Intermediate

Holiday ornaments shape daily life all year in a Belgian shop

2025年12月24日

ornament

©(AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What memories or feelings come to you when you think about holidays or family traditions? What kind of objects remind you of happy or hopeful moments? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. antique /an-TEEK/ [noun] – old and valuable object The museum displayed several antiques that were found in an old castle. stability /stuh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – a state of being steady and not changing suddenly The team worked hard to build stability after many changes in leadership. longevity /lon-JEV-i-tee/ [noun] – the long life or long-lasting success of…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Disneyland visitor reaches 15,000 rides on Radiator Springs Racers

2025年12月23日

Radiator Springs Racers at Cars Land

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a place where you feel excited every time you visit? What makes an experience memorable for you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. milestone /MAHYL-stohn/ [noun] – an important event or achievement The company celebrated a major milestone when it reached one million customers. surgery /SUR-juh-ree/ [noun] – a medical operation performed on a patient The athlete returned to training after recovering from two major surgeries. log /lawg/ [noun] – a medical operation performed on a patient The scientist kept detailed logs of temperature changes during the experiment. participation…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Genetics legacy reexamined as Watson’s contributions resurface

2025年12月22日

Cris-News (54)

©AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What major scientific discoveries about DNA have been widely reported? How did these reports influence public interest? What controversies involving scientists have appeared in news before? How did those cases shape public reactions? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. convergence /noun/ [kuhn-VUR-juhns] – the coming together of ideas, data, or conditions The convergence of studies helped confirm the results. precipitate /pri-SIP-uh-tayt/ [verb] – to cause something to happen suddenly or prematurely. His remarks helped precipitate a debate in the community. recontextualize /ree-kon-TEKS-tyoo-uh-lize/ [verb] – to place something…
Read more

Intermediate

,

California issues warning after rise in wild mushroom poisonings

2025年12月21日

mushroom

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you think of forests or nature after heavy rain? What safety rules do you usually follow when exploring parks or outdoor places? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – very serious or very strong The patient experienced severe pain after the accident. advisory /ad-VAHY-zuh-ree/ [noun] – an official notice that gives important information or a warning A travel advisory warned tourists about safety risks during the holiday season. toxin /TOK-sin/ [noun] – a harmful substance that can cause illness or damage Scientists found…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Second elephant calf of 2025 marks historic breeding milestone at Columbus Zoo

2025年12月20日

Cris-News (53)

©Amanda Carberry/Columbus Zoo and Aquarium via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What zoo animals are commonly involved in conservation programs? How do these programs help protect endangered wildlife? What challenges do large animals face in the wild? How do zoos help reduce these challenges? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. proliferation /pruh-lif-uh-RAY-shuhn/ [noun] – a rapid increase in number Scientists studied the proliferation of new plants. integrative /IN-tuh-gray-tiv/ [adjective] – combining different parts to make a whole system The team used an integrative approach to solve problems. conservationist /kon-ser-VAY-shuh-nist/ [noun] – someone who works to…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Experts warn of rising winter risks for pets as temperatures drop

2025年12月19日

Dog in snow

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think pets feel when the weather is very cold? Do you think pets should play outside in winter or mostly stay inside? Why do you think so? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. frostbite /FRAWST-bahyt/ [noun] – injury caused by extreme cold that freezes skin or tissue Doctors warned hikers that frostbite could develop quickly during long climbs in below-freezing temperatures. seriousness /SEER-ee-uhs-nis/ [noun] – the quality of being severe, important, or dangerous The report highlighted the seriousness of water shortages in rural communities. hazard /HAZ-erd/ [noun] –…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Takaichi’s work pledge leads to rising fashion trends and public enthusiasm

2025年12月18日

PM

©(Kyodo News via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do you think some fashion items suddenly become popular among many people? In your opinion, what makes a person memorable or easy to recognize? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pledge /plej/ [verb] – to promise formally The coach pledged to support the team through every stage of the tournament. reflection /ri-FLEK-shuhn/ [noun] – an image or idea that shows something Many people saw the festival’s theme as a reflection of the city’s growing focus on sustainability. demand /dih-MAND/ [noun] – the need or desire for…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Autoimmune disorders reexamined as Massachusetts lupus case highlights diagnostic gaps

2025年12月17日

Cris-News (52)

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What diseases involving the immune system are commonly discussed in news reports? What procedures are typically used to diagnose long-term illnesses? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intractable /in-TRAK-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – very difficult or impossible to deal with The city faced an intractable problem with traffic. heterogeneous /het-uh-roh-JEE-nee-uhs/ [adjective] – consisting of many different types The group was heterogeneous in skills. precursor /PREE-kur-ser/ [noun] – something that comes before another thing Dark clouds are a precursor to rain. ameliorate /uh-MEEL-yuh-reyt/ [verb] – to make a bad situation better New rules helped…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Local wedding flowers show growing interest in sustainability

2025年12月16日

dried2

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could grow your own flowers for a celebration, what colors or types would you choose, and why? What things do you think make an event feel special or meaningful? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sustainable /suh-STEY-nuh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to continue for a long time without harming the environment Using sustainable materials in buildings can lower environmental impact in many cities. vegetation /vej-i-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – plants in a particular area Cutting too much vegetation from hillsides can cause the soil to wash away during storms. seasonal /SEE-zuh-nl/ [adjective]…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Wisconsin archaeologists confirm 16 ancient canoes in Lake Mendota after new mapping

2025年12月15日

Cris-News (51)

©Tamara Thomsen/Wisconsin Historical Society via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What ancient transportation systems have been discovered in your country? What objects are usually found in archaeological water sites? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. preeminent /pree-EM-uh-nuhnt/ [adjective] – more important or better than others The museum holds a preeminent place in the city. recontextualize /ree-kuhn-TECKS-chuh-wuh-lighz/ [verb] – to place something in a new context Scholars recontextualize old records for modern study. perpetuity /pur-pi-TOO-i-tee/ [noun] – lasting forever The law remains in effect for perpetuity. irrevocable /ih-REV-uh-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] – impossible to change The team made…
Read more

Intermediate

,