Intermediate

Online shopping scams increase as fake small businesses appear

wallet

©(AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you usually choose an online shop you trust? What makes a website look “real” or “safe” to you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. scam /skam/ [noun] – a trick to take someone’s money or personal information The police warned people about a phone scam asking for bank details. craftwork /KRAFT-wurk/ [noun] – handmade art or objects made with skill The shop sells craftwork made by local artists. legitimate /li-JIT-uh-mit/ [adjective] – real and legal The company is a legitimate business with a real office….
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Scientists find naturally mummified cheetah remains in Saudi Arabia

Cheetah Mummified

©(Ahmed Boug/Communications Earth and Environment via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When you hear about animals from the past, what kinds of places do you imagine they lived in? Why do you think people are interested in learning about animals that lived hundreds of years ago? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. remain /ri-MEYN/ [noun] – what is left of something after it has ended or been destroyed Scientists studied the remains of an ancient tool found near the river. preserve /pri-ZURV/ [verb] – to keep something in its original condition The museum works hard…
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China luxury car demand falls in 2025 as buyers shift to cheaper domestic models

Brix-News (72)

©AP Photo/Andy Wong Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do people avoid expensive items during slow economies? What features matter most when choosing a car today? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. clear /KLEER/ [adjective] – easy to see or understand A clear trend appeared in sales. efficient /ih-FISH-uhnt/ [adjective] – working well without waste Efficient factories lowered costs. pressure /PRESH-e/ [noun] – strong influence or stress Brands felt pressure to adjust prices. practical /PRAK-ti-kuhl/ [adjective] – useful in real situations Practical pricing attracted customers. hesitant /HEZ-i-tuhnt/ [adjective] – unsure or slow to act Shoppers felt…
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Food companies expand GLP-1-friendly meal options

GLP1

©(AP Photo/Dee-Ann Durbin) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What foods make you feel full or satisfied after eating? Do you read food labels before buying food? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. prescription /pri-SKRIP-shuhn/ [noun] – an official order from a doctor for medicine A prescription is required to buy certain drugs at a pharmacy. hormone /HAWR-mohn/ [noun] – a chemical in the body that controls growth or body functions Stress can change the level of hormone activity in the body. portion /PAWR-shuhn/ [noun] – a single amount of food served to…
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Astronaut returns early from space station for medical evaluation

NASA

©(NASA via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think is difficult about living in space? What kind of support do you think astronauts need in space? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. evacuation /ih-vak-yoo-EY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of moving people away from a dangerous place The storm warning led to the evacuation of homes near the coast. timeline /TAHYM-lahyn/ [noun] – a planned schedule of events The project timeline changed after new rules were announced. reentry /ree-EN-tree/ [noun] – the act of returning to a place The athlete planned a reentry into…
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China auto exports jump 21% in 2025 as EV shipments offset weak domestic demand

Brix-News (70)

©Chinatopix Via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have car exports increased in recent years? Why or why not? Are electric vehicles popular globally? What affects their adoption? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [adjective] – another choice or option The company looked for alternative deliberate /di-LIB-er-it/ [adjective] – done with careful planning The firm made deliberate export decisions. stability /stuh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – the condition of being steady or balanced Export sales improved financial stability. restriction /ri-STRIK-shuhnz/ [noun] – limits set by rules or laws Trade restrictions slowed exports. transition /tran-ZISH-uhn/ [noun] – the…
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Virtual tours open access to ancient Roman house in Rome

virtual tour

©(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What makes a place interesting to explore? Have you heard of online tours? How do you think they work? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. accessible /ak-SES-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be reached or used The online class is accessible to students in different countries. excavation /eks-kuh-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of digging to uncover something The excavation revealed old tools under the ground. humidity /hyoo-MID-i-tee/ [noun] – the amount of water in the air High humidity makes hot weather feel uncomfortable. artistic /ahr-TIS-tik/ [adjective] – related to…
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Artificial intelligence reshapes education

chatgpt

©(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel when technology helps you with work or study tasks? In your opinion, what is a good way to use technology without depending on it too much? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. adoption /uh-DOP-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of starting to use something new The adoption of online registration reduced long lines at the office. misuse /mis-YOOZ/ [noun] – the incorrect or harmful use of something The misuse of company data may lead to disciplinary action. integrity /in-TEG-ri-tee/ [noun] – honesty and strong…
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AI innovation at CES faces criticism from consumer advocates

CES Tech

©(AP Photo/John Locher) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What technology do you use at home every day? How does technology help you in your daily life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. privacy /PRAHY-vuh-see/ [noun] – the state of being free from unwanted attention or information sharing The company updated its policy to improve customer privacy. wasteful /WEYST-fuhl/ [adjective] – using more resources than necessary The report described the old lighting system as wasteful. reliability /ri-lahy-uh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability to work correctly and consistently The safety test focused on the reliability of the new train…
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Gifted dogs show ability to learn object names by listening

dog (2)

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of things do dogs usually learn from people? Do you think animals can understand words, or only actions? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. command /kuh-MAND/ [noun] – an instruction that tells someone or something what to do The teacher gave a clear command before the students began the test. overcome /oh-ver-KUHM/ [verb] – to successfully deal with a problem or difficulty The athlete trained hard to overcome a serious injury. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – to happen Power cuts often occur during strong storms. insight /IN-sahyt/ [noun] –…
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