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SPOTLIGHT ENGLISH
2015



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BÀI 1
Graffiti: Crime or Art?
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Luke Haley.
Voice 2
And I’m Katy Blake. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for
people to understand - no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 3
“It took me a year to complete, all at night. I used almost 500 litres of bucket paint. It was the

biggest piece in the world. It was the biggest illegal graffiti piece ever painted wild style.”
Voice 1
These are the words of a man named Saber from the United States. The documentary company
The Thrash Lab made a video about him. Saber is talking about a piece of colourful graffiti that
he painted in Los Angeles. The painting was 70 metres long. It showed Saber’s name in large
letters. Saber painted it in bright colours like green and orange.
Voice 2
Saber did not have permission for this painting. It was on city property. After many years, the
city painted over it. It cost the city over 3 million dollars to remove it. Was the graffiti a piece of
art? Or was Saber a criminal because he painted it illegally? Is graffiti always a problem for a
city? Or could it add something positive? Today’s Spotlight is on the “art” of the street: graffiti.
Voice 1
Graffiti is an illegal form of writing or drawing. People usually create graffiti with spray paint.
They press the top of a can and the paint shoots out. People often paint graffiti on walls or parts
of public buildings. Another common place for graffiti is on trains or buses.
Voice 2
There are different kinds of graffiti. The most common kind is something called a tag. This is
when a person signs his or her name. Another popular kind of graffiti is when an artist uses large
block letters to write his name. The letters connect with each other. They make new and different
shapes. This is called “wild style.”


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Voice 1
The largest kinds of graffiti are called pieces. These have many colours. They can fill a whole

wall. It takes more time and skill to paint a whole piece. It is also more dangerous. When
someone paints graffiti he takes the chance of being arrested by police. Graffiti is almost always
against the law. This is because people are painting on someone else’s property.
Voice 2
Because it is against the law, some people think that graffiti should not be considered art. Abdal
Ullah is a councillor in London, England. One of the most famous graffiti artists in the world
comes from England. His name is Banksy. Some of Banksy’s work has sold for almost 600,000
dollars. Banksy painted some graffiti in Ullah’s neighborhood. But Ullah did not like it. Ullah
told TIME magazine:
Voice 4
"Graffiti is a crime. It ruins the environment. It makes our neighborhoods feel less safe. And it
costs thousands of pounds each year to clean."
Voice 1
Graffiti can be difficult to clean up. It can also cost a lot of money. Graffiti artists often use high
technology paint. This is hard to remove or paint over. Large cities spend millions of dollars a
year to remove graffiti. They do not want the city to look dirty. Graffiti is also often in places
with other criminal behaviour, including illegal drugs and violence. Criminal gangs sometimes
use tags to show their territory. Most people do not want to be surrounded by these tags.
Voice 2
Some people say that only some kinds of graffiti can be considered art. A wall spray-painted
with tags, or names, may not look like art. It may not take much artistic skill to tag walls. But to
create a large piece does take skill and time. Many graffiti artists have a great amount artistic
ability. Saber from Los Angeles told the Thrash Lab:
Voice 3
“My paintings show 22 years of intense art making. Art is something very positive to me. And I
think art is the number one goal for myself. Graffiti is the way I learn. Art is how I share this
message with everybody. Art gets a bad name because it is considered something only for a few
people in society. It is seen as something only a rich or highly educated person can understand.
And that is not true. Every single child in the world drew a picture once and had that
excitement.”

Voice 1
Sometimes it is even difficult to tell the difference between graffiti and other kinds of art. Many
graffiti artists have had art shows. People pay a lot of money to buy their pieces. Graffiti artists


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also do other kinds of design projects. Doze Green is one of these artists. He began as a graffiti
artist. He now works with advertisers to help them sell products. Green told CNN:
Voice 5
"I think I have kept that rawness and that truthfulness and excitement that comes from the graffiti
artist. That will always be there. That is not going to leave. What I am doing is a new way of
looking at the same thing. It does not matter if it is accepted by the rich and educated or the
person in the street. What is important to me is people in general enjoy my work."
Voice 2
Some people who paint graffiti enjoy the excitement of doing something illegal. But some artists
want to be able to do legal graffiti art. One way to do this is to have special areas for street artists
to work. For example, there is a group called Writerz Blok in San Diego, California. They set up
12 walls where people can legally paint graffiti. Marcus Tufono works at Writerz Blok. He
explains to the radio station KPBS:
Voice 6
“Our job and our goal is to take that illegal tag and to put it on a legal wall. And from that wall
put it on a computer screen and some software. We want to help artists to make a portfolio. Then
they can take their art and use it around the community. We want to create partnerships and
resources and networks. Then graffiti artists have a chance to really prosper through their art.”
Voice 1

This is one way to keep the artistry of graffiti without the crime. Other cities and organizations
have different approaches. Look for a Spotlight program next month about the amazing graffiti
in the city of Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
Voice 2
Is there graffiti where you live? Do you think it is art? Or is graffiti a problem in your
neighbourhood? You can leave your comments on our website. Or you can email us at radio at
radioenglish dot net. You can also find us on Facebook - just search for spotlightradio.
Voice 1
The writer of this program was Rena Dam. The producer was Nick Mangeolles. The voices you
heard were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted for this
program and voiced by Spotlight. You can listen to this program again, and read it, on the
internet at . This program is called, ‘Graffiti: Crime or Art?’
Voice 2
We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye


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BÀI 2
Chinese Seal Carving
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Luke Haley.
Voice 2
And I’m Katy Blake. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for
people to understand - no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1

The official stamps a red square on a piece of paper. In the square, there are white lines. The
white lines create the picture of a dancing man. His body makes the Chinese character for “Jing”.
This is the official seal for the Beijing Olympic Games.
Voice 2
A seal is a small tool or device. This tool has a carved design on it. Officials use the seal to print
a symbol on to a document. The seal shows who owns the document or who created it. In some
countries, like China, seals are still an important symbol of authority. However, seals are more
than just an official sign. Seals are also an art form. The symbols and characters in a seal can
communicate ideas about right and wrong. The characters in a seal can communicate many
things about culture, morals and values. Today’s Spotlight is on seals and their place in Chinese
culture.
Voice 1
Creating a seal is a form of art. First, an artist carefully paints on a small block. He paints
pictures and Chinese characters. He uses a small brush, made of animal hair. Then he uses a
small, sharp tool. He cuts and carves the images into the block. When he is done, he uses the
block to stamp an image. He presses the carved block into a red paste. He has made the paste
from plants. Then he presses the block onto paper. It leaves a red image on the document. This
block is a seal.
Voice 2
People have used seals in China for centuries. At first, only experts created seals, for official
business. One of the most famous Chinese seals is the ancient Heirloom Seal. This seal was
created around the year 200. The Emperor of China had a seal maker carve it from a famous
piece of green, jade stone. It was 4 inches square. The royal family used the seal for centuries.
The writing on the seal read,


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Voice 4
"For he who has received the Mandate from Heaven, long life and eternal glory."
Voice 1
For hundreds of years, seals were used only by the rich for important business. But in the 14th
century that changed. At that time, stone workers found a kind of soft stone. It was easier to cut
and carve. People began to carve their own seals, instead of paying an expert. This change
caused seals to become their own art form.
Voice 2
At that time, there were three traditional Chinese arts: painting, poetry, and calligraphy.
Calligraphy is the art of writing beautiful looking characters or words. These arts were mainly
for rich or important people.
Voice 1
Seal carving became the fourth art. The art of seal carving was based on the three other art forms.
It used the beautiful writing of calligraphy. It used the beautiful pictures of painting. And it used
the beautiful language and ideas of poetry.
Voice 2
However, the 20th century brought many changes to China. Traditional arts were not as
important. Children did not learn about them in school. And fewer people learned how to make
them. Officials still used seals. But again, only experts carved the seals.
Voice 1
Today, Chinese artists are bringing back the traditional art of seal making. One of the most
important of these artists is Li Lanqing. Li Lanqing was born in 1932. He was a famous official
in the Chinese government. From 1993 until 2003, he was the Vice Premier of the State Council
of China. He was responsible for many parts of the government, including the economy,
education, culture, sport, technology and science. After he retired, he concentrated on sharing
and encouraging the art of seal carving.
Voice 2
In a short film for the British Museum, Li said,

Voice 3
“Seal carving is an ancient art. Like Chinese characters, seals have a long history. And seal
carving is an art form based on writing. Chinese characters developed from images. They had an
artistic expression built into them from the beginning.”


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Voice 2
Li has made seals for many years. In the film, he explained his process.
Voice 3
“The idea for a seal starts in the brain. After your eyes have studied it, the brain tells you where
to place the knife, and when it should stop. The process does not need to be thought through
completely before starting.”
Voice 1
Li Lanqing’s seals are unusual in the history of seal carving. He chooses words and ideas based
on current issues. These inscriptions tell his own story, and the story of China. For example, one
of his seals is called “Breaking Through”. One character pushes against another. It is like
something new pushing against something old. “Breaking Through” is also the name of a book
Li wrote about his life. In Li’s government positions, he led the way in encouraging international
trade in China. The seal shows the struggle of new and old ideas.
Voice 2
Li believes cultural exchange is the language of the soul or spirit. And this affects his seal
making. His art may be Chinese, but the influences on it are international. He has even created
seals based on famous people from the West. He made one to honor the great musician Mozart.
It almost looks like musical writing.

Voice 1
Li has made many seals that represent his experiences of seal carving. One of his seals is:
My Heart Travels Beyond the Seal
Voice 1
This seal shows characters breaking past the square border of the seal. They are long. The seal is
limited, but a person’s heart is not limited. The characters on the seal also tell about a stone.
This stone represents Li’s experience of seal making. Here are some other seals that talk about
the artist, and the seal.
A stone speaks of one’s strong desires.
A stone speaks of beauty.
A stone declares one’s feelings.
Voice 1
Li Lanqing has done much to continue the ancient tradition of Chinese seal carving. His work
unites old and new. And he has introduced the art of Chinese seals to the world.


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Voice 2
Liu Xiaoming is the Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom. In a speech honoring Li and
his seal carving, he said,
Voice 6
“Mr. Li is a strong supporter of making seal carving popular. He has brought seal carving to the
interest of all people. Many of these people are excited to find out how fascinating seal carving
is. The growing popularity of seal carving is creating a bright future for this ancient treasure of
China.”

Voice 1
The writers of this program were Shelagh Godwin and Christy VanArragon. The producer was
Nick Mangeolles. The voices you heard were from the United Kingdom and the United States.
All quotes were adapted for this program and voiced by Spotlight. You can listen to this program
again, and read it, on the internet at. This program is called, ‘Chinese
Seal Carving’.
Voice 2
We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.
BÀI 3
Mosaics: Changing Haiti Piece by Piece
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Adam Navis. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for
people to understand - no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
A group of children are busy in Jacmel, Haiti. Children of all ages stand in front of a grey, stone
wall. They stick small pieces of glass on the wall. Together, the small pieces make a picture of a
large tree. The children also use the glass to make pictures of colourful birds and animals. Soon,
the wall is not grey. Bright, beautiful colour now covers the wall. The children have created a
mosaic. Today’s Spotlight is on the art of mosaic. We tell how some children have used mosaic
to increase hope in Jacmel.


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Voice 2
A mosaic is a picture or design made of many small pieces. These pieces are called tiles. The
first mosaics were designs on the floor. Artists in ancient Rome made these floors out of small
stones. Many of the Ancient Roman mosaics have lasted for thousands of years. Now, most
mosaic tiles are glass or stone. Tiles usually measure less than two centimetres across. They can
be any shape but they are often a square. The artist places the square tiles together. The artist
uses hundreds - or even thousands - of tiles. But from far away, a mosaic looks like one smooth
picture.
Voice 1
Making a mosaic is a complex process. First, the artist draws a design on a surface, like a wall.
Then, she uses glue to attach the tiles to the surface. She spreads glue on one side of the tile.
Then she places it firmly on the surface. She must be careful to put it in the correct place. When
the glue is dry, the tile is permanently attached.
Voice 2
But the mosaic is not finished yet. The artist must fill the spaces between the tiles. Artists fill
these areas with a mix of sand and cement called grout. When it is wet, the grout is like wet soil.
But it becomes hard when it is dry. The artist rubs the grout over all the tiles. She makes sure that
all the spaces are full. Then she cleans off the extra grout until the surface is flat. She wants to
see the full shape of all the tiles. The grout dries. The mosaic is now finished.
Voice 1
The children in Jacmel made their mosaic in this way. They called it the ‘Tree of Life’. They
made it on a long wall near the ocean. But the wall is broken. There is a long line up and down
the wall - a crack. The children did not fix this crack. Instead, it is a part of their mosaic. They
put shells into it. They want people to put messages and prayers into these shells.
Voice 2
The messages and prayers are for the people of Haiti. In January 2010, a large earthquake broke
the wall. The earthquake caused terrible damage to the country of Haiti. Many people were
killed. The earthquake was especially terrible for children. Many family members, even parents,
died. Some children lost the chance to go to school. Many children were left with no home and
no food.

Voice 1
The earthquake destroyed many buildings in Haiti. Broken cement, metal and glass covered
Jacmel. The children used these broken materials in their art work. The children also used tiles.
The tiles were a gift from people in Haiti and the United States.


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Voice 2
Mosaic art is a good symbol for Haiti. The tiles in a mosaic are very small. They may even be
broken. But they are held together by strong grout. They are not easy to destroy. And together
they can make a beautiful picture. The ‘Tree of life’ mosaic is a sign of hope. One of the girls
who made the mosaic told the TV program Nick News:
Voice 3
“The reason that I am working on the wall is because we believe that there will be a change in
Haiti. And then when the change does happen, then we will see - it started by this wall. It makes
me feel very happy to have people come here and look at it. It is something good that we are
doing for Haiti.”
Voice 1
The children who created the mosaic are part of an art program. The art program is called the
“Art Creation Foundation for Children in Haiti” or ACFFC. This group provides meals and
education for children. But it also provides hope for the future. It does this through teaching the
children art skills.
Voice 2
A person does not have to be an experienced artist to make a mosaic. This makes it a good art

form for children and young people. ACFFC asked the American artist Laurel True to come to
Haiti. Laurel True is a famous mosaic artist. She and the children in Jacmel worked together.
While working together the children talked and dreamed together. They thought of other projects
they could do. Laurel True believes that making art together can lead to other kinds of
community projects. She explains on her website:
Voice 4
“The project will concentrate on skill building and mosaic training for children and young adults.
Then they may use these skills for starting future businesses. The tree of life mosaic will serve as
a memorial for the lives lost in the earthquake last January. It will serve as a symbol of the hope
for future rebuilding in Haiti."
Voice 1
The mosaic makes Jacmel a more colourful and beautiful city. The children who created it
learned new art skills. They made plans for the future of their city. They used their skills for their
community. But they also received something more. One of the girls who made the mosaic
talked to the TV program Nick News. She shared the new hope that she has:
Voice 5
“The mosaic that we are doing represents many things. It represents that Haiti will still grow.
Haiti will still be here. It will be rebuilt. Deep down inside I feel very good. I feel worth


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something. In the future I would like to be a big artist. That is my dream. Even if I cannot help
somebody out by talking to them - they can see my message through my artwork.”
Voice 2
The writer and producer of this program was Rena Dam. The voices you heard were from the

United States. All quotes were adapted for this program and voiced by Spotlight. You can listen
to this program again, and read it, on the internet at . This program is
called, ‘Mosaics: Changing Haiti Piece by Piece'.
Voice 1
You can also leave your comments on our website. Or you can email us
at You can also find us on Facebook - just search for spotlightradio. We
hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.
BÀI 4
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Ryan Geertsma. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for
people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
A man stands on the top of Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He can see the whole
city spread out before him. He looks at white buildings surrounded by deep green hills and
forests. He can also see the beautiful Guanabara Bay, with white sand, blue ocean and islands.
The view from Corcovado Mountain is one of the most beautiful in all of Brazil. But the man
standing on the mountain is not just there to see the beauty of nature. He is also there to see
something made by humans - the statue of Cristo Redentor, or Christ the Redeemer. This
amazing monument is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. More than 5,000 people
visit it every day. This statue is a cultural and religious treasure for Brazil and for the whole
world. Today's Spotlight is on the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio.
Voice 2
In 1920, there was a group of Christians in Rio called Circulo Carioca. They proposed the idea
for an important religious monument. They wanted to build a large statue of Jesus Christ in the
city. First of all, the group wanted to celebrate 100 years of independence from Portugal. They
also wanted Rio to have a symbol of the importance of the Christian religion in Brazil. Brazilian

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politicians gave Circulo Carioca permission to build the monument. But private citizens paid for
most of the statue. People even went from house to house asking for money to pay for the statue!
It was truly a work of national pride.
Voice 1
After the idea was approved, Circulo Carioca held a competition to design the statue. A man
named Heitor da Silva Costa won the competition. Da Silva Costa worked with a Brazilian artist
named Carlos Oswald and a European artist named Paul Landowski. It took a long time to design
the final plans, and even longer to build them. In total, it took ten years to finish the statue. The
designers wanted it to be an object of great wonder and beauty. But it also needed to be strong
enough to stand against time and weather. The designers wanted people to be able to see it from
all points of the city. They also wanted the statue to represent the Christian faith before the
world.
Voice 2
When Da Silva Costa designed the statue, he imagined the sun rising and setting on the top of
Corcovado Mountain. He wrote,
Voice 3
"The statue of Jesus will be the first image to come from the darkness of night. It will receive the
touch of the sun, surrounding it with beautiful light. Then the sun's setting will build a crown of
light around its head that is fit for the Man-God."
Voice 1
Da Silva Costa was a Christian. Christians call Jesus the Christ, or Messiah. Messiah means
"special chosen one." Christians also call Jesus the Redeemer of the world. A redeemer is a
person who saves. In the Hebrew language, Jesus’ name means "he who saves." So the statue's

title "Christ the Redeemer" means "the special chosen one who saves." Christians believe that
Jesus is the one who saves the whole world.
Voice 2
At first, Da Silva Costa designed the statue to include Jesus holding his cross. The cross is an
important symbol for Jesus. Jesus chose to die on a cross. Christians believe that he became a
sacrifice – he took the punishment for all the wrong things in the world. Then, Christians believe
that he defeated death – he returned to life, and he is still alive. And he offers new life, and
forgiveness to all people.
Voice 1
With the help of Carlos Oswald, Da Silva Costa redesigned the statue. In this design, there was
no cross. Instead, Jesus is standing in the shape of a cross. He stands with his arms spread wide
open. This is the design we see today. It represents all these elements of the Christian faith. But it


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also shows something else. The stories of Jesus show that Jesus loved all people. He cared for all
people - rich and poor, from different cultures. The statue’s wide open arms represent this side of
Jesus. It looks like Jesus is embracing the city, and blessing it.
Voice 2
Christ the Redeemer is not the world's tallest statue of Jesus. But it is the most famous. Millions
of people come to visit it every year. In 2007, the world's population voted on the new Seven
Wonders of the World. More than 100 million people voted. Along with other famous structures,
such as the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal in India, Brazil's Christ the Redeemer became
one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Voice 1

When Da Silva Costa designed the Christ statue, he imagined the light of the sun touching Jesus'
head. He maynot have imagined lightning. However, for a tall statue on the top of a mountain,
lightning has always been a danger. And lightning has damaged the statue several times.
Recently, lightning storms have become even more intense. They present more danger to the
statue than ever before. Osmar Pinto works for the Brazilian Institute of Space Research. He told
the BBC,
Voice 4
"In the past few years, there have been some cases of storms with more than one thousand
lightning bolts. This has not happened before."
Voice 2
Because of the more intense storms, the Brazilian government has increased its efforts to protect
the statue. Officials have been working hard to design ways for the statue to survive lightning
strikes. Businessman Paolo Dal Pino is paying for some repairs to the statue. He told the BBC,
Voice 5
"This monument has two million visitors a year - it is going to be three million people probably
in 2014. A place like this, damaged, is something that cannot exist."
Voice 1
Christ the Redeemer is important for the cultural and religious history of Brazil. But it is also
important for the millions of people from many countries who visit it.
Padre Omar is the rector, or priest, of the church at the base of the statue. He told the BBC,


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Voice 6
"It is a religious symbol, a cultural symbol, and a symbol of Brazil. Christ the Redeemer brings a

wonderful view of welcoming, open arms to all those who pass through the city of Rio de
Janeiro."
Voice 2
The writer of this program was Jen Hawkins. The producer was Michio Ozaki. The voices you
heard were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted and voiced
by Spotlight. You can listen to this program again, and read it, on the internet
at This program is called, “The Statue of Christ the Redeemer."
Voice 1
You can also leave your comments on our website. And find us on Facebook - just search for
Spotlight Radio. We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!
BÀI 5
Plastic Bag Art
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Joshua Leo.
Voice 2
And I’m Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for
people to understand - no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
The Gare Saint Lazare in Paris, France is one of the busiest train stations in Europe. It is usually
full of people. But in May, 2012 something different filled the middle of the station. People
entering the station were shocked. Hanging from the ceiling was a huge piece of art. It was
nearly 20 metres tall! And it was made of colourful plastic bags. The art piece used more than
25,000 plastic bags.
Voice 2
Pascale Marthine Tayou is an artist from Cameroon. He designed this huge art piece made of
plastic bags. Tayou wanted to get the attention of people entering the train station. He wanted
people to think about using plastic bags. The plastic bags represented waste. Tayou thinks people
buy and throw away too many things. Many people agree with him. Instead of throwing plastic
bags away they try to find ways to reuse them. Today’s Spotlight is on making something useful
and beautiful with old plastic bags.

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Voice 1
Plastic is made from natural gases and petroleum - a thick oil that people remove from the earth.
In the 1960s, scientists discovered how to make very light and thin bags from plastic. Plastic
bags are strong and light. They can safely contain things that are wet or dirty. Plastic seemed like
a good material to carry everything from meat and fruit to cloth and paper. By the 1980s, people
all over the world were using plastic bags.
Voice 2
People used these plastic bags once and then threw them away. Using plastic bags this way
causes many problems. Factories that produce plastic use a lot of resources and energy. But the
largest problem with plastic bags is what happens after people throw them away.
Voice 1
Traditionally, people carried things in bags made of natural materials. They would wrap things in
leaves from trees. Or people used cloth or even long grass to make containers. When these
containers became old, people could throw them away. The natural materials would break down
into the soil. Grass and leaves do not cause waste and pollution. But plastic does not break down
into soil. A plastic bag will not break down for hundreds of years!
Voice 2
As people produce more plastic, this has become a large problem around the world. People use
so many plastic bags that they pollute the environment. Plastic bags block pipes where water
should flow. They cover areas of land and sea. They look dirty. Sometimes they carry dangerous
germs and bacteria from human waste. But more than that, they are dangerous to birds and
animals. Sometimes animals try to eat them. But plastic does not break down in the stomach of

an animal either. Animals that eat plastic usually die.
Voice 1
People are trying to find solutions for this problem of too many plastic bags. In some countries
shops do not give people plastic bags for free. Shoppers now have to pay extra money to buy a
plastic bag. Other governments have tried to solve the problem by banning plastic bags. For
example, in 2012 the Environmental Agency in Cameroon tried to stop stores from using plastic
bags. But this ban did not work. It was too difficult for the government to control. People
continue to use plastic bags in Cameroon and in most other countries around the world.
Voice 2
Some people are making individual or group efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags. Some
people refuse to use plastic bags. They carry their things in cloth bags. These bags can be used
many times without breaking. In some situations people must use plastic bags. Then they try to
reuse them before throwing them away.


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Voice 1
In Cameroon, a group of women saw the problem of plastic bags. They decided to do something
about it. They formed a group called FAREM. The members collect used plastic bags. Then they
boil them and use special soap to clean them. Marceline Fotso is the president of FAREM. She
explained to the news network MSN:
Voice 3
“We treat the plastic bags. We have to clean them so that no one catches any diseases from them.
We want to be totally sure that all the germs are dead!”
Voice 2

When the bags are clean, the women dry them. They use them to make things for people to use
or wear. The women cut the bags into long thin strips. They weave the strips together to make a
strong kind of plastic cloth. They use this cloth to make new products such as purses and wallets
for carrying money. They also make beautiful jewellery such as earrings for people to hang from
their ears.
Voice 1
Anne Marie Makollo is a FAREM member. She is very proud of the things that the group makes.
She holds up a bright green plastic wallet as she tells MSN:
Voice 4
“All these things are made out of plastic bags. We have gathered them from stores that sell fish,
bread, and food. We also take them from the dustbins in order to recycle them.”
Voice 2
The women sell the plastic products at markets. They also take orders from people. Many people
are interested in buying a product that looks nice. They are even more excited about using
something that is helping to clean up the environment. Cleaning up Cameroon is the main aim of
FAREM. Makollo explains:
Voice 4
“We are doing it because we do not want to see the plastic bags filling the streets. We are
recycling the bags. We turn them into useful things in order to protect the environment.”
Voice 1
Carrying bags and wearing jewellery made from old plastic bags is better for the environment. It
is a way to make something useful out of garbage! It is also a way to make art out of plastic bags
- like Pascale Marthine Tayou did at Gare Saint Lazare. The artist and the women at FAREM
have a similar hope for the world. They hope that people will think carefully about the materials


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that they use. And they hope that people will take care of their environment - especially when it
comes to plastic bags.
Voice 2
The writer of this program was Rena Dam. The producer was Mark Drenth. The voices you
heard were from the United States. All quotes were adapted for this program and voiced by
Spotlight. You can listen to this program again, and read it, on the internet
at www.radioenglish.net. This program is called, ‘Plastic Bag Art.’
Voice 1
You can also leave your comments on our website. Or you can email us
at You can also find us on Facebook - just search for spotlightradio. We
hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!
BÀI 6
Cats
Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight program. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for
people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Can you solve this riddle? Do you know what I am talking about?
What animal has nine lives, a long tail, may be good luck or bad luck, and sounds like this?
If you guessed a cat, you are right! Today’s Spotlight is on cats. These animals have been the
subject of many stories and beliefs all around the world. In some cultures, people have even
worshiped these animals. In today’s Spotlight we look at the history and stories of the domestic
cat.
Voice 2
Cats began as wild animals. But the cats we are talking about today are domestic cats - cats that
have learned to live with people. They are the cats people have as family pets. Cats have a long

history with people. Many experts believe that the first domesticated cats came from Egypt.
Ancient pictures show that cats were a normal part of Egyptian life for thousands of years!


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Voice 1
No one knows exactly when the first cats in Egypt came from the wild and became domesticated.
But experts say that it was probably about 4,000 years ago.
Voice 2
Many experts believe that the first cats in Egypt were African wild cats. These small wild cats
were skilled at hunting and eating smaller animals like mice, rats, and poisonous snakes. And
these were some of the Egyptians’ biggest problems!
Voice 1
Mice, rats, and snakes attacked food supplies in Egyptian houses and village grain storage areas.
Experts say that wild cats began to enter Egyptian communities. The cats hunted and killed the
mice, rats, and snakes. The Egyptians were probably very grateful for the assistance of these
cats. So, they repaid the animals with small pieces of food. Experts say that it was only a short
time before these wild cats began to enter Egyptian homes. This was a good deal for everyone!
Voice 2
The wild cats probably began to spend more and more time inside the homes of the Egyptians.
They let the Egyptians take care of them. The cats began to raise their babies near people. Also,
after a time, the wild cat’s diet probably changed. It began to depend on people for food, instead
of hunting its own food.
Voice 1
The Egyptian people probably also encouraged particular cats to mate. This way, they could

breed good characteristics into the cats - making them more friendly. As the cats became more
and more domesticated, they became the perfect pets for Egyptians. The cats liked to play and
they were intelligent. They showed love toward the Egyptians. And they also kept problem
animals away from the food stores.
Voice 2
History experts say that many ancient pictures show cats taking part in everyday Egyptian life.
The Egyptians valued the mysterious qualities of the cat. They believed that the female cat was a
good mother. Evidence even shows that Egyptian people started naming their children after cats!
Voice 1
And soon, the image and shape of cats began to appear on everyday objects. Cat images
appeared on jewellery that a person would wear around the neck or arm, or on the ear. People
owned cat statues. Women even began copying the look of the cat. They painted around their
eyes to look more cat-like.


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Voice 2
Many Egyptians even worshiped a cat goddess, a female god. She had the body of a woman, but
the head of a cat. They called her Bastet. They believed that Bastet protected women, children,
and domestic cats from harm. Every year, Egyptians had a celebration for her.
Voice 1
Egyptians valued cats so much, that they worked very hard to protect them. During one time in
Egyptian history, it was illegal to kill a cat - even by accident. The punishment for this act was
death!
Voice 2

Many experts say that domestic cats began to spread quickly from Egypt through other parts of
the world. Today, millions of people around the world still own cats as pets.
Voice 1
And people still recognize the mysterious nature of the cat. In fact, cats have been the subjects of
many beliefs and stories around the world - some good and some bad. You have probably heard
a few interesting beliefs or stories about cats from your own country. Many of these beliefs are
superstitions. Superstitions are beliefs that are not based in fact. Here are some superstitions
about cats from cultures around the world. Some of these superstitions are very old. But they
may still influence cat owners in particular areas today.
Voice 2
When a cat washes behind his ears, you may expect visitors. This is a Dutch superstition.
Voice 1
An old English superstition says: if a cat leaves a house forever, the people living there will
always be sick.
Voice 2
A very common worldwide superstition says that cats have nine lives.
Voice 1
Some superstitions say that cats can predict weather. Here are some English superstitions. If a cat
washes behind its ears, it will rain. But, if your cat is sleeping with all four of its feet under its
body, it means you can expect cold weather very soon.
Voice 2
Many superstitions about cats have to do with luck. Cats can be either good luck, or bad luck -
but it depends on the situation.


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Voice 1
In the United States, it is bad luck to see a white cat at night. But dreaming of a white cat is good
luck.
Voice 2
In France, it is bad luck to carry a cat while crossing a stream of water.
Voice 1
Have you ever heard a cat sneeze? An old Italian superstition says that a sneezing cat is a good
sign for anyone who hears it.
Voice 2
In the United States, it is bad luck if a black cat walks in front of you. But in Britain, and many
parts of Europe the superstition is different. In these places, a black cat who walks in front of you
means good luck! And in Southern England a newly married woman may hope that a black cat
walks in front of her. There, the superstition says that if that happens, she will have a very good
marriage.
Voice 1
Cats are definitely the subjects of some strange beliefs. These superstitions are not true. But they
all show how full of mystery people believe the cat to be. Do superstitions like this exist in your
community? Do you have a cat? Write to us to tell us your experiences at radio @ radioenglish .
net.
Voice 2
The writer and producer of this program was Liz Waid. The voices you heard were from the
United States. Computer users can hear more Spotlight programs on our website
at . This program is called “Cats.” We hope you can join us again for
the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!
BÀI 7
Dogs and Humans
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Rena Dam.
Voice 2

And I’m Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for
people to understand - no matter where in the world they live.


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Voice 1
There is a large square stone near a river in Northern Wales. Grass and trees surround it. This
gray stone marks where someone is buried. One side of the burial stone is covered with writing.
It tells this story:
Voice 3
“In the 13th century the son of the king of North Wales had his home here. His name was Prince
Llewelyn. One day Prince Llewelyn went out hunting. He went without his faithful dog, Gelert.
When Llewlyn came home, Gelert joyfully ran and jumped to meet him. But the dog was
covered with blood. The Prince was frightened. Quickly, he ran to find his son. He found the
baby’s bed empty. The blankets and floor were covered with blood. Llewelyn felt insane with
anger. He thought his dog had killed his baby. He quickly killed Gelert with his sword. The
dog’s dying cry was followed by a baby’s voice. The Prince searched and discovered his son.
The boy was not hurt. But next to the baby lay the dog-like body of a large wolf. Gelert the dog
had killed this wild and fierce animal. The Prince was full of regret. People say he never smiled
again. The prince buried Gelert here.”
Voice 2
The dog Gelert and the wolf may have looked very similar. But they did not treat the people
around them in the same way. Today’s Spotlight is on dogs and their relationship with humans.
Voice 1
So what made Gelert and the wolf so different? Many years ago, dogs and wolves were the same.

But about 14,000 years ago, some wolves began to change. They were no longer as wild. No one
knows exactly how this happened. Angus Phillips of National Geographic Magazine thinks it
may have happened like this:
Voice 4
“Some wolves moved close to human cooking fires after smelling something good to eat. Then
they worked to get closer to groups of humans. They did this by being helpful or proving they
would not hurt people. The humans might have used the wolves’ better hunting skills to help
them hunt animals. The wolves could warn humans of danger at night.”
Voice 2
Humans and wolves both lived in groups. The groups usually had a leader. The smaller, weaker
wolves knew how to obey the wolf leader. So it was easy for them to learn to obey a human
leader. Both humans and these smaller wolves got something good from this relationship. Angus
Phillips explains the result:


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Voice 4
“Over thousands of years. . .humans kept the large, rough wolves out of the human camps. This
led to the development of different kinds of dogs that were more friendly to people. They began
to look different than wolves. . .They were generally smaller than wolves, with a shorter nose.”
Voice 1
Today, there are about 400 different kinds of dogs. People can see many of these kinds of dogs at
dog shows. At these shows, people bring their dogs to compete for a prize. The dogs run, walk
and do tricks for judges. Some of the dogs are as tall as the waist of a person. Others are small
enough to be carried in one hand. Some dogs have long hair that reaches to the ground. Others

have no hair at all.
Voice 2
Dogs can be very different in size, shape and colour. Peter Tyson works for the science magazine
NOVA. He explains why there are so many kinds of dogs:
Voice 5
“There are so many kinds of dogs mainly because of human and not natural selection Through
the late 19th century, humans would mate dogs for special skills they wanted.”
Voice 1
Humans mated or bred dogs such as the greyhound for hunting. This dog is thin and very fast. It
can run for a long time without getting tired.
Voice 2
Humans have also bred dogs to work with the police. In Thailand, police use the dog’s good
sense of smell to look for land mines. Other dogs work on farms. They help farmers who have
many sheep or cows. These herding dogs help move and protect the animals.
Voice 1
Dogs are trained to work with humans in many ways. But humans also breed dogs for something
other than work. Peter Tyson of NOVA explains:
Voice 5
“It was not until the late 1800s that breeding for looks more than for behaviour began. Breeders
wanting to design the perfect breed are the reason why today we have so many different looking
dogs.”


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Voice 2

Humans have spent a lot of time and effort breeding different kinds of dogs. But most dogs are
not show dogs. Most dogs do not even work. Today, the most common use of a dog is for
friendship. Some people even consider their dog to be a part of their family. Scientists are
finding that dogs can even understand human emotions.
Voice 1
Around the world today there are more than 400 million dogs. But their relationship with people
is not always close. Some of these dogs do not have a home. They are strays. They live on the
streets and often eat garbage. Diana Bharucha is from Bangalore, India. She started a program
called ‘Stray Dogs Free Bangalore.’ She says that dogs should have a home with a human
master. If not, she thinks that the dogs should be killed in a way that does not cause them pain.
Diana told the newsmagazine ‘Citizens Matters’:
Voice 6
“If the dog population continues to increase, they will go back to living in a group and turn wild.
They will start hunting like wild animals. This will be a danger for human life.”
Voice 2
Rajesh Shukla also lives in Bangalore. He does not want to kill the stray dogs. He offers a
different solution:
Voice 7
“If the city begins a waste management system that works well, the food for stray dogs will be
limited. This will limit the number of stray dogs in the area.”
Voice 1
Humans are still learning how to live together with dogs. This relationship can be wonderful but
difficult - like in the story of Prince Llewelyn and his dog Gelert. But people will continue to
share their lives with man’s best friend: the dog.
Voice 2
The writer and producer of this program was Rena Dam. The voices you heard were from the
United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted for this program and voiced by
Spotlight. You can listen to this program again, and read it, on the internet
at . This program is called, ‘Dogs and Humans’.

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Voice 1
You can also leave your comments on our website. Or you can email us at radio@ radioenglish.
net. You can also find us on Facebook - just search for SpotlightRadio. We hope you can join us
again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.
BÀI 8
The Rosetta Comet Mission
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Christy VanArragon. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is
easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Imagine that it is night. You look up into the dark sky. You see millions of stars. But then you
see something strange. You see a bright point of light with a long end or tail behind it. It is a
comet.
Voice 2
This space object is made of frozen gases, rock and dust. It orbits the sun in a long path. It orbits
the sun again and again. The orbit of some comets lasts tens of years. But the orbit of other
comets lasts thousands of years. The comet gets hotter every time it gets close to the sun. The
dust and gas flow out behind it for millions of kilometres. This is why a comet looks like a bright
point of light with a long tail behind it.
Voice 1
25 years ago space scientists started to plan a special project involving a comet. They wanted to

learn more about the atmosphere of a comet and more about its centre or nucleus. So they
decided to land a spaceship on a passing comet. They called this project ‘Rosetta’. Today’s
Spotlight programme is on project Rosetta.
Voice 2
Long ago people were frightened by comets. They did not know when comets would arrive in
the sky. And they believed comets were a sign that something bad would happen. Ancient
astronomers from China observed stars, planets and comets. They kept clear records of where
and when comets appeared. People in other places also recorded when comets appeared. For


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example, there is a cloth tapestry that shows an old battle in the United Kingdom. The tapestry
also shows a comet in the sky. This battle was fought in the United Kingdom in 1066.
Voice 1
Old records like these helped scientists discover when particular comets would arrive in the sky.
In 1705 Edmund Halley discovered when a particular comet would return. This comet became
known as Halley’s comet. It was the same comet that had appeared in 1066. Halley’s comet
returns every 76 years. It most recently returned in 1986.
Voice 2
During that year, many people wanted to study Halley’s comet. Russia, France and Japan sent
spaceships or probes to investigate the comet. They could only pass by the comet and collect
information about its atmosphere. A probe from Europe called Giotto flew to about 600
kilometres from the comet. Giotto was almost destroyed by the fierce dust of the comet. But it
survived. It saw the nucleus of the comet. And then it sent images of the comet back to earth.
Gerhard Schwehm of the European Space Agency said,

Voice 3
‘It was a once-in-a-life-time event. It had a big effect on the general public. It may sound simple
to say this, but the picture was the best thing. The minute you saw it, it was amazing. Giotto
excited the space science community in Europe. We had demonstrated that we could successfully
lead demanding missions. And people started thinking about what else we could do.’
Voice 1
After that success the European Space Agency decided to land a probe on a passing comet. The
Rosetta spaceship lifted off planet Earth in 2004. Its purpose was to catch a comet called Comet
67P. This comet orbits the sun every 6 1/2 years and travels between the orbits of Jupiter and
Earth. The scientists worked hard to establish the exact path of comet. They had to make sure
that Rosetta and the comet would meet. This was not easy. The comet travels at 55,000 km/h.
And it is only about four kilometres wide.
Voice 2
Rosetta travelled for ten years. It went round the sun five times facing great extremes of hot and
cold. At last on August 6th, 2014 Rosetta caught the comet. The spaceship went into a powered
orbit around the comet. At times Rosetta was only ten kilometres above the comet. And Rosetta
took pictures and made maps of the surface of the comet.
Voice 1
Then on the 12th of November 2014 Rosetta launched a small landing vehicle called Philae.
Philae flew down toward the surface of the comet.