Intermediate

Unique places to visit in Brazil

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you travel? What animal fascinates you the most? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. stunning /STUHN-ing/ [adjective] – extremely beautiful or attractive Budapest is a stunning city! paranormal /par-uh-NAWR-muhl/ [adjective] – impossible to explain by known natural forces or by science Ben likes to read paranormal stories. species /noun/ [SPEE-sheez] – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other There are more than 200 species of mammals in the Philippines. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective]…
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Mastering the art of gift-giving

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do when you receive a gift you do not like? What are considered unlucky gifts in your country’s culture? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. master /MAH-ster/ [verb] – to learn how to do something well It takes years to master a foreign language. personality /pur-suh-NAL-i-tee/ [noun] – the type of person you are, which is shown by the way you behave, feel, and think She has a kind and loving personality. nurture /NUR-cher/ [verb] – to take care of, feed, and protect someone or something, especially young…
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Magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits Japan

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© AFP via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think natural disasters have become more frequent nowadays? Please explain your answer. What is the worst natural disaster for you and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. magnitude /MAG-ni-tood/ [noun] – a measure of how strong or violent an earthquake is A 5.0 magnitude earthquake was detected in the southern islands. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious She is still recovering from severe flu. on board /ON BAWRD/ [idiom] – on or in an aircraft,…
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Blind people will be able to see thanks to bionic eye technology

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you wear eyeglasses? Why or why not? What technology is very useful nowadays? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vision /VIZH-uhn/ [noun] – the ability to see Her left eye has very limited vision. artificial /ahr-tuh-FISH-uhl/ [adjective] – made by people, often as a copy of something natural Her bouquet was comprised entirely of artificial flowers. retina /RET-n-uh/ [noun] – the area at the back of the eye that receives light and sends pictures of what the eye sees to the brain This is an incurable condition of the…
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Youngsters in Bristol’s inner city tackle climate change with the help of a podcast

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite program online? Could you tell me more about it? Why do some people listen to podcasts? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. establish /ih-STAB-lish/ [verb] – to start a company or organization that will continue for a long time These working practices were created in the previous century. vision /VIZH-uhn/ [noun] – an idea or mental image of something We see his vision of the future in his works. episode /EP-uh-sohd/ [noun] – one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it…
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Starbucks plans to phase out its disposable cups by 2025

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you drink coffee or tea first thing in the morning? Why or why not? Do you prefer drinking coffee/tea in a mug or a cup? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. get rid of something /get-rid-of/ [phrasal verb] – to remove something that you do not want any longer You should get rid of all the things you no longer use. durable /DOOR-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to last and be used for a long time without becoming damaged This wooden chair is really durable. curious /KYOOR-ee-uhs/ [adjective] – interested…
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A guide to Peranakan cuisine

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©Sharon Wee and Marshall via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite food to eat during lunch? Tell me something about it. How often do you eat spicy food? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. diverse /dih-VURS/ [adjective] – including many different types of people or things I enjoy working in a diverse environment. combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the mixture you get when two or more things are combined This city is a combination of Asian and Western cultures. date back /deyt-bak/ [phrasal verb] – to have existed for a particular length of…
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Possible extinct giants depicted in rock paintings

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© CNN News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which animal do you think is the most endangered and why? What is your opinion of giant animals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. porcupine /PAWR-kyuh-pahyn/ [noun] – an animal with a covering of long, sharp quills (= stiff hairs like needles) on its back I found a porcupine by the riverside. naturalistic /nach-er-uh-LIS-tik/ [adjective] – similar to what exists in nature Zoos keep the animals in naturalistic settings for their comfort. visible /VIZ-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be seen Most of the writings in this old book…
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The splendor of the oldest place on Earth

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© Dan Avila via BBC Travel Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the oldest place in your country? Please tell me more about it. How do you consider a place to be beautiful? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. civilization /siv-uh-luh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – human society with its well developed social organizations, or the culture and way of life of a society or country at a particular period in time Chinese civilization is one of the world’s oldest. prehistoric /pree-hi-STAWR-ik/ [adjective] – describing the period before there were written records The museum contains artifacts from prehistoric…
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Hedgehog population in the UK countryside declines, studies show

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are endangered species? Do hedgehogs make good pets? Why do you think so? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rural /ROOR-uhl / [adjective] – in, of, or like the countryside The area is still undeveloped and rural. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to gradually become less, worse, or lower They’ve just declined the price. survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] – an examination of opinions, behavior, etc., made by asking people questions According to a latest survey, 75% of those questioned were in favor of the plan. urban /UR-buhn / [adjective] – of or…
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