Intermediate

U.S. schools adopt meat-free menus to promote health and combat climate impact

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©AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever eaten a plant-based meal at school? If so, what food did you try? If not, what do you think it would taste like? Do you know why people try to eat less meat? If so, what reasons do you remember? If not, what reasons can you guess? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. initiate /ih-NISH-ee-eyt/ [verb] – to cause something to begin The school will initiate a recycling project next month. advocate /AD-vuh-keyt/ [verb] – to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or…
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European countries issue health alerts as heat wave intensifies

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever received a weather warning in your area? If so, what did you do? If not, what kind of warning would surprise you? Do you know any countries in northern Europe, like the UK or the Netherlands? If so, what do you know about their weather? If not, where have you learned about Europe? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. proactive /proh-AK-tiv/ [adjective] – taking action by causing change and not only reacting to events The teacher was proactive and gave help before problems started. strategic /struh-TEE-jik/ [adjective] –…
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Three new Kingdom tombs unearthed in Luxor ahead of the Grand Egyptian Museum opening

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©Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you heard of Egypt before? If so, what do you know about its history? If not, what ancient cultures have you heard about? Do you know what a tomb is? If so, where have you seen one? If not, what do you think is inside it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. appreciate /uh-PREE-shee-eyt/ [verb] – to understand how good something is or to be thankful for something I appreciate your help with my school project. civilization /siv-uh-luh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – human society…
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Ancient humans adapted early to harsh environments, new study finds

harsh environment

©(AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, Jerome Delay, Matthew Craft) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of place do you think is difficult to live in? Why? Imagine you are the first person to live in a new land. What three things would you take with you? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. examine /ig-ZAM-in/ [verb] – to look at something carefully to learn more about it Scientists examined the animal bones to learn about its diet. migrate /MAHY-greyt/ [verb] – to move from one place to another, usually to live or find better conditions People…
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Chair yoga gains popularity among older adults for its gentle, effective benefits

chair yoga

©(AP Photo/Richard Drew) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do to relax or reduce stress? What kind of exercises do you enjoy or want to try someday? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. adapted /uh-DAP-tid/ [adjective] – changed or modified to fit a new use, purpose, or condition This school uses an adapted curriculum for students with learning difficulties. wellness /WEL-nis/ [noun] – the state of being healthy in body and mind The company offers a wellness program to help employees stay healthy. accessible /ak-SES-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – ak-ses-uh-buhl The building is accessible for people…
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US proposes pangolin protection under Endangered Species Act to curb global trafficking

Brix-News (27)

©AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you heard of animals that are hunted for their body parts? If so, which animal do you know? If not, why might people hunt animals? Do you know any animals that are protected by laws in your country? If so, what animals are they? If not, why might animals need protection? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. relevant /REL-uh-vuhnt/ [adjective] – connected with what is happening or being discussed This book is relevant to our science class project. conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the protection of plants,…
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The US to build $8.5 million fly-breeding facility in Texas to combat screwworm threat near Mexico border

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©USDA Agricultural Research Service via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you heard of insects that harm farm animals? If so, what do they do? If not, what do you think they might do? Have you learned about how science helps stop harmful insects? If so, what methods do you know? If not, what methods do you think could help? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contamination /kuhn-tam-uh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making something dirty or harmful by adding something dangerous or unwanted The water had contamination, so people could not drink it. efficient…
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Australian moths use stars to navigate long distances, study finds

moth

©(Ajay Narendra via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think people would travel if they could not use maps or GPS? Do you think small creatures like insects can teach us big lessons? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. life cycle /lahyf SAHY-kuhl/ [noun] – the stages an animal or plant goes through from birth to death The butterfly’s life cycle includes the egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult stages. long-distance /LAWNG-DIS-tuhns/ [adjective] – covering a large area or going far away Many birds take long-distance flights during winter to…
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Water guns become protest symbol against mass tourism in Barcelona

watergun

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think makes a city a good place to live? Why do people sometimes protest? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. protester /PRO-test-er/ [noun] – someone who shows that they disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc. Protesters gathered outside the government building to demand clean water. spray /sprey/ [verb] – to scatter liquid in small drops Farmers spray chemicals on crops to prevent pests. cool down /kool down/ [phrasal verb] – to make the body feel less hot She drank cold water to cool down…
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Study finds 22% drop in emperor penguin populations linked to sea ice loss

emperor penguin

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think it would be like to live in a very cold place like Antarctica? How do you think animals stay safe or warm in the snow? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [noun] – a gradual decrease in number, amount, or quality There was a sharp decline in student attendance during the rainy season. breed /breed/ [verb] – to produce young animals or offspring Many birds breed in the spring when the weather is warmer. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to make a guess about the size,…
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