A compilation of newsTicker articles

with Exercises

April 2007

Contents

FORMER 3Rd ROCK TEENWins praise as adult actor 4

dIETERSGain weight in the long run 6

SPEEd LUNCHESFine food for time-hungry Aussies 8

dRINK COCOA NOT TEACalms blood pressure 10

JOHNNY CASHTennessee house burns down 12

EXERCISELinked to less anxiety, depression 14

GREAT EXPECTATIONSFor Dickens theme park 16

TITANIC PIECES Transformed into luxury watches 18

GRACELANd LURES ELVIS FANSThirty years after King‘s death 20

AUTHOR PROMOTES THE ARTSTries to interest Canadian leader 22

4

FORMER 3Rd ROCK TEENWins praise as adult actor

2007-04-04

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a former child star in the TV comedy “3rd Rock

From the Sun,” learned more about acting away from Hollywood.

Gordon-Levitt, who played a smart-alec teen in the popular

TV series “3rd rock”, received rave reviews for his role in the new film “The Lookout”. Critics are calling him one of the best actors of his generation.

The 25-year-old actor credits his growth to leaving Tinseltown and going to college in New York. He

is also thankful for his parents’ sage advice of not being a slave to the fame and fortune of Hollywood.

Gordon-Levitt said his acting career is all about giving back to people and connecting with

them. He said if he can make someone laugh or feel inspired then for him that is success.

Exercise

5

Read the article and answer the following questions.

1. Who do you think is the best actor/actress of your generation? Explain why.

2. What makes a good actor? What qualities does an actor need to be exceptional?

3. What actor/actress would you like to see win an Oscar? What movie did he/she star in? Describe his/her role.

6

dIETERSGain weight in the long run

2007-04-11

Dieters beware. According to

U.S. researchers, about two-thirds of dieters gain back all the weight they lost, and then some.

Scientists from the University of

California said that, generally, short-term dieting was successful at shedding extra pounds during the first 6 months of the diet. However, after those six months, the weight slowly but surely came back and it was usually more than was initially lost.

Traci Mann, the lead author of the study, said, “I know this sounds quite bleak. Diets do not lead to sustained

weight loss or health benefits for the majority of people. “

Mann said the people who did manage to keep their weight down tended to

exercise regularly and eat in moderation.

A woman eating lunch

Exercise

7

Read the article and answer the following questions.

1. What is the main reason for going on a diet? What are some other reasons for going on a special diet?

2. In your opinion, what is the key to being successful at losing weight?

3. Do you think society contributes to weight problems? Explain.

8

SPEEd LUNCHESFine food for time-hungry Aussies

2007-04-12

A five-star restaurant in Sydney has a hit with its

half-hour gourmet lunches.

The 30 minute lunch was launched in March in all Sofitel

hotels on the east coast. The initiative started in the international chain’s New York restaurants.

The timeframe allows 15 minutes for the food to be cooked and served and another 15

minutes for you to eat it. Customers are given stop watches to guarantee their food is served within 15 minutes or the $30 meal is free.

It’s fast food, but not your typical greasy burger and fries. The meal includes an

appetizer, a salad, an entree and dessert.

The Sofitel is in Sydney’s business district, and the restaurant buzzes with a lunch time crowd

that includes professionals from the area.

Gourmet food

Exercise

9

Read the article and complete the following activities.

1. What do you think about gourmet food? Do you like it? What does “gourmet” mean to you?

2. Imagine that your school offers fast, nutritious, gourmet lunches. Create two menus you would like to have at school. Include an appetizer, a salad, a main course and a dessert.

3. Name some foods or meals that your school offers that you definately want removed from the menus. Compare with your classmates.

10

dRINK COCOA NOT TEACalms blood pressure

2007-04-16

The next time you want to relax, think about having

a cup of cocoa instead of tea; it’s more likely to lower your blood pressure.

According to a study conducted by Dirk Taubert

of the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, foods rich in cocoa are better at reducing blood pressure than green and black teas.

In the study, participants who consumed cocoa products for a minimum of two weeks had the same

blood pressure range as people who took special medication for controlling high blood pressure.

Cocoa and tea both contain polyphenols, certain kinds of chemicals that help prevent cardiovascular

disease. But unlike tea, cocoa has a different type of polyphenols called procyanids, and these chemicals are much more effective at lowering blood pressure.

Hot cocoa

Exercise

11

Listen to the article. Fill in each blank with the missing verb and name the verb tense.

The next time you want to __________, think about __________ a cup of cocoa instead of tea; it’s more likely to __________ your blood pressure.

According to a study __________ by Dirk Taubert of the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, foods rich in cocoa are better at __________ blood pressure than green and black teas.

In the study, participants who __________ cocoa products for a minimum of two weeks had the same blood pressure range as people who took special medication for __________ high blood pressure.

Cocoa and tea both __________ polyphenols, certain kinds of chemicals that help prevent cardiovascular disease. But unlike tea, cocoa __________ a different type of polyphenols called procyanids, and these chemicals are much more effective at lowering blood pressure.

12

JOHNNY CASHTennessee house burns down

2007-04-17

The home of the late country singer, Johnny Cash, recently

burned down as it was being renovated for its new owner.

Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees purchased the three-

story wooden Tennessee home as a summer retreat. He planned to use the estate as a vacation home during hurricane season in Miami, Florida, where he resides. Fire officials said the fire was probably started when fumes from a wood protector stain ignited.

Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, lived in their lakeside home in Hendersonville, Tennessee for 35

years until they died within months of each other in 2003.

Gibb said at the time of the purchase that he was honored to buy the house and was determined

to preserve it to honor the Cash’s memory.

Cash family home

Exercise

13

Find out more about Johnny Cash by answering the following questions.

1. Name three of his most popular songs.

2. What was his nickname and how did he get it?

3. What kind of music did he play?

4. How long did his career last for?

5. Describe his voice.

14

EXERCISELinked to less anxiety, depression

2007-04-18

Regular, vigorous exercise not only

improves physical health but mental health as well.

Dr. Nicola J. Wiles and her colleagues

from the University of Bristol reviewed a previous study that followed the exercise habits of middle-aged British men. They found that those who exercised regularly by playing soccer, jogging or doing other vigorous activities were less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety disorders.

“The widespread encouragement to lead a physically active lifestyle in order to gain the recognized benefits

for physical health may also have modest short-term benefits for mental health,” Wiles and her team concluded.

Many health professionals believe that exercise activates special chemicals in the brain that are

beneficial to mental health. These same chemicals also help to boost self-esteem and body image.

Man jogging

Exercise

15

Read the article and complete the following activities.

1. How often do you exercise? What kind of exercise do you do? Do you play any sports or go to the gym? Explain.

2. How do you feel after you exercise, both mentally and physically. Describe how do you feel when you don’t exercise.

3. Name a sport or form of exercise that you have never done before but would like to try. Why does it interest you?

16

GREAT EXPECTATIONSFor Dickens theme park

2007-04-19

The new theme park, Dickens World, with

scenes and characters from Charles Dickens’ books will soon open in England.

The park, the first to be dedicated to

the Victorian author, cost $115 million to build and expects to receive 300,000 visitors each year. An old naval dockyard where Dickens’ father used to work will house the new park.

Characters from Dickens’ novels including Mr Pecksniff and the Artful Dodger, Mr Pickwick and Uriah Heep

are expected to be seen wandering through the park.

Manager Ross Hutchins said the park will offer interactive screens in the mock

schoolroom and a boat ride that takes visitors from “the sewers to the rooftops of London”.

The park will open to the public starting April 20.

Ebeneezer Scrooge poses at Dickens World

Exercise

17

Do some investigating on your own to find the answers to these questions about Charles Dickens.

1. What was Dickens’ childhood like?

2. Name three of his most famous books.

3. The article lists several characters. Find out which story each one belongs to.

4. Where and when did Dickens die?

18

TITANIC PIECES

2007-04-20

New limited edition “Titanic-DNA” watches, made from

the debris of the famous shipwreck, are being offered by a Swiss watch company.

The Titanic was a luxury oceanliner that sank on its

first voyage from England to New York in 1912. The tragic accident caused 1,500 deaths.

Geneva watchmaker Romain Jerome SA purchased steel and

coal from the ship’s wreckage and created the luxury watches, which cost between $7,800 and $173,100.

The watches come with a story. “It is a message of hope, of life stronger than death, of rebirth,”

said the company’s chief executive, Yvan Arpa, at the annual Baselworld watch and jewelry trade fair.

Arpa added the young watchmaker would unveil a new series next year

commemorating another famous legend.

“Titanic DNA” watch

Transformed into luxury watches

Exercise

19

Do some research on the Titanic and try to answer the following questions.

1. Describe the dimensions of the ship.

2. Describe how the accident occured.

3. How many people were on board? Did anyone survive the accident and if so, how?

4. Apart from watches, what other kinds of trinkets or souvenirs could be made from the remains of the titanic?

20

GRACELANd LURES ELVIS FANS

2007-04-23

Graceland, once the home of Elvis Presley, hopes to

attract tourists with special events that mark the 30th anniversary of the King’s death.

Every year, 600,000 people visit Graceland, Elvis’s 13-

acre estate in Memphis. The company in charge of marketing campaigns for Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. (EPE) has created a fresh campaign in honor of the anniversary to boost the number of Graceland visitors.

“Discover Your Inner Elvis” is the company’s new catch phrase. Television spots feature a “soccer mom” in

a replica Elvis bejeweled jumpsuit playing Elvis, while print, online and billboard ads feature a Graceland visitor in a jumpsuit wearing Elvis-style sunglasses.

Anniversary events include Elvis impersonator contests, a permanent Elvis show in Las Vegas

and Elvis greeting cards by American Greetings.

Print ad displaying the Ultimate Tribute

Artist contest

Thirty years after King‘s death

Exercise

21

Find out more about Elvis by answering the following questions.

1. When did Elvis begin his career?

2. What kind of music did he play? Name three of his most popular songs.

3. Elvis was also an actor. How many films did he star in? Name two of his films.

4. What is Elvis’s full nickname?

5. Why was Elvis so popular?

22

AUTHOR PROMOTES THE ARTS

2007-04-25

A best-selling Canadian author

plans to send Prime Minister Stephen Harper two books each month hoping to spark his interest in the arts.

Yann Martel, author of the novel “Life

of Pi”, was concerned after Canada’s PM took no interest in a ceremony honoring Canadian artists. Harper is a conservative who does not hide his lack of interest in the arts. Martel hopes to change that by introducing him to some of the greatest books ever written.

Martel sent the first book, “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” by Leo Tolstoy, on Monday. He vows

to continue sending books every two weeks while Harper holds office. The author said even though the PM has a demanding schedule, he must have some quiet time available to dedicate to the arts.

Spanish born Canadian author Yann Martel

Tries to interest Canadian leader

Exercise

23

Check out Martel’s website at http://whatisstephenharperreading.ca and answer the following questions.

1. What does Martel offer on his webpage?

2. Give a brief description of Martel’s first recommendation.

3. When will he send the second book? What will it be?

4. Now it’s your turn. What book would you recommend to other people and why?