International Students NZ

Today’s picture: Spring bluebells

Part 1: Today's word

A stimulus is something that is designed to make something else happen as a response. So, for instance, an interesting research report will act as a stimulus for more research in the same area. Like many other Latin words ending in –us, the plural is irregular – it is stimuli. Many governments have announced fiscal stimuli to encourage more consumer spending – for instance, by giving people a discount if they exchange their old car for a new one. In psychology, the study of stimuli and responses is especially associated with behaviourism, for example, the famous experiment of Pavlov, where dogs were conditioned to respond to the stimulus of a bell ringing (because it was associated with food).

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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?

I was rather surprised by her negative stimulus to my proposal, since she had encouraged me to develop it.

It is hoped that the new prize will be a stimulus to research in this important field.

The students were advised to treat the questions as a stimulus for exploration of their own ideas on the subject.

The new Free Trade Agreement is expected to provide a stimulus for growth in educational exchanges.

Part 3: Practice Questions:

What fiscal stimuli have been used by governments to encourage economic growth?

Part 4: Vocabulary focus

get your money’s worth
hush money
a money-spinner
put your money where your mouth is

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

With which Asian country has New Zealand signed a new Free Trade deal ?

Part 6: Today’s online listening

This is an interview with Dr Neville Bennett about the implications of the weak US dollar for the world economy

Vocabulary for the article:

bail out
stockpile

Questions for the article:

1) What evidence is there that the US dollar is in decline?

Fewer dollars are being bought by major central banks
A new gold-based currency has been launched
International banks are stockpiling Chinese currency

2) Which of these is a reason for the low value of the US dollar?

higher personal savings in the US
a growing national debt
a 10% rise in US taxation

3) Which of these currencies is pegged to the US dollar?

Chinese Yuan / RMB
Japanese Yen
UK pound sterling

4) How long does the effect of a recession output last on average?

7 years
4 years
3 years

5) What advantage does Dr Bennett believe that New Zealand has compared to the US?

Better public services
More advanced agriculture
A more multicultural workforce

Today’s news story:
Australia coastal living at risk

Today’s Video suggestion:
Shake your moneymaker by Fleetwood Mac