Expert

Unlocking the power of genetics

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gene /jeen/ [noun] – a part of the DNA in a cell that controls the physical development, behavior, etc. of an individual plant or animal and is passed on from its parents A gene is a hereditary unit that determines the characteristics of an individual, such as eye color or height. trait /treyt/ [Inherited traits, such as hair color and facial features, are passed down from parents to their children through genes.] – a particular characteristic that can produce a particular type of behavior Being honest is a valuable trait that can help you earn the…
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Balancing autonomy and community in a post-pandemic world

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. boundary /BOUN-duh-ree/ [noun] – a real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something The boundary between the ocean and the sky seemed to disappear as the sun set in a blaze of orange and red. crave /kreyv / [verb] – to have a very strong feeling of wanting something After a long day of school, I always crave a big slice of pizza to satisfy my hunger. combat /KOM-bat/ [verb] – to try to stop something unpleasant or harmful from happening or increasing The government is taking strong measures to combat the…
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NASA launches TROPICS mission to upgrade hurricane forecasting

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. upcoming /UHP-kuhm-ing/ [adjective] – happening soon The weather forecast predicts rain for the upcoming weekend, so remember to bring your umbrella. intensity /in-TEN-si-tee/ [noun] – the strength of something that can be measured such as light, sound, etc. The intensity of the storm was evident as the wind howled and the rain poured down. aboard /uh-BAWRD/ [preposition] – on or onto a ship, aircraft, bus, or train The entire team assembled aboard the bus, ready to travel to the competition. insight /IN-sahyt/ [noun] – a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or…
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Tech startup boosts dairy industry with ‘Fitbit’ for cows

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. patch /pach/ [noun] – a small piece of material that can be stuck to the skin, to monitor vital parameters or from which particular substances can be absorbed into the body Emily’s younger brother had a fever, so their mother placed a fever-reducing patch on his back to help lower his temperature. yield /yeeld/ [noun] – an amount of something positive, such as food or profit, that is produced or supplied The farmer was pleased with the high yield of corn from his field this year, as it exceeded his expectations. accounting for /uh-KOUN-ting fawr/ [phrasal…
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The ultra-low-carbon lifestyle trend taking the world by storm

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. grapple /GRAP-uhl/ [verb] – to fight, especially in order to win something During the debate, the candidates tried to grapple with the complex issues facing the country, but their arguments often seemed simplistic and incomplete. ultra /UHL-truh/ [prefix] – extreme or extremely My friend is an ultramarathon runner, which means she can run distances longer than a regular marathon, often up to 100 miles. minimize /MIN-uh-mahyz/ [verb] – to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree. To minimize the risk of getting sunburned, you should wear sunscreen and avoid spending too much time in…
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China’s 2200-year-old Burger

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. trace /treys/ [verb] – to find the origin of something I tried to trace the origin of the strange sound coming from the basement, but I couldn’t figure out what was causing it. savory /SEY-vuh-ree/ [adjective] – Savory food is salty or spicy and not sweet in taste: My grandmother’s cooking always smells so savory; her secret ingredient is a blend of herbs and spices that she has perfected over the years. culinary /KYOO-luh-ner-ee/ [adjective] – connected with cooking or kitchens I’m interested in learning more about the culinary arts, so I signed up for a…
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Australia turns down proposed coal mine near the Great Barrier Reef

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. coral /KAWR-uhl/ [noun] – a substance like rock, formed in the sea by groups of particular types of small animal, often used in jewellery The coral reefs are home to many different types of marine life. coastline /KOHST-lahyn/ [noun] – the particular shape of the coast, especially as seen from above, from the sea, or on a map We walked along the coastline and watched the waves crash against the rocks. irreversible /ir-i-VUR-suh-buhl/ [adjective] – not possible to change; impossible to return to a previous condition The impact of climate change on the environment is largely…
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Endangered turtle species find safe haven in Hong Kong

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. refuge /REF-yooj/ [noun] – a place that gives protection or shelter from danger, trouble, unhappiness, etc. During the heatwave, the park became a refuge for people seeking shade and cooler temperatures. brink /bringk/ [noun] – the point where a new or different situation is about to begin The company was on the brink of bankruptcy, but the new CEO managed to turn things around and save it. plight /plahyt / [noun] – an unpleasant condition, especially a serious, sad, or difficult one The homeless population faces a plight as they struggle to find shelter and basic…
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Why AI won’t replace creative, social, and physical jobs anytime soon

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. empathy /EM-puh-thee/ [noun] – the ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and it’s an important skill to have when you want to be a good friend. therapist /THER-uh-pist/ [noun] – someone whose job is to treat a particular type of mental or physical illness or disability, usually with a particular type of therapy If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, it might be helpful to talk to a therapist…
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Could potatoes and tomatoes power our lives?

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. eccentric /ik-SEN-trik/ [adjective] – strange or unusual, sometimes in an amusing way My neighbor is known for his eccentric style of dress, often wearing bright colors and mismatched patterns that stand out in our quiet neighborhood. pioneer /pahy-uh-NEER/ [noun] – a person who is one of the first people to do something Marie Curie was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity, and her discoveries led to important advances in the understanding of physics and chemistry. dependence /dih-PEN-duhns/ [noun] – the situation in which you need something or someone all the time, especially in order to…
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