Global Insights: Culture, Innovation, and Hidden Histories

Posted on Nov 5, 2025 in English

A Collection of Insights and Discoveries

The Meaning of Colour and Symbolism

Comprehension Check:

  1. 1c, 2b

True/False Statements (T/F)

  • 2.1. F: “however-modern times”
  • 2.2. T: “blood-cheeks”
  • 2.3. T: “green jealousy”

Key Concepts

3. Colors have acquired new meanings in modern times.

4. Specific associations:

  • 4.1. He/she is angry.
  • 4.2. Displaying it signaled wealth and prestige.
  • 4.3. It is associated with green.

Vocabulary

5.1. ages, 5.2. ruins, 5.3. reinforces, 5.4. displaying

Bus-Stop Libraries: Promoting Literacy and Recycling

Comprehension Check (T/F)

  • 1.1. F: “former butcher”
  • 1.2. F: “books may be for an unlimited time”
  • 1.3. F: “others established”

Benefits of Bus-Stop Libraries

2. They help connect people, encourage literacy, and recycle used books.

Details and Expansion

  1. 3.1. Bookmobiles allowed people access to lending libraries.
  2. 3.2. Users may borrow books 24 hours a day and keep them for an unlimited time.
  3. 3.3. Given their success, these programs may soon be adopted in some cities in the US.

Contextual Information

  • 4.1. The original location was in a butcher shop.
  • 4.2. People now have bus stops with free libraries.
  • 4.3. People are less bored waiting for the bus.

Multiple Choice Answers

5.1c, 5.2a, 5.3d

The Barefoot College: Training Solar Engineers

Comprehension Check

  1. 1c, 1.2b

True/False Statements (T/F)

  • 2.1. T: “the need for villages”
  • 2.2. F: “the college powered”
  • 2.3. T: “classes India”

Instruction and Funding

3.1. Instruction is effective because much of it is done by demonstrations, gestures, and hands-on practice.

3.2. The college is funded by the United Nations and private institutions.

Objectives and Preferences

  • 4.1. The primary objective is to train solar engineers.
  • 4.2. This approach is preferred by the college.

Contextual Details

  • 5.1. The person who originally established the college is a wealthy Indian.
  • 5.2. The college addresses the issue of girls getting married before they are 18.

Vocabulary/Phrasal Verbs

6.1. work out, 6.2. attend, 6.3. aid

Jumping to Fame: Parkour and Stunts

Comprehension Check

  1. 1.a, 1.2.b, 1.3.b

True/False Statements (T/F)

  • 2.1. F: “Marcus martial art”
  • 2.2. F: “that did training”
  • 2.3. T: “this climbing”

Personal Approach to Training

3.1. He avoids exercising if he feels tired nor ill, or is not in the right frame of mind.

Career and Motivation

  • 4.1. He wanted to have a record of his activities.
  • 4.2. He can’t work as a stuntman.

Challenges and Exercise Habits

  • 5.1. He wasn’t challenged enough by these sports.
  • 5.2. If he feels well, he doesn’t exercise.

Vocabulary

6.1. unusual, 6.2. challenging, 6.3. risky, 6.4. urban

Discontinued Items at McDonald’s Menu Failures

Comprehension Check

  1. 1.b, 2.a

True/False Statements (T/F)

  • 2.1. F: “… appealing countries.”
  • 2.2. F: “preferred Hula burger”
  • 2.3. F: “This beef.”
  • 2.4. T: “most bun”

Reason for Failure

3. The item was taken off the menu because when it was first introduced, Africans were experiencing a famine, and it was considered to be “in poor taste.”

McDonald’s Actions

  • 4.1. McDonald’s introduced the Hula Burger.
  • 4.2. McDonald’s collected donations for hunger-relief charities.

Brand Recognition and Failure Factors

  • 5.1. Customers recognize its Golden Arches everywhere.
  • 5.2. Lack of recognition is an important reason why dishes fail.

Vocabulary

6.1. vary, 6.2. last, 6.3. recover.

The Art of Video Games: Debate and Definition

Comprehension Check

  1. 1.b, 2.c, 3.a

True/False Statements (T/F)

  • 2.1. F: “Michelangelo work.”
  • 2.2. T: “The question is not.”

Arguments for and Against Artistic Merit

Support:
They combine many elements of classic art.
Oppose:
They are created for commercial purposes.

Analysis and Perspective

  • 4.1. Critics haven’t paid much attention to the artistic merits of this genre.
  • 4.2. To answer this question, one should look at the definition of art.

Related Topics

  • 5.1. The discussion is about the advantages and disadvantages of video games.
  • 5.2. Developers consider themselves artists.

Vocabulary

6.1. pleasing, 6.2. convey, 6.3. purchased, 6.4. well-off

Edith Garrud: Suffragette Self-Defense Pioneer

Comprehension Check

  1. 1.c, 2.b

True/False Statements (T/F)

  • 2.1. F: “… Edith robbers.”
  • 2.2. F: “the bodyguard prison”
  • 2.3. F: “… her contribution forgotten…”

The Cat and Mouse Act

3. The act allowed suffragettes to be arrested and then released if they went on a hunger strike.

Historical Context

  • 4.1. The movement was started in 1872 by the suffragettes.
  • 4.2. She died in 1971, having lived in the country.

Motivation for Self-Defense

  • 5.1. Women needed to protect themselves against the police.
  • 5.2. The persecution worsened over time.

Vocabulary

6.1. picture, 6.2. turned to, 6.3. ineffective, 6.4. carried on

Finding Love in Lisdoonvarna: The Matchmaking Festival

True/False Statements (T/F)

  • 1.1. F: “Lisdoonvarna health.”
  • 1.2. F: “Matchmakers known as ‘basadoin’…”
  • 1.3. F: “… every September for the annual festival.”
  • 1.4. T: “So if you are single (or even if you are not)…”

Historical Reasons for the Festival

  1. 2.1. The festival started because the mineral waters there were said to help fight off the effects of various diseases.
  2. 2.2. The timing was chosen because the harvest was finished in September.

Modern Developments

  • 3.1. Matchmakers also worked as matchmakers.
  • 3.2. They started using modern technology.
  • 3.3. You can secure accommodation easily.

Benefits of Attending

  1. 4.1. The waters helped fight off the effects of various diseases.
  2. 4.2. Attendees would be introduced to eligible farmers (by the “basadoiris”).

Vocabulary

5.1. beneficial, 5.2. acknowledge, 5.3. head over

6. Accept all logical and grammatically correct answers.