Beginner

A winter deer-calling event

2016年12月23日

Lifestyle

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite winter activity? Have you ever been to Nara Prefecture?   There is a special winter event in Kasugataisha Shrine, Nara prefecture.  At 10AM every day, a member of a deer protection group played the horn. Hundreds of deer rushed out of the forest. Tourists fed the deer with acorns and happily took pictures. This winter event lasted until December 14.   Vocabulary: event – [noun] a thing that happens; situation; occasion horn – [noun] a musical instrument made of a tube which the musician blows rush out – [verb] run out; leave feed – [verb] to give food acorn – [noun] the fruit of…
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Beginner

Apple Sets Aside Automotive Goal, Cuts Manpower

2016年12月23日

Business - B

Pre-reading questions: Do you think Apple can make great cars? Do you think Apple will stop making smartphones in the future? Do you think Apple products are the best?   Apple makes changes on their plan of making cars that will not need a driver. The company said they can’t make cars soon because they can’t promise good quality. They don’t want to damage their company name. As a result, hundreds of employees lost their jobs. On the other hand, more workers are added to help on a new project. Project Titan will show the advantages of their plan in 2017. Then, the management will make a new decision.   Vocabulary:…
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Beginner

Japan broadcasters to air in advanced TV formats

2016年12月22日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you watch TV every day? What are your favorite TV programs? What are your favorite channels?   People are expecting high for the next TV formats. 4K and 8K resolutions are expected. Companies are testing on broadcast satellite channels. New formats display clearer images. TV companies are hoping that many people will want high resolutions for TV broadcasts.   Vocabulary: resolution – [noun] the ability of the device to show an image clearly with a lot of detail satellite – [noun] a machine that is sent into space and that moves around the earth, moon, sun, or a planet HD – [noun] high definition, a television…
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Beginner

Fake U.S. embassy in Ghana closed after 10 years of issuing visas

2016年12月22日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Have you been to another country? What languages can you speak?   GHANA—A fake U.S. Embassy was discovered in the city of Accra. It was giving illegal visas for ten years. The fake embassy looks old. A Ghanian lawyer and Ghanian and Turkish criminals work there. Turkish citizens who can speak English and Dutch pretend as embassy officers. The fake U.S. Embassy wants people to pay $6000 for fake U.S. Visas. The real U.S. Embassy in Ghana is a beautiful building in Cantonments.   Vocabulary: embassy- [noun] the official place to represent a country in another country discovered- [verb] find fake- [adjective] not real illegal- [adjective] not…
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Beginner

New Lung Transplant Technique To Save More Lives

2016年12月19日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Are you living a healthy lifestyle? How do you keep yourself healthy? What are the common illnesses that you know?   Lung transplant is a dangerous operation. Doctors need to finish the process within six hours before the lungs become damaged. A new process was discovered called Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP). The lungs are taken out from the donor and put on ice. After being delivered to the hospital, the lungs go through EVLP. The process warms up the lungs by pumping oxygen to the lungs. The process keeps the lungs alive for up to 12 hours.   Vocabulary: transplant – [verb] to transfer from one…
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Beginner

Amazon Limits Customer Reviews

2016年12月16日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you know online shopping? Have you shop online? Do you know Amazon.com?   Online store Amazon has set a limit on the number of reviews that customers can put on the website. Now, online shoppers can give only five reviews in a week. Some sellers give free products to some customers, so the customers give them a good review. Amazon also has started suing these kind of sellers. They have done this to lessen the number of fake reviews on their website. It is because they want to gain the trust of customers again.   Vocabulary: Review – [noun] a report that gives someone’s opinion about…
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Beginner

Online market competitions

2016年12月16日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you know online shopping? Have you tried online shopping?   Online shopping in Japan is becoming more famous. Different online stores are now making their service fast and more attractive to customers. They are working more as the online shopping is now in demand. The online market has doubled its worth since 5 years ago. They are also scared that the market will be pressured as the demand increases.   Vocabulary: famous – [adjective] widely known attractive – [adjective] having a pleasing appearance in demand – needed or wanted by many people pressured – [verb] to force or to try to force someone to do something…
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Beginner

Naganuma for Olympics 2020

2016年12月16日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite sports? Do you watch Olympics?   Four parties that are assigned in Olympics are now deciding its final plan about the venue for rowing and canoe competitions during Tokyo Olympics 2020. Miyagi Naganuma has the advantage since the costs of construction will be down to ¥15 billion from ¥20 billion. The location also can be a symbol of the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, Naganuma plan will split the Olympic village and sports associations are against it. Some committee say that the plan in Naganuma is not possible.   Vocabulary: competition – [noun] a contest advantage – [noun] something that helps to make…
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Beginner

University officials say undocumented students studying abroad should go home

2016年12月16日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you want to study in another country? Have you met a student from another country?   Colleges in the United States want students without proper documents to go home before Donald Trump becomes President. Donald Trump plans to throw out 2 to 3 million foreigners. California State University want their students who are studying in another country to come back. 200 more colleges want their students to study further in a foreign country.   Vocabulary: college – [noun] higher education documents – [noun] paper president – [noun] leader of a country foreign – [noun] another country further – [adverb] more   True or False: Colleges in…
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Beginner

The 90th annual Macy’s thanksgiving day parade

2016年12月16日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your country? How do you celebrate Thanksgiving Day?   Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held last Thursday, November 24, 2016. It took place in Manhattan, New York City. It started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 12:00 p.m. The Parade was watched by more than 3.5 million people. It was televised worldwide on NBC. This is the biggest and most beloved parade.   Vocabulary: Thanksgiving Day – [noun] a yearly parade by the US-based department store chain Macy’s parade – [noun] a public procession, especially one celebrating a special day or event, and including marching bands and floats televise – [verb] transmit…
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Beginner