites that have joined to their skin. Parasites depend on other creatures for food and shelter. However, the adult male marleyi do not eat. They just mate and die.Mr. Sikkel studied the species in a laboratory.“Adult males look a little bit like bulldozers. They have square heads, and they have these pincers on their head and they are very cool-looking. And thefemales -- small head and a really big body that’s full of eggs.”About eighty percent of all organisms found on coral reefs are parasites. Gnathiids are among the most important parasites in the oceans. Mr. Sikkel says the levels of gnathiids can show how healthy a reef is. In some waters, he is seeing fish more heavily covered with gnathiids -- marleyi among them.“Too many gnathiids hurt the fish and too little coral, we think, leads to more gnathiids. So in a, in a nice healthy, you know, coral-rich environment, we don’t find very many gnathiids -- fish, you know, just get a few of them. But in areas where there isn’t much live coral, there are a lot more gnathiids and the fish get much heavier loads on them.”Mr. Sikkel suspects that Gnathia marleyi may also be important in passing a malaria-like fish disease that weakens the animal’s natural defenses. His team is currently studying whether this pathogen is also present in the Caribbean.“And then from there, once we find the species of fish that are infected, then we’ll do experimentsto determine whether or not the gnathia marleyi actually plays a role in transmitting those blood-born organisms.”Paul Sikkel hopes his discovery will lead to more information about parasites and the effect they can have on marine environments.。

This is the VOA Special English Education Report.High school students in Asia often do better than American students on international math and science tests. Experts say part of this is because schools in countries like China and South Korea do better at preparing students to take tests. Yet some of these same countries want to learn what makes American students good at creativity and critical thinking.Foreign educators often visit Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington. This past summer, seventy-five school principals visited from China.Evan Glazer, the principal of Thomas Jefferson, says the school combines science and math with literature and other liberal arts.EV AN GLAZER: “Curriculum, when it’s seen within one particular context, you’re really just developing knowledge and skills. But if you want to look at the complexity of real problems and original solutions, it requires people to come at them from different angles. And so we foster a lot of team teaching, with pairing up teachers from different disciplines so that, when they’re offering challenges to students, that they have a variety of perspectives as they approach problems.”The admissions process is intensely competitive. Thomas Jefferson is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools but serves a wider area. The number of students from families of Asian ethnicity at the school reached fifty percent this past year.The program was created in partnership with local businesses in nineteen eighty-five. The goal was to improve education in science, math and technology.Some students do university-level research in fields such as microelectronics, neuroscience and biotechnology. Students can also learn from working with professionals, says Mr. Glazer.EV AN GLAZER: “We certainly cultivate a culture of inquiry and research so that students can do original work. That’s part of our mindset. But I think, as Americans, I think we pride ourselves in our ability to constantly generate new ideas for the benefit of humanity.”In East Asia, the focus of high school is often to prepare students for college entrance exams. But Mr. Glazer says in recent years China has been developing experimental schools. These offer more student-centered learning the way many top American schools do.EV AN GLAZER: “And I think that’s part of the American mindset that we’ve had pride in as a country for so many years -- of the idea that everyone can bring original ideas. AndI think East Asia senses that, and they certainly see the benefit to our innovation as a country.”He points out that as East Asian countries consider greater freedom for their schools, American education is headed in the opposite direction. Most states have recently approved common standards in math and reading.EV AN GLAZER: “In China and in Korea there is a strong interest in trying to get students to be more creative. And in America there is a strong interest in standardization. And, you know, the reality is we don’t operate in one world or the other. It’s trying to find that right balance."And that’s the VOA Special English Education Report. I'm Christopher Cruise.。

小道消息的英语词汇典故Now, the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories.Some of the most exciting information es by way of the grapevine.That is so because reports received through the grapevine are supposed to be secret. The information is all hush hush. It is whispered into your ear with the understanding that you will not pass it on to others.You feel honored and excited. You are one of the special few to get this information. You cannot wait. You must quickly find other ears to pour the information into. And so, the information - secret as it is – begins to spread. Nobody knows how far.The expression by the grapevine is more than 100 years old.The American inventor, Samuel F. Morse, is largely responsible for the birth of the expression. Among others, he experimented with the idea of telegraphy – sending messages over a wire by electricity. When Morse finally pleted his telegraphic instrument, he went before Congress to show that it worked. He sent a message over a wire from Washington to Baltimore. The message was: "What hath God wrought?" This was on May 24th, 1844.Quickly, panies began to build telegraph lines from one place to another. Men everywhere seemed to be putting up poles with strings of wire for carrying telegraphic messages. The workmanship was poor. And the wires were not put up straight.Some of the results looked strange. People said they looked like a grapevine. A large number of the telegraph lines were going in all directions, as crooked as the vines that grapes grow on. So was born the expression, by the grapevine.Some writers believe that the phrase would soon have disappeared were it not for the American Civil War.Soon after the war began in 1861, military manders started to send battlefield reports by telegraph. People began hearing the phrase by the grapevine to describe false as well as true reports from the battlefield. It was like a game. Was it true? Who says so?Now, as in those far-off Civil War days, getting information by the grapevine remains something of a game. A friend brings you a bit of strange news. "No," you say, "it just can't be true! Who told you?" Comes the answer, "I got it by the grapevine."You really cannot know how much – if any – of the information that es to you by the grapevine is true or false. Still, in the words of an old American saying, theperson who keeps pulling the grapevine shakes down at least a few grapes.You have been listening to the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories. I'm Christopher Cruise.。

VOA慢速英语听力：人类应该捕猎鲸鱼吗?以下是笔者为大家整理的VOA慢速英语听力：人类应该捕猎鲸鱼吗?，希望大家能够喜欢！This is SCIENCE IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English. I’m Shirley Griffith.And I’m Christopher Cruise. Today, we tell about whales. Some people want to hunt the animals, while others simply enjoy watching them in the wild. We tell about a plan for an American aquarium to import beluga whales from Russia. And we talk about a whale that could make human-like sounds.Environmental activists in South Korea are condemning a government plan to hunt endangered whales for scientific research. They believe the plan is part of an effort to re-start commercial whaling activities. Such activities are banned in many countries.The International Whaling Commission has yet to make a decision on the South Korean plan.The organization banned commercial whaling in1986 because of concerns about the survival of whale species. But now, some South Korean fishermen say they are facing a threat from minke whales. They say these animals are eating what would have been their catch.The plan was immediately condemned byanti-whaling nations. Wildlife activists also criticized the proposal. Han Jeong-hee works in Seoul for the environmental group Greenpeace.“It’s really regretful to hear that Korean government is, like, considering conducting scientific whaling. Scientific whaling is just, like,thinly-disguised commercial whaling. And, you know, we are of course against all commercial whaling. Japan’s the only country which is doing scientific whaling at the moment and Korea is just trying to follow that.”Korea has a long history of whaling. Cave paintings found on the south coast show images of whale hunts. But such hunts and the use of whale meat as food did not really become popular until late in the nineteenth century.Every year, the South Korean town of Ulsan holds an event that re-creates those whaling expeditions.Visitors are urged to eat at local restaurants that serve whale meat.South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says the goal of the plan is to help fishermen. It notes that limited whaling for scientific research is permitted under the commercial whaling ban. Japan has continued hunting whales under this exception.Critics of whaling do not believe claims by Japan that its whaling activities are for scientific research. They note that whale meat from the hundreds of whales killed in the hunt is sold to the Japanese public.Recently, we asked the International Whaling Commission about the South Korean request. Commission spokesman Simon Brockington told VOA by e-mail that since the July meeting, “there has been no further communication from the Government of the Republic of Korea to the IWC on this issue.”The next meeting of the commission’s Scientific Committee is set for next year. Mr. Brockington said the IWC’s rules require “governments to provide the Commission’s scientific committee with copies of the proposed permits in time for them to be reviewed.”He added that “at the current time, no such copies have been received.”Four months ago, the South Korean government reported to the country’s lawmakers about the plan to re-start whaling. A Foreign Ministry official says the plan is still under consideration.She says the government will listen to the opinions of concerned organizations and members of the International Whaling Commission.Earlier in this report, we heard from Han Jeong-hee of Greenpeace. She says pro-whaling forces appear to be in control of the South Korean government.“Sudde nly they just reported this about the task force and going back to the scientific whaling decision. This is very disappointing. We hope the government change their mind again and go for non-lethal research.”Lee Hae-chan is the head of South Korea’s mai n opposition. He says some people in coastal communities support the idea of research whaling because it will help the local economy.Mr. Lee admits that his country no longer facespoverty and does not need whale meat for protein. But he says if there is a true need for scientific research, limited whaling might be acceptable.Lee Man-woo is vice representative of the Whale Culture Preservation Association in Ulsan. He and others say whaling has been a part of Korean culture for thousands of years. He also says meat from hunted whales should not be wasted. His group says it should be sold at a reasonable price to foreign tourists and to those who like to eat whale meat. Recently, a small serving of meat sold in Ulsan for up to $50.Both South Korea and Japan say there are so many whales in their waters that these largest of all mammals are eating too much fish.Japan has been widely criticized for its research program. Thousands of whales have been killed in the northern Pacific and near Antarctic waters since the 1980s.An aquarium in the American state of Georgia wants to import eighteen beluga whales from Russia. The United States currently has 31 beluga whales. They are living in six aquariums and marine parks. Four of themare at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.The Georgia Aquarium has asked the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for permission to import the beluga whales. If approved, aquarium officials would send some of the animals to the other facilities.The Georgia Aquarium says it hopes to use the beluga whales in research, education and breeding programs. They currently are being held at a Russian research center. Yet many people oppose the plan. They say it is wrong to keep any wild animal captive.In October, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration held a hearing on the proposal. More than 130 people attended the meeting. NOAA says it received about eight thousand nine hundred written comments about the Georgia Aquarium’s plan. Because of the great interest in the subject, the agency gave 60 days for public comments. Usually, people are given 30 days.NOAA officials are studying how the beluga whales might be affected by being brought to the United States. They also want to know whether the Georgia Aquarium andits partners can properly care for the whales and how they might be used in educational activities.The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act sets rules which NOAA must consider when deciding whether these animals may be imported. NOAA officials told VOA they plan to make a decision on the request by early next year.Recently, beluga whales were in the news for another reason. The journal Current Biology reported that one of the whales made human-like sounds.Researchers had been caring for the whale for years before it died in 1999. Over many hours, they recorded what they say is the whale repeating human speech it had just heard. The researchers say the whale’s natural sounds changed as it heard more humans speaking. They admit that the recording does not sound like human speech. But they say these “inflections” are like those of a human voice.The researchers say the sound is unlike those that whales make naturally, but not “unlike those of the human voice.”Listen for yourself.The researchers believe this is evidence of what they call “spontaneous mimicry of the human voice, presumably a result of vocal learning.”In other words, they suspect the beluga whale was copying the sounds made by humans.Four years after the whale started making the human-like sounds, it stopped. The researchers say the times when the whale most sounded like a human were never recorded.。

VOA慢速英语：铁甲舰之间的交锋Iron Ships Clash at SeaBy VOA22 October, 2021From VOA Learning English, this is The Making of a Nation.I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.And I'm Christopher Cruise.The American Civil War was fought not only on land, butat sea. In 1862, Confederate and Union forces fought a new kind of navy battle in waters off Hampton Roads, Virginia. It was the first battle between iron ships.On the Confederate side was a ship called the Virginia.It was built from the remains of a captured Union warship called the Merrimack.The Virginia was like no other warship ever seen in the world. It was 80 meters long. The part that showed above the water was built of wood 60 centimeters thick. That wood was covered with sheets of iron 10 centimeters thick.\The Virginia (background center) and the Merrimack (left) battled in the waters off Hampton Roads, Virginia.Ten windows were cut into the sides of the Virginia. Behind each window was a cannon. In a battle, the windows opened, the cannons fired, and the windows closed again.At the front of the ship was a sharp point of iron that could break through the sides of wooden ships.The Virginia could not move fast. It took almost 30 minutes to turn around. Still, there seemed to be no way to stop this iron monster. It already had destroyed two Union warships. And it was coming back for more.The Union ship chosen to fight the Virginia was the Monitor. It, too, was covered with iron. But it was much smaller than the Virginia. And it carried only two cannons.These big guns, however, were on a part of the ship that could turn in a complete circle. They could be aimed in any direction.The Monitor and the Virginia faced each other on the morning of March 9, 1862. They moved in close -- very close -- and began to fire.A Confederate cannon ball hit the iron side of theMonitor and bounced away. Union sailors cheered. The cannons of the Virginia could do no damage! But the Union sailors soon discovered that their cannons could do no damage, either.The men inside the two ships suffered from noise, heat and smoke. The roar of their own cannons was extremely loud. Even louder was the crash of enemy cannon balls and explosive shells on the iron walls.Some of the men suffered burst eardrums. At least one man was struck unconscious from the force of a cannon ballagainst the iron. The men quickly learned to stay away from the walls.Smoke from the cannons filled the ships. Then it floated out over the water. At times, the two ships could not see each other.The Virginia and the Monitor fought for three hours. Neither ship recorded an important hit. Neither suffered serious damage.Then the cannons of the Virginia fell silent. It had used all its gunpowder. It also had used much of its fuel. It was lighter now and was floating higher in the water. A well-aimed cannon ball could hit below its iron covering and sink it.The Confederate captain decided to withdraw. The Union captain, too, was ready to end the battle. He decided not to follow.Neither the Virginia nor the Monitor could claim victory at Hampton Roads. But the Monitor prevented the Virginia from destroying any more Union ships. And their battle marked the beginning of the end of the world's wooden navies.I'm Christopher Cruise.And I'm Kelly Jean Kelly. This is The Making of a Nation with VOA Learning English.___________________________________________________________ Words in This Storysheets - n. thin, flat piecesmonster - n. something unusually largeeardrums - n. thin, tightly stretched pieces of tissue in the ear that move back and forth when sound waves hit themunconscious - adj. not awake, usually because of aninjuryNow it's your turn to use these Words in this Story. In the comments section, write a sentence using one of these words and we will provide feedback on your use of vocabulary and grammar.。

A Story for Halloween: 'She Reaps What She Sows'◆CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Welcome to THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English. I'm ChristopherCruise.◆This Monday night, millions of American children will celebrate Halloween. Dressed in costumes,often as princesses or action heroes, they will go to their neighbors to collect candy by yelling "trick or treat!"◆For the past two years our Halloween treats have been scary stories written by our own CatyWeaver. Caty has written another original story. Here is "She Reaps What She Sows."◆BARBARA KLEIN: Howell Hall was a big, old house, almost two hundred years old. It was a kindof house called a Victorian. Old Victorians can be beautiful, with tall windows and detailed woodwork. But not Howell Hall. It looked dark and oppressive, not bright and cheerful like the other houses in the neighborhood.◆Something else was strange about Howell Hall. It was not nice and straight like other houses.Honestly it looked deformed, like some giant had taken hold of it and squeezed.◆Maggie and her friend Matthew stood in the front yard and looked at the old house. Thechildren knew they were not supposed to be there. Their parents told them it was dangerous.They told them some kid once went inside and fell through a floorboard and broke his leg.◆Maggie and Matthew were not only disobeying their parents. They were also breaking the law.The house had been empty for years and no one seemed to care about it. Still, it was private property and they did not have permission to be there.◆And really who in their right mind would want to go inside a haunted house? Yes, I know whatyou're thinking -- another Halloween story about a "haunted house." But Howell Hall really was haunted. All the children in the neighborhood knew the story. Something terrible happened there. That was all people in the town would say -- "something terrible."◆Whatever it was, it happened long ago. Some said it was back in the eighteen hundreds.Others said it happened in the early nineteen hundreds. Either the details somehow got lost in time, or people chose to forget. Maybe whatever happened was too scary for anyone to want to remember.◆What do you think happened at Howell Hall? Yes, you -- listening to my voice right now. Whatdo you think happened? Let your imagination run wild when you go to bed tonight. And then, if your parents come in and ask why you're still awake, you can tell them: it's because of the terrible thing that happened at Howell Hall.◆And you can tell them about the blood. Oh, yes, there was blood. Lots of it. That's one detailthat survived all these years. And here is another detail that survived. When the police came,they discovered the blood but they found nobody -- what I mean is, they found no body. They found the owner of the house very much alive. Alive and out of his mind. They found him on the first floor in the music room, calmly playing the piano.◆Maggie and Matthew and the other neighborhood children had heard all the theories aboutwhat happened at Howell Hall. But not all of the children believed the story.◆MAGGIE: "OK. Let's go."◆MATTHEW: "Go home?"◆MAGGIE: "Home? No! In the house. We're here to explore the house. Are you chickening out?"◆MATTHEW: "No way, Maggie. I'm not scared of a house."◆Maggie and Matthew looked up again at the big, old house. What they did not see wassomeone in the top floor window, looking back at them.◆(SOUND: Door creak)The children opened the front door and stepped inside. The hallway wascovered in spider webs and dust. There were large areas of the walls where the paint had peeled away.◆Maggie and Matthew took a few steps down the hall. Suddenly the front door slammed shutbehind them.◆(SOUND: Door)◆MATTHEW: "OK How'd that happen? Don't tell me the wind shut the door, Maggie. There's nowind!"◆MAGGIE: "Oh, come on, Matt. The door closed because the house isn't straight. It closedbecause of gravity. It wasn't a ghost."◆Maggie walked back to the front door and reached for the knob to turn it. The knob came offin her hand.◆MAGGIE: "I guess it would be nice if we could open it, though."◆Matthew looked sick.◆MAGGIE: "I'm kidding. It's an old house. Things are broken. We're not trapped. We canclimb out a window."◆(PIANO MUSIC)◆Maggie and Matthew heard a piano being played somewhere in the house.◆MATTHEW: "Who's playing the piano?"◆MAGGIE: "Hello, hello. Is anybody there?"◆The children headed down the long hallway. The music got louder.◆MAGGIE: "Matthew – there – the music room."◆As soon as the kids got to the doorway, the music stopped. A tall piano stood in the far cornerof the room. All they could see was the back of it.◆The children were shaking as they walked slowly toward the piano. They wanted to see whowas sitting at the keyboard. But, what they saw lying on the seat was a pile of bones. Human bones.◆MATTHEW: "Is this enough for you, Maggie? Can we go now?"◆MAGGIE: "Let's get out of here. Run, Matthew, run!"◆(SOUND: Door slam, kids scream)◆MAGGIE: [almost crying]"Matt, who closed the door? Matthew, who closed it? I'm scared, Iwant to go home. Why did I come here?"◆[Sound of Matthew trying to turn door knob.]◆MATTHEW: "It won't open, Maggie. We're stuck. I can't believe you got me into this. I shouldhave known better when Jenny and Will refused to come."◆Jenny and Will were their friends from school.◆MAGGIE: "I'm sorry, Matt. Matt, I'm sorry. I thought it would be fun, especially on Halloween."◆(SOUND: Moans )◆MATTHEW: "Did you hear that? DO you hear that?"◆MAGGIE: "Yes, of course, I hear it."◆MATTHEW: "I think it's above us. What does it want?"◆Just then the door that had been stuck slowly opened. Matt and Maggie froze with fear. Whatwould they see on the other side? But there was nothing there. Just the empty hallway. And a way out, they thought.◆The children ran down the hall. They were headed for the front room where they could climbout a broken window. Suddenly they stopped. Some one -- or some thing – stood a few meters before them. It wore a dark, hooded robe. It just stood there, holding a sharpened stick of some kind and looking at the children. Or appearing to look at them. They could not really see any eyes under the hood.◆They heard a horrible noise. The figure started coming toward them.◆MAGGIE AND MATTHEW: [screaming]: "NOOO! Go away, go away!"◆The figure stopped and then turned and went up the staircase.◆FIGURE: "There's just one way out, Matthew and Margaret. And one chance to make it out.You must follow me."◆MAGGIE : "No, Matthew. NO! We can't go upstairs. We have to get to the window in the frontroom."◆Maggie and Matt raced past the stairs. Somehow Matt's foot caught Maggie's feet and the twochildren fell and slid into the front room. They jumped up and started toward the window. But Maggie stopped and grabbed Matt's arm.◆Their path was blocked by something hanging from the ceiling. It was the body of a man witha rope around his neck.◆MATTHEW: "I'm not going near that window, Maggie. No way. We're going with that thing onthe stairs."◆MAGGIE: "Are you crazy? Matt, that thing wants to kill us."◆She pointed to the hanging body.◆MAGGIE: "It probably killed him. He can't hurt us, he's dead."◆And then the man hanging from the rope looked over at them -- and smiled a wide smile.◆(SCREAMS)◆GHOSTLY VOICE: "Matthew and Margaret. There's just one way out. Follow the Reaper. Youwanted to come, against the rules, now death awaits you little fools."◆Matthew and Maggie knew there was no choice but to go upstairs. They walked slowly up thesteps.◆The Reaper stood at the top. When the children got to the first landing, they looked up and sawthe Reaper speeding down a long and twisting hall. They followed as fast as they could, but the Reaper was always a few steps ahead.◆The Reaper entered a room. There was a greenish light and strange sounds coming from inside.Matthew looked at Maggie.◆MATTHEW: "This is it, Maggie."◆They walked into the room.◆CHILDREN: "SURPRISE!"◆Matt and Maggie looked around. There were Jenny and Will -- and Michael and Sophie andDerrick and their other friends from school.◆And there was the Reaper. Without the hood.◆MAGGIE: "Dad! DAD! How could you. I was so scared. I thought we were going to die."◆MAGGIE'S DAD: "But you didn't. And you DID learn a lesson. And we all had a good timeteaching it -- including Matthew."◆MAGGIE: "Matthew! You knew about this the whole time? You were faking it?"◆MATTHEW: "Yep. Took a few days to set it up."◆MAGGIE: "Then who was the dead guy downstairs?"◆DEAD GUY: "That would be me."◆Maggie turned around. The dead man was very much alive.◆DEAD GUY: "I'm Mr. Silva. I manage this property and I'm a friend of your dad. And, you know,I think we could have a lot of fun making this place into a haunted house every Halloween."◆Maggie's face was red. Her pride was a little hurt, but she was ready to forget about that. Sheturned to her friends.◆MAGGIE: "Well, guys, what do you say? Wanna go trick-or-treating now?◆(MUSIC)◆CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: "She Reaps What She Sows" was written and produced by CatyWeaver. Maggie was Daisy Bracken, and Jack Goodwin played Matthew. Doug Johnson was Maggie's dad. And Mr. Silva was Mario Ritter. You can find an MP3 and transcript, along withlinks to our other Halloween stories, at . Join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English.。

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English.(MUSIC)I'm Christopher Cruise. Today on our show we remember the life and music of singing superstar Whitney Houston...(MUSIC: "One Moment in Time")Whitney Houston RememberedCHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Saturday, hundreds of people will gather in Newark, New Jersey, for the funeral of Whitney Houston. The forty-eight year old performer died a week earlier at a hotel in California. June Simms looks back at the life of the singer, actress, and mother.(MUSIC)JUNE SIMMS: That is Whitney Houston performing the song, "I'm Every Woman." And that is what many who loved the singer say: Whitney was every woman. People in her hometown of Newark say she never forgot where she came from. Her close friend and gospel singer Marvin Winans recently said that below the surface Whitney Houston was still the same little girl from New Jersey.A childhood friend of the star, Gregory Whittle, remembers growing up with her.GREGORY WHITE: "A lot of time in the basement you could hear her singing. Singing in the back by the pool. She had a gift. It was strictly from God."Marvin Winans is to speak at the funeral. It will be held at the New Hope Baptist Church. Whitney Houston attended that church while growing up. It was also the first place she sang publicly. She was a member of the church choir.(MUSIC: "Greatest Love of All")Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born in Newark in nineteen sixty-three. Her mother Cissy Houston is a gospel singer. Her father served in the military and was in the entertainment business. Cissy Houston was not the only family musician. Singers Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick were cousins of Whitney Houston. And her godmother was Aretha Franklin. At a performance earlier this week, Aretha Franklin remembered her goddaughter with a song and praise for the music and memories.A 22 year-old Whitney Houston performing in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1986As a teenager, Whitney Houston performed as a back-up singer for Chaka Khan, Lou Rawls and other artists. But she also had a successful modeling career by the time she was twenty. Her picture appeared on the cover of Seventeen and inside magazines including Glamour and Cosmopolitan.In nineteen eighty three, Clive Davis, the head of Arista records, heard Whitney Houston singing in New York City. He offered her a recording agreement soon after. For the next two years, Whitney Houston worked on her first record album. "Whitney Houston" was released in nineteen eighty-five. Slowly but surely, it became a huge hit. It stayed in the number one position on Billboard magazine's Top Two Hundred Albums chart for fourteen weeks. The first number one single from the album was "Saving All My Love for You."(MUSIC)Another popular song from that first album was this dance number "How Will I Know."(MUSIC)The album "Whitney Houston" had seven number one hit singles. It remains thebiggest-selling first album by any artist.The singer followed that success with another. Her album "Whitney" sold twenty million copies. It also made her the first female artist to enter the Billboard Top Two Hundred at number one. Whitney Houston was clearing a path of recognition for women artists.However, her next professional move was her most important. She recorded the soundtrack for and starred in "The Bodyguard," in nineteen ninety-two.Kevin Costner played opposite White Houston in the movie. It is the story of a relationship between a pop music star and a former secret service agent who protects her. The movie was a big hit, making more than four hundred million dollars in ticket sales worldwide. But the film's popularity did not even come close to the success of the album that went with it."The Bodyguard" is the fourth highest selling album of all time. Forty-four million copies have been sold. Among the singles is "I Will Always Love You," a song written and recorded earlier by Dolly Parton. Whitney Houston's version sold many more copies.(MUSIC)In nineteen ninety-two, Whitney Houston's personal life also grew. She married singer Bobby Brown, of the band New Edition. The marriage surprised many people both in and outside the music industry. Bobby Brown was considered an industry "bad boy," while Whitney Houston had an innocence that led to her nickname the "prom queen of soul."APSinger Whitney Houston, her husband Bobby Brown, left, and Clive Davis, president and founder of Arista Records in New York City, 1998She and Bobby Brown had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in nineteen ninety-three. In the late nineteen nineties, Whitney Houston's professional behavior began to come under question. She began to cancel shows and was late for important events. Her appearance changed; she lost weight and looked unhealthy. Her voice also was suffering. Many reports said she was abusing drugs and alcohol.(MUSIC: "I Have Nothing")Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown ended their marriage in two thousand seven. She also publicly admitted to drug abuse. But she entered a treatment program. In two thousand ten, she reported she was drug-free.But, last Saturday, the singer and actress was found dead in her hotel room in Los Angeles. Officials have not yet released a cause of death. However, news reports say Whitney Houston's family has been told the entertainer died from taking too many prescription drugs.Her seventh and final studio album, "I Look to You," was released in two thousand nine. Critics generally praised the effort. We leave you with Whitney Houston performing the Leon Russell song, "A Song for You."(MUSIC)CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: I'm Christopher Cruise. This program was written and produced by Caty Weaver.Join us again next week for music and more on AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English.。

英语每⽇阅读---7、VOA慢速英语（翻译+字幕+讲解）：卡梅伦呼吁⼥性移民学英语英语每⽇阅读---7、VOA慢速英语(翻译+字幕+讲解):卡梅伦呼吁⼥性移民学英语⼀、总结⼀句话总结：a、learn English or be deported：British Prime Minister David Cameron has called for women immigrants to Britain to learn English within30 months or be deported.b、the reason of social isolation：Their lack of English socially isolates them。

1、British Prime Minister David Cameron has called for women immigrants to Britain to learn English within 30 months or be deported.？> 驱逐deport vt. 驱逐出境；举⽌；放逐The Home Office is usually quick to deport undesirables.内政部通常会迅速地将不受欢迎⼈⼠驱逐出境。

2、Cameron said his plan will help all migrants. Critics said he was "singling out" Muslims.？> 挑出single out 挑出；挑选The gunman had singled Debilly out and waited for him.枪⼿单单挑出德⽐利，并等着他出现。

His immediate superior has singled him out for a special mention.他的顶头上司专门提到他。

Section one这里是美国之音慢速英语词汇掌故节目，我是Phil Murray。

我们将讲述一些美国英语中的常用短语Leatherneck（海军陆战队）或grunt（步兵）听起来都不像是一个对他人的合适称呼，然而美军服役人员都引以为傲。

如果你认为这些名称听上去很怪，那就想想步兵（doughboy）和特种部队（GI Joe）这两个名称。

19世纪60年代美国内战之后，一家名为Beadle’s Monthly的刊物的作者使用doughboy这个词来称呼美国内战中的士兵。

但词汇专家查尔斯·芬克(Charles Funk)表示，那位很久以前的作者无法解释这个名称的由来。

大约20年后，有人做出了解释，这个人就是美国著名将领乔治·卡斯特(George Custer)的妻子。

伊丽莎白·卡斯特（Elizabeth Custer）写道，doughboy是供应给海军士兵的一种甜点，它得名于士兵军装上的大领扣。

伊丽莎白·卡斯特认为，随着时间的推移，这个名称演变成指代士兵本身。

如今，我们可能更多地认为doughboys是指第一次世界大战中的盟军士兵。

到了第二次世界大战，士兵们有了其它名称。

最常听到的名称就是GI，或GI Joe。

很多人说，GI这两个字母是general issue或者government issue的缩写。

这个名称有多种意思，它可以指士兵，也可以指士兵参军后所发的物品，如武器，装备或服装。

另外，由于某种原因，它也可以是整理或者清理的意思。

士兵们常说，“我们控制了（清理了）这个地方。

”当某个区域看上去正常，士兵们通常说该区域是“安全的”。

然而奇怪的是，GI也可以指做得不好的工作。

有些军事词汇学者对GI有另一种解释。

他们说GI既不是指government issue，也不是general issue，GI源于galvanized iron这个词。

美国士兵被说成是像白铁皮，这是一种用于特殊强度需求的物质。