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China resumes domestic travel as COVID-19 spread is contained

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© Liu Zhongjun via CNN 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 like traveling? Have you traveled to other cities in Japan? 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。 believe /bih-LEEV/ [verb] – to think that something is true, correct, or real Her husband always believes in what she says. busy /BIZ-ee/ [adjective] – If you are busy, you are working hard, or giving your attention to a particular thing The woman has been busy these past few weeks because of the project. realize /REE-uh-lahyz / [verb] – to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly The…
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Facebook rolls out newest functionality with Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp

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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 a social media account? Do you use social media apps everyday? 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。 connect /kuh-NEKT/ [verb] – to join or be joined with something else Click here to connect to the coffee shop’s wifi. allow /uh-LOU/ [verb] – to give permission for someone to do something, or to not prevent something from happening The teacher allowed the students to do ten minutes of review before the quiz. change /cheynj/ [verb] – to exchange one thing for another thing, especially of a similar…
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Plastic-eating mealworm might help reduce plastic pollution

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© CNN 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 recycle plastics? Do you buy environmentally-friendly products? 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。 about /uh-BOUT/ [adverb] – a little more or less than a specific number; approximately There were about a hundred people who came to the event earlier. after /AF-ter/ [preposition] – following in time, place, or order Martha went to the spa to relax after a long, busy week. terrible /TER-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – very unpleasant or serious or of low quality Letting my workmates stay in my place for the weekend was a…
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Canada launches new COVID-19 gargle test in British Columbia

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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。 Have you gotten yourself tested for COVID-19? How often do you go to see a doctor? 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。 disease /dih-ZEEZ/ [noun] – (an) illness of people, animals, plants, etc., caused by infection or a failure of health rather than by an accident Nina suffered from a deadly disease. collect /kuh-LEKT/ [verb] – to bring something together from different places or over a period of time Could you please collect all the test papers from the students? officer /OF-fuh-ser/ [noun] – a person who has a…
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Common routines you’re mistakenly disinfecting your groceries

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you often clean your refrigerator? Do you go to the grocery store during this pandemic? Vocabulary: correctly /kuh-REKTli/ [adverb] — in a way that is true She answered the teacher’s question correctly. crop /krop/ [noun] — a plant such as a grain, vegetable, or fruit grown She needs to buy some crops. different /DIF-er-uhnt/ [adjective] — not the same They sell delicious pizzas in twenty different flavors. fridge /frij/ [noun] — a refrigerator She puts some ice cream in the fridge. goods /goods/ [noun] — items you buy, such as food, clothing, toys, and furniture She makes sure to clean her goods. Nowadays, everyone is extra careful…
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Benefits of taking notes the old-fashioned way: Pen and paper

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you still take notes using pen and paper? How often do you use your computer? Vocabulary: electronic /ih-lek-TRON-ik/ [adjective] – using, based on, or used in a system of operation that involves the control of electric current by various devices My brother collects electronic devices as his hobby. handwriting /HAND-rahy-ting/ [noun] – writing with a pen or pencil For me, handwriting is better than typing. properly /PROP-er-lee/ [adverb] – correctly I wasn’t able to properly answer the questions on the quiz. detail /DEE-teyl/ [noun] – information about someone or something Could you give me more details about the shirt you’re looking for? recommended /rek-uh-MEN-duhd/ [adjective] – suggested…
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No vaccines to be distributed unless proven safe and effective, UN says

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Pre-reading questions: Do you often get sick? Is there already a COVID-19 vaccine in Japan? Vocabulary: proven /PRU-vuhn/ [adjective] – shown to be true He has proven himself to be a good employee. licensed /LAHY-suhnst/ [adjective] – having a license (an official document) that gives you permission to own, do, or use something Don’t use the vaccines unless they are licensed. allow /uh-LOU/ [verb] – to let someone do something or let something happen You’re allowed to use calculators on your math quiz. emergency /ih-MUR-juhn-see/ [noun] – a dangerous or serious situation, such as an accident, that happens suddenly or unexpectedly and needs immediate action Don’t call me unless there’s…
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Experts discover the cleanest air on Earth

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Pre-reading questions: Do you always go outside? Does smoke pollute the air? Vocabulary: locate /LOH-keyt/ [verb] — to be in a particular place Their office is located inside the mall. believe /bih-LEEV/ [verb] — to think that something is true, correct, or real Miracles are to those who believe in them. safe /seyf/ [adjective] — not in danger or likely to be harmed I want to make sure that all of the people here in this building are safe. describe /dih-SKRAHYB/ [verb] — to say or write what someone or something is like Please describe to the court exactly what you saw. difference /DIF-er-uhns/ [noun] — the way in which…
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Postcards to save Beirut’s fragile beauties

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© Joseph Khoury Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like taking pictures? Have you been to other countries? Vocabulary: historic /hi-STAWR-ik/ [adjective] – important or likely to be important in history Let’s visit some historic temples in Nagoya. architect /AHR-ki-tekt/ [noun] – someone whose job is to design buildings Isozaki Arata is a Japanese architect who designed Art Tower Mito. boutique /boo-TEEK/ [noun] – a small shop that sells fashionable clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc. The boutique has a 40% off sale on selected items. blast /blahst/ [noun] – an explosion There was a powerful blast at the port in Beirut last August 4. value /VAL-yoo/ [noun] – the importance or worth of…
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Rare breed of singing dogs, found again in the wild after 50 years

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© New Guinea Highland Wild dog foundation via: CNN Pre-reading questions: Do you like animals? Do you have a pet? Vocabulary: again /uh-GEN/ [adverb] ⁠— one more time Mrs. Smith’s children went again to the shop for the second time today. until /uhn-TIL/ [conjunction] ⁠— up to (the time that) Cassidy and her friends were outside until 11:30pm. about /uh-BOUT/ [adverb] ⁠— a little more or less than the stated number or amount The rope is about 1 meter long. howl /houl/ [noun] ⁠— a long, loud, sad sound The howls of the dogs scared the little children. almost /AWL-mohst/ [adverb] ⁠— nearly It’s almost 2pm and the guests aren’t…
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