Beginner

Sunflowers light up Pangasinan in Philippines

2017年3月13日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like flowers? Why or why not? Have you seen a sunflower?   Last February 15, Tayug farmers in Pangasinan partnered with Filipino seed company Allied Botanical Corporation, the government, and the Department of Tourism to build the “A-Maze-Ing Sunflowers”. It has different colorful flowers that surround a sunflower maze. The A-Maze-Ing Sunflowers suddenly became the center of attraction of the city. Photos and videos of the newest tourist attraction were all viral in the internet.   Vocabulary: farmer [noun] – a person who owns or manages a farm colorful [adjective] – having much or different colors; bright maze [noun] – a network of paths designed…
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Beginner

Dirty environments cost young children’s lives

2017年3月13日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Do you think it’s important to have a clean household? Why or why not? Do you think children are more prone to health diseases?   World Health Organization or WHO reports that unsafe drinking water, pollution, and poor practices on cleanliness are one of the reasons why a lot of children die every year. A child’s developing body is weak against the effects of dirty air and water. Babies that are exposed to pollution in early age can get serious health conditions like heart and lung diseases when they get older. WHO encourages everyone to clean the environment for the sake of the children. WHO says that…
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Beginner

Vegemite brand back in Australian ownership

2017年3月10日

Business - B

Pre-reading questions: What’s your favorite Japanese food spread? What’s the most famous food spread in your country? Vegemite spread brand is now owned by an Australian company again. Bega cheese company bought Vegemite brand from Mondelez International for A$460 million. Mondelez International said they will focus on their main products like Cadbury and Oreos instead. Vegemite is made of yeast. It is rich in Vitamin B. It has a dark color and it tastes bitter. This is a famous spread in Australia that is already part of their culture. Vocabulary: vegemite – [noun] a popular spread made in Australia yeast – [noun] a commercial product containing living yeast cells that…
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Beginner

Italy’s rarest pasta revealed

2017年3月10日

Lifestyle

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite pasta? What is your favorite Italian food? Su filindeu, the world’s rarest pasta is only made in Sardinia, Italy. Its recipe is well kept in Paula Abraini’s family. Today, only three women in Abraini’s family can make it. At present, the pasta is only served to pilgrims that visit a holy mountain in their place. The family revealed that the recipe consists of 3 ingredients. People need hard work to make it. Vocabulary: rare [adjective] – unusual; uncommon; unique recipe [noun] – a set of instructions for making or preparing food. pilgrim [noun] – a person who journeys to a holy place ingredient [noun]…
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Beginner

Cancer drugs may threaten the heart

2017年3月10日

Health - Beg

Pre-reading questions: Do you often read about health in the newspaper? What is the best way to stay healthy? Medicines used to fight cancer can also cause heart problems. Less than one percent of patients taking them have experienced heart problems. They cause damages to the body and the heart. Doctors are still working to find a cure for those heart problems caused by cancer drugs. Vocabulary: cancer – [noun] a serious disease caused by cells that are not normal and that can spread to one or many parts of the body cure – [noun] something that stops the disease drug – [noun] a medicine True or False: Medicines used…
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Beginner

Parents to be penalized if children are always late for school

2017年3月9日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: What do you do to get to school or work early? Do you think people who are late in school or work should be punished?   Parents can be punished by the school if their children are always late for school. Catherine Staltham, the principal of Winter Gardens Academy, said that parents will pay £60 if their children did not reach the 9:00am bell. This rule will apply starting April 1. The Department for Education says that schools should not allow students to be late. Parents should be responsible for their children’s attendance in school.   Vocabulary: punish- [verb] to correct from wrongdoing principal- [noun] head teacher…
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Beginner

Turkish international school ‘bans’ Christmas

2017年3月9日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: How do you celebrate Christmas? Do you have any wish/es for Christmas?   An international school in Istanbul bans Christmas celebrations. Istanbul Lisesi teachers and staffs were told that Christmas traditions and carol-singing are not allowed. Istanbul Lisesi is a Turkish-German school with Turkish students and German teachers. Many German officials are angry with the school. However, the school said they still celebrate Christmas.   Vocabulary: Istanbul- [proper noun] a city in Turkey international- [adjective] global celebrations- [noun] joyful occasion traditions- [noun] culture ban- [noun] not allowed   True or False: Istanbul Lisesi teachers and staff were told that Christmas carol-singing are allowed. Istanbul Lisesi is a…
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Beginner

Asian Olympic leader favored Sapporo for 2026 Winter Games bid

2017年3月7日

Sports - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Have you tried any winter sport? Do you watch Winter Olympics?   The city officials of Sapporo are now considering a bid for 2026 Winter Olympics. Sheikh Al Fahad said Sapporo is ready for hosting the next Asian Winter Games. Sapporo does have several equipments built for the 1972 olympics but they are now aging. The Japanese olympic committee would have to determine whether it is wise to bid Sapporo before it finally submits its application. Applications are expected in early 2018 with the IOC electing a winner in 2019.   Vocabulary: bid [verb] – to make an offer hosting [verb] – to organize equipment [noun] –…
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Beginner

Japan’s move to end ‘death by overwork’ will drag economic growth: Deutsche Bank

2017年3月7日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: What do you do to relax? How long do you work/study everyday?   Most Japanese workers are known to work overtime. Working overtime can cause stress which can possibly cause death. To prevent deaths caused by stress, the government wants companies to cut overtime work. However, cutting overtime work will be the same with cutting sales. Cutting sales will affect the economy.   Vocabulary: economy [noun] – management of money affect [verb] – impact overtime [noun] – additional work beyond regular time stress [noun] – pressure prevent [verb] – avoid   True or False: Most Japanese workers are known to work overtime. Stress can possibly cause death….
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Beginner

How insomnia impacts the body

2017年3月6日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Sleeping is a hobby. Do you agree? Sleeping for longer hours is healthy. Do you agree?   A study shows that most people are now only sleeping between five to seven hours a day. Anxiety and stress caused by insomnia are the factors why people lack sleep. People who only sleep for five hours a day get angry easily and eat more than usual. They tend to look older than their age. They also experience slow thinking. They drink more coffee all through the day.   Vocabulary: anxiety [noun] – fear or nervousness about what might happen stress [noun] – mental tension and worry caused by problems…
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Beginner