BBC Learning English
Words in the News
7th October 2011
Jobs mourned in China
In China fans of Apple have been reacting to the death of the company's co-founder Steve
Jobs. This report is from Michael Patience:
At Beijing's flagship Apple Store they switched off the company's famous icon at midday. It
was a tribute to Steve Jobs the visionary who had created a truly global brand. Flowers were
laid at the entrance of the store. Some came to shop but others are gathered to pay tribute.
Speaker 1
"I just found out this morning from the news that Mr Jobs has passed away, so this is why I
came here. I wanted to buy some flowers myself but I couldn't find where."
Speaker 2
"I'm kind of a diehard fan of Apple. It's really really sad to see that Steve Jobs passed away.
This man I think really influenced the way I think, the way I observe the world. I really can't
say how grateful I am to him."
Many Apple products are made in China. But unlike other western brands Apple is a
household name here. Its iPhones and iPads are snapped up by the growing middle class.
More than 35 million Chinese internet users also tweeted about his death.
Steve Jobs was a man who was idolised around the globe and many here say his vision helped
connect the world.
Martin Patience, BBC, Beijing
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
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Vocabulary and definitions
flagship most important
a tribute something that is done to show respect and admiration for
someone, particularly someone who has died
visionary an original thinker with intelligence and imagination
to pay tribute to to do something as a mark of respect for someone
passed away died
a diehard fan of a dedicated follower of
a household name a product that is very widely known across all levels of
society
snapped up bought in large numbers very quickly
tweeted wrote messages on the social media platform Twitter
idolised admired greatly
More on this story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15202484
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/10/111007_witn_china_jobs.shtml
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
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bbclearningenglish.com