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MODERN ENGLISH DIGEST THE MAGAZINE HELPING STUDENTS LEARN ENGLISH

Plus: Viaducts Speed Gliding Sleepwalking

Deep Ocean Rivers Wakeboarding The Fourth Plinth

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e have packed this latest issue of Modern English Digest with a wide range of features that make learning English interesting and fun! All the articles in this magazine are carefully written in graded English to cater for W elementary and intermediate level students of English. We have a partnership with Macmillan Education. Each issue of the magazine features an extract from Macmillan Education’s award-winning series of simplified readers. The magazine has a great mix of interesting articles that help improve vocabulary and understanding in cultural and work-specific context. Please write in with your comments and visit our website www.ModernEnglishDigest.net.

Your guide to the graded English used in Modern English Digest Elementary E • Simple passive forms • Comparative and superlative of adjectives • Infinitives of purpose: to, in order to • Reported commands in the past • Modals – could (ability), can (permission) • Adverbs of frequency and manner • Present perfect • Constructions with it and until • -ing verb form after like, enjoy • Indefinite pronouns: everyone, everybody, etc. • be interested in • had better, would rather • used to & wanted to + verb • Phrasal verbs • Defining relative clauses • Reported speech • Modal will with future reference • say and tell • Conditional sentences (1 & 2) • Verb -ing as subject or object • Present Progressive with future reference • Conjunctions: althoughE, so, but, because Intermediate I • Modal should + Passive Perfect • Reflexive pronouns • Past Passive • Be supposed to, be likely to + verb • Modal could, may, might + Perfect Progressive • Double object verbs • Present Perfect Progressive • As if + clause • Future Perfect • Participial phrases • Should have + Past Participle • Modal will, could, should + Passive infinitive • Needn’t have + Past Participle • Phrasal verbs with give, come + in the Passive • Relative clauses, defining and non-defining • Indirect commands • Which, whose • Indirect questions with if and wh- questions • Adjective as noun • Modal could + Perfect Conditional with Past • Subordinators: wherever, whenever • Perfect (Third Conditional)I Key to glossary abb – abbreviation, adj – adjective, adv – adverb, coll – colloquial, i – idiom, n – noun, np – noun phrase, ph.v – phrasal verb, prep – preposition, pron – pronoun, q – question word, v – verb

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FEATURES LIFESTYLE

4 ●I ●E 19 Sleepwalking The Fourth Plinth at ●I 22 Maps Trafalgar Square ●E 26 Talking to Plants ●E 29 Deep Ocean Rivers 8 ●E ●I 36 Morris Dancing

The Ivory Trade ●E 38 Wakeboarding

12 ●E ●E 41 Speed Gliding Young Drivers ●E 44 Viaducts BUSINESS 16 ●I Memory Matters ●I 50 Social Networking ●E 54 Time Matters 32 ●E ACTIVITIES Michael Jackson ●E 56 Sun Wall Hanging I 46 ● ●I 58 Just for Fun Wuthering Heights ●E 60 Find a Word – Art and Design by Emily Brontë retold by F. H. Cornish for ●E 61 Know the Issue Macmillan Readers 63 Just for Fun – answers

Photo © Grant Turner / Newspix / Rex Features

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FEATURE The Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Square

BY KESTA ALLEN

rafalgar Square is one of London’s the Square to take in the sights and most famous landmarks. John watch the world go by. T Nash, the famous architect who But Trafalgar Square is not simply a designed some of London’s most tourist attraction. It is an iconic setting beautiful streets and buildings, designed for political rallies and public protest. the Square to be a great cultural centre Indeed, many of Britain’s most historically point for the nation’s capital. Officially significant public gatherings and opened in 1830, Trafalgar Square has demonstrations have taken place in and been a gathering place ever since. around the Square. And it is here that One of London’s most famous Londoners congregate at midnight on landmarks, Nelson’s Column, stands in New Year’s Eve to welcome in the New the Square. This commemorates Admiral Year in style. Lord Nelson, the great sea commander However when visiting Trafalgar who defended Britain’s seaways during Square many people fail to notice the so- the Napoleonic wars with France. Nelson called ‘Fourth Plinth’ positioned to the died at the Battle of Trafalgar, which the north-west of the square. A plinth Square honours in its name. In the weeks provides the base on which a statue before Christmas, a massive fir tree stands so that people can see it from all donated by the people of Norway in around. Built in 1841, Trafalgar Square’s thanks for the part Britain played in fourth plinth was originally intended for achieving victory in the Second World an equestrian statue. But in the absence War, dominates the Square with its of a statue of a famous general, politician festive lights. Four massive bronze lions or other public figure, the plinth stood guard the fountains that adorn the empty for many years. corners of Nelson’s column. So it is no Fortunately, the creation of a Fourth surprise that on any given day literally Plinth Commissioning Group breathed thousands of Londoners and tourists visit new life into the debate about the

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contribution that public art makes to Antony Gormley’s the quality of One and Other streets and civic spaces. The Commissioning Group asked what kind of statue or work of art should stand on top of the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square to complement or challenge all the other elements that create the historic atmosphere of this very special space. The Commissioning Group decided to use the plinth as a platform to showcase exciting new art works from contemporary artists. In this way, the Fourth Plinth allows the cultural life of modern Britain to take its place against the backdrop of Britain’s accepted achievements. This means that the Fourth Plinth is the home to a series of temporary instal- lations. As such, visitors are beginning to visit

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Trafalgar Square with the main aim of The Angel of the North, the vast winged taking in the current Fourth Plinth figure standing beside the M1 motorway artwork on show. To date, many of the that has become an icon for how the works on show have been provocative North of England is distinct and different and controversial. It is not unusual to see from the South. So it is no surprise that people debating their different responses the general public and art experts alike to the Fourth Plinth piece on show – have been excited to know what ideas sometimes with great passion and Gormley would bring to life at Britain’s intensity! most exciting contemporary art platform One of the most exciting exhibitions to of the moment. take place on the Fourth Plinth is Antony Needless to say, Gormley did not Gormley’s One and Other. Gormley is one disappoint. However, his ideas took no of Britain’s most famous sculptors. He is less than six years to bring to life from known for celebrating the ordinariness of their first proposal. Gormley’s idea is that the human body as something to renew a member of the public takes his or her the sense of wonder and awe of place on the plinth for an hour to display, everyday life for each and every one of demonstrate or deliver whatever it is that us. Perhaps his most famous sculpture is they think important for others to view,

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confront or contemplate. Simple in Over 14,000 people applied to take part essence, this idea proved highly complex as Plinther. A specially adapted computer in terms of logistics to get right because lottery system randomly selected the the installation demanded that 2,400 final 2,400 Plinthers is such a way that people be in their place on the plinth at they fairly represented every area of the the right hour for every hour of the entire country. Most successful installation’s 100 days – no matter the applicants already knew what they were weather, state of the nation or other going to before they were finally chosen. external factor! Many decided to stand and recite poetry, The installation revolves around a set dance, remain perfectly still, address the of fairly straightforward rules. Every crowd eat, play instruments or just take a artist, or Plinther as they now are known, nap. But as every performer knows, one must stand alone on the plinth for sixty hour is a long time to be alone in front of minutes. The Plinther is allowed to do the public. And the Plinther performed to anything they want, provided it is legal. a worldwide audience via a web cam The Plinther can take anything they can place above the heads of the live carry up on to the plinth with them. A audience in Trafalgar Square. The specially adapted fork lift truck lifts the footage from these web cams is stored to Plinther into place and then disappears provide future generations with access from view while the Plinther performs. to this unique expression of the artistic The installation is all about the soul of the British people. performance that each Plinther gives. Many art critics and members of the There is no competition to judge the general public described One and Other performances against each other. There as a crazy sideshow or circus in the is no pre-designed sequence in the press and online media. To these people performances that the different Plinthers Antony Gormley simply says that ‘the bring. Each performance takes place subject is the celebration of the according to the need of the individual uniqueness of every individual’. And, Plinther of the hour. The installation’s thanks to the Fourth Plinth and the intention is to provide an opportunity for passion of the British public and artists the public to put on show the like Gormley, Trafalgar Square has once performance art that matters most to again become a celebration of them in whatever manner they choose. contemporary British culture in the As with many of Gormley’s projects the context of Britain’s unique cultural public’s response was overwhelming. history. ✪

Congregate (v) to gather together. Equestrian (adj) relating to horses. Logistics (n) the practical arrangements needed to organise an event or project.

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LIFESTYLE The Ivory Trade BY MARY HUBER

he United Nations banned world local elephant populations completely, trade in ivory over 19 years ago in a creating a devastating gap in the T bid to help save the African ecosystem and the tourist trade. Tourists elephant from extinction. The ban helped on safari in Africa want to see elephants. to halt the rapid decline of African Game reserves without elephants do not elephants at the hands of poachers. attract the sort of high-spending visitor Before the ban, poachers slaughtered numbers that help lift whole communities entire herds of magnificent ivory-bearing out of poverty and into sustainable co- elephants in game reserves across Africa. existence with the wildlife around them. In some places the poachers killed off the Between 1979 and 1989 poachers

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effectively wiped half of Africa’s total 1.3 a result, conservation groups say that million elephants off the map. Since then, poaching and the illegal ivory trade are at the ban on trade in ivory in 1990 has their highest levels since 1989. Poachers helped slow the slaughter. But it has not account for somewhere between 20,000 to stopped it. Poaching is once again at 60,000 elephant deaths a year. And the record levels. The ivory trade is once numbers are rising. At this rate, elephants again threatening the survival of Africa’s will vanish from the face of Africa in all elephants. but the most protected game reserves in Why is this? Because the ban on the the handful of countries whose policies trade in ivory has never been absolutely around elephant culls allow the poachers’ total. Various countries negotiated trade to flourish elsewhere! specific exemptions to the ban at various And ivory has never been so valuable as times. In 1997, for example, certain it is today. In the international markets the southern African countries negotiated a price of ivory rises year on year. In 2004 a one-time sale of their ivory stocks to kilogram of ivory was worth as much as Japan. Most of these stocks came from $200. Five years later the price is 30 times managed culls of elephant herds in over- higher at almost $6,000. Prices next year populated game reserves. The African are certain to be even higher. The demand countries used the evidence of their for ivory is rising in all the traditional managed approach to maintaining markets for ivory products – especially elephant herds to provide the basis for the those of the Middle East and Asia. As sale. A managed trade in ivory, they prices rise, the poachers kill more and argue, helps bring in revenue to rural more elephants to make massive profits. In areas in Africa that desperately need 2009 poachers are likely to eliminate 10% resources. Maintaining elephant herds for of Africa’s remaining elephant population. safari visitors while selling off ivory In 2010 the figure is likely to rise to 20% as collected through culling seems to make the impact of the shrinking elephant economic sense. Since the Japan deal, population starts to show. China too has obtained approved status Recent seizures of elephant’s tusks for buying stockpiles of ivory. reveal the true extent of the global However, all of this ignores the impact problem. Working together, the police of poaching. Because buyers in Asia can forces of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the once again purchase ivory legally, Philippines and Japan together seized poachers have an incentive to mass thousands of tusks in a series of slaughter elephants to sell off as much coordinated raids. But despite these ivory as possible in the time period efforts, the international trade in illegal permitted. Of course, every sale of ivory continues to thrive. Conservationists poached ivory is illegal. But the poachers using new techniques in DNA mapping are adept at making it seem to the buyer are beginning to discover why. that the ivory comes from a legitimate, Professor Sam Wasser and his team at managed cull of elephant ivory source. As the University of Washington Centre for

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Conservation Biology in the USA have the scale of elephant poaching may be developed a way of recording elephant much greater than conservationists DNA to pinpoint the origin of every tusk initially feared because the relatively of ivory that comes on sale. Volunteers stable populations of elephants in areas across Africa collect samples of elephant not targeted by the poachers hides the dung from which the University of massive losses in areas where they are Washington team identifies specific operating. The authorities in the areas individual elephant’s DNA. Professor affected lack the resources to monitor the Wasser’s team uses this evidence to real impact of the poachers. So the build up a map showing the DNA charac- problem remains hidden until it is too late teristics of different elephant populations to save all but the last remaining handful in every part of Africa. When the project of herds that escaped the poachers’ guns. started, the conservationists expected Killing elephants for their tusks is a the DNA map to show that illegal ivory grisly and terrible act. Elephants are came out from a vast variety of sources highly intelligent animals. They have across Africa. They expected this sophisticated social ties to one another. because everyone at that time believed Unfortunately, the poachers exploit these poachers operated in small gangs at a strong social ties to entrap and kill off an very local level based on access to entire herd. Poachers shoot young poorly policed game parks. The evidence elephants simply to draw out a grieving of the DNA map shows a different reality parent. They then kill this adult. Other entirely. concerned adults in the herd quickly Professor Wasser’s evidence suggests come to investigate. The poachers that poaching has become a highly systematically kill them off in turn. As one organised, ruthlessly effective and totally campaigner stressed, ‘Our estimates international criminal affair. DNA samples suggest that more than 38,000 elephants from seized ivory stocks shows that most were killed using techniques such as this ivory in a given year comes from a single in 2006 and that the annual death rate is region or country source. Not long ago even higher today’. Mozambique was the largest single Conservationists now hope to use the source. Now it is Tanzania. But Professor University of Washington elephant DNA Wasser’s team suggests that as map and database as an effective Tanzania’s elephant herds are vanishing, weapon against future poaching. They those in Zambia and Malawi are coming believe the database provides a 100% under threat. accurate way of proving if ivory comes All of which suggests that a small from a legitimate or illegal source. number of highly organised groups target However, despite the future potential of the entire elephant population in a this new policing tool, conservationists specific region to strip out all the ivory say the only real way to safeguard available – killing off thousands of Africa’s elephants from extinction is for elephants as they go. This suggests that consumers around the world to give up

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their demand for ivory in jewellery and kilogramme. The cost of ivory is other products. As long as there is a measured in the thousands of elephant market for ivory, poachers will continue to deaths each year that threaten the kill elephants in the most brutal ways survival of one of the most magnificent imaginable. The cost of ivory is not really and intelligent mammals ever to grace measured in thousands of dollars per this earth. ✪

Extinction (n) when an animal or plant ceases to exist. Poacher (n) someone who illegally kills animals for money. Exemption (n) permission to ignore a law or rule. Grisly (adj) involving death or violence in a shocking way.

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FEATURE Young Drivers BY SARA HALL

new driving academy in Britain is They go on to say that it is potentially offering driving lessons to young dangerous for children to be exposed to Achildren who are well below the the rigours of driving at such a young age to qualify for a provisional driving age. But despite the criticism, the licence. While the academy says its academy maintains that the proposed main aim is to produce safer drivers for lessons are ‘no petrolhead kid’s party the future, critics say that the project is gimmick’ or a ‘go-karting fest’ for cynically commercial and totally children to run wild on the tracks. misguided and misjudged from a driving The academy intends to teach young safety and responsibility point of view. people to drive well and responsibly These detractors argue that the before they are allowed, by law, to drive programme exploits children by drawing on the road. A specially qualified them in through the glamour for driving. instructor gives children over 12 years (or more than 1.5 metres tall) a series of driving lessons and theory tests. The child driver takes regular tests and works his or her way up through a series of driving grades over the course The academy intends of several months. The idea here is exactly the same as that in judo, to teach young people taikwondo or other martial arts sports. The learner gains increasing recognition to drive well and as their level of proficiency grows responsibly before towards mastery. By the time a child passes their ‘black belt’ they should be they are allowed, by capable of passing the national driving test with ease. law, to drive on the Sceptics believe that the academy is purely a money spinning scheme for road. spoilt children of well-off parents. However, the driving school instructors

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effectively rebuff such harsh comments to take their driving test when they are by reciting some very sobering and 17 years old. However, for many young disturbing statistics. For example, in people, the process of learning to drive Britain, drivers under 25 years cause an is seen as a race as to who can pass astonishing 1,000 deaths every year. the test the quickest. An average young Such accidents make up one in four driver takes their test with only 40 hours road fatalities, despite young drivers of lessons under their belts. And many making up only a tiny proportion of road safety bodies believe that that is motorists on the road at any time. The just not sufficient instruction for drivers stark truth is that car accidents are the who know how to be safe and single biggest cause of death for responsible. teenagers. These depressing statistics Campaigners want to introduce certainly suggests that more needs to changes into the way Britons learn to be done to encourage young drivers to drive. They want to raise the age for drive safely. driving to 18 and to reform drivers’ In the UK, as in many other European licensing system. Many believe that one and Asian countries, teenagers are able solution is to introduce a graduated

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driving license system whereby new aim here is to wipe out any bad habits drivers are subjected to certain that may have formed since taking the constraints. For example, they propose test. And, for everyone coming back to that new drivers up to the age of 20 are the driving test centre, this provides an licensed only to carry only passengers opportunity for further coaching and over 20. Most teenage driving accidents tuition. Indeed, in such countries as occur when a passenger distracts the Austria and Sweden, graduated licence driver. Other possible constraints schemes are already causing a dramatic include the requirement for teenage drop in accidents involving young drivers to observe lower speed limits people. Similarly in France drivers are and adhere to zero alcohol rules. passed as roadworthy subject to a three In some countries the authorities call years’ probation period. As novice young drivers who have passed their drivers, the French they are required to initial test for a further assessment. The display ‘A’ driver-plates on the back of

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their car. Cars with ‘A’ plates must drive children to view driving lessons as a more slowly on motorways – 110 kpm hobby. It also hopes that they will rather than 130 kpm. Driving reform acquire a greater understanding of the campaigners also argue that drivers need for safety. The statistics around need to receive education and training dangerous driving speak for when they break the rules because the themselves. As one young driver current system based on punishment commented after completing a has completely failed to eradicate course,”I think that when I drive for dangerous driving. real, I won’t speed because I’ve learnt As part of the drive to improve young about safety and I’ve already had the drivers’ awareness of the dangers of thrill of driving at 100 mph so I won’t driving, the new academy wants young need to try that out on the road”. ✪

Detractors (n) a person who publicly criticises someone or something. Petrolhead (slang) someone who loves cars. Proficiency (n) a high level of skill. Reform (v) to change for the better.

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LIFESTYLE Memory Matters BY ILKA BRADSHAW

ur memory, whether long term or by their findings. At present doctors short term, allows us to retain and commonly use the drug to treat high Ostore information. Memory is a blood pressure. However, doctors now mysterious concept. Scientists and think that the drug could help people doctors are still trying to understand how suffering from severe trauma. This could and why our memories work. Most agree, include the emotional crises people however, that our memories change and experience as a result of a natural alter over time. Indeed, all of us have bad disaster or such shocking events as train memories that we are happy to forget. and plane crashes. Such memories bring back feelings of But behind the Dutch scientists’ delight embarrassment, shame, pain, sadness or at this new scientific breakthrough there hurt. But what if we could effectively are a number of important moral issues. wipe out or erase such memories? Is it Are we entering new, dangerous and possible to simply ‘wipe the slate clean’ hitherto unexplored territory? Is it right for and start afresh? doctors to have the right to alter people’s A team of Dutch scientists have memories in this way? Are painful discovered a drug that they believe memories a part of who we are as causes bad memories to disappear. emotionally intelligent and thoughtful During trials, the team created a new human beings? fearful memory in 60 volunteers by Many psychologists think that it is associating pictures of spiders with a important for people to have a choice mild electric shock. The team then about how they deal with bad memories. measured the level of fear this memory They point out that memory is quite easy created when each volunteer saw the to change. Memory, they say, is in fact a spider pictures again. When the team malleable concept. Others, however, administered the particular drug to a vehemently disagree. They argue that volunteer before reactivating the spider memory is essential to a person’s identity memory, the team found a clear reduction and that erasing bad memories takes in that volunteer’s fear level of spiders. away an important part of who we are The drug effectively reduced the impact and how we choose to act. This school of of the volunteer’s unpleasant memories. thought also thinks that it is bad for us to The Dutch scientists are very excited try to forget collective memories that

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memory as really helping them to thrive and make the most of what life has to Memories are one of offer. While many millions of people suffer the most important from the effects of amnesia, or memory loss, each year, hundreds of millions of ways to help ourselves more simply find that their memories work less effectively as they age. However, for become wiser. all of the people in this latter group, some pretty simple help may be at hand. Doctors and scientists increasingly agree that we can improve memory retention by remind us of shameful episodes for the taking a couple of practical steps. The human race. As the philosopher, George first is to exercise our memory more by Santayana puts it, “those who cannot doing puzzles and exercises every day. remember the past are condemned to Doing a crossword, memorising a repeat it”. shopping list, describing the furniture in a Most agree that memories are a stern room are all examples of this. Eating teacher. Memories are an essential part memory-boosting foods like broccoli also of how we learn. Memories are one of the helps. Taking more exercise – for most important ways to help ourselves example by simply walking more in the become wiser. If we do not remember course of an average day – also seems to what we have experienced, how can we help improve the memory. And recent hope to do or make things better in the research shows there is nothing better future? If we only remember things that for the memory than a good night’s sleep. make us happy, are condemned to live life There is increasing evidence that sleep is in some sort of falsely child-like state that essential for consolidating and retaining fails to recognise the bad as well as the new facts. good in life? So, although the Dutch So while we may not fully understand scientists’ findings raise several how memory actually works, there is little interesting issues, most people agree that doubt that memory helps us grow and it is helpful to remember rather than to know who we are. If this is the case then forget! In fact, when asked, most people there is no doubt that memory helps say they want ways to improve their equip us to cope with the future by memories because they see a good ensuring we know all about our past. ✪

Volunteer (n) someone who offers to do something without being paid. Trauma (n) very bad experiences that leave someone shocked and upset. Malleable (adj) easily changed and influenced. Stern (adj) serious and severe.

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LIFESTYLE Sleepwalking BY KESTA ALLEN

leepwalking is a poorly We do not know what causes people understood phenomenon that to sleepwalk but possible triggers Saffects a large number of us at include stress, lack of sleep and some point in our lives. Sleepwalking is alcohol. Doctors suspect that it is a especially common amongst children genetic condition as it often runs in who usually grow out of it as they grow families. Interestingly, studies of brain older. Sadly for some, sleepwalking electroencephalography or EEG wave persists into adulthood. In Britain, for patterns show that sleepwalkers are example, it is estimated that as many as usually in a state of incomplete one in forty adults regularly sleepwalk. awakening with parts of the brain

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third of all adults report that they harm themselves or others when sleepwalking. One reason why adults are more likely than children to suffer harm while sleepwalking is that they spend more time sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings. Research shows that sleepwalkers are on autopilot and navigate from memory. This helps explain why sleepwalkers often get into trouble when they are away from home. In one well publicised case in 2007, a German student went to stay with his sister. He stepped out of the window in her fourth floor apartment during the night. Luckily for him, the fall to the ground only broke one of his arms and one of his legs. Astonishingly, the functioning normally while other parts fall and damage to his limbs failed to remain deeply asleep. wake him up. The police found him fast Sometimes sleepwalkers are involved asleep several hours later on the in accidents and other mishaps. pavement below. Similarly, one young Fortunately few children who sleepwalk woman fell 25 feet from her bedroom come to any serious harm. However, a window. She landed on her feet and

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was lucky to only suffer minor cuts and bruises In more extreme cases, people In more extreme cases, sometimes use sleepwalking as a way of defending themselves from charges people sometimes use of criminal behaviour in a court of law. One woman who was charged with sleepwalking as a way of attempting to murder her mother was acquitted after she claimed that she defending themselves woke up realising with horror that she was holding a pillow over her mother’s from charges of criminal face. The court accepted her defence that she was sleepwalking and as a behaviour in a court consequence was unaware of her actions. Using the same argument, a of law. young Canadian was acquitted in the 1980s after claiming that he was sleepwalking when he drove 15 miles to sleepwalking so dealing with the cause his in-laws house and stabbed his of stress helps eliminate this particular mother-in-law to death. symptom. In addition, if someone However, while sensational and sleepwalks in your home take a few widely reported around the world, it is simple steps to reduce the likelihood of important to note that such incidents them coming to harm. Lock windows to are extremely rare. Most sleepwalkers stop the sleepwalker falling from a do not injure themselves or others. But dangerous place. Where possible, for those who sleepwalk, there are a remove any hazardous objects from few preventions that can really help bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and reduce the risk of harm or hurt. bathrooms. If you find anyone Preventive measures include making sleepwalking, there is no need to wake sure that the person who sleepwalks them. The best thing to do is to gently avoids alcohol and sets aside at least guide them back to bed. However, eight hours to get a full night’s sleep. contrary to popular culture, waking Most importantly, the person who sleepwalkers does not cause lasting sleepwalks needs to address any harm. And, of course, talk to a doctor causes of stress or tension in their life. who will be able to help you with Stress is the most common cause of specialist advice as needed. ✪

Genetic (adj) relating to the study of genes. Acquit (v) to state formally that someone is not guilty of a crime.

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LIFESTYLE If You Know How to Read a Map it Could Save Your Life! BY RORY GEAR

hile we have maps that tell us However, many people simply struggle to about every feature of the translate the conceptual map symbols on W landscape in the most the flat surface of a map with the three- amazing detail, many people today say dimensional reality of the landscape that they find it hard to use or read a map. around them. If you are not used to Most motorists say they can use a map to reading a map, it is best to begin by plan a journey. But once they are on their looking at a map of an area that you way, most motorists say they depend already know well. This will help you totally on road signs rather than the map picture the landscape for real in your to know exactly where they are. The truth mind as you look at the signs and symbols is even more alarming when it comes to on the map. people on foot. Many hikers say they are Firstly notice the way the map uses not equipped to find their way across different colours to signify different open ground by simply relying on a map. elements of the landscape. Many maps This partly accounts for why so many follow the conventions set out by Britain’s people get lost in Britain when hiking on Ordnance Survey (OS) maps which are the moors or mountains and the mist among the oldest in the world. OS maps closes in or the clouds come down. For always show seas, lakes and rivers as some, getting lost in these conditions can blue and forests as green. OS maps show have fatal consequences. main roads as red lines across the There are many reasons why so many landscape where smaller roads are people have trouble with maps. Some yellow and minor roads are white. schools do not teach map-reading as an But the roads that criss-cross most important part of a basic curriculum. maps are just the very start of your map

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reading adventure. All over the map are the landscape that you already know – strange marks and symbols that at first lakes and rivers, towns or villages, might appear strange. The good news is motorways, railway lines, footpaths, that all good maps have a ‘Key’ which farms, bridges, airports, etc. Many maps clearly explains what each symbol also give place names to make it easier means. If you look at a map of the place to identify what is where. So most maps where you live you will soon see which give the names of large houses, forests, symbols relate to the which features on farms, hills and historical features along

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with the names of towns, villages, rivers to take along with the safest places to and lakes. The more you study the map rest. Knowing this can also help you plan using the key as a reference the more for the kind of equipment and supplies the map starts to bring the landscape you will need along the way. alive. So how can you get the best out of a Reading a map at home for pleasure, map? The first thing you need to do is to however, is not the same as using a map orient yourself with the map in the as a ‘survival guide’. For most landscape. This means that you can expeditions using a map correctly is match North on the map to North on the probably one of the most important ways ground. The easiest way to do this is to ensure you come through difficulties with a compass. But if you do not have a with as much safety as possible. Most compass, you can use your watch to find expedition members study their maps North. Simply point the hour hand of your long and hard before they take even a watch at the sun and 12 o’clock on the single step on the journey. Careful study dial will show you where North is. If you of a map can show the best route for you do not have watch, you can make a

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rough guess for North by looking for the land rises gently. Contour lines show you side on which moss grows most thickly the exact shape of hills, mountains, on trees. Having found North, you can valleys and vales. Contour lines rarely start to use the map effectively to get to run straight. However, somewhere on where you want to go. each contour line you will find a figure The second point is all to do with the that shows the actual height at that scale your map uses to depict the contour point (usually in steps of 10 landscape. Maps come in all different metres such as 125m or 135m etc). scales. The larger the scale, the more Each map uses a set of grid squares detail the map shows. The scale (measured in metres on a metric map) provides the perspective to enable you which also helps in route planning and to compare what you see on the map assessing distance. These lines are with what you see around you. For called Eastings and Northings. You use example a 1:25,000 scale means that four these lines to pinpoint particular centimetres on the map represents 1 locations. Ideally, you want to use a six kilometre on the landscape (or 2.5 inches figure reference number to give a equals one mile) This is extremely useful precise location accurately. To do this, when calculating how long it will take to mentally divide the metre squares on the travel from one place to another. At an map into units of 10 then use the line average pace, an average person walks numbers for each Easting then Northing about four kilometres per hour. This rule to give the reference. Let’s assume for of thumb gives you a rough guide to how example you are in a walking party and long it will take you to cover the ground. someone has an accident. By phoning However, if the ground is difficult or the the emergency services you can give weather is bad, or you will need to adjust them the grid reference for your location for a slower pace of walking. so that rescuers can find you swiftly and The contour lines on a map are easily without getting lost. especially useful for getting a three- Maps are like oil paintings. The more dimensional picture of the landscape. you study them the more there is to find. Contour lines indicate set points of Poring over maps can be fascinating and altitude. Where contour lines run close rewarding. But maps are at their very together, you can see that he land rises best when they help you unlock the very steeply. Where contour lines are secrets of a landscape to help you avoid spaced far apart you can see that the risks and save lives. ✪

Curriculum (n) the subjects studied at school. Convention (n) a way of behaving that is generally accepted. Landscape (n) an area of land and scenery. Contour (n) a line on a map that shows the height above or below sea level.

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LIFESTYLE Talking to Plants BY MARY HUBER

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ardeners who claim that plants large number of control plants that like to be talked to are often simply grew in the greenhouse without Gsubjected to gentle teasing and benefit of contact with the human voice. ridicule. The British press derided The results of the study revealed that Prince Charles when he said that he the plants that grew the most listened to loved to speak to his own plants. But Sarah Darwin, the great-great- now a recent study has proved sceptics granddaughter of Charles Darwin, the wrong. Apparently plants really like it if world-famous author of the ground- you talk to them. Plants, it seems, prefer breaking work On the Origin of Species. a woman’s voice to a man’s. Most Sarah Darwin read extracts of her great- amazingly, the study shows that plants great-grandfather’s book to her plants. respond best to the voice of a direct As a result, her plants grew a total of descendant of the world famous 1.6cm higher than the most successful of botanist, Charles Darwin. Certainly these the control plants. The RHS suggest that findings appear strange - but they seem it was the quality of Sarah’s voice rather to be true. They represent the clear than her subject matter that inspired her results of a month’s long study by the plants to grow. All five women RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) into the volunteers’ plants outperformed those effect of the human voice on tomato listening to the voices of the men who plants. took part! The study started with a classified As a direct descendant of Charles advertisement placed in The Times Darwin, Sarah Darwin was delighted by newspaper inviting members of the the results, saying: “I think it is an public to audition for roles as plant honour to have a voice that can make whisperers. The RHS then chose a total tomatoes grow, and especially fitting of ten whisperers to monitor and study. because for a number of years I have The RHS recorded the whisperers been studying wild tomatoes from the reading passages from Shakespeare’s A Galapagos Islands at the Natural History Midsummer Night’s Dream, John Museum in London”. Wyndam’s The Day of the Triffids and The idea that plants respond to the Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of human voice is certainly not a new one. Species. The RHS then played the For centuries gardeners have said that various recordings to different plants plants respond to a voice that loves through the headphones of an MP3 them. As one expert pointed out, “I’m a player attached to the plant’s pot at root great believer. I definitely talk to plants. level. The RHS kept all the plants in the Most gardeners are quite tactile and we same greenhouse in exactly the same do talk to them. Sometimes we talk conditions. The RHS measured the kindly, sometimes we threaten them”. plant’s vital signs before, during and In the same way as plants appear to after the experiment. Importantly, the respond to voices, previous research †RHS also measured the vital signs of a also supports the view that plants 27 MED6-5p24-43 28/9/09 15:31 Page 28

respond to music. In 2007 for example, long way to go before we understand Mi Jeong Jeong, a South korean why plants respond to sounds in the way scientist discovered that playing they do. But the recent research Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata to rice encourages us to chat with pleasure and plants led to faster growth and earlier no sense of shame to all our favourite blossom. It is clear that we still have a plants again and again. ✪

Ridicule (n) remarks that make fun of someone in an unkind way. †Audition (v) to apply for a part in a play or concert. 28 MED6-5p24-43 28/9/09 15:31 Page 29

LIFESTYLE Deep Ocean Rivers BY RORY GEAR

he deep ocean is a mysterious graphic mapping are still required to fully place. Among the most unusual understand the way these currents form T features of the deep ocean are and flow. The currents flow so far the underwater rivers or currents that beneath the ocean’s surface that it is not flow through the depths. The practical for humans to reach them, temperature and density of the ocean even by submarine. Scientists use water have an important part to play in underwater robots packed with cameras the formation of these currents. and scientific equipment to undertake However, a lot of research and oceano- their investigations instead. If an

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underwater robot gets lost, it is a costly the oceans. They travel vast distances exercise. But if a human gets lost at but take wildly convoluted routes to do these depths, it is a total catastrophe so. What is important is that these involving the loss of precious life. submarine rivers move vast amounts of Intensive study of the deep ocean warm and nutrient-rich water through rivers discovered to date shows that tracts of the light-less ocean depths that these currents flow in very strange otherwise receive very little benefit from ways. Sometimes the currents flow for the sun shining on the surface of the hundreds of miles at a certain level water far, far above. above the ocean floor. In other places Warmth and saltiness go together to they rise or well up to the surface for drive the activity of the deep ocean reasons which are not yet apparent to rivers. The warmer the water, the less the scientists and oceanographers salt it contains. This makes the water in studying them. In yet other places, the the deep ocean river less dense than the currents plunge in steep down swellings water around it. This makes the water to the deepest depths below, carrying rise towards the surface. Colder water nutrients and warmth with them. So it is includes more salt and so sinks faster that these currents look rather more like than the water around it towards the roller coasters than super highways of ocean bottom. Scientists are still trying

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to understand how the melting of ice in parts of the world. the polar oceans affects the way in However, anthropologists, historians which deep ocean rivers interact with and oceanographers now agree that the the waters above them. One theory spread of mankind across the globe is suggests that the Gulf Stream which closely connected to ocean currents. brings warm water from the Caribbean There is now no doubt that the ocean to the cold regions of the North Atlantic currents can carry the most primitive of actually shuts down when the melting of boats over thousands of miles – but only polar ice changes the salt content of the in pre-determined directions. This means ocean water near the North Pole. If this that the movement of people thousands is true, then the melting of the ice caps of years ago must have followed the spells the beginning of a long cold period currents. This insight allows anthro- for Northwest Europe and Northeast pologists to map the settlement of the America as the beneficial warming earth’s continents by the most ancient of effects of the Gulf Stream disappear our forefathers. And the DNA map from the seaboards of these northern suggests that the migration routes of our continents! ancient forefathers did indeed follow the However, scientists and oceanog- directions set by the world’s great raphers do not yet agree on precisely oceanic currents. Interestingly, the flow what drives the surface and deep ocean of these currents also suggests why currents of the world’s great oceans. All certain plants and animal species occur they do know is that the number of in different parts of the world – the factors involved is very complex. ocean currents brought them there. We Temperature, salinity, gravity, seasons, now know that the ocean currents prevailing of the winds, rotation of the connect the peoples of the world in more earth, sunspot activity, long-term ways that we used to imagine. No matter weather patterns such as the ‘El Nino’ where in the world we find ourselves, effect, changes to the polar ice caps and we cannot divorce ourselves from the the flow of river water into the oceans all influence that the ocean has on our play their part. The variables are too lives! Environmentalists hope that the complex for anyone to easily create a future impact of the ocean currents will computer model that can tell us what the be as beneficial to humans as they have effect of any one single change is likely been over the last few thousand years of to be on the weather systems in different our past! ✪

Catastrophe (n) a terrible event or disaster. Convoluted (adj) very complicated. Anthropologist (n) someone who studies human societies and customs. Divorce (v) to separate.

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COVER FEATURE Michael Jackson BY SARA HALL

s one of the world’s most famous pop stars remains entertainers Michael Jackson’s undisputed. This A career spans a total of five astonishing musical decades. Even as a young performer in talent leaves behind a the 1960s with the Jackson 5, fans and rich and enduring music lovers knew Michael was special. musical legacy. As a singer, dancer and entertainer selling Michael Jackson’s literally millions of records worldwide, rags-to-riches story Michael Jackson is one of the greatest began in 1958 in Gary, pop idols of the 21st century. But despite Indiana USA. Michael being nicknamed the “King of Pop”, was the seventh of nine Michael Jackson came under a great deal children. His father, Joe, of criticism for his lifestyle in the later was a steelworker who years of his career. During the 1980s word encouraged his children spread of Jackson’s increasingly bizarre to sing and dance from and reclusive way of life. Hiding away at an early age. Performing his 2,700 acre mansion Neverland, with his brothers at a Jackson underwent a series of strange school concert in 1966, Michael shone out cosmetic surgeries. These operations as a highly accomplished lead singer – seemed to change the colour of his skin despite his very young age. Michael’s from black to white. At the same time, the music teacher suggested the name The shape of Jackson’s face altered to Jackson 5 for the young band. The name become more angular and less rounded. stuck and the five Jackson brothers went More recently, the gossip and scandal on to achieve stellar stardom as The surrounding Jackson increased and his Jackson 5. sales hit a plateau. As the lead singer of The Jackson 5, But despite the public humiliations and Michael toured and performed in ridicule, Jackson’s sudden and premature numerous clubs, roadhouses and theatres death in June 2009 evoked widespread across the US. He signed a contract with grief andMJ mourning among his millions of Motown Records in 1968. But Michael’s fans worldwide. Michael Jackson’s early life was difficult and his father was a reputation as one of the world’s greatest hard taskmaster. As Michael later

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admitted, “I did not have an idyllic alongside the legendary Motown singer childhood. My father was a tough man Diana Ross. Unfortunately The Wiz was a and he pushed my brothers and me hard, commercial disaster. However, the from the earliest age, to be the best experience helped give Jackson the performers we could be”. Fortunately The confidence to develop as a solo star Jackson 5’s first pop hit I Want You Back without the backing of his brothers. reached Number 1 in the American and Jackson continued to branch out on his worldwide pop charts in 1969. In the own with the help of jazz veteran Quincy following year the group had three more Jones. In 1980 Jackson won his first Number One hits. By the age of 14, Grammy award for Don’t Stop til You Get Michael Jackson was already an Enough. Just two years later, in 1982, international pop star. Jackson released the album Thriller – the Jackson’s screen debut came in 1978 in undisputed high point of his amazing The Wiz, an all-black remake of the cult career. film The Wizard of Oz . Jackson starred Thriller effectively broke all the record

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books. The album sold more than 50 demands of being with other people. In million copies worldwide. Today it remains effect, Jackson simply turned his back on the best-selling album of all time. With the the real world for one of his own making. success of Thriller, Jackson’s fame But media speculation did not go away. reached its peak. For his millions of fans In 1992 Jackson acknowledged that he Jackson redefined what being a pop star was addicted to painkillers. However, he meant. Enthusiastic, almost crazed denied that he wanted to change his skin crowds appeared on the streets wherever colour. He emphasised “I’m a black Jackson appeared, no matter what the American. I am proud of my race. I am event or the country! proud of who I am. I have a lot of pride But despite his musical successes and dignity”. He put down the change in during the 1980s, people noticed his skin colour to a rare, hereditary Jackson’s increasingly eccentric condition that fortunately passed the rest behaviour. In interviews recorded at this of his family by. time Jackson appeared ever more In 1994 Michael married Lisa Marie troubled and fatalistic. He often said that Presley, the only daughter of the legendary he was scared of his fame. He often “King” of rock, Elvis Presley. However, Lisa revealed his inner turmoil in interviews by Marie and Michael divorced in 1996 after saying such things as “The fans think they just nineteen months of marriage. A year own you. Being mobbed hurts. You feel later Michael married a nurse, Debbie like spaghetti… at any moment you are Rowe, in a ceremony in Australia. Together going to break”. Debbie and Michael had two children - During the 1990s Jackson also Michael Joseph Jackson Jnr, known as underwent some startling physical “Prince”, and Paris Michael Katherine changes. His hair grew longer, his skin Jackson. Sadly the couple divorced in became paler and his nose changed 1999. Jackson’s third child, Prince Michael shape. At one point the papparazzi Jackson, also known as “Blanket”, was spotted the increasingly reclusive born in 2002 – though Jackson kept the Jackson in a wheelchair wearing a mask. identity of the child’s mother a complete Not surprisingly, the rumours and secret from the press! To this day, no one speculation about Jackson’s private life has discovered the identity of this third exploded. From this time on, between very important woman in Michael’s life. tours and recording sessions, Jackson Despite a difficult and at times isolated rarely ventured outside Neverland, the personal life, Jackson completed a fantasy childhood dreamland ranch he worldwide tour with his album HIStory in created for himself. Increasingly, Jackson 1996. Over 4.5 million people turned up to seemed lonely and isolated. He made it watch Jackson perform in person. plain to the world that he preferred the However, Jackson’s drawing power company of his exotic pets - Bubbles the suffered a massive set back in 2003 when chimp, Muscles the boa constrictor, Louie the US authorities formally charged the the Ilama and Mr Tibbs the fawn – to the start with allegations of child abuse. The

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worldwide media attended the trial in 2005 flooding in and fans re-visiting their in force. Jackson’s life and reputation favourite tunes, Jackson's death meant came under unprecedented scrutiny from that a new, younger generation of music every quarter. After a gruelling five months lovers came to appreciate his songs for in court, the authorities acquitted Jackson the first time. Jackson’s sales sky-rocketed as “not guilty”. However, the damage to as never before upon his death. The music his reputation was so great that this industry looked on with huge excitement verdict failed to make any change to the and interest. Jackson is the first mega star worldwide public’s perception of Jackson. to die in the digital age. Jackson’s death The global media continued to ridicule has created an outpouring of grief that Jackson as being a freakish, sad and reminds people of the death of Princess lonely figure. Diana. As with Princess Diana, the Amid rumours of bankruptcy and debt, response to Jackson’s death suggests Jackson announced a series of 50 that, at a certain level of global fame, “comeback” concerts, including a people mourn the unexpected death of highlight series at London’s O2 stadium in someone they feel personally connected 2009, to coincide with the 50th anniversaryMJto in a way that lies outside all normal of his birth. The announcement triggered experience or expectations. In the case of a rush for tickets with some selling on line Jackson, this means that record sales will for thousands of pounds. Interestingly, this continue to grow and grow as rising caused consternation with Jackson’s generations of music lovers discover his brothers and family who were hoping to music for the first time for themselves. This use this anniversary occasion for a predicts that several other global music celebration tour of The Jackson Five. stars will become more valuable to their Sadly, Jackson was rehearsing when he record companies after their death than died of a cardiac arrest just weeks before they are now while alive. this comeback tour. He was looking For the singer who never wanted to forward to performing on stage again, grow up, Jackson leaves behind a wealth “These will be my final show of musical classics that will speak to performances in London. This is it – this is children growing up for generations to the final curtain call”, he said. come. And as a troubled but gifted genius, Jackson’s premature death sent Jackson’s influence on future generations shockwaves across the world. United by a of music makers is likely to astonish and love of his music, millions of fans shared delight audiences for decades if not their sadness and grief. With the tributes centuries to come! ✪

Reclusive (adj) someone who avoids other people. Plateau (n) stopping at a certain level, without improving or increasing. Idyllic (adj) extremely beautiful. Turmoil (n) a state of worry, excitement and activity.

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LIFESTYLE Morris Dancing BY RORY GEAR

nyone who visits an English dancing flourished in Britain under the village in the summer months is Tudor and Elizabethan courts in the A likely to see a small group of fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In men performing an age-old ritual that at particular, Britain’s Tudor kings first sight appears very odd. This is promoted the connection between England’s unique tradition of Morris Morris dancing and the country’s Dancing. Morris Dancing is a folk ancient May Day revels. This connection custom dating back over centuries. But continues to this day. where exactly did these strange set of There are many variations within dances originate? What is their Morris dancing traditions. But meaning? Why do the dancers wear “Cotswold” is the most common Morris distinctive clothes? And why do they dancing form alive today. In Cotswold perform such distinctive if ridiculous Morris the men dress all in white, with rituals? ribbons, bells and hats with flowers. Many researchers suggest that the Cotswold Morrismen perform a series of word ”Morris” derives from the word dances whilst holding either sticks or “Moorish” or “Morisco”. If this is true, white handkerchiefs in their hands. Morris dancing is some way linked to Many of the Cotswold Morrismen the traditions to the Islamic caliphate of attribute details of their dances to Cecil El Andaluz or Andalucia in Southern Sharp, the early twentieth-century folk Spain some eight to ten centuries ago. music collector who set down many Historical records from the late middle Cotswold traditions in the early 1900s. ages refer to Morris dancers as Sharp linked many Morris dances to the “Morisco” dancers. Despite this late spring festivals occulting around intriguing reference, there is no specific Whitsuntide – a time linked to marriage evidence to prove that Morris Dancing and new beginnings. Cecil Sharp also came into Britain from Moorish Spain. formed the English Folk Dance and Song Similarly, there is no evidence that Society (EFDS) which has enormous Morris dancing has any connection with support today. Britain’s pre-Christian pagan festivals. Modern Morris dancing is almost an What is not in doubt is that Morris all-male affair. This probably reflects

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Victorian values. There is evidence that fiddles, concertinas and tin whistles. early Morris dancing involved women Most Morris steps involve forward, and men together. Traditionally Morris backward or sideways travel, with teams belonged to “Guilds” or skipping, running, hop-stepping and slip- professional performers. Once selected stepping movements! to become a member of a Morris team, Morris dancers appear with the an individual needed to follow the spring in England. May Day is a key date regulations of the Guild most strictly. in the Morris dancing calendar. While Each team guarded their own particular specific dances relate to their county of dances with great secrecy. The most origin, the folk music for each dance is prolific areas for different dance types much more universal. Dances often were Cornwall, Somerset, involve bells, tambourines and the sound Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. of sticks clashing together. As such, the Each dance functioned as a sound of a Morris dance is every bit as “spectacle” rather than an exhilarating as its performance. Often an entertainment. There are many different extra character acts as a link between forms of Morris dance. Each is part of a the audience and the dance. These long tradition that belongs to its linking characters include such types as particular area of the country. Morris the “Squire”, “Fool”, “Witch”, “King”, dancers present a sequence of dances “Queen” or “Sword Bearer”. The in a “set” which they usually perform character most frequently identified as outdoors. Usually numbering six or eight, “The Fool” links the audience with the Morris dancers complete a series of dancers – often commenting on the “longways” dances in which they make dancing in a comic fashion that helps no actual physical contact with one explain to the audience exactly what is another. In a longways dance the Morris going on. dancers stand in two parallel lines Morris dancing has had its up and approximately 1.5 metres opposite their downs overt the centuries in England. partner. The dances are usually Happily, today Morris dancing is progressive which means each dancer enjoying a revival. This suggests that changes partner at regular intervals Morris dancing enjoys a unique place in within the dance. The music that the English cultural tradition to link traditionally accompanies the dancing is festivities on the village green with based on jigs, reels and airs performed ancient rituals that still have some on such traditional folk instruments as meaning for us all. ✪

Caliphate (n) a country ruled by a Muslim religious and political leader. Pagan (adj) relating to ancient religions. Handkerchief (n) a small square piece of cloth. Revival (n) the process of being successful again.

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LIFESTYLE Wakeboarding BY MARY HUBER

atersports are universally wakeboard over the water while being popular. Hundreds of millions towed behind a boat at up to speeds of W of people across the world 24 miles an hour. Inevitably the enjoy watersports of every kind. wakeboarder’s speed is determined by Watersports such as surfing, windsailing water conditions and the expertise of the and diving remain enduringly hip and rider. Once up, riders try to ride the trendy from one generation to another. energy of the speedboat’s wake while However, younger watersports attempting tricks. More advanced enthusiasts are always on the look out wakeboarders execute a series of jumps for new exciting sports that will define by hitting the wake at the right angle, their particular moment as the ubercool jumping into the air and performing a of the planet! As such there are always series of spins. sporting recruits eager to try something While the principles of wakeboarding new and different. So it comes as no sound fairly straight forward, the sport is surprise that one of the hottest, fastest technically very difficult indeed. ‘Popping growing watersports is the incredibly up’, the term wakeboarders give to difficult and testing sport of getting up and standing on a board, is wakeboarding. especially difficult. Once up, a Most people claim that wakeboarding wakeboarder has to be very proficient to originated in the 1980s when an execute what seem relatively simple American surfer, Tony Finn, described turns and spins. And wakeboarding is being towed behind a speedboat on a essentially about tricks. At wakeboarding surfboard as ‘skurfing’. Others say competitions, competitors complete a wakeboarding owes its origins to Allan series of runs with points awarded for Byrne, a major surfboarding figure in composition, style and intensity. The New Zealand. However, whatever its wakeboarder who performs the most pedigree, an estimated 3 million complex series of spins or flips in the enthusiasts worldwide say wakeboarding most extreme manner - with the most is here to stay. grace - wins. Wakeboarders work hard Wakeboarding is a combination of to combine tricks they perform when water skiing, snowboarding and surfing airborne with manoeuvres they execute techniques. The sport involves riding a on the water’s surface. The flow between

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rise in the air, the better wakeboarder you show yourself to be. Faceplant. This word describes the moment when riders fall so quickly from their board that their faces hit the water very hard and very painfully. Similarly, an eye-opener occurs when a wakeboarder faceplants so fast that the rider cannot close their eyes before hitting the water Switchstance. This terms describe a wakeboarder who rides the board backwards. Invert. This is a particularly cool term that admires a rider who jumps upside down Glass. This adjective states that water conditions are as good as they can be – perfectly still and motion free. Ollie. This describes a relatively straight forward bunny hop out of the water. Bodyslide: This describes when a rider movement on the water and movement in lies back on the water. the air creates the sense of grace that Surfcarve: This admires the moment distinguishes a true champion! when a wakeboarder gracefully carves As with freestyle sports such as across the speedboat’s powerful wake snowboarding and surfing, wakeboarding from side to side. has evolved a specialist language to If you want to try wakeboarding describe the power and poetry of its own yourself then you can easily contact a tricks and manoeuvres. Here are just local watersports centre for more some of the wakeboarding terms you information. Some wakeboarding schools need to know if you fancy trying this new offer week-long courses together with craze: specially adapted holidays. If you enjoy Getting the air: This phrase relates to either surfing, snowboarding or water the amount of space between the rider skiing, then wakeboarding may be just and the water. Put simply, the higher you the next ubersport for you to try. ✪

Ubercool (slang) exceedingly fashionable. Pedigree (n) past experiences and achievements that show something is worthwhile.

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LIFESTYLE Speed Gliding BY KATY DAWSON

ave you ever dreamt of flying? are not alone. The appeal of flying like a Not in an aeroplane or a bird seems deeply-rooted for so many Hhelicopter but soaring through the people. Most hang-gliders talk about this sky with nothing to keep you up but a when they explain the joy and freedom wing, a frame and a harness? If so, you they feel when they launch off a

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mountain or hill and take to the air. that riding the air becomes second However, this is not enough for an nature to them. The key to controlling a increasing number of aeronauts who hang glider is not strength but balance, want to literally dive and fly like an eagle endurance, and a light touch. On falling on to its prey. Welcome to the average, a hang glider travels at speeds world of speed gliding! of up to 30 mph. By contrast, an expert Hang gliders control their flight by speed glider seeks to achieve speeds means of “weight shift” in the same kind upwards of 60-80 mph. of way that motorcyclists, skiers and Speed gliding is to hang gliding what skaters do. Like finding your balance for the slalom is to skiing; only the bravest the first time when riding a bike, getting and most talented dare take the risk. As used to the weight shift dynamics of in slalom skiing, the speed glider shows hang gliding takes practice. However, their skill by speeding through a after a few flights, many hang gliders say complicated course of obstacles that

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test and demonstrate their skills to the As well as being a popular sport for full. A speed glider launches into the air thrill seekers, speed gliding is a great at high speed from a ramp at the top of a spectator sport. Spectators especially steep mountain. The speed glider then enjoy watching pilots travel just metres skims down the mountain’s sides like a above the ground, flying down ski jumps, bird swooping in for a kill. The speed across valleys and swooping over the glider needs to pass through a number of crowds at air shows. Speed gliding is set ‘altitude control gates’ which mark included in the World Air Games which the most challenging air currents along take place each year in a different the mountain’s sides. Unlike a slalom, mountain location in the world. A favourite these altitude control gates are three- location is Turin in Italy, the scene of the dimensional in nature. The speed glider 2009 event. The course in Turin starts needs to pass under or above them as 1,100 metres above sea level in the well as around or between them. Speed mountains overlooking Lake Avigliana. alone is not enough. For the speed glider The course consists of eight altitude to excel, they must show mastery of control gates that drop the speed glider technical ability, flight accuracy and down to the surface of the lake. To finish, course judgement. the speed glider must land on a platform Nowadays speed gliding competitions floating in the lake right in front of the are held in many different parts of the public stands set along the lakeshore. world. The longest running speed gliding There is no doubt that speed gliding event is the Chelan Speed Gliding draws in the crowds. But there are Championship which takes place in the always sceptics who wonder what USA. Here some of the world’s best inspires people to take part. One pilot speed gliders compete against each describes the entire unforgettable other. However, although the pilots do experience as being “a great compete against each other, their main combination of delicate precision control aim is to improve on their own and an intense buzz from seeing the performance by challenging themselves ground rushing past just inches away, to do better than ever before. As such, knowing that if you make a mistake it’s most speed gliders happily pass on tips really going to hurt!”. No wonder that to each other on how to improve. This more and more enthusiasts are turning makes for a very good-natured event out for this sport that makes us where camaraderie is more important experience what it is to be a bird in full than competition. flight unlike any other! ✪

Aeronaut (n) someone who flies. Skim (v) to move quickly over the surface of something Camaraderie (n) friendship and trust between a group of people.

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LIFESTYLE Viaducts BY ANGIE BROTHWELL

viaduct is a structure designed to look extremely beautiful as they cross carry a road or railway over some spectacular feature in the scenery. A water or difficult terrain of some For this reason, viaducts often feature in kind. The word comes from Latin and films. One of the most famous viaducts in

literally means ‘leading a way’ or taking a Britain is at Ribblehead in Yorkshire. This road forward by the straightest or is known to Harry Potter fans the world shortest path possible. The viaduct over as the viaduct that the Hogwarts literally carries the road or railway train crosses on its way from London to straight over a feature in the landscape Hogwarts. The 24 massive stone arches to save miles of detouring around. The of the Ribblehead Viaduct have provided road rides along the top of a number of the backdrop for several hair-raising regularly spaced arches that carry the escapades for Harry and his friends as weight evenly. This method is practical they literally fly above the floor of the when there is no requirement for valley 32 metres below! shipping or other forms of transport to The history behind the Ribblehead pass under the road through a large open Viaduct is just as alarming as the role it span. In such cases, engineers prefer to plays in the Harry Potter films. So many use bridges which can be more costly workmen died during the construction of and complicated to construct. the Ribblehead Viaduct in the 19th century Because they involve a large number that the Settle Railroad company paid for of regularly spaced arches, viaducts can an extension to the local graveyard to

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bury all the workers that died there! But metres in all. But the truly amazing thing not all workers dies because of the about the Kinzua was that engineers dangers they faced during their building used pre-fabricated parts to complete its work high above the moor land. Many construction on site in just 100 days in died as a result of illness, disease or 1882. However, the original structure injuries received during vicious bouts of enjoyed a lifespan of less 18 years in all. fighting that occasionally sprang up in By 1900 a much stronger steel structure the labour camp. replaced the original cast iron structure But Ribblehead is not unique in Britain in order to safely carry the far heavier for its good looks. The Crumlin Viaduct in freight loads transported by America’s Wales carries a railway over the trains at that time. magnificent valley in the Ebbw Vale area. However, most viaducts have a much The Crumlin Viaduct is over 500 metres longer and more productive working life.

long and strides some 60 metres above The Balcombe Viaduct across the River the waters of the river below. The Ouse in Sussex has lasted in continuous Crumlin Viaduct uses cast iron in the service since it first opened to train construction of its supporting piers. traffic in 1841. Over 11 million bricks went Opened for use in 1857, the Crumlin into the construction of Balcombe Viaduct was the undisputed engineering Viaduct which connects Brighton station triumph of its day. high on its hill with the other hillsides on However, the Kinzua Viaduct at Kinzua the opposite side of town. Restored to its Creek Valley in Pennsylvania in the USA full glory in 1996, Balcombe Viaduct totally eclipsed the Crumlin Viaduct less continues to carry no less than 110 trains than thirty years later. The Kinzua Viaduct per day across its tracks – a number strides 100 metres above the ground which has scarcely fallen in over 160 below it for a distance of more than 600 years of use! ✪

Terrain (n) an area of land. Escapade (n) an exciting adventure. Bout (n) a short period of time spent doing something. Freight (n) goods that are carried by vehicles.

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SHORT STORY Wuthering Heights

BY EMILY BRONTË

or a few days Heathcliff stayed in Fthe house. But he kept away from all of us and spoke to no one. Then, one night, I heard him leave the house after we had all gone to bed. In the morning he still had not returned. It was April and the weather was warm and sunny. After breakfast I went outside to talk to Hareton. Soon Catherine came to find me. ‘Heathcliff’s gone into the house,’ she said. ‘He spoke to me! And he looks so different ... ‘ ‘How?’ asked Hareton. ‘He looks excited,’ she answered. ‘He looks wild and happy at the same time.’ I was as surprised as Catherine and I was worried too. I went

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back into the house. Heathcliff was restless and excited. He sat at the table standing by an open door. His face was but would not eat or drink. pale and he was trembling. There was ‘Come, now, you must eat something,’ a strange, happy look in his eyes. I said. He did not look at me but he ‘Will you have some breakfast?’ I smiled. asked. I wanted to know where he had ‘Mr Heathcliff, don’t smile like that. been, but I was afraid to ask him. Don’t stare as if you had seen a ghost!’ ‘No, I’m not hungry,’ he replied. ‘Don’t shout, Nelly,’ he answered. ‘Leave me alone, Nelly.’ ‘Turn round. Tell me if there is anyone He behaved strangely all day. He here in the room with us.’ would not eat and he was restless. He ‘No, of course there isn’t,’ I replied. walked around the house. His face was Then I saw that he was staring as if very pale but he was smiling. His body there was something in front of him. He trembled but he was not ill. had forgotten that I was there. He did not leave the house again and Later he went out and he was away at eight o’clock that evening I went to from the house all day. It was midnight his room. I took him a lighted candle before he returned. I was worried and and some supper. afraid and I could not sleep. I could Heathcliff was leaning against the hear him walking restlessly around the wall by an open window. The fire had house. At last, I went down to the gone out and the room was dark. He kitchen and started to light the fire. stood with his back to the window and He came to find me there. ‘What time he was staring in front of him. is it, Nelly?’ ‘It’s four o’clock.’ ‘Shall I close the window?’ I asked. ‘Four o’clock. I must talk to the Suddenly he moved and I had a lawyer later today. I have not written terrible fright, Mr Lockwood. That pale my will yet. I must decide who is going face! Those black eyes! He did not look to inherit my property when I die. I wish human. I was terrified and I dropped that nobody could inherit it. And you the candle. must remember, Nelly, where I want to He spoke then and his voice sounded be buried. You must make sure that I the same as it always did. am buried next to Cathy.’ ‘Why did you drop the candle, Nelly? ‘Don’t talk like that,’ I said. ‘You Go and get another one. haven’t eaten or slept for three days – I ran from the room and sent Joseph but you aren’t going to die yet. You with another candle. I was too afraid to aren’t going to die for a long time. go back myself. Before you die, you will have time to Heathcliff ate no supper and that feel sorry for all the things you have night he went to a different bedroom. done wrong.’ He went to the little room Cathy used to ‘I don’t feel sorry for anything I have sleep in. done,’ he cried. Then he went away to The next morning, Heathcliff was still the little bedroom. In the afternoon he

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came into the kitchen where Catherine said. ‘I don’t want to be alone.’ and I were sitting. ‘No, sir, I won’t. You’re frightening me ‘Come and sit with me, Nelly,’ he with the way you’re talking and the way

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you’re behaving.’ eyes, but I could not. I felt that he was Then he turned to Catherine. ‘Will laughing at me. you come and sit with me?’ he asked. We buried Heathcliff in the ‘No, of course you won’t. You’re afraid churchyard next to Cathy. Hareton of me too. covered the grave with earth, and I ‘Well, there’s one who will come and hope that Heathcliff is at peace there. sit with me. She’s not afraid. She will But there are people in the village never leave me alone. Never.’ who say that they have seen his ghost. He left the kitchen and went back to Joseph says that he has seen both of the little bedroom. Through the whole them Heathcliff and Cathy. He has seen night and the next morning I heard him them looking out of that bedroom shouting and crying out and talking to window every rainy night since himself. I sent Hareton to get the Heathcliff died. And a strange thing doctor. When the doctor came we happened to me a month ago. found that the door to the room was I was going to Thrushcross Grange locked. Heathcliff shouted angrily at the one evening. It was a dark, stormy doctor and sent him away. evening and I could hear thunder. I met That evening and all night it rained a little boy who was crying loudly. heavily. When I went out into the ‘What’s the matter?’ I asked him. garden the next morning, I saw that the ‘There’s Heathcliff and a woman up window of the little bedroom was wide there,’ he said, pointing up the path open and the rain was blowing in. I towards the moors. ‘I won’t go past knew that the bed was under the open them.’ window. I told him to go home by a different ‘He can’t be in bed,’ I said to myself. path. I thought he had been frightened ‘He must have gone out.’ by the things people in the village said. I found a key to unlock the door and But I don’t like being out in the dark went in to close the window. But now and I don’t like being on my own in Heathcliff had not gone out. He was this house. I shall be pleased when we there. He was lying on his back on the go to Thrushcross Grange. ✪ bed. His eyes were open and he looked wild and excited. I could not believe he was dead. But his face was wet with rain and the rain dripped off the bed onto the floor. One of his hands was on the window ledge. From Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë retold When I put my fingers on it, it was cold. by F. H. Cornish for Macmillan Readers. I knew he was dead. First published 1995. Text © F. H. Cornish 1995. I closed the window. I brushed his Design and Illustration © Macmillan Publishers thick, black hair. I tried to close his Limited 2002, 2005.

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BUSINESS Social Networking BY JOE ST CLAIR

ometimes even the experts get it writing diary updates in a total of 140 completely wrong. In the same way characters or less has led to the truly Sthat very few people managed to phenomenal growth of Twitter. The power predict the phenomenal growth of the of twitter is that it links the internet to the internet, today it is ‘social networking’ world of mobile phones. Update your blog that is taking the online world by storm. on Twitter and you immediately Social networking is a catch-all phrase communicate with every mobile phone for the way we use the internet to user signed up to your site. As a result, communicate to people like us. Social political heavyweights like President networking is one of the fastest growing Obama regularly update their blogs on trends in the computing industry. Twitter to speak to all those interested in Not long ago, social networking was what they are doing and thinking. still in its infancy. Business analysts and Celebrities now use Twitter as a key tool industry experts considered most the to communicate with their fan base. websites that offered this type of However, this is not all benign. As with so networking capability as being nothing much in the world of the internet, criminal more than another channel for teenagers elements are interested with the to express themselves, with no interest or opportunity to exploit technology for application to the world of mainstream illegal gain. Many users of Twitter report business. How things have changed! that criminals have robbed their houses Today industry analysts and marketing by monitoring messages to see when experts view websites like Facebook, My they are at home or away on travel. The Space, Youtube , Linked In, Bebo, message here is clear. The more you tell SecondLife and Twitter as mainstream people who do not know you about applications. These globally active sites yourself, the more you open yourself to are just the tip of the social networking the risk that people who do not know you iceberg. In every country a mass of will exploit what they know about you for locally relevant sites compete fiercely to their own advantage. cater to locally relevant community and The power of the internet means that networking needs. today we can communicate virtually Some ideas defy prediction. The idea of instantaneously with anyone in the world

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who has internet access. We can upload turn out to be the best. The power of the videos, music and photos. We can join net shows no signs of slowing down. interactive chat rooms on almost any Although the early years of the internet subject. We can apply for jobs anywhere tended to be more business focused with in the world using online job-search and the one-to-many model of information professional networking websites. transmission dominating the system, Networking used to depend on the kind of there has been a gentle but steady rise in club you belonged to – the kind of people the growth of community-based you were able to meet in person. No communication tools. Friendship and longer. The internet means we can dating agencies were the first to exploit network with people we will never get to this one-to-one power of the internet. The know or meet in person. We now have a UK-based Friends United, was the first to bewildering array of new social truly understand how the internet could networking sites to give us the ultimate connect people together who either had online visibility, persona or presence. But lost contact or had a need to re-connect what is this new medium of with people they shared something with communication all about and why should in common. Friends United was the first we care? site to allow us to reconnect with long- Like all ideas some of the most simple lost school buddies – or people who had

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shared a key experience with us in common. Friends Reunited now helps us to reconnect with former work colleagues or professional contacts that we had lost touch with years ago. Very soon other entrepreneurs started to build on this networking idea and created websites designed to give people somewhere to share their ideas, thoughts, videos and photos with friends and colleagues across the world. One of the reasons that teenagers were the first to exploit this opportunity was simply because, unlike working adults, teenagers could rarely afford to have their own websites. As a result, teenagers quickly turned to social networking sites to establish their online presence. Over the last few years the use of web cameras (webcams) and synchronous communication facilities like Skype have enabled people to connect to each other in real time. This means that someone on line can literally talk to or share thinking with someone else they find online at the same time as themselves. As a result, amateur past. The difference is the speed of musicians can now film their own success. Susan Boyle shot to worldwide performances and get instant feedback fame as the most watched artist on from their fan base. The internet allows YouTube after her audition on the UK all kinds of performers to reach an a mainstream TV show Britain’s Got Talent. global audience in the precisely the same Interestingly, Susan Boyles’ experience way that they used to do so by going on shows that exposure to global fame in no tour in local clubs and venues. way guarantees that an individual can This means that, all-of-a-sudden, cope with the demands of that fame or people can achieve world-wide deliver against the expectations of the recognition by working the social millions of fans who suddenly feel they networking sites of the internet in the have personal rights over the same kind of way they used to work local performance of the artist or entrepreneur clubs and professional associations in the in question.

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feedback from traditional TV or other media outlets. Michael Jackson’s death, like no other global marketing call, has woken businesses and organisations to the power of social networking. It is as though big business suddenly woke up to the fact that all these new concepts were not just the preserve of bored teenagers. Instead they have begun to realise how these websites can be exploited for business purposes, to spread marketing messages, attract new sales, find new customers and sales outlets, communicate in new unorthodox ways and use the net as another corporate communication medium. However, what is clear her is that he power of decision lies with the individual and not with the corporation. People moved by Michael Jackson’s unexpected death introduced others to his music and moved them. In this new world, the power lies with the people and not with access to the medium. Big business is still working out what this change in communication The death of Michael Jackson also power means for brand success and shows how the power of social global brand recognition. networking can affect a massively What is indisputable is that social important business outcome. Michael networking is not only here to stay but it Jackson shot to the top of the charts after is growing, adapting and bringing us his death as a whole new generation exciting new ways of interacting with discovered his music for the first time on other people and is set to fundamentally the recommendations of people based in change the way we communicate in an their online networks rather than the increasingly wired world. ✪

Infancy (n) something that has just started. Benign (adj) kind and gentle. Entrepreneur (n) a business person. Unorthodox (adj) not following the usual and expected rules or beliefs.

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BUSINESS Time Matters BY HELEN TREADWELL

anaging your time well is an External My responsibility essential skill for success in Mthe workplace. Being time Other people Poor planning. smart makes you effective and efficient. missing deadlines.

How do you really use your time now? Unexpected work Not learning from • Keep a diary record of exactly how that takes priority. mistakes. you spend your time. Look back over two weeks and list down everything Having to do a sick Putting off dull, that you do. colleague’s work difficult or routine • How much of your work is planned or for them. work unplanned? • Do you get everything done in the Take action on external issues time you planned for it? To make changes here, you may need to • How often do you get called away ask: from your planned tasks? • Your boss for help in resolving • At what time of the day do you work matters beyond your immediate at your best? control. • How much of your work could you • Colleagues to give you better pass on to someone else to do? briefings or instructions when handing work on to you. What are your goals? Agree what you need to achieve with Owning up to your own responsibility your boss and your colleagues. List all To make the greatest change here, you your urgent priorities and their must plan, prioritise, delegate and deadlines. Set out the steps you need to continuously improve. take to deliver these priorities on time. Plan Is it them or me? • Organise your work based on the List the areas where you use time poorly priorities ahead. and group these as suggested below: • Set out three key priorities that you

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• Set clear expectations about what you need done and check the person Concentrate on getting taking on the task has what they need from you to get the work done. one thing done at a • Bring a clear sense of teamwork to time and break big your colleagues so you really share the workload. tasks down into Continuously improve smaller, more • Do your most difficult tasks when you manageable steps. are at your best and leave the rest for when you are tired and less effective. • Talk to colleagues instead of emailing or writing to them – this helps you check that people have what they must achieve in the day. need from you and are happy with • Leave enough time in your schedule what you want of them. to cope with the unexpected – and be • Concentrate on getting one thing able to delegate or drop non-essential done at a time and break big tasks work to do so. down into smaller, more manageable steps. Prioritise • Start with your most important tasks Know when to stop first and not the ones you enjoy the The pace of work keeps getting faster. most! As a result, many people simply work • Make sure you do not let one thing longer to keep up. However, working take so long that it stops you doing without stop does not help you get the anything else. best results. No matter how well • Avoid taking on non-essential tasks organised you are, there are only so that stop you achieving your top many hours in the day. Set yourself a priorities. clear endpoint to your working day. Then take time to enjoy your social time with Delegate friends and family. This will help you • Hand on tasks you can reasonably bring fresh quality when you get back give to someone else to do. down to work again! ✪

Deadline (n) a set time by which you have to do something. Routine (adj) ordinary and uninteresting. Delegate (v) to hand over part of your work to someone else.

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ACTIVITY Sun Wall Hanging From ‘Decorative Painting’ by Fresh Minds Publishing

he Sun is ninety-three million miles away from Earth, YOU NEED but you can bring some sunshine right into your own home with this colourful Sun wall hanging. Use a Paper plate • Coloured T and metallic acrylic paint paper plate for the round shape of the Sun. Decorate your • Large and small paint Sun with dots and swirls of metallic paint. brushes • Tracing paper • Transfer paper • Masking tape • Pencil • Scissors • String

Note: Put a roll of masking tape under your plate. This helps support the plate while you paint it.

Use a large paintbrush to paint the centre 1of the plate in a light colour. Then paint the border in a dark colour. Let the paint dry.

Draw a face on to the centre of the 2 plate. Use a small paintbrush to outline the Sun’s features in a dark colour. Paint in the eyes and cheeks. Let the paint dry.

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Decorate the Sun’s face with Use a pencil to draw the Sun’s rays 5 dots of metallic paint. Add dots 4 around the border. Cut them out. to the rays. Let the paint dry.

MORE IDEAS Make Moon and star wall hangings to add to your Sun. Or decorate lots of small plates and create a matching mobile. To hang up your Sun, tape a 6loop of string at the top of the back.

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LANGUAGE QUIZ Just For Fun Try our questions and puzzles – no prizes, just for fun!

Write the answers to the questions in A the grid. The letters in the shaded squares will spell the name of a famous actor. ReadingU the articles in the magazine will help you find the right answers.

1. To spring into the air. 4. A unit of measuring weight. 2. Someone who illegally kills animals 5. Heaven. for money. 6. An elephant’s tusks. 3. A large group of people. 7. To apply for a part in a play or a film.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

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Unscramble these words that appear B in the magazine articles: 1. LOOCBUER 2. GREEIDEP 3. SPUMJ 4. URFSDOARB 5. YLEST 6. CITRKS

Find a letter that will complete the C first word and the start of the second: A. LANDMAR ( ) EEP B. FESTIV ( ) VENING C. TOURIS ( ) IME D. SQUAR ( ) QUESTRIAN E. HISTORI ( ) ULTURE F. ARTIS ( ) URN

JUST FOR FUN SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 63

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FIND A WORD

Driving & Speed

QEAETYSTCSFGHJKL Drive WDWVWE OWT GA LOX QL ERACETEPDWFFRLWZ Car RIXARNUTSECDEVCI Fast ZVUCTTMISRHWSTVX Safety uu YEKNVYYMFJALFEYA Champion CARCLAAI EGMJWNVS ZOZVAVENF IPJADCD Race XAMOBREGPWI XSUOF Compete CHQPTRTAWAOGDRHS Thrill VAGYEQEHETN ITAEA BUE LETHR I LLWHNWS Flight NIERIFEOEYAIGCND Track MA T ASD FWJ ERWI E TF Timing BEYSOCOZNRTELMJG NACARR TSAFK LFPUH Endurance

1. Find and circle all words associated with Art and Design. The words lie along, up, down and diagonally across the columns. The words can run forwards or backwards. 2. Translate or explain the words for yourself.

FIND A WORD ANSWERS ON PAGE 63 60 MED6-5p44-64 28/9/09 15:35 Page 61

KNOW THE ISSUE

The Modern English Digest Quiz

Find the answers to our quiz

1. Is it true that children usually grow out of sleepwalking? 2. List three possible triggers for sleepwalking. uu 3. What measures can sleepwalkers take to prevent injury? 4. What was Michael Jackson’s nickname?

5. Where was Michael Jackson born? 6. Identify three of Michael Jackson’s favourite pets. 7. What is the name of Michael Jackson’s famous mansion? 8. What is the usual age when young people can take their driving test? 9. What is a “petrolhead”?

Photos © istockphoto.com & dreamstime.com

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10. List three types of popular 19. Is it true that only women perform watersports. Morris dancing? 11. Wakeboarding is a combination of 20. Identify two musical instruments which sports? used to accompany Morris 12. Name the world’s most famous dancing. botanist. 21. Which famous landmark stands in 13. Is it true that plants respond to the centre of Trafalgar Square? human voices? 22. Which country in the world donates 14. Which scientist discovered that the famous Christmas Tree that playing classical music to rice stands every year in Trafalgar plants led to faster growth and Square? earlier blooms? 15. Name the famous viaduct that appeared in a Harry Potter film. 16. In which country is the Kinzua Send your answers with your name Viaduct? and address to: The Editor 17. When did the United Nations first Modern English Digest ban world ivory trade to save Keyways Publishing PO Box 100 elephants from extinction? Chichester 18. Why is the international price of West Sussex, PO18 8HD, UK. ivory so high?

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PUZZLE SOLUTION Editor: SARA HALL Design: GEORGIA DAVEY, www.taurus-graphics.net FROM PAGE 60 Editorial Director: PETER COLLIN, [email protected] QEAETYST CS FGHJKL WDWVWEOWTG ALOXQ L Advertising Sales: SOPHIE DICKSON ERACETEPDWFFRLWZ MAINLINE MEDIA RIXARNUTSECDEVCI ZVUCTTMISRHWSTVX Tel: +44 (0)1536 747333 Fax: +44 (0)1536 746565, YEKNVYYMFJALFEYA CARCLAAI EGMJWNVS ZOZVAVENFI PJADCD Writers XAMOBREGPWIXSUOF KESTA ALLEN, ILKA BRADSHAW, CHQPTRTAWAOGDRHS ANGIE BROTHWELL, RORY GEAR, ASTRID GOWER, VAGYEQEHETNITAEA BUELETHR IL LWHNWS SARA HALL, MARY HUBER, JOE ST CLAIR, NIERIFEOEYAIGCND HENRY WALLWORK MAT ASDFWJE RWI E T F BEYSOCOZNRTELMJG NACARRTS AF KLFPUH Publishers KEYWAYS PUBLISHING (PART OF THE OLM GROUP) PO Box 100, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 8HD Tel: +44 (0)1243 576444 Fax: +44 (0)1243 576456 PUBLISHED six times each year ISSN 1478-9019 Title & arrangement © 2009, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: KEYWAYS PUBLISHING www.ModernEnglishDigest.net Text and layout © 2009, SARA HALL TO SUBSCRIBE: Use the form on the back cover Images and photographs © 2009, as noted above

Just for Fun Answers from page 58

A B C

1. 1. LOOCBUER (UBERCOOL) A. LANDMAR (K) EEP JUMP 2. 2. GREEIDEP (PEDIGREE) B. FESTIV (E) VENING POA CHER 3. SPUMJ (JUMPS) C. TOURIS (T) IME 3. CROWD 4. URFSDOARB (SURFBOARD) D. SQUAR (E) QUESTRIAN 4. KILOGRAM 5. YLEST (STYLE) E. HISTORI (C) ULTURE 5. PAR ADI S E 6. IVORY 6. CITRKS (TRICKS) F. ARTIS (T) URN 7. AU D I T I O N

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