This advanced reading material will help students acquire the knowledge to decipher the turbulent modern world. The texts span a wide range of familiar topics such as media, politics, international relations, natural science, technology, etc., which are elucidated in easy-to-understand 1,000-word English passages, eliminating the need for prior knowledge. Critical reading skills are cultivated through quality writing. Each chapter includes exercises to improve vocabulary and discussion skills, as well as trivia columns to spark a deeper interest in the topics. In addition to sample translations, answers, and explanations of the main text and columns, the teacher’s materials include a quiz for each unit.

Contents

Chapter 1     The Art of Persuasion: What is the key to making a good argument? 

Chapter 2     Cool as Ice: Can ice hockey become a truly global sport? 

Chapter 3     Cancel Culture: Is it time to reconsider the limits of free speech? 

Chapter 4     Nintendo Power: How did video games become so popular? 

Chapter 5     Striving for Greatness: What makes someone the greatest of all time? 

Chapter 6     As the World Burns: What is fueling wildfires around the globe? 

Chapter 7     Rise of the Machines: Are human beings becoming obsolete? 

Chapter 8     The Call of the Wild: Why do humans and dogs have such a special bond?

Chapter 9     Ready for Launch: How is the private sector transforming space travel?

Chapter 10   The Mind’s Eye: Is the world around us what it actually appears to be?

Chapter 11   Ahead in the Polls: How reliable are public opinion polls?

Chapter 12   By the Sword: How did the Roman Republic turn into an empire?

Chapter 13   Democratic Ideals: What is democracy?

Chapter 14   This Means War: What lessons can we learn from ancient conflicts?

Chapter 15   Luck of the Draw: How important is luck for success in life?

Chapter 16   In the Beginning: What is the link between religion and cosmology?

Chapter 17   Staring into the Abyss: Why is there something instead of nothing?

Chapter 18   Condemned to be Free: Is free will just an illusion?

Chapter 19   End of the Road: How is it all going to end?

Chapter 20   In the Grand Scheme of Things: What is the meaning of life?

(Total 20 Units)