Intermediate

Study reveals complex hand use of early human ancestors through 3D fossil analysis in Africa

Brix-News (8)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a fossil in a museum or a book? If so, what kind of fossil was it? If not, would you like to see one? Do you know how scientists study bones from long ago? If so, how do they do it? If not, what do you think they do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. species /SPEE-sheez/ [noun] – a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants The zoo has many bird species from around the world. method /METH-uhd/…
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Sailor’s solo voyage with cat gains online attention, raises safety concerns

cat

©(Oliver Widger via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could travel anywhere by boat, where would you go? Why? If you could learn something from videos, what would you want to learn? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. follower /FOL-oh-er/ [noun] – a person who regularly watches, reads, or supports someone on social media or other platforms The artist gained a new follower after sharing her latest painting online. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [adjective] – different from the usual or traditional Many people are looking for alternative ways to stay healthy. paralysis /puh-RAL-uh-sis/ [noun] – the…
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Chimpanzees show complex communication through rhythmic drumming

chimpanzee

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What sounds in nature do you find interesting or relaxing? Why? If animals could talk, what do you think they would say to humans? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. steady /STED-ee/ [adjective] – not changing; regular and continuous The drummer played a steady beat during the school performance. signal /SIG-nl/ [noun] – an action, sound, or sign used to give information or instructions She raised her hand as a signal to ask a question. root /root/ [noun] – the part of a plant that grows down into the earth to…
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Fossil footprints in Australia reveal earliest evidence of land-dwelling reptile-like animal

Brix-News (7)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever visited a museum with fossils? If so, what did you see there? If not, would you like to go? Why or why not? Do you know what a footprint can tell us about an animal? If so, what do you think it shows? If not, what do you want to learn? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to guess or calculate the cost, size, value, etc. of something The teacher estimated the time needed to finish the test. adapt /uh-DAPT/ [verb] – to change,…
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Experts highlight key steps to protect jewelry investments

jewelry

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think makes jewelry valuable or meaningful to someone? Why do you think some people collect jewelry? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decoration /dek-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – something used to make something look more attractive She added flowers as a decoration to the dinner table. investment /in-VEST-muhnt/ [noun] – something you buy or do now that will bring a benefit or profit in the future Buying a good computer can be a smart investment for students. separately /SEP-er-it-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is not together or not…
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Abundant feijoa season sparks nostalgia and debate nationwide

Feijoa (2)

©(AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you think of a fruit that reminds you of a special season or time of year? What would you do if you had a lot of fruit growing in your yard and couldn’t eat it all? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gather /GATH-er/ [verb] – to collect things, usually from different places Every weekend, families gather mushrooms in the nearby forest. commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/ [adjective] – related to buying, selling, or business activities The commercial area near the train station is always busy with shoppers. strongly /STRAWNG-lee/…
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Scientists discover safer way to drop eggs without cracking

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever dropped an egg before? If so, what happened? If not, what do you think might happen? Do you think the shape of an object can affect how it breaks? If yes, what shape is strong? If not, why do you think shape is not important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. crack /krak/ [verb] – to break something so that it does not separate, but very thin lines appear on its surface The glass will crack if dropped on the floor. researcher /REE-sr-chr/ [noun] – someone who studies…
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Sea lion demonstrates exceptional musical rhythm skills

Brix-News (5)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen an animal react to music? If so, what did the animal do? If not, what do you think it might do? Do animals feel or enjoy rhythm like people do? If so, why do you think they can? If not, why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. amaze /uh-MEYZ/ [verb] – to cause someone to be extremely surprised The magician amazed the children with his tricks. scientific /sahy-uhn-TIF-ik/ [adjective] – relating to science or using the methods of science The team made a scientific study of…
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Study links thousands of wildfire smoke deaths to climate change

wildfire

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do when the weather is very hot and dry? Can you imagine what it’s like to live near a wildfire? What would you do first? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pattern /PAT-ern/ [noun] – a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens Scientists studied rainfall patterns to understand how the weather affects farming. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to make a guess or judgment about the size, amount, or value of something Engineers had to estimate the cost of building the new bridge. impact…
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New seal rescue center in Netherlands opens near Wadden Sea

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do rescue centers usually do for animals? Why might some sea animals get hurt in the ocean? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. swollen /SWOH-luhn/ [adjective] – larger or rounder than normal, usually because of injury or illness His knee was swollen after the fall. injure /IN-jer/ [verb] – to hurt a person or animal She injured her leg while running. separate /SEP-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to make people or things not be together The teacher separated the noisy group of students. awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/ [noun] – knowing that something exists or…
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