Issue 285 - The bright side of news

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Basic

Vocabulary: Feelings

Look and listen to words with similar meanings.

 

 Can you remember? Choose the correct option.

 

 

The bright side of news

Listen to the podcast and read.

The bright side of news

In today’s world, reading the news can often seem like hard work. With headlines dominated by crises, conflicts, and disasters, it’s easy to become tired and sad. Reading negative stories every day can make us feel helpless and worried about the state of the world.

However, there is good news too. "Reasons to Be Cheerful," is a digital publication created by musician and artist David Byrne. It started in 2019 and is a platform that is different from typical news sources. It aims to share positive stories, inspiring ideas, and solutions that demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit.

The "Reasons to Be Cheerful" platform, reports on social issues to exciting new projects aimed at environmental sustainability. The aim is to inform and also help readers to be optimistic.

The news stories are about cities and towns, farms and food, climate and the environment, health, and the economy. An example is a story about how farmers in Bangladesh are growing pumpkins in sand, using unfertile land to produce food and help fight poverty.

By focusing on what’s working in the world, the site encourages us to change our perspective, reminding us that there are many individuals and communities making a difference every day. This news service is a necessary reminder that hope and positivity also exist in this world.

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Intermediate

 

The bright side of news

Listen to the podcast and read. Then answer the questions in the Comprehension section.

The bright side of news

In today’s world, reading the news can often seem like hard work. With headlines dominated by crises, conflicts, and disasters, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and worried. The constant stream of negative stories can leave us feeling helpless and anxious about the state of the world.

However, there are rays of hope. Enter "Reasons to Be Cheerful," a digital publication created by musician and artist David Byrne. Launched in 2019, this innovative platform is quite different from typical news sources. Its mission? To spotlight positive stories, inspiring initiatives, and solutions that demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit.

"Reasons to Be Cheerful" covers a wide range of content, from grassroots movements taking on social issues to exciting new projects aimed at environmental sustainability. Each article is thoughtfully written to inform and also uplift readers, proving that progress is possible even in challenging times.

Areas of focus cover categories such as cities and towns, farms and food, climate and the environment, health, and the economy. Stories can be, for example, about how Barcelona is turning subway trains into power stations, making them a sustainable energy source, or how farmers in Bangladesh are growing pumpkins in sand, using unfertile land to produce food and help fight poverty.

By focusing on what’s working in the world, the site encourages us to change our perspective, reminding us that there are many individuals and communities making a difference every day. In a media landscape often filled with despair, Byrne’s initiative serves as a necessary reminder that hope and positivity can thrive.

Now answer the questions in the Comprehension section.

Comprehension: Check your understanding

Choose the correct option.

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Advanced

 

Staying motivated when learning a language

Listen to the podcast and read. Then answer the questions in the Comprehension section.

The bright side of news

In today’s fast-paced world, reading the news can often feel like a daunting task. With headlines dominated by crises, conflicts, and calamities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and disheartened. The constant barrage of negative stories can leave us feeling helpless and anxious about the state of the world.

However, amid the gloom, there are rays of hope. Enter "Reasons to Be Cheerful," a digital publication created by musician and artist David Byrne. Launched in 2019, this innovative platform stands in stark contrast to the typical news cycle. Its mission? To spotlight positive stories, inspiring initiatives, and solutions that showcase the resilience of the human spirit.

"Reasons to Be Cheerful" curates a wide range of content, from grassroots movements tackling social issues to groundbreaking projects aimed at environmental sustainability. Each article is thoughtfully crafted to not only inform but also uplift readers, proving that progress is possible even in challenging times.

Areas of focus fall into a range of categories, such as; cities and towns, farms and food, climate and the environment, health, and the economy. Stories cover such topics as that of how Barcelona is turning subway trains into power stations, making them a sustainable energy source, or how farmers in Bangladesh are growing pumpkins in sand, using unfertile land to produce food and help fight poverty.

By focusing on what’s working in the world, the site encourages us to shift our perspective, reminding us that there are countless individuals and communities making a difference every day. In a media landscape often filled with despair, Byrne’s initiative serves as a much-needed reminder that hope and positivity can thrive.

Now answer the questions in the Comprehension section.

Comprehension: Check your understanding

Choose the correct option.

Interview: listen to more about the topic

Think about your answers to the following questions. Then listen to somebody answering the same questions. Were your answers similar?

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