Beginner

Twitter begins “Advertising Transparency Center”

2018年3月2日

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you like using Twitter? Please explain your answer. Which is better, Facebook or Twitter? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: advertising [noun] – the business of making paid announcements She works for an advertising company. transparency [noun] – quality of being easily seen Transparency must always be present in a company. users [noun] – someone who uses something All users were happy with their service. advertisement [noun] – announcements made to convince someone to buy something KFC’s advertisement featured their new chicken flavor. duration [noun] – the length of time something continues or exists We have set the duration of our ad until next month only. Twitter has…
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Beginner

Hospital to allow anonymous childbirth

2018年1月5日

Japan - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: How many children do you want to have in the future? Do you think it’s easy to take care of children? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: drop box [noun] – a box or basket where you can safely leave something Please put the gift in the drop box outside the house. infant [noun] – a baby or a very young child It is difficult to take care of infants. allow [verb] – to let someone do something My mother allows me to go anywhere alone. anonymously [adverb] – in secret I always give gifts anonymously. adopt [verb] – to legally take another person’s child as your own family…
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Beginner

Steven Tyler opens Janie’s House

2017年12月28日

entertainment

Pre-reading questions: Do you usually give money to the poor? Why or why not? Do you like helping the people around you? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: abuse [verb] – to treat someone in a cruel way Tom abused my friend. rehab [noun] – process of helping someone to give up drugs or any other unhealthy habits He’s better after spending time in rehab. campus [noun] – an area of a school or organization Aiko had a tour of the campus. therapy [noun] – a form of treatment for an illness Massage is a good therapy. victim [noun] – someone who has been hurt or harmed There were a lot of victims…
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Beginner

China warns borrowers to pay up or be shamed

2017年12月13日

World News - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: Is it easy to borrow some money in your country? Please explain your answer. Is it a bad habit to borrow money from friends? Please explain your anwer. Vocabulary: credit [noun] – a method of buying products that allows you to pay for them in the future The bank offered her a small business credit. behavior [noun] – the way someone acts Anna is tired of her brother’s behavior. borrower [noun] – a person who owes money A borrower should always pay what he owes. billboard [noun] – a large outdoor board for displaying advertisements I saw my friend’s picture on billboard. ban [verb] – to prevent someone…
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Beginner

Google keeps a list of everyone’s search history

2017年12月12日

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you use Google Chrome? What are the popular websites in Japan? Vocabulary: search [verb] – to look for something I will search for my cellphone. website [noun] – a page on the internet with information about something I opened a website about food. search history [noun] – a list of websites the user has visited You can remove your search history on Google Chrome. information [noun] – facts learned about something The teacher gave us some information about the project. advertisement [noun] – a paid notice that tells people about a product or service There are a lot of advertisements at the mall. Google keeps a list…
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Beginner

Cinnamon believed to have medical benefits

2017年12月12日

Pre-reading questions: Do you like the taste of cinnamon? Please explain your answer. What healthy foods do you eat? Vocabulary: medical [adjective] – related to medicine, or for cure of disease We grow plants for medical use. cinnamon [noun] – a spice made from the bark of the cinnamon tree My mother always bakes bread with cinnamon. blood sugar [noun] – level of sugar in the blood; high or low Her blood sugar level is high so she should not eat chocolates. research [noun] – a study to discover information about something We have a research about the benefits of eating peanuts. spice [noun] – something used to add taste…
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Beginner

Trump tells Japan it can protect itself with US weapons

2017年12月12日

World News - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: Do you enjoy traveling abroad? What countries would you like to visit on your next trip? Vocabulary: missile [noun] – a weapon thrown to strike something at a distance Everybody was worried about the missile attack. assure [verb] – to promise or tell something to someone confidently or firmly The governor assured the voters that taxes will be the same. counter [verb] – to oppose or stop something or reduce its negative effect He countered their proposal with a different suggestion. nuclear [adjective] – relating to a weapon with destructive power Nuclear weapons are a threat to all humanity. moreover [adverb] – used to add information It was…
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Beginner

China’s influence concerns other nations

2017年11月24日

World News - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: What do you think is the most powerful country in the world? Describe Japan in one word. Vocabulary: colonization [noun] – to take control of another country by living there or sending people to live there The European colonization began in 1492. influence [noun] – the power to make other people agree with your opinion or do what you want Celebrities influence fashion. era [noun] – a period of history or a long period of time We are living in an era of fast technological advancement. bold [adjective] – not afraid to do things which involve risk or danger Hiring a fresh graduate is a bold move.  …
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Beginner

Netflix’s charge increases

2017年11月16日

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching movies online? Do you think watching movies in cinemas is more fun? Vocabulary: membership [noun] – to become a member of a club This coffee shop requires membership. prime membership [noun] – membership higher than a standard plan My prime membership at the health club will end next week. improve [verb] – become better She needs to improve her grades this year. standard [adjective] – considered normal I have a standard TV at home. plan [noun] – something that you pay for to receive a service My mobile phone plan is expensive.   Netflix will increase its membership fee. The standard membership plan for…
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Beginner

A world free from tobacco

2017年10月26日

Health - Beg

Pre-reading questions: Are there many smokers in your city? Is tobacco good or bad? Vocabulary: tobacco [noun] – type of plant or the leaves of this plant used in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes I don’t like people who smoke tobacco. effect [noun] – the result of something; something that happens because of another thing Smoking has bad effects on your health. strict [adjective] – severe; exact; harsh Our school is very strict with the food we eat. packaging [noun] – materials used to wrap or cover goods The packaging for this cigarette is cute. warning sign [noun] – an early signal that something bad might happen All cigarette boxes have…
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Beginner