An idiom is a group of words with a special meaning of its own that is not clear from the meanings of the individual words. Idioms such as "think out of the box" and "a long shot" are used extensively in English in e-mail, newspapers, and conversations. When you don't understand idioms, you can feel left out of a conversation or miss the point of a story. This audiobook focuses on 100 frequently used idioms.

This book builds vocabulary by presenting the fascinating histories behind those words we need for more effective communication and comprehension. Focusing on a core of 100 words and their background stories, the author links these words with hundreds of synonyms and antonyms. Greek and Latin word parts introduce additional words. Informative and amusing exercises reinforce the vocabulary entries.

This Audiobook will take you through the basics of English with Basic Bootcamp, All About, and Pronunciation lessons. The five Basic Bootcamp lessons each center on a practical, real-life conversation. At the beginning of the lesson, we'll introduce the background of the conversation. Then, you'll hear the conversation one time at natural native speed. After the conversation, you'll learn carefully selected vocabulary and key grammar concepts.

Many dread small talk and shy away from it as much as possible. But whether we like it or not, there’s no way we can escape small talk because it is part of everyday interactions. Humans are social creatures and we use conversation as our way to emotionally connect with each other. If you are one of them, worry not because you are about to learn the techniques to gracefully jumpstart a conversation with anyone in any situation.

What is that magic quality that makes some people instantly loved and respected? Everyone wants to be their friend (or, if single, their lover!) In business, they rise swiftly to the top of the corporate ladder. What is their "Midas touch?"

Grammar! For many of us, the word triggers memories of finger-wagging schoolteachers, and of wrestling with the ambiguous and complicated rules of using formal language. But what is grammar? In fact, it's the integral basis of how we speak and write. As such, a refined awareness of grammar opens a world of possibilities for both your pleasure in the English language and your skill in using it, in both speech and the written word.

Doctor Dolittle is one of kind. Not only can he talk to animals - but he can understand them too! One day Doctor Dolittle receives a message from Africa - the monkeys there need his help. So he sails off from his home, bringing along all his pals: Dab-Dab, the duck; Jip, the dog; Gub-Gub, the baby pig; Polynesia, the parrot; and Too-Too, the owl. Join the doctor and his animal friends on an amazing adventure. They even meet the rarest of all animals, the two-headed pushmi-pullyu!

Mesopotamia is the ancient name for the region that is now Iraq, a remarkably advanced civilization that flourished for two-thirds of the time that civilization has existed on Earth. Mesopotamians mastered irrigation agriculture; built the first complex urban societies; developed writing, literature, and law; and united vast regions through warfare and diplomacy. While civilizations like Greece and Rome have an unbroken tradition of written histories, the rich history of Mesopotamia has only been recently rediscovered, thanks to the decipherment of Mesopotamia's cuneiform writing less than 200 years ago.

In How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance, you’ll study the remarkable trajectory of the Medici from the late 14th century to 1737, when the Medici dynasty ended. Across that span of time, you’ll witness the birth of the Italian Renaissance, and the rise of the Medici as an economic powerhouse under founder Giovanni de’ Medici. You’ll learn how the Medici came to dominate Florence and how they played diverse roles in politics, religion, and culture.

※本編に特典音声20ファイルを追加しました。コンテンツをダウンロード済みのお客様が特典音声を聞く場合は、再ダウンロードが必要となります。予めご了承ください。 (2016.4.12更新)

「泣ける」「元気が出る」に続く「ちょっといい話」シリーズ第3弾。初級レベルの英単語をベースにしているので、英語で聞き通す達成感を味わえます。英語圏で広く読まれ続けている物語20編を、「心いやされる」ナレーションとともにお楽しみください。

■「心いやされる」20編：収録されている20編は、いずれも英語圏で長く広く読まれ続けている、作者不明の物語です。親子、ペットと家族、兄弟、夫婦、先生と生徒など、さまざまな関係性の中で紡がれた、「心いやされる」物語を厳選。読めば誰かに話したくなるような物語ばかりです。

■初級レベルの英単語と基本的な構文がベース：初級3000語レベルの英単語と基本的な構文をベースにリライト。読みやすい英文なので、英語そのままで理解できます。

■ナレーション力に注目！：男女ナレーターの「心いやされる」声による、英語音声を収録。音読のお手本やリスニング素材としてなど、「聞く」「話す」力を伸ばす教材としてもご活用いただけます。
【目次】
＜Chapter 1:家族についての話...