WORD CHECK UP. Freebies. Lucrative

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1 DAY 21 All New York prisoners to get free tablet computer All prisoners in the U.S. state of New York are to be given free tablet computers. The freebies are part of a deal struck between a private communications service called JPay and New York's prison service. The lucrative but controversial agreement involves the contractor providing 54,700 convicts with a free tablet. The tablets will not be Internet enabled, but prisoners will be able to get limited, but monitored, online access by plugging their device into approved kiosks at specific times. Inmates will be allowed to an approved list of family and friends; order certain music, books and videos; and file grievances and reports of abuse. All of this activity will be heavily monitored by prison staff. Prisoner support services welcomed the free tablet initiative. They called it a "game-changer" and a "huge step forward". A New York State official said the tablets would help prisoners remain closer to their families, and reduce tensions between prisoners and prison guards. However, law enforcement agencies are questioning the wisdom of giving tablets to convicts. Some law enforcement officers described it as a good example of how crime does pay. Top police officer Ed Mullins questioned why prisoners were getting free tablets when other people in society are struggling. He said: "Little is done for the homeless, mentally ill, and hard-working people who can't afford tablets in New York State." Freebies Lucrative Grievances GIVE YOUR BEST ANSWER The prisoners will not have any access to the Internet. The prison staff will not monitor prisoners' use of tablets. Prisoner support services like the idea of the free tablets. Law enforcement agencies are happy about the free tablets. What did support services call the initiative besides a huge step forward? What did a police officer say the tablet giveaway was an example of? What kinds of agencies are questioning the wisdom of the giveaway?

2 DAY 17 Explanation : Why don't you stop that yackety-yack!!! Yackety-yack ( yak ) - A continuous and prolonged senseless talk You've been on the phone for ages now. Shhh! It's Debbie. She's telling me all about her operation. Can't it wait? I'm hungry. When are you going to start cooking? Just give me a couple more minutes. She's just getting to the most interesting part. If know Debbie, it'll take another hour., just be a bit patient. My stomach's right out of patience. Why don't you stop that yackety-yack and feed me before I die of hunger. Example: I tried in vain to close my ears to their yackety-yack and go on with my work. KEY WORDS AND PHRASE 1. Prolonged 2. Senseless 3. Summit

3 DAY 23 Polish climbers in heroic Himalaya rescue A dramatic nighttime rescue has taken place on one of the world's most dangerous mountains. A team of elite mountain climbers from Poland made a hazardous night ascent of the 8,126- meter-high Nanga Parbat in the Pakistani Himalayas. The peak is widely known as "Killer Mountain" because of the number of climbers who have perished there. The Polish team rescued French climber Elisabeth Revol from the slopes of Nanga Parbat. She was reported to have been 7,400 meters up on the icy slopes. Unfortunately, a Polish climber Ms Revol had been climbing with remains missing. The conditions were too treacherous for the rescuers to spend any further time on the rescue mission. The team of Polish climbers had been attempting the first ever winter ascent of the nearby K2 mountain, the second highest summit in the world. The drama began on Saturday afternoon when military helicopters spotted Revol in distress. The helicopters picked up the Polish climbers from K2 and flew them to Nanga Parbat, where they were dropped off at an altitude of 4,900 meters. The team then made its daring attempt in pitch darkness. Unfortunately, conditions were too perilous for Ms Revol's co-climber Tomasz Mackiewicz to be rescued. A rescuer said: "The rescue for Tomasz is unfortunately not possible. Because of the weather and altitude it would put the life of rescuers in extreme danger." Rescue Hazardous Perish GIVE YOUR BEST ANSWER The article said the mountain is the world's most dangerous. Mount Nanga Parbat is over 8,000 meters high. The mountain is notorious for being deadly. A co-climber of the rescued woman is still missing. At what time of the day did the rescue take place? How high is the mountain Nanga Parbat? What is Nanga Parbat also known as? What is the nationality of the lady who was rescued?

4 Day 24 She just prattled on!!! Marie Well that was a complete waste of time. Kirsty You mean talking to Judie? I saw you two chatting together just now. Marie Yes, she gave me the impression that she had something really important to tell me. Kirsty Didn't she? Marie No, she just prattled on about her latest shopping expedition and her new hairdresser. Stuff like that. Kirsty Well I suppose that's what's important to her. Explanation: Prattle : To talk foolishly or childishly for a long time about something unimportant or without saying anything important Example: He has learned to pay no attention to his wife's prattle KEY WORDS AND PHRASE 1. Ascent 2. Technique 3. Import

5 DAY 25 Japan makes banana with peel you can eat It almost seems too hard to believe, but there is now a banana that has an edible peel. Most people would never think of eating the peel of a banana. However, banana farmers in Japan have created a special technique for growing bananas with a peel we can eat. The new bananagrowing method is called the "freeze-thaw awakening" technique. Farmers in Okayama, in the west of Japan, keep their banana trees at a freezing cold temperature of -60 Celsius. The farmers then replant the trees in 27ºC temperatures. The huge change in temperature makes the tree suddenly grow too quickly for the peel to fully mature. This makes the skin thin, soft and sweet enough to eat. The new variety of banana is called the "Mongee". Farmers are now selling it in small bunches of 10 bananas. They are not cheap. One Mongee banana costs yen 650 (about six dollars). The farmers have not grown a lot of Mongee bananas, so the price is high. They want to grow more so they can sell them all over the world. This means the price will come down. Bananas are the most popular fruit in Japan. Similar to other countries, Japan imports most of its bananas. About 99% of bananas in Japanese stores are imported. The Mongee could mean Japanese people eat more home-grown bananas. The Mongee banana skin is sweet and contains nutrients such as vitamin B6 and magnesium. 1. Edible 2. Variety 3. Home-grown Give your best answer A new banana has an inedible peel. The article said most people would think about eating a banana skin. Farmers first freeze banana trees at a temperature of -60ºC. Heat makes the banana peel fully mature. How much is one Mongee banana? What is the most popular fruit in Japan? How many of the bananas sold in Japan are imported? What vitamin does the Mongee banana contain?