Friday, July 20, 2007

HOC TIENG ANH QUA THANH NGU

EXPRESSIONS


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There are many American expressions that use parts of the body. These include the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and even the heart. Today we will tell you some expressions that use other body parts – the back, shoulders and chest.


When I am facing a lot of pressure at work, my back and neck will start to hurt. Sometimes, this tension is the result of too much work. I have too many things to do because my supervisor is on my back all the time. In other words, my employer is always telling me to do things.

Sometimes, I want to tell my employer to get off my back! I want her to stop criticizing me and making too many demands on my time. I can not say this, however. I would never turn my back on her and refuse to help when there is a need. If I did refuse to help, my supervisor might say bad things about me behind my back. She might criticize me when I am not present. This would surely be a stab in the back. It is never kind to unfairly harm or say bad things about other people.

Sometimes, when I am very productive in my job, my employer gives me a pat on the back. She praises my work. She might even say “I will scratch your back if you will scratch mine.” This means she will do something for me, if I do something helpful for her in exchange. Such an offer usually comes straight from the shoulder. My supervisor has a very direct, open and honest way of speaking.

I know that my employer carries a lot on her shoulders. She is responsible for many things at the office. And because she is so important, she sometimes gets to rub shoulders with the top officials. She gets to spend time with some very important people.

I believe the top official values my supervisor. He never gives her the cold shoulder. He is never unfriendly to her. He always treats her like she is an important part of the organization.


I also value my supervisor. In fact, I think she is very effective in her job. Of course, I could yell my opinion at the top of my lungs, or as loudly as I possibly could. It might even feel good to get my emotions off my chest. It is always helpful to tell people how you feel so that your emotions do not trouble you.

But it is not necessary for me to praise my supervisor. Most of my co-workers feel the exact same way about her. So, I think I will just save my breath. I will keep silent because talking or repeating myself will not do any good.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Normal English

DETECTING HEIGHTENED GLOBAL TERRORIST ACTIVITY

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At their headquarters in the heart of Texas, terrorism experts and political analysts keep a close eye on developments that may affect their clients, who include international businesses as well as government officials.


In the new U.S. intelligence report, al-Qaida is portrayed as a growing threat. The report says the terrorist organization, utilizing new training camps along the Afghan-Pakistan border, is stepping up efforts to get operatives into the United States to carry out attacks, perhaps on the scale of September 11, 2001. This week a new Osama bin Laden tape emerged and, although many analysts believe it was taped years ago, Stratfor's Vice President of Counter-Terrorism Analysis, Fred Burton, says there may be something going on.

Fred Burton"We had Dr. al-Zawahiri's tape last week and now the bin Laden tape this week, I do find that interesting," he said. "On the heels of London and Glasgow and, of course, last summer we were dealing with the Heathrow aviation plot, which was very serious at the time. So, there is a general sense in my conversations with various counter-terrorism officials and from our own assessments here at Stratfor that there appears to be a little bit of chatter that is upticked."

Burton says there is no doubt al-Qaida would like to get operatives into the United States to carry out attacks, but that has become far more difficult as a result of stepped up counter-terrorism efforts.

Pervez Musharraf (file photo)Burton says al-Qaida is also less secure in its Pakistan hideout as a result of renewed pressure on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to deal with not only al-Qaida, but with other Islamic militants who are carrying out attacks in Pakistan.

"I think he is under a lot of pressure to do something. There is a tremendous amount of U.S. pressure on him to do something for that specific little region," he said. "My personal opinion is that, sooner or later, we will see some effort under way and it very well might be covert action on the part of the Pakistanis in concert with the CIA or U.S. special forces or we are going to see U.S. special forces covert action in that area."

Burton clarifies, however, that direct U.S. involvement is not likely, because it would involve an attack in another nation's territory.

Pakistani military incursions into the area in the past disturbed tribal groups there and led to bloody confrontations between them and the army. Since September of last year, President Musharraf has kept his forces out of the region under an agreement with local leaders. But the truce was broken by Taleban leaders Monday and terrorist attacks in recent days have claimed dozens of lives.

Since the prime targets of many of these attacks have been police and the military, Stratfor's South Asia analyst Reva Bhalla sees an increase in domestic pressure on Mr. Musharraf to act against the terrorists.

Reva Bhalla"Though the military is backing Musharraf for the time being, if these attacks get out of hand elsewhere in the region and they are targeting military and security forces, it will come to a point where, if Musharraf cannot handle it and he is becoming a political liability, he may be asked to step aside ahead of the elections," she noted.

Bhalla says a new Pakistani campaign in the tribal regions is the last thing al-Qaida's top leadership could have wanted as it puts them on the run and reduces their capability to coordinate operations elsewhere.

"Al-Qaida is in a very tough position because, in the past, thus far they have really been taking great care that they did not have a lot of military activity in the area where they have been hiding out," she added. "For operational security reasons, you want to keep intact your core hideout and your sympathizers in that area. You do not want to alienate them by encouraging attacks in that region."

President Musharraf is making efforts to restore the truce with northern tribal leaders in order to calm domestic tensions, but if the violence continues, he may have little other option than to confront the tribe groups with military force.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Confusing Words

RISE OR RAISE?

Two verbs which are similar in meaning: to move to a higher position. The essential difference is that raise is a transitive verb which needs an object to complete its meaning and rise is intransitive, it functions without an object and is sometimes followed by a phrase of time or place. Compare the following:
  • 'The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.'
  • 'I rise (i.e. get up) at six o’ clock every weekday morning in order to be at work by seven.'
  • 'He rose (i.e. stood up) to greet her.'
  • 'I raised my hand because I wanted to raise a question, but he took no notice of me.'
  • 'If you are raising a family as a single parent, you shouldn’t try to work full-time.'
  • 'My child was ill and I had to raise money to pay for the operation.'

Monday, July 9, 2007

Normal Englisg

NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD


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People celebrate in front of the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in southern Mexico, after Chichen Itza was selected as one of the new seven wonders of the world, 7 Jul 2007The new Seven Wonders of the World have been selected after a global poll. The winners were announced Saturday. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.


About 100 million votes were cast by the Internet and cell-phone text messages to choose the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Academy Award-winning British actor Ben Kingsley announced the winners at a glitzy international show at Portugal's largest venue, the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

"The Colosseum in Rome," he said.

The only site in Europe selected was the Colosseum. The others were: The Great Wall of China, India's Taj Mahal, Jordan's ancient city of Petra, the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, Brazil's Statue of Christ Redeemer, and Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid.

The seven winners beat out 14 other nominated landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Easter Island in the Pacific, the Statue of Liberty in New York City, the Acropolis in Athens, Russia's Kremlin and Australia's Sydney Opera House.

Thousands enjoyed the show in Lisbon, which included break-dancing and singing by tenor Jose Carreras and pop star Jennifer Lopez. Others celebrated in the countries home to the sites chosen.

In India, this young man said he was proud he was born in the city of the Taj Mahal. He said he was proud it was selected as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

In Mexico, Yucatan State Governor Yvonne Ortega celebrated the selection of the Chichen Itza pyramid.

Ortega said, "the Mayans brought luck to us, the people from Yucatan, but now we must take advantage of this with a great economic development for the country."

The campaign to name the new wonders was launched in 1999 with almost 200 nominations coming in from around the world. The list of candidates was narrowed to 21 by the start of 2006. Organizers also went on a world tour, visiting each site.

The original list of wonders were concentrated in the Mediterranean and Middle East. The only surviving structures from the original seven wonders of the ancient world are The Great Pyramids of Giza.

The New 7 Wonders organization was established by Swiss-Canadian adventurer Bernard Weber. It aims to promote cultural diversity by supporting, preserving and restoring monuments. It relies on private donations and revenue from selling broadcasting rights.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Stories



THE WRONG DIRECTION


The Prince of Wei decided to invade Hantan, the capital of the state of Chao. Although Chi-liang was on a journey when he heard this, he turned back at once and, without waiting to smooth his crumpled garments or brush the dust from his head, went to see the king.

" On my way back," he said, I came across a man at Taihang Mountain, who was riding northwards. He told me he was going to the state of Chu.

" In that case, why are you heading north" ? I asked him.

" That's all right," he replied. I have good horses.

Your horses may be good, but you're taking the wrong direction.

Well, I have plenty of money.

You may have plenty of money, but this is the wrong direction.

Well, I have an excellent charioteer.

" The better your horses," I told him, " the more money you have and the more skilled your charioteer, the further you will get from the state of Chu."


- crumpled: If you crumple something such as paper o cloth, or if it crumples, it is squashed and becomes full of untidy creases and folds.
- charioteer: In ancient time, a charioteer was a chariot driver. Chariots were fast-moving vehicles with two wheels that were pulled by horses.

Common Mistakes In English

DAY 3


Wrong: Don't step on the grass.
Right: Keep off the grass.

Wrong: I get my salary twice a month.
Right: I get paid twice a month..

Wrong: Would you like a drink ?
Right: Would you like something to drink ?

Wrong: Let me examine your pulse.
Right: Let me feel your pulse.

Wrong: I have no exercise talent.
Right: I am not athletic.

Wrong: Don't expect me too much.
Right: Don't expect too much from (of ) me.

Wrong: I know his face.
Right: I know him by sight.

Wrong: I forget my hat in the house.
Right: I left my hat in the house.

Wrong: Lend me some money, for instance 500 dollars, Lin
Right: Lend me some money, say 500 dollars, Lin

Wrong: I have a free time.
Right: I am free.

Wrong: The sun rises from the East.
Right: The sun rises in the East.

Wrong: The thief got in from the window.
Right: The thief got in through the window.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Confusing Words

AFFECT – EFFECT

Affect and effect are often confused, even by native speakers of English. The most important thing to remember is that affect is used as a verb and effect is normally used as a noun. When they are used in this way, they are similar in meaning, signifying ‘influence’, ‘impact’ or ‘change’. Compare the following:
  • 'The really hot weather affected everybody’s ability to work.'
  • 'I know my neighbours play loud music late at night, but that doesn’t affect me.I can sleep through anything.'
  • 'The number of tourists travelling to Britain this year has not been affected by the strength of the pound.'
  • 'The tablets which he took every four hours had no noticeable effect on his headache.'
  • 'My words of comfort had little effect. She just went on crying and wouldn’t stop.'

    Note: we talk about someone or something having an effect on something or someone. If we use effect as a verb, it means to ‘carry out’ or to ‘cause something to happen’, but it is used only in very formal English. Consider the following:

    'Repairs could not be effected because the machines were very old.'

Efficient – Effective

These two qualitative adjectives are often confused. If somebody or something is efficient, then he, she or it works in a well-organized way, without wasting time or energy. Consider the following examples:

  • 'She was efficient in everything she did and was frequently commended for exemplary service to the organization.'
  • 'He hasn’t made very efficient use of his time in revising for these exams: he has made no notes and his concentration spans appear to last for no longer than ten minutes.'
  • 'This engine is really efficient. It can run for 30 km on only 1 liter of fuel.'

    If something is effective, it works well and produces the results that were intended. Consider the following examples:

  • 'These tablets really are effective. My headache’s much better now.'
  • 'The only effective way to avoid hay fever at this time of the year, if you are a sufferer, is to stay indoors.'