Expert

Vatican artisans revive masterpieces

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©REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. chapel /CHAP-uhl/ [noun] – a room that is part of a larger building and is used for Christian worship The hospital complex featured a serene chapel where patients and staff sought solace and reflection. meticulous /muh-TIK-yuh-luhs/ [adjective] – very careful and with great attention to every detail The architect showed meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the building’s design. humility /hyoo-MIL-i-tee/ [noun] – the quality of not being proud because you are aware of your bad qualities His humility impressed everyone, as he never boasted about his accomplishments. exhaustive /ig-ZAWS-tiv/ [adjective] –…
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Californians swap beaches for ice baths in quest for love

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©REUTERS/Mike Blake Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. initiate /ih-NISH-ee-eyt/ [verb] – to cause something to begin She initiated the project by outlining the objectives during the meeting. commence /kuh-MENS/ [verb] – to begin something The ceremony will commence at noon in the main hall. embrace /em-BREYS/ [verb] – to accept something enthusiastically After some hesitation, she embraced the opportunity to travel abroad for a year. openness /OH-puhn-nis/ [noun] – the quality or state of being receptive, accepting, and willing to engage with new experiences or ideas His willingness to listen without judgment showcased his genuine openness to diverse perspectives. discomfort /dis-KUHM-fert…
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India faces impending sugar shortage amidst weak rainfall

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. confront /kuhn-FRUHNT/ [verb] – to face, meet, or deal with a difficult situation or person The company will confront significant challenges in the upcoming fiscal year due to economic uncertainties. trader /TREY-der/ [noun] – a person who buys and sells things The trader specialized in importing rare artifacts from different parts of the world to sell at antique auctions. scenario /si-NAIR-ee-oh/ [noun] – a description of possible actions or events in the future In the worst-case scenario, the team prepared for a sudden surge in demand for their product during the holiday season. yield /yeeld/ [noun]…
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EU’s Deforestation Law disrupts coffee industry

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. comply /kuhm-PLAHY/ [verb] – to act according to an order, set of rules, or request The company must comply with the safety regulations to ensure workplace well-being. commodity /kuh-MOD-i-tee/ [noun] – a substance or product that can be traded, bought, or sold Coffee and cocoa are popular commodities in international trade due to their high demand. originate /uh-RIJ-uh-neyt/ [verb] – to come from a particular place, time, situation, etc. The antique vase originated in ancient Greece and dates back to the 5th century BC. reliance /ri-LAHY-uhns/ [noun] – the state of depending on or trusting in…
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Iceland on high alert as volcano erupts near Grindavik

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. erupt /ih-RUHPT / [verb] – to burst out or explode, especially in terms of a volcano emitting lava. The volcano erupted suddenly, sending ash and smoke into the sky. crack /krak/ [noun] – a narrow opening or fissure The earthquake caused a crack to form in the ground. extend /ik-STEND/ [verb] – to make something longer or larger; to stretch out She tried to extend her reach to grab the book from the shelf. measurement /MEZH-er-muhnt/ [noun] – the quantitative data collected or observed from specific tools or instruments Accurate measurements are essential in scientific experiments….
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Rare snow blankets southern China amidst freezing northern temperatures

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. defy /dih-FAHY/ [verb] – to be extreme or very strange and therefore impossible to believe, describe, or explain The strange occurrences in the remote forest defied logical explanations, leaving researchers puzzled. official /uh-FISH-uhl/ [noun] – a person who has a position of responsibility in an organization The government officials announced the new policy during a press conference. snap /snap/ [noun] – a sudden, brief spell of cold weather; a sharp drop in temperature The snap in weather took us by surprise, turning a mild day into a chilly one. persist /per-SIST/ [verb] – to continue to…
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Brazilian drought impacts fertilizer sales and global agriculture

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. executive /ig-ZEK-yuh-tiv/ [noun] – someone in a high position, especially in business, who makes decisions and puts them into action The executive made strategic decisions to steer the company towards growth. drought /drout/ [noun] – long period when there is little or no rain The prolonged drought devastated the crops, leading to widespread agricultural losses. uncertainty /uhn-SUR-tn-tee/ [noun] – a situation in which something is not known, or something that is not known or certain The financial market faced uncertainty following unexpected regulatory changes. amid /uh-MID/ [preposition] – in the middle of or surrounded by Amid…
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Italian food historian sparks carbonara recipe debate

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. erupt /ih-RUHPT/ [verb] – to suddenly and vigorously start or begin, often implying an outburst of intense emotions or conflicts The protest erupted into chaos as tensions escalated between demonstrators and law enforcement. blend /blend/ [noun] – a mixture of different things or styles The chef’s secret sauce was a delectable blend of herbs and spices, enhancing the flavor of the dish. scrambled /SKRAM-bld/ [adjective] – something that has been mixed or in a disordered state The chef served a plate of scrambled eggs, presenting them in a fluffy and disheveled manner that pleased the breakfast…
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Thai rice fields blossom into whimsical cat art, attracting tourists and transforming agriculture

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©REUTERS/Napat Wesshasartar Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strategically /struh-TEE-jik-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that helps to achieve a plan, for example, in business or politics The detective strategically placed hidden cameras to monitor the suspect’s movements without being detected. province /PROV-ins / [noun] – one of the areas that a country or empire is divided into as part of the organization of its government, which often has some control over its own laws The quaint village is nestled in the province of Tuscany, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and vineyards. transformation /trans-fer-MEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a complete change in the appearance…
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Cyclone Jasper brings floods and crocodile sightings to Australia’s northeast

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©Brent Paterson/via REUTERS Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hinder /HIN-der/ [verb] – to limit the ability of someone to do something or to limit the development of something The heavy traffic can sometimes hinder our daily commute, causing delays. grim /grim/ [adjective] – extremely bad, worrying, or without hope The news about the economic downturn painted a grim picture of the job market for recent graduates. drain /dreyn/ [noun] – a pipe or channel designed to carry away excess liquid, typically rainwater, from an area, preventing flooding or water accumulation. The rainwater quickly disappeared down the storm drain as the city’s…
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