UNIT 1

Many children first learn the value of money by receiving an allowance. The purpose is
to let children learn from experience at an age when financial mistakes are not very
costly.

The amount of money that parents give to their children to spend as they wish differs
from family to family. Timing is another consideration. Some children get a weekly
allowance. Others get a monthly allowance.

In any case, parents should make clear what, if anything, the child is expected to pay for
with the money.

At first, young children may spend all of their allowance soon after they receive it. If they
do this, they will learn the hard way that spending must be done within a budget.
Parents are usually advised not to offer more money until the next allowance.

The object is to show young people that a budget demands choices between spending
and saving. Older children may be responsible enough to save money for larger costs,
like clothing or electronics.

Many people who have written on the subject of allowances say it is not a good idea to
pay your child for work around the home. These jobs are a normal part of family life.

Paying children to do extra work around the house, however, can be useful. It can even
provide an understanding of how a business works.

Allowances give children a chance to experience the things they can do with money.
They can share it in the form of gifts or giving to a good cause. They can spend it by
buying things they want. Or they can save and maybe even invest it.
 UNIT 2
Most kinds of rose plants come from Asia. But roses are also native to other areas
including northwest Africa, Europe and the United States.

In nineteen eighty-six, Congress chose the rose as America's national flower.

Technically, Congress and President Ronald Reagan declared it the "national floral
emblem." Whatever the name, the decision did not smell sweet to supporters of other
popular flowers.

Some people say roses are difficult to grow. But you have a good chance of success if
you start with a few suggestions from experts. You should plant your roses where they
can get sunshine for about six hours on bright days.

You can buy roses from a garden center or by mail order. You can buy potted roses,
also known as container roses, or bare-root plants. Each kind has its fans.

Some gardeners say potted roses are easier to plant. They say the roots develop better.

The University of Illinois Extension advises getting bare-root roses as close to planting
time as you can.

If they arrive before you are ready to plant them, make sure the packing material is
moist. Keep the plants in a cool, dark place.

You plant the roses while they are dormant. The resting plants have no leaves but still
need water.

When growing roses, the soil should feel moist deep down. Watering should be done in
the morning. That can prevent problems called black spot and mildew.

But do not water too much. In normal conditions, placing mulch around rose plants is a
good idea.

Mulch suppresses weeds and holds moisture in the soil. You can use mulch made from
bark, pine needles, cottonseed or oak leaves.
 UNIT 3
The United Nations says Asian children are facing health problems caused by poor
nutrition.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, and the World Health Organization
produced the report.

It finds some children are overweight while others in the same country suffer from
starvation.

The report focuses on countries across South East Asia including, Indonesia, Malaysia,
the Philippines and Thailand.

The report finds that in most countries, there are equal amounts of overweight and
starving children.

For example, in Indonesia, 12 percent of children are overweight, the same number as
those who are starving.

In Thailand, it says 7 percent of children are starving and 11 percent are overweight.

South East Asia is seen as a key economic driver for the world economy.

But with economic growth comes an increase in foods and sugary drinks with low
nutritional value.

The report says this has caused an increase in obesity and heart disease in children.

Starvation is still an issue in most countries in the region.

The report says this is caused by poverty, poor nutrition and a lack of clean water.

Dorothy Foote is a nutrition expert at UNICEF.

She says the lack of healthy food for children and the general population is causing a
health crisis.

The report calls on governments to invest in childhood nutrition policies.

They say this will bring a better future for their citizens.
 UNIT 4
Today, we will tell why exercise is so important. And we will tell about some popular
ways to get in good shape.
Health experts have long noted the importance of physical activity. Exercise not only
improves your appearance. It can also improve your health. Exercise helps to reduce
the risk of some diseases. They include heart disease, stroke, type-two diabetes,
osteoporosis and even some kinds of cancer.
America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says heart disease is the leading
cause of death in the United States. In two thousand six, heart disease killed more than
six hundred thirty thousand Americans. High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels
in blood can increase your risk of heart disease. Medical experts say both can be
reduced through normal exercise.
Physical activity is also known to increase the release of endorphins. These chemicals
reduce feelings of pain. They also help people feel more happy and peaceful.
There is some debate about exactly what causes the brain to release endorphins. Some
experts believe it is the act of exercising itself. Others say it is the feeling one gets from
having met an exercise goal.
Either way, the two things work together when it comes to improving one’s emotional
health.
Exercise improves your energy levels by increasing the flow of blood to the heart and
blood vessels. One of the main reasons people exercise is to control or reduce their
weight. Physical activity burns calories – the energy stored in food. The more calories
you burn, the easier it is to control or reduce your weight.
So exactly how much exercise do you need to do to gain all of these great health
effects? Experts say it is easier than you think.
In two thousand eight, the Centers for Disease Control released its first ever Physical
Activity Guidelines for Americans. The report included suggestions for young people,
adults, disabled persons and those with long-term health problems. One of the major
ideas noted in the report was that some activity is better than none. So if you are not
doing anything, now is the time to get started.
 UNIT 5
Nearly 5 million undergraduate students in the U.S. are parents.
Their path is not easy. In addition to the demands of school, student-parents face the
high cost of childcare and the stress of working one or more jobs. In fact, a little more
than only half of student-parents in the U.S. will finish their degrees within 6 years.
But Tsedaye Makkonen is determined to beat the odds.
Makkonen is 32. She was born and raised in the U.S. state of Maryland, but her family
is originally from Ethiopia.
Makkonen first sought an undergraduate degree in political science from the University
of Maryland 14 years ago. But she says she was unhappy with her choice of subject
and did not finish her degree.
Then, after her son was born in 2010, Makkonen decided to start taking classes at
another school in Maryland called Montgomery College. She plans to begin an
undergraduate degree program in fine arts soon.
She says starting school again later in life and as a parent has made her a better
student.
But Makkonen says that balancing work, school and parenting is never easy.
The more she studies the less she can work, which means she makes less money.
Also, between work and school, the time she can spend with her son is limited.
Recent reports from the U.S. non-profit Institute for Women’s Policy Research, or
IWPR, find that Makkonen is having a similar experience to other student-parents.
A 2014 IWPR report said that 4.8 million undergraduate students are raising children.
And a 2013 IWPR study showed that more than half of student-parents leave school
after 6 years without finishing their degrees.