Today’s picture: Tree with berries, Christchurch, June 2009 (thanks to Glenys for the photo)

Click on 'play' above to hear today's programme

Part 1: Today's word

Predominant means the most common, most noticeable or most powerful one of a number of different varieties or factors.

Click here for interactive exercises on academic vocabulary and writing.

Part 2: Test

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

Interaction is the predominant feature of the so-called ‘web 2.0’ sites.

Taxation is, of course, the predominant means of raising finance for Government spending.

The project began as a rather weak response to market pressures, but became increasingly predominant as the months passed.

Research in psychology is still predominantly quantitative, despite the growing awareness of its limitations.

Part 3: Practice Questions:

What are the predominant features of your work or study?

What’s your predominant feeling about the current economic downturn?

Part 4: The Idiomatic Five

make all the difference
is important
It’s easy enough to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ but, believe me, it makes all the difference.

get your foot in the door
take a first step in business / career etc
I know it’s not the best job in the world, but at least you’ll get your foot in the door. They’ll train you up and who knows?

on your doorstep
local
It’s great living here in Ponsonby. All the shops, cinemas and restaurants are on your doorstep.

down-to-earth
realistic
I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer, but my wife is much more down-to-earth.

it’s like water off a duck’s back
it doesn’t bother me
They can say what they like about me in the Press. It’s like water off a duck’s back.

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

What is the current New Zealand strategy for dealing with the outbreak of the new form of influenza?

prevention
containment
management
treatment

Part 6: Today's online listening:

This is a short programme about the new influenza – the H1N1 virus (often called ‘swine flu’). The programme includes two interviews: one with a New Zealander who is recovering from the flu and the other with someone responsible for the national health strategy.

Vocabulary for the article:

to contract (an illness)
influenza
flu
epidemic
pandemic
outbreak
onset
contagious
stockpile
a dose

Questions for the article:

1) Susie contracted ‘swine’ flu while travelling in ...

Mexico
the USA
Australia
Europe

2) Which of these symptoms did Susie experience from ‘swine flu’ that she hadn’t experienced with flu previously?

a runny nose
dry mouth
sore knees and elbows
coughing

3) What gave Susie most relief from her symptoms?

special flu medicine
common non-prescription painkillers
phone support from the hospital A & E
staying in quarantine

4) During her period of isolation ...

she had to stay alone in her own flat
she wasn’t permitted to leave her room
she depended on family support
she had to give up work

5) Susie’s main complaint concerns ..

the necessity of her isolation
the lack of information
the effectiveness of the medication
the media coverage of the outbreak

6) According to Fran MacGrath, H1N1 cases in New Zealand are predominantly ..

associated with overseas travel
failures of local containment
community based
spread through family contacts

7) The underlying aim of the containment strategy is

reversing the current upward trend of cases
preventing person-to-person transmission in New Zealand
stopping overseas travellers from bringing the virus into New Zealand
reducing the overall impact of the outbreak

8) A move to a management strategy will mean ...

an end to the policy of school or class closures
a focus on letting people know which kind of flu they have
more emphasis on the wearing of masks by the general public
people with flu being encouraged to continue working and studying

9) Based on historical records, it’s likely that this first outbreak of H1N1 flu ...
will spread slowly
will not be too severe
will respond to antibiotics
will most severely affect the elderly

10) According to Fran MacGrath, tamiflu is an effective treatment ..

for the H1N1 flu if taken early enough
for reducing symptoms of all types of flu
for those sufferers who are not resistant
for anyone concerned about health risks from flu

Today’s musical suggestion: from the USA
Love is contagious performed by Taja Seville
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