Beginner

European Union and Japan sign a free trade deal

European Union and Japan sign a free trade deal

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you use foreign products? Why? or Why not? Do you know what trade is? Please discuss your answer. Vocabulary: free /free/ [adjective] not costing any money Giving free hugs to other people will make you happy. almost /AWL-mohst/ [adverb] nearly She almost got the highest score in the test. company /KUHM-puh-nee/ [noun] an organization that sells goods or services He wants to start his own company. business /BIZ-nis/ [noun] the activity of buying and selling goods and services She started her clothing business when she was young. easily /EE-zuh-lee/ [adverb] with no difficulty or effort She was able to read the book easily. The European Union (EU)…
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Child labor increases in tobacco industry

Child Labor Increases in Tobacco Industry

Pre-reading questions: When did you start working? Do you like going to the field? Vocabulary: increase /in-KREES/ [verb] to become or make something larger or greater The number of students will increase by September. force /fawrs/ [verb] to use physical strength or effort to make something move or open She was forced to go to the court. tobacco /tuh-BAK-oh/ [noun] a type of plant, or dried leaves used in making cigarettes The farmer sells tobacco every week. harvest /HARH-vist/ [verb] to pick and collect crops, or to collect plants, animals, or fish to eat They harvested ripe mangoes yesterday. danger /DEYN-jer/ [noun] the possibility of harm or death, or of…
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India is facing a water crisis

India is facing a water crisis

Pre-reading questions: Do you want to visit India? Why or why not? Why is water important? Please give three reasons. Vocabulary: experience /ik-SPEER-ee-uhns/ [noun] something that happens to you that affects how you feel My brother said that riding a horse was a good experience. slow down /slo doun/ [phrasal verb] to become slower The car slowed down when people crossed the street. illegal /ih-LEE-guhl/ [adjective] not allowed by law Bringing alcoholic drinks to school is illegal. loss /los/ [noun] having less of something than before Annie’s weight loss was caused by following a proper diet. receive /ri-SEEV/ [verb] to get something that someone has given or sent to you…
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Scent check: Japan’s new smell checking device

Scent check Japan's new smell checking device

Photo from © Tanita Pre-Reading Questions: Do you use perfume? Why or why not? What is your favorite scent? Vocabulary: release /ri-LEES/ [verb] to make something public or available for use The store released a new flavor of milk tea. gadget /GAJ-it/ [noun] a piece of equipment that is used for a particular purpose The XBOX is a popular gadget for gamers. scent /sent/ [noun] a good or nice smell The flowers have a sweet scent. user /YOO-zer/ [noun] someone who uses an item, product or thing There are many internet users around the world. check /chek/ [verb] to know or find out about something The dentist checked my teeth….
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Internet connection suspended in Algeria and Iraq

Internet connection suspended in Algeria and Iraq

Pre-reading questions: Do you like using the Internet? Why or why not? What do you do on the Internet? Vocabulary: Algeria /al-JEER-ee-uh/ [noun] a country in North Africa She didn’t want to go to Algeria with me. suspend /suh-SPEND/ [verb] to stop something from happening Our English teacher was suspended for one week. exam /ig-ZAM/ [noun] short for examination; a test The math exam we took was very hard. minister /MIN-uh-ster/ [noun] a leader in a government department The health minister will visit our city tomorrow. decision /dih-SIZH-uhn/ [noun] a choice that you make about something She had to make some very hard decisions. The Internet in Algeria and Iraq…
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Heathrow’s airport expansion gets the green light

Heathrow's airport expansion gets the green light

Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to airports? What is the biggest airport in Japan? Vocabulary: approve /uh-PROOV/ [verb] to accept or allow something officially The teacher approved their topic proposal. landing strip /LAN-ding strip/ [noun] a long flat area used by aircraft when taking off and landing Jacob is standing on the landing strip. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] building of bridges, buildings, etc. They are planning to start the construction of the new building next week sacrifice /SAK-ruh-fahys/ [verb] to give up something for something that is more important The manager sacrificed her time, effort, and money for this project. leap /leep/ [noun] a big change, increase, or improvement They…
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Hello Kitty to cover Western Japan’s bullet trains

Hello Kitty to cover Western Japans Bullet Train

Pre-reading questions: Do you know any cartoon characters? Please explain your answer. Are cartoon characters still popular? Why or why not? Vocabulary: railway /REYL-wey/ [noun] the metal tracks on which trains run There isn’t any railway service on Sundays. feature /FEE-cher/ [verb] to include something as an important part The movie features James Dean as a rebellious teenager. theme /theem/ [noun] the subject of a talk, book, film, etc. The theme of loss runs through most of his novels. promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something Martha Stewart promotes her products successfully. attraction /uh-TRAK-shuh n/ [noun] something that makes people want to go to…
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What to expect from Apple’s first iOS 12 beta

What to expect from Apple's first iOS 12 beta

Pre-Reading Questions: What is the brand of your smartphone? Do you like using your smartphone? Why or why not? Vocabulary: public /PUHB-lik/ [noun] all people The park is open to the public. version /VUR-zhuhn/ [noun] a different form of something My favorite book has many versions. include /in-KLOOD/ [verb] to add something as a part of something else The report includes other important information. spend /spend/ [verb] to use time or money on something He spends a lot of time playing computer games. represent /rep-ri-ZENT/ [verb] to show a thing as someone or something else Bill will represent the school for the event tomorrow. Apple finally released iOS 12 to…
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UNRWA endures aid reduction

UNRWA endures aid reduction

Pre-reading questions: Do you think money is important? Please explain. How do you save money? Vocabulary: limited /LIM-i-tid/ [adjective] kept within a particular size, range, time etc. Time during examinations is limited. donation /doh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] when money or goods are given to help a person or organization My family sent a donation to the animal shelter. lower /LOH-er/ [verb] to make something smaller in size, amount, or price They lowered the price of milk in convenience stores. send /send/ [verb] to cause something to go from one place to another I sent a letter to my aunt this morning. poor /poor/ [adjective] having very little money or few things The…
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Free education for British students in 11 countries

Free education for British students in 11 countries

Pre-reading questions: Do you want to go to England? Why or why not? What countries in Europe do you know? Vocabulary: Slovenia /sloh-VEE-nee-uh/ [noun] a country in southeastern Europe My family will visit Slovenia next month. cost /kost/ [verb] to pay an amount to buy or do something Joining the event will not cost you a lot. pound /pawnd/ [noun] unit of money used in the United Kingdom We don’t use pounds in the United States. yearly /YEER-lee/ [adjective] every year or once a year She visits the dentist yearly. expensive /ik-SPEN-siv/ [adjective] costing a lot of money I don’t want to buy that phone because it’s expensive. British students…
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