Papua New Guinea Reconciliation

In Papua New Guinea, the descendants of cannibals who killed and ate four Fijian
missionaries in 1878 have apologised for their ancestors' actions. They held a
reconciliation ceremony, which was attended by thousands of people, in the East New
Britain province where they were killed.

The missionaries were part of a group of Methodist ministers and teachers who arrived
in 1875 to spread Christianity. The murders three years later, by Tolai tribespeople on
the Gazelle Peninsula, triggered angry reprisals. The English pastor who was head of
the mission, George Brown, avenged the killings by taking part in an expedition that
resulted in the deaths of a number of tribespeople and the burning of several villages.

Candles were lit in memory of the four. Fiji's High Commissioner in Papua New
Guinea, Ratu Isoa Tikoca, accepted the apologies on behalf of the descendants."We at
this juncture are deeply touched and wish you the greatest joy of forgiveness as we
finally end this record disagreement," he said.

The Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane praised the early missionaries for making the
country Christian and called for more people to follow the guiding principles of the
religion.

Questions
Q1 - The descendants of the cannibals are sorry about what happened.
True False
Q2 - Few people attended the ceremony.
True False
Q3 - The ceremony was held in the UK.
True False
Q4 - The missionaries were killed very soon after they arrived.
True False
Q5 - No one was punished for the killings.
True False
Q6 - The Fijian representative attended.
True False
Q7 - Ratu Isoa Tikoca was not moved by the ceremony.
True False
Q8 - Candles were lit to remember the missionaries.
True False
Q9 - Sir Paulias Matane resents the work of the early missionaries.
True False
Q10 - Sir Paulias Matane wishes that more people had religious principles.
True False
Shambo
Shambo, the bull at the centre of a three-month legal fight, has been killed. After a
positive test for TB, an order was made for his slaughter, in keeping with the law.
However, the multi-faith community where he lived went to court to try to save him as
he was a sacred animal to Hindus.

A High Court judge said that the order to kill him was unlawful, but the decision was
overturned in the Appeal Court. Police had to be called in as worshippers had formed a
human shield around the animal to stop him being taken away. Opinion is very divided
on the issue- some believe that he was a danger to the national herd and needed to be
killed, while others feel that religious beliefs should be respected and the community
had offered to provide sufficient measures to ensure that he would not infect any other
animals if he contracted the disease as they planned to isolate him. The authorities cut
through the security fence and led the bull away. The following morning they
announced that he had been given a lethal injection.

The debate on the issue is unlikely to end with the death of Shambo and may widen into
a debate about the policy of killing cows that test positive for TB.

Questions
Q1 - Shambo lived in a religious community.
True False
Q2 - The community did not do much to try to save him.
True False
Q3 - The case went to more than one court.
True False
Q4 - Police went in because there were violent protests.
True False
Q5 - Everybody feels that he needed to be killed.
True False
Q6 - The community wanted Shambo to mix with other animals despite the TB test.
True False
Q7 - Shambo was definitely ill with TB.
True False
Q8 - The authorities entered the place where Shambo was kept without any problems.
True False
Q9 - Shambo was shot dead.
True False
Q10 - From now on, no cows that test positive will be killed.
True False
Visit Angkor Wat
Siem Reap is a small town near the world famous temple of Angkor Wat. The town is
charming and worth exploring, with some fine examples of Khmer and French colonial
architecture set among the more modern developments. Nowadays, visitors are flocking
in, using it as a base for visits to the nearby temples.

A Carved City

From the 9th to the 14th centuries, when Europe was still struggling out of the Dark
Ages, the Cambodian Empire of Angkor covered most of present-day Cambodia, Laos,
Vietnam, and Thailand. The heart of this empire during the 12th century was the ancient
capital of Angkor Thom, near present day Siem Reap, the site of the world’s largest
temple complexes, which were rediscovered in 1861.This spectacular city was built
over 30 years under the reign of King Suryavarman II (1113-1150). The area covers
about 400 square kilometres and is full of the finest examples of Khmer art and
architecture. Tourists are always amazed at the scale of the place.

In Angkor Wat you will find more than 100 stone monuments and temple buildings,
each of which contains countless statues, sculptures and reliefs that have weathered
extremely little over the last 800 years. To see the whole thing can take several days.
The most important temples to visit in the area are Angkor Wat, especially at sunrise or
sunset; Angkor Thom, the remains of the capital; Ta Prohm, a palace overgrown by
jungle; and Bayon.

Getting a visa

Visas are required to enter Cambodia. You can obtain one on arrival at Siem Reap
International Airport for $20, and 1 passport photo is required per person. You will also
need another passport photo for the Angkor Temple Entrance Pass. Please ensure you
take comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and plenty of water to drink as it is very
hot there. The most commonly accepted currency in Cambodia is the US dollar.

Questions
Q1 - Most people visit Siem Reap because of the temples in the area.
True False
Q2 - In the 9th to the 14th centuries, Europe was more advanced than Cambodia.
True False
Q3 - Angkor Wat was the capital of the Cambodian empire.
True False
Q4 - It took many decades to build the capital.
 True False
Q5 - The stonework of Angkor Wat is in poor condition today.
True False
Q6 - It'll take a couple of days to see everything.
True False
Q7 - Dawn and dusk are particularly good times to visit Angkor Wat.
True False
Q8 - You must get a visa before flying to Siem Reap.
True False
Q9 - You will need a couple of passport photos.
True False
Q10 - The US dollar is widely accepted in Cambodia.
True False
The First Computer Programmer
Ada Lovelace was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron. She was taught by Mary
Somerville, a well-known researcher and scientific author, who introduced her to
Charles Babbage in June 1833. Babbage was an English mathematician, who first had
the idea for a programmable computer.

In 1842 and 1843, Ada translated the work of an Italian mathematician, Luigi
Menabrea, on Babbage's Analytical Engine. Though mechanical, this machine was an
important step in the history of computers; it was the design of a mechanical general-
purpose computer. Babbage worked on it for many years until his death in 1871.
However, because of financial, political, and legal issues, the engine was never built.
The design of the machine was very modern; it anticipated the first completed general-
purpose computers by about 100 years.

When Ada translated the article, she added a set of notes which specified in complete
detail a method for calculating certain numbers with the Analytical Engine, which have
since been recognized by historians as the world's first computer program. She also saw
possibilities in it that Babbage hadn't: she realised that the machine could compose
pieces of music. The computer programming language 'Ada', used in some aviation and
military programs, is named after her.

Questions
Q1 - Ada Lovelace's teacher introduced her to Charles Babbage.
True False
Q2 - Babbage programmed the first computer.
True False
Q3 - Ada translated the article in 1842.
True False
Q4 - The Analytical Engine was electronic.
True False
Q5 - Luigi Menabrea designed the first computer.
True False
Q6 - Babbage finished the machine before he died.
True False
Q7 - Babbage's design was ahead of its time.
True False
Q8 - Ada's work was instantly recognised as being the first computer program.
True False
Q9 - Babbage saw that his machine could write music.
True False
Q10 - Ada wrote military and aviation computer programs.
True Fals
The Digital Divide
A recent survey has shown that the number of people in the United Kingdom who do
not intend to get internet access has risen. These people, who are know as 'net
refuseniks', make up 44% of UK households, or 11.2 million people in total.

The research also showed that more than 70 percent of these people said that they were
not interested in getting connected to the internet. This number has risen from just over
50% in 2005, with most giving lack of computer skills as a reason for not getting
internet access, though some also said it was because of the cost.
More and more people are getting broadband and high speed net is available almost
everywhere in the UK, but there are still a significant number of people who refuse to
take the first step.

The cost of getting online is going down and internet speeds are increasing, so many see
the main challenge to be explaining the relevance of the internet to this group. This
would encourage them to get connected before they are left too far behind. The gap
between those who have access to and use the internet is the digital divide, and if the
gap continues to widen, those without access will get left behind and miss out on many
opportunities, especially in their careers.

Questions
Q1 - More people in the UK do not intend to get internet access than before.
True False
Q2 - The majority of people in the UK are 'net refuseniks'.
True False
Q3 - Most of those without internet access want to get it.
True False
Q4 - The minority of the people surveyed in 2005 weren't interested in having internet
access.
True False
Q5 - The main reason for not getting internet access is the cost.
True False
Q6 - High speed intenet is not available everywhere in the UK.
True False
Q7 - Both costs and speeds are increasing.
True False
Q8 - Many people think that getting the costs down is the key to this problem.
True False
Q9 - The digital divide is widening in the UK.
True False
Q10 - Not having access to the internet will only affect people's careers.
True False
1. This means that
a. Do not touch unless you have wet paint
b. You must wet the paint before you touch
it
c. This thing was painted recently
d. You will be hurt if you touch this thing
2. You can see this sign in
a. A dentist's surgery
b. A supermarket
c. A police station
d. A hospital
3. Dogs must stay outside because
a. The owner of the shop does not like dogs
b. It is unhealthy for dogs inside
c. The dogs will be happier outside
d. It is unhealthy for dogs to be inside
4. This sign means
a. I am grateful you did not smoke
b. It is dangerous to smoke
c. No smoking
d. Smoking is permitted if all agree
5. This means
a. You must accept an offer before the end
of the month
b. The offer is open when the month ends
c. You have a month to accept the offer
d. The offer closes at the end of the month
Look at the text in each question. What does it say? Choose A,B or C.
1.
Rebecca,
I need Rob's email address or his mobile number. Have you got
them? I'm at my aunt's in Manchester now and I don't have my
address book with me.
Thanks!
Dave
A Dave wants Rebecca's e-mail address.
B Dave needs Rebecca's help.
C Dave wants Rebecca to phone Rob.

2. COFFEE MACHINE OUT OF ORDER

A The machine isn't working.
B Please order a new machine.
C Don't order any coffee.

3. DON'T REMOVE THIS LABEL WHEN INSTALLING THE CARTRIDGE

A First install the cartridge, then remove the label.
B When you install the cartridge, take the label off.
C Never take the label off.

4.
Cathy,
There's a street parade this weekend in my village. Harry and Lisa are
coming. Do you
want to join us? Please text or give me a call before Saturday.
Jenny
A Cathy wants Jenny to join her for the weekend.
B Jenny is inviting Cathy to a street festival.
C Jenny wants Cathy to call her on Saturday.

5. DON'T BRING FOOD OR DRINK INTO THE READING ROOM

A Food and drink can't be left outside.
B You can't eat or drink in the library unless you read a book.
C You mustn't eat or drink in the library.