Expert

Google opens its first facility for assistive technology in the UK

Smiling deaf african american girl with ear implant at doctor's office.

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. beta /BEY-tuh/ [adjective] – beta software is at the second stage of development The software is currently in beta testing and is anticipated to be released early in 2019. muscular dystrophy /MUHS-kyuh-ler DIS-truh-fee/ [noun] – a serious disease in which a person’s muscles gradually become weaker until walking is no longer possible He had muscular dystrophy, but he didn’t think his condition should prevent him from living a happy and fulfilling life. synthesize /SIN-thuh-sahyz/ [verb] – to produce sound electronically Synthesized speech is being improved by the project team. supercharge /SOO-per-chahrj/ [verb] – to make something…
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How to get a good night’s sleep and enjoy being at home

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. layout /LEY-out/ [noun] – the way that something is arranged The team is still planning the layout of the magazine cover. enhance /en-HANS/ [verb] – to improve the quality, amount, or strength of something This is an opportunity to enhance the reputation of the company. pursuit /per-SOOT/ [noun] – the act of trying to achieve a plan, activity, or situation, usually over a long period of time She is absorbed in the pursuit of knowledge. notion /NOH-shuhn/ [noun] – a belief or idea I had a notion to write them a letter. perspective /per-SPEK-tiv/ [noun] –…
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How food choices affect the environment

young women looking menu at restaurant, selective focus on menu

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sustainable /suh-STEY-nuh-buhl/ [adjective] – causing, or made in a way that causes, little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time A sustainable salmon fishery is essential for fishermen. carbon emissions /KAHR-buhn ih-MISH-uhn/ [noun (plural)] – carbon dioxide that planes, cars, factories, etc. produce, thought to be harmful to the environment The country’s efforts to limit carbon emissions are particularly commendable. footprint /FOOT-print/ [noun] – a measurement of the size, effect, etc. that something has Since 1977, there has been a 14% decrease in the overall carbon footprint required…
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The evolution of “non-verbal communication” in the digital age

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. facial /FEY-shuhl/ [adjective] – of or on the face His facial expression didn’t change. awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/ [noun] – knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a situation or subject at the present time based on information or experience There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful. non-verbal /non-VUR-buhl/ [adjective] – not using words, or not relating to the use of words Body language is a potent form of non-verbal communication. innate /ih-NEYT/ [adjective] – An innate quality or ability is one that you were born with, not one you have learned You obviously have an…
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Moonlighting: The controversial subject involving tech employees in India

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. developer /dih-VEL-uh-per/ [noun] – a person or company that creates new products, especially computer products such as software The company is one of the most popular software developers. revenue /REV-uhn-yoo/ [noun] – the income that a business or government receives regularly, or an amount representing such income Tourism is the island’s main source of revenue. unethical /uhn-ETH-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – not ethical (= based on moral beliefs) He says that it is unethical to produce and market a drug that would harm the patient. rival /RAHY-vuhl/ [noun] – a person, group, etc. competing with others for the…
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Cell-cultured chicken safe to eat, FDA says

Quinoa and vegetable salad with grilled chicken fillet, top view

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. evaluation /ih-val-yoo-EY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of judging or calculating the quality, importance, amount, or value of something A final evaluation based on the objectives is conducted following the completion of each module. watershed /WAW-ter-shed/ [noun] – an event or period that is important because it represents a big change in how people do or think about something She changed her career in 1969, which was her life’s watershed. skeptic /SKEP-tik/ [noun] – a person who doubts the truth or value of an idea or belief The effectiveness of the program is a subject of debate…
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The best beef in the world: Wagyu beef

Sliced wagyu marbled beef for yakiniku on plate on black background, Premium Japanese meat, top view and copy space

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cost (someone) an arm and a leg /kawst uhn ahrm uhn uh leg/ [idiom] – to be very expensive She spotted a stunning coat, but it cost an arm and a leg. showcase /SHOH-keys/ [verb] – to show the best qualities or parts of something The exhibition’s primary goal is to showcase African-American literature. attribute /A-truh-byoot/ [noun] – a quality or characteristic that someone or something has Having good organizational skills is an important attribute for managers. Shangri-La /SHANG-gruh-lah/ [noun] – an imaginary, beautiful place, often far away, where everything is pleasant and you can get…
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Some who have stopped using social media say it is “very liberating”

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. conclude /kuhn-KLOOD/ [verb] – to judge or decide something after thinking carefully about it What can the students conclude from their observations? summit /SUHM-it/ [noun] – the highest point of a mountain We reached the summit at last. spouse /spouse/ [noun] – a person’s husband or wife Her spouse will come to see her on Sunday. withdrawal /with-DRAW-uhl/ [noun] – the act or process of taking something away so that it is no longer available, or of someone stopping being involved in an activity: Her withdrawal from the contest was a strategic move. craving /KREY-ving/ [noun] –…
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Landowner appeals to court about chopping down trees

cut down tree

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hectare /HEK-tair/ [noun] – a unit of measurement of an area of land (10,000 m2) Each hectare of farmland in this area used to bring in roughly 420 dollars annually. forestry /FAWR-uh-stree/ [noun] – the science of planting and taking care of large areas of trees Forestry and tourism are two industries that are attracting investment. appeal /uh-PEEL/ [verb] – to request a higher court of law to consider again a decision made by a lower court, especially in order to reduce or prevent a punishment They are appealing to the judge to change the punishment…
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Women who were obliged to “select” self-employment

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. self-employment /SELF-em-PLOI-muhnt/ [noun] – the state of not working for an employer but finding work for yourself or having your own business Nowadays, many people like the flexibility of self-employment. empower /em-POU-er/ [verb] – to encourage and support the ability to do something They empower you and make you feel stronger and more confident. spouse /spous/ [noun] – a person’s husband or wife Her spouse will come to see her on Sunday. resignation /rez-ig-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of telling your employer that you are leaving your job The resignation of the prime minister will cause…
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