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1Billboards C1

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Aloft the canopies of the concrete jungle hang the most prolificof all marketing devices, the billboard. They have sprung up along

every major highway, as well as any highly traveled roads. For
the denizens of the urban landscape, it is a fixture of daily life. It
is as imposing as it is ubiquitous. These colorful depictions ofcommercialized living are where one finds the constant promises ofthe enhancement of one’s life through the consumption of their offers.
Sleazy and slick salesmen exploit the fears and basic instincts of the vulnerable populace, all in an effort
to extract more revenues, with billboards being one of their main tactics in their campaign to be boughtby the public. Among those who fight back against the oppressive tutelage of modern marketing is ananonymous street artist who goes by the name of Banksy. He’s internationally known for provocative artthat challenges the status quo of crass commercialism and champions cause drowned out by the noise ofadvertising. He brings humanity back to a dehumanized society. He is a hero of our time.
Billboards are attention grabbers. You can’t help but notice a sign that is as wide as your house. Becauseof their size, they are highly successful at catching people’s attention

but billboards can be distracting.

It attracts too much attention then it can potentially increase the likelihood of drivers crashing into each2other because they were too mesmerized by what is on the billboard.

New words

prolific
existing in large numbers

ubiquitouspresent everywhere

provocative
causing an angry reaction, usuallyintentionallysleazydishonest, or immoralslick
clever and good at persuading people
but probably not honest or sincere2

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Internet Friendship C2

Read and LearnPeople are innately social. We all gravitate towards one another for
omnifarious reasons. If we don’t have an actual reason, we’re quite creativein making one. Take for example parties, galas, and other events thatencourage us to congregate. Some more proof that we never grow tired ofbeing gregarious is the development of online social networking sites andmessenger apps. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mark Zuckerberg reveals that thereason behind the creation of Facebook is the trusted and proven fact thatbusiness propagates at a rate which is directly proportional to the number of people. So why not provide a sitethat’ll allow everybody to demonstrate how crazy we are about everybody else? Such a clever guy.
Messenger apps and online social networking sites give us the ability to make friends with people from as far
as halfway across the world. Isn’t it amazing? Intercultural exchange and assimilation of different customs andtraditions are now happening ubiquitously. On top of that, incipient advancements in technology may enable us

to detect other life forms in our solar system, and eventually, our galaxy. In the future, we’d not only be taking
pleasure in making conversations with fellow earthlings, but also with Jedis, Na’vis, or Kryptonians. Before you
know it, you’re already sharing your hobbies and interests with a Jedi! Taking things up a notch, by the time allthese speculations have become a reality, physical teleportation of things might already be one of the features
on your messenger app!
Internet friends will have been able to send and receive gifts from halfway across the galaxy. What kinds ofinteresting gifts would they be! The future of internet friendship is indeed something to look forward to.
The internet affords us a future of boundless opportunities for interaction and contact. It transcended ourexpectations with the emergence of many social networking sites that now serve as venues for us to stay in2touch with our friends and be updated on their whereabouts and current preoccupation.

New words

omnifariousof all varieties, forms, or kinds

congregate

to gather together in a groupgregariousliking to be with other people

propagateubiquitously

to make (something, such as an ideaor belief) known to many people

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What Guarantees Happiness? C3

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All people feel a different range of emotions. Some of these emotions arepleasant and are always wanted to be felt while other emotions we try to
avoid as much as possible due to the pain it may cause us. What is perhaps
the most popular and desired of these emotions is “happiness”. While allpeople are Naturally inclined to seek to be happy, one might consider what

actually would make him or her happy. Is happiness the same for everyone?
What actually defines happiness?
Happiness can be considered a fuzzy concept and could mean many different things to many people. Someclosely related concepts to happiness are well-being, quality of life, flourishing, and contentment. According toa research study, humans seem happiest when they have: pleasure (tasty food, warm baths, etc.), engagements(or flow, the absorption of an enjoyed yet challenging activity), relationships (social ties have turned out to be

an extremely reliable indicator of happiness), meaning (a perceived quest or belonging to something bigger),and accomplishments (having realized tangible goals).
Happiness has also been closely linked to religion. Such an association may be attributed to the social
connections of organized religion, and by the neuropsychological benefits of prayer and belief. To elaborate
further, the benefits that make people happier from religion include social contact and support that result
from religious pursuits, the mental activity that comes with optimism and volunteering, learned coping

strategies that enhance one’s ability to deal with stress, and psychological factors such as “reason for being.”

2New wordslink
to make a connection between two or more
people, things, or ideas

attributeto believe that something is the result of a particularsituation, event, or person’s actions

optimisma tendency to be hopeful and to expect that
good things will probably happen

fuzzy

contentment

the happiness you feel when you haveeverything you want and you enjoy your life

not clear or not easily heard,
seen, or understood4

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Advocate of Peace: Malala Yousafzai

C4

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Can you imagine someone winning a Nobel Peace Prize at theage of 18? Known mainly for her human rights advocacy, MalalaYousafzai is a young Pakistani girl who stood against the Taliban,

an Islamic militant group, and fought for education and women’s
right in her native land. Malala received the Nobel Peace Prizeexactly two years and a day after a Taliban gunman shot her inthe head on her way home. Despite the growing threat anddanger, she continued fighting for every young girl’s right toeducation and became an inspiration to them. She believes that education is a basic
human right and a powerful weapon in promoting global peace and progress.
She once told reporters that going to school, “is like walking through a magic door toyour dreams”. Malala became an international Icon for Peace and a role model to theyouth. She is the youngest ever recipient to scoop the Nobel Prize.

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New words

advocacya strong public support for something

stand against

to oppose someone or something in abrave or determined waymilitantusing extreme and sometimes violent
methods to achieve political or social change

threatpowerful weapon

a situation or an activity that could
cause harm or danger

something that is strong, influential and helps
you to achieve something difficult or to get ridof something bad5

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1Superhero C5

Read and Learn

What is a superhero? The definition of superhero, quoted from
Wikipedia is “a type of heroic character possessing extraordinary
talents, supernatural phenomena, or superhuman powers and isdedicated to a moral goal or protecting the public”. Superheroes

and super heroines are non-existent. They are made-up charactersfor fictional stories. Their purpose is sheer entertainment for readers and sometimes stands as
an inspiration to people to do better on what they can do or drag them out from a feculent life.
The word “superhero” dates back to at least 1917 according to Wikipedia. Based on thegenealogy of superheroes such folkloric heroes like Robin Hood, who adventured in idiosyncratic
clothing are the first of the superheroes. Then came Scarlet Pimpernel in the year 1936 which
inspired masked avengers and a superhero trope of a secret identity. Zorro who is a masked

and costumed character came out in 1919. The first comic strip hero is named Phantom whichcame out in 1936. These early superheroes were the inspirations of the superhero characters oftoday and to avid fans of fiction stories.
Being a superhero or super heroine is possible in real life and some even live amongst us.
‘What does it take to be a super hero?, you ask. It is simply being kind towards society.
Protect your world by being friendly to the environment. Defend your citizens by helping themwith what you can and be generous to people when the need arises. These are simple

gestures for being recognized as a superhero in real life.

2New words

quote
to say or write words that someone
else has said or written

sheer

not mixed with anything else;
pure or complete

avid
heroicextremely eager or interested

very brave and deserving admiration

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Angkor Wat C6

Read and Learn

Angkor (in Cambodia) is the ancient capital of Khmer Empire. A temple
built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple
and capital city is called Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) which is dedicatedto Vishnu (Hindu). In Khmer language, “Angkor wat” means “temple city”. It
is located about six kilometers north of Seam Reap, south of Angkor Thom.
The estimated construction time of the temple is 30 years.
Angkor Wat is a miniature replica of the universe in stone and represents
an earthly model of the cosmic world. The central tower rises from thecenter of the monument symbolizing the mythical mountain, Mount Meru,
home of the gods in Hindu mythology. The surrounding moat represents thesea. The four sides face the cardinal compass points.
If you want to visit Cambodia and witness the world’s largest religious monument, it’s best if you getsome guidebooks to read. In the guidebook, it is stated that a traveler or a visitor may walk throughthe temples in the morning to avoid afternoon heat but this would take a minimum of five days.
Temple veterans were quick to dismiss this strategy and advised to rent a bicycle in Siem Reap.
Another option is a bus tour, which is offered at most area hotels. The easiest way if you are with
two to four other visitors is to hire a car and a driver.

Traveling increases our knowledge and widens our perspective. It can help us change some of ourhabits or even create new ones. Traveling with friends or family creates memories for a lifetime.

2New words

replicaan exact copy of an object

mythicalimaginary or not real; existing
only in stories

compass

cardinal
main or of great importancea device for finding direction with athin pointed metal part that turns toalways point north7

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Artificial Intelligence C7

Read and Learn

Artificial intelligence is a wide field of computer science concernedwith creating smart machines capable of performing tasks that
normally require human intelligence. From the development of selfdriving cars, smart assistants such as Siri and Alexa, email spam filters,
smart home devices, and emerging innovations such as screenless video
and advanced robotics, AI is becoming more prevalent in everyday life.
According to an Ipsos survey for the World Economic Forum, about 60%
believe that AI-powered products and services will make their lives easier.
But will it make life better? Those surveyed were less certain, with only
52% believing that products and services based on artificial intelligencehave more advantages than drawbacks.
AI can help reduce human error and is available at all times. We can use it to make machines work 24
hours a day. Furthermore, AI is also powering many inventions in almost every domain, which will assist
humans in solving the majority of complex problems.
However, every bright side has a darker counterpart. With its advanced features, AI is making humans
lazy, with most work becoming automated. As AI replaces robots for the majority of repetitive tasks andother manual labor, human interference is decreasing. This will cause a significant problem in
employment standards.
The benefits of artificial intelligence are indeed enormous. The key for humans will be to prevent the"rise of the robots" from becoming out of control. Some argue that artificial intelligence can destroy
human civilization if it falls into the wrong hands. Nonetheless, none of the AI applications created atthat scale can destroy or enslave humanity.

2New words

computer science

the study of computers andcomputational systems that
includes theory, design,development, and application

prevalentwidespread/ common ina particular area or at aparticular time

domainan area of control or asphere of knowledge

enslavecause (someone) to lose theirfreedom of choice or action

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Multipotentialite:
C8A Person With No One True Calling

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People around us have asked what we want to be when we growup at some point in our lives. This question has led us to believethat we must find one true calling to which we must devote ourlives. As a result, people overly romanticize the idea of havingthat one true calling. Yet, some people do not want to be just
one thing. Does that mean there is something wrong with them?
“Multipotentialites” are people who have a variety of creative
pursuits and interests, a term coined and popularized by Emilie

Wapnick in her TED talk. She defined multipotentialites aspeople who pursue multiple paths in life, either concurrently or sequentially. Unlike specialists, they
do not have one true calling. Furthermore, unlike polymaths, multipotentialites do not need to beexperts in those fields. Their potential lies in their interests and efforts to pursue those career

paths. Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Aristotle, and others are examples of famous
multipotentialites.
Employers find multipotentialites valuable to the workforce. They are known for their ability tosynthesize ideas (providing fresh and new ideas by bringing knowledge together from various fields),
learn quickly, and adapt to new situations. These skills give them an advantage in the labor market.
Choosing the path to take is hard. You may be confused about your choice, or you may not havecome up with one. Therefore, whether you are a specialist or a person with multipotentiality, you
should embrace your passion and true self. Being true to yourself leads to a more fulfilling life.

2New words

callinga profession or career which
someone is strongly attracted topursuit
an occupation, interest, etc. towhich one devotes time and energy

sequentiallyin a way that follows aparticular order

polymaths
a person who know
a lot about manydifferent subjects

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Endangered Species

C9

Read and Learn

In today’s world, a vast diversity of animal and plant species
populate different regions of the planet. Millions of species ofvarious organisms constitute biodiversity that encompasses anumber of ecosystems. Each of these species plays integral rolein maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. The absence of

any of these species may bring about unpleasant consequencesand disrupt the ecological balance.
Despite the millions of species that exist, an alarming number of them are under the threat offacing extinction. In fact, it can be said that a number of them have already ceased to exist.
Perhaps the best known examples would be the dinosaurs and the dodo birds. Other species suchas the American bald eagle, the giant panda, and the Siberian tiger are already at risk. A numberof factors come into play that resulted in the slow decline in population of certain species. First ofthese would be overhunting which involves mankind hunting down animals for the reasons of foodconsumption or mere sport. Another factor would be the introduction of invasive species in certain
areas that could result to a number of outcomes such as competition for food or prey or even thetransmission of unavoidable diseases.
Due to these dangerous developments, various measures have likewise been enacted to preserve
these endangered species and spare them from extinction. Governments have implemented lawsthat outlawed the hunting down of such species. Despite these laws, illegal poachers have stillsought to hunt down these endangered species. Captive breeding is another measure being

undertaken that involves the process of breeding endangered species in human controlledenvironments such as wildlife preserves and zoos. Only time will tell if these measures will prove
effective and successful in the preservation of these species.

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New words

biodiversity
the variety of different types of plant
and animal life in a particular region

implement

extinction

a situation in which something
no longer exists

outlaw

to make something illegal or
unacceptable

to start using a plan or system

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1Child Labor

C10

Read and Learn

In traditional and modern cultures around the world, it has been therole of adults to undergo labor and employment in order to provide
income for their respective families. Children, on the other hand, aretraditionally obliged to pursue education. Unfortunately, in someinstances, children would be forced to undergo labor, thus being

deprived of a proper childhood and education. To make mattersworse, such forms of labor may prove to be detrimental and harmful
to the children’s mental, physical, social, and moral well-being. As such,the issue of child labor has been one of the most prevalent andcontroversial ones being faced by various countries in the world today.
A number of causes have been attributed to the existence of child labor. What has been cited
as its greatest single cause is poverty. For impoverished households, a child’s work income is usuallycrucial for his or her own survival or for that of the household. Income of working children, even asmall amount, may be between 25 to 40% of the household income. The lack of meaningfulalternatives such as the lack of affordable schools or quality education is another primary factor

and concern. Many communities, particularly rural areas where child labor is prevalent, do notpossess adequate school facilities. Other circumstances would include the distance of someavailable schools and the difficulty of reaching them. Such conditions would entail that children
would have nothing better to do.
On the other hand, certain cultural beliefs have rationalized child labor and thereby encouraged it.

Some view that work is good for character building and skill development of children. In many
cultures, particularly where the informal economy and small household businesses thrive, the cultural
tradition is that children follow in their parents’ footsteps; child labor then is a means to learn and2

practice that trade from a very early age.

New words

detrimental

impoverishedvery poor

causing harm or damage

prevalent

crucialexisting very commonly or
happening often

extremely important or necessary

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