【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. admission / ædˈmɪʃ ən / (n.) – the act of allowing someone to join or enter something
Example: Her excellent performance during the audition granted her admission to the theater group.
2. selective / sɪˈlɛk tɪv / (adj.) – characterized by having high standards when choosing people or things
Example: The selective club admits only highly talented people.
3. odds / ɒdz / (n.) – the chances or probability that something will happen
Example: You should study hard to increase your odds of passing the test.
4. acknowledge / ækˈnɒl ɪdʒ / (v.) – to recognize someone’s help and show gratitude for it
Example: The valedictorian acknowledged his parents in his graduation speech.
5. support system / səˈpɔrt ˈsɪs təm / (n.) – the people who give someone support (such as financial, moral, emotional, etc.)
Example: She turns to her support system in times of difficulties.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
A high school senior from New York successfully made it into all eight Ivy League schools.
Seventeen-year-old Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna, Elmont Memorial High School’s valedictorian, has been granted admission to all colleges in the Ivy League, which are among the best schools in the United States. The eight colleges include Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, Princeton University, Cornell University, Dartmouth [DAHRT-muh th] College, Brown University, and University of Pennsylvania. These colleges are also among the most selective colleges in the country; therefore, the odds of getting accepted into even one are quite low. For instance, only 6% of students who apply to Harvard and Yale are granted admission.
According to Uwamanzu-Nna, she was initially very anxious while waiting for the results, but her anxiety was immediately replaced by great joy upon hearing the good news. She acknowledged her support system for their role in her success.
Augusta comes from a family that places high value on education and hard work. According to her brother, Johnson Uwamanzu-Nna, his sister’s success was due to her initiative and perseverance. Johnson himself was admitted to several Ivy League schools and is now a freshman in Cornell University. Meanwhile, Augusta, who is passionate about environmental studies and biochemistry, has yet to decide on which college to enter.
Aside from Augusta, another New York teen was also accepted into all eight Ivy League colleges. Kelly Hyles, also 17, is from the High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College of New York, where advanced college-level classes are taught. Like Uwamanzu-Nna, Hyles also acknowledged her support system—her mother in this case—for her success. Her mother raised her singlehandedly by taking on two jobs. Hyles, who dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon, decided to enter Harvard.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· What are the advantages of getting into a good university? Discuss.
· Aside from a good education, what other factors contribute to a person’s success?
Discussion B
· What impact can a supportive family have on someone’s education?
· What is the importance of having other support systems aside from one’s family?
