VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Smoking bans
a
New Zealand has abandoned a pioneering plan to ban smoking. Last year, it became the first country to pass laws to phase out the sale of cigarettes. These would have prevented new generations of young adults from buying cigarettes. The policy was seen as a bold move to improve people's health. However, the new prime minister has done a U-turn and junked the plans. He said the ban was unaffordable because the country needed the tax revenues.
The landmark smoking ban prompted other countries to follow suit. The UK is making it illegal for youngsters to buy cigarettes. It wants "to deliver smoke-free generations". Canada is requiring health warnings on individual cigarettes. Anti-tobacco groups are up in arms over the U-turn. One group said: "Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society…takes good and brave population-level policies."
b
New Zealand has abandoned a groundbreaking plan to ban smoking. Last year, it became the first country in the world to introduce legislation to phase out the sale of cigarettes. The leader introduced measures to phase out smoking by preventing new generations of young adults from purchasing cigarettes. The policy was seen worldwide as a bold move to improve people's health. However, the new prime minister has controversially done a U-turn and junked the plans. He said the ban was unaffordable and that the country needed the tax revenues from cigarettes.
The smoking ban was a landmark decision that prompted other countries to follow suit. The UK announced laws that will make it illegal for youngsters to buy cigarettes. A spokesperson said the UK wants "to deliver smoke-free generations". Canada has become the first country to require health warnings on individual cigarettes. Anti-tobacco groups are up in arms over the U-turn. One group said: "Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society cannot be done by individuals or even communities. It takes good and brave population-level policies."
c
New Zealand's new conservative government has abandoned a groundbreaking plan to ban smoking in the country. Last year, New Zealand became the first country in the world to introduce legislation to phase out the sale of cigarettes. Then leader Jacinda Ardern introduced measures to phase out smoking by preventing new generations of young adults from purchasing cigarettes. The policy was hailed around the world as a bold move to improve the health of the nation. However, the new Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has controversially done a U-turn and junked Ms Ardern's plans. He said the ban was unaffordable and that the country needed the tax revenues from tobacco sales.
The radical smoking ban was a landmark decision that prompted other countries to reconsider their public health policies. The British government followed suit by announcing laws that will make it illegal for youngsters to buy cigarettes over the coming years. A spokesperson said the UK wants "to deliver smoke-free generations". Canada has recently become the first country to require health warnings be put on individual cigarettes. Anti-tobacco groups are up in arms over Mr Luxon's about-turn. One group said: "Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society cannot be done by individuals or even communities. It takes good and brave population-level policies."
a
New Zealand has abandoned a pioneering plan to ban smoking. Last year, it became the first country to pass laws to phase out the sale of cigarettes. These would have prevented new generations of young adults from buying cigarettes. The policy was seen as a bold move to improve people's health. However, the new prime minister has done a U-turn and junked the plans. He said the ban was unaffordable because the country needed the tax revenues.
The landmark smoking ban prompted other countries to follow suit. The UK is making it illegal for youngsters to buy cigarettes. It wants "to deliver smoke-free generations". Canada is requiring health warnings on individual cigarettes. Anti-tobacco groups are up in arms over the U-turn. One group said: "Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society…takes good and brave population-level policies."
b
New Zealand has abandoned a groundbreaking plan to ban smoking. Last year, it became the first country in the world to introduce legislation to phase out the sale of cigarettes. The leader introduced measures to phase out smoking by preventing new generations of young adults from purchasing cigarettes. The policy was seen worldwide as a bold move to improve people's health. However, the new prime minister has controversially done a U-turn and junked the plans. He said the ban was unaffordable and that the country needed the tax revenues from cigarettes.
The smoking ban was a landmark decision that prompted other countries to follow suit. The UK announced laws that will make it illegal for youngsters to buy cigarettes. A spokesperson said the UK wants "to deliver smoke-free generations". Canada has become the first country to require health warnings on individual cigarettes. Anti-tobacco groups are up in arms over the U-turn. One group said: "Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society cannot be done by individuals or even communities. It takes good and brave population-level policies."
c
New Zealand's new conservative government has abandoned a groundbreaking plan to ban smoking in the country. Last year, New Zealand became the first country in the world to introduce legislation to phase out the sale of cigarettes. Then leader Jacinda Ardern introduced measures to phase out smoking by preventing new generations of young adults from purchasing cigarettes. The policy was hailed around the world as a bold move to improve the health of the nation. However, the new Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has controversially done a U-turn and junked Ms Ardern's plans. He said the ban was unaffordable and that the country needed the tax revenues from tobacco sales.
The radical smoking ban was a landmark decision that prompted other countries to reconsider their public health policies. The British government followed suit by announcing laws that will make it illegal for youngsters to buy cigarettes over the coming years. A spokesperson said the UK wants "to deliver smoke-free generations". Canada has recently become the first country to require health warnings be put on individual cigarettes. Anti-tobacco groups are up in arms over Mr Luxon's about-turn. One group said: "Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society cannot be done by individuals or even communities. It takes good and brave population-level policies."
Superhuman Powers
a
Elon Musk put a computer chip in a pig's brain. This could lead to computer-to-brain technology in humans. Mr Musk is a technology pioneer who makes electric cars and space rockets. Gertrude the pig shows his latest project - to allow us to control computers with our brains. This could enhance our brainpower. He believes his technology is a giant leap into the future and said it will change our lives by giving us superhuman powers.
Results from Gertrude the pig have shown the potential the technology has. It may help people with brain conditions like strokes and dementia. It could wire our brain directly to the Internet. As in a science fiction movie, we could control devices just by using our thoughts. The most futuristic part of the technology is what Musk calls "superhuman cognition". This will help us to stop artificial intelligence becoming strong enough to destroy the human race.
b
Elon Musk has shown off a pig with a computer chip in her brain that could lead to computer-to-brain technology in humans. Mr Musk has the most impressive record in pioneering technology, from electric cars to space tourism. Gertrude the pig reveals his latest ambition – we are going to control computers with our brains. Computers could enhance our brainpower. Musk announced that trials would begin on humans one day. He believes the technology is a giant leap into the future and said it might greatly change our lives by giving us superhuman powers.
Mr Musk said results from Gertrude the pig showed the potential the technology could deliver. He hopes it will help people with neurological conditions like strokes and dementia. It could also mean our brain is wired directly to the Internet. Just like in a science fiction movie, we could control Internet-enabled devices by using our thoughts. The most futuristic aspect of the technology is what Musk calls "superhuman cognition". This is to help us stop artificial intelligence becoming powerful enough to destroy the human race.
c
Technology trailblazer Elon Musk has unveiled a pig with a computer chip implanted in her brain that could pave the way to computer-to-brain interfaces in humans. Mr Musk has a near-unrivalled record in pioneering technology, from electric cars and hyperloop travel to space tourism. Gertrude the pig showcases his latest ambition - to allow us to control computers with our brains. Conversely, our brainpower and abilities could be enhanced with the help of technology. The interface is part of a tech startup called Neuralink. Mr Musk announced that trials would soon begin on humans. He believes the technology represents a giant leap into the future and will considerably change our lives by giving us superhuman powers.
The results shown in Gertrude the pig were somewhat modest in comparison to the potential Mr Musk envisages the technology will one day deliver. If Neuralink succeeds, it will help people with neurological conditions like strokes, dementia and headaches. It could also mean our brain is wired directly to the Internet. Just like in a science fiction movie, we could control phones, computers and household devices simply with the power of thought. The most mind-blowing aspect of the technology is what Musk calls "superhuman cognition". This is to counter artificial intelligence becoming powerful enough to destroy the human race. He added the technology will "achieve symbiosis with artificial intelligence".
a
Elon Musk put a computer chip in a pig's brain. This could lead to computer-to-brain technology in humans. Mr Musk is a technology pioneer who makes electric cars and space rockets. Gertrude the pig shows his latest project - to allow us to control computers with our brains. This could enhance our brainpower. He believes his technology is a giant leap into the future and said it will change our lives by giving us superhuman powers.
Results from Gertrude the pig have shown the potential the technology has. It may help people with brain conditions like strokes and dementia. It could wire our brain directly to the Internet. As in a science fiction movie, we could control devices just by using our thoughts. The most futuristic part of the technology is what Musk calls "superhuman cognition". This will help us to stop artificial intelligence becoming strong enough to destroy the human race.
b
Elon Musk has shown off a pig with a computer chip in her brain that could lead to computer-to-brain technology in humans. Mr Musk has the most impressive record in pioneering technology, from electric cars to space tourism. Gertrude the pig reveals his latest ambition – we are going to control computers with our brains. Computers could enhance our brainpower. Musk announced that trials would begin on humans one day. He believes the technology is a giant leap into the future and said it might greatly change our lives by giving us superhuman powers.
Mr Musk said results from Gertrude the pig showed the potential the technology could deliver. He hopes it will help people with neurological conditions like strokes and dementia. It could also mean our brain is wired directly to the Internet. Just like in a science fiction movie, we could control Internet-enabled devices by using our thoughts. The most futuristic aspect of the technology is what Musk calls "superhuman cognition". This is to help us stop artificial intelligence becoming powerful enough to destroy the human race.
c
Technology trailblazer Elon Musk has unveiled a pig with a computer chip implanted in her brain that could pave the way to computer-to-brain interfaces in humans. Mr Musk has a near-unrivalled record in pioneering technology, from electric cars and hyperloop travel to space tourism. Gertrude the pig showcases his latest ambition - to allow us to control computers with our brains. Conversely, our brainpower and abilities could be enhanced with the help of technology. The interface is part of a tech startup called Neuralink. Mr Musk announced that trials would soon begin on humans. He believes the technology represents a giant leap into the future and will considerably change our lives by giving us superhuman powers.
The results shown in Gertrude the pig were somewhat modest in comparison to the potential Mr Musk envisages the technology will one day deliver. If Neuralink succeeds, it will help people with neurological conditions like strokes, dementia and headaches. It could also mean our brain is wired directly to the Internet. Just like in a science fiction movie, we could control phones, computers and household devices simply with the power of thought. The most mind-blowing aspect of the technology is what Musk calls "superhuman cognition". This is to counter artificial intelligence becoming powerful enough to destroy the human race. He added the technology will "achieve symbiosis with artificial intelligence".
Watch the video and answer the questions.
1. What does the doctor mean when she says that the medical miracle is “within our grasp”?
2. How do brain cells communicate with each other?
3. What is the first danger the doctor mentions?
4. What words show that the neurologist sees the Neuralink project positively?
5. Why are some people paralysed?
6. How long will human trials take?
1. What does the doctor mean when she says that the medical miracle is “within our grasp”?
2. How do brain cells communicate with each other?
3. What is the first danger the doctor mentions?
4. What words show that the neurologist sees the Neuralink project positively?
5. Why are some people paralysed?
6. How long will human trials take?
Hottest month
a
We see floods, fires and heatwaves on TV nearly every day. Scientists have just announced that July was the hottest month ever. They said: "July is typically the world's warmest month of the year, but July 2023 outdid itself as the hottest July and hottest month ever." Earth's land and ocean temperature in July was 0.93 degree Celsius higher than the 20th-century average. The Northern Hemisphere was 1.54 degrees Celsius hotter than average.
Scientists are worried. They said: "In this case, first place is the worst place to be." The UN just issued a 4,000-page report on climate change which says that humans have changed the climate: "It is clear that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land." It says extreme weather will continue. If we don’t take action, every region will experience multiple changes in weather. There will be baking heat and floods.
b
We see floods, fires and heatwaves on TV news nearly every day now. Scientists have just announced that July was the hottest month ever. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA said: "July is typically the world's warmest month of the year, but July 2023 outdid itself as the hottest July and hottest month ever." Earth's land and ocean temperature in July was 0.93 degree Celsius higher than the 20th-century average of 15.8 degrees. The Northern Hemisphere was 1.54 degrees Celsius hotter than average.
NOAA said this heat record was worrying. It said: "In this case, first place is the worst place to be." The UN issued a 4,000-page report on climate change which stated that humans had changed the climate. It wrote: "It is clear that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land." A total of 234 scientists from 66 countries wrote the report which said extreme weather would continue. If we don’t take action, every region will experience multiple changes in weather, like boiling heat and flooding.
c
We hear about climate change pretty much every day now. We see pictures of floods, fires and heatwaves on TV news. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA have just announced that July was the hottest month ever recorded. A spokesperson from the NOAA said: "July is typically the world's warmest month of the year, but July 2023 outdid itself as the hottest July and hottest month ever." The NOAA said Earth's land and ocean surface temperature in July was 0.93 degree Celsius higher than the 20th-century average of 15.8 degrees Celsius. The Northern Hemisphere was 1.54 degrees Celsius hotter than average.
The NOAA spokesperson said this new record was worrying. He said: "In this case, first place is the worst place to be." The announcement from the NOAA comes a week after a 4,000-page report on climate change from the United Nations which clearly stated that humans had changed the climate. It wrote: "It is clear that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land." A total of 234 scientists from 66 countries worked on the report which warns that extreme weather will continue to get worse. It says that if we don’t take action, every region will experience multiple changes in weather, like sweltering heat and flooding.
a
We see floods, fires and heatwaves on TV nearly every day. Scientists have just announced that July was the hottest month ever. They said: "July is typically the world's warmest month of the year, but July 2023 outdid itself as the hottest July and hottest month ever." Earth's land and ocean temperature in July was 0.93 degree Celsius higher than the 20th-century average. The Northern Hemisphere was 1.54 degrees Celsius hotter than average.
Scientists are worried. They said: "In this case, first place is the worst place to be." The UN just issued a 4,000-page report on climate change which says that humans have changed the climate: "It is clear that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land." It says extreme weather will continue. If we don’t take action, every region will experience multiple changes in weather. There will be baking heat and floods.
b
We see floods, fires and heatwaves on TV news nearly every day now. Scientists have just announced that July was the hottest month ever. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA said: "July is typically the world's warmest month of the year, but July 2023 outdid itself as the hottest July and hottest month ever." Earth's land and ocean temperature in July was 0.93 degree Celsius higher than the 20th-century average of 15.8 degrees. The Northern Hemisphere was 1.54 degrees Celsius hotter than average.
NOAA said this heat record was worrying. It said: "In this case, first place is the worst place to be." The UN issued a 4,000-page report on climate change which stated that humans had changed the climate. It wrote: "It is clear that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land." A total of 234 scientists from 66 countries wrote the report which said extreme weather would continue. If we don’t take action, every region will experience multiple changes in weather, like boiling heat and flooding.
c
We hear about climate change pretty much every day now. We see pictures of floods, fires and heatwaves on TV news. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA have just announced that July was the hottest month ever recorded. A spokesperson from the NOAA said: "July is typically the world's warmest month of the year, but July 2023 outdid itself as the hottest July and hottest month ever." The NOAA said Earth's land and ocean surface temperature in July was 0.93 degree Celsius higher than the 20th-century average of 15.8 degrees Celsius. The Northern Hemisphere was 1.54 degrees Celsius hotter than average.
The NOAA spokesperson said this new record was worrying. He said: "In this case, first place is the worst place to be." The announcement from the NOAA comes a week after a 4,000-page report on climate change from the United Nations which clearly stated that humans had changed the climate. It wrote: "It is clear that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land." A total of 234 scientists from 66 countries worked on the report which warns that extreme weather will continue to get worse. It says that if we don’t take action, every region will experience multiple changes in weather, like sweltering heat and flooding.
Watch the video and answer the questions in your notebook.
1. What has the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said about July?
2. Was this the first time the temperature was above average?
3. According to the reporter, what are some people saying about this situation?
4. Who is Dan Cayan?
5. What did Cayan study before concluding that July was a record setter?
6. What is Cayan's prediction for the future?
7. What measures does Cayan propose to slow down climate change?
1. What has the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said about July?
2. Was this the first time the temperature was above average?
3. According to the reporter, what are some people saying about this situation?
4. Who is Dan Cayan?
5. What did Cayan study before concluding that July was a record setter?
6. What is Cayan's prediction for the future?
7. What measures does Cayan propose to slow down climate change?
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