Plain English

Today's story: The first postcards were sold in the late 1800s and quickly became a popular way to communicate. In the days before social media (and even consumer photography), they were a fast and cheap way to communicate. But across the world, postcard usage is falling sharply (except one specific type of postcard). Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/895
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/895
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Learn the English expression, "better off"
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/better-off
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Today's story: Scientists at the University of Minnesota built a synthetic cell entirely from non-living chemical ingredients. Called SpudCell, it can absorb nutrients, copy its genetic code, divide into two, and even show natural selection over several generations. However, it still depends on scientists to supply key cellular machinery, cannot reproduce forever, and does not always pass on a complete set of DNA. Researchers hope this fully documented cell will help them understand how life works and eventually develop engineered cells that can produce fuels, plastics, or medicines. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/893
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/893
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Mentioned in this episode:
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Learn what it means to "distance yourself" from someone or something
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/distance-yourself
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Mentioned in this episode:
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Today's story: Europe’s new Entry/Exit System replaces passport stamps with digital records and biometric checks. But its rollout during peak travel season caused long lines, missed connections, and confusion at major airports. Technical problems, staffing shortages, and slow first-time registrations made the delays worse. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/891
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/891
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Mentioned in this episode:
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