The All-Electric VF 8: Sustainable Luxury Within Reach

State-of-the-art technology and unrivaled interior space combined (1) __________ stunning Pininfarina design create a one-of-a-kind vehicle, the VinFast VF 8. It is built with premium craftsmanship and high-quality parts (2) __________ for safety, reliability, and comfort on every journey.

Innovations for life (3) __________ every journey in the VF 8 more than just a drive. Advanced and smart applications with a 15.6-inch touchscreen and access to VF Online packages let you manage your home, work uninterrupted, and stay (4) __________, all remotely and safely in the VF8, all from your fingertips.

With over-the-air (OTA) updates, your VinFast becomes future-proof thanks to regular automatic or manual updates to the operating system, apps, and system that keep your vehicle up-to-date and always feeling brand new. Every VinFast electric car is built for protection by (5) __________ a full range of safety features and smart design to keep your eyes on the road, and a (6) __________ to alert emergency services when in an accident.

Live more. Worry less. Dive into the world of electric vehicle ownership and the way it's meant to be experienced.

(Adapted from https://vinfastauto.us/vehicles/vf-8)

To Conserve Energy, Start at Home!

Let's explore what we can do at home each day to save energy.

In the U.S., buildings (1) __________ 40% of total energy consumption. The (2) __________ of households using energy-efficient appliances has increased, yet many still waste electricity. This unnecessary consumption (3) __________ to climate change and higher utility bills.

Positive action!

- Save energy in the living room. Ensure your TV is completely turned off - not just in sleep mode - when you aren't watching it. You should also opt for LEDs whenever possible. LED TVs consume significantly less energy than plasma or LCD models. Additionally, LED lightbulbs use up to 75% less energy and last much longer than traditional lightbulbs. You could save up to $40 per year by replacing five traditional light bulbs with ENERGY STAR (4) __________ bulbs.

- Unplug devices when not in use. Many electronics draw power even when turned off, so make it a habit to unplug chargers, computers, and (5) __________ devices to reduce energy waste.

- (6) __________ your current energy sources, consider renewable energy options, such as installing solar panels, as they not only reduce your carbon footprint but can also save you money in the long run.

(Adapted from https://www.saveonenergy.com/resources/how-to-save-energy-at-home/)

Bruno Mars has once again taken the global music scene by storm with his latest hit song, "APT." Dominating the charts, (1) __________. The song has captivated audiences worldwide, achieving remarkable success on various music charts.

"APT." has secured its position at the top of the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts for an impressive seven consecutive weeks. (2) __________. The track's success is driven by a combination of strong streaming numbers and robust sales data, (3) __________.

In the competitive arena of global music charts, "APT." stands out not only for its own success but also for its ability to coexist with classic hits. This holiday season, traditional favorites have made a significant impact, reclaiming positions in the top 10. Notably, songs like Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and Wham's "Last Christmas" have reemerged, adding a nostalgic touch to the current chart landscape. Additionally, Lady Gaga and Mars' collaboration, "Die with a Smile", (4) __________, having previously held the top spot for several weeks.

The streaming figures for "APT." are nothing short of exceptional, demonstrating its widespread appeal. Throughout different weeks in 2024, the song has consistently achieved high streaming numbers. (5) __________. As the song continues to captivate audiences worldwide, it remains a testament to Mars' ability to create music that resonates across diverse listener demographics.

(Adapted from https://www.royaltyexchange.com/blog/rose-bruno-mars-apt)

Robot teachers

1. If you think of the jobs robots could never do, you would probably put doctors and teachers at the top of the list. It's easy to imagine robot cleaners and factory workers, but some jobs need human connection and creativity. But are we underestimating what robots can do? In some cases, they already perform better than doctors at diagnosing illness. Also, some patients might feel more comfortable sharing personal information with a machine than a person. Could there be a place for robots in education after all?

2. British education expert Anthony Seldon thinks so. And he even has a date for the robot takeover of the classroom: 2027. He predicts robots will do the main job of transferring information and teachers will be like assistants. Intelligent robots will read students' faces, movements and maybe even brain signals. Then they will adapt the information to each student. It's not a popular opinion and it's unlikely that robots will ever have empathy and the ability to really connect with humans like another human can.

3. One thing is certain, though. A robot teacher is better than no teacher at all. In some parts of the world, there aren't enough teachers and 9 - 16 percent of children under the age of 14 don't go to school. That problem could be partly solved by robots because they can teach anywhere and won't get stressed, or tired, or move somewhere for an easier, higher-paid job.

4. Those negative aspects of teaching are something everyone agrees on. Teachers all over the world are leaving because it is a difficult job and they feel overworked. Perhaps the question is not “Will robots replace teachers?” but “How can robots help teachers?” Office workers can use software to do things like organise and answer emails, arrange meetings and update calendars. Teachers waste a lot of time doing non-teaching work, including more than 11 hours a week marking homework. If robots could cut the time teachers spend marking homework and writing reports, teachers would have more time and energy for the parts of the job humans do best.

(Adapted from https://learnenglish.brtishcoucil.org/)

1. If nanotechnology sounds too far-fetched, looking at what geckos can do might be a good starting point. These lizards could quickly snatch the champion title in a climbing competition should there be one. Watching them climb upside down on a horizontal pane of glass, one can't help thinking that Spiderman should really have been called Geckoman. Without breaking a sweat, they can easily hang from a single toe, and they do so by pure adhesion, not by sticking a toe in a hole or by curling it around something they can grip. Scientists estimate that if all its toes touch the glass, it could take the weight of a 100kg person suspended below it, of course, under the condition that the rest of the body were strong enough. Although each toe is equipped with a tiny hook-like claw at the end, these are almost useless on the glass. The secret to geckos' superpower lies in the amazing structure of the skin of their toes.

2. [I] Over the past 15 years, scientists have been working tirelessly to try to unlock the secrets of the stickiness of gecko toes and come up with a way to artificially reproduce the same structure of nano-hairs. [II] This is one example of research in the field widely known as nanotechnology. In this field, the technology developed can be measured in a few nanometres (one nanometre is a millionth of a millimetre), meaning that how it works can only be visible when seen under a microscope. [III] It was the American theoretical physicist Richard Feynman who set the quest in motion at the beginning of the 1960s, but the "nano" catchphrase was coined in the 1990s by Dr. Eric Drexler, who spurred scientists on through a series of speeches and a book entitled "Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology". [IV]

3. According to nanoscientists, one application of nanotechnology that will make the biggest splash in the media will be the gloves and the boots that will allow rock-climbers to take their sport to previously undreamed of heights. But the technology could also be used in surgery to keep the edges of wounds together without the need of stitches. There will also be a huge potential in the manufacturing sector to stick millions of components together tighter than ever before without glues or screws.