Intermediate

NASA probes Maven Spacecraft communications failure after sudden loss of signal at Mars

Cris-News (57)

©NASA/LASP/CU Boulder via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What news has been heard about Mars missions? What details were memorable? What space communication issues have been discussed before? Why were they important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intractable /in-TRAK-tuh-bul/ [adjective] – very difficult or impossible to deal with The team faced an intractable problem during the mission review. obfuscate /OB-fuh-skayt/ [verb] – to make something less clear The missing data started to obfuscate the team’s analysis. recalibrate /ree-KAL-uh-brayt/ [verb] – to change or correct something so it works well again NASA needed to recalibrate…
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New eyeglass lenses approved to slow childhood nearsightedness

glasses

©(Luxottica via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What activities do children spend the most time on today? What do you usually do to rest your eyes after a long day? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nearsightedness /NEER-sy-tid-ness/ [noun] – the condition of not being able to see far objects clearly Doctors checked the child for nearsightedness during a school health exam. distant /DIS-tuhnt/ [adjective] – far away Distant signs were hard to read without glasses. substantial /suhb-STAN-shuhl/ [adjective] – large in amount or size The new training program led to a substantial improvement in…
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Italian cuisine recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Italian

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What foods remind you of your family or your culture? What habits do you think make food preparation more sustainable or respectful to the environment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nomination /nom-uh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of officially suggesting someone or something for a position, award, or recognition The nomination for the city’s art award included several young painters who showed strong talent. accredited /uh-KRED-i-tid/ [adjective] – officially recognized or approved as meeting a certain standard The accredited language center offered programs that were accepted by many international schools. migration…
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Calisthenics gains momentum as experts highlight accessible, low-equipment fitness options

Cris-News (56)

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What common exercises are usually featured in fitness programs? How do these exercises help people stay active? What reasons have people given for choosing home-based workouts? When might home workouts be more helpful than gym visits? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. perpetuate /per-PECH-oo-eyt/ [verb] – to cause something to continue The program tried to perpetuate regular exercise among beginners. delineate /dih-LIN-ee-eyt/ [verb] – to clearly describe or show something Coaches delineate each step so learners understand the correct form. preeminent /pree-EM-uh-nuhnt/ [adjective] – more important or powerful than others in…
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Travel Tuesday promotions expand as airlines and hotels target post-holiday slowdown

Cris-News (55)

©AP Photo/George Walker IV Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What holiday sales events are commonly discussed in media? What travel promotions have been reported recently? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. propagate /PROP-uh-geyt/ [verb] – to spread opinions, beliefs, or ideas among many people The company tried to propagate interest in its new travel program. conspicuous /kuhn-SPIK-yoo-uhs/ [adjective] – easily seen or noticed The large countdown timer made the offer very conspicuous. precipitate /pri-SIP-i-teyt/ [verb] – to cause something to happen suddenly or sooner Unclear wording can precipitate confusion among customers. discrepancy /dis-KREP-uhn-see/ [noun] – a…
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Holiday ornaments shape daily life all year in a Belgian shop

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…
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Disneyland visitor reaches 15,000 rides on Radiator Springs Racers

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…
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Genetics legacy reexamined as Watson’s contributions resurface

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…
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California issues warning after rise in wild mushroom poisonings

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

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…
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