Speaker 2 [00:00:02] You will hear a talk about the island of New Guinea and some of the

people of Papua New Guinea. First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 10. Now
listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 10.

Speaker 1 [00:01:07] Today's talk is about the fascinating culture of New Guinea, an
island divided in two politically, but with huge diversity in both parts. For those of you who
don't know, New Guinea is located in Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, north of
Australia. Since 1975, the eastern side has been the independent country of Papua New
Guinea, while the western side consists of the Indonesian administered provinces of
Papua and West Papua. Papua New Guinea has 7 million inhabitants and is an incredibly
rural country with only 18% of the population living in urban areas. It has 852 known
languages and is one of the least explored terrains on the planet. Now, one of the reasons
that Papua New Guinea and indeed the whole of New Guinea is such an interesting place
is that it's home to hundreds of traditional tribes. Perhaps better described as distinct
social groups, each one numbering hundreds or even thousands of members. In the
Indonesian part of New Guinea, that is the provinces of Papua and West Papua. There are
312 different tribes, including around 44 uncontacted ones. These are tribes who up until
now hadn't had any contact with the outside world, even with other neighboring tribes. Of
course, everyone is most curious to know about these tribes, but by definition we have
little or no information on them. I'm now going to talk about the tribes of the Papua New
Guinea highlands. These people only rarely had contact with the outside world until the
1960s, so they are still relatively isolated. When we start to examine the tribes, we see a
common theme, which is the use of various methods to intimidate other groups so as to
protect their own tribe. Let's look first at the Huli wig men, a tribe of about 14,000 from the
Tari highlands of Papua New Guinea. They have given their faces a very distinctive look
by using yellow paint and they wear belts made of pigtails, aprons made of leaves and
wigs, which are a sort of hat made from their own hair. This look is designed to scare off
outsiders, which they also do with their bird dances, which mimic the birds of paradise that
inhabit their land. Another Highland tribe, the Asaro mud men, have the same intention as
the Huli Wickman to ward off outsiders by smearing themselves in clay and mud. They
adopt the form of the river spirits, which are known to terrify their enemies. Their elaborate
appearances further supplemented with extended fingernails. And they wear terrifying
masks which serve to accentuate their ferocious look. The Asaro mud men were
discovered by the outside world less than 80 years ago, but have now become a symbol of
Papua New Guinea and make an important contribution to the tourist trade. A third tribe
that has become well-known is the timber who live high in the mountains. The chimp boo
skeleton dancers used to dance to intimidate their enemies. This tribe traditionally lived in
male, female segregated houses, though they are now increasingly living in family groups.
This group, to now display their traditional dances, not to scare off other tribes, but more to
entertain tourists. An interesting event, the Mount Hagen Sing Sing takes place every year
involving over 50 tribes. This came about due to the constant fighting between tribes,
which became a serious problem for the Papua New Guinea government. So in 1961 it
came up with the idea of a cultural show which would bring together as many tribes as
possible in peace and pride in their cultural heritage. The Mount Hagen Sing Sing is a
wonderful opportunity for Papua New Guinea to showcase its fascinating cultural heritage
at this event. Tourists and locals alike can witness the spectacular costumes, including six
feet high headdresses made of flowers, shells and feathers. Inevitably, there is some loss
of authenticity associated with this kind of event. For example, chemical dyes are now
used instead of the natural ones the tribes used earlier. However, a poor developing
country has to exploit whatever resources it has, and the wealth of this region is its tribal
peoples.

Speaker 2 [00:06:10] Part two, you will hear a talk between a radio host and a college
student called Darren Almond about how to improve photography skills. First, you have
some time to look at questions 11 to 15. Now listen carefully and answer questions. 11 to
15. Good afternoon, our beloved listeners. Welcome to today's Capturing the Moment
program. Today, we have Darren Almond here with us. He is a college student who has
just won an award for his set of shots of red squirrels. Welcome, Daryn. Now, can you tell
us a bit about this lovely creature and how you managed to take such wonderful photos?

Speaker 3 [00:07:36] Well, the red squirrel is Britain's only native squirrel. It's graceful and
athletic. Its Latin name, Sirus Vulgaris, comes from the Greek words describing a common
type of animal which sits in the shadow of its own tail. At first I thought this description was
funny and was kind of an exaggeration, but now I realize that this name suits them very
well. Their fluffy tails under the sun normally cast a big shadow over themselves. You will
be lucky to see a red squirrel in the areas where they still survive due to its timid nature
and decreasing number in the wild. In the late 1800s, when gray squirrels and exotic
species were first introduced into Britain, there were only about 20,000 red squirrels left,
the majority of which lived in the north of England. The grays carry a disease called the
squirrel pox virus, which could lead to the deaths of red squirrels. But their number had
already declined before the disease spread there. The shrinking population actually
corresponds to decreases in the number of nuts available. The Red Squirrels Primary
Food Source. I accidentally left some nuts in my garden one day and I found that they had
been eaten the next morning. It could have been rats as they have a very similar food
category to red squirrels. But I knew it was red squirrels because of their different feeding
habits. Rats bite a hole in the nuts, whereas red squirrels crack the nuts in half and eat the
kernels. After a week or so, the red squirrels became regular visitors to my garden, making
them ideal subjects for my photography project. Unfortunately, I had to shoot only in my
garden, partly because I couldn't find another spot to cite red squirrels on a regular basis.
Also, this could block out any outside distractions, and I could focus solely on my subject
during the shooting. Other animals, like birds, got caught in the frame together sometimes.
I'm more than satisfied with my photos, even though I only practiced a few times and used
just a second hand camera from my friend. My great mentor helped me with the shooting. I
got great tutorials from him and was able to shoot better photos.

Speaker 2 [00:09:48] Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at
questions. 16 to 20. Now listen and answer questions. 16 to 20. Thank you, Daryn. The
award winning photos will be on display in a local museum for the coming month. We're
looking forward to the exhibition. So tell us about the award.

Speaker 3 [00:10:39] Okay. I sent my portfolio for the competition hosted by a national
newspaper. I wasn't expecting the third prize, so when they notified me of the result on the
phone, I was really excited.

Speaker 2 [00:10:52] Do you have some tips for our audience to help improve their
photography skills?

Speaker 3 [00:10:57] Of course. Here are three things I think photographers can work on
to get a better shot. First of all, good composition is key to a lovely shot. Normally an
image is center of interest, is placed at one of the intersections that transact the whole
picture in order to achieve balance. A secondary object, so to speak, can be added to the
scene at the opposing intersection. So, for instance, in one of my shots, a red squirrel at
the top left is staring at a nut at the lower right corner. This is called the rule of thirds.
Lighting is another essential element if you want to be rewarded with a superb photo. The
direction of the light falling on your subject is most important of all. You need to look at
your subject carefully and watch how the shadows fall. If you're able to choose the time of
day to shoot your pictures, lighting is most ideal in the late afternoon. Try to position
yourself so that the sun hits your subject from the side. This helps create a 3-D effect in
the picture to further improve on your photography skills. It is advised to take detailed
notes of timing, position, weather, etc.. By doing so, it's easier to review and adjust
accordingly. And there is always room for improvement.

Speaker 2 [00:12:17] That is the end of part two. You now have 30 seconds to check your
answers to part two. Part three, you will hear two students called Aria and John discussing
the research on water hyacinths. First, you have some time to look at questions. 21 to 26.
Now listen carefully and answer questions. 21 to 26. John, how is it going with your
research on water hyacinth?

Speaker 4 [00:14:03] Well, I went on a field trip on my own and collected the primary data
after I came back. I also referred to the published data.
Speaker 2 [00:14:10] So what do you know about this plant?

Speaker 4 [00:14:14] The water hyacinth grows in tropical countries. It has beautiful purple
blue flowers, but everybody hates it.

Speaker 2 [00:14:20] Why is that?

Speaker 4 [00:14:22] The water hyacinth, as the world's worst invasive aquatic plant has
attracted significant attention. Millions of these plants grow in rivers and lakes and are
brought huge environmental and cultural problems to the local people. Farmers cannot
travel in boats on the water and thus cannot fish in it. In addition, heavy free floating mats
of water hyacinth are clogging the dam at the power station West Africa. Turbines of the
power station are often shut down because of the intertwined leaves. Dams often cease to
function as a result, severely restricting the electricity generation. Dense mats of water
hyacinth also shade the surface and prevent algae growth, thus limiting the production of
oxygen and threatening the survival of fish.

Speaker 2 [00:15:02] So where did Water Hyacinth originate from?

Speaker 4 [00:15:06] The water hyacinth is native to the Amazon basin in Latin America. It
is spread mainly to the tropics and subtropics from much of the world since the 1800s.
Later, it was introduced into Europe and Africa as an ornamental garden pond plant due to
its beauty. Flowers of this plant were being sold in local markets and African countries as a
source of income for women since the 1900s. This weed has infested lakes, rivers and
creeks of the delta areas in West Africa.

Speaker 2 [00:15:35] I guess whoever introduced this plant had never expected the
disastrous impact it would have on the local ecological environment. What kind of habitat
does water hyacinth thrive most in?

Speaker 4 [00:15:48] Well, it has been discovered that the nutrient rich environment
contribute significantly to the rapid proliferation of this weed, which obtains its nutrients
directly from the water. This is normally compounded with a decrease of nutrients along
the river banks.

Speaker 2 [00:16:02] Why is that?

Speaker 4 [00:16:03] The main reason for soil nutrient loss is that local residents cut down
trees. Excessive deforestation accelerates soil erosion, which indirectly compound this
issue. Without enough trees to retain nutrients in the soil, frequent rain might partly
aggravate this by carrying some of the nutrients into the waterways.

Speaker 2 [00:16:21] Are there any effective measures to control or even eradicate this
weed?

Speaker 4 [00:16:27] Yes. A number of approaches have been widely applied throughout
the world. Among them, biological control, is the most widely favored long term control
method by introducing a type of insects that feeds on the water hyacinth. So far, Nigeria
has used this method for six months. However, water hyacinth won't be removed and
immediately the side effects of this method on local ecology will remain unforeseen for
years because it takes time for this external insect species to reach a density sufficient
enough to affect ecological development.

Speaker 2 [00:16:59] Then what about other approaches? Is there a quicker way to
control it?

Speaker 4 [00:17:04] Well, the mechanical removal of water hyacinth is seen as the best
short term solution. This option includes harvesting plants and inside cutting. This method
can immediately open physical space for fish and boat traffic. It is, however, inefficient for
workers to process extensive areas and costly to use large cutting and dredging
equipment. Ironically, it cost even more to dispose of this plant than to remove it.

Speaker 2 [00:17:30] Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to
look at questions 27 to 30. Now listen and answer questions. 27 to 30. Can we make use
of this weed and turn it into something good?

Speaker 4 [00:18:10] Now scientists think that water hyacinth can be useful. The plant
itself, although more than 95% water, has a fibrous tissue and a high energy and protein
content and can be used for a variety of useful applications.

Speaker 2 [00:18:22] So what do people do with water hyacinth that is initially removed?

Speaker 4 [00:18:28] First, the cut down water hyacinth is left to dry under the sun for a
few days before being mixed with ash and animal manure. The mixture can be used as
alternative soil rather than fertilizer. It can grow crops with increased yield.

Speaker 2 [00:18:41] That sounds interesting.

Speaker 4 [00:18:42] Mushroom farmers can benefit from water hyacinth as well, using
the mixture mentioned earlier. Mushrooms generally grow much faster so that farmers can
harvest mushrooms sooner, which enables them to make money faster.

Speaker 2 [00:18:54] I see it can be used to grow oyster and straw mushrooms, right?

Speaker 4 [00:18:59] Yes. In India, attempts have been made to grow the types of edible
mushrooms organically utilizing water hyacinth. These mushrooms provide sufficient
nutritional values, including minerals and high quality protein, which are essential to
people's level of fitness.

Speaker 2 [00:19:14] Right. Are there any other measures taken to utilize water hyacinth.

Speaker 4 [00:19:19] In South East Asia? People feed cows using chopped water
hyacinth mixed with other vegetables. Then the waste from the cows is treated to produce
methane gas, which can be used as fuel for cooking, lighting or powering an engine. And
with global warming getting worse, developing alternative source of energy will be more
urgent than ever.

Speaker 2 [00:19:38] Maybe in the future people will love water hyacinth instead of hating
it.

Speaker 4 [00:19:43] Yes, that's very likely if we can make full use of this weed.

Speaker 2 [00:19:50] That is the end of part three. You now have 30 seconds to check
your answers to part three. Part four, you will hear part of a lecture on nanotechnology and
its applications. First, you have some time to look at questions. 31 to 40. Now listen
carefully and answer questions. 31 to 40.

Speaker 3 [00:21:20] Today's lecture is the first of a series of lectures on nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology, sometimes shortened to nanotech, refers to the manipulation of matter
on an atomic and molecular level. It's the science, engineering and technology conducted
at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nano meters. It is the study and application of
extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields. Just how small
is that? A nano meter is one billionth of a meter. The idea of nanoscale research first
started from a physicist called Richard Feynman in 1959. He envisaged a process in which
scientists would be able to manipulate and control individual atoms and molecules. In fact,
it wasn't until 1981, with the invention of a special kind of microscope that modern
nanotechnology truly began. Even though nanotechnology has created many new
materials and devices with a vast range of applications, there is always concern over these
are natural products. Many people are worried that they may pose a threat to the
environment, health and safety, also known as VHS. In order to better understand and
evaluate the potential harm, risk assessment has been introduced. There are also ongoing
international collaborations on the Nano s research and related policy issues. Despite the
concern, nanotechnology has benefited society in unexpected ways in the food processing
industry. Nanotechnology is leveraged against iron deficiency, which triggers anemia, for
example, by reducing the particle size in potatoes. This new technology improves the
bioavailability of this nutritional ingredient without the tendency to cause color and odor
changes. In terms of packaging, nanomaterials are more economical and are used in all
sorts of products. Chocolate in particular. Nanotechnology can also enhance the flavor of
food. On a domestic scale, we expect more smart furniture, which is made of shape,
memory alloys to be manufactured. But nanotechnology has much wider application than
this and could also help develop sustainable agriculture. It offers great potential to
strengthen the effect of fertilizers, thereby minimizing the environmental impact and
boosting the productivity of plants in the soil. In the area of medicine. Bioengineers have
developed simple and inexpensive nanoscale delivery vehicles. Conductors like carbon
nanotubes have been invented with varying structures. Such nanotubes have become
increasingly attractive to researchers because of their ability to efficiently deliver drugs into
veins. This means that higher doses of drugs loaded on them can be transported from the
administration sites to the effects related sites such as cancer focuses, thus decreasing
toxic side effects while increasing the treatment effects. The research team has also
developed a widely accepted material that can be used to coat different surfaces, including
wood, plastic and glass. It is mainly comprised of silver. Such nanoparticles can eventually
kill some microbes due to the antiseptic properties. The whole process is simple, easy to
apply, and, more importantly, harmless to the environment. Surprisingly, nanotechnology
has major implications for our health as well by changing the metabolic rate through a
particular type of protein. Obese patients are able to burn calories faster, even under a
high calorie diet. Therefore, treatment programs are provided for patients to lose weight by
disposing of excess fat in a relatively safer manner. The finding may help explain why
overweight people struggle to lose weight. Their stored fat is actively fighting against their
efforts to burn it off at the molecular level. Further research is mainly focused on the
clinical and commercial developments of therapies for obesity, diabetes and other
associated conditions such as heart disease. In terms of cosmetics, the applications of
nanotechnology and nanomaterials can be found in many products. There are two main
uses for nanotechnology in cosmetics. The first one is that nanoparticles are commonly
used as UV filters in anti-aging suncare products to avoid skin damage caused by the sun.
In addition, nanotechnology has played an important role in delivering active ingredients to
the skin. The mechanism proves to improve the bioavailability of actives and enhance skin
hydration. The wide variety of nanotechnology applications leave no doubt that this field
will only continue to get more exciting, and I look forward to seeing these developments
further branch out.

Speaker 2 [00:26:10] That is the end of part four. You now have one minute to check your
answers to part four.