Author Archive: admin

Declining invitations the less painful way

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of invitation have you declined recently? What reasons do you usually give when rejecting invitations? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. show up /shoh uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to arrive for a gathering or event 300 people showed up in the seminar. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to refuse I’m sorry, but I have to decline the party invitation. assume /uh-SOOM/ [verb] – to accept something to be true without question or proof Let’s assume that it might rain tomorrow. acceptable /ak-SEP-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – satisfactory; good enough The proposal is…
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Declining invitations the less painful way

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invitee /in-vai-TEE/ [noun] – a person who is invited to something We can add one more invitee to the list. finesse /fi-NESS/ [noun] – skillful handling of a situation Sarah handled the project management with finesse. slight /slahyt/ [verb] – to insult someone by ignoring them or treating them as if they are not important He felt slighted when no one invited him. opt /opt/ [verb] – to make a choice, especially of one thing or possibility instead of others I think I’ll opt to just watch the game on TV. scarcity /SKAIR-si-tee/ [noun] – a…
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How can I lower my carbon footprint in the face of climate change?

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. emission /ih-mish-uhn/ [noun] – the act of sending out gas, heat, light, etc. Countries and businesses are attempting to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. summit /SUHM-it/ [noun] – an important formal meeting between leaders of governments from two or more countries The annual economic summit of world leaders will take place next week. shift /shift/ [verb] – to (cause something or someone to) move or change from one position or direction to another, especially slightly According to the forecast, the wind is forecast to shift to the east tomorrow. lessen /LES-uhn / [verb] – if something…
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How can I lower my carbon footprint in the face of climate change?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you buy plastic products? What things at home do you reuse? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. warm /wawrm / [verb] – to (cause to) become warm (= less cold) With this electric heater, we can quickly warm up the room. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] – a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person The anti-smoking campaign has and continues to have a significant impact on young people. carbon footprint /KAHR-buhn FOOT-print/ [noun] – someone’s carbon footprint is a measurement of the amount of…
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How can I lower my carbon footprint in the face of climate change?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. 講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。 Do you have reusable things at home? How often do you buy clothes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. 単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。 approach /uh-PROHCH/ [verb] – to come near or nearer to something or someone in space, time, quality, or amount In the distance, we could see the train approaching. encourage /en-KUR-ij/ [verb] – to make someone more likely to do something, or to make something more likely to happen At school, we were encouraged to learn foreign languages. mention /MEN-shuhn/ [verb] – to speak about something quickly, giving little detail or…
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No more super high-rise buildings, China says

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©Getty Images via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. 講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。 Are there a lot of tall buildings in your city? Do you enjoy sightseeing? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. 単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。 strict /strikt/ [adjective] – strongly limiting someone’s freedom to behave as they wish, or likely to severely punish someone if they do not obey Her school has some strict rules. limit /LIM-it/ [noun] – the greatest amount, number, or level of something that is either possible or allowed The store put a limit on toilet paper purchases. mega /mega/ [adjective] – very big My friend…
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No more super high-rise buildings, China says

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©Getty Images via BBC Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. restrict /ri-STRIKT/ [verb] – to limit the movements or actions of someone, or to limit something and reduce its size or prevent it from increasing They should restrict smoking in public places. vanity /VAN-ity/ [noun] – lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness According to the critics, the mayor’s latest projects are nothing but vanity. landmark /LAND-mark/ [noun] – a building or place that is easily recognized, especially one that you can use to judge where you are The Chillon Castle is one of Switzerland’s landmarks. novelty /NOV-uhl-tee/ [noun] – the quality of…
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No more super high-rise buildings, China says

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©Getty Images via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a fear of heights? Have you been to Shanghai, China? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc The construction of the new mall will begin next week. practicality /prak-ti-KAL-i-tee / [noun] – the quality of being able to provide effective solutions to problems We are not sure about the practicality of his plan. ban /ban/ [noun] – an official order that prevents something from happening There was a ban on…
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