Halloween Scares up Tricks, Treats in US

VOAVideo: Halloween Scares up Tricks, Treats in US

Every year, on the last day of October, children in the U.S. dress up in their most creative costumes to celebrate Halloween. In this report by VOA's Laura Ellsworth, Jim Bertel tells how this big event for children has also become an event that means big profits for some businesses.

ESL Discussions: Halloween

• What do you think about Halloween?

ESL 5 Summary of Vocabulary and Idioms Oct 26-30, 2009

Click the picture to enlargen and download.

“I have 3 children and another on the way.”
Ail / ailing / ailment
Allergy / allergies
Appear <> disappear
Brochure / pamphlet / catalogue
Carve / carving
Chicken pox / Shingles
Comfortable <> Uncomfortable
Complicate / complications
Concern
Condition
Daily habits
Defecate / stool / poop
Describe / description
Epidemic / Pandemic
Examine / examination
Explain / explanation
Flu / H1N1 flu / Influenza
High risk
Imagine / imagination
Immune / immunity
Immunize / immunization
Inject / injection
Intensive Care Unit / ICU
Mild <> Significant
Open heart surgery
Polio/ Mumps / Measles
Predictable <> unpredictable
Preservative / preservation
Reveal / revealing
Tetanus / Diphtheria
Urine / urinate / pee
Vaccine / vaccination
Virus / viral
Worse / worst / worsen

Numbers of things
10 Decade
12 Dozen
13 Baker’s dozen
20 Score
100 Century

Breathing System
Sinuses
Throat
Larynx
Trachea
Lungs
Bronchioles
Bronchial tubes
Diaphragm

Ear
External Canal
Ear drum
Middle Ear
Inner Ear
Eustachian Tube

Eye
Pupil
Iris
Cornea
Lens
Retina
Optic Nerve

Female Genitals
Vagina
Cervix
Uterus
Fallopian Tubes
Ovary

Male Genitals
Penis
Testis
Urethra
Prostate Gland
Vas Deferens

Heart
Aorta
L / R Atrium
L / R Ventricle

Lymphatic System
Lymph Nodes
L / R Lymphatic Duct
Thymus
Heart
Spleen



Organs in the Abdomen
Liver
Gallbladder
Pancreas
Spleen
Stomach
Kidneys
Small Intestine
Colon



Skin
Hair
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous Layer
Sweat Glands



Spine
Cervical Vertebrae
Thoracic Vertebrae
Lumbar Vertebrae
Sacrum
Coccyx (tailbone)



Tooth
Crown
Enamel
Dentin
Gum
Pulp
Root
Bone
Nerve

H1N1 Flu Rising: Vaccine Starts to be Available

VOAVideo: H1N1 Flu Rising: Vaccine Starts to be Available

Senior administration officials have told a Senate panel that there is currently not enough H1N1 vaccine for those Americans who want it. But they said the vaccine should be widely available by mid-November. As VOA Correspondent Cindy Saine reports, swine flu is hitting pregnant women, children and young people the hardest.

VOANews: Government Officials: US Equipped to Handle Swine Flu Epidemic

U.S. health officials say that while the H1N1 swine flu is widespread in the nation, the country is better equipped than any time in history to deal with the epidemic.

VOANews Special Report:H1N1 Flu Pandemic

All the VOA articles and videos about the H1N1 Fu.

Words and Their Stories: Money, Part 2

VOANews: Words and Their Stories: Money, Part 2

Many people believe that money makes the world go around. Others believe that money buys happiness. I do not agree with either idea. But I do admit that money can make people do strange things. Let me tell you about a person I once knew who liked to play card games for money. He liked to gamble.

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Also see: Words and Their Stories: Money, Part 1

Swine Flu: Spreading Rapidly In the Northern Hemisphere

VOAVideo: Swine Flu: Spreading Rapidly In the Northern Hemisphere

The first H1N1 swine flu vaccinations are being given in the U.S. today. More than 4,000 people have died from H1N1 since March when the virus was first identified, according to the World Health Organization (from October 2). Nearly three fourths of the fatalities were in the Americas. A few years ago, health officials were concerned that the bird flu would be the next viral pandemic. VOA's Carol Pearson looks at the differences between the H1N1 swine flu with the H5N1 bird flu.

Taiwan President Vows to Seek Eternal Peace With China

VOANews: Taiwan President Vows to Seek Eternal Peace With China

Taiwan's president has marked the 60th anniversary of a key battle against Chinese Communist forces by vowing to seek eternal peace across the Taiwan Strait.

English in 30 Seconds: Common Internet Acronyms

English in 30 Seconds: Common Internet Acronyms

You have probably seen these acronyms. But what do they mean?

• IMHO
• LOL
• ROTFL
• NSFW
• BRB
• FYI
• NP
• TTFN