Beginner

NASA’s InSight mission records astonishing sounds on the red planet

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Pre-reading questions: What is the most interesting planet for you? Do you want to become an astronaut? Vocabulary: strange /streynj/ [adjective] unusual and unexpected, or difficult to understand She has a strange personality. possible /POS-uh-buhl/ [adjective] able to be done or achieved It’s possible that he will not come. sound /sound/ [noun] something that you can hear or that can be heard I could hear the sound of children playing outside my window. make /meyk/ [verb] to produce something, often using a particular substance or material Let’s make some cookies. open /OH-puhn/ [adjective] not closed or fastened Ken saw an open gate in the abandoned house. NASA’s InSight recorded strange…
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Four healthy lifestyles that could boost mental health

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you eat fruits and vegetables? Do you use social media sites every day? Vocabulary: psychological /sahy-kuh-LOJ-i-kuhl/ [adjective] relating to the human mind and feelings The new game has a psychological effect on kids. lifestyle /LAHYF-stahyl/ [noun] someone’s way of living; the things that a person or particular group of people usually do My doctor advised me to change my lifestyle. quit /kwit/ [verb] to stop doing something or leave a job or a place She promised herself that she would quit smoking. detox /DEE-toks/ [noun] a period when you stop taking unhealthy or harmful foods, drinks, or drugs into your body for a period of time, in…
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Five ways to regain your health from flu

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Pre-Reading Questions: How often do you get sick? What do you usually do when you get sick? Vocabulary: danger /DEYN-jer/ [noun] the possibility that something bad will happen The sick woman is in danger of death. enough /ih-NUHF/ [adverb] as much as is necessary We need enough medicine for our patients. loaded /LOH-did/ [adjective] full My bag is loaded with different pieces of paper. spread /spred/ [verb] to move from one place to another The fire spreads so fast! flu /floo/ [noun] an infectious illness like a very bad cold that also causes a fever Maria has the flu since last week. It’s going to be flu season again, so…
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Flying taxi is ready for take-off

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© Photo by Forbes / AeroMobil via Forbes Pre-Reading Questions: What are the means of transportation you take when you travel? Do you like riding an airplane? Vocabulary: glide /glahyd/ [verb] to fly by floating on air currents instead of using power from wings or an engine The airplanes glide effortlessly in a thick foggy sky. flight /flahyt/ [noun] a journey in an aircraft Mr. Henry was riding a flight going to Europe. cost /kawst/ [noun] the amount of money needed to buy, do, or make something The administration requested a low-cost budget for next year’s projects. apt /apt/ [adjective] suitable or right for a particular situation The banquet is…
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Kyoto city monitors tourists’ behavior via smartphone

Kyoto monitor's tourists' behavior via smartphone

Pre-reading questions: Do you like historic places? What is your favorite city in Japan? Vocabulary: foreign /FAWR-in/ [adjective] belonging or connected to a country that is not your own Tom can speak two foreign languages. polite /puh-LAHYT/ [adjective] behaving in a way that is socially correct We need to be polite when we have visitors. effect /ih-FEKT/ [noun] the result of a particular influence This medicine has the effect of making someone sleepy. tourism /TOOR-iz-uhm/ [noun] the business of providing services such as transport, places to stay, or entertainment for people who are on holiday Tourism is one of the country’s main industries. historic /hi-STOR-ik/ [adjective] important or likely to…
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Kanazawa as the ice cream capital

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Pre-Reading Questions: What makes sushi famous in Japan? What dishes can you cook? Vocabulary: ice cream /AHYS-kreem/ [noun] a sweet, frozen food made from milk and cream The ice cream truck arrived at 10 PM. season /SEE-zuhn/ [noun] one of the four parts a year is divided into; spring, summer, fall, or winter The summer season is the most awaited season by the students. earn /urn/ [verb] to receive money as payment for work that you do You will earn more if you work harder. convenient /kuhn-VEEN-yuhnt/ [adjective] suitable for your purposes and causing no difficulty for your schedule or plans Fast food restaurants are very convenient for those who…
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“Weathering with You” to be Japan’s entry for International Film award

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© Photo by GKIDS , INC- © 2019 TOHO CO.,LTD / CoMix Wave Films Inc./ via IMDb Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite movie? Do you like watching animated movies? Vocabulary: film /film/ [noun] a movie The film is about the life of Stephen Hawking. international /in-ter-NASH-uh-nl/ [adjective] involving more than one country Music is an international language. earn /urn/ [verb] to receive money as payment for work that you do Claire changed jobs to earn more money. since /sins/ [preposition] in the time after a particular time in the past I’ve been here since July. local /LOH-kuhl/ [adjective] from, existing in, or serving a particular place or small area…
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Talking to yourself in third person can help you succeed

talking to self

Pre-Reading Questions: Have you tried talking to yourself? Do you usually ask for advice from other people? Vocabulary: intelligence /in-TEL-i-juhns/ [noun] the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments She will take an intelligence test tomorrow. self-reflection /self ri-FLEK-shuhn/ [noun] the activity of thinking about your own feelings and behavior John spends a lot of time doing self-reflection. pronoun /PROH-noun/ [noun] a word that is used instead of a noun or a noun phrase Rin will have a report about pronouns. contrary /KON-trer-ee/ [noun] used to show that you think or feel the opposite of what has just been stated She thinks that the movie is a comedy, on the…
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Seeking modernization enhances life at work, according to a Japanese company president

Pre-reading questions: What do you enjoy doing? What are your skills? Vocabulary: daily /DEY-lee/ [adjective] happening on or relating to every day It is important to have daily supplies. skill /skil/ [noun] a special ability to do something We have to improve our skills every day. switch /swich/ [verb] to change suddenly or completely from one thing to another Joanne switched her major from Communication to Information Technology. create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to cause something to exist or to make something new She created a new bag design. fulfilled /fool-FILED/ [adjective] feeling happy because you get everything you want from life Her mother feels fulfilled because she graduated from college. The…
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Astonishing 2D Cafe in Tokyo attracts customers

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like going to cafes? Do you like drinking coffee? Vocabulary: seem /seem/ [verb] to appear to be John seems so sad today. flavor /FLEY-ver/ [noun] the particular way a substance, esp. food or drink, is recognized from its taste and smell I like the flavor of coffee. popular /POP-yuh-ler/ [adjective] liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people Cherry Blossom is popular in Japan. extraordinary /ik-STAWR-dn-er-ee/ [adjective] very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange Holly made an extraordinary story. relax /ri-LAKS/ [verb] to become or cause someone to become calm and comfortable The park downtown is a good place to relax. The new 2D cafe in Tokyo’s Shin…
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