Expert

A day to commemorate Japan’s culture

文化の日

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. revere /ri-VEER/ [verb] – to very much respect and admire someone or something Mr. Brown was revered by many for his excellent learning and teaching skills. profoundly /pruh-FOUND-lee/ [adverb] – deeply or extremely We are all profoundly grateful for your support and encouragement. constitution /kon-sti-TOO-shuhn/ [noun] – the set of political principles by which a state or organization is governed, especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs The constitution should be upheld by every citizen. academia /ak-uh-DEE-mee-uh/ [noun] – the part of society, especially universities, that is connected with studying and thinking,…
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Finland wants to change the way that clothing is made

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dump /duhmp/ [verb] – to put down or drop something in a careless way He dumped the bags on the table. agenda /uh-JEN-duh/ [noun] – a list of aims or possible future achievements Let’s proceed to the next item on the agenda. elimination /ih-lim-uh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of removing something The elimination of unemployment is still our goal. component /kuhm-POH-nuhnt/ [noun] – a part that combines with other parts to form something bigger Our software is becoming a standard component of many computer systems. subsequently /SUHB-si-kwuhnt-lee / [adverb] – after something else The original interview…
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Origin of the spookiest day of the year: Halloween

Halloween pumpkin with lantern on old wooden

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. adorn /uh-DAWRN/ [verb] – to add something decorative to a person or thing The walls are adorned with several great oil paintings. Celtic /KEL-tik/ [adjective] – of an ancient European people who are related to the Irish, Scots, Welsh, and Bretons, or of their language or culture The museum’s collection of Celtic relics is remarkable. tenuous /TEN-yoo-uhs/ [adjective] – a tenuous connection, idea, or situation is weak and possibly does not exist The several provinces’ historical and cultural connections were thought to be exceedingly tenuous. skulk /skuhlk/ [verb] – to hide or move around as if…
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More than half of the palm trees in the world are endangered

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. extinct /ik-STINGKT/ [adjective] – not now existing Many animals and birds are now extinct. evaluate /ih-VAL-yoo-eyt/ [verb] – to judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something How do we evaluate their performance? pose /pohz/ [verb] – to cause something, especially a problem or difficulty They pose a serious threat to security. prompt /prompt / [verb] – to make something happen Recent health concerns for the president have prompted discussion about his political future. vulnerable /VUHL-ner-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be easily physically or mentally hurt, influenced, or attacked Children are the most…
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Understanding the four-day workweek’s realities

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. productivity /proh-duhk-TIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the rate at which a company or country makes goods, usually judged in connection with the number of people and the amount of materials necessary to produce the goods We need to increase productivity. allocate /AL-uh-keyt/ [verb] – to give something to someone as their share of a total amount, to use in a particular way The manager allocates duties to the assistants. assert /uh-SURT/ [verb] – to behave in a way that expresses your confidence, importance, or power and earns you respect from others I really must assert myself more in…
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Australia’s casino commission imposes largest fine on gambling giant

Rows of Casino Slot Machines with Shallow Depth of Field. Las Vegas Gambling Theme.

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. money laundering /MUHN-ee LAWN-der-ing/ [noun] – the crime of moving money that has been obtained illegally through banks and other businesses to make it seem as if the money has been obtained legally According to reports, some transactions involved money laundering. cavalier /kav-uh-LEER/ [adjective] – not serious or caring enough about matters that other people are serious about The company’s president treated the issues of the workforce with a cavalier attitude. junket /JUHNG-kit/ [noun] – a trip or party for a group of employees or politicians that is paid for by their company or government The…
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The mysterious glowing orb of Route 66

spook light

© Ed Craig Collection at Dobson Museum and Home Archive via BBC News Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. eerily /EER-i-lee/ [adverb] – in a strange, frightening, and mysterious way The majority of the structures are in ruins, and the main streets are eerily vacant. enigma /uh-NIG-muh/ [noun] – something that is mysterious and seems impossible to understand completely The enigma of the plane’s disappearance was the subject of numerous articles in the newspapers. smolder /SMOHL-der/ [verb] – to burn slowly with smoke but without flames The woods were still smoldering the next morning. maiden /MEYD-n/ [noun] – a girl or young…
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Japan to lift its limits on foreign visitors

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vaccination /vak-suh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process or an act of giving someone a vaccine (= a substance put into a person’s body to prevent them getting a disease) Smallpox can be contained by vaccination. disclose /dih-SKLOHZ/ [verb] – to make something known publicly, or to show something that was hidden She refused to disclose any details about the plan. incentive /in-SEN-tiv/ [noun] – something, especially money, that encourages a person or organization to do something The company operates a share incentive scheme for its workers. initiative /ih-NISH-uh-tiv/ [noun] – a new plan or process to achieve…
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New York City declares state of emergency due to migrant crisis

Young female volunteer passing smartphone to one of refugees sitting on mattress on the floor of spacious room serving as camp

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. influx /IN-fluhks/ [noun] – the arrival of a large number of people or things There has been a huge influx of guests at the hotel. Republican /ri-PUHB-li-kuhn/ [noun] – a type of government by elected representatives of the people rather than government by a king or queen Republican leaders had a negative reaction to the speech. refuge /REF-yooj/ [noun] – (a place that gives) protection or shelter from danger, trouble, unhappiness, etc. Those who lost their homes from the fire sought refuge in the mountain villages. fiscal year /FIS-kuhl yeer/ [noun] – a period of twelve…
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Children who live in their parents’ shadows

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disapproval /dis-uh-PROO-vuhl/ [noun] – the feeling of having a negative opinion of someone or something He shook his head in disapproval. pursue /per-SOO/ [verb] – if you pursue a plan, activity, or situation, you try to do it or achieve it, usually over a long period of time He decided to pursue a career in television. renowned /ri-NOUND/ [adjective] – famous for something This restaurant is renowned for its cuisine. offspring /AWF-spring/ [noun] – a person’s children She’s the offspring of a scientist and a musician. discontent /dis-kuhn-TENT / [noun] – a feeling of wanting better…
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