Category: Vocabulary

Exploring the World of Stinky Cheeses: A Whiff of Adventure!

Have you heard of stinky cheeses? Yes, those smelly ones your grandparents might have eaten. Don’t wrinkle your nose just yet – these cheeses might surprise you with their amazing flavors and textures. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of stinky cheeses and discover what makes them special.
First things first, why do they smell so much? The secret is bacteria – not the bad kind, though! One type of bacteria, b. linens is responsible for the smell. It’s the same bacteria that makes your sweat smell! But in cheese, it’s intentional and adds a unique aroma. The bacteria come from washing the cheese’s rind in salty brine or alcohol. That’s what gives these cheeses their special funkiness.

Now, let’s meet some of these cheesy champions:

Epoisses: This cheese is like the rockstar of stinkiness! People say it was banned from trains because of its strong smell. It’s soft and gooey when ripe, and it’s washed with brandy. Try it with sweet apricot jam for a taste explosion!

Ardrahan: Imagine the salty air from the sea turning into cheese. That’s Ardrahan for you! Made in Ireland, it has a sticky orange rind and comes in different flavors – from slightly tangy to nutty.

Affine au Chablis: This cheese is like Epoisses’ calm cousin. It’s washed in wine and has a bit of smell. Not too strong, though! Spread it on toast with jam for a morning treat.

Rush Creek Reserve: This cheese is wrapped in bark – like a cheesy present! It’s creamy and best enjoyed by spooning it out. The cheese maker in Wisconsin came up with the idea to use winter milk.

Taleggio: Italy brings us Taleggio, a cheese that’s not super stinky, but super tasty! It has a yeasty flavor and can be used in many ways – on sandwiches or even on pizzas.

Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk: All the way from California, this cheese is like a flavor adventure. It’s creamy and gooey, and it gets better as it ages. Just like a good story!

Adapted from this article.

 

So, if you’re feeling brave and adventurous, give stinky cheeses a try. They might be smelly, but they’re also full of surprises and deliciousness. Just remember, the smellier the cheese, the more exciting the taste!

Stinky Cheeses Quiz:

FILL IN THE BLANK

The Power of Innovation: Shaping Tomorrow’s Landscape

In today’s ever-evolving world, innovation is prevalent, driving societies towards progress. It occurs to us that to fit new ideas in, we need not sacrifice the tried-and-true; instead, we can embrace out-of-the-box thinking to frame challenges as opportunities. However, this shouldn’t happen at the cost of the bottom line.

Thinking doable/viable innovations enables us to reshape industries and enrich lives. Collaborative environments, with diverse perspectives, further fuel innovative thinking, leading to inclusive and far-reaching outcomes. From revolutionary medical breakthroughs to sustainable energy solutions, innovation permeates every facet of our lives.

In conclusion, innovation emerges as the catalyst propelling us into the future. Our ability to embrace novel ideas, collaborate across diverse perspectives, and envision out-of-the-box solutions shapes the trajectory of progress. By fostering a culture of viable and inclusive innovation, we ensure a world where positive change is not just a possibility but a prevailing reality.

The Power of Innovation Quiz

Choose the correct words from the list below to complete the sentences. Some words may be used more than once.


GRAMMAR EXERCISE 1:

Rewrite the sentences using the present perfect:


GRAMMAR EXERCISE 2:

Formulate questions using the prompts:

Learn through Summer Songs!

Today you’ll learn some fun English phrases through music! We’ll explore the song “Summer Loving” from the movie “Grease.” As we enjoy the catchy tune, we’ll find phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or a beginner, music offers a vibrant and melodious approach to enriching your language skills. Let the warm melodies of “Summer Loving” serenade you as we set sail towards a language adventure that’s bound to leave you singing, “Tell me more, tell me more”!

Before we listen, we must learn important phrases  from the song!

“I met a girl, crazy for me”
Crazy for me: To be Crazy for means to be extremely infatuated or in love with someone. In this context, it means the girl in the song is deeply attracted to the boy.

“Summer days driftin’ away”
Driftin’ away: Drifting away literally means to move or be carried slowly and gradually in a specific direction. In the song, it suggests that summer days are passing by slowly and fading away. 

“Summer lovin’, had me a blast”
Had me a blast: To have had a great and enjoyable time or experience. In the song, it implies that the summer was full of excitement and fun.

 “Was it love at first sight?”
Love at first sight: If you choose to memorize any phrase from this song this should be the one! Love at first sight. The experience of falling in love with someone instantly upon meeting them for the first time.

“We went strollin’, drank lemonade”
Strollin’: To walk in a leisurely or relaxed manner. In the song, it likely refers to taking a leisurely walk with someone during the summer.

 “We made out under the dock”
Made out: To engage in passionate kissing or intimate physical contact with someone, often suggesting romantic involvement.
Dock: A platform or structure extending from the land out into the water, typically used for boarding boats. In the song, it may suggest a romantic encounter under the dock by the water. 

“Summer dreams ripped at the seams”
Seams: The lines or stitches where two pieces of fabric or material are sewn together. In this context, it could refer to the end of the summer when things start coming apart or ending.

Now, let’s sing together before putting the vocabulary learned into practice!

Summer Nights Lyric:

[The boys]
Summer lovin’, had me a blast
Summer lovin’, happened so fast
I met a girl crazy for me
Met a boy cute as can be

[The girls]
Summer days driftin’ away
To, uh oh, those summer nights

[The boys]
Well-a, well-a, well-a, huh

[The girls]
Tell me more, tell me more
Did you get very far?
Tell me more, tell me more
Like, does he have a car?

[The boys]
Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh

[The girls]
Tell me more, tell me more
Was it love at first sight?
Tell me more, tell me more
Did she put up a fight?

[The boys]
Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh

[The girls]
Took her bowlin’ in the arcade
We went strollin’, drank lemonade
We made out under the dock
We stayed up until ten o’clock

[The boys]
Summer fling, don’t mean a thing
But, uh oh, those summer nights

[The girls]
Tell me more, tell me more
Was it love at first sight?
Tell me more, tell me more
Like, does he have a car?

[The boys]
Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh

[The girls]
Summer dreams ripped at the seams
But, oh, those summer nights

Learn through Summer Songs Quiz

Try and fill in the blanks of the following sentences using your newly learned vocabulary words: