Learning English Podcast - December 23, 2024
VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
Deep Dive
What is the Hospital for Soft Toys in Caracas, Venezuela?
It is a non-profit project where volunteers repair old toys to donate to children in need, hospitals, and schools. The initiative has recycled about 70,000 toys over seven years.
Why did the Hospital for Soft Toys start?
It began when a teacher, Lillian Gluck, wanted to find a way to repurpose her children's old toys instead of discarding them. She started by donating repaired toys to a hospital in Caracas.
How many volunteers work at the Hospital for Soft Toys, and how often do they meet?
About 60 volunteers meet at least twice a week to repair toys. They work on dolls, bears, and other educational games.
What was the cause of NASA's Mars helicopter, Ingenuity, crashing?
The crash was due to the helicopter's navigation system failing to collect reliable data on the Martian surface, preventing it from finding a safe landing spot.
What was the purpose of NASA's Ingenuity helicopter on Mars?
Ingenuity was an experimental aircraft designed to test takeoff, short flight, and landing operations on Mars to support future interplanetary aircraft development.
What lessons did NASA learn from the Ingenuity crash?
NASA discovered that future Martian aircraft do not need to be large or heavily built. Ingenuity's longevity proved that smaller, lighter designs could work effectively in the Martian environment.
What is NASA's next project for a Martian helicopter?
NASA is developing the Mars Chopper Rotocraft, which will be 20 times heavier than Ingenuity and capable of carrying scientific equipment over longer distances, up to three kilometers in a day.
How do native English speakers use the expressions 'supposed to' and 'ought to'?
'Supposed to' is used to express expected behavior or future predictions, while 'ought to' is used for strong suggestions or advice, sometimes with disapproval.
What is the expression 'a little bird told me' used for?
It is an idiom used to indicate that one has secret or special knowledge about something, often in a humorous or playful context.
What is the significance of the Hospital for Soft Toys receiving donations from other countries?
The donations, which include school supplies, diapers, and food, are crucial in a country like Venezuela that has faced economic crisis and political unrest.
- Hospital for Soft Toys in Caracas recycles around 70,000 toys in seven years.
- Volunteers repair and donate toys to children, hospitals, and elderly homes.
- The initiative started with a teacher who wanted to reuse her children's old toys.
Shownotes Transcript