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Developing Oneself

B1

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Everyone has inborn talents and skills which are further enhanced
and developed by everyday circumstances and experiences. Beinga better version of ourselves is a struggle especially if we lack thewill and determination. One can only develop oneself if he desires
it. No one can force you to do it; you and only you can.
There are a lot of facets one must consider in developing
himself. The physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual

aspects are the main domains that complete one’s individuality.
A person may engage in several different modes for him to attainpersonal growth and development.
In addition, one should go through several obstacles or challenges along the way to develop
oneself. One should be able to overcome these challenges successfully. This is one of theessential things that need to happen in developing oneself. The more challenges you go
through, the more experiences you gain, the better you become.

2New words

inbornsomething that is inborn has existed inyou since you were born

determination

the ability to continue trying to dosomething, although it is very difficult

facet

an aspect of something such as asituation or someone’s characterdomaina particular area of activity or lifemode

a particular way of behaving orfeeling that is suitable for a particularsituation

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Dreams

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B2

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A dream is a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring
during sleep. The duration of a dream varies from a few seconds
to approximately 20 - 30 minutes.
Dreams range from normal and ordinary to surreal and bizarre.
Experts presented their idiosyncratic interpretations of a dreamor two. A prominent man in this field is Sigmund Freud. He statedthat dreams are the manifestations of our deepest desires andemotions which come as nightmares. There has been a notion thata particular person or thing you dreamt about at night is the very
last thing or person you thought of before you doze off; or perhaps,
the thing or person you have been thinking about all day.
Well, not only that. Have you ever felt like doing the same thing over again, or being in thesame place, or in the same situation? As if, you’ve been there before? This is what people
call ‘deja vu”. It’s the feeling that you have already experienced something that is actually
happening for the first time. It does make sense, for the most part. If you think about it, you
cannot remember what you dreamt about that night. But, when it happens, you feel it. You
feel as if you have been there and done that. Nevertheless, dreams are interpreted in manydifferent ways. Some believe it is true, some do not. No matter, dreams are one of those
things that make our lives more interesting and filled with wonder.

2New words

duration

the length of time that something lasts

surrealsomething surreal is so strange that you
cannot believe it is real

bizarrestrange and unusual

idiosyncraticnightmareunusual or strange, and not shared byother people

a very frightening and unpleasant dream3

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The Man Who Helped Feed the World B3

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Have you ever thought of feeding millions of people around theworld? As of 2022, there are about 811 million people globally
who suffer from hunger. That is over 10% of the world’s population.
A devoted scientist from China transformed his country and many

developing countries around the world from "food deficiency tofood security" within three decades. Mr. Yuan Longping, who wasa Chinese agronomist, is known as “The Father of Hybrid Rice.” He
was a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering known fordeveloping the first hybrid rice in the 1970s to alleviate famine inChina.
Yuan endured life’s hardships yet pursued innovative scientific research to ascend to the top of hybrid
rice research and development. Because of his unending dedication to helping the poor, he perseveredin accomplishing the growth of hybrid rice - a type of rice that has been bred from two different
parents. This innovation, which significantly outyields other varieties of rice up to 15%, helped feed anextra 70 million people worldwide every year.
Owing to this accomplishment, Mr. Yuan received the World Food Prize in 2004. The award recognized
him as a contributor to obtaining improved quality and availability of food around the world.
His death on May 22, 2021, triggered messages of grief across the country. Mr. Yuan was considereda national hero and a symbol of dogged scientific pursuit in China. He may have left the world but
he and his contribution to developing hybrid rice and fighting world hunger will always beremembered.

2

New words

devotedextremely loving and loyal

deficiency
a state of not having, or nothaving enough, of somethingthat is neededagronomista scientist who works in agronomy(the science of farming)

innovationa new idea or method, or theuse of new ideas and methods

4Language B4

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Language is communication in its broadest sense. Language does
not have to conform to English, French, Korean, or any other 7,100
languages spoken globally; rather, it can be everything. It could
be words, letters, sentences, or sounds; at the same time, it could
take the form of a sign, bodily movements, or Braille. However,the diversity of language is not only its intriguing feature; but also

its dynamicity.
Language is evolving; it is not fixed. As new languages emerge,some spoken languages become obsolete. There are, in fact, 241
extinct languages. It has changed dramatically over themillennium for three reasons. One of them is trade and migration. As different cultures interact, people
share and borrow words from other languages. These are called loanwords. Words like kimono, tsunami
and Sudoku were originally Japanese but are used in English.
Another factor driving language evolution is the development of new technologies. We create newwords and phrases to describe things that did not exist. Some of these are portmanteau words. Finally,some words gain new meaning through time. For example, the mouse that was a rodent is now a partof a computer.
Language is diverse and dynamic, and it is vital. It enables us to express our emotions, art, and selves.
Furthermore, language helps us build connections with others and create a sense of community,
helping us broaden our perspective, as we traverse life. It allows us to be much smarter, moreingenious, and more loving human beings.

2New words

conform
comply with rules,standards, or laws

Braillea system of raised dots thatcan be read with the fingers
by people who are blind or
who have low visionmigration
movement of a person or people fromone country, locality, place ofresidence, etc., to settle in anotheringenious
clever, original, and inventive5Topic Conversation
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1Animation B5

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Animation has been around for longer than we ever knew andhas significantly contributed to civilization. Drawings depicting aseries of events at a slow frame rate are the earliest kinds ofanimation. They were not only short but also lifeless. The
development of animation kept pace with the development ofmachines, which led to the revolution in computer-generated
imagery. These animations were then broadcast on television,
eventually turning into fully computer-animated films withsurrealistic looks that have changed significantly over time.

Due to the fact that animation has been around for a while, many people have grown oldalongside these visuals. Without the development of animation, life would be totallydifferent. According to an animator, animation is not the art of drawings that move but theart of movements that they draw. This is because it offers a distinctive experience throughthe details of how it works. It has not only given countless people's lives an enduring impact,
but has also provided a variety of unique experiences to their audience through animation
production, history and culture, and economic contributions. At the moment, animation isused not only for entertainment but also as a teaching and marketing tool, as well as a2

source of income for many people.

New words

computer-generated
designed or produced
using a computer program

surrealistic

frame rate

the number of frames that appear
on a screen every second

not seeming real; very
unusual or impossible

kept pace withdistinctive

used to describe something whichis easy to recognize because it isdifferent from other things

to go or make progress atthe same speed as
someone or something else6

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Multiple Intelligences B6

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Everyone is intelligent. It is only a matter of finding your area ofexpertise. Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist, has
identified eight different types of intelligence that every
person possesses. This allows people to evaluate themselves
and identify their strengths and weaknesses. Also, educators
will have an idea of which area they need to focus on whenteaching their students. Gardner’s theory of Multiple
Intelligence identifies the following: Visual-Spatial, VerbalLinguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical,
Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalist.

Visual-Spatial involves perception of the environment. This creates and manipulates mentalimages. Verbal-Linguistic involves words, reading, writing, speaking, and knowing foreign
languages. Logical-Mathematical involves numbers and solving different logical problems.
Bodily-Kinesthetic involves physical coordination or expressing oneself and learning throughphysical activities. Musical involves expressing oneself through music and rhythm.

Interpersonal involves knowing how to communicate and understand other people while
intrapersonal is understanding one’s inner self. Naturalist is understanding the environment
and the world. Multiple Intelligence theory gives you an idea of how to develop your2

strengths and use them to your advantage.

New words

verbal-linguistic

connected with language or the study oflanguage
bodily-kinesthetic
relating to the use of sense organs in yourmuscles and other body parts to feel theposition and movements of your bodyinterpersonal

involving relationships between people

intrapersonal

naturalist

relating to or within a person's mind

someone who studies living things and theirenvironment

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Computer & Internet B7

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Technological development has come a long way. Many devices
have emerged and have become every man’s necessity. One
important invention is the computer. It contains commands andfeatures that help people in various ways. This machine is very
convenient for accomplishing people’s needs and purposes.

Some people use it for innovation at work. The advancefeatures of a computer allow users to write documents andmake presentations. Other common uses of a computer include
research, making business reports and proposals, photo andvideo editing, and many more.
Despite the fact that computers are conducive, they also bring harm and negative
effects to people. For instance, when a computer is used for entertainment, it will need
the internet to search for information, videos, and social networking sites. There is ahigh risk of getting into forbidden websites. It is also the primary source of bullying
nowadays. Thus, it is important to remember that computers and the internet are forhelping, not for destroying lives.

2New words

featurea noticeable or important characteristic
or partinnovationa new idea or method

conducive

convenient; helpful

high risk

the idea of being involved or exposed toa high level of danger

forbidden
not allowed8Topic Conversation
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Misinformation B8

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Advancements in communication technology have had extensive
benefits in spreading information to people. For instance, usergenerated content in online social media has made it easier forpeople who share common interests, worldviews, and stories tocome together. However, this freedom of information has also
paved the way for the spread of misinformation.
As defined, "misinformation" is false information, regardless ofwhether or not it's intended to mislead or deceive people.
Recent studies show that increased exposure to unverified rumors
increases the likelihood of people being credulous. Moreover, people's desire for instant answers
may also overpower their desire to be certain of their validity.
To counter digital misinformation, some popular websites have proposed different solutions. Googleis developing an algorithm that ranks the result of questions through a trustworthiness score.
Facebook has also suggested a community-driven approach, in which users can flag false content tocorrect the newsfeed algorithm. But do you think these efforts are enough to combat one of themain threats to our digital society?
In an era of misinformation, questioning everything you read must be the standard. Is it the most upto-date information? Is the author credible? Are there any other sources that confirm theinformation? Is the information too good to be true? At the end of the day, skepticism goes a long
way to combat misinformation.

2New words

user-generated content
any form of content, such as images,videos, text, and audio, that has beenposted by users on online platforms

deceiveto persuade someone thatsomething false is the truth

unverified
not true or accurate

skepticism
distrust or disbelief, or a
general tendency todoubt and question

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Endless Desires

B9

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She bought an iPad on the first day and an iPhone on
the second. She purchased Chanel jewelry on thethird day, acquired a Lamborghini car on the fourth,and secured a Hermes bag on the fifth. She thoughtthat was enough, but it wasn’t. She rushed to themall, picked up a pair of Louis Vuitton footwear, andwas tickled pink wearing them on her way home.

What an endless desire for luxury that was!
It is undoubtedly a fact that having unlimited desire is truly an innate human nature. We
compare ourselves to others and always wish to have what others have. It is hilarious tonote that we get so curious about the possessions our friends, family, and relatives have,the brands they are into, the size of their house, the place where they live, and even

their lifestyle. Sad but true, we are so fond of longing for things we don’t have insteadof counting our blessings.

2New words

purchaseto buy somethingacquireto obtain or begin to have somethingrush
to do something or move very quickly; tohurrytickled pinkvery pleased

desirea strong feeling of wanting to have or
to do something10Pollution

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B10

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Mother Earth is dying. Her blue blood teemed withmarine animals like fish, seashells and seagrass is
now dirty and uninhabitable. Waste full of chemicals
and pollutants is dumped into the oceans and seas.
Tons of trash are thrown into different bodies ofwater, making her barely breathe. Mother Earth isdying. Her skin full of green grasses and trees withthick leaves is now a mass of rotten brown flesh because of industrialization and illegal
logging. Those grasses where terrestrial animals feed on; those trees of thick leaves
where birds lay their eggs are now replaced with skyscrapers and establishments.
Mother Earth is dying. Her body, so cool and relaxing, is now burning like hell becauseof greenhouse gases. Industrial smoke, bus and car emissions, and combustion rapidly
increase her body’s temperature causing her to be weak day by day.
Mother Earth is dying, and she is telling us to help one another –To Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

2New words

teem with something
to contain large numbers of something, especiallyanimals or humans

marinerelated to the sea

uninhabitable
not suitable for habitation (dwellingplace/place to live)

dump

pollutanta substance that is harmful to theenvironment

to get rid of someone or somethingthat you no longer want or need11