Beginner

How insomnia impacts the body

2017年3月6日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Sleeping is a hobby. Do you agree? Sleeping for longer hours is healthy. Do you agree?   A study shows that most people are now only sleeping between five to seven hours a day. Anxiety and stress caused by insomnia are the factors why people lack sleep. People who only sleep for five hours a day get angry easily and eat more than usual. They tend to look older than their age. They also experience slow thinking. They drink more coffee all through the day.   Vocabulary: anxiety [noun] – fear or nervousness about what might happen stress [noun] – mental tension and worry caused by problems…
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Beginner

Researchers found a new organ in the human body

2017年3月6日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like Science? Do you still remember the different parts of the human body? Have you imagined having two or more extra parts in your body?   Researchers discovered a new human organ called as Mesentery. This organ is in the digestive system. Mesentery is a double fold of the peritoneum and it connects the intestine to the abdomen. At first, it is made up of some separate parts but more study is needed to know the function of this organ. Scientists say that Mesentery can help in understanding abdominal diseases.   Vocabulary: organ – [noun] a part of the body (such as the heart or…
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Beginner

Hongkong’s Ghost Island comes to life

2017年2月21日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like to travel? Why? Where is your favorite place?   An island in Hongkong previously named as Yim Tin Sai or “Ghost Island” is slowly returning to life. Yim Tin Tsai means “Little Salt Pan” in Cantonese. The island is a salt pan in the past. When the pans shut down, people slowly fled to the city to seek education. Thanks to Colin Chan, the old village representative, the island is restored to its previous beauty.   Vocabulary: previous [adjective] – coming before something else pan [noun] – a flat expanses of ground covered with salt or other minerals flee [verb] – run away seek…
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Beginner

Teacherless university opens in California

2017年2月15日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite subject in school/university? Do you want to study in a university with no teachers? Please explain your answer. Ecole 42 is a university without teachers. It opened its branch in California. It originated from Paris 3 years ago. Unlike typical universities, students in 42 learn with their classmates only. They are free to learn and work on projects at their own pace. Students need to complete 21 levels to graduate. Vocabulary: branch [noun] – office; extension of the main branch originate [verb] – to begin typical [adjective] – usual; customary pace [noun]– speed graduate [verb] – to complete a course of study in…
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Beginner

Singer handles drunk man on Korean Air flight

2017年2月9日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Who is your favorite artist? If you meet him/her, what will you say? Do you like to travel by airplane?   An airplane passenger attacked some crew while travelling to Seoul, South Korea last Tuesday, December 20. The passenger was actually drunk it is difficult to calm him down. Richard Marx helped the people in controlling the drunk man. Richard Marx is a famous singer. He was mad because the crew was not able to stop the drunk man from attacking other people.   Vocabulary: passenger- [noun] a traveller riding a vehicle crew- [noun] the team who is manages the vehicle drunk- [adjective] someone who drinks alcoholic…
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Beginner

Headmistress buys illegal jammer to block students’ internet use

2017年2月9日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: How long do you use a smartphone in a day? Do you know any area or place that blocks internet access?   Julia Polley, the headmistress of Wensleydale School and Sixth Form College, attempted to stop students from using the internet in class. She wrote a letter telling the students’ parents that she wanted to block the internet use at school. She said that nowadays, children are too focused on their smartphones and can no longer concentrate in class. However, the Office of Communications in United Kingdom said that Polley’s plan is illegal since having a signal jammer can block important calls and disrupt emergency services. The…
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Beginner

Pilot gives tips for coping with jet lag

2017年2月8日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever traveled by plane? Have you ever experience jet lag?   R.J. Deutschendorf, a chief pilot at Southwest Airlines, says that learning to handle jet lag is part of a pilot’s work. He advises pilots and passengers alike to always drink water while travelling. He emphasizes that it is important to have good eating habits and take enough rest or sleep before flight. He also adds that pilots should never drink alcohol before and during work.   Vocabulary: pilot- [noun] a person who operates the flying controls of an aircraft handle- [verb] manage jet lag- [noun] extreme tiredness and other physical effects felt by a…
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Beginner

Onsen adds sake into baths

2017年2月7日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like visiting an onsen? Why or why not? When is the perfect time to visit an onsen? Tell me about the best onsen you know.   Furosshu is a word used in Niigata prefecture. This word means to bathe in an onsen (hot spring) where local sake (rice wine) is added. Eighteen Ryokan inns have this service. Every 26th of the month, visitors get the chance to bathe in a sake-onsen. Bathing in sake is said to be good for skin.   Vocabulary: bathe – [verb] to wash in a container filled with water inn – [noun] a house where people can eat and rent…
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Beginner

Modernization puts Chinese tea houses under threat

2017年2月6日

Lifestyle

Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to tea houses or coffee shops? Why? Have you ever visited a Chinese tea house? A tea house is a place where people can get refreshments and pastries or even play a chess game. It started in Qing dynasty many years ago. They built tea houses in Chengdu, China as a place for relaxation or just to pass the time. However, it is now under threat because of the new cafes rising all over China. Modern Chinese people prefer new cafes such as Starbucks and Seattle’s best over traditional tea houses. Vocabulary: refreshment – [noun] a light snack or drink pastry – [noun] sweet…
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Beginner

University entrance examinations across Japan

2017年2月1日

Education - B

Pre-reading questions: Are college entrance examinations in Japan difficult? What is the best way to prepare for an examination? High school students and graduates recently took college entrance examinations in Japan. The test was held at 691 sites. It ended last Sunday, January 15. Some exam sites had to reschedule the examination because of bad weather. Seventy-nine of the examinees who arrived late will be allowed to retake the test. There were 12 students who were caught cheating by using smartphones or calculators. Vocabulary: examination – [noun] test; a formal test of a person’s knowledge reschedule – [verb] change the date and time of an event examinee – [noun] a…
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Beginner