Intermediate

More US employees seek caregiver benefits as the population ages

caregiver

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why might balancing work and family responsibilities be challenging? How can technology make daily life easier for busy workers? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gap /gap/ [noun] – a missing part or difference between two things The study found a gap between city services and rural needs. introduce /in-truh-DOOS/ [verb] – to bring something new into use The government plans to introduce new traffic rules next year. flexible /FLEK-suh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to change easily to fit different needs The company offers flexible hours during busy seasons. productivity /proh-duhk-TIV-i-tee/ [noun]…
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The “6-7” phenomenon changes fan engagement in basketball

6'7

©(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What makes watching a sports game fun for you? Why do you think people like to follow simple trends or gestures? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. themed /THEEMD/ [adjective] – designed around a single idea or topic The school prepared a themed event about science and technology. respond /ri-SPOND/ [verb] – to react or give an answer to something The company responded to customer feedback with new rules. interaction /in-ter-AK-shuhn/ [noun] – communication or activity between people Group work increases interaction between students in class. repetitive…
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BAFTA winners receive handcrafted bronze masks

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©Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What awards show recognizes achievements in British film and television? Why are trophies important in the entertainment industry? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. effort /EF-ert/ [noun] – physical or mental energy used to do something The team made a strong effort to finish the project on time. process /PROS-es/ [noun] – a series of actions taken to achieve a result The hiring process took several weeks to complete. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] – the outside or top layer of something The surface of the table looked clean and…
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Fennell’s Wuthering Heights tops the North American box office with a $34.8M holiday debut

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©Warner Bros. Pictures via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do holiday weekends usually help movie sales? Why? Why do romantic movies often release in February? Explain. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. encouraging /en-KUR-ij-ing/ [adjective] – giving hope or confidence about the future The team received encouraging feedback after the presentation. typically /TIP-i-kuh-lee/ [adverb] – usually or normally The store typically opens at nine in the morning. mixed /mikst/ [adjective] – having both positive and negative parts The restaurant received mixed reviews from customers. recommend /rek-uh-MEND/ [verb] – to say that something is good and…
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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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