International Students NZ

Today’s Picture: Spring Flowers in Christchurch

Part 1: Today's word

‘Deteriorate’ is a more formal way of saying ‘get worse’. It’s the opposite of ‘improve’. If conditions on the road are deteriorating, you probably ought to stay at home. And deteriorating relations between countries may lead to conflict, if nothing is done about it. The noun is ‘deterioration’.

Part 2: Test

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

The situation in the city centre has deteriorated, with gunfire reported from several areas.

Changes take place in the sensory area too, with noticeable deterioration in sight, hearing and taste from the middle years on.

The firm deteriorated its market position through an ill-conceived promotional campaign and poor distribution.

Relations between the Church and State deteriorated as the educational reforms were implemented.

Part 3: Practice Questions:

In what ways has the economy deteriorated over the last year?

Is your local environment deteriorating? If so, what can be done to arrest or reverse this deterioration?

Part 4: Vocabulary Review

a skeleton in the cupboard
I’ve got a bone to pick with you
break a leg!
a bone of contention
to cut the budget to the bone
work your fingers to the bone
she doesn’t have a bad bone in her body

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

Which Indian cultural festival took place in Central Auckland last weekend?

More information here

Part 6: More information Today’s online listening

This is an interview from Radio New Zealand with Professor Jean Fleming from Otago University. She gives some fascinating information about our bones.

Questions for the listening:

1) Which of these is mentioned as a benefit of bones?

improvement of blood supply
protection of vital organs
ability to survive in water

2) Which of these is a common misconception about bones?

they are not living tissues
they are only found in land mammals
they tend to deteriorate as we grow older

3) Which of these is found in long strings which reinforce bone?

calcium
collagen
salt

4) Osteoblasts and osteoclasts work together to control the level of ..

calcium
collagen
salt

5) How many years does it take for your whole skeleton to be renewed?

40
25
10

6) Which of these groups of people would benefit most from a high calcium diet?

young female marathon runners
people in their twenties
middle-aged women

Today’s media link:

a visual guide to the skeleton, from the BBC

Today’s Video suggestion:

Dry Bones performed by the Delta Rhythm Boys

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