Intermediate

Defying Age: 80-year old great grandma shares passion for ice hockey

2020年6月17日

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© Photo by ph.news.yahoo.com Pre-Reading Questions: Do you want to play sports even when you are old? Why or why not? Do you know an old person who still plays sports? Elaborate your answer. Vocabulary: passion /PASH-uhn/ [noun] something that you are strongly interested in and enjoy My cousin has always had a passion for singing. former /FAWRr-mer/ [adjective] used to describe someone who had a particular position or job in the past The former president went back to his hometown. expect /ik-SPEKT/ [verb] to think or believe something will happen I didn’t expect to see my old friend in my new neighborhood. senior /SEEN-yer/ [adjective] a person who is…
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Intermediate

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How to sanitize your filthy phones

2020年6月8日

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you think your phone is dirty? Why or why not? How often do you use your smartphone? Vocabulary: effective /ih-FEK-tiv/ [adjective] successful or achieving the results that you want Exercising together with a balanced diet is an effective way to lose weight. defense /dih-FENS/ [noun] the ability to protect against attack or harm Eating fruits and vegetables can help strengthen our body’s defenses from being sick. carrier /KAR-ee-er/ [noun] someone or something that has the infection or genetic fault that causes it and can give the disease to someone else Basic hospital equipment like syringes can also be bacteria-carriers if not disposed properly. conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] to…
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Intermediate

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Eleven essential apps when in Japan

2020年6月5日

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Pre-Reading Questions: What are the best places to visit in Japan? What country do you want to visit the most? Why? Vocabulary: delicious /dih-LISH-uhs/ [adjective] having a very pleasant taste I really love the delicious cakes they sell! It’s really worth the price. delight /dih-LAHYT/ [noun] great pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness I couldn’t help but express my delight with his great performance. accessibility /ak-SES-uh-buhl-i-tee/ [noun] the fact of being able to be reached or obtained easily The new city Mayor proposed a new project to increase accessibility to the hospitals. timetable /TAHYM-tey-buhl/ [noun] a list of the times when buses, trains, and planes leave and arrive I need to know…
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Intermediate

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Five ways to keep your sanity while working from home

2020年6月1日

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you think being at home every day is lonely? Why or why not? What do you usually do when you’re at home? Vocabulary: trend /trend/ [noun] – a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving The new trend that influences teenagers is quite alarming. remotely /ri-MOHT lee/ [adverb] employees who work remotely work mainly from home and communicate with the company by email and telephone She has been working remotely for five years now since becoming a freelance writer. efficiency /ih-FISH-uh n-see/ [noun] – the good use of time and energy in a way that does not waste any His…
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Intermediate

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Ways on how to make stress beneficial for your well-being

2020年5月29日

urban

Pre-Reading Questions: What do you usually do during quarantine? What are your usual stress relievers? Vocabulary: boost /boost/ [verb] to improve or increase something Local farmers began using quality fertilizers to boost their crop yields. exposed /ik-SPOHZD/ [adjective] not covered; able to be seen Children are prone to the virus if they are exposed outside. income /IN-kuhm/ [noun] money that is earned from doing work or received from investments He has a lot of income because of his chain businesses. risky /RIS-kee/ [adjective] involving the possibility of something bad happening Entering a construction site without proper protection is too risky. anxiety /ang-ZAHY-i-tee/ [noun] an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry…
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Intermediate

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All you need to know about Japanese tea

2020年5月25日

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you think drinking tea is good for our bodies? When do you usually drink tea? Vocabulary: definitely /DEF-uh-nit-lee/ [adverb] without any doubt Mario will definitely come here before dinner. combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] the mixture you get when two or more things are combined Bread and milk are a good combination for breakfast. aroma /uh-ROH-muh/ [noun] a strong, usually pleasant smell Everyone wants to go to the flower garden because of its aroma. subtle /SUHT-l// [adjective] not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious The taste of this milk tea is very subtle. fine /fahyn/ [adjective] very thin or in very small pieces or drops This grain of rice is…
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Intermediate

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Innerwear company to give nylon masks to children

2020年5月22日

nylon mask

Pre-reading questions: Do you like helping others? Why or why not? How would we encourage other people to others too? Vocabulary: over /OH-ver/ [preposition] above or higher than something else The number of contestants for this year’s marathon is over 2,000. distribute /dih-STRIB-yoot/ [verb] to give something out to several people The charity will distribute toys to children in need. chairman /CHAIR-muhn/ [noun] a person in charge of a meeting or organization The chairman of the board called for a meeting this afternoon. firm /furm/ [noun] a company or business, especially a small one The firm where I work gave generous bonuses last Christmas. purchase /PUR-chuhs/ [verb] to buy something…
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Intermediate

LEGO Super Mario to hit markets this 2020

2020年5月18日

Lego

© Photo by Lego/Nintendo Pre-reading questions: What was your favorite toy when you were younger? Do you prefer playing with toys or reading books? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] a result of two or more things joining together She is a combination of sensitivity and fierceness. virtual /VUR-choo-uhl/ [adjective] can be done or seen using a computer without going anywhere or talking to anyone He sends her virtual hugs and kisses since they are far from each other. product /PROD-uhkt/ [noun] something that is made to be sold This product is 100% made of natural ingredients, and it is also 50% off today platform /PLAT-fawrm/ [noun] a…
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Intermediate

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Akita: A place of knowledge and beauty

2020年5月15日

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© Photo by Japan Inside Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like reading books? Why or why not? What is your ideal place to read books? Vocabulary: cozy /KOH-zee/ [adjective] comfortable, pleasant, and inviting, esp. (of a room or building) because of being small and warm My room is nice and cozy during winter. tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time Each country has different traditions. suburb /SUHB-urb/ [noun] an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live Ana grew…
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Intermediate

JR-EAST’s Joban Line reopens nine years after 2011 disaster

2020年5月11日

train

Pre-reading questions: Why do you think natural disasters happen? What is the best mode of transportation for you? Vocabulary: disaster /dih-ZAS-ter/ [noun] a sudden event that causes a lot of damage, such as a very bad fire, storm, or accident One of the most unpredictable natural disasters is earthquakes. provide /pruh-VAYHD/ [verb] to give something to a person, company, or organization, or to make it available for them to use The event coordinators provided free meals to the guests. transport /trans-POHRT/ [noun] something that takes things, esp. soldiers or military supplies, from one place to another The transport system in my country should be improved. enhance /en-HANS/ [verb] to improve…
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Intermediate

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