Intermediate

BTS becomes first foreign group in history to dominate Japan’s Oricon albums chart

2022年1月9日

BTS is first foreign group to dominate in Japan's Oricon albums chart

©Bighit Entertainment via Twitter (@bts_bighit) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about K-pop? Which K-pop stars do you know or have you heard of? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. land /land/ [verb] – to bring into or cause to arrive in a particular place, position, or condition He deserves the promotion. His hard work landed him in that position. stream /streem/ [verb] – to send or receive sound or video directly over the internet as a continuous flow Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has been streamed over 1…
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Intermediate

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The “tiara effect” behind hard work

2022年1月8日

Man overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities at work

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How can you determine if someone is a hard worker? Do you agree that working more hours means hard work? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. get ahead /GET uh-HED/ [phrasal verb] – to achieve success, often in your work or in society Takeshi is extremely motivated to get ahead in his career. expectation /ek-spek-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling or belief that something will or should happen There is a high expectation for her to get into medical school. promotion /pruh-MOH-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of raising…
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Intermediate

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France bans plastic packaging for most fruits and vegetables

2022年1月6日

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©BBC via GETTY IMAGES Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat fruits? How do you store leftover vegetables? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. revolution /rev-uh-LOO-shuhn / [noun] – a very important change in the way that people do things The technological revolution has affected our way of life. determination /dih-tur-muh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the ability to continue trying to do something, although it is very difficult I admire Jessie for his determination to finish the race. put an end /poot-uhn-end/ [phrasal verb] – to make something stop happening or existing The mayor promised…
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Intermediate

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Rules for creating gene-edited farm animals to prioritize animal welfare

2022年1月5日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why is DNA important? What do you think about gene editing? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. regulation /reg-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – an official rule or the act of controlling something The bus driver violated the traffic regulation. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn / [noun] – the process of making or growing goods to be sold Coke is used in the production of steel. welfare /WEL-fair/ [noun] – the general state of health or degree of success of a person, business, country, etc. We are a company that cares about its employees’ welfare. commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/…
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Intermediate

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Paul McCartney, Harry Styles, BTS, and more to give signed memorabilia for charity auction

2022年1月4日

Paul McCartney, Harry Styles, BTS, and more to give signed memorabilia for charity auction

©Frederic Brown/AFP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What charitable organizations do you know? Who are some best-selling music artists in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. offer up /AW-fer-uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to provide something that is intended to impress, please, or satisfy someone I vowed to offer up my life for our country. charity /CHAR-i-tee/ [noun] – the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need I will donate my old clothes to the charity. found /found/ [verb] – to bring something into existence The medical institution…
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Intermediate

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3 western-style desserts from Japan you must try

2022年1月2日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat sweets? When is the best time to eat dessert? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. seasonal /SEE-zuh-nl/ [adjective] – relating to or happening during a particular period in the year This market is known for its seasonal fruits. adopt /uh-DOPT/ [verb] – to accept or start to use something new We all have to adopt better habits this new year. circular /SUR-kyuh-ler / [adjective] – shaped like a circle They discovered a circular island in Asia. legend /LEJ-uhnd/ [noun] – a very old story or set…
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Intermediate

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France impedes partying on New Year’s Eve to limit COVID-19 infections

2022年1月1日

France impedes partying on New Year’s Eve to limit COVID-19 infections

©Daniel Haug/Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve? Are outdoor parties and fireworks displays popular in your country during the holiday season? Please share something about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cooperation /koh-op-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of working together with someone or doing what they ask you We ask everyone’s cooperation to finish this project by the due date. frustration /fruh-STREY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling of being annoyed or less confident because you cannot achieve what you want, or something that makes you feel like this…
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Intermediate

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Scientists make significant progress in using DNA to store data

2021年12月31日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like taking pictures and videos? Why? Is DNA important? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. substantial /suhb-STAN-shuhl / [adejctive] – large in size, value, or importance His novel’s first draft requires a substantial amount of rewriting. storage /STAWR-ij/ [noun] – the putting and keeping of things in a special place for use in the future To make more storage space, we had to build some cupboards. data /DAT-uh/ [noun] – information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making, or information…
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Intermediate

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Beat the winter blues with these 3 healthy and cozy drinks

2021年12月30日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the weather in your city right now? How often do you visit cafes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contain /kuhn-TEYN/ [verb] – to have something inside or include something as a part: Coffee contains a number of important nutrients. delightful /dih-LAHYT-fuhl / [adjective] – very pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable The trip to the museum was delightful. optional /OP-shuh-nl/ [adjective] – If something is optional, you can choose if you want to do it, pay it, buy it, etc. Adding nuts to this cake is optional. dose /dohs/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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Hertfordshire tractors raise funds for Christmas charity

2021年12月29日

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© ROMAN TURNEY PHOTOGRAPHY via BBC NEWS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you volunteered for a good cause? If yes, please tell me more about it. If not, what would you like to volunteer for and why? When does your country usually have parades? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. witness /WIT-nis/ [verb] – to see something happen We witnessed a public song performance on our way home. parade /puh-REYD/ [noun] – a large number of people walking or in vehicles, all going in the same direction, usually as part of a public celebration of…
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Intermediate

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