Learning English Podcast - January 05, 2025
VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
Deep Dive
What is significant about the discovery of the baby mammoth named Yana?
Yana is a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth discovered in Siberia, preserved in melting permafrost. It is considered the best-preserved mammoth body ever found, weighing over 100 kilograms and standing 120 centimeters tall. Scientists believe Yana was one year old when she died. The discovery provides valuable insights into how mammoths lived and adapted to their environment.
What major sky events can be expected in 2025?
In 2025, skywatchers can expect a six-planet parade in January, a seven-planet alignment in February, a total lunar eclipse in March, and a partial solar eclipse later in March. Additionally, there will be a total lunar eclipse in September and a partial solar eclipse in the South Pacific. Three supermoons will occur in October, November, and December, with November's supermoon being the closest to Earth at 356,980 kilometers.
What is the significance of the term 'kickoff' in American football and everyday language?
In American football, 'kickoff' refers to the start of the game or the act of kicking the ball to the opposing team after scoring. In everyday language, 'kickoff' is used to describe the beginning of an event or project. For example, people might 'kick off' the new year with resolutions or goals.
What does it mean to 'move the goalposts' in everyday life?
To 'move the goalposts' means to change the rules or objectives of a task, making it harder to achieve the original goal. For example, if a boss increases a social media follower target from 10,000 to 20,000, they have effectively moved the goalposts. This expression originates from American football and is used to describe situations where goals or expectations are altered unfairly.
What were some of the major space achievements in 2024?
In 2024, significant space achievements included the first U.S. moon landing in over 50 years by the Odysseus spacecraft, Japan's SLIM spacecraft landing on the moon (albeit upside down), China's successful return of lunar samples from the far side of the moon, and the launch of ESA's Hera mission to study the asteroid Dimorphos. NASA also launched the Europa Clipper to explore Jupiter's moon Europa for signs of life.
What is the purpose of NASA's Europa Clipper mission?
The Europa Clipper mission aims to search for possible signs of life on Jupiter's moon Europa. Scientists believe Europa has a large ocean beneath its icy surface, making it a prime candidate for supporting life. The spacecraft will use gravity assists from Mars and Earth to reach Jupiter by 2030.
How does intonation help in clarifying understanding in English?
Intonation, particularly rising intonation at the end of a sentence, helps clarify understanding by signaling that the speaker is confirming or restating what they heard. For example, saying 'It's this weekend?' with rising intonation indicates a request for confirmation. This technique is especially useful for English learners to ensure accurate communication.
What is the significance of the Perseid and Geminid meteor showers?
The Perseid and Geminid meteor showers are well-known astronomical events that occur annually. The Perseids take place in August, while the Geminids occur in December. These showers are named after the constellations they appear to originate from (Perseus and Gemini) and are caused by Earth passing through debris left by comets or asteroids. They are best viewed in areas with dark night skies.
- Discovery of a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth named Yana
- Exceptional preservation of the mammoth
- Location: Badaika crater in Yakutia, Russia
- Research will be conducted at Russia's Northeastern Federal University
Shownotes Transcript