T H E A B C O F F R I E N D S H I P
A friend does most of these:
(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in "you"
(C)alls you just to say "HI"
(D)oesn't give up on you!
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust "be" with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever Judges
(O)ffer support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains thing you don't understand
(Y)ells when you won't listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality
http://www.wakeupenglish.com/free_dialogues/files/dialpr25.swf
http://www.wakeupenglish.com/free_dialogues/swf/dialma23.swf
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Tiger Son - by Teresa Ng - An illustrated story. | |||
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Wind Song - by Carol Moore - An illustrated story. | |||
WAKE! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight
The Stars before him from the Field of Night,
Drives Night along with them from Heav'n, and strikes
The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light.
The Wolf and the Kid
A Kid was perched up on the top of a house, and looking down saw a Wolf passing under him. Immediately he began to revile and attack his enemy. "Murderer and thief," he cried, "what do you here near honest folks' houses? How dare you make an appearance where your vile deeds are known?"
"Curse away, my young friend," said the Wolf.
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance."
Khorassan
Shrine of Imam Reza
The historical and the famous province of Khorassan is the country's largest province with an area of 314,000 square kilometers. It is bounded on the north by the Republic of Turkmenistan, on the east by Afghanistan, on the south by the provinces of Kerman and Sistan & Baluchistan, and on the west by the provinces of Yazd, Isfahan, Semnan and Mazandaran. The word Khorassan means "where the sun rises", i.e., the East. It is a land of mountains and deserts with endless horizons and a unique enchanting tranquility and splendour. There are various types of hunting animals, protected environments, a national park and on the whole an intact natural setting in this province. The natural setting here is a spectacular dual entity with the continuation of the Alborz range and the mountains of Binaloud, Hezar Masjid and Aladagh on one hand and the vast salt desert of Lut and endless plains on the other; so that the altitude is 300 meters above sea level in Sarkhs plain and 3,520 meters on the peak of Mount Binaloud. The climate in different areas varies from hot and dry to cold highland weather; or to mild and temperate, but generally with little rain and humidity. The most well known rivers of Khorassan are Atrak, Kashaf Roud and Ghara Sou. The province's economy is based on agriculture (grains, beet, saffron, cotton and fruits), animal husbandry, light and heavy industry and rich mineral resources including natural gas (in Sarakhs). According to the latest population census, Khorassan has a population of over five million people who are generally muslim and Persian speaking. Local dialects are alaso spoken in parts of the province. Other languages spoken sporadically in the area are Turkish, Kurdish and some Arabic. There are really few religious minorities in this province and they speak their own languages.
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Saffron constitutes 13.5 percent of Iran's non-oil exports. |
The delicate flowers are harvested only in mid-autumn. The flowers begin to grow after the first rains and the blooming period is usually mid-October when the temperature is just right.
Saffron is the world's most expensive spice.
It is mainly cultivated in Kashmir, Iran, and southern Europe, particularly Spain.
Iran is the world's top producer of the spice. It supplies more than 80 percent of the world's demand with a plantation area of about 36,724 to 41,325 hectares and an annual production of 150 to 170 tons.
Due to its diverse climate and fertile soil, Iran's agriculture products are rated among the best in the world with saffron being no exception.
While saffron is planted in many regions of the country, including the southeast, Khorasan province in the northeast has the highest production share.
Vast regions in Khorasan province have managed to achieve an excellent position on the production and export of saffron over the years, to the extent that some 90 percent of saffron production in Iran is obtained from this area. The Ghaenat region is well known for its quality saffron.
Iran's saffron production has in the past decade been increasing steadily, most of which is exported overseas, mostly to the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Japan, Turkmenistan, France, Italy and even the US. The number of countries importing Iran's quality saffron is increasing, reported Persian daily Qods.
Related Figures
Some 35,000 hectares of farmlands are under saffron cultivation in the southern areas of Khorasan province.
Saffron produced in the province is estimated to reach 150 tons.
More than 85,000 households with a total population of 450,000 are engaged in the production of saffron throughout the province.
Saffron constitutes 13.5 percent of Iran's non-oil exports.
Iran exported over 68 tons of saffron valued at $37.7 million during the first half of the current year (March-September, 2004).
According to the Public Relations Department of Iran's Customs Administration, the volume of exported saffron registered rises of 29.8 percent and 52.2 percent in terms of weight and value respectively compared to the same period in the preceding year (March 2003-04). Unrivaled
Iran continues to dominate the world saffron market.
Saffron farmers in Kashmir, for example, say they are losing out in the international market due to tough competition from Iran.
Modern farming, good packaging and storage, and moderate pricing gives Iranian saffron an edge over Kashmiri saffron.
They say ever since the saffron from Iran entered the market, the demand for Kashmiri Saffron has fallen.
Iran's major markets are the world's industrialized countries such as the US and Japan.
In 2002 alone, Iran exported $2.5 million worth of saffron to as many as 40 countries.
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Iran supplies more than 80 percent of the world's saffron demand. |
But the situation could soon turn otherwise given that a number of countries, such as China and Spain are eventually finding their place in the global market through use of sophisticated cultivation and packaging methods.
Even Afghanistan is emerging as a potential rival given that it has a low-paid workforce and good climatic conditions for growing saffron. The bad news is that according to government sources, smuggling of saffron corms to the neighboring country has increased significantly in recent years.
Moreover, domestic shortfalls such as a prolonged drought, poor packaging and marketing strategies are threatening Iran's position as the world's top producer of the precious spice.
Farmers have sustained heavy damages in recent years due to poor rainfalls.
Lack of water has turned large plots of lands under saffron cultivation into wastelands. Latest statistics show drought has caused more than 16 hectares of land in Khorasan to become sterile.
Insufficient funding has further aggravated the situation. Most farmers have abandoned their farmlands because they can't afford the costs of buying and transferring water to their farms.
The future could look bleak for saffron farmers, if the government does not take the necessary action on time such as supplying the required funds to compensate for damages incurred by farmers and working out strategies to boost saffron production which will be possible through employment of advanced farming technology to avert natural disasters such as drought and floods.
Export of saffron in bulk is uneconomical and it is necessary that the government provide the necessary machinery and material for packaging.
Another threat comes from a rise in smuggling.
Out of 100-120 tons of saffron destined for overseas markets annually, only 30 percent is exported through official channels.
Exports say the need for submitting foreign exchange certificates has resulted in 70 to 80 percent of the sales to be carried out through unofficial and illegal channels.
Farmers' Woes
Saffron planters in Gonabad, north-eastern Iran, say they are selling the corms of their crops to prevent the loss they may incur as a result of drought.
One saffron planter in Kakhak, near Gonabad, who has a one-hectare farm of saffron, said, ''Saffron growers will incur a loss due to this year's drought.''
He added, ''I sold the corms of my saffron to planters in Torbat-Heidarieh and Kashmar.''
Hossein Adjam, another saffron grower in the village of Zibod said the reduction of water level in the village 'qanats' (subterranean canals) has made it impossible to irrigate the farms on time.
The director of Agriculture Office in Gonabad, Esmaeel Taj-Abadi confirmed that the corms of saffron are being sold. He said every day dozens of vehicles carry the corms to other areas.
He added around 10,000 people in Gonabad earn their living through saffron plantations but this year's drought and severe heat spell will reduce saffron production by 50 percent.
"We have given the producers of saffron 350 tons of fertilizer as well as some necessary equipment for drying so that all the products are of high quality and highest standard," the official said.
Shortage of natural and chemical fertilizers, lack of modern irrigation, and successive drought in recent years are among the major problems growers are facing, he said.
"There are not enough facilities for packaging".
Although Iran has less land under cultivation for saffron than Kashmir, but the yield there is four times as high because of irrigation.
Analysts believe that the government should give Iranian saffron a distinctive trademark, to enable it to be distinguished from its other competitors, especially from Kashmir and Spain.
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The Witch's Stew - by Everett Morse - An interactive, animated Flash story. Help the witch choose which ingredients will change her into a friendly fairy. | |||
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The Three Big Pigs - by Everett Morse - A creative new Flash animated version of the classic Three Little Pigs tale and the big bad wolf. | |||
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The Farm Animals - by Rolando Merino - An illustrated story of animal sounds. This is now a free complete online Click-a-Word Talking eBook! | |||
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Pirate's Treasure - by Carol Moore - A pirate in Jimmy's dream tells him where to find buried treasure. This is a free online sample of our latest Click-a-Word Talking eBook. buy now | |||
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Wolstencroft The Bear - by Karen Lewis - Illustrated by Michael S. Weber. | |||
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Sniffy & Fluffy Have An Adventure - by Aimee Bruneau - Illustrated by Taylour Damion - An illustrated story. | |||
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Ollie's Jar - by Carol Moore - An illustrated story with animation. | |||
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Round Bird Can't Fly - by Lea McAndrews - An illustrated story. | |||
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Kitty Wants a Box - by Carol Moore - A short illustrated story. | |||
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Buzzy Bee - by Carol Moore - A short illustrated story. See Buzzy Bee riddles, maze and coloring book below. |
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Buzzy Bee and Friends - by Carol Moore - A short illustrated story. See Buzzy Bee riddles, maze and coloring book below. |
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Buzzy Bee's Picnic - by Carol Moore - Buzzy Bee can't resist the delights of picnic food. This is a free online sample of our latest Click-a-Word Talking eBook. buy now | |||
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The Counting Story - by Rolando Merino - An illustrated story with animation. | |||
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Alphabet - by Rolando Merino - An animated story of the alphabet. | |||
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Animals You Can See at the Zoo - by Rolando Merino - An illustrated story of zoo animals with sound and animation. | |||
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The Birthday | |
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By Maureen McDonald, age 14
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| Elementary level | ||
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Michael: Hi.My name is Michael Parker.
Jennifer: I’m Jennifer Yang.
Michael: It’s nice to meet you,Jennifer.
Jennifer: Nice to meet you, too.
Michael: I’m sorry. What’s your last name again?
Jennifer: It’s Yang.
Easter Day
The silver trumpets rang across the Dome:
The people knelt upon the ground with awe:
And borne upon the necks of men I saw,
Like some great God, the Holy Lord of
Priest-like, he wore a robe more white than foam,
And, king-like, swathed himself in royal red,
Three crowns of gold rose high upon his head:
In splendour and in light the Pope passed home.
My heart stole back across wide wastes of years
To One who wandered by a lonely sea,
And sought in vain for any place of rest:
'Foxes have holes, and every bird its nest.
I, only I, must wander wearily,
And bruise my feet, and drink wine salt with tears.'
Afrikaans - Ek is lief vir jou
Albanian - te dua
Arabic - Ana Ahebak / Ana Bahibak
Arabic (to the female) - Bahebbek
Arabic (to the male) - Bahebbak
Armenian - yes kez shat em siroom
Assyr - Az tha hijthmekem
Bahasa Malayu (Malaysia) - Saya cinta mu
Bangla - Ami tomakay bala basi
Bavarian - tuI mog di
Bosnian - Ja te volim (formally) or volim-te Turkish seni seviyorum
Bulgarian - Obicham te
Cambodian (to the male) - oun saleng bon
Cambodian (to the female) - bon saleng oun
Cantonese - Ngo oi ney
Croatia - Volim te
Czech - Miluji Te
Danish - Jeg elsker dig
Dutch - Ik hou van jou
English - I love you
Esperanto - Mi amas vim
Estonian - Ma armastan sind / Mina armastan sind (formal)
Ethiopia - afekereshe alhu
Finnish - Minä rakastan sinua
Flemish (Ghent) - 'k'ou van ui
French - Je t'aime
Gaelic - Tá mé i ngrá leat
Georgian - Miquar shen
German - Ich liebe Dich
Greek - agapo se
Greek - S'agapo
Gujarati - oo tane prem karu chu
Hawaiian - Aloha au ia'oe
Hebrew - Ani ohevet ota
Hebrew fem. Plural - Ani ohav etkhen
Hebrew fem. sing. - Ani ohav otakh
Hebrew masc. or mixed plural - Ani ohav etkhem
Hebrew masc. sing. - Ani ohaw otkha
Hindi - Main tumsey pyaar karta hoon / Maine Pyar Kiya
Hungarian - Szeretlek
Icelandic - Eg elska thig
Indonesian - Aku Cinta Kamu
Indonesian - Saya cinta padamu
Italian - Ti amo/Ti voglio bene
Japanese - Anata wa, dai suki desu
Japanese - Sukiyo Javanese (formal) - Kulo tresno marang panjenengan
Javanese (informal) - aku terno kowe
Kenya (Kalenjin) - Achamin
Kenya (Kiswahili) - Ninakupenda
Korean - SA LANG HAE / Na No Sa Lan Hei
Kurdish - Khoshtm Auyt
Laos - Chanrackkun
Latin - Te amo
Latvian - Es mîlu Tevi
Lebanese - Bahibak
Lithuanian - As Myliu Tave
Macedonian - Jas Te Sakam
Malay - Saya cintakan mu / Saya cinta mu
Maltese - Inhobbok hafna
Mandarin - Wo ai ni
Nigeria (Hausa) - Ina sonki
Nigeria (Yoruba langauge) - Mo fe ran re
Norwegian - Jeg elsker deg
Pakistan (Urdu) - May tum say pyar karta hun
Persian - Tora Doost Darem
Pig Latin - I-yea Ove-lea Ou-yea
Polish - Kocham Cie
Portuguese (Brazilian) - Eu te amo
Portuguese (Continental) - Eu amo-te
Punjabi - me tumse pyar ker ta hu'
Romanian - Te iubesc
Russian - Ya tyebya lyublyu
Scottish Gaelic - 'S tough leam ort
Serbian (accent 'O') - Volim te
Serbo-Croatian - Volim te
Sign language - Spread hand out so no fingers are touching. Bring in middle & ring fingers and touch then to the palm of your hand.
Slovak - Lubim ta
Slovenian - ljubim te
South Sotho - Ke o Rata
Spanish - Te quiero / te amo / yo amor
Sri Lanka - mame adhare
Swahili - Naku penda
Swedish - Jag älskar dig
Swiss German - Ch-ha di gärn
Tagalong - Mahal Kita / Iniibig kita
Tamil - Naan Unnai Khadalikkeren
Telugu - Nenu Ninnu Premisthunnanu
Thai - Khao Raak Thoe / chun raak ter
Thai (affectionate, sweet, loving) - Khao raak thoe
Thailand - chun luk ter
Turkish - Seni Seviyorum
Ukrainian - Yalleh blutebeh / ya tebe kohayu
Urdu (to a girl) - Mea tum se pyaar karta hu
Urdu (to a boy) - Mea tum se pyar karti hu
Vietnamese - Toi yeu em
Vietnamese (Females) - Em yeu Anh
Vietnamese (Males) - Anh yeu Em
Welsh - Rwy'n dy garu di
Zambia (Chibemba) - Nali ku temwa
Zimbabwe - Ndinokuda
Zulu - Mina funani wena
The Rockford police chief and some city officials want to install video cameras in all 100 police cars. They think this will reduce the number of lawsuits filed against the city. In the last five years, Rockford has paid out more than five million dollars to settle about 40 lawsuits.
The chief said, “If cameras had been in those cars, we wouldn’t have had to pay one dime. We’re always pulling over drunks or drug users who try to fight the cops or shoot them. Then they always claim that the police started beating them first or started shooting at them first. What hogwash!”
The cost of installing cameras will be about $500 per vehicle. The city council will vote on the proposal next Monday. Ten of the 13 council members, when asked about the proposal, said that they liked the idea. One member said that it makes good fiscal sense and common sense. If the cameras are approved, they can be installed in all the cars within six weeks.
The police officers enthusiastically support camera use. One officer said that too many people think the police are liars; cameras would show citizens that police tell the truth. “The money that we’ve been spending on lawsuits will be better spent on more cameras,” said one officer.
Citizen reaction to the idea of police car cameras is mixed. One person said that the police should have started doing this years ago when video cameras were invented. But an elderly man said that cameras were an invasion of privacy. “These police are trying to stick their nose into everything,” he said. He was going to attend the council meeting to condemn the proposal. He hoped that other citizens would join him.
Bom dia (hello)! My name is Messias and I live in Brazil. I like to eat feijoada(fay-zhoh-AH-dah) and caipirinha (kye-peer-EEN-yah). I am 10 years old and will finish school in four years. Kids go to school from 7 years old to 14 years old in my country. In Brazil we have only 4 hours of school a day. We have school uniforms that include T-shirts with the schools' name on it.
The people in my country come from many backgrounds. Like most of the people in my country, I am from European ancestry. I am German, Italian, and Spanish. Believe it or not there are less than 1% of the original Brazilians, called Indians, still living in our country. Like most of the people in my country, my family is of the Roman Catholic religion.
Here are some more facts about my country. Brazil is the world's greatest grower and exporter of coffee. Everyone in Brazil likes soccer, especially me, and you can tell because there is a stadium in every city. Many mountain climbers like to climb Pico da Neblina because it is the highest point in Brazil, being 9,888 feet.
3\4 of Brazilians like me live in cities, most of which are on the coast. Brazil is home to most of the Amazon River which is 4001 miles long! (That's a long boat trip!) I live in the capital city of Brazil, Brasilia. It is in the center of Brazil (rare occasion eh?). I like to visit The Iguacu Falls. This is made up of 275 waterfalls.
The other big cities in Brazil are Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. There are over 11 million people living in Sao Paulo which makes it one of the most populated cities in the entire world! Rio de Janeiro is a popular place for tourists to visit and is known for its beautiful coastline and many festivals.
When I walk to school each day I see many food vendors selling pineapples, melons, grapes, Brazil nuts, and locally grown palm fruit. In Brazil we speak Portuguese. Each week I get 50 centavos. There are 100 centavos to a real. In Brazil alcohol costs 40% less than gasoline. (But I'm to young to drink it!)
Sadly, 60% of Brazilian homes have no toilets or drains, 52% have no waste collection, and 70% have no running water. Rubber is found in the Amazon rain forest to make tires and shoes. I guess I better rap things up. Tchau!
Using Comparisons
There are two ways to make a comparison in English.
1.) Use more in front of the adjective.
--It's more exciting.
2.) Add -er to end of the adjective.
--A bus is cheaper than a taxi.
To complete a comparison, use than.
--I am older than my wife.
For most one-syllable adjectives, use -er: older, wiser, etc. For most two and three-syllable
adjectives, use more: more recent. For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, use -er. Note that the y is
changed to i in words such as busy (busier) and pretty (prettier).
It is sometimes hard to decide whether to use more or -er in a comparison. In fact, there are many
common adjectives that use either form (such as able, angry, cruel, friendly, polite, quiet, simple,
etc.). Listening and practice with speaking the language will help you more than any number of
rules. Finally, note the following irregular forms:
good-->better
little-->less
bad-->worse
far-->farther
Adverbs can also be used in comparisons. More is used with adverbs that end in -ly:
slowly-->more slowly
careful-->more carefully
Use -er with one-syllable adverbs: faster, harder, sooner, closer, etc.
Note these irregular forms:
well-->better
far-->farther
badly-->worse





















