20120315VOA慢速特别英语世界新闻文本

⾼中英语VOA常速听⼒2012年...LOS ANGELES ?a The number of students from China studying at universities across the United States has increased dramatically. According to some statistics, the number of undergraduate students from China in the U.S. has doubled in the last two years. Economists say the trend is due, in large part, to a growing middle class in China. Los Angeles county has one of the largest Chinese student populations in the U.S. - totaling more than 4000 students.At the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, it is easy to spot students from China. They gather regularly for social events, as this Mid-Autumn festival.Environmental engineering student Sun Wei said he has not met many Americans because there are so many students from his home country. But he said there is a positive side to this.°The benefit is when I arrived it doesn't take much adjusting," Wei said. "It's all Chinese.±Opportunity and challengeBut coming to the United States is not easy for many Chinese students.An Rupeng, a doctoral student at the Pardee RAND Graduate School, said that being away from family has been difficult him and his wife.°We are the only child in both families. And when your parents get older, they tend to miss you a lot and miss their grandson a lot,?± said An.But An said he has enjoyed experiencing a different culture.Ferdinando Guerra, an economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, said Chinese students have helped the local economy by contributing more than $100 million last year. And he said they contributed more than $4.5 billion to the U.S. economy.°The number of Chinese students studying in the United States has almost tripled in the past decade, and has almost quadrupled since 1995,?± said Guerra.Chinese wealth growsThe main reason for the dramatic increase is the growth of the Chinese economy, said RAND Corporation economist Jim Hosek.°There are a lot of Chinese entrepreneurs, businessmen of all sorts business leaders, who are simply wealthier today, and they can afford to send their sons and daughters abroad,?± said Hosek.Chinese native Li Jing agreed. She received her doctorate in education at the University of Southern California. Li said the way in which Chinese students pay for their tuition abroad has changed since she studied this topic in 2004.°The majority of Chinese students received scholarships," Li said. "Now, the majority of Chinese students pay their own way to come here to study.?±Influx of Chinese studentsIn addition, the number of undergraduate students from China in the United States has doubled during the past two years, said University of Southern California's Dean of Religious Life, Varun Soni. He said that although Chinese students typically study engineering and the hard sciences, a new generation is starting to major in subjects such as business, education, and film.°I think one of the trends we see with this generation is they're really thinking about what they can learn here that will help them when they go back to China. It's not like they want to move here permanently, like previous generations of students wanted to,?± said Soni.It is a trend that worries some Americans, said economist Jim Hosek.°The number one concern on people's minds has been the outflow of human capital,± he said.Exchange of culture, ideas, skillsUniversity of Southern California political scientist Stanley Rosen said Chinese are using what they learned here in theUnited States to set up businesses in China.°So it's really a more personal usage of what they get here and then use that technology, which may not exist or is at a lower level in China, to establish their own business and be supported by the government in doing so. But that's a problem in other countries as well,?± said Rosen.But experts, like Soni, say much can be gained from having Chinesestudents in the United States.°It's easy to demonize the other when you don't know the other. But as Chinese students become more integrated in American society and make American friends, and as American students increasingly go to China to study and to learn, I think we become more integrated as cultures, as nations, which makes the opportunity for collaboration, cooperation, much more apparent and achievable,?± said Soni.In addition to more integration of the East and the West, economists say Chinese graduates of American universities who return to their homeland also could help foster more Chinese investment in the United States.。

OneDEVELOPMENT REPORT- UN Study Says Gains Would Outweigh Cost to End Child LaborBy Jill MossThis is Robert Cohen with the VOA Special English Development Report.The International Labor Organization says child labor limits economic development. It says educating children instead of forcing them to work would create huge gains for developing countries. The International Labor Organization is part of the United Nations. The agency proposes that child labor be substituted with education by two-thousand-twenty.A three-year study by the agency compared the costs against the gains from ending child labor. Researchers found that paying for education in developing nations could bring seven times the return on investment.The researchers also note the other gains that would come from removing the worst forms of child labor. Ending slavery and the sale of children for sex would reduce injuries and sickness.The International Labor Organization estimates that about two-hundred-fifty-million children are involved in child labor. Of these, it says one out of every eight may be working with dangerous chemicals, breathing poisons or selling sex.The cost to replace child labor with education is estimated at seven-hundred-sixty-thousand-million dollars. But the U-N agency says the project should be seen as a long-term investment. It says the costs would be higher than returns mostly during the first fifteen years. For example, poor families would have to live at first without the wages earned by their children.To help balance this problem, the labor agency proposes that governments provide financial help to poor families with school-age children. Several nations including Brazil and Mexico already have support programs in place. The study says governments would also need to invest in new schools, books, equipment, and teacher training.Juan Somavia is the director general of the International Labor Organization. He says the proposal is not only a good social policy, but also a wise economic plan. He says each additional year of education for an older child adds eleven percent per year to future earnings.The labor agency says all parts of the world would gain by ending child labor. The study estimates that countries in North Africa and the Middle East would gain more than eight dollars for every one dollar invested. Asian countries would gain more than seven dollars for every dollar invested. And Latin American countries would gain over five dollars.This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill Moss. This is Robert Cohen.TwoDEVELOPMENT REPORT - Poor Nutrition in the Developing WorldBy Jill MossI'm Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Development Report.A new World Bank report warns that children who do not get enough good food in the first two years of life suffer lasting damage. They may be underdeveloped or under weight. They may suffer from poor health or limited intelligence. In addition, poorly nourished children are more likely to drop out of school and earn less money as adultsThe report is called "Repositioning Nutrition as Central to Development." It notes that too little food is not the only cause of poor nutrition. Many children who live in homes with plenty of food suffer for other reasons. For example, the study says that mothers often fail to give their newly born babies their first breast milk. This milk-like substance is called colostrum. It is full of nutrients that improve a baby's ability to fight infections and disease.Severely malnourished children in Niger (WFP photo) The study also links malnutrition to economic growth in poor countries. A lack of nutrition in early childhood can cost developing nations up to three percent of their yearly earnings. Many of these same countries have economies that are growing at a rate of two to three percent yearly. The study suggests that poor countries could possibly double their economic growth if they improved nutrition.Africa and South Asia are affected the most by poor nutrition. The study says about half of all children in India do not get enough good food. The World Bank study also notes that rates of malnutrition in South Asia are almost double those in central and southern Africa. Other parts of the world are also severely affected, including Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Guatemala and Peru.The study recommends that developing countries change their policies to deal with malnutrition. Instead of directly providing food, the study suggests educational programs in health and nutrition for mothers with young babies. It also recommends cleaner living conditions and improvements in health care.World Bank nutrition specialist Meera Shekar was the lead writer for the report. She said theperiod of life between pregnancy and two years is extremely important. Governments with limited resources should take direct action to improve nutrition for children during this period.This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill Moss. Our reports are online at I'm Steve Ember.ThreeAGRICULTURE REPORT- Raising Chickens——By Gary GarriottThis is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.Raising chickens or other birds for their eggs and meat is a popular family and business activity almost everywhere in the world. The birds eat grain, seeds and grasses. They also eat small pieces of food that people throw away. Many of these materials would be wasted if the birds did not eat them. Chicken eggs and meat contain high quality protein and other substances important in the human diet.For many centuries, chickens were allowed to run free to find food for themselves. Then people used fences to keep small groups of birds from running away. After the chickens were kept inside a fence, people had to provide food for them.Early in the last century, raising flocks of thousands of birds became a successful business for many people. But the size of these flocks caused some serious problems, including pollution caused by chicken waste.Disease is one of the biggest problems in large flocks. The birds are kept close together all the time. So if one bird becomes sick, the sickness spreads. All the chickens in a flock can die from a serious disease. Avian flu, for example, can in some cases also spread to humans.Diseases that affect chickens are different in different areas of the world. One current example in Asia is an outbreak of avian flu in South Korea. Troops have been helping to kill and bury chickens and ducks that became infected at farms in North Chungcheong Province.To help prevent disease, experts advise these steps: Feed the birds a balanced diet. This will help them resist infections. Do not add adult birds to your flocks. If you must add adult birds, keep them separate from the flock for five to fifteen days to make sure they are healthy.Cover the floor of the buildings where the chickens are kept with material like straw, rice husks or sawdust. Change this material often.After you sell the chickens, completely empty the building where they were kept. Clean and wash the building. Then leave it empty for four weeks before putting in new chickens.Diseases affecting birds are not simple to understand and treat, so expert medical advice is important. You can get more information about caring for chickens and other birds fromV olunteers in Technical Assistance. VITA is on the Internet at v-i-t-a dot o-r-g.This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Gary Garriott. This is Steve EmberFourECONOMICS REPORT - Holiday ShoppingThis is Bob Doughty with the VOA Special English Economics Report.About two-thirds of the economic activity in the United States is created by people who spend money -- consumers. And much of that activity is created this time of year, as consumers buy gifts for Christmas and other holidays. Government economists say big department stores make about fourteen percent of their sales in the month of December. That may not seem like a lot. But December sales are almost twice the monthly average for the rest of the year.The holiday shopping season traditionally starts the day after Thanksgiving. It is called Black Friday. Storekeepers used to record profits in black ink and losses in red ink. So being "in the black" on the Friday after Thanksgiving means a good thing, a return to profit.But it also means that people face crowded stores, which is the other idea of a "Black Friday,"a day they do not like. It used to be the busiest shopping day of the year. In recent years the busiest day has been the Saturday before Christmas.People who do not like crowded stores have another choice. Americans are buying more on the Internet. The Census Bureau says they bought almost fourteen-thousand-million dollars in goods online in the last three months of last year. Still, that was less than two percent of total retail sales.The National Retail Federation said it expected holiday sales in the United States to increase by five-point-seven percent over last year. The trade group said it expected sales of abouttwo-hundred-seventeen-thousand-million dollars.Another group, the Conference Board, measures how consumers feel about the economy. In November it said its Consumer Confidence Index increased by ten points, to eighty. That was good news for sellers. But it is still below the starting level of one-hundred set innineteen-eighty-five.Holiday shopping is also important to the stock market. Last week, the Commerce Department said retail sales were higher than expected in November. That report helped the Dow Jones Industrial Average to close above ten-thousand for the first time in eighteen months. Last Friday, though, the University of Michigan released its consumer confidence report. The first report for December showed an unexpected decrease in current conditions.This VOA Special English Economics Report was written by Mario Ritter. This is Bob Doughty.FiveECONOMICS REPORT-The Dow Jones Industrial Average——By Mario RitterThis is the VOA Special English Economics Report.Doctors always measure the heartbeat of a patient when examining the patient's health. The heartbeat of America's stock markets is the Dow Jones Industrial Average（道琼斯工业平均指数）.No other measure of stock value is as widely known. Sometimes it is simply called the Dow. It is published by the Dow Jones Company, an influential publisher of international financial news.The Dow Jones Company is a product of Wall Street, the area in New York City that is the financial center of the United States. Three reporters, Charles Dow, Edward Jones and Charles Bergstresser, started the company in eighteen-eighty-two. At first, they published a handwritten newsletter for financial workers. It was very successful. By eighteen-eighty-nine, the newsletter became the Wall Street Journal newspaper.The Dow Jones Company began publishing the Dow Jones Industrial Average ineighteen-ninety-six. The list had twelve stocks. It represented the biggest industries in the American economy at the time. Today, the Dow lists thirty stocks. They are often called"blue-chip" stocks（蓝筹股）. These stocks represent an ownership share in companies that are considered strong. These well known companies include Coca-Cola, Eastman Kodak, McDonald's and General Electric.When you read the Dow Jones Industrial Average, you quickly see that it is not the average price of thirty stocks. For example, the Dow recently increased to more than ten-thousand for the first time in more than eighteen months. Ten-thousand does not seem like the average price of thirty stocks.In fact, the Dow Jones Industrial Average does not represent a price but a mathematical average. When the Dow goes up, it gains points, not dollars.The Dow Jones uses what is called a flexible divisor to keep changes in individual stock prices from affecting the whole average too much. The Dow system generally divides stock prices by the flexible divisor. The result is the number we see in newspapers and on television news reports.Today, the Dow is just one of many stock averages. The Standard and Poor's Five-Hundred Index averages five-hundred stocks. Still others measure foreign stock exchanges.While stock averages are good research tools, many people consider them the heartbeat of finance. This VOA Special English Economics Report was written by Mario Ritter.SixTeen Taught by Mom Wins Top Science CompetitionWritten by Nancy Steinbach I'm Faith Lapidus with the VOA Special English Education Report.A sixteen-year-old boy from California (加利福尼亚, 加州) has won first prize in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology. Michael Vis cardi of San Diego does not go to high school. His mother teaches him at home.His mother has a doctorate in neuroscience (神经系统科学( 指神经病学、神经化学等)); hisfather is a software engineer.Michael does, however, attend advanced math classes at the University of Californ ia, San Diego. He worked on his project with his professor.The project involved a mathematical problem first developed in the nineteenth cen tury by the French mathematician Lejeune Dirichlet. The winning research shows soluti ons to the problem. One of the judges said the young man’s work could lead to new developments in heat flow and other areas of physics. One possible use is in designing the shape of airplane wings (飞翼).The Siemens Westinghouse competition awards a top prize of one hundred thousa nd dollars for college to one individual and one team. The team prize this year went t o two students from Arizona (亚利桑那州), Anne Lee and Albert Shieh. They will sha re one hundred thousand dollars in college money.They improved computer programs used to study large amounts of genetic inform ation. The two did their work at the Translational Genomics Research Institute in Phoe nix (菲尼克斯), Arizona Their research could lead to finding genetic changes that caus e some disorders.The Siemens Foundation joined with the College Board and six universities to sta rt the competition in nineteen ninety-eight. This year, more than one thousand six hund red students took part.Experts from the universities judge competitions in six areas of the country. The i ndividual and team winners from those areas then compete nationally. They demonstrate(示范) their research projects to a group of university professors and scientists. The to p winners were chosen last week.The Siemens Foundation created the competition to improve student performance i n math and science in the United States. It is open to American high school students who develop independent research projects in the physical or biological (生物学) scienc es or mathematics.This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy Steinbach. Inte rnet users can read and listen to our reports at . I’m Faith Lapidus.SevenDevelopment Report – YoungPeople Are Subject of World Population DayWritten by Jill MossThis is the VOA Special English Development Report.The world has more than six thousand million people. Almost half are under the age oftwenty-five. This year's World Population Day on July eleventh dealt with the subject of young people and the problems many face. Poverty, crime, barriers to education and jobs, AIDS -- the list goes on.A message from the United Nations secretary-general said the lives ofyoung people are shaped by forces beyond their control. Yet today'syoung people also know more about the lives led by others their agearound the world. Kofi Annan says as a result many are demandingaction to narrow the divide between rich and poor.He says there is a clear need to answer the calls for measures to improve the lives of all. He says information and services related tosexual and reproductive health are especially important for youth empowerment. He noted that these are often overlooked.Kofi Annan says providing for young people is not just a moral duty, but an economic necessity.The United Nations Population Fund has estimated that about half of all unemployed people are between fifteen and twenty-four years old. And it says many young people who do find work are World population is expected to grow by more than 40 percent by 2050trapped in low-wage jobs with few chances to learn skills.The Youth Employment Summit Campaign was launched in two thousand two. This ten-year campaign known as YES aims to create programs and polices that lead to more jobs. Young activists lead the campaign with support from the U.N. Population Fund and other organizations.The next world meeting of the YES Campaign will be held in September in Kenya. About two thousand representatives, from more than one hundred twenty countries, are expected to attend. Half will be young people.The International Labor Organization says people younger than sixteen should not work. But the I.L.O. also says it recognizes this is not a lways possible. A family’s economic survival may depend on the labor of its younger members.Still, the U.N. agency reported in May that child labor has decreased worldwide for the first time. The levels fell by an estimated eleven percent between two thousand and two thousand four. The report said the end of child labor is within reach. And it called on countries to work to end the worst forms of child labor within ten years.With the VOA Special English Development Report, written by Jill Moss, this is Shep O'Neal.。

VOA慢速英语:Height, Hooks: The Passing of Two Civil Rights LeadersThis is IN THE NEWS (时事新闻、新闻报道)in VOA Special English.In recent days, Americans have lost two civil rights（公民权利）leaders of the twentieth century, Dorothy Height and Benjamin Hooks.Dorothy Height died Tuesday at the age of ninety-eight. She witnessed more civil rights history than any other African-American leader of her time. She said the greatest change she witnessed was the ending of racial segregation laws in the United States.She was the longtime chairwoman of the National Council of Negro Women. She was an activist, humanitarian and adviser to presidents including Barack Obama. He remembered her as "the godmother of the Civil Rights Movement."Dorothy Height grew up in Pennsylvania. She won a four-yearcollege scholarship, the top prize nationally in a public speaking contest on the Constitution.She arrived at school in New York City -- only to learn that an unwritten limit of "two Negro students per year" had already been met.DOROTHY HEIGHT: "I was accepted at Barnard College and I was denied admission when I arrived because they had a quota of two. And they did not know that I was not white. And so when I got there I was turned away."Dorothy Height went on to earn bachelor and master's degrees in four years at New York University. She worked with Martin Luther King Junior in the push for civil rights for blacks in the nineteen fifties and sixties.Yet she had to push to make herself heard as a woman among mostly male civil rights leaders. She was the only woman standing nearby as Martin Luther King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington.Dorothy Height received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal for her work for racial and gender equality.Benjamin Hooks died last week at the age of eighty-five. He was a clergyman, lawyer and former head of the NAACP -- the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in two thousand seven.Benjamin Hooks was born in Memphis, Tennessee, at a time when the southern city discriminated against blacks in all areas of public life.He enrolled in college but was drafted into the Army and served in Italy during World War Two. During training, he and other blacks were kept apart from the whites they trained with.BENJAMIN HOOKS: "So when I came out of the Army, I had already decided I wanted to be part of breaking down segregation. Because I felt it had to be broken down. I felt it would be broken.So I consciously devoted my life to that."But because of his color no law school in Tennessee would admit him. So Benjamin Hooks enrolled at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, where he earned a law degree in nineteen forty-eight.Soon after that, he returned to Memphis to work with the NAACP. During the nineteen fifties, he helped organize non-violent sit-in protests and boycotts of segregated white businesses.He and Martin Luther King both wanted to create social change through a combination of moral persuasion and legislation. Martin Luther King spoke about changing white people's hearts and changing the laws. But Benjamin Hooks placed more importance on legal activism. He served as the director of the NAACP for fifteen years.。

VOA慢速英语听力：黑人少年枪杀案引发种族争议VOA慢速英语听力：黑人少年枪杀案引发种族争议This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.“Tragedy.” That word appears again and again in comments about the Trayvon Martin shooting in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon Martin was seventeen years old and unarmed. A twenty-eight-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer shot and killed him on a rainy night in February.He says he acted in self-defense. He says the teenager attacked him.Trayvon Martin was black. The crime watch organizer, George Zimmerman, is white and Hispanic. Many accused him of racism. Many more denounced law enforcement officials for not bringing criminal charges. The United States Justice Department opened its own investigation.This week, a Florida prosecutor, State AttorneyAngela Corey, charged Mr. Zimmerman with murder.ANGELA COREY: “Let me emphasize that we do not prosecute by public pressure or by petition. We prosecute based on the facts of any given case as well as the laws of the state of Florida.”On Thursday Mr. Zimmerman appeared before Seminole County Judge Mark Herr.MARK HERR: “Mr. Zimmerman, you are here for your first appearances, a first appearance at this time for a charge of murder in the second degree. And you are represented by Mr. O’Mara? “GEO RGE ZIMMERMAN: “Yes sir.”MARK HERR: “Remember your right to remain silent.”The judge said there was enough evidence to move forward with the case. He told Mr. Zimmerman that he will be officially charged during an arraignment hearing on May twenty-ninth. A hearing is set for next Friday on the possibility of releasing him from jail on bond.Defense lawyer Mark O’Mara said Mr. Zimmerman would plead not guilty but he worries about getting afair trial.MARK O’MARA: “We need to calm this down and this case needs to be tried in a courtroom.”The shooting happened in the gated community where the girlfriend of Trayvon Martin’s father lives. Tracy Martin and Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, accuse Mr. Zimmerman of targeting their son because he was black. They led the protests to have him arrested.SYBRINA FULTON: “We just wanted an arrest and we got it.”Police did not charge Mr. Zimmerman earlier because of a Florida law known as “Stand Your Ground.” It says people have a right to meet force with force, to stand their ground and not turn and run. The Florida legislature passed the law in two thousand five.Many other states have similar laws. Supporters say these laws can reduce violent crime and protect citizens who are trying to defend themselves. But Daniel Gross with the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence told members of Congress that the Florida law needs to be examined closer.DANIEL GROSS: “In Florida, law enforcementauthorities do not have the discretion to take away licenses to carry concealed weapons even from those who have killed unarmed people.”Jeb Bush signed the law when he was Florida governor. He says it was not meant for cases like this one.JEB BUSH: “‘Stand Your Ground’ means ‘Stand Your Ground.’ It doesn’t mean chase after somebody who’s turned their back.”George Zimmerman had called the 911 emergen cy services number to report a suspicious person.911 OPERATOR: “Are you following him?”GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: “Yes.”911 OPERATOR: “We don’t need you to do that.”Mr. Zimmerman later told police that hefired(shot Mr. Martin) after the teen struck him and hit his head on the ground.President Obama commented on the case last month. He said when he thinks about Trayvon Martin, he thinks about his own children.BARACK OBAMA: “If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.”Samantha Nolan is a neighborhood watch trainer in Washington. She tells volunteers never to chase anyone. In fact, she says the best way to fight crime is to just know your neighbors.And that’s IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English. I’m Steve Ember.黑人少年枪杀案引发种族争议。

voa慢速英语文稿Title: VOA Slow English TranscriptThe Voice of America (VOA) is an international multimedia broadcaster which serves as the United States government’s official institution for news and information. The VOA provides reliable and accurate news and information in multiple languages, including English. Their slow English program is designed to help non-native English speakers improve their listening comprehension and language skills.The slow English program features news stories, interviews, and cultural pieces that are read at a slower pace than typical news broadcasts. This allows listeners to better understand the content, vocabulary, and grammar used in each piece. In addition to broadcasting on the radio, the slow English program can be accessed online through the VOA website and mobile app. The slow English program is a useful tool for anyone looking to improve their English language skills. It is particularly helpful for students learning English as a second language or for individuals who want to improve their proficiency for personal or professional reasons. By listening to the program regularly, learners can develop their listening comprehension, expand their vocabulary, and improve their overallunderstanding of English.In addition to the slow English program, the VOA offers a variety of other resources for learners of English. These include news articles, video reports, and interactive quizzes that help learners test their knowledge and engage with the content. The VOA also offers courses in American English pronunciation and idiomatic expressions, as well as resources for teachers and students.Overall, the VOA slow English program is an excellent resource for individuals looking to improve their English language skills. With its reliable news coverage and accessible format, the program helps learners develop their listening comprehension and gain a deeper understanding of English language and culture.。

VOA慢速：日本112岁老人成世界最长寿男性日本112岁老人世界最长寿男性来自大耳朵学英语00:0002:15考考您的听力：每空白处缺一个单词，欢迎留言提交答案，期待您的参与。

Smiling Japanese Man Is World’s OldestA Japanese man who believes in smiling has become the world's oldest male, Guinness World Records reports.Chitetsu Watanabe was born in Niigata in northern Japan in 1907. He received a certificate recognizing him as the world's oldest man Wednesday at a healthcare center in the city. It ______ he was 112 years and 344 days old.The former record holder was Masazo Nonaka, another Japanese, who died last month. The oldest living woman, Kane Tanaka, is also Japanese. She is 117 years old.Until about 10 years ago,Watanabe did bonsai, the Japanese ______ art of growing small sculpted trees. His work appeared at shows.These days, he loves eating desserts, such as sweet custards, Guinness said.Watanabe attended an agricultural school, and completed a study program there. He then moved to Taiwan to work at Dai-Nippon Meiji Sugar.He lived in Taiwan for 18 years. He and his wife Mitsue had five children, Guinness also reported.After the end of World War II, Watanabe returned to Niigata, Japan. He worked for the local government until retirement. He also grew fruit and vegetables on the family farm.Asked about the secret to his long life, Watanabe says: Don't get angry and keep smiling.I'm Susan Shand.网络资源，仅学习分享，如侵权请联系删除。

A Victory For Computers as Watson Wins ‘Jeopardy’By June Simms2011-2-27Photo: AP'Jeopardy!' champions Ken Jennings, left, and Brad Rutter, right, look on as an IBM computer called 'Watson' beats them to the buzzer to answer a question during a practice round.This is the VOA Special English Technology Report. An IBM super computer named Watson has won the latest battle of man versus machine.Watson won the first ever "Jeopardy!" quiz show competition starring a computer as a player. The show was broadcast on American television February sixteenth. The super computer defeated former "Jeopardy!" champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter during the three-day competition. The two men had been the show's most successful players until then.The IBM computer proved to be more knowledgeable in every category, including the arts, popular culture and science. The human contestants spoke about their loss after the show.KEN JENNINGS/BRAD RUTTER: "I think that we both got a taste of what it might have been like to play against us."Roger Norton is dean of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. The school held a Watson watch party on the final day of the "Jeopardy!" competition. They compared it to a Super Bowl for the information technology industry. Roger Norton says everyone was amazed by Watson's performance.ROGER NORTON: "It was very impressive in a number of ways. One is its ability to understand natural language."In "Jeopardy!" players are given information in the form of an answer. They must give an answer in the form of a question. Roger Norton says the very nature of the game makes Watson's performance even more extraordinary.ROGER NORTON: "The ambiguity that's in those answers is very, very difficult for humans to understand, never mind a computer to understand. And then to be able to take that, try to understand it, then go off and search its vast amount of data that it has and do the appropriate analytics and come up with not only an answer but also a confidence level associated with that answer – very, very impressive."Watson was given the answer clues by electronic texts. It then searched through some fifteen trillion bytes of information stored in its database. That is equal to about two hundred million pages of text. The machine is able to perform up to eighty trillion operations per second.And its ability to understand language is more advanced than any other computer ever developed. This opens the door to a whole new world of computer applications. From business and investment, to medicine and healthcare, the possibilities are endless.Watson is now going to medical school. It is part of an agreement among IBM, Columbia University Medical Center in New York City and the University of Maryland's School of Medicine. The researchers will help IBM identify the best way that Watson can be used to help the healthcare industry.And that's the VOA Special English Technology Report, written by June Simms. You can find transcripts, MP3s and podcasts of our reports at . I'm Steve Ember.超级计算机沃森在“危险边缘”节目人机对战中获胜This is the VOA Special English Technology Report. An IBM super computer named Watson has won the latest battle of man versus machine.这里是美国之音慢速英语科技报道。

VOA慢速英语-通过网上开放课程获得免费教育（附翻译）VOA慢速英语-基斯的传说-杰克伦敦短篇小说VOA慢速英语-为皮肤植入微芯片来服药VOA常速新闻-南非立法委员会呼吁加强反腐败斗争力度VOA慢速新闻-为子孙后代保护植物（农业报告）VOA新闻-美国呼吁对世界上农民女性授予更多权力VOA新闻-追忆歌手Davy Jones（艺术娱乐版）VOA新闻-中国开始对阿拉伯国家进行外交干预VOA慢速新闻A Way to Make New Eggs in Women?VOA慢速英语Friends With Benefits, in the Plant WorldVOA新闻South Africa’s Education System Faces Huge ChallengesVOA慢速英语Building Begins On Long Awaited African American Museum in WashingtonVOA慢速英语American History Bill Clinton’s First Term as President VOA慢速英语College Students Get Into Microfinance LendingVOA慢速新闻Inspections at Apple's Suppliers in ChinaVOA慢速新闻Words and Their Stories: Number OneVOA慢速英语Remembering Singing Superstar Whitney HoustonVOA慢速英语Getting Young Indians to Choose Tea Over CoffeeVOA慢速新闻Will Cost of Cocoa Raise the Price of Valentine's Day? VOA新闻Gay Rights Activists Vow to Fight Uganda’s Anti-Gay BillVOA慢速英语A Beloved Family Pet Dies. What Does a Mother Tell Her Children? VOA慢速英语Words and Their Stories: Easy as Falling Off a LogVOA新闻Many African Men Fail to Get HIV TreatmentVOA新闻Did Early Man Contribute to Central Africa Climate Change? VOA新闻Oscar-nominated Music Helps Movies SoarVOA慢速英语Stephen Vincent Benet, 1898-1943: Popular Writer of the Early 1900sVOA慢速新闻American History The Election of 1988VOA慢速英语When a Textbook Is Online, Not on PaperVOA新闻Analyst Says Egyptians Blame Military for Soccer ViolenceVOA慢速英语A Death in the Family May Cause Real Heart BreakVOA慢速英语Basketball. Football. Ultimate?VOA 新闻Food Crisis Threatens Millions in NigerVOA新闻Obama Seeks to Contain College CostsVOA慢速英语In the Garden Growing Your Own LettuceVOA慢速英语Words and Their Stories Heart to HeartVOA慢速英语The Laser: How the Futuristic Became the Everyday VOA慢速英语More School May Mean Higher IQ Scores大家好,我这里有你所要的四六级资料,登录这个网址/forum-58-1.html注册一个号就能免费下载最新四六级资料.注意有的书很大要用迅雷下载啊！祝你四六级考个好成绩！欢迎加入大家论坛四六级QQ群170208402每天都有最新四六级备考资料更新.大家好,我这里有你所要的英语专业考研资料,登录这个网址/forum-406-1.html注册一个号就能免费下载最新英语专业考研资料.注意有的书很大要用迅雷下载啊！祝你英研考个好成绩！欢迎加入大家论坛英语专业考研QQ群221970617大家好，我这里有你所要的英语听力资料，登录这个网址/forum-233-1.html各类考试听力，有声名著等听力资源任你选。

This is What’s Trending Today…People continue to react to reports that Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie has asked her husband, actor Brad Pitt, for a divorce. The move appears to end their marriage and a relationship that some media have called “Brangelina.” Jolie and Pitt were among the most powerful married couples in America’s show business industry.On Monday in Los Angeles, Jolie filed legal documents to end their marriage. Jolie is also seeking rights to raise the couple’s six children.Jolie’s lawyer said Tuesday that her decision to divorce was made “for the health of the family.”Jolie and Pitt were together for 12 years and married two years ago, in August 2014.They became close while filming the 2005 movie, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." That led to widespread reports in the media that Jolie led to Pitt’s divorce from Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston. Pitt and Jolie denied that.Aniston and Pitt announced their separation in early 2005. Pitt’s divorce from Aniston, and his relationship with Jolie, became one of the most talked-about stories in Hollywood.Many people reacted to the end of Brangelina on social media. Some used GIFs of Jennifer Aniston. They made predictions about what Aniston’s reaction to the news might be.O ne person called September 20 “Jennifer Aniston Meme Day.”B ritish singer Adele reportedly was deeply saddened by what seemed to be the end of Brangelina. She decided to dedicate her show in New York City Tuesday night to Jolie and Pitt.L ater, Madame Tussaud’s museum in London announced on Twitter that it had officially separated its wax statues of Jolie and Pitt.And that’s What’s Trending Today._______________________________________________________Words in This Storydivorce - n. the ending of a marriage by a legal processcouple - n. two people who are married or who have a romantic or sexual relationshipfile - v. to give (something, such as an official form or a legal document) to someone in authority so that it can be considered, dealt with, approved, etc.meme - n. an amusing or interesting picture, video, etc., that is spread widely through the Internetdedicate - v. to officially make (something) a place for honoring or remembering a person, event, etc.。

voa慢速英语短篇-回复Title: The Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bear PopulationsIntroduction:Climate change is a pressing global issue that affects various ecosystems and species around the world. Among the many vulnerable species affected by climate change, polar bears are at particular risk due to their dependence on ice-covered habitats for hunting and breeding. In this article, we will explore the specific ways in which climate change is impacting polar bear populations and discuss potential consequences for their survival.Climate Change and Melting Arctic Ice:One of the primary effects of climate change on polar bears is the decline in Arctic sea ice. Rising global temperatures lead to the melting of sea ice, which is imperative for polar bears' hunting grounds. Sea ice provides polar bears with platforms from which they can stalk marine mammals, their primary food source. However, as the ice diminishes, polar bears have to swim longer distances to find food, causing physical exhaustion and higher mortality rates.Reduced Hunting Opportunities:The shrinking sea ice not only limits the polar bears' hunting grounds but also reduces their hunting opportunities. Longerice-free seasons result in a decline in seals, which are crucial prey for polar bears. With fewer seals available, polar bears experience increased food scarcity and malnutrition. This not only affects their overall health but also leads to a decrease in reproduction rates, putting the entire population at risk.Loss of Breeding Habitat:Another consequence of climate change is the loss of suitable breeding habitat for polar bears. Female polar bears rely on stable sea ice to den and give birth to their cubs during the winter months. However, thinning ice and early ice melt have made it difficult for bears to find secure dens for birthing. Without stable dens, polar bear cubs face higher mortality rates due to exposure and are more vulnerable to predation.Impacts on Population Dynamics:The declining population of polar bears is a direct result of the environmental changes caused by climate change. As bears struggle to find sufficient food and suitable breeding grounds,their survival rates decrease. Consequently, polar bear populations are declining, with some subpopulations predicted to become extinct in the coming decades if climate change continues unabated.Long-Term Consequences:The loss of polar bear populations would have severe ecological impacts. As apex predators, polar bears regulate the population of their prey species and help maintain a healthy balance within Arctic ecosystems. Their disappearance would disrupt the food chain, leading to cascading effects on other wildlife, including seals and fish species. Furthermore, indigenous communities that rely on the sustainable harvesting of marine mammals would lose a critical part of their cultural heritage and food security.Mitigation and Conservation Efforts:To safeguard polar bear populations, urgent action is needed to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. International cooperation and commitments under the Paris Agreement are crucial in addressing this global issue. Additionally, efforts such as habitat protection, education about sustainable practices, and quotas on hunting are essential in conserving polarbears and mitigating their declining population.Conclusion:Climate change poses a significant threat to polar bear populations due to the impact it has on their sea ice habitats, hunting opportunities, and reproductive patterns. Immediate action must be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure the survival of polar bears. By addressing this issue, we not only protect a symbol of the Arctic but also preserve the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems.。

VOA慢速英语短篇Voice of America (VOA) Slow English 是一个为英语学习者提供的节目，它通过简短的故事和新闻，帮助学习者提高英语水平。

下面是一个典型的VOA Slow English 短篇，供您参考：Title: The Gift of Giving.Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Tim who lived in a small village. Tim's family was very poor, and he often went hungry. One day, Tim heard about a charity organization that provided food and clothes to people in need.Tim decided to visit the organization and ask for help. When he arrived, he met a kind woman named Mrs. Smith. She welcomed Tim warmly and asked him about his situation. Tim told her about his family's poverty and how difficult it was to find food and clothes.Mrs. Smith felt sorry for Tim and decided to help him. She gave him a bag of food and some clothes. Tim was so grateful and thanked Mrs. Smith. As he left the organization, he felt a sense of joy and happiness.Days went by, and Tim felt better. He had enough food to eat, and he could wear warm clothes. But he also felt guilty because he knew that there were other people in his village who were also in need of help.One day, Tim decided to do something to help others. He gathered some food and clothes from his family and friends and brought them to the charity organization. Mrs. Smith was so touched by Tim's kindness and generosity. She thanked him and accepted the gifts.Tim felt happy knowing that he had made a difference in someone else's life. He realized that the gift of giving was more important than receiving. From that day on, Tim continued to help others in his village, and his kindness and generosity became famous throughout the community.这个故事告诉我们，给予比接收更重要的道理。

2024年的3月15号新闻作文英文回答：On March 15, 2024, a significant news event took place that caught my attention. It was reported that a major breakthrough had been made in renewable energy technology. This news was particularly exciting for me as I have always been passionate about finding sustainable solutions for our planet.The news article highlighted a new solar panel technology that was developed by a team of scientists. These solar panels were not only more efficient in converting sunlight into electricity but also had a longer lifespan compared to traditional solar panels. This breakthrough meant that solar energy could now be harnessed more effectively and at a lower cost, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels.The impact of this development on the environment andour daily lives cannot be overstated. With the increased efficiency of solar panels, more households and businesses would be able to generate their own clean energy, reducing their reliance on non-renewable sources. This would not only help combat climate change but also lead tosignificant cost savings for consumers.Furthermore, the longer lifespan of these solar panels means that they would require less frequent replacement, reducing the amount of electronic waste generated. This is a crucial aspect of sustainable development as electronic waste is a growing concern worldwide.In addition to the environmental benefits, this breakthrough in renewable energy technology would also have significant economic implications. The increased adoption of solar energy would create new job opportunities in the renewable energy sector. This would not only stimulate economic growth but also provide a more sustainable future for communities.中文回答：2024年3月15日发生了一件引起我关注的重大新闻事件。

voa慢速英语短篇新闻In recent years, the popularity of VOA (Voice of America) Slow English News has grown significantly. This program provides listeners with short news reports that are delivered at a slower pace, making it easier for non-native English speakers to understand. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the success of VOA Slow English News and its impact on language learners.The format of VOA Slow English News is designed to cater to the needs of English learners who are looking to improve their listening skills. Each news segment covers a range of topics, including current events, science, technology, culture, and more. The content is carefully selected to include commonly used vocabulary and expressions, while avoiding complex jargon that may hinder comprehension.One of the main advantages of VOA Slow English News is the slower pace of delivery. By speaking at a reduced speed, the news anchors give listeners more time to process the information and grasp the meaning of each sentence. This gradual approach helps learners build their listening skills gradually and enables them to pick up on nuances that they may have missed at normal speaking speeds.In addition to the slower pace, VOA Slow English News incorporates various features that enhance the learning experience. The news articles are often accompanied by written transcripts, allowing learners to read along while listening. This combination of visual and auditory input reinforces comprehension and helps learners connect words with their corresponding sounds. Furthermore, the articles frequently include brief explanations ofdifficult words or phrases, ensuring that learners can expand their vocabulary as they listen.Another key aspect of VOA Slow English News is its focus on clear pronunciation and intonation. The news anchors speak with a neutral accent, making it easier for learners to understand and imitate proper pronunciation. Through regular exposure to well-articulated English, learners can improve their own speaking skills and develop a more natural accent.The impact of VOA Slow English News on English language learners cannot be overstated. By regularly listening to the program, learners are exposed to authentic English in a variety of contexts. This exposure helps familiarize them with different accents and speech patterns, preparing them for real-life interactions with native speakers.Moreover, VOA Slow English News promotes cultural awareness by covering a wide range of topics from around the world. This exposes learners to diverse perspectives and fosters an appreciation for different cultures. Through a deeper understanding of global issues, learners can develop their critical thinking skills and engage in meaningful conversations with others.In conclusion, VOA Slow English News has gained popularity for its effective format and valuable content. By providing news reports at a slower pace, this program caters to the needs of English language learners and helps them improve their listening and speaking skills. With its emphasis on clear pronunciation, visual aids, and cultural awareness, VOA Slow English News offers a comprehensive learning experience that transcends language barriers.Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, VOA Slow English News is a valuable resource for honing your English skills.。

This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.这里是美国之音慢速英语新闻报道。

This week, the eight candidates seeking the Republican Party's presidential nomination debated national security and foreign policy issues. CNN and two conservative research groups, the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation, organized the debate in Washington.本周，寻求共和党总统候选人提名的8名候选人就国家安全和外交政策进行了辩论。

CNN和两家保守派研究组织美国企业研究所和美国传统基金会组织了这次辩论。

One issue was American aid to Pakistan. Texas Governor Rick Perry said he would cut that aid unless the Pakistani government made changes.议题之一是美国对巴基斯坦的援助。

德州州长里克·佩里（Rick Perry）声称，除非巴基斯坦政府做出改变，否则他将削减援助。

RICK PERRY: "The bottom line is that they have showed us time after time that they can't be trusted and until Pakistan clearly shows that they have America's best interest in mind, I would not send them one penny."佩里：“根本原因在于，他们一次次向我们展示他们的不可靠。

This is the VOA Special English Education Report.Americans are considering national education standards recently developed by teachers and other education experts. The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers led the effort.The United States, unlike other nations, has never had the same school standards across the country. The reason? Education is not discussed in the Constitution. That document limits the responsibilities of the federal government. Other responsibilities, like education, fall to the individual states.Local control of education probably was a good idea two hundred years ago. People stayed in the same place and schools knew what students needed to learn. But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even twenty years ago.Many American educators say that getting a good education should not depend on where you live. They say that some states have lowered their standards in order to increase student scores on tests required by the No Child Left Behind Act.Kara Schlosser is communications director for the Council of Chief State School Officers. She says the new standards clearly state what a student should be able to do to be successful in college and work.The standards deal with language and mathematics in every grade from kindergarten through high school. For example, in first grade, students should be asking and answering questions about something they read.In mathematics, students should be working with shapes in kindergarten and angles in fourth grade.Forty-eight states have already shown approval for the standards. Two states reject the idea. Critics say that working toward the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. Some educators in Massachusetts say adopting the proposal will hurt their students because the state standards are even higher. Others say the change will be too costly, requiring new textbooks and different kinds of training for teachers. Still others fear federal interference or control.Supporters say the standards are goals and do not tell states or teachers how to teach. They also say the federal government is not forcing acceptance. However, approving the standards will help states qualify for some federal grant money.And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Nancy Steinbach. I'm Steve Ember。

VOA News (美国之音特别英语)1. Peace Prize for W omenThis is the VOA Special English Development Report.Each year, 1. in Oslo, Norway announces the winners of its famous Nobel Prizes. Most winners of the Nobel Peace Prize have been men. Only 2. have been women since the prize was first presented in 3. .Now 4. for Women and the human rights group International Alert have presented a new award to 5. . It is called the 6. Peace Prize for Women. Officials will present the award every three years. The award 7. women's actions in building peace, protecting women's human rights and supporting community life during and after war.Experts say women are usually not as 8. the peace process as men are. However, their work to 9. normal community life after peace has been reached is very 10. . Because of this, International Alert says women also need to be recognized as leaders in peace building.Earlier this month, 11. received the Millennium Peace Prize for Women. One of the winners is the Colombian group Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres - or Women's Road to Peace. This group has organized protests against the 12. between rebel groups and the Colombian government.The group Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency also won the peace prize. It helped in the peace process between the 13. and rebel forces in Papua New Guinea. Another winner is the group Women in Black. It is an international organization that organizes protests against 14. .Flora Brovina also received the peace prize. She organized the League of Albanian Women of Kosovo. Doctor Brovina has taught 15. medical skills to people in Kosovo.Asma Jahangir and Hina Jilani are also peace prize winners. They worked to support16. and women's rights in Pakistan. And the leader of the17. in Rwanda also won the Millennium Peace Prize, after her death. V eneranda Nzambazamariya helped re-build Rwanda after the mass killings in Nineteen-Ninety-Four. She died in a 18. last year.This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill Moss.2. Intel Science Talent SearchThis is the VOA Special English Science Report.A teen-age girl from the state of Connecticut has won 1. in the Intel Science Talent Search. The 2. was known as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search until 3. . It is the oldest program in the United States that honors the science projects of high school students. The Intel Science Talent Search celebrated its sixtieth anniversary this year.The winners receive money for a 4. and a new computer. More than 5. students entered projects for the competition. The students were from thirty-six states and 6. . Forty-nine percent were female and fifty-one percent were male. Their research projects involved every area of science, including7. .Forty students were invited to Washington, D.C. for 8. by well-known scientists. They judged the students on their 9. . They also questioned the students about scientific problems before deciding on the top ten winners.The first place winner was Mariangela Lisanti of Westport, Connecticut. She received one-hundred-thousand dollars for her college 10. . Her physics project involved the use of single atoms or molecules to create 11. . She developed a new way to measure electron movement in tiny structures.The second place winner was Nathaniel Jay Craig of Sacramento, California. He received seventy-five-thousand dollars for his college education for a 12. . He developed a method for expressing the strength of specially prepared glass by describing the super cooled liquid from which it was formed.The third place winner was Gabriel Drew Carroll of Oakland, California. He received fifty-thousand dollars for his college education. His mathematics project involved the 13. .The president of Intel, Craig Barrett, praised all the 14. as future leaders. He said their understanding of science and mathematics is important for 15. the technological world today. And it is important for making the best decisions in the future.This VOA Special English Science Report was written by Nancy Steinbach.3. EPA Rejects Arsenic Limits in W aterThis is the VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT.The United States Environmental Protection Agency says it plans to 1. a rule that would have 2. reduced the amount of arsenic permitted in drinking water. The new rule was approved at the end of the Clinton presidency. It was suspended after President Bush 3. in January.The Bush 4. says the rule needs more study. The new rule would have reduced the acceptable level of arsenic in 5. by eighty percent. It was designed to reduce the public health risk from arsenic in drinking water.Arsenic is a 6. found naturally in rocks, soil, water, air, plants and animals. It also can be released during mining operations.Arsenic is mainly transported by water. The highest levels of arsenic are found mostly in the western American states. At unsafe levels, arsenic can cause cancer and other diseases.7. groups have argued for years that arsenic 8. should be reduced. They say studies show the limits are necessary for protecting millions of Americans from cancer and other health threats.But the mining industry and some cities and states strongly 9. the rule on reducing arsenic in drinking water. They said it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to put into effect. The mining industry took 10. action in an attempt to block the rule. Environmental groups say the Bush administration is 11. to withdraw the rule because of pressure by the mining industry.The Environmental Protection Agency set the current limit for arsenic in Nineteen-Seventy-Five. But a report by the National Academy of Sciences two years agofound that the current limit does not meet the E-P-A's goal of protecting 12. . The group said the current limit should be 13. as soon as possible.The limit approved by President Clinton also was approved by the European Union and the World Health Organization several years ago.But E-P-A officials say Mister Clinton's action was not supported by scientific 14. . They say arsenic levels should be reduced, but not necessarily as low as the rule required.The E-P-A will seek 15. scientific studies about the issue and the possible cost to 16. . A final decision is expected after a public comment period.This VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT was written by Cynthia Kirk.4. International Y ear of MountainsThis is the VOA Special English Environment Report.Mountains are about one-fifth of the world's land 1. area. Mountains area very important part of the earth's 2. and environment. They contain important3. , such as forests. They provide the most important resources for about one-tenth of the world's population. Mountains also provide goods and services to more than half the people in the world.4. snow from mountains provides water for hundreds of millions of people. For example, the Himalayan Mountains supply drinking water for the people of India. Mountains are also important areas for winter sports. Millions of people visit countries in Europe to5. mountains every year.Mountains are also important in the cultures of many people. For example, the ancient Incas of South America built their most important cities and 6. high in the mountains. Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city in the Andes Mountains. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Peru.Mountains are important to the world. But there are problems involving mountains in many places. People who live in mountain areas are usually poor. There is often very little 7. in these areas. Mountain environments are sometimes not 8. very well. When this happens, eco-systems supporting plant and animal life suffer.In some areas, too many trees are 9. n. When it rains heavily, water can rush down the sides of mountains and flood villages and cities. Serious flooding kills many people and animals every year. In addition, 10. can cause 11. to come crashing down in powerful 12. .The United Nations wants to help more people learn about the importance of mountains as well as their problems. So 13. has named the year Two- Thousand- Two the "International Year of Mountains." Many activities including 14. have been planned for next year. The U-N Food and Agriculture Organization is leading this special 15. of mountains.Y ou can get more information on mountains and the "International Y ear of Mountains" at the Internet address, w-w-w-dot- mountains-two-thousand-two-dot-org.This VOA Special English Environment Report was written by Gary Garriott.5. W orld Mothers StudyThis is Bill White with the VOA Special English Development Report.The international support group, Save the Children, has 1. a new study on the condition of mothers around the world. The report rates ninety-four countries on issues important to mothers. They include health care and family planning services, the health of their children, education and political involvement. Sweden, Norway and Denmark were rated the highest, followed by other 2. countries. The United States was rated eleventh. This is just one place ahead of Cuba, which was the highest rated developing country. Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Guinea Bissau were at the bottom of the list.Beryl Levinger was the leading researcher for the report. Mizz Levinger says the report 3. what Save the Children has been saying for more than seventy years. The lives of children around the world will not improve 4. .Mizz Levinger says there is a direct link between the health of children and the quality of health care, 5. services and education offered to mothers.The ten countries rated worst in the study have problems with 6. . Less than one-third of the births in those countries are attended by trained health care professionals. Also, only three percent of the women use a system to prevent 7. . In these countries, one in twelve women die during childbirth. In the top ten countries on the list, the 8. for women during childbirth is only one in 6,000.Save the Children says more educational programs for mothers and girls will improve the ability of women to 9. . The group says millions of lives could be saved if more money was invested in 10. . Mizz Levinger says family planning alone could prevent one-fourth of all deaths among new-born babies and their mothers. It would teach women to 11. . In addition, Mizz Levinger says education about the 12. at home are also needed.The study by Save the Children is part of a new 13. aimed at improving the health and education of mothers around the world. The group hopes to pressure 14. to increase international aid for women's programs.This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill Moss.6. Insects to Control Harmful TreesThis is Bill White with the VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT.Researchers are planning to use 1. to stop the spread of a harmful tree in the American state of Florida. The melaleuca tree 2. to spread throughout the Everglades. The Everglades is 3. that is home to many kinds of plants and animals.Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service have been 4. to control the melaleuca. The tree is native to Australia. In that country, more than one-hundred kinds of insects feed on it and 5. . The melaleuca was first brought to the United States 6. . But it had no natural insect enemies in its new environment. So melaleuca trees spread 7. across the southern United States.The tree kills and replaces other plant life in the Everglades. It is now blamed for environmental losses of up to 8. dollars a year.The Fergusonina fly is a natural enemy of the melaleuca. An 9. small worm, called a nematode, lives inside the fly. A team of American scientists is working with the 10. . They collected Fergusonina flies from Australia. The scientists put the flies on test plants to see if they attacked them. They found that the flies are likely to 11. only on the melaleuca trees in Florida. The flies would not harm other plants. This information was important for officials who 12. to send thousands of flies to the University of Florida for additional tests. Ted Center is the chief of the Agriculture Department's Invasive Plant Research Laboratory. He says tests show that the Fergusonina fly and the nematode are 13. different from other insects that attack other plants. He says this means that they 14. only in one kind of plant. The scientists now are planning more testing before proposing the release of the insects in the Everglades.Four years ago, scientists from Florida and Australia 15. another natural enemy of the melaleuca, the snout beetle. Scientists have released 16. of those insects in 17. . The scientists believe the Fergusonina fly and nematode would help the beetle and 18. against the melaleuca trees.This VOA Special English Environment report was written by George Crow7. Health Care Training for Native VillagesThis is Bill White with the VOA Special English DEVELOPMENT REPORT.Many countries have a 1. to provide health care in distant villages. The Medical Mission Sisters is an 2. that helps with this. It began seventy-five years ago. The Roman Catholic workers help provide health care training for people who are not served by modern hospitals, doctors and medicines.Isabel Harmon has been a 3. for fifty years, many of them in Africa. She is living in Oaxaca, Mexico, now. Sister Isabel helps with a training program in the city of Oaxaca for 4. from villages of native people. It teaches these 5. how to help themselves and others in the villages improve their health.Sister Isabel spends about three days a week, much of the year, traveling to the distant villages 6. . There she continues the training.For example, she teaches people how to 7. their bodies need to be healthy. Their villages are too high in the mountains to 8. that usually provide these vitamins. So she teaches people to cook a common plant, garlic 9. . Then the yellow part of eggs is added and the mixture 10. in the sun. Next, the nuts, almonds and pecans, 11. . The mixture then is put into small vitamin capsules that 12. . People take one each day with their usual diet of tortillas and beans.During the training program, the health care promoters are taught 13. . Such knowledge as the medical use of 14. is often lost when local medicine men and women die. For example, basil is used in many countries to add taste to foods. But traditionally the leaves of the plant have been used to help heal 15. . For stomach pain, the leaves are cooked in water and the liquid drunk. For an earache, the oil from the leaves is dropped in the ear.Sister Isabel has helped produce a book that describes common plants in the Oaxacaarea and explains how they can be used for healing. She hopes the idea of 16. will spread so people in many countries can improve their own medical care.This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Marilyn Christiano. This is Bill White.8. Apes EndangeredThis is Bill White with the VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT.Great apes are the animals most like humans. Experts say that 1. if nothing is done to save them. The United Nations Environment Program has begun a campaign called the Great Ape Survival Project.Its members are working with 2. . Their goal to prevent the disappearance of 3. . The project targets areas in Africa and southeast Asia where apes are threatened by 4. .Ten years ago, there were more than 5. mountain gorillas in eastern and central Africa. Today, there are only about 6. . They are disappearing from forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Many of them are being killed for food as part of the growing 7. bush-meat trade.Congo was once a safe area for gorillas. But years of war and 8. have made the gorillas easier targets for hunters. Miners searching for minerals also hunt the great apes. The gorillas that are left have to be protected by armed soldiers in national parks.Bonobos are small apes found only in the forests of Congo. Twenty years ago, there were about 9. bonobos. There are only about three-thousand today. Some bonobos have fled to nearby countries. Most of them are being hunted for food. Many chimpanzees 10. in countries where they once lived. Fifty years ago, there were millions of chimpanzees across western and central Africa. Today, only about 11. chimpanzees remain. The orangutan is endangered in Indonesia's rainforests. The rainforests are 12. because of farming, cutting down trees and gold mining in protected areas.13. say apes need more protection in national parks. They say local people need to be educated about the value of apes and their importance to the environmental system. Experts say the apes are important for 14. because they are so closely related to humans.United Nations officials say they need one-million dollars to support the Great Ape Survival Project. They want private companies to 15. the campaign.This VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT was written by Cynthia Kirk. This is Bill White.。