01 The term gas station is used to refer to facilities that sell gasoline to the public. In the past, they were sometimes referred to as service stations. This was due to the fact that they also offered services such as making repairs, changing oil, and providing free road maps. However, it would seem that today s gas stations cannot be called by this alternative name. They still offer gasoline, but that s all. In most cases, drivers must pump their own gas. Even at stations where workers will pump gas for an additional fee, they no longer provide other services once offered as a courtesy, such as checking oil or cleaning windshields. As for mechanics, they can rarely be found at gas stations anymore. 1
02 A caul, otherwise known as a veil, is a thin layer of cell membrane that attaches itself to a baby s skin, usually around the face. Only 1 in every 80,000 children is born with a caul covering their face or head. Because this is such a rare occurrence, many cultures around the world developed superstitions and myths about it. For instance, coal miners carried cauls with them while working underground, for they believed that the cauls would help them avoid danger. And in Rome, lawyers carried cauls, believing that they would help them in the courtroom. Other cultures believed that children who were born with a caul were lucky and unable to drown. Therefore, sailors who carried cauls were thought to be protected from drowning at sea. 2
03 Many scientists have long been predicting the loss of animal and plant species due to climate change. But according to a new study, these predictions haven t taken species competition and movement into account. This means it is likely that they have underestimated the extent of future extinctions. The lead researcher of the study explained that past climate change studies have focused on the weather without looking at the effects animals have on each other. When animals move to new areas due to changes in the weather, they compete with one another for limited food and may even eat each other. He suggested that the first step to making a more accurate prediction of the loss of animal and plant diversity should be to include this information in future climate change studies. By doing so scientists could better predict which species are at the greatest risk of extinction. 3
04 06 Jason, a young man in his early twenties, was waiting to see his doctor. One month earlier, he had been involved in a terrible car accident. Although he survived the crash, he had lost his left leg from the knee down. Now, feeling scared and depressed, he was waiting to be fitted for an artificial leg. Just then, a woman and a young boy walked into the waiting room together. The boy was wearing a large patch over one of his eyes. After speaking with the nurse, they sat down next to Jason. While the boy played with a toy car, the woman introduced herself and began to chat with Jason. She explained that her son had also been in an accident and had lost one of his eyes. Jason felt bad for the boy and asked him if he was okay. Of course I m okay! he replied with a smile. There s nothing wrong with me! I m just a pirate! Then he went back to playing with his car. 4
These words had a powerful effect on Jason. Until that point, he had been feeling sorry for himself. Over and over again, he had worried about how he could go through life as a disabled person. But here was a young boy facing the same kind of difficulties, and he wasn t afraid at all. Suddenly Jason imagined himself dressed as the famous pirate Long John Silver. He and the boy were standing aboard a ship sailing through a storm across the sea. A few minutes later, the nurse called his name. Jason grabbed his crutches and struggled out of his chair. As he stood up, he noticed the young boy staring at him with a worried look on his face. Hey, mister, what s wrong with you? he asked. For a moment, Jason felt ashamed of his condition. But then a sudden feeling of strength and pride filled his chest. Nothing! he replied. I m a pirate, too. Smiling, he walked without fear into the doctor s office. 5