University English Podcast

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. This week we have stories in health, the animal kingdom and history.

In our first story on health, we learn that dogs may be a great help to us during the corona virus pandemic. You can read more about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/faster-than-pcr-test-dogs-detect-covid-coronavirus-london-bmj

In our second story on the animal kingdom, we discover how sharks find their way around in the ocean, and you can read more by following this link:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/17/sharks-earth-magnetic-field-gps-guidance-system

In our final story on history, we hear how microbes have helped to clean some of Michelangelo’s most beautiful statues. Read about it here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/30/arts/bacteria-cleaning-michelangelo-medici-restoration.html?searchResultPosition=1

Worksheet Answers:

1. C 2. A 3. D

© Martin Parsons, 2021

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have two stories on world news and one on the environment.

In world news, we hear a very scary story about a tourist bridge collapsing in China. You learn more about this story here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/10/china-tourist-bridge-glass-panels-smash-longjing-city

In the environment, we discover that the Earth’s stratosphere is getting smaller. You can learn more about this frightening story here:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/12/emissions-shrinking-the-stratosphere-scientists-find　

And finally, in world news learn about a young boy who has gone from being homeless to being a Chess master. Read about this inspiring story here:

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/tanitoluwa-adewumi-refugee-chess-champion-national-master/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/08/opinion/sunday/homeless-chess-champion-tani-adewumi.html

 Worksheet Answers:

1. B 2. B 3. D

© Martin Parsons, 2021

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. This week we have three stories related to the ocean.

In our first story, we hear about a walrus that went to sleep and ended up in … Ireland. You can read more about it here:

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/walrus-falls-asleep-on-arctic-iceberg-ends-up-in-ireland 

In our second story, we learn about a very unusual animal which can replace its entire body. You can read more about it here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/08/science/decapitated-sea-slugs.html

https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210308/k00/00m/040/140000c

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210309/p2g/00m/0li/061000c

In our final story, we learn that there is large scale fraud in the seafood business. Read about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/15/revealed-seafood-happening-on-a-vast-global-scale

Worksheet Answers:

1. D 2. B 3. D

© Martin Parsons, 2021

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. This week we have stories in science, world news and the environment.

In our first story, we hear about a strange bear attack in the USA. You can read more about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/19/alaska-woman-outhouse-attacked-bear

In our second story, we discover that NASA has named an important crate on Mars after a small village in Bosnia - Herzegovina, and you can read more by following these links:

https://theconversation.com/how-did-nasas-martian-rover-come-to-land-in-a-crater-named-after-a-tiny-balkan-village-155740

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-mars-mission-connects-with-bosnian-town

In our final story, we learn that batteries for cars which can be recharged in five minutes are being developed. Read about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/19/electric-car-batteries-race-ahead-with-five-minute-charging-times

Worksheet Answers:

1. C 2. A 3. B

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. This week we have three stories about animals.

In our first story, we learn about a tiny chameleon in Madagascar. You can read more about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/05/seed-sized-chameleon-madagascar-world-tiniest-reptile

In our second story, we discover that naked mole rats have different “accents”, and you can read more by following this link:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/naked-mole-rats-speak-dialects-unique-their-colony-180976908/

In our final story, we try to understand why wombats have square-shaped poo. Read about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/29/box-seat-scientists-solve-the-mystery-of-why-wombats-have-cube-shaped-poo

Worksheet Answers:

1. A 2. D 3. B

© 2021, Martin Parsons

Chirashi zushi is a unique kind of sushi, well known in Japan. Chirashi zushi uses a wide variety of ingredients and is both healthy and delicious.

In this video, a student from Hannan University in Japan explains the process for making chirashi zushi.

Kinako is a powder made from roasted soybeans and used in Japanese confectionery and other dishes.

In this video, students from Kyoto explain how to make kinako, and introduce other uses for soybeans in Japanese cuisine.

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks.

In our first story, we learn about an ancient fast-food shop in Italy. You can read more about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/26/exceptionally-well-preserved-snack-bar-unearthed-in-pompeii

In our second story, we discover that marsupials glow in the dark, and you can read more by following these links:

https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/mamm/ahead-of-print/article-10.1515-mammalia-2020-0027/article-10.1515-mammalia-2020-0027.xml  

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/19/tasmanian-devils-glow-in-the-dark-australian-animals-glowing-platypus-wombat-echidna-bandicoot-scientists-investigate-australia-marsupials-light

In our final story, we learn that a new movie has just become the box-office record holder in Japan. Read about it here:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/12/28/films/demon-slayer-japan-top-box-office-hit/

Worksheet Answers:

1. C 2. A 3. B

© 2021, Martin Parsons

Udon is a noodle dish, famous in Japan, usually served in a hot broth with various toppings. It is delicious.

In this video, students from Kyoto explain how to make a delicious bowl of udon.

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have “good news” stories on health, the environment, and world news.

In our first good news story, we learn that scientists have developed a simple blood test to check for cancer. You can read more about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/27/nhs-to-trial-blood-test-to-detect-more-than-50-forms-of-cancer

In our second story, we find out that waste from sugar production could replace plastic for coffee cups, and you can learn more by following these links:

https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2020/11/14/better-disposable-coffee-cups

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201112113139.htm

In our final story, we hear about a family which found a koala in their Christmas tree. You can watch a video and learn more here:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/03/on-the-first-day-of-australian-family-finds-live-koala-in-their-christmas-tree

Worksheet Answers:

1. C       2. A      3. C

©Martin Parsons, 2020