Comprehension: Pakistani Snooker Champion Aiming to Go Pro Next Year

Mohammad Asif, Pakistan's World Amateur Snooker Champion, is training hard to defend his title in the hope of turning professional next year.


Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1. Asif practises over 10 hours a day to get better at snooker.
a. True
b. False

2. Asif became world champion in Bulgaria.
a. True
b. False

3. Asif’s lifestyle has improved since he became world snooker champion.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

Asif spends up to ten hours a day honing his skills here in Pakistan’s Punjab province.  He’s the reigning world amateur snooker champion. The game’s been his passion since he was 17.

“Snooker is a kind of game where there is a lot of joy in pulling off technical shots. You have to beat opponents by yourself, whereas in cricket, you need teamwork.”

Asif took the title a year ago in Bulgaria.  He came home a hero, to a country that doesn’t have too many world titles.

“He’s a champion and he’s from our city, Faisalabad, so he is number one for us. His performances are very good; he has beaten the world’s best players and proven that Pakistan is not behind anyone.”

He’s become a legend in his modest Faisalabad neighbourhood.  The last time Pakistan produced a snooker world champion was in 1994.

"Since becoming a champion, the special love and joy of people, and their prayers, stay with me. Wherever I go, thanks to God, I get love from the people; everyone is caring and praying for me."

His success hasn’t enabled Asif to improve his lifestyle though. Despite the trophies and official photos, the country’s leaders still haven’t made good on promises they made to him a year ago.

"The government policy is that whoever wins a world championship is offered 10 million rupees, but so far I haven’t received anything. We’ve discussed it many times and they are saying that God willing it will be cleared soon."

But Asif isn’t waiting idly for the money. He’s training hard to defend his title at the next world championship in November.  And the Pakistani star hopes to turn professional next year.

Answers:

1. b
2. a
3. b

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Comprehension: Detroit's World-Class Art Collection Threatened By Bankruptcy

Following Detroit's declaration of bankruptcy, its emergency manager said some of the Detroit Institute of Arts' world-class collection may have to be sold. 

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1. The Detroit Institute of Art has a small subsidy from the city.
a. True
b. False

2. The Detroit Institute of Art has a huge collection of 20th century art.
a. True
b. False

3. A majority of Detroiters want to sell the art to raise funds.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

These enormous murals are at the heart of the Detroit Institute of Arts.  Painted by Diego Rivera in the 1930s, they capture the energy and drive of the industry that had made the city great.  Eighty years on, public access to this artwork, and to the rest of the museum’s collection, is threatened by Detroit’s bankruptcy.

The city’s emergency manager has ordered thousands of pictures bought with city money to be valued.  Selling them could raise billions of dollars to help pay off Detroit’s debts.  Gallery officials argue the non-profit that runs the Institute is already saving the city money:

“We don’t use city dollars for anything. We get city water and lights and we pay them for those, so the city really does not pay for this institution at all at this point, which means we keep this institution open for the city of Detroit, and we save them 31 million dollars a year, which is our annual operating budget.”

Fuelled by donations first from local press barons, then from car industry magnates, the museum has built a world-class collection. Highlights include a rare work by Flemish master Bruegel the Elder; the first paintings by both Vincent van Gogh and Henri Matisse ever to be purchased by a US public gallery; and a virtual who’s who when it comes to 20th century art.

One key move that’s kept the gallery afloat more recently is a property tax to support it that residents of three nearby counties agreed to pay. But if some of the art is auctioned, that revenue stream could also be threatened:

“Two of those counties have said if we sell art they will stop the property tax. That represents about two-thirds of our annual operating budget. If they stop that tax, we will be sent into a death spiral.”

Detroit’s creditors argue the art is an asset which should be sold to raise funds for more practical purposes, such as funding city workers’ pensions. At City Hall recently, some of those whose pensions could be affected by the bankruptcy were still keen to safeguard the gallery.

“It’s a great place; Detroit needs to keep it if they can. I’m not in favour of liquidating the assets.”

“I think they should protect our art. Leave it alone. Mess with something else.”

A survey carried out by a local newspaper found 78% of Detroiters feel the same but with the fate of the gallery undecided, supporters of a sale,- who say they want to put people before Picassos’, may yet win the argument.

Answers:

1. b
2. a
3. b

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Comprehension: Silence is Golden for New York Restaurant

Does a meal taste better if it's eaten in silence? One New York restaurant thinks it might, and has banned all talking at the table. 

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1. The restaurant is encouraging people to concentrate on what they are eating.
a. True
b. False

2. The restaurant doesn’t serve meat.
a. True
b. False

3. The restaurant doesn’t have many bookings for the future.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

From the outside, it looks like any other restaurant in New York’s Greenpoint neighbourhood.
But when you sit down at ‘Eat’ for dinner, you’ll notice it seems a little bit… well, quiet.

“I’m doing a silent dinner because I want to invite the opportunity for people to experience their food with a kind of intention and attention to the experience that isn't usually afforded by a loud meal especially in New York City.”

Bringing a whole new meaning to keeping your mouth shut while you eat the idea is that silence allows diners to gain a heightened experience of their meals, focusing on the organic vegetarian cuisine served up from the kitchen.

 “The only thing is like we're bringing our own intentionality to it as well, if that makes sense. Because we know what is about to take place so we're bringing our, like, own energies to it.”

For around an hour, not a word is spoken. Some stifle laughter, others communicate with their eyes rather than their voices, the only rule is silence. But once dessert is over, that comes to an end.

"Thanks guys". 

With dinner finished, the guests can now share their take on their silent meal.

 “It was very enjoyable”
 
“You also have the internal dialogue of your mind, saying all kinds of things; wanting to laugh. You know you’re going through stages but by the end you're really in a very Zen, relaxed, at least I was in, a relaxed state."

“It was a nice way to spend time together without any of the pressure of coming up with anything to say.”

So far, the new venture is proving popular, with diners booking days in advance. Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise in a city where the second most common complaint in restaurants is about noise levels.

Answers:

1. a
2. a
3. b

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Phrasal Verbs with Answers: to hand

This week,'to hand' is the verb used to make our phrasal verbs. Do you know what they mean?

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Comprehension: Culture War as the Maldives Opens Up To Backpackers

The Maldives is one of the world's most exclusive holiday destinations but it has quietly opened up to backpackers in the last five years with a reform that has upset religious hardliners. 

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1. The Maldives had their first democratic elections five years ago.
a. True
b. False

2. Reforms in the law to allow Maldivians to open up guest houses to foreigners were introduced a decade ago.
a. True
b. False

3. Travelling around the Maldives is cheaper if you’re a backpacker.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

Famed for its luxury resorts on private tropical islands, the Maldives is a place where the well heeled get away.   From honeymooners to sun-worshippers, the country has carved a niche in the high-end tourism market.  But in recent years it’s been opening up to backpackers, visitors with less cash to spend who want a different kind of holiday.

"I think that the most important thing is that you get in touch with the locals.  I’ve stayed here in Male now for three nights or four days and I’ve already met quite some people and made some friends so I think that’s just the biggest, biggest win."

For decades a deliberate policy kept wealthy holidaymakers separate from the local Muslim population.  It was an attempt to protect the conservative Maldivian culture from tourists' more liberal Western lifestyle.  But five years ago, despite opposition from religious hardliners, the first democratically-elected government introduced reforms allowing Maldivians to open guest houses to foreigners.

"If you are saying that tourists should be in a remote island and the locals should be separate in order to prevent the culture and belief and everything, I don’t think it’s going to work. Thing is that we see everything from TV, from travelling, everywhere. So I think it’s a lame excuse shown by the politicians and businessmen to control the economy."

Ibrahim opened his doors to guests one month ago.  He charges just 30 dollars for a double room, a fraction of the price charged at the cheapest island resorts.  As locals take a share in the country’s tourism industry, the government insists the established resort sector will not suffer.

"These tourists who come and stay in the guesthouses they do go to the resorts in the evening to enjoy a resort meal and experience a resort as well in the night-time so they’re not, what you call, taking tourists away from the resorts but they are complimenting, I would say, rather than taking away tourists from the resort side."

But travel around the nation's far-flung islands isn’t cheap.  With few public ferries, Chris expects to spend several hundred dollars on transport alone.  Tourists can now enjoy the freedom of backpacking here, but they'll need much more than a shoestring budget to get the most out of the Maldives.

Answers:
1. a
2. b
3. b

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Common Mistakes 13

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Comprehension: Japan's Luxury Fruit Masters Grow Money on Trees

An industry of fruit boutiques has defied Japan's sluggish economy to consistently offer luscious and lavishly tended produce for hefty prices - and it is always in demand.

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1. One peach and a bunch of grapes cost 95 dollars when bought together.

a. True

b. False

2. The boutique sells frozen fruit.

a. True

b. False

3. In the auction one cantaloupe melon sold for the same price as a car.

a. True

b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

In Japan, perfectly formed fruit can fetch a fortune. Despite the sluggish economy, luscious produce from luxury fruit boutiques has always been in demand.  This perfectly formed cantaloupe from Shizuoka costs the equivalent of 175 US dollars.

“Only the most promising young melons are selected before being placed in glass chambers where the temperature is adjusted 6 times in 24 hours.  This is a product that requires time and expertise.  It takes 100 work days to produce one of these melons.”

A fresh peach that’s 30 dollars, a bunch of grapes, 95, the bill can easily add up. This housewife is spending 30 dollars on some frozen fruits for her family dinner.

“It’s nice to eat luxury fruit sometimes.  It really is better and it boosts the moral.  It’s like eating a cake.”

High-end fruit is often given to relatives, business associates or bosses with the gift showing the importance of the relationship.

“It’s fun, I often get given them in the summer or at the end of the year.”

For even greater luxury, buyers might consider bidding at a yearly auction in Northern Japan where a pair of cantaloupe melons goes up for sale.  The hammer fell on this year’s pair at a cool 16,000 US dollars, the price of a car.

Answers:

1. b

2. a

3. b

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Comprehension: Turkey Alcohol Laws Threaten Winemaking Industry

The islanders of Turkey's Bozcaada worry that Prime Minister Erdogan's recent restrictive laws relating to the sale and advertising of alcohol will threaten their livelihood and their centuries-old culture of wine-making. 

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1. Alcohol can’t be sold between 10am and 6pm in Turkey.

a. True

b. False

2. Winemakers can’t advertise on television or in newspapers.

a. True

b. False

3. The Turkish Prime Minister has defended the law for religious reasons.

a. True

b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

 

Transcript and Answers:

The Turkish island of Bozcaada has been known for its grape varieties for centuries. But its long history of winemaking may now be under threat. A new law that forbids the sale of alcohol between 10pm and 6am in shops, and restricts advertising, has just come into force nationwide. And winemakers here feel business will suffer. 

"We can't have wine tastings, we can't organize events, we can't advertise in newspapers. We already couldn't advertise on TV but now newspaper adverstising is banned too. With these laws we can't communicate." 

Wine production is essential to the island's economy with two thirds of the population making a living out of the harvest; Mehmet's company alone employs around 150 people. But it's also a tradition ingrained in their culture. 

"People come to Bozcaada for the wine. When they order a drink, it's wine." 

"This kind of prohibition limits our freedom. Drinking alcohol is a personal choice, nobody should control it." 

"You can ban all you want but the people will always find a way around this law and that's what is much more dangerous and wrong.” 

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, a pious Muslim who neither smokes nor drinks, has defended the law on health grounds. But Turkey's sizeable secular population has denounced the law as repressive and with religious, not social, motivations. 

Answers:

1. b
2. a
3. b

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Idioms: Dogs with answers

This week 'dogs' are the theme of our idioms. Do you know what they mean?

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