Intermediate

McDonald’s reports strong Q4 growth driven by promotions and lower prices

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©AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do discounts influence restaurant choices? Why? Do seasonal promotions affect shopping habits? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. confidence /KON-fi-duhns/ [noun] – the feeling of trust or belief in something Discounts helped build confidence in the brand. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] – to make something smaller or less Cold weather may reduce restaurant visits. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase the size or range of something The brand plans to expand its drink menu. growth /grohth/ [noun] – an increase in size, number, or importance Sales growth…
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Romantic gift-giving in Zimbabwe reflects changing economic values

money boquet

©(AP Photo/Duke Monari) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of gifts do people usually give on special days like Valentine’s Day? What makes a gift feel meaningful to you: the thought, the use, or the design? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. promotion /pruh-MOH-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of making something known to many people The company used online promotion to introduce a new product. hyperinflation /hahy-per-in-FLEY-shuhn/ [noun] – extremely fast increase in prices Hyperinflation caused food prices to rise very quickly. liquidity /li-KWID-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability to use money easily for payment…
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Study finds two-month-old infants can distinguish object categories

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©Cusack Lab via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do babies recognize objects early in life? What signs show this? How do scientists study baby brain activity? Why is it difficult? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reliable /ri-LAHY-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be trusted as accurate The new method provided reliable results for the study. difference /DIF-er-uhn-siz/ [noun] – ways in which things are not the same The scans showed differences in brain activity. challenging /CHAL-in-jing/ [adjective] – difficult but interesting The research was challenging because babies moved often. comfortable /KUHM-fer-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – feeling relaxed…
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Wartime love letters reveal life and relationships during World War II

wartime love letter

©(AP Photo/Kristin M. Hall) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do people keep old letters, photos, or messages from the past? If you found letters from people who lived long ago, what would you want to learn about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. conflict /kuhn-FLIKT/ [noun] – a serious disagreement or fight between groups or countries The conflict between the two teams delayed the project. insight /IN-sahyt/ [noun] – a clear understanding of a situation or idea The survey provides insight into customer behavior. wartime /WAWR-tahym/ [adjective] – relating to a period when a…
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License plate reader surveillance prompts legal and privacy debate

plate reader

©(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think is more important, safety or privacy? Why? How do you imagine roads will look in the future with new technology? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. detect /dih-TEKT/ [verb] – to discover or notice something that is not easy to see Sensors detect smoke early to prevent fires. algorithm /AL-guh-rith-uhm/ [noun] – a set of steps used by a computer to solve a problem The app uses an algorithm to show popular videos. violation /vahy-uh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – an action that breaks a…
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Super Bowl Halftime Show features live wedding during Bad Bunny performance at Levi’s Stadium

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Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have weddings ever appeared in entertainment shows? What examples exist? Why do halftime shows attract worldwide viewers? How do performers prepare? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expand /ik-SPAN/ [verb] – became larger or more detailed The event expanded into a global performance. celebration /sel-uh-BRAY-shuhn/ [noun] – a special event to mark a happy occasion The wedding became a joyful celebration. connect /kuh-NEKT/ [verb] – to join together or create a relationship The performance connected music and real life. promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] – to encourage people to like or support something…
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Researchers identify oldest known wooden tools at Greek site

oldest wood

©(Katerina Harvati, Dimitris Michailidis via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do you think people keep old objects? What kind of tools do you use every day? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. archaeologist /ahr-kee-OL-uh-jist/ [noun] – a person who studies people from the past by looking at old objects The archaeologist reported a new discovery at the desert site. ancient /EYN-shuhnt/ [adjective] – very old and from a long time ago The city is famous for its ancient buildings. artifact /AHR-tuh-fakt/ [noun] – an object made by people in the past The museum displayed…
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Olympic curling reveals how teamwork affects results in mixed doubles

Olympic curling

©(AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think is easy about working in a team of only two people? What do you do when you and another person have different opinions? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intense /in-TENS/ [adjective] – very strong or high in degree The debate became intense as the deadline approached. tension /TEN-shuhn/ [noun] – a feeling of stress or disagreement There was tension in the office after the sudden policy change. constant /KON-stuhnt/ [adjective] – happening all the time or without stopping Constant noise from traffic made…
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Study suggests apes possess the ability to imagine

APE

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you imagine when you think about apes? Do you think imagination is only for stories and games, or can it be useful in real life? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. captive /KAP-tiv/ [adjective] – kept under control and not free to leave The captive animal stayed in a protected area for medical care. indicate /IN-di-keyt/ [verb] – to show or point out something clearly Signs on the road indicate the correct direction. pour /pawr/ [verb] – to cause a liquid to flow from one container to another…
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Olivia Dean wins Best New Artist at Grammys

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©AP Photo/Chris Pizzello Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have music awards ever influenced artists in the country? What examples can be shared? Do people often discover music through awards? What platforms help the most? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to become larger or more widespread Streaming services help music expand globally. requirement /ri-KWAHYUHR-muhnt/ [noun] – something that must be done The award has a requirement for music releases. eligible /EL-i-juh-buhl/ [adjective] – allowed to take part. The singer became eligible for the award this year. fair /fair/ [adjective] – treating people…
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