Intermediate

Orphaned macaque comforted by plush toy at Tokyo-area zoo

Brix-News (13)

©AP Photo/Hiro Komae Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why might a baby animal need comfort if separated from a parent? What do monkeys usually do to show friendship with other monkeys? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. plush /pluhsh/ [adjective] – made of very soft material The child hugged a plush toy before sleeping. comfort /KUHM-fert/ [noun] – a feeling of being calm and safe The blanket gave comfort during the cold night. society /suh-SAHY-i-tee/ [noun] – people living together in an organized group Animals also follow rules within their society. accept /ak-SEPT/ [verb] – to…
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Total lunar eclipse draws attention with blood-red moon

News Templates

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think people might feel when they see a rare event in the sky? If you could watch a special event in the night sky, where would you like to watch it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – to happen; to take place A strong earthquake may occur near coastal areas during certain seasons. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] – the outside or top layer of something The surface of the lake became very calm after the wind stopped. alignment /uh-LAHYN-muhnt/ [noun] – the position of things…
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Daylight saving time change renews debate in the United States

clock time

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you usually feel when you wake up earlier than normal? Do you think people prefer mornings with more sunlight or evenings with more sunlight? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. adopt /uh-DOPT/ [verb] – to begin to use something as a new rule, method, or system The school decided to adopt a new online system for homework. permanent /PUR-muh-nuhnt/ [adjective] – lasting for a long time or not changing The company offered permanent jobs to workers after the training program. adjustment /uh-JUHST-muhnt/ [noun] – a small change made…
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Painting once dismissed as fake recognized as authentic Rembrandt after two-year study

Brix-News (12)

©AP Photo/Peter Dejong Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What famous painters or artworks are familiar in world history? Why might experts study old paintings very carefully? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rejected /ri-JEK-tid/ [verb] – to refuse to accept something The museum rejected the old painting at first. collector /kuh-LEK-ter/ [noun] – someone who gathers and keeps special objects as a hobby or investment The collector bought several rare coins. analysis /uh-NAL-uh-sis/ [noun] – the detailed study of something to understand it better Scientists conducted an analysis of the samples. curator /kyoo-RAY-ter/ [noun] – a…
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Archaeologists unearthed sealed Roman sarcophagus dating back 1,700 years in Budapest

Brix-News (11)

©Gabor Lakos, Budapest History Museum via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of objects do archaeologists usually find in ancient tombs? Why do historians study burial sites from ancient civilizations? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sarcophagus /sahr-KOF-uh-guhs/ [noun] – a stone coffin used in ancient times The museum displayed a large sarcophagus from the Roman period. excavation /ek-skuh-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the activity of digging in the ground to discover objects from the past The excavation lasted several months. skeleton /SKEL-i-tuhn/ [noun] – the structure of bones in a human or animal body Scientists…
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Health experts report increase in seasonal allergies

pollenallergy

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually feel during spring or summer? Do you think weather can affect your health? How? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. extend /ik-STEND/ [verb] – to make something longer or continue for a longer time The school decided to extend the class time for extra practice. exposure /ik-SPOH-zher/ [noun] – contact with something, especially something that may affect health Long exposure to loud noise can harm hearing. birch /burch/ [noun] – a type of tree that produces pollen A birch grows near the lake and has thin white…
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New health chatbots assist users in understanding medical information

chatbot

©(OpenAI via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel about using technology to help people understand health information? What devices can help people check their health every day? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wearable /WAIR-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be worn on the body The company released a wearable device that tracks daily exercise. complex /kuhm-PLEKS/ [adjective] – difficult to understand because something has many parts The instructions looked complex, so the students asked the teacher for help. interpret /in-TUR-prit/ [verb] – to explain the meaning of something The guide helped visitors…
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First giant panda cub born in Indonesia shows healthy early development at safari park in West Java

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©Taman Safari Indonesia via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals are famous symbols of certain countries? Why do people try to protect endangered animals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/ [adjective] – in danger of becoming extinct The government created laws to protect endangered animals. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/ [noun] – the state of working with someone else to achieve something The two countries formed a partnership to study wildlife. monitor /MON-i-ter/ [verb] – to watch and check something carefully over a period of time Scientists monitor animal health in research centers. habitat /HAB-i-tat/…
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How digital news habits influence understanding and well-being

News Reading

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do you usually get information about what is happening in the world? What activities help you relax when you feel tired from using your phone? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. growth /grohth/ [noun] – an increase in size, amount, or level The growth of online shopping has changed how people buy goods. structured /STRUHK-cherd/ [adjective] – organized in a clear and planned way A structured schedule helps students manage their study time. overload /oh-ver-LOHD/ [noun] – too much information or activity at one time Too many tasks can cause…
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Holly varieties gain winter popularity as experts urge careful plant selection and responsible planting practices

Brix-News (9)

©Andy and Sally Wasowski/Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What plants are popular during the winter holidays? Why do people grow shrubs in their gardens? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. species /SPEE-sheez/ [noun] – a group of plants or animals that share similar characteristics There are many species of trees in the forest. native /NEY-tiv/ [adjective] – belonging to a place by birth or origin This flower is native to the region. berry /BER-ee/ [noun] – a small round fruit Birds eat red berries in winter. tolerant /TOL-er-uhnt/ [adjective]…
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