Expert

Study reveals alarming decline in African elephant populations

Elephant

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. habitat /hab-i-tat/ [noun] – the natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives Deforestation destroys habitats and endangers wildlife. poacher /POH-cher/ [noun] – someone who catches and kills animals illegally Poachers often target rare species for their valuable parts. tusk /tuhsk/ [noun] – either of the two long, pointed teeth of some animals such as elephants Tusks are often targeted by hunters because of their ivory. ecosystem /EE-koh-sis-tuhm/ [noun] – all the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and the environment Coral reefs are among the most diverse…
Read more

Researchers raise ultra-clean pigs for life-saving organ donations

Pig (2)

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. baboon /ba-BOON/ [noun] – a type of large monkey, found in Africa and Asia, with a long, pointed face like a dog and large teeth The researchers observed the behavior of baboons in the wild. cadaver /kuh-DAV-er/ [noun] – dead bodies, especially those of humans used for scientific or medical research. The anatomy students worked with cadavers to learn human anatomy. pathogen /PATH-uh-juhn/ [noun] – any small organism, such as a virus or a bacterium that can cause disease The laboratory is studying new methods to detect harmful pathogens. rigorous /RIG-er-uhs/ [adjective] – thorough, strict, or…
Read more

Chickens and ducks assist in Romanian middle schools

chickenducks

©Photos/George Calin via REUTERS Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nurture /NUR-cher/ [verb] – to care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something Teachers can nurture empathy in students by encouraging them to understand and respect each other’s feelings. compassion /kuhm-PASH-uhn/ [noun] – a feeling of deep sympathy and desire to help someone who is suffering Her compassion for animals led her to volunteer at a local shelter. fondness /FOND-nis/ [noun] – a strong liking or affection for someone or something He developed a fondness for classical music after taking piano lessons. coordinator /koh-AWR-dn-ey-ter/ [noun] – a person…
Read more

British author Samantha Harvey wins Booker Prize for “Orbital,” a novel exploring Earth’s fragility and climate change

BRIX IIMG (18)

©AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fragility /fruh-jil-i-tee/ [noun] – the quality of being easily broken or damaged The fragility of the vase made it risky to transport without careful protection. propel /pruh-PEL/ [verb] – to drive or cause something to happen Her passion for helping others propelled her to become a dedicated volunteer. crystalline /KRIS-tl-in/ [adjective] – extremely clear and precise The professor’s crystalline explanation made the complex concept easy to understand for everyone. deliberate /dih-LIB-er-it/ [adjective] – done on purpose or intentionally His deliberate choice to speak slowly helped everyone understand him. contemplative /kuhn-TEM-pluh-tiv/ [adjective] – involving…
Read more

The red-cockaded woodpecker downlisted to “threatened” after major recovery efforts

BRIX IIMG (17)

©AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. notable /NOH-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – important and deserving attention; worthy of notice The scientist made a notable discovery that changed the way we understand space. downlist /dounlist/ [verb] – to change the status of a species from a higher risk category to a lower one Conservationists hope to downlist more animals from “endangered” to “threatened.” dwindle /DWIN-dl/ [verb] – to gradually become less or smaller in size, number, or strength The town’s population began to dwindle after the factory closed. setback /SET-bak/ [noun] – a problem that delays or prevents progress or…
Read more

Greek runner, 88, defies age by completing 41st Athens marathon

Marathon

©REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. inhibit /in-HIB-it/ [verb] – to prevent or restrain an action or process Strict rules often inhibit creativity in the classroom. battlefield /BAT-l-feeld/ [noun] – a place where a battle is being fought or has been fought in the past The old battlefield is now a peaceful park visited by tourists. excessive /ik-SES-iv/ [adjective] – too much The excessive use of plastic is harmful to the environment. regimen /REJ-uh-muhn/ [noun] – a planned course, especially of diet, exercise, or medical treatment, designed to improve or maintain health She followed a strict skincare regimen to improve…
Read more

The giant salmon carp, once feared extinct, has reappeared in the Mekong River amid conservation efforts

BRIX IIMG (16)

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. formidable /FAWR-mi-duh-buhl/ [adjective] – causing fear or respect due to being large, powerful, or difficult The mountain’s formidable cliffs deter even the most experienced climbers. industrial /in-DUHS-tree-uhl/ [adejctive] – related to or used in industry The city’s industrial area is known for its massive factories and warehouses. rampant /RAM-puhnt/ [adjective] – existing or spreading in an uncontrolled way Rampant rumors about the merger caused panic among the employees. inadequacy /in-AD-i-kwuh-see/ [noun] – the quality of not being good enough or not being sufficient The report highlighted the inadequacy of current safety measures at the plant. emblematic…
Read more

“Squid Game” season 2 returns with new challenges and a quest for justice

Squid Game

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. acclaim /uh-KLEYM/ [noun] – public approval and praise The artist received widespread acclaim for her innovative sculpture. protagonist /proh-TAG-uh-nist/ [noun] – one of the main characters in a story or a play In the novel, the protagonist faces numerous challenges on their journey to self-discovery. dismantle /dis-MAN-tl/ [verb] – to take apart or break down something into pieces The new policy aims to dismantle the network of illegal operations that have been harming the environment. speculative /SPEK-yuh-luh-tiv/ [adjective] – based on conjecture or incomplete information Many investors were hesitant due to the speculative nature of the…
Read more

Mexico City’s floating gardens face threats from urban growth

Chinampas

©(AP Photo/Felix Marquez) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. indigenous /in-DIJ-uh-nuhs/ [adjective] – used to refer to, or relating to, the people who originally lived in a place, rather than people who moved there from somewhere else The indigenous people of the area have rich traditions that are still practiced today. urbanization /ur-buh-nuh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of becoming more like a city The effects of urbanization can be seen in increased traffic and housing shortages. revitalize /ree-VAHYT-l-ahyz/ [verb] – to bring back to life or restore Efforts to revitalize the downtown area have resulted in new businesses opening. recreational /rek-ree-EY-shuh-nl/ [adjective]…
Read more

Archaeologists unearth twelve sandstone statues at Angkor Thom in Cambodia

BRIX IIMG (15)

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. archaeologist /ahr-kee-OL-uh-jist/ [noun] – someone who studies ancient societies by examining their buildings, tools, and other artifacts The archaeologist discovered artifacts that revealed new insights into ancient trade routes. unearth /uhn-URTH/ [verb] – to find something that was buried or hidden by digging or searching for it They plan to unearth relics that may provide clues about early settlements. intricate /IN-tri-kit/ [adjective] – having many small parts arranged in a complex way; detailed and complicated The artist’s painting featured intricate patterns that captivated viewers. representative /rep-ri-ZEN-tuh-tiv/ [noun] – typical of a large group of people or…
Read more