本文中的部分内容转载自简书 作者：Noah喏哈

本文中的部分内容转载自简书 作者：YMMT彩

笔记版权归笔记作者所有

其中英文语句取自：英语流利说-懂你英语

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Level6 Unit1 Part1 Listening

Noah喏哈简书作者

2018-02-20 22:49

Harry Beecham works for a hi-tech German company based in Munich.

Last month, he was in an automobile accident.

He was on his way to attend an important meeting in New York City.

He had just arrived on a flight from London and was taking a taxi into the city.

The weather was terrible, and the road was icy.

He was in a hurry, so he asked the taxi driver to get him into the city as soon as possible.

The taxi driver agreed and sped up, but, just as they left the airport, the car went out of control.

it spun around, and skidded into the path of an oncoming truck.

Fortunately, the truck wasn't going too fast, so nobody was killed.

But the taxi was severely damaged, and both passengers were injured.

The taxi driver survived with only a few injures because he was wearing a seatbelt.

The taxi's airbag had also deployed, absorbing much of the impact.

However, Hary, who was in the back seat, hadn't put on his seatbelt.

As a result. he was severely injured and had to be rushed to a hospital.

Now, a month later, Harry still can't remember much of what happened.

When he first woke up in the hospital, it was several hours after the accident, and he wasn't sure where he was.

The bad news was that he couldn't move his legs.

This was because his back had been broken in the accident.

The doctors later told him that he might never regain the use of his legs.

Some of the nerves in his spine and legs had been damaged, but everything else was okay.

Now, Harry is trying to figure out what to do.

If he works hard and exercises every day there is still a chance that his legs will recover on their own.

There are also some new treatments that might help his nerves regenerate.

Still, he should be prepared for a long recovery and the possibility that he might never walk again.

Without the use of his legs, he wouldn't be able to continue working in the same way.

It wouldn't be possible to travel, so he would have to find another way to attend meetings.

Either that or he would have to look for another way to make a living.

Harry has good disability insurance, so money won't be a problem for a while.

But sooner or later he wants to be able to earn a living again.

Of course he isn't planning to give up on his legs.

If he works hard he might still be able to regain their use and learn to walk again.

Some of his nerves had been damaged, but there is a chance that they will heal.

The new drugs being developed might make it possible for the nerves to grow back.

Still, he has to face the possibility that nothing will work.

Whatever happens, Harry is determined to think positively.

Even if he can't walk, he can still attend meetings all over the world.

With new technology he could be anywhere, and there is much that he can still do.

Luckily, he still has the use of his arms and hands, and his brain is still functioning.

With the right attitude he can find a way forward.

There is no reason for despair or feeling sorry for oneself.

That kind of thinking won't solve anything.

He just hopes that his company or another company, will give him the chance to prove himself.

He can still be a valuable asset for them, come what may.

Level6 Unit1 Part1 Dialogue

Noah喏哈简书作者

2018-02-21 01:01

Hey, what do you think?

Do you like it?

No, it's too short.

You can't wear that to the office.

If you do, nobody will be able to concentrate.

What about this one?

That's the right length, but I hate the color.

I hate pink.

OK, i'll see if they have it in another color, but it isn't cheap.

It's okay if you don't buy anything else for a while.

Sure, this will last for a while.

Well, I'm glad you like your dress.

It looks great on you.

You should get some new clothes too.

You never buy anything for yourself.

I have an expensive girlfriend now, so I can't afford it.

And besides I don't have the time to go shopping.

What are you doing?

Are you staring at that women?

What? No, of course not.

Yes, you were.

You were staring at her.

How do you think it makes me feel.

I was just looking in that direction.

No, you were staring at her for several seconds.

I'm sorry but I couldn't help it.

I've told you many times to stop that.

And if you are going to stare, you shouldn't do it like that, so obvious and rude.

OK, what's the best way to stare?

Don't stare for four or five seconds.

Just take quick looks, 2 seconds long.

Then it isn't so obvious.

Sorry, my eyes just went there.

I'm programed like that.

That's no excuse.

And don't ever tell me you don't like pink angin.

She is wearing pink.

Why is it that pink is so bad on me when you can't help staring at someone else who is wearing pink.

I didn't notice that she is wearing pink.

Ah, so the clothes don't matter.

She is more attractive than I am.

Why don't you go sit with her?

Hey, come on.

Let's not get into a fight.

I thought you were getting better.

But you never change.

You just had to ruin the evening.

Hey, come on, I'm sorry.

No! Don't say anything, I don't wanna hear it.

Level6 Unit1 Part1 Reading

Noah喏哈简书作者

2018-02-21 01:32

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

    Once upon a time there was a mischievous young boy who was given the task of tending a herd of sheep on a hillside near a village. The boy grew tired and bored while watching the sheep, so he found ways to amuse himself, such as climbing trees or chasing sheep. One day he came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea. He climbed to the top of a tree and shouted toward the village:"Wolf! Wolf! Help me please!"

    When the villagers heard his cries for help, they rushed up the hill to rescue him and chase the wolf away. Of course, when they got there, there was no wolf to be seen, and the boy, who was still in the tree, was laughing. The sheep were grazing peacefully. Annoyed, the villagers returned to the village and back to their normal activities.

    A few days later, the boy grew bored again, and played the same trick on the villagers, This time the villagers were furious at the boy. That night he was punished by his mother for his bad behavior.

    For a while after that, life went on as normal and the boy behaved, he didn't want to be punished again. Then, one afternoon while he was tending the sheep, he noticed that the sheep was were bleating and nervous. He didn't know what was causing their strange behavior, so he climbed a tree to see if he could determine what was going on. What he saw from a tree was a frightening sight, a big, hairy wolf chasing after the sheep, Terrified, he screamed for help:"Wolf! Wolf! There's a wolf chasing the sheep!"

    This time, when the villagers heard his cries for help, they were convinced that it was another one of his pranks. Nobody believed that there was really a wolf, so they ignored his frantic calls for help. The wolf, having nothing to fear, feasted on several of the sheep and then slipped back into the forest.

Survival in the Outback

    What would you do if you ever found yourself lost in the wild? To find out, you can join a weekend survival course in Australia's Outback Desert. This vast area is famous for its harsh desert climate.

    To survive, your first task will be to find water, a rare commodity in the desert. Animals such as ants and seed-eating birds are strong indicators of water. You can also cut and suck moisture from the roots and leaves of plants. Trees like the desert oak have roots near the surface. But be careful, the branches of gum trees are a rich source of water, but the leaves are poisonous, so don't eat them.

    The best place to build a shelter is in an area with the least amount of sunlight, like between sand dunes or in a trench, To make a trench, dig a hole big enough to lie down in and use the extra sand to create a barrier or wall on each side. This can help to shield you from the glare and scorching heat of the sun.

    Nights can be cold, so knowing how to make a fire is essential. One way to build a fire is to use the hand drill method. This is one of the oldest and simplest ways to start a fire. It involves rolling a stick between your hands while pressing it onto a notched piece of wood with dry tinder below. The idea is to use the friction to create enough heat to ignite the tinder. This can be a lot of work.

    As for food, you'll have to be open-minded. Some forms of life can be ugly to look at but can provide you with enough protein to survive. They may even taste good, like scrambled eggs!

Level6 Unit2 Part2 Listening

Noah喏哈简书作者

2018-03-13 20:04

Now that you're studying English at a high level, let's get a better understanding of modals.

By now you should already have a good understanding of what they mean.

Here are the modals which are used to express degrees of certainty.

will shall may can

These modals are used for making predictions, judgements and speculations.

They indicate how much a speaker knows about the likelihood of an event.

First, the modal "will" expresses certainty, as in "If you heat water, it will boil."

Based on what is known, the speaker is CERTAIN it will happen.

The modal "may" expresses possibility, as in "It may rain this evening, but I'm not sure."

Based on what is known, the speaker asserts that the event is possible rather than certain or impossible.

The modal "can" expresses potentiality, or ability, as in "He can afford it, but he may decide not to buy."

The modal "shall" is a bit different from the others.

"Tina shall be there" means the speaker is determined that Tina will be there.

In other words, the speaker is determined to get her to come and will try to influence events to make it happen.

We would never say: "It shall rain."

Nobody can make it rain, so whether or not it rains is beyond anyone's control.

If someone were to say that, it would seem as if they were claiming the power to control or influence nature.

Note that the question "Shall I open the door?" invites the person who is asked to make the decision.

Whether or not the door is opened depends on the person's answer.

In contrast, "Will I open the door?" asks for a prediction rather than a decision.

Note that these modals can be weakened or removed from reality by the use of their past tense form.

would/should/might/could

"We would go if we had more money, but we don't."

This sentence expresses the speaker's certainty of going IF they had more money, which they don't.

So the certain prediction exists, but in an imaginary or unreal situation.

The modal "might" expresses less possibility than "may", so "might go" is less likely than "may go".

The modal "could" expresses less potential than "can", and is often used in conditionals.

"If he could come" expresses less potential than "If he can come' .

The sentence, "If he could come, we would all be happier" expresses the feeling that in fact, he can't come.

Here is the second set of modals.

These modals express degrees of logical force or social expectation.

must/ had better/ should/ ought to

Note that none of them has a past tense or weakened form.

The first one, "mustn indicates logical or social necessity.

It expresses the strongest logical or social force.

The modals "should" and "ought to" assert that something is probable or expected, but not necessary.

The modal "had better" expresses advisability.

In other words, if someone "had better" do something, they should do it or there may be negative consequences.

Therefore, "had better" has the feeling of a threat, as in "You had better be there."

This isn't the same as "You should do it," which means you are expected to do it, but without an implied threat if you don't.

One interesting rule is that no more than one modal can be used with any verb.

There are no exceptions to this rule.

Therefore, it's incorrect to say: "He will must be there."

To avoid breaking this rule, there are other words that have the same meaning, but are not modals.

In the case of "must", for example, we use "have to" as in "He will have to be there."

Similarly, we cannot say "He may can come."

Instead, we say "He may be able to come."

One last thing to note about modals.

They use the same form regardless of what the subject is.

If the grammatical subject is l, it, we or they, we use the same form, will.

We would never say "He wills be there."

But with non-modal forms, such as "have to" we must change the form to match the subject.

"He has to be there" and "I have to be there".

Level6 Unit2 Part2 Dialogue

Noah喏哈简书作者

2018-03-17 21:18

What's wrong?

You look awful.

My boyfriend and I have just had another fight.

I think I'm going to break up with him.

Hey, you've said that before.

Calm down.

Is that really what you want to do?

Yeah, I think so.

I don't see any future on our relationship.

Is there anyone else you're interested in?

No, but there are some guys on the internet who have sent me messages.

What, you've been online?

Sure, just for fun.

It's nice to know that I can meet people if I want to.

Does your boyfriend know about it?

No, if he knew it, he'll be furious.

He can be very jealous, and he has a violent temper.

Anyway, what was your fight about?

Oh, it's just the way he talks to me.

He never shows any interest in what I'm doing or what I'm feeling.

If I have a bad headache or anything he says nothing.

So who started the fight?

He came over and wanted to kiss me, and I turned away.

I told him I didn't feel anything for him right then.

So then he got angry and we both blew up.

Now we're not talking to each other.

Oh, is that all?

That kind of thing is normal.

Maybe you're overreacting.

No, it's just that I'm beginning to realize that I don't feel anything for him any more.

Our relationship is getting cold.

I don't feel appreciated.

Well then, maybe you should break up for a while and start seeing other man.

But be careful.

If I were you, I wouldn't start seeing anybody else until I break up first.

Why do you think so?

If he sees that you're serious about breaking up, he may change.

Maybe, but I doubt it.

It could be that he feels the same way about you.

Maybe he has lost interest.

So it's best to find out.

You need to have a serious conversation with him.

Hemm, you're right.

Maybe it's time to really find out.

Level6 Unit2 Part2 Reading

Noah喏哈简书作者

2018-03-18 21:20

The love Lab

    How we communicate with our romantic partners can have a strong impact on the quality of our relationships. Psychologists John and Julie Gottman run the "Love Lab", where thousands of couples have been studied over the last 30 years. The purpose of their research is to determine the factors that lead to happy and unhappy relationships. From their data, they have concluded that contempt, criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling are the most significant factors that can hurt a marriage or relationship.

    Among these, contempt is the biggest predictor of divorce. People who feel contempt for their partner often convey disapproval without addressing the issue. They sometimes label their partner with insulting words such as "lazy" "stupid" or "emotional", which is particularly damaging.

    Many couples try to address issues by criticizing their partner's flaws or mistakes directly. Being too direct with criticism can hurt your partner's self-esteem. Some people may react to criticism by becoming defensive and focused on winning the argument, rather than on improving themselves. Others may react to criticism by stonewalling, where they refuse to acknowledge and respond to their partner for a period of time.

    Unfortunately, fighting back or ignoring your partner can make it difficult to determine the root of your problems. If your partner feels that they aren't valued, it may lead to increased dissatisfaction with the relationship.

    The Gottmans maintain that being aware of these factors in communication is the first step to improving a relationship. It is important to acknowledge that all relationships have issues. The goal shouldn't be to avoid these issues, but to learn to resolve them. In particular, we should avoid communicating in ways that hurt our partner's self-esteem. It is better to discuss problems in a way that is less confrontational and can better help your partner sympathize with your perspective. For example, rather than saying "Why are you ignoring me? It's rude!" one could say "l feel hurt and undervalued when I don't get a response from you." By being conscious of how we communicate with our partner, we can begin to build a healthier relationship.

The Lost City of the Incas

    Machu Picchu is one of the world's most impressive historical sites. It was built around 1450 by the Incas, who ruled most of South America at that time. They called themselves children of the Sun, the powerful god they worshipped as the source of light and life.

    Located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, at 8,000 feet above sea level, the "City of the Incas" was mysteriously abandoned just 100 years after its construction. This was when the Spanish were beginning their conquest of the Inca Empire, in the 1530's. There is no evidence that the Spanish invaders ever attacked or even reached the mountaintop city, so many believe that the city's inhabitants deserted the site because of a smallpox epidemic.

    The city was almost forgotten until 1911 when it was discovered by an American historian, Hiram Bingham, after he heard rumors of its existence. Bingham was led to the site by local farmers and was amazed by what he saw, which seemed like an unbelievable dream. He wondered if anyone would believe what he had found. Though the surrounding jungle had overgrown the site, what remained was impressive. The city had been built on a remote and nearly inaccessible mountaintop, often shrouded in clouds. Forty rows of farming terraces hugged the steep mountainside, each over 10 feet high and linked together by over 3000 stone steps. Among the city were what appeared to be neighborhoods of  homes and exquisite stone buildings that are thought to be temples. Even today, the mystery remains as to the purpose of these temples, how the city was used and what its citizens did.

    Despite its remote location, Machu Picchu has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Every year, thousands of people travel to Peru to admire its magnificent stonework and breathtaking design. What they see is a wonderful harmony between the city and the landscape around it that is captivating.

Level6 Unit2 Part3 Listening

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-12 01:39

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 3 Listening: The Murder of Caesar

In this course we have tried to prepare you to understand and discuss important topics that are often in the news.

Sometimes the news is good news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises.

Once in a while, an event is extraordinary and will change the word.

In this lesson, we focus on an events that changed history forever.

This historic event was the assassination of Rome's leader Julius Caesar.

We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place.

But we can speculate what caused it and how it might have been prevented.

One of the most famous assassinations in history was the assassination of Julius Caesar.

At the time of his death in 44 B.C, he was the leader of Roman Empire.

His title was Dictator for life, which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived.

He had gain this power through his successes as a military commander.

In fact, some historians considered him to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.

Once gaining in power, he fought against corruption and began to restructure the government.

For example, he increased the number of senators and changed how they were chosen.

Instead of being elected, they could be appointed, even if they were not from Rome.

This action reduced the power of individual senators and shifted the power to Caesar himself.

In doing so, he created many enemies, especially among the aristocracy.

However, he also had many admirers, who supported his efforts to end the corruption.

Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Roman senators on March 15, 44 BC.

He was scheduled to leave Rome, 3 days later, to fight in another war.

He had appointed members of his army to rule the empire while he was away.

This action angered many of Roman senators, who didn’t want to take orders from Caesar’s subordinates.

He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him, but he dismissed the security force not long before his assassination.

If he hadn’t dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeed.

On the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning notes as he entered in senate.

If he did receive such a note, he didn’t read it.

it seems as if he was in a state of denial and refused to recognize the danger that was facing him.

Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers, or knives.

The first blow hit Caesar in his neck and drew blood.

Then the other senators joined in and stabbed him repeatedly, until he fell to the floor and died.

In total, he suffered 23 knife wounds.

With his death, power shifted to his adopted son, Octavian, who vowed revenge against the assassins.

Eventually, several of the leading assassins were either killed or committed suicide.

After a power struggle, Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled the empire for many years.

In the end, Caesar’s attempts to end corruption failed.

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 3 Listening: JFK Assassination

One of the most historic events of the 20th century was the assassination of US President, John Kennedy.

Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States, serving as President from January 1961 until November 1963.

During his time in office, the US entered the space race with the Soviet Union.

Kennedy pledged that the US would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

Unfortunately,  he never lived to see this happen.

In October of 1962, the US and the Soviet Union came dagerously close to entering a full-scale nuclear war.

This event was known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Kennedy's skillful handling of the situation, along with that of his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, helped save the world from a nuclear catastrophe.

Following this event, his approval rating in the United States improved from 66% to 77%.

To many, he was considered to be the type of leader who could build a better world.

On November 22, 1963, Kennedy's presidency came to a sudden and tragic end.

He was shot and killed while riding in a motorcade in a city of Dallas, Texas.

Kennedy and his wife was sitting in an open car, waving to a large crowd of people when he was shot.

They were sitting in an open car, with no protection, because the sky was clear.

It had rained until about 10 a.m., but then the sun came out.

If the sky hadn’t cleared, there would have been a bubble top, or clear roof, on the car.

This would have prevented the assassination.

Kennedy wanted it down so that he could be closer to the crowds who where there to greet him.

Another factor that contributed to the assassination was the route of the motorcade through the city.

The route was published several days earlier in the local newspapers.

The motorcade was to pass through downtown Dallas and round a sharp corner near the building where the assassin worked.

From that building, there was a clear view of the president’s car.

If the route had been different, the assassination probably wouldn’t have taken place.

The president was struck by 2 bullets, but it was the second one that probably killed him.

That was the fatal shot.

It opened a massive wound in his head.

Sitting beside him, his wife’s last words to his husband were, 'Jack, Jack, can you hear me? I love you Jack.'

The assassin’s quick shots were incredibly accurate.

If the fatal shot had been off by just a little, Kennedy might have survived.

So if any of these factors had been different, history would have changed.

Kennedy’s death disillusioned many Americans who had been inspired by his vision for the future.

With his death, a whole generation of Americans woke up to a reality where their dreams for a brighter future had been shattered.

Level6 Unit2 Part3 Dialogue

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-15 00:57

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 3 Dialogue: Taking Care of the Elderly

I’m sorry to hear about your father.

I hope he died peacefully.

Emm. He knew it was coming and he had a good life.

He’d been sick for about a year.

Luckily, there wasn’t much pain.

So how is your mother?

She isn’t taking it well.

Even though she knew it was coming, she has a hard time without him.

She says the house seems so empty, and she feels useless.

I can imagine. Does she have many friends?

She has a few but she’s never been very social.

Maybe she’ll get out a bit more now, but I don’t think that’s very likely.

She’s also beginning to lose her memory.

Oh, that’s too bad.

My mom is losing her memory too.

Sometime she doesn’t know who I am.

She mixed me up with my sister.

Does she live by herself?

She did until about a year ago.

Then we had her come and stay with us.

How is that working out?

It was okay at first, but now with her memory problems, it isn’t working.

We are thinking about putting her into a senior living community.

It’s expensive but it can provide her with the support she needs.

We may have to do that too.

My husband and my mother don’t get along at all.

He can’t relax when she’s around.

When I mentioned it to him, he said he would consider it, but only if it were for a very short time.

Well, I’m sorry you have to deal with it.

It doesn’t seem like there are any good choices.

Emm, I’m afraid that’s right.

We are getting older too.

This is another reminder of our mortality.

We are no longer children, so now it’s our turn to take care of our parents.

The way I see it is a reminder for us to enjoy life while we can.

If you like, I can send you information about some senior communities.

Please do. We need to start making plans.

There are waiting lists to get into some of them, so you shouldn’t wait to apply.

Level6 Unit2 Part3 Reading

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-15 01:35

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 3 Reading: The Murder of Caesar

Should a good leader be loved or feared? This question is as relevant to leaders today as it was to Julius Caesar when he took control of Rome in 44 BC. How Caesar treated his enemies is a valuable lesson on forgiveness, arrogance, and absolute power.

After Caesar seized power, he had to decide how to handle those who opposed him. Roman politics had always been bloody. The previous dictator had murdered 5,000 of his rivals and confiscated their property after coming to power. Caesar’s enemies expected a similar punishment.

But Caesar was determined not to rule through fear. If he were to reform the government, he would need the support of the people. So he made a fateful decision: rather than punish or kill his enemies, he offered them mercy and incentives. He didn’t seize their property, and he even rewarded some of them with high-ranking government positions. However, not all of his enemies wanted to be forgiven. Caesar’s rivals came from the aristocracy. Many had held power in the Senate for centuries. By expanding and reforming the Senate, Caesar had shifted power away from the aristocracy and taken it for himself. The high-ranking positions he had given as rewards had no real authority. For the aristocracy, to live without power was not forgiveness, but humiliation.

Caesar should have known that many senators hated him, but his arrogance seems to have blinded him. After he made himself dictator for life, he proclaimed himself a god and consolidated more power. These actions infuriated his enemies and even his allies. However, he still considered many senators to be his loyal friends. He even dismissed his personal security force. Ironically, when he was assassinated, it was his good friend, Brutus, who led the plot.

Perhaps it is better for a leader to be feared. If Caesar hadn’t let his rivals live, he might not have been murdered. But was forgiveness the problem? Caesar’s reforms took power from the aristocracy, and his arrogance angered both friends and enemies. Perhaps if he hadn’t been so arrogant, or acted like a god, he would have survived.

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 3 Reading: Urban Elderly Care in India

Lack of adequate care for senior citizens is a real issue in India that cuts across economic and social strata. Many of us have personally lived through and experienced it with our parents and elders. Most senior citizens, especially those who live independently, are unable to get the care and trusted support they need. As a result, they compromise on their needs and lifestyle. Their children or caregivers are forced to spend disproportionate time, and/or resources to support them. So much so, that many women are forced to stay away from the workforce to take care of elders at home.

The imminent demographic, economic, and social changes that accompany the growing population of senior citizens, together with the rising aspirations of the young, leading to more women in the workforce, are rapidly driving up the magnitude of this problem.

If we look at numbers, India is home to 115 million elderlies, which is more than 8% of the population. Many of us don’t realize it, but that puts India into the category of “aging” countries. While India’s overall population will grow by about 40% from 2006 to 2050, the population of the oldest elderly, 80 plus, will grow 500% over the same period. This should be enough to make one take notice. Engaging with the elderly will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country. Some may see this as a challenge and some as a huge opportunity.

Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically, with emotional advertising that features a poignant conversation involving an elderly grandparent. But there has been very little effort to provide products and services. The reasons for such apathy, especially among entrepreneurs, are not difficult to guess. Many feel that the elderly are cynical, not open to experiment and not willing to spend. Investors see bigger opportunities for exponential growth in addressing young, upwardly mobile consumers.

Still, I’m left with the question of why aren’t more products and services designed for the elderly?

I sense a problem looking for the solution.

Level6 Unit2 Part4 Listening

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-16 01:52

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 4 Listening: Aging Population

The world’s population is growing at a rate of a little more than 1% per year.

However, not all segments of the population are growing at the same rate.

This graph shows that the rates of growth have 3 different groups, children, adults and the elderly.

As you can see, while the population of children is fairly constant, the elderly population is increasing at the fastest rate.

This is due to very low birth rates in developed country and birthrate declines in most developing countries.

As a result of these trends, the world’s population is aging.

Between 2015 and 2050, the percentage of world’s population over 60 is expected to nearly double.

In 2015, there were 900 million people over 60 and in 2050, the number should be around 2 billion.

Aging populations are becoming a huge problem in many countries, especially in developing counties.

It used to be that many elderly people lived with their family and helped take care of the next generation.

They had a place to stay and people who help take care of them when they needed assistance.

Now however, many elderly people, or senior citizens, are left on their own.

This is partly the result of people having fewer children, and also because of the massive urbanization.

Young and middle-aged audits have left the rural area for economic opportunities only available in large urban centers.

As a result, there is no one to care for the elderly who were left behind to live on their own.

This is especially true in developing countries.

With an aging population, health problem becomes a growing concern.

Some of the leading conditions that accompany aging include vision problems, hearing loss, diabetes and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease.

These problems can lead to disabilities that make it difficult to live without assistance.

With diseases such as Alzheimer's, people lose their memory and are unable to recognize their own children.

Worldwide, more than 46% of people aged 60 and over have disabilities.

Giving meals and medical care, for example, becomes both expensive and difficult.

As a result, the cost of providing services to the sick and disabled can become a huge problem.

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 4 Listening: Dependency Ratio

In economics, the dependency ratio shows the relationship between the number of people not in the labor force and those in the labor force.

Those not in the labor force are the dependent part of the population.

Those in the labor force are the productive part of the population.

A high dependency ratio means that there are fewer working people to support health, social security and education services, which are used by the dependent sectors of a population.

This number is calculated by adding together the total number of young and old people, and dividing that number by the number of working age people.

Sometimes the dependency ratio is presented in two parts.

One part focuses on the ratio between children and the working age population.

This is the dependency ratio for the young.

The other is the ratio between the elderly and the working age population, which is the dependency ratio for the old.

Here are some dependency ratios for the old in 5 countries, China, India, Japan, the US and the UK.

It shows the ratios at 3 different points of time, 2000, 2015 and 2050.

Note that the greatest percentage change from 2015 to 2050 is for China.

The dependency ratio nearly triples from 13.1 to 39.

The other counties show gains, but as a percentage increase they are less.

In Japan, the ratio increases from 43.6 to 71.8 which is less than double.

The life expectancy for Japan in 2050 is predicted to be 93, which is the highest of these countries.

A high life expectancy obviously increases the dependency ratio.

And note that the dependency ratio ignores the fact that those counted in elderly segment of population are not necessarily depended.

An increasing proportion of them are working, and many of those in the working age segment may not be working.

So this way of calculating the dependency ratio in the country can be misleading.

By pointing this out, we can see the danger of using of such number to make policy without understanding how they are calculated.

In the end, details are important.

Level6 Unit2 Part4 Dialogue

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-16 21:41

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 4 Dialogue: John's Resignation

So what is it that you wanted to see me about, John?

I thought it would be good for us to have a heart-to-heart conversation.

You're unhappy with how things are going, right?

Yes, I am. But I don't want others in the company to know.

I thought we should meet outside.

Ok, so what are you thinking?

To be perfectly frank, I’ve decided that it doesn’t make sense for me to stay with the company.

You are the CEO, but I don’t agree with how you’re handling things.

I can no longer support you.

Hmm, OK, I have suspected that for quite a while.

I’m still happy to support the company if I can, of course, but I’d like to work elsewhere.

There's a start-up that has contacted me, and I’m planning to join them as soon as I can.

Are you gentlemen really to order?

No, not yet.

Could you come back in a few minutes?

Certainly, sir.

Well, we are going to miss you.

There's nothing I can say that would change your mind?

No, it’s too late for that.

I no longer have confidence in your decisions.

Your latest business plan, for example, makes no sense at all.

It makes us weaker in the area where we are strong, and it takes us in some new areas where we can’t compete.

Well, that’s where we disagree.

So, if that’s the way you feel about it, I agree that it’s best that you work somewhere else.

Still, I hope we can count on you when we need you for something.

Sure, keep me informed and let me know if and when I can be useful.

I will.

So how do you propose that we should communicate this to the company.

I will write up something and you can review it.

I’ll make it sound as positive as possible.

Ok, thanks.

I’m sure it will come as a shock to many.

Things are already difficult enough.

I know and maybe I’m wrong.

Maybe your plan will work.

If so, I will be the first to congratulate you.

Are you ready to order?

Sure, though I don’t feel like eating much.

Waiter.

Level6 Unit2 Part4 Reading

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-17 20:32

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 4 Reading: Global Life Expectancy

People today are living longer than at any point in human history. Virtually every country enjoys a higher life expectancy than it did in the 19th century. In 1870, the average person could expect to live for 30 years. By 2015 that number had increased to 71, more than doubling.

The west was the first region to see an increase in life expectancy. Scientific discoveries led to a growing awareness of germs and disease. New medicines and treatments were developed, and people adopted more hygienic lifestyles. Public health measures were a major factor. During the 20th century, the average lifespan in the United States increased by more than 30 years, if which 25 years can be attributed to advances in public health.

Between 1900 and 1950, Europe’s life expectancy grew from 43 years to 65 years. However, this did not reflect the experience of the rest of the world, which largely remained impoverished and underdeveloped. In 1950, Asia’s average life expectancy was 42 and the Africa’s was 36. In the following decades, living conditions in both continents improved, along with life expectancy. As Asian economies grew, people had better access to health services and greater quantities of food. In Africa however, several countries did not see significant economic growth, but still enjoyed a growing life expectancy. This was due to better access to medicines and vaccines. As of 2015, the life expectancies of Asia and Africa were about 72 and 60 years respectively.

In all countries, some facts are universal, including higher mortality rates associated with childhood. Therefore, life expectancy increases with age. Economics condition also affect life expectancy. For example, in the UK, life expectancy among the wealthiest is several years higher than among the poorest. This may reflect factors such as diet and lifestyle, as well as access to medical care.

And finally, women enjoy an advantage over men. Females have a higher survival rate from birth to old age. Of individuals aged 110, 90% are women. In fact, for almost all animal species except birds, females have higher survival rates than males.

Level 6 Unit 2 Part 4 Reading: Virtual Heaven

If you could live forever, would you want to? The challenge of keeping your body alive seems impossible, but some scientists are working on an alternative. They want to create a digital copy of your “self” and keep that copy “alive” long after your physical body has stopped functioning.

In effect, their plan is to clone a person electronically. Unlike ordinary physical clones –which have identical features as their parents, but which are independent organisms, each with a different conscious self – your electronic clone would believe itself to be you. One plan relies on the development of nanotechnology. Ray Kurzweil, a leading futurist, predicts that within two or three decades we will have tiny transmitters that can be injected into the brain. once there they would line up alongside neurons and monitor the details of the brain’s activity. They would then be able to transmit that information to receivers inside a special helmet, allowing us to map the brain.

As a further step, Kurzweil foresees using these tiny transmitters to connect you to a world of virtual reality. With the transmitters in place, you could think your way onto the internet. Instead of seeing pictures on a screen, you would see them in your mind. Rather than send emails to your friends, you could meet them on some virtual tropical beach and exchange messages in “virtual person”.

For a futurist like Ray, this would be heaven, a virtual heaven. Once you upload the brain onto the internet and log on to that virtual world, your body can be left to decompose while your virtual self can play games for as long as you wish.

However, there is still a problem. To exist on the net, your virtual self will have to reside on the computer of a web-hosting company. These companies want to be paid real money, or they will delete your “self” and sell the space to someone else. With your body long gone how you pay?

Level6 Unit3 Part1 Listening

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-20 01:24

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 1 Listening: Cyber Theft 1

John is the owner of a small consulting business.

Last night, some important documents were stolen from John's office.

They were locked up in the safe, and the only way to open the safe was with an 8-digits access code.

Whoever got into the safe must have had that code.

So now, he is trying to figure out who could get them.

Only two people in the company were authorized to have the code.

To improve security, John changes the code every month.

He had the code of course, and so did his assistant, Sylvia.

As far as he knew, nobody else had it, or had ever asked to use it to get something from the safe.

There was no reason for Sylvia to take the documents, so he couldn’t imagine that it was her.

That wouldn't make sense, and she was completely trustworthy.

Besides, she was on a business trip, and wouldn't be back for several more days.

So somebody else must have had the code and stolen the documents

If so, who was it and how did they get the code?.

One possibility is that the code was written down somewhere, maybe in a notebook.

Sylvia was famous for writing things down.

She had a notoriously bad memory, so she kept a lot of notes.

Maybe she wasn't careful, and someone looked through her notes and discovered the code.

But Sylvia wasn’t that careless or irresponsible.

She would never have written the code down on a piece of paper.

So that couldn't be the answer.

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 1 Listening: Cyber Theft 2

Another possibility is that somebody hacked into her computer.

She had probably stored the code somewhere on her computer, and the theft was able to get it from there.

But who could he have been.

Suddenly, he realized that there was a new IT guy in the office.

He maintained the company’s computer network and provided technical support for the staffs.

Perhaps he was the guilty one.

If anyone could have done it, he certainly had the skills.

He was a security expert, and he had helped Sylvia instored something on her computer last week.

Then, John realized that nobody had done a proper background check on the guy.

One of the other engineers in the company had recommended him, and he seemed nice.

They had been in a hurry to hire someone for the position, so they didn’t check his background very carefully.

Suddenly, he had a bad feeling.

Immediately, he used his smartphone to check the company’s bank accounts.

To his horror, he found that a large amount of money was missing from one of his accounts.

There had been a large withdraw earlier that morning, more than 75 thousand dollars.

He then discovered that the money had been wired to an account in another country.

So, not only did the IT guy get the access code for the safe, but he also got the login information for the bank.

This was a disaster.

John immediately called the police and reported the incident.

He also called the bank to see if they could stop the transaction.

Unfortunately, they said it was too late; the transaction had gone through.

Just then, John got an email with the subject line: 'from the IT guy'.

It showed a smiley face and said, 'Thank you for being so stupid.'

Don’t waste your time trying to find me.

I’ve left the country and will never return.

Be thankful that I didn’t take everything in the account.

This should be a good lesson for you.

It was signed: 'your IT guy'.

Level6 Unit3 Part1 Dialogue

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-20 21:05

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 1 Dialogue:

Well, what did you think of my presentation.

Do you want me to be frank?

I know you worked very hard on it.

Yes, give it to me straight.

I have my own opinion too, but I'd appreciate your comments and suggestions.

You said you have your own opinion about it.

So how do you think it went?

I thought it went okay at first, but I could feel that there were some bad transitions.

I think I spent too much time on some slides and didn’t express them well.

I agree on most points.

But to me, it was flat.

Five minutes into it, I had a hard time paying attention.

Flat? Do you mean my voice?

Yes, that’s part of it.

There is very little passion, almost like you were reading it.

I’m sure you can do better.

Do you have any suggestions?

First, let me say that I liked the slides themselves.

The designs were nice and easy to read.

But the one thing you didn’t do was engage with the audience.

You focused on the slides and didn’t address the audience.

Oh, I was trying to, but I guess I was too nervous.

I didn’t want to forget anything.

You have a great smile.

You need to show that smile and your expressions when you present.

Make eye contact.

When you present, I notice you always do that.

And you pause between ideas.

But it seems so easy for you.

For me, I look at the faces in the audience.

I watch their expressions.

I really try to communicate with them.

Once I do that, it comes naturally, because it becomes real communication.

You seem to enjoy it.

Well, I’m always nervous too before I get started.

But once I connect with the audience, I’m okay.

So connecting with the audience is the key.

Focus on them and not me, right?

Yes, well put.

In fact, if you do that, you will have to adjust your presentation.

It has to flow like in a real conversation.

We have to respond to each other.

And the pauses are so that the presentation can breathe.

Hmm, it seems so obvious, but I’ve never thought of it like that.

That’s a great advice.

I wish we had talked before my presentation.

If we had, you may not have been open like you are now.

Anyway, I’m sure your next presentations will improve.

It takes practice like anything.

Don’t be too hard on yourself.

No, I won’t.

But next time I will do better and I hope you are there.

OK, well, let’s get back to work.

Level6 Unit3 Part1 Reading

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-20 22:46

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 1 Reading: Depletion of Fossil Fuels

A number of scientists are emphasizing the tremendous challenges that will soon be faced when the depletion of fossil fuel supplies coincides with an alarming increase in the global population. They highlight agriculture which is heavily dependent not only on gasoline to fuel machinery, but also on the petrochemicals necessary to manufacture synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Without these petrochemicals, crop yields would be only a fraction of what they are today. To assume that an abundant source of renewable energy will address this challenge is to ignore the vital non-fuel uses of petrochemicals.

Then there is the challenge posed to the current levels of mobility. As a fuel, gasoline is unrivalled in its portability. Electricity requires bulky batteries and hydrogen is notoriously difficult to store. Biofuels might seem like an alternative, but the energy consumed when converting corn into bioethanol, for instance, greatly exceeds the output when the fuel is utilized. In any case, once we reach a crisis in the food supply, it will not make sense to divert food crops to other uses.

Although there seems to be a widespread belief that the era of oil dependency is coming to an end due to some technological remedy, this may be mistaken. Relying on such an assumption can lead to complacency and a failure to take precautions. Experts may not be able to come up with the kind of solution that can lead to a pain-free transition. Scientists warn that relying on alternative resources might only support half of the global population. The absence of realistic alternative to fossil fuels will mean that the first priority will be to curb the demand for food.

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 1 Reading: Meaning of Catch 22

One of the most interesting books of the 20th century was the novel, Catch 22. In the novel, the term 'a catch 22 situation' was introduced. The term has nothing to do with catching anything. It has a much deeper meaning, and it describes a kind of logical conundrum that’s worth exploring.

First, it’s important to put the phrase into context. In the novel, a group of American bomber pilots is on an island in the Mediterranean. They face death almost every day when they fly their bombing missions. Many have already lost their lives. The remaining pilots know that it is only a matter of the time before they will be the next victims.

One of the characters in the novel is a doctor. It is his job to see that the pilots are fit to fly. In particular, there is rule that says he has to ground anyone who is crazy. To ground them means to remove them from active duty so that they don’t fly.

Some of the men believed in the principles they were fighting for. They were willing to give their lives for their country. But to others, this was crazy. They thought the whole thing was insane. One of them, Yossarian, wanted out. He was friends with the doctor, and he wanted the doctor to ground him.

When Yossarian asked the doctor to ground him, the doctor replied: “you’re wasting your time, you’re not crazy”.

Yossarian told him to ask one of the other pilots, Clevinger, to tell him how crazy he was.

“There is no point. He’s crazy.” The doctor replied.” Crazy people can’t decide whether you are crazy or not.”

“Clevinger isn’t crazy! he’s one of the sanest pilots here.”

“So he’s obviously out of his head,” said the Doc. “He’s got to be insane to keep on flying combat missions after all the close calls he’s had.”“well, if he’s crazy, why don’t you ground him?”

“I can’t unless he asks to be grounded. That’s part of the rule.”

“So all he has to do is ask?”

“no, then I can’t ground him.”

“So there is a catch,” said Yossarian, trying to get things straight.

“Sure, there’s a catch,” said the Doc, with a slight smile. “Catch 22. If he asks, then he can’t be crazy. Only those who are crazy are grounded.”

“there’s some catch,” obs erved Yossarian.

“it’s the best there is, ” the Doc replied.

Level6 Unit3 Part2 Listening

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-21 00:37

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 2 Listening: Infectious Diseases 1

Despite advances in technology, one of the biggest threats to human survival comes from primitive life forms.

Infectious diseases are caused by micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites.

These organisms have no access to education or technology, but they present a huge challenge to humanity.

That’s because they are adaptable.

Just as adaptability has helped humans survive, it makes it more difficult to control infectious diseases.

As conditions change, the organism which cause these diseases adapt and become stronger.

There are several kinds of infectious diseases.

Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, are caused by bacteria.

These infections can be treated by antibiotics, which kill the bacteria.

Viral infections are caused by viruses, such as the influenza virus.

These can sometimes be prevented by vaccines, such as flu vaccines.

An example of parasitic infection is malaria.

Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.

Once inside the body, the parasites can be difficult to kill or control.

And of course these parasites are also adaptable.

How serious are infectious diseases?

Consider what happened in 1918, the influenza pandemic.

It started in the fall of 1918 with what seemed to be something no more serious than the common cold.

In the next two years however, it infected a fifth of the world’s population.

In fact, it turned out to be the most deadly epidemic in history, killing between 20 and 40 million people.

The influenza virus that caused it was much stronger than previous influenza viruses.

Its mortality rate was two and a half percent compared to a point one percent in previous influenza epidemics.

It struck quickly and without mercy, sometimes killing people within hours.

Schools and business closed in many places, and people wore masks to prevent transmission of the virus through the air.

What was unusual about this pandemic was that it was most deadly for people aged 20 to 40, rather than the elderly and young children.

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 2 Listening: Infectious Diseases 2

Now, a century later, we have flu vaccines that have reduced the severity of the epidemics.

These vaccines need to be updated every year because the virus changes and new strains emerge.

What researchers fear is that a new strain of the virus will develop and cause another pandemic.

Once an outbreak occurs, transmission of the disease will be even faster than before.

An unintended consequence of our improved transportation system will be the speed at which an epidemic can spread.

Experts predict that the public health systems will be overwhelmed and unable to react quickly enough.

So the best defense will be to prevent an outbreak from occurring.

This will require global cooperation and the sharing of data.

It may also require changes in how humans interact with animals.

Animals, such as birds and pigs, carry viruses that may mutate into a strain that can infect humans.

Such a new strain could lead to another pandemic well before a new vaccine could be developed.

Since diseases and epidemics don’t stop at national boarders, this is a global issue requiring global action.

The threat of a global epidemic is another example of why we must learn to live together.

Level6 Unit3 Part2 Dialogue

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-22 01:56

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 2 Dialogue: Raising Kids

You know, my husband and I are having a terrific fight over how to raise our son.

What about?

He’s only 4 years old.

My husband thinks I’m putting too much pressure on him.

He thinks it’s the wrong thing to do.

I wouldn’t know.

I’m not even married yet!

That’s my problem.

I wish I had a husband to disagree with.

Well, he thinks it’s important for kids to have time to be bored.

Bored?

Yes, he really said that.

Can you believe it?

Why did he think so?

Did he have time to be bored when he was a boy?

Well, he grew up in the countryside.

He said he had to find things for himself to do.

He says he feels sorry for kids these days because their days are so structured.

Hmm, I see his point.

But things have changed a lot since he was a boy.

That’s exactly what I told him.

Then he started getting angry.

That doesn’t sound like him.

He’s usually so calm and reserved.

In fact, I can’t ever remember hearing him express an opinion.

Well, the other day our boy said he didn’t like one of his teachers.

It’s a English teacher.

And then that got my husband’s attention.

What happened?

He got angry and said he wasn’t happy with all the emphasis on English and math.

He said I should find someplace for our boy to do more of what he wants to do.

He said to find the class or teacher who encourages kids to explore things.

That sounds a bit idealistic.

That’s what I told him.

Then he said it’s important to learn how to be independent and not always dependent on being told what to do.

He said that can develop creativity and the love of learning.

Certainly.

But what happens when he is behind of other kids in school?

Won’t he be discouraged?

He said to let the boy deal with it and see what happens.

Some people are competitive and some aren’t.

Anyway, it’s an interesting point of view.

It may work for some kids and not for others.

What about your boy?

What do you think?

He has a good imagination.

Sometimes he talks oneself that he really likes music and dancing.

He has a lot of energy.

Sometimes it’s exhausting to be around him.

I guess if I were you, I just give him a lot of choices and see what he is interested in taking in.

And he needs a place where he can use all that energy.

Yes, that’s what my husband wants to do.

I just get nervous because all his friends are taking classes.

I don’t want him to fall behind.

I don’t know what to say.

Maybe you can do some research and see what others advise.

I’m sure you are not the only one facing this problem.

At least your husband is taking an interest.

If I ever get married, I hope my husband will be as involved as yours is.

But he has to help you with this and not just complain.

Yes, that’s what we are fighting about.

I can’t be expected to do this on my own.

You have to do this together.

Good luck.

And wish me luck in finding a husband, okay.

Level6 Unit3 Part2 Reading

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-22 02:41

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 2 Reading: Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr a Hollywood starand mother of Wi-Fi

Hedy Lamarr was born Hedwig Eva Naria Kiesler in 1914 in Vienna, Austria. By the time she was a teenager, she had decided to drop out of school and seek fame as an actress. She first appeared in a German film in 1930. She was attractive and talented enough to be in three more films in 1931, but it was her controversial film 'Ecstasy' that brought her worldwide fame as an actress.

In 1937 she fled from her country and secretly moved to Hollywood, where she reinvented herself. She changed her name to Hedy Lamarr, with the nick name 'the most beautiful woman in films'. However, Lamarr defied the leading-lady stereotype by also pursuing an interest in mathematics and engineering. She soon took up inventing. Her earliest inventions included an improved traffic stoplight and a tablet that would dissolve in water to create a carbonated drink.

With the ongoing World War, Lamarr was inspired to contribute the war effort. She designed a radio guidance system for torpedoes. With the help of composer George Antheil, whom she met in 1940, she discovered a way to break up signals and transmit them over different frequencies. Using a method similar to the way player piano work, they designed a frequency-hopping system that would continually change the radio signals sent to a torpedo. While others, including Nikola Tesla, had explored similar ideas of frequency hopping, Lamarr and Antheil obtained a patent for their invention in 1942 for what would become known as spread-spectrum technology.

Although the US Navy did not adopt the technology during the war, it was used during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. For decades Lamarr’s technology remained behind the scenes, but ultimately it led to the creation of today’s spread-spectrum communication technology, such as Wi-Fi networks, mobile phones, GPS and Bluetooth technologies.

Lamarr and Antheil eventually received several awards for their lifetime creative achievements that contributed so much to society. They were inducted into the national investors Hall of Fame in 2014, after her death in 2000.

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 2 Reading: The Challenge of AI

The internet and smartphones have changed the world and how we relate to each other. Instead of meeting in person, we increasingly interface through handheld devices. In a sense, real people are being removed, replaced by technology and virtual friends. Some people even say that they prefer to confide in their virtual friends rather than their real friends!

AI, or artificial intelligence, is another technology that is highly disruptive. With AI, smartphone are other devices will have even more capabilities. They will be able to converse with us and tell us jokes. They may even become personal tutors. They will be able to do this because they will have access to our life histories. They will know what kind of problems we have, our preferences, and any content we want to learn or practice, they will be able to adapt to our needs and be available at any time. And all this will be at less cost than using a human.

In fact, the substitution of AIs for human labor has the potential to transform our world. Experts warn that smart machines may cause widespread unemployment. Many workers will become redundant, replaced by machines that can perform cognitive tasks better than people. An even greater danger is that they will develop personalities and become more interesting than people. Work is already underway to produce AI companions for lonely people.

Are these development something to worry about or something to welcome? How are they different than developments in the past, such as the industrial revolution? Cars replaced horses; machines and industrial robots replaced factory workers.

Since the shift to AI is inevitable, the challenge for policy makers will be to help existing workers acquire new skills. Future generations must be prepared for a workplace populated by AIs that will continue to develop and take on new tasks. Are we up to the task?

Level6 Unit3 Part3 Listening

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-23 01:38

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 3 Listening: Prison Experiment 1

In 1971, psychologists created one of the most important experiments in the history of psychology.

The experiment, known as the Stanford Prison Experiment, looked at the impact of situations on human behavior.

The researchers, led by Philip Zimbardo, wanted to know how situations could affect how people behave.

In particular, they wanted to know if good people would change their personalities and lose their values.

In the experiment, participants were divided into two groups.

One group became prison guards and the other group became prison inmates.

The experiment was set up in Stanford University’s psychology building.

A group of 24 students was chosen to play the roles, 12 guards and 12 prisoners.

The students came from a large group of volunteers who wanted to participate in a psychology experiment.

Those who were chosen had no criminal background and had no significant medical or psychological problems.

They agreed to participate in the experiment for one to two weeks’ period.

The prisoners had to remain in prison 24 hours a day during the experiment.

Guards worked in teams of three and were assigned to work in eight-hour shifts.

Unlike the prisoners, they were free to return to their homes between shifts.

Hidden cameras and micro-phones were used to observe the behaviors of both the prisoners and guards.

The simulated prison including three small prison cells, six feet by nine feet.

Each cell had three small beds and held three prisoners.

There was also a closet that served as a solitary confinement room.

This was used to isolate prisoners who needed to be punished for bad behavior.

Guards were instructed not to physically harm the prisoners in any way.

Prisoners were to be addressed by their assigned numbers and never by name.

To prevent eye contact with the prisoners, guards wore mirrored sunglasses.

This was done to dehumanize the relationship between guards and prisoners.

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 3 Listening: Prison Experiment 2

Though the experiment was designed to last for 14 days, it had to be stopped after just six days.

It had to be stopped because of what was happening to the participants.

The interactions between the prisoners and guards had become hostile and degrading.

The guards had become aggressive and brutal, and the prisoners were passive and depressed.

As a result, five of the prisoners had to be released early because of the severe negative emotions.

Even the researchers were affected, and they began to overlook what was happening.

Instead of halting the experiment, they let it continue.

They themselves had become dehumanized by the situation they had designed.

Finally, they realized that the experiment had to be stopped.

What the experiment demonstrates is the powerful effect that situations can have on human behavior.

Given a position of power, people can begin to behave differently than they normally would.

They can begin to behave in an aggressive manner while those with no power can became passive and depressed.

In other words, the experiment shows that situations can cause abuse of behavior.

There are some important criticisms of this experiment.

One criticism is that it is an example of unethical research.

It went on longer than it should have.

It is also unrepresentative since the participants were mostly white, middle-class males.

Despite the criticism, the experiment remains an important study of human behavior.

Recent examples of the Stanford Effect may include the treatment of prisoners of war by American soldiers in the Iraq war.

Other possible examples including bullying at school and gang behavior.

According to the head researcher, Philip Zimbardo, it helps to explain how ordinary people sometimes turn evil.

If situations do influence people behavior, then managing situations can be a way of controlling people.

Level6 Unit3 Part3 Dialogue

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-24 00:10

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 3 Dialogue: A Test of Characters

Hi, what’s so urgent?

When you message me, you seemed really upset.

Yes, i was.

I was confused and I still am.

I need your advice. You’ve known me for a long time.

You are my best friend.

So what did it?

I’ve been offered another job.

Oh, that’s usually a nice thing.

So what’s the problem?

The problem is that they are our strongest competitor.

Oh, you mean Beta Crop.

Right, there may be a great offer. More than double than my present salary.

Ah, I see. So the dilemma you’re facing is whether to take it or not.

Yes, that’s it exactly. It will be a betrayal of everyone I’ve been worked with for more than 10 years.

It makes me sick to even think about it.

But I’m really tempted.

It’s a lot of money.

Look, I’ve known you since our student days.

If you took that job, you would be betraying yourself.

Yes, I know that.

I wish they hadn’t made me such an offer.

So why are you asking for advice?

If I were to say it’s okay to take the job, would that give you an excuse to take it?

You are the one who has to live with yourself.

Honestly, what would you do?

If I were in your situation, I'd probably feel the same way.

And to be honest, I hope I would be able to stay true to myself.

I suppose if my family were very poor and in trouble, I’d be tempted.

But even then, to betray my friends and colleagues, who would I be.

It’s a real test of character.

Yes, those are my thoughts.

And I’m not sure what my wife will think.

Look, I know your wife.

I think she will be proud of you if you do the right thing.

Yes, she probably will.

And in the end, I’m not sure I can trust Beta Crop.

They are a branch of cutthroats.

They have no ???.

So I think the answer is clear.

And one more thing, I hope you do the right thing even for me.

We need the people to stand up and do the right thing.

If you were to betray yourself, it would discourage everyone who knows you.

You have a lot of influence and people look up to you.

I don’t want to lose faith in humanity.

Thanks.

That’s what I thought you would say.

I would be disappointed if you thought I say anything different.

I will do the right thing whatever the consequences.

I know there will be people who will think I being a fool for turning it down.

Yes, but there are the ones who matter.

Cheers!

To you and saving the world. Ha Ha...

Level6 Unit3 Part3 Reading

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-24 20:57

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 3 Reading: Whatever Happened to Films

Media and technologies are reprogramming the human brain, changing how we think and live in significant ways. Nobody really knows how this will affect the future, and few seems to care. The tendency is to let it happen and go with the flow, despite warnings from some that all is not well. Nobody can stop progress. Still, it’s fun to reflect on changes to see what might be lost.

Looking back to classic movies and comparing them with what we have today, we see many similarities. However, there are major differences. In particular, classic movies succeeded with few if any special effects. The camera focused more on faces and expressions, like in the movie Casablanca. Violent actions were seldom shown in gruesome detail but were inferred from the situation. Storylines focus on character and personal dilemmas. Much was left to the imagination. And of course, sex was hinted at, but never shown, except in seedy theaters.

Some of the best movies took place in a single location, such as on a lifeboat or in a jury room. Would such movies draw an audience today? Those movies depended on writers who could build drama into the interactions between characters who had character. This required an interest in human psychology. It also required audiences to have a similar interest, who could empathize and be moved. Do those audiences exist today?

Flash forward to the present. So many movies are filled with fast-moving special effects, explicit violence, and lots of sex. We have become voyeurs, addicted to getting thrills through the experiences of others. Subtle emotions? Psychological dilemmas? Or just plain escape! Of course, there have always been escape movies - Bollywood movies with stars dancing in the streets. It’s just the balance which has shifted.

Classical music and jazz played for more than a few minutes. People concentrated and took time to enjoy and savor it. But now, immersed in media, there is no time. Experiences are quick and shallow, measured by the number of likes. We flee into the noise, perhaps to escape from ourselves.

What do you think? Or has it always been this way?

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 3 Reading: Digital Intelligence

The impact of technology is widespread and accelerating. Experts predict that 90% of the world’s population will connect to the internet within 10 years or less. Evolving technology has become an unstoppable force, reshaping our societies, ignoring national borders, and interconnecting economics. There doesn’t seem to be any way to control it. However, one fact is certain: our kids are at the center of it.

Today’s children are born into a digital world. They use technologies and media from the time they begin to walk. Sometimes they have difficulty distinguishing between the virtual and the real worlds. In fact, children spend more time immersed in technology than they do with people, including their parents. It is estimated that they spend an average of 7 hours a day in front of some sort of digital device.

With the ever increasing amount and flow of information, digital proficiency may be the next survival skill. Therefore, it is essential that children learn how to develop that skill without losing themselves in the process. Guiding them is a challenge we need to face.

First, we need to realize that with so much exposure to content, there are both opportunities and dangers. What and when is something appropriate for children, and at what age? Who decides? Media is so pervasive and accessible, yet there is no consensus about what is suitable. People have different perspectives, not only about content, but also about how to govern access.

Governments must also decide what controls are necessary. Policies must be put into place and standards set. Whatever the decisions, the consequences will be enormous.

It seems naive to sit back and let children make their own decisions and explore whatever captures their fancy. So technology has presented us with a huge dilemma that will shape the future. Without a doubt, it’s an issue that parents and governments will need to address. Not only children need to develop a digital intelligence, but so do each and every one of us.

Level6 Unit3 Part4 Listening

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-26 01:46

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 4 Listening: Rent or Buy 1

John and Linda have been arguing about whether to buy a house for a long time.

They have been renting a small flat for several years, and the rent keeps going up.

Last year, John wasn’t sure about his job situation, so they agreed to delay the decision.

They also invested some money in the stock market, and their investments are doing well.

Linda really wants to have a place of her own.

She is growing impatient and doesn’t want to wait any longer.

She wants to sell some of their investments and put the money into a nice house.

John is against buying now because he thinks prices are too high.

He is also worried about the high cost of living in the area.

This is beginning to make the area less attractive to companies.

Unless a company is innovative and successful, it can’t afford to do business in the area.

Salary levels have risen so quickly that companies can no longer afford to attract good workers.

Good workers won’t come unless they are paid enough to buy a house.

So many companies are relocating or moving overseas where costs are lower.

John is worried that once companies start to leave, housing prices will coom down.

Only fools are buying now, paying prices that are probably 10 to 20% higher than they should be.

He wants to buy when prices have fallen to a more reasonable level.

Until then, it doesn’t make sense to buy.

He remembers what happened in other countries just a few years ago when prices climbed and then fell 15%.

Many people lost their homes because they owe more on their homes than the homes would worth.

When they lost their jobs, they couldn’t pay the mortgage.

They couldn’t sell either, because the selling price was less than what they owed to the bank.

So they had to move out and the banks took possession.

Now prices are rising again so the same thing could happen again.

A cycle of boom and bust which people tend to forget.

Linda has a different view.

She thinks he worries too much.

She thinks if they buy now, prices will continue to rise.

If they don’t buy now, they will miss the opportunity and regret it later.

She isn’t worried by the possibility that the prices may drop in the future.

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 4 Listening: Rent or Buy 2

Another reason John is against buying a house is that he doesn’t have confidence in his new company.

It is no longer growing as fast as it used to.

Though the management talks about a bright future, he has doubts.

They say great things to keep everyone motivated, but he doesn’t trust them.

When he does a SWOT analysis of the company, he is even more concerned.

SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

The company's strength is based on technology that is very competitive.

But technology changes fast and what’s good now will soon be out of date.

Continuous innovation is necessary.

The company’s weakness is that it hasn’t developed an alternative to what it has now.

Nobody is working on the next generation.

There are already signs that their technology is nearing the end of its life cycle.

There're still opportunities if the company is willing to hire new people or acquire a company with new technology.

The main threat is that other companies are spending more on research and development.

So based on his analysis, the company is okay for the next year or two.

But beyond that, its future is questionable.

As a result, John doesn’t want to buy a house now and take on a huge debt.

Until he has more confidence in his situation, he doesn’t want to take the risk.

His wife thinks he’s too conservative.

She has waited long enough and she doesn’t want to wait any longer.

So John’s dilemma is how to balance his wife’s happiness against the risk of losing a lot of money.

One thing for sure is that she isn’t happy as things stand now.

She’s been waiting for a long time and he loves her.

So the decision seems clear.

John knows exactly what to do.

Maybe some flowers and celebration.

Level6 Unit3 Part4 Dialogue

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-26 22:35

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 4 Dialogue: A Job Interview

Yes, I've been enjoying listening to you and learning more about your background.

Your experience is impressive, and it’s obvious that you do good work.

Thanks.

What you're trying to do here interests me.

I think there's a lot of potential.

As I said, I'm ready to leave my present job if the opportunity is attractive enough.

Great.

As I’m sure you are aware, it won’t be easy.

That’s a lot of uncertainty.

We need a strong, committed team.

Sure, I understand.

As for what we can offer you.

First, I want to stress again that we are a startup.

The people we have working here now are on reduced salaries

I understand.

I’m willing to take less than what I’m being paid now; but I have two children, so I’ve got to consider that too.

I need to at least cover our basic living expenses.

OK. We have two ways we can do this.

Both of them have you starting at a reduced salary.

One will give you a bonus after each round of financing.

With the other, you can start with a higher salary, but the bonus will be smaller, or none at all.

What is the time frame for the financing?

That depends on a lot of things.

We're hoping to get the next round of financing within 6 to 9 months.

We don’t want to go to our investors too early because we want to be in a strong position.

And for that, we are only to perform.

For now, we have enough cash to cover us for about a year.

Okay, that makes sense.

Well, I’ll talk to my wife and see what she says.

Right.

You need to cover your expenses, but not enough to have savings.

The less you ask for now, the greater your bonus is as you move forward.

That’s the idea.

Got it.

I'll get back to you tomorrow.

Well, what do you think?

He’s impressive.

I think he’s someone who can strengthen our team.

I think so too.

If he can accept a low enough salary, we should hire him.

That will show that he believes enough in our plan to take on the risk.

What if he asks for more than we can afford?

In that case we can see if he'll consider working on a short-term project first.

That way he could keep his present job, and we could try to bring him in later.

It will lower his risk.

I doubt if he would consider that, but it’s worth a try.

Yeah, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Whatever, we should try to avoid losing him completely.

Well, I’m optimistic.

I think he will decide to join us.

He’s the kind of guy who likes a challenge.

From what I could tell, we certainly won’t have to push him to get things done.

Exactly.

He'll feel the pressure just like the rest of us.

Level6 Unit3 Part4 Reading

YMMT彩简书作者

2018-07-28 00:29

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 4 Reading: How Tech Improves Life

Paralyzed people can now control artificial limbs by thought alone. This is possible because of the development of technologies which involve connecting the brain to a computer or other electronic devices. One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear. The device has several parts. One part is surgically implanted into the inner ear. There it stimulates nerves to cause the sensation of sound. The other part sits behind the ear and works like a miniature microphone.

Another new device allows those who have lost an arm or a leg to control their artificial limb just by thinking. The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagel. Matt was paralyzed from the neck down due to a vicious knife attack.

The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved. First, a circular piece of his skull was removed. Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was inserted into his brain. it was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement. This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement. From the plate, thin cables were connected to a small computer which decodes the signals from the plate and converts them into commands. Hopefully, these commands would control the artificial hand attached to Matt’s arm.

Shortly after the operation, Matt was surrounded by the surgeons as he stared at his artificial hand with hope. To the delight of the crowd, the hand started moving, and the fingers closed, becoming a fist. At that moment Matt made history, he became the first person to control an artificial limb by using a device surgically inserted into his brain.

Since the operation, Nagel has continued to test the technology and further investigate its capabilities. Using thought alone, he can now perform a variety of tasks. He can control a TV and even open emails. Such uses of technology are inspiring and bring joy to our hearts. It is powerful evidence that technological advancements will improve our lives.

Level 6 Unit 3 Part 4 Reading: Investors Beware!

When people talk about investing, they are always looking for the best advice. Many are willing to pay a lot for it. The problem with this, however, is that many financial advisors give the wrong advice. Ultimately, decisions must be made by the investors. Here are some guidelines that may help investors save a lot of money.

First, a key to successful investing is time itself. What makes many investors rich is that they have invested over a long time. This allows their investments to grow, even if they weren’t active investors. Unfortunately, most people don’t start saving enough until it’s too late. That lack of time limits the power of compounding. So the best advice is to start saving as soon as possible.

What about economic projections and earnings growth estimates? The truth is, nobody knows. What they really reflect are people’s feelings about the future. It’s interesting to note that someone who buys a low-cost index fund on average does better than someone who invests in an expensive fund managed by famous experts. With investing, simple and basic can earn a bigger return than complex and expensive. Sometimes the pros don’t know what they are talking about. They just talk as if they do.

What about risk and volatility? One thing for sure is that the stock market will fluctuate. Since 1900 one of the largest index funds has returned about 6% per year. Compare that to the average difference between any year’s highest close and lowest close which is 23%. When an expert tries to explain why the market is down, they are really trying to explain why the sun goes up and down.

And finally, beware! The financial industry is dominated by people whose only interest in your wealth is how much they can charge you. Unfortunately, the louder a financial expert is, the more exposure he will get even though he’s often wrong. This is one of the most important things to know about finance. Don’t be misled by experts.