Intermediate

Catastrophizing: What is it and how can it be stopped?

2022年8月7日

Head shot stressed young woman holding paper document, bank debt notification, thinking of financial troubles, looking away. Lost in negative thoughts depressed woman worrying about bad news notice.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel on your first day at work/at school? What do you do to make sure you will succeed in your plans? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. envision /en-VIZH-uhn/ [verb] – to imagine or expect something to happen, appear, etc. in a particular way They didn’t envision any issues with the new building. likely /LAHYK-lee/ [adjective] – if something is likely, it will probably happen or is expected The tickets will most likely be expensive. guarantee /gar-uhn-TEE/ [noun] – a promise that something will be done or will…
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Intermediate

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Chat platform Slack to make its pricing higher

2022年8月6日

August 21, 2019 San Francisco / USA - Slack Technologies, Inc. sign at their HQ in SOMA district; Slack (its main product) is a cloud-based set of collaboration software tools and online services

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you use messaging platforms for things other than talking to people? How do you use it if so? If not, what other things can a chat platform do that you can think of? Do you think people need to use online chat platforms? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. increase /in-KREES/ [verb] – to (make something) become larger in amount or size Peter’s height increased after drinking the growth enhancer vitamin. secondly /SEK-uhnd-lee/ [adverb] – used when stating the second of two or more reasons or…
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Intermediate

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Smartphones being tracked in USA

2022年8月5日

Businesss Workers using smartphone cargo and tracking delivery for Transportation and global network of smart logistics in blur warehouse background.

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you want a smartphone with a tracking device? Why or why not? Why do you think there are smartphones that have a tracking device? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. liberty /LIB-er-tee/ [noun] – the freedom to live as you wish or go where you want We need liberty in our decisions. data /DEY-tuh/ [noun] – information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making, or information in an electronic form that can be stored and used by a computer I stored the…
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Intermediate

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Can robots do what humans can?

2022年8月4日

Vector evolution concept with ape to cyborg and robots growth process with monkey, caveman to businessman in suit wearing VR headset, artificial legs person and robotic creature. Mankind development

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “robots”? Do you accept that robots will soon be part of human life? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. programming /PROH-gram-ing/ [noun] – the activity or job of writing computer programs Programming is a good profession for people that are into technology. technical /TEK-ni-kuhl/ [adjective] – relating to the knowledge, machines, or methods used in science and industry The technical skills that John has helped the company a lot. task /TAHSK/ [noun] – a piece of work…
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Intermediate

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India to surpass China’s population in 2023

2022年8月3日

taj-mahal-3654227_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think having lots of people in a particular place is a good thing? Why or why not? How many people are there in your family? Could you tell me about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. estimate /ES-tuh-mit/ [noun] – a judgment or calculation of approximately how large or how great something is Can you make a rough estimate of how many people will attend the party? growth /grohth/ [noun] – an increase in the size or the importance of something The country is trying to limit population…
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Intermediate

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Could contact lenses be the next generation of computer screens?

2022年8月2日

lens-4818776_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you memorize something? Why do people love smart gadgets? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] – a typical quality or an important part of something What are the features of smart TV? manufacturer /man-yuh-FAK-cher-er/ [noun] – a company that produces goods in large numbers The company is a major manufacturer of motor cars. extensive /ik-STEN-siv/ [adjective] – covering a large area; having a great range The fire caused extensive damage. vision /VIZH-uhn/ [noun] – the ability to see She experienced blurred vision when she had a…
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Intermediate

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The UK to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023

2022年8月1日

Audience with hands raised at a music festival and lights streaming down from above the stage. Soft focus, blurred movement.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite song genre? Why? Who is your favorite singer? Please tell me more about him/her. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. arena /uh-REE-nuh/ [noun] – a large, flat area surrounded by seats used for sports or entertainment The basketball game will be held in the arena. assess /uh-SES/ [verb] – to make a decision about a person or situation after considering all the information The flood damage needs to be assessed. candidate /KAN-di-deyt/ [noun] – a person or thing considered likely to receive or experience something The English…
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Intermediate

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The great fall foliage in Japan

2022年7月31日

colorful trees and rural road in deep autumn forest, natural background

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “autumn”? What is the best place to see the autumn leaves from where you live? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gradually /GRAJ-oo-uh-lee/ [adverb] – slowly over a period of time or a distance She adjusted to the vegetarian diet gradually. canoe /kuh-NOO/ [verb] – to travel in a canoe (=a small, light, narrow boat, pointed at both ends and moved using a paddle) We navigated the lake by canoeing. trail /treyl/ [noun] – a path through a countryside, mountain, or…
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Intermediate

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Gloucestershire students kayak 200 miles to raise awareness about pollution

2022年7月30日

canoe-2920401_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of water activities do you do? Could you please tell me more about it? What is an initiative you have taken that you are proud of? Please elaborate on your answer. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. schedule /SKEJ-ool/ [verb] – to arrange an event or activity that will happen at a particular time The meeting will be scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. sample /SAM-puhl/ [noun] – a small amount of a substance or product that is tested to find out whether it is good, whether it contains a particular…
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Intermediate

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Gbike buys Hyundai’s transportation business

2022年7月29日

single-speed-3004727_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you ride a bicycle?? If so, please describe your experience. If not, how will you learn to do it? Do you know what an e-bike is? If so, please describe. If not, If so, could you guess what it is? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. source /SOHRS/ [noun] – the place something comes from or starts at, or the cause of something He is the source of information for their company. deal /DEEL/ [noun] – an agreement or an arrangement, especially in business Their deal is to get all…
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Intermediate

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