LEVEL 5

TUESDAY

Former Foe, Now a Friend

Vietnam and the United States have a long history of war. It was only in 1995 when
the formal normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries was
announced. Since then, the diplomatic relations between them have deepened. In
fact, Vietnam is considered to be one of the pro-American countries in Southeast
Asia today a proof that relationships change no matter how permanent they
seem to be.

As a part of a week-long trip to Asia, President Obama recently visited Vietnam. 41

years after the Vietnam War, the United States now wants to improve economic and
security cooperation with it. New businesses, increased military cooperation,
research programs between the countries universities, and cultural exchanges,
which include the introduction of the U.S. Peace Corps in Vietnam, are some of the
new changes to be expected from the cooperation between the former adversaries.
The biggest mutual investment however, is the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, if it
were to be approved.

Obamas visit is deemed a new chapter in the developing friendship between the
two countries. In a speech that Obama delivered in Hanoi, he took the opportunity
to emphasize the importance of human rights in the development of the communist
nation. He also hoped for a new chapter in the U.S.-Vietnam relations as he formally
closed the old chapter of war between the two countries. A part of this closure is
Vietnams assistance in locating the remains of missing American soldiers. In return,
Obama also promised to provide assistance in the removal of landmines and
unexploded artillery that remained after the war.

Guide Questions:

1. How much has changed in the relationship between the US and

Vietnam?
2. What does the United States plan to do to improve economic and
security cooperation with Vietnam?
3. What did Obama talk about in his speech in Hanoi?
4. What are the prerequisites for an old enemy nations to become allies?
5. Can human rights flourish in a communist nation? Why or why not?

Vocabulary:
Adversary - an enemy:
Mutual - (of two or more people or groups) feeling the same emotion, or doing the
same thing to or for each other:
Artillery - very large guns that are moved on wheels or metal tracks, or the part of
the army which uses these:

WEDNESDAY
Games for the Wounded

From May 8 to 12, 2016, the second Invictus Games was held at the ESPN Wide
World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida U.S.A. Hundreds of veterans from 15
different countries travelled to America to participate in the said event. This years
Invictus Games was graced by the presence of Prince Harry and other dignitaries of
the U.S. and the U.K.

The Invictus Games includes different sporting events such as archery, Paralympic
swimming, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, and a lot more. It is a
Paralympic-style international sporting event that was especially made for armed
service personnel who suffered physical injuries and emotional trauma while in
service.

The Invictus Games was created by Prince Harry, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II
and currently fifth in line to the throne of the Monarchy of the United Kingdom. It
was Prince Harrys experience while watching the 2013 Warrior Games (a multisport event for wounded, injured, or ill service personnel and veterans organized by
the United States Department of Defense )that inspired the creation of the Invictus
Games. Prince Harry was touched by how the power of sports made a difference in
the lives of the people who participated in the sporting event, so he adopted the
concept of the Warrior Games and made a similar one for his homeland.

The word Invictus is a Latin word that means undefeated or unconquered. It

was chosen as the name of the event to stand for the impeccable fighting spirit of
those who serve the country and their continued positivity despite getting injured.
Guide Questions:
1. What is the Invictus Games? Why was that name chosen for the event?
2. What will happen at the second Invictus Games?
3. Who created the Invictus Games? What served as his inspiration for
starting the event?
4. How can governments ensure the welfare of soldiers and war
veterans?
5. Why is it important for soldiers injured from wars to have such events?

Vocabulary:

Impeccable - perfect, with no problems or bad parts:

Dignitaries - a person who has an important position in a society:
Paralympics - An international athletic competition for disabled athletes.

THURSDAY
Governments Subsidizing In Vitro Fertilization

The public funding of an assistive reproductive technology called in vitro fertilization

(IVF) is currently in effect in countries like New Zealand, Belgium, and Israel. In this
procedure, unfertilized eggs are fertilized by sperm cells outside a mothers womb,
usually using laboratory apparatuses like test tubes. The zygote is then implanted
into the biological mothers womb or in the womb of a surrogate.
Some people believe that other countries should also subsidize IVF. One of the
reasons for this claim is the notion that the continuity of a countrys population is
really important. The state should do all that it can to make sure that it has a stable
birth rate. This will work best for countries with rapidly aging populations and low
birth rates.
On the other hand, those who think that IVF procedures should not be funded by the
government also have their own reasons. One is that using taxpayers money just
so people can bear children should not be among the priorities of the government. It
should allot the money on projects that would benefit every citizen like the
development of infrastructure, provision of basic needs, and the like.
Opponents of the public funding of IVF also say that although some countries are
having problems with their population, the world population as a whole is growing
out of hand. The world should restrain its population growth to ensure that the
planet will be able to properly provide for the needs of its inhabitants.
Good Questions:
1. His does in vitro fertilization work?
2. Why should governments subsidize in vitro fertilizations?
3. Why are some people against public funding of IVF?
4. Should governments only use find for projects that would benefit
everyone and not just certain groups of people? Why do you think so?
5. What other programs can your government implement to improve your
country's birth rate?

Vocabulary:
Implant - to put an organ, group of cells, or device into the body in a medical
operation:
Restrain - to control the actions or behaviour of someone by force, especially in
order to stop them from doing something, or to limit the growth or force of
something:
Allot - to give (especially a share of something available) for a particular purpose: