Making Work Fun: The Levity Effect (Step 2)
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ReadOasis Step 2 A manager at a company was interviewing a job candidate. The manager said, “We need a very responsible person for this job. We need someone who can take charge.” The candidate’s eyes lit up, and he answered with great confidence. “Sir, your search ends here! I’m... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit The floor, wall, and windows began to shake violently. “What in the world?” said John as he looked out the second... Read more
Practice Makes Genius (Step 3)
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ReadOasis Step 3 Creative Commons Photo by Ludovic Peron Tiger Woods started playing golf when he was two years old. Basically from birth, Tiger was trained by his father to become a great golfer. As a boy, baseball marvel Ichiro Suzuki practiced with his father every day. The practice... Read more
The Future on Your Wrist (Step 2)
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By Tek Smith ReadOasis Step 2 The world was waiting with excitement. Three years earlier, Steve Jobs had died. Jobs was the head of Apple Computer. Under his leadership, Apple released many original products. These products included the iPod, the iPhone, iTunes, and the iPad. These Apple products caused... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 There are many ways to learn English. But language study is often hard, and most people don’t enjoy it. After all, grammar books and language drills are not meant to be fun. Is there a fun way to learn English? The answer is a big “YES!”... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) It was dark outside and freezing. Ice and snow shined gray and white under the light of the moon and the lights on the streets. In the surrounding valley, an icy breeze blew through the trees and over the cold waters of the Susquehanna... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 Jane took a deep breath. She reached for the door, opened it, and stepped into the room. When she looked up, she saw five men in dark suits, sitting in a row. Jane introduced herself and took another deep breath. The man in the middle waved... Read more
Songs of Survival
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ReadOasis Step 3 It was my twentieth birthday. I was sitting in the family piano room when my father opened the door. He had a big smile on his face, and he said, "Happy Birthday!" Then he handed me a big box. Inside was a new guitar. It was... Read more
By Benjamin Franklin ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Benjamin Franklin By David Martin "The Way to Wealth" is an essay written by Benjamin Franklin in 1758. In it, Franklin focuses on two main ideas. The first is hard work, which he often calls “industry.” For example, an industrious person... Read more
The Biggest Sporting Event
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ReadOasis Step 2 In 1982, England and Argentina were at war. They were fighting over the Falkland Islands. The English took the islands. But even today, Argentina claims them as their own. In 1986, England and Argentina fought again. But this time, it was in Mexico, at the World... Read more
Learn to Be Lucky (Step 3)
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ReadOasis Step 3 Devin woke up late. He skipped breakfast and got in his car and drove off in a hurry. But the traffic was dreadful. "Another bad day," he said to himself. "Maybe I will have another accident." But he didn't have one more accident. He had two... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 Eating hot dogs is an American tradition. And July is National Hot Dog Month in the United States. Hot dogs are also called frankfurters. This name comes from Frankfurt, Germany, where hot dogs were first served on bread buns. They are also called wieners, a name... Read more
$80,000 for One Song
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ReadOasis Step 2 The room is dark. You are alone. You are drinking a coke and downloading some songs from the Internet. Then you hear a crash. Your heart stops as you hear a man shout. "This is the police!" You catch your breath and say, "What?" Then another... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 Anna Mary Sewell (March 30, 1820 - April 25, 1878) was an English novelist. She wrote the classic novel Black Beauty. Her mother taught her at home until the age of twelve. Then Anna started attending school. Two years later, Anna slipped while walking home from... Read more
Get Down to Business in English
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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) A Big Decision As usual, the boss spoke clearly and in short sentences. “Okay, it’s decided. This meeting is over. You all know what to do.” One by one, the managers closed their notebooks and stood up. There were no jokes and no laughter.... Read more
The Artful Geisha (Step 2)
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ReadOasis Step 2 Geisha are traditional female entertainers from Japan. They are skilled at various Japanese arts, such as traditional music, dancing, and poetry. The word "geisha" comes from (GEI) meaning "art" and (SHA) meaning "person." In this sense, a geisha is an artist. In the 1920's, about 80,000... Read more
Culture of Innovation (Step 2)
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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) It was a warm summer evening. The sun had already set, and the city lights were shining. In a busy part of Tokyo, people were leaving work. Some were going home. Others were going out to enjoy the evening. It was an ordinary night.... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 He is the star of books, movies, and TV shows. Maybe you know him from the film The Mask, with Jim Carrey. Perhaps you know him from the TV show Frasier, or maybe you saw him in the film My Dog Skip. He is full of... Read more
A Simple Recipe for Learning English
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ReadOasis Step 1 To learn English, we need words. Most English native speakers know between 12,000 and 20,000 words. Shakespeare used 31,534 words. And he probably knew more. How many words do you know? Naomi knows 95% of the words in Alice in Wonderland. She understands it without a... Read more
ReadOasis Step 5 Scientists have been experimenting with four-legged robots for years. They want robots to carry heavy loads over difficult areas of land and do other difficult jobs. Creative Commons photo by Jiuguang-Wang But one problem is power. Now that has changed. Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of... Read more