Jenny Smith - Master News English

Master News English

Vol: 1

Jenny Smith and David Michaels

Jenny Smith & David Michaels 2019

Please visit my website for information about my other books.

Jennysmithenglish.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book can be reproduced or distributed in any form whatsoever without the permission of the publisher. The only exceptions are short quotations and some non-commercial uses allowed by copyright laws.

All efforts have been made to make the contents as accurate as possible. However if there are inaccuracies the publisher cannot be held liable. This book contains short stories and example sentences, all of which are fictitious and not based on any real event or person.

Real English. Real News. Really Useful.

We wrote this book to help you master English in a fun, easy and engaging way.

Why Use This Book?

• All of the following articles are based on real news stories using the exact language you would find in a newspaper or on the television news.
• We have included a vocabulary section after every paragraph to help you learn all of the essential vocabulary.
• Everything is written in English. This will help you start to think in English rather than continuously switching back to your own language. This will help you learn English a lot quicker.
• Because all of the articles are based on real news stories, they are all really interesting. This makes it fun for you to read and you will learn English easily.

Who is it for?

• This book is perfect for intermediate English learners wishing to improve their vocabulary and comprehension.
• This book is aimed at people who are not quite ready to read a newspaper but are looking for a structured way of getting started with real world English material.

How to Use.

Just read the article and whenever there is a word you dont understand you can check directly below in the vocabulary section.

Ok lets get started!

Online English lessons with a qualified tutor.

Do you want to take your English to the next level? Then definitely consider taking online lessons designed around your schedule and needs with a qualified tutor. Find out more here.

Britain Votes for Brexit

Part 1.

In what has turned out to be a very close result, Britain has voted for Brexit and will now leave the EU. While both the leave and remain camps were neck and neck for most of the campaign leading up to the election it was widely believed that Britain would vote to remain. Therefore, the result has sent shockwaves through the country and indeed throughout the world.

Vocabulary:

A camp: In this usage it means a group that has certain beliefs.

Example: During the election there were two camps. Those that wanted to leave the EU and those that wanted to remain.

To be neck and neck: To be very close in a competition.

Example: The race was neck and neck but the French horse won in the end.

A campaign: This is when a (political) group tries to convince people of their position.

Example: The political campaign for becoming President lasts months and costs millions.

To send shockwaves through (the country/world/community etc): To be shocking. To surprise people.

Example: The death of the young boy has sent shockwaves through the local community.

Part 2.

The result immediately set off a train of events including the Prime Minister David Cameron resigning . Scotland, who narrowly missed out on separating from the UK before have already begun pushing for a second referendum in order to separate from the UK and then again rejoin the EU. All in all it has been an eventful few days and it will certainly be interesting going forward.

Vocabulary:

To set off a train of events: This is when one event causes lots of other events.

Example: The scandal set off a train of events that ended with the company becoming bankrupt.

To resign: To quit your job. To step down from your position.

Example: I was going to resign anyway, so the fact that the company went bankrupt doesnt affect me really.

To miss out on (something): To not get something.

Example: I missed out on the chance to see the concert because I was too sick to go.

A referendum: This is when the people of a country vote on a certain topic.

Example: Even though the Greeks voted against the bail-outs in the referendum, the government still did them.

Podcasting

Part 1.

Over the past 20 years we have seen many technological revolutions lay waste to traditional industries . For example, eBooks have greatly diminished the power of traditional publishers and now the peer to peer service airbnb is the biggest hotel company on the planet despite not owning a single hotel. Podcastings rise has been less spectacular but it too has been slowly laying waste to traditional radio stations for years now.

Vocabulary:

To lay waste to (something): To totally destroy something.

Example: The boxer laid waste to this opponent.

To diminish (something): To make something smaller/less important.

Example: His role in the company was greatly diminished after he got ill.

Peer to peer: From provider to user with no middleman. For example, if I write and publish an eBook and sell it directly to you with no one in-between then it is peer to peer or P2P.

Example: I think bitcoin is interesting because it is a peer to peer currency.

Despite: Even though.

Example: Despite being born rich he still died poor.

Spectacular: Very impressive. Amazing.

Example: The firework show was spectacular.

Part 2.

A podcast is essentially a short audio programme usually based on a specific topic. The beauty of podcasting is that literally anyone can start a podcast, therefore almost all tastes are catered for . Before, you would have been hard pressed to find a radio show covering such diverse topics as History or Japanese Comics but now such podcasts are just a click away.

Vocabulary:

The beauty of: The great thing about

Example: The beauty of smart phones is that you can use them for lots of different things and they are very mobile.

To cater for (different tastes): To provide different things for different interest groups.

Example: I love that magazine, they cater for lots of different interest groups.

To be hard pressed to.: Difficult to (do this thing).

Example: Youd be hard pressed to find a guitar player better than him.

Social Media for Dogs

Part 1.

As you probably know, dogs are very popular all around the world but in the UK its just bonkers . Actually, some people treat their dogs better than they do other humans. People are so obsessed by their dogs that they even form groups (both off and online) so they can discuss them.

Vocabulary:

To be bonkers: To be crazy.

Example: Hes totally bonkers. Hes going bungee jumping this morning!

To treat (people/animals in a certain way): Your behaviour towards someone. How you deal with someone.

Example: I always try to treat my employees fairly.

To be obsessed by (something): To be VERY interested in something. To only be interested in this one thing.

Example: I was totally obsessed by basketball when I was younger.

To form a group: To make a group.

Example: I formed a group for people dealing with alcoholism.

Part 2.

Online: As you may know, dog training is quite a challenge and can be frustrating for owners, but hiring a trainer is not cheap. So, owners have formed online groups via SNS* such as Instagram and Facebook. Here they discuss such things as training tips and whether there is a good dog-sitter in the local area. But to be honest most people just post cute photos of their dogs. Also, if a dog is ill or needs expensive surgery they actually use these platforms to crowd-fund the treatment.