Comprehension: 'Pistol-Packing Ladies' Take Aim

It's a ladies' get-together with a difference: these women are firing handguns at human-shaped targets. The Pistol Packing Ladies are just one group of thousands in America who enjoy their weapons and want to keep gun control at a minimum. 

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


1. Teresa started the women’s group under 12 months ago.
a. True
b. False

2. Nearly 25% of women in the United States owned a gun in 2011.
a. True
b. False

3. The women believe there should be some reform to the gun laws.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers
It's Ladies Night at this Virginia shooting range - Pistol-Packing Ladies, that is. 

Teresa started the women's group over a year ago. A former Marine, she wanted to empower women by teaching them how to safely handle a gun. 

"When they first come in to try shooting, they're a little bit nervous, some of them are a little scared, maybe never picked up a gun before, but once they feel and understand the power of the gun and that it's fun to shoot, I think it gives them confidence that they can now take care of themselves in a different manner." 

And taking care of themselves is the ultimate goal. Surveys show nearly a quarter of women in the United States owned a gun in 2011 - a 10-point increase from 2005. For group members like Sharon, it's not just about breaking down barriers - it's claiming a constitutional right. 

"I don't want anyone telling me I can't have something that I'm really entitled to have.  As long as they're used right, they're not dangerous."

 First-time shooters begin their session with a 40-minute safety briefing before moving on to the range. It's a talk Teresa has given countless times, but says can't be stressed enough. 

"If you own a gun, you need to train with that gun and be safe with your gun so you don't hurt yourself or others - that's the point."

 The US has been caught up in a fierce battle over gun control since the Newtown massacre last year that left 20 young children and six adults dead. But so far, attempts to make gun laws stricter have failed. Like most gun owners, these women approve of some reform – but still defend their right to bear arms. 

"I think the debate isn't how to keep a gun out of a good person's hands – I think the debate is how to keep the gun out of a bad person's hands, and I think that's where we need to change the focus to." 

As the debate rages on, the Pistol-Packing Ladies say they'll continue their firing tradition at this range - and prove women can hit the bullseye, too. 

Answers:

1. b
2. a
3. a

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Common Mistakes 11

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Idioms: White with answers

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

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Comprehension: Spain's Jamon Iberico Fights for Recognition

More than 100,000 hams from black Iberian pigs hang in the cellars of Arturo Sanchez, near the north-western Spanish city of Salamanca. Known as jamon Iberico, or Iberian ham, it is one of the world's greatest delicacies. Now Spain plans to simplify the rules on labels of origin to boost sales, which are flagging in the country's economic crisis.


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

1. The pure Iberian pig is given a large variety of things to eat.
a. True
b. False

2. Jamon Iberico is too expensive for a lot of Spanish people.
a. True
b. False

3. The new, simplified labelling will specify the breed of pig and what they were given to eat.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers

In these cellars hang a Spanish gastronomic treasure of more than 100,000 hams. They come from pure Iberian breed black pigs, fed almost entirely on acorns for two years. Known as Jamon Iberico, or Iberian ham, it will be salted and cured for about three years before being eaten in ruby-coloured, transparently thin slices. Jamon Iberico producer Arturo Sanchez has been in the business since 1917. 

"It is a ham with a much greater intensity in the mouth, much deeper; it holds the palate much longer. It has a more pronounced aftertaste, creating a flavour that is hard to forget.”

Spain's Jamon Iberico is a jewel in international cuisine. It can easily cost more than 100 euros a kilo. In an economic crisis, that's beyond the reach of most Spaniards. So producers are turning to exports. 

 "A few years ago our exports accounted for one or two percent of the total and now we're at 10 to 15 percent. The goal is to keep the momentum going and get to 20 or 25 percent within five or 10 years.

The number of Iberian pigs being reared has dropped almost 40 percent in the last three years to just two and a half million today. They've been hit by competition with ordinary pigs, which produce a blander but cheaper ham.  So to better promote their products and avoid fraud, the Spanish government wants to introduce new regulations and simplify the labelling. 

"We couldn't go into international markets with eight different types of ham because that would just create huge confusion among foreign consumers who would not be able to tell the difference between one product and the other." 

"It could be a positive change if they properly control the breeding and rearing, and explain to the consumer what he will be eating as a final product.” 

The new labels must explain how the pigs have been fed and specify their breed. Producers are dreaming of trotting into new markets, with Asia already in their sights.

Answers:

1. b
2. a
3. a

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Comprehension: Old Sana’a: An endangered UNESCO heritage site

Since Yemen's Arab-Spring style uprising in 2011, authorities have been absorbed with the political crisis and security concerns, having little time to spare for heritage preservation. The Old City of Sana’a - a unique architectural marvel of Yemen's past - now faces the dual dangers of state indifference and unruly construction. 

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

1. The oldest buildings were built in the 11th century.
a. True
b. False

2. The Old City of Sana’a was added to the UNESCO listing in 1986.
a. True
b. False

3. The people concerned with the preservation of the Old City of Sana’a only need 23 thousand dollars for its upkeep.
a.True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers

The dramatic Old City of Sana’a; many of these multi-storey homes made of rammed earth and brick date from the 11th century. There are more than 6,000 of them in the Yemeni capital, along with over 100 mosques; architectural treasures that helped earn the city a UNESCO listing in 1986. But unsympathetic modern construction and paltry government funds are threatening all of this, leaving those in charge of restoration exasperated. 

"Unfortunately, heritage hasn't gotten any kind of attention. For example the finance ministry hasn't decided anything worth mentioning." 

Not only neglect, but also recent sewage pipes installed along the city's narrow alleys and heavy rainfall could undermine the old city. Sana’a residents feel their precious heritage slipping out of their hands, and blame authorities for not doing enough to protect it. 

"They're not being cared for at all. The houses have been ruined like this for 15-20 years, with no maintenance at all, all of them are destroyed. They only paint the facade of the house while the interior is left in ruins." 

Those concerned with the old city's preservation say they only have a budget of 23 thousand dollars for its upkeep, a fraction of what is needed. 

"We won't accept Old Sana’a being eliminated from the world heritage list. So, we hope to get a helping hand in finding donors and gathering funds to support the city." 

UNESCO has organised several missions to the capital to help restoration projects. But they say no official information is available anymore on the state of its conservation due to security restrictions, leaving the fate of the Old City of Sana’a up in the air. 

Answers:

1. a
2. a
3. b

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Phrasal Verbs with Answers: to give

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

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Comprehension: Dutch Love Their Argentine Queen

Maxima, the Argentine-born future queen of the Netherlands, has worked hard to win over Dutch hearts and is now immensely popular. 

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

1. Maxima Zorreguieta met prince Willem-Alexander in 2002.
a. True
b. False

2. Maxima speaks Dutch very well.
a.True
b. False

3. Opinion polls show that Maxima is still very popular.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers


Introducing the future queen of the Netherlands, Argentine born, Maxima Zorreguieta, married prince Willem-Alexander in 2002. Since then the Dutch have accepted her as one of their own. She's learnt the language; even her three blond daughters seem to match the national stereotype. Meanwhile, media and public alike scrutinize her appearance and style. 

"Her fashion taste is very good she wears Louboutin so… I'm a very great fan, big fan of Maxima" 

"We have strict rules of course when you are a queen or a princess, so she wants of course also sexy things but she does it with respect to the people so, a little bit décolleté, but in a way that it’s still hot and sexy for a princess." 

The Maxima wardrobe is a classic one. But it's one still with its roots in the Buenos Aires of her youth. Graciela Naum is one of her preferred stylists:

 "Since she's so authentic and herself, she's keen on different textures, colours and styles. She'll try anything - she has a great time trying things, playing with colours and changing stylists. She’s a woman from head to toe."
But the former investment banker will soon graduate from mere citizen to become queen of the Dutch. Already the country's most popular member of the royal family according to opinion polls, the fairy-tale rise of Maxima shows no sign of slowing down. 

Answers:

1. b
2. a
3. a

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