Today’s picture: Jeremy Bentham

Part 1: Today's word

'Utilise' is a more formal and technical way of saying use. It’s especially common when talking about technology or resources. You can also write it 'utilize'.

Our training program utilises the latest software.
We need to improve our utilisation of resources.

Click <here for interactive exercises

Part 2: Test

Here are FOUR sentences with the word of the day. But only THREE are correct. Which is the Odd One Out?

Within a capitalist economy, money markets and price mechanisms determine the allocation and utilization of resources.

The organization needs to work towards full over-utilisation of the equipment in order to maximize efficiency and output.

Utilisation of the system was found to vary widely between different departments, which may relate to the different subcultures within the organization.

The overall increase in customer satisfaction may be attributed to a better utilization of staff resources to meet the varying demands of our clientele.

Part 3: Practice Question:

Are the resources within your university or workplace fully utilised?

Part 4: The Phrasal Five

put someone down
humiliate – make someone feel small
I didn’t like the way he used to put her down in front of his friends.

put in for something
apply for
You ought to put in for a raise.

put (it) on
pretend
I don’t believe he was really hurt. He was just putting it on to make everyone feel sorry for him.

put someone out
inconvenience someone
Are you sure you don’t mind taking me to the airport? I don’t want to put you out.

put someone up
let someone stay at your house
Don’t bother booking up a hotel. I’d be delighted to put you up for a few days

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

What is ‘The Edge’ in Aotea Square, Auckland?

a theatre
a disco
a shop
a bar

Part 6: Today's online listening:

This is an interview with Anne Kirwan from AUT University, Auckland about the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham – the founder of Utilitarianism

Vocabulary for the article:

prodigy
legacy

Questions for the article:

1) What is Jeremy Bentham’s ‘auto-icon’?

2) Why did the University of London agree to keep this ‘auto-icon’?

3) What are the two ‘masters’ of people, according to Bentham?

4) What is the basic definition of morality in Utilitarianism?

5) Why did Bentham prefer to use the term ‘well-being’ instead of happiness?

6) What two kinds of ‘well-being’ are there?

7) What criteria did Bentham suggest for the measurement of consequences?

8) Did Bentham’s view consider the issue of sustainability?

Today’s musical suggestion: from the USA
Love and Happiness by Al Green
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