Expert

Japan offers vacant houses for free

Vocabulary Guide alarming /u-LAHR-ming/ [adjective] – causing fear or worry initiative /ih-NISH-ee-uh-tiv/ [noun] – a plan or project aiming to solve a problem renovation /REN-un-vey-shun/ [noun] – the process of fixing and improving something sustain /suh-STEYN/ [verb] – to maintain or to continue newcomer /NYOO-kuhm-er/ [noun] – something or someone has recently arrived in a place or activity Vocabulary Check Fill in the blanks with the correct words. Choose the correct answer in the box. sustain population initiative alarming newcomer renovation The house of the Watsons family is under __________ . She is a ________ in the village. The town leader is unable to ________ the crowd. It is _________…
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Dreaming of studying abroad? Consider the facts first

Dreaming of studying abroad consider the facts first

Vocabulary: academic /ak-uh-DEM-ik/ [adjective] relating to schools or connected with studying and thinking She received awards for her academic accomplishments. necessity/ /nuh-SES-i-tee/ [noun] something that is needed She didn’t know that clothes are one of the basic necessities in order to live. instructional /in-STRUHK-shuhnal/ [adjective] designed to teach someone how to do something She learned how to cook by watching instructional videos. consistently /kuhn-SIS-tuhntli/ [adverb] in a way that does not change Maria is consistently part of the top students in her school that’s why her parents are very proud. expectancy /ik-SPEK-tuhn-see/ [noun] the expected amount (as of the number of years of life) based on statistical probability The life…
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Thailand’s tallest building lets tourists walk on frightening glass floor

Pre-reading Questions Answer the following questions about the topic. Please explain your answer. Why do you think some people are afraid of heights? Have you experienced any horrific situations? Article Reading Read the passage and take note of the highlighted words in the Vocabulary Guide. Bangkok is famous for many family-friendly tourist destinations. Aside from temples, mouth-watering cuisines and fantastic shopping malls, there is a new attraction that will give tourists a sensational, yet unforgettable experience. The Mahanakhon SkyWalk is located on top of King Power Mahanakhon, a 1,030-feet-high skyscraper which is Thailand’s tallest completed building. Tourists can test their courage by walking through the large glass floor over the…
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First woman to qualify as a fighter jet pilot in Japan

Fighter jet woman Japan

Vocabulary: aviator /EY-vee-ey-ter/ [noun] an aircraft pilot The first ever female aviator to fly across the Atlantic ocean is Amelia Earhart. onerous/ /ON-er-uhs/ [adjective] causing great difficulty or trouble It is an onerous task to clean the commercial aircraft alone. designate /DEZ-ig-neyt/ [verb] to choose someone officially to do a particular job My teacher will be designated in a remote area next month. eradicate /ih-RAD-i-keyt/ [verb] to remove or get rid of something completely It is beyond the bounds of possibility to eradicate poverty worldwide. reconnaissance /ri-KON-uh-suhns/ [noun] the process of obtaining information about enemy forces or positions by sending out small groups of soldiers or by using aircraft The…
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Families from South and North Korea meet after decades

Families from South and North Korea finally met

Vocabulary: cradle /KREYD-l/ [verb] to hold someone or something gently Sarah cradled her sister tenderly and apologized for what she has done. relive/ /ree-LIV/ [verb] to remember an experience clearly The athlete was reliving his glory days with his teammates. reunite /ree-yoo-NAHYT/ [verb] to bring people together again The students reunited after a decade. divided /dih-VAHYD-did/ [adjective] separated Due to conflicts, divided families are increasing. outcome /OUT-kuhm/ [noun] a result or effect of an action, situation, etc The outcome of the event yesterday was unexpected. After numerous years of separation, the reunion of the divided families from North and South Korea happened at the Mount Kumgang resort last August 20,…
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Greenland’s giant iceberg threatens fishing community

Greenland's giant iceberg threatens fishing community

Vocabulary: colossal /kuh-LOS-uhl/ [adjective] extremely large A colossal hidden treasure was found in the cave. perilously /PER-uh-luhs-lee/ [adverb] extremely dangerous People are afraid because the train is perilously stopping in the middle of the journey. isolate /AHY-suh-leyt/ [adjective] not near to other places Living in an isolated place is good since it is so peaceful. hazardous /HAZ-er-duhs/ [adjective] dangerous Hazardous gases is one of the reasons of climate change. engender /en-JEN-der/ [verb] to cause something A polluted environment can engender human diseases. A colossal iceberg has drifted perilously close to an isolated fishing community in Inaarsuit, Greenland. According to the village councilor it is the biggest iceberg they have ever…
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Too much body weight may cause depression

Pre-reading Questions Answer the following questions about the topic. Please explain your answer. Is obesity becoming a health problem in your country? Please explain your answer. Name some health problems that an obese person can have. Article Reading Read the passage and take note of the highlighted words in the vocabulary guide. According to the researchers of International Journal of Epidemiology, people who are obese are at higher risk of developing depression. Based on their study, women with high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to suffer depression than men and one of the underlying factors is related to physical appearance.   Researchers procured hospital and personal data from…
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“Hiroshima – The Last Rose of Summer” to air in 2020

Hiroshima

Vocabulary: entitle /en-TAHY-l/ [verb] to give a title to a book, movie, etc. Miranda hasn’t entitled her new book yet that she plans to sell next year. renowned/ /ri-NOUND/ [adjective] famous for something Jun Matsumoto is renowned for his role as Tsukasa Domyouji in the Japanese television series Hana Yori Dango. prisoner of war /PRIZ-uh-ner uhv wawr/ [noun] a soldier who was caught by enemy forces during a war The prisoners of war tried to escape but were still caught by the enemies. fall apart /fawl uh-PAHRT/ [verb] to fail and be unable to continue in the usual way Arthur and Alfred’s relationship as siblings began to fall apart after…
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Sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of stroke

Sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of stroke

Vocabulary: aggravate /AG-ruh-veyt/ [verb] to make a disease worse He listens to the advice of the unlicensed doctor, that’s why the medication only aggravated his condition. vulnerable /VUHL-ner-uh-buhl/ [adjective] able to be easily hurt, influenced, or attacked Children are vulnerable to cold temperature that’s why they easily get sick. erratic /ih-RAT-ik/ [adjective] not regular, certain, or organized in its movement or behavior She tends to report late at work every Wednesday because of her erratic schedule. indulge /n-DUHLJ/ [verb] to allow yourself to have something enjoyable Every time I get stressed, I indulge myself some ice cream. alleviate /uh-LEE-vee-eyt/ [verb] to make pain or problems less severe The antibiotics that…
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Ikee Rikako wins the MVP award in Asian Games

asiangames

Vocabulary: front-runner /fruhnt RUHN-er/ [noun] the person or organization that is most likely to get or win something She is the front-runner for today’s singing competition because of her high pitch. melancholic/ /mel-uh n-KOL-ik/ [adjective] expressing feelings of sadness Listening to soft music while raining gives you a melancholic feeling. unanimous /yoo-NAN-uh-muhs/ [adjective] all people agree about one particular decision Through a unanimous decision, the woman was appointed as the new president of the company. pull out all the stops /pool out awl thuh stops/ [idiom] to do everything you can to make something successful You need to pull out all the stops in life to become rich. accomplish /uh-KOM-plish/…
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