Worst Airports in North America An American business publication took a survey of 3,000 travelers and found the worst-rated airports to be: #5: JFK New York for the long drive time from Manhatten; #4: Chicago O'Hare for long delays; #3 Washington Dulles for distance from city and long security lines; #2 Newark Liberty Airport for flight delays, awful interior and few shops; #1 LaGuardia New York ranked worst in North America for lack of subway access, dirty bathrooms, and bad restaurants/shops.

in the headlines

Eric: Did you hear that our old classmate William won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry?

Marie: Yes, it's the big story in the headlines today. It was such a surprise.

Explanation: When something is being talked about in the media, we say it is "in the headlines" meaning in the large titles of written news stories.

biodegradable

Patient: If you put the stent in my artery to increase blood flow, when will you take it out?

Doctor: It's a new biodegradable stent, so it will just be absorbed into your body tissues. There is no need to remove anything. It will completely dissolve in time.

Explanation: If something is "biodegradable" it can be absorbed by the environment, whether it is the outside environment of soil and water, or within the body. Pill capsules are a common biodegradable item.

proactive

Dear Patricia:

Technology in our industry is changing so fast that it's hard to keep up with it. Can you take a proactive approach and go to the big conference in Silicon Valley next month?

Explanation: To be "proactive" means to take the initiative and try to improve your business rather than just waiting for problems to appear.