a political issue in the campaign for the American presidential election in November. Many companies in the United States have been moving jobs to countries where costs are much lower. Factory production jobs have moved away for years. But the jobs now also involve computer programming and other skills based on knowledge.
Labor groups and workers are angry. They point to reports that say the United States has lost 2.5 million jobs since 2001. Most were jobs in manufacturing. Some states have lost more jobs than others. But no one seems to know for sure how many jobs left the country.
There was a recession. Jobs were cut. Yet, so far, the economic recovery has produced fewer jobs than expected. So outsourcing has created an emotional debate.
Lou Dobbs has a business news program on CNN television. He keeps a list of companies that have sent jobs to foreign countries. Almost every night, Mr. Dobbs talks about what he calls the \
Gregory Mankiw is the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers to President Bush. Recently Mr. Mankiw said outsourcing is probably good for the economy in the long term. He said it makes sense to import goods or services produced at lower cost. He called it \
Most economists would probably agree. But Democrats and Republicans criticized Mr. Mankiw. He later apologized for having appeared to praise the loss of United States jobs.
Criticism of outsourcing has led some people to condemn free trade. They argue that if jobs are lost to foreign countries, then America should seek protective measures. The director general of the World Trade Organization does not see it that way. Supachai Panitchpakdi says one-third of all economic growth in the United States since 1990 resulted from international trade.
Mr. Supachai says training and education can create new opportunities for workers. He says exports have helped create five million new jobs in America in the last 10 years. He says those jobs pay 10 percent above the average. U7
W: So, did you buy guns for sport or for trouble?
M: Neither! I bought a couple of pistols to protect my home. Q: Why did the man buy guns?
M: What's the problem? Keeping a gun in my home for safety isn't a crime.
W: In this country it is against the law. You'll have to give it to the police right away!
Q: What is the problem with the man having a gun?
M: My anxiety level always goes up when I see someone late at night. W: You wouldn't be so worried if you carried a gun, like I do. Q: Why does the woman NOT get worried?
M: My daughter was arrested for having a pistol at school.
W: I know. She told me that she brought it because she didn't feel safe. Q: What does the woman know?
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M: It's usually males who cause problems with guns. I don't know why.
W: Men are just more violent by nature, I think. They cause many problems. Q: Why do males cause most problems with guns?
W: I'm cautious when I'm out. I pay attention and stay out of trouble. M: If you continue to do so, you won't have to worry about needing a gun. Q: Why does the woman NOT need a gun according to the man?
M: Did you see what the robbers looked like before they started shooting?
W: They had on nylon masks, so I couldn't see. I was scared when they shot at me. Q: Why could the woman NOT tell what the robbers looked like?
W: I heard that you shot your gun in the house yesterday. Did you see a robber? M: No. I fired it by mistake while polishing the handle. I should have been more careful. Q: Why did the man shoot his gun in the house?
M: I became an advocate of tougher gun laws after my son was killed. W: I know you mean well, but I don't think you're doing what he'd want. Q: What does the woman doubt?
M: Will you reveal the cause of gun violence at this meeting?
W: No. Gun violence is not simple enough to understand in such a short time. Q: Why will the woman NOT tell people the cause of gun violence?
M: Before the robbery, cases of gun violence were only statistics to me, numbers that I would read in the newspaper. But now, things will never be the same. W: What do you remember?
M: I remember everything that I would like to forget. Most of all, I remember the shots. Bang! The sound of the first bullet being fired rang in my ears. I turned and saw a victim collapse. She grabbed her chest. And then, in a moment, she was still. W: You just stood there?
M: I was so scared; it was like I was frozen. W: Why did they do it?
M: The robbers? They wanted money, of course. But I blame society for allowing people to have guns.
W: I don't think I'd like it much if I was told I couldn't have a gun. Having a gun makes me feel safer.
Millions of people live in fear of being a victim of gun violence, and many of them think guns should be destroyed. I understand how they feel, but I don't share their opinion. Since I've owned guns my entire life, my thoughts on this issue are different. The reality of the situation is that guns don't kill people. People kill people. So we should think less about the problems of guns, and think more about the problems of people. We should think about joblessness and poor education, which are at the foundation of this issue. And we should act to reduce these problems by promoting better schools.
Education shows us how to rise above violence, teaching us how to be responsible and how to support ourselves by our work. More people need to learn these important lessons, and then we can reduce gun violence in society.
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Moore: Look around you. In the 7th Cavalry, we got a Captain from the Ukraine, another from Puerto Rico. We've got Japanese, Chinese, Blacks, Hispanics, Cherokee Indians, Jews and Gentiles — all Americans. Now here in the States, some men in this unit may experience discrimination because of race or creed. But for you and me now, all that is gone. We're moving into the \of the Shadow of Death\— where you will watch the back of the man next to you, as he will watch yours. And you won't care what color he is or by what name he calls God.
They say we're leavin' home. We're goin' to what home was always supposed to be. So let us understand the situation. We are goin' into battle against a tough and determined enemy. I can't promise you that I will bring you all home alive. But this I swear before you and before Almighty God: That when we go into battle, I will be the first to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off. And I will leave no one behind.
Dead or alive, we will all come home together.
Robber: Give me all your cash, old man.
Clerk: What is this? Ah, I'm being robbed again! Please get the gun out of my face. I'll do what you want.
Robber: What I want right now is for you to shut up and give me all of your cash. Clerk: OK, here it is — all of the money from the register. Robber: That's more like it. Now, give me your wallet. Clerk: You want my wallet, too?
Robber: Hey, this isn't a joke, man. Now, give me your wallet, or I'll shoot you in the head.
Clerk: All right. Here you go.
Robber: Good. Now, give me a bottle of Scotch from up there on the shelf — the good stuff.
Clerk: I'm sorry, young man. You can shoot me if you like. But, I can't give you that bottle unless you're 21.
Robber: I don't believe this. All right, OK, here's my driver's license. Do you see there? I'm over 21.
Clerk: Yes, you're over 21 all right. I also see that your name is Jamison Kelleher and you live on Main Street. The police will be very interested in knowing this information. Aren't you sorry now that you tried to rob me?
Questions 1 to 5 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 1. What did the robber see on the shelf?
2. Why did the cashier refuse to give the Scotch to the robber? 3. What did the robber show to the clerk for proof? 4. What did the clerk say he would tell the police? 5. What do you think of the robber?
It was early morning in a pub and the clerk yawned nonstop. Usually, nobody came in to drink at such an early hour. Suddenly, the door opened and a man walked in. He put a $20 bill on the counter and asked for change. Though the clerk was unhappy, he opened the cash drawer. Suddenly, the man pulled out a gun and asked for all the cash in the register. The frightened clerk promptly gave him all the money. The man took the cash from the clerk and ran away, leaving the $20 bill on the counter.
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Recovered from the fright, the clerk quickly checked his loss. There had been only $15 in the cash drawer.
Questions 1 to 5 are based on the passage you have just heard. 1. When did the story happen?
2. How much money did the man put on the counter?
3. What did the man do when the clerk opened the cash drawer? 4. What was the clerk's reaction to the robbery? 5. What was the loss to the pub?
American Interior Secretary Gale Norton has proposed a ban on importing and selling 28 kinds of fish known as the snakehead. Experts say the fish is a threat to the environment because it eats other fish, plants and animals.
The snakehead fish is native to the Yangtze River in China. It has appeared in at least seven American states. It can grow to be almost one meter long. The snakehead can breathe air and can stay out of the water for as many as three days. The fish can leave the water and move across land to find food in other bodies of water. The snakehead has a wide mouth, sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Some people say it looks like a snake's head. The fish can swallow other large fish. It also eats small animals, including frogs, birds and mammals. Biologists say the snakehead has no known enemies.
Snakeheads are usually sold in fish markets or in pet stores in the United States. They are known for their excellent taste.
In May, a northern snakehead was discovered in a small lake in Crofton, Maryland. A local man has since admitted that he put two snakeheads into the pond two years ago. He said he had bought the fish from a market in New York City. At first, he was going to cook the fish and eat them, but he later decided not to do this.
Biologists recently caught about 100 baby snakeheads in the pond in Crofton. They fear that hundreds more may be in the water. If the fish escape from the pond, they could move to the Little Patuxent River, about 70 meters away. Scientists fear the fish could kill the wildlife in the river.
A group of scientists decided that the fish had to be killed before this could happen. After several tests, they decided that poisoning the pond with chemicals was the best way to kill the snakeheads.
The northern snakehead is only one of many kinds of snakeheads. But it is of most concern because it is the only kind that can survive through winters. Other species require warmer climates for survival.
Snakeheads also have been discovered in Hawaii, Florida, California, Maine,
Massachusetts and Rhode Island. But Maryland is the only state where reproduction of the species has been confirmed. U8
W: Rack your brain for creativity and you will solve your problem.
M: I hope you're right. But it doesn't seem like I'll ever be a great painter. Q: What is the man having trouble with?
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M: What are you doing just sitting there daydreaming? You've got work to do! W: Before I start anything, I like to rack my brain for creativity first. Q: What does the woman like to do?
W: It's a miracle! How did you finally solve the math problem? M: The answer just came to me out of a dream. Q: How did the man solve the problem?
M: You're a great inventor. How do you get your great ideas?
W: They usually come to me suddenly when I'm well rested and relaxed. Q: When does the woman get her great ideas?
W: Please, tell me how you get ideas for your novels.
M: Ideas burst into my mind while I'm walking in the park. I don't know how. Q: When does the man get ideas for his novels?
W: I just can't think of a good topic for my essay! I don't know what to do! M: Try running. Exercise always helps me clear my mind and think of ideas. Q: What does the man suggest the woman do to think of a good essay topic? W: When I turned 50, ideas just started flashing in my mind. It was mysterious. M: I've heard stories like that. It's really not unusual. Q: What has the man heard before?
W: I just came up with an idea for passing this test!
M: Quick! Write it down! Ideas are fleeting! And it may be our only hope! Q: Why should the woman write the idea down?
M: Countless great musicians and artists have created great works for the church. W: Do you think that religion gives people the ability to open their creativity? Q: What does the woman wonder?
W: Years ago, it was easy for me to create new ideas. But now, I have none. M: Maybe you should see a psychologist who can help you. Q: What should the woman do according to the man?
M: You better start working! Our boss will come any moment! W: I've already seen her. And I'm doing what she told me to do. M: She told you to sit around and do nothing?
W: No! She told me to rack my brain for creativity. M: What?
W: To rack your brain for creativity means that you think hard for a creative answer to a problem. Before I start my work, I want to think of the best idea possible. When it flashes into my mind, I'll begin. M: Hey, that's what I was doing last week! But when she saw me doing it, she threatened to fire me! W: No. You weren't thinking of ideas. You were just sleeping. There's a big difference. M: Oh. What problems are you trying to solve now?
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