Intermediate

Japanese researchers create electric chopsticks to boost salty tastes

2022年4月28日

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©Issei kato via Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat salty food? Do you use metal chopsticks? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. heighten /HAHYT-n/ [verb] – to increase or make something increase, especially an emotion or effect TV commercials heightened the interest in food products. sense /sens/ [noun] – an ability to understand, recognize, value, or react to something, especially any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel Mina lost her sense of smell after catching a cold. intake /IN-teyk/ [noun] –…
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Intermediate

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Four ways to be a sustainable fashionista

2022年4月27日

clothes

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How would you describe your fashion sense? How often do you go shopping for clothes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. minor /MAHY-ner/ [adjective] – having little importance, influence, or effect, especially when compared with other things of the same type There were some minor changes to the schedule. fashionista /fash-uh-NEE-stuh/ [noun] – a devoted follower of fashion She is known as the stylish fashionista of the group. outfit /OUT-fit/ [noun] – a set of clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity Alice went out to buy a new outfit…
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Intermediate

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MPs worry that a labor shortage in agriculture could lead to an increase in prices

2022年4月26日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Does your country prioritize agriculture? Please elaborate on your answer. Why does labor shortage happen? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lead to /leed too/ [phrasal verb] – if an action or event leads to something, it causes that thing to happen or exist Reducing speed limits should lead to fewer accidents on the road. imported /im-PAWRT-id/ [adjective] – (of goods or services) brought into a country from abroad for sale The imported cigarettes were bought by my dad. seasonal /SEE-zuh-nl/ [adjective] – relating to or happening during a particular period…
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Intermediate

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Twitter implements a “poison pill” against Elon Musk’s offer

2022年4月25日

twitter

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When did you first join a social media platform? Please tell me more about it. What do you think are the pros and cons of social media? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. billionaire /bil-yuh-NAIR/ [noun] – a person who has money, property, etc. that is worth at least 1,000,000,000 dollars, pounds, euros, etc. The newly appointed mayor is actually a billionaire. stake /steyk/ [noun] – a share or a financial involvement in something such as a business Charles holds a 10 percent stake of the company. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] –…
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Intermediate

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Companies to face clean-up costs for dumped litter

2022年4月24日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you in favor of recycling? Why? What do you do when you see litter around you? 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 To increase profits, corporation executives disregard safety regulations. target /TAHR-git/ [noun] – a level or situation that you intend to achieve The government’s 3.5 percent annual growth target appears to be within reach. implement /IM-pluh-men/ [verb] – to start using a plan or system Changes to the national health system will be implemented the following…
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Intermediate

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Japanese green tea leaves sell for nearly 2 million yen

2022年4月23日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you prefer green tea to black tea? Why or why not? Where do you buy tea? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ensure /en-SHOOR/ [verb] – to make something certain to happen We need to ensure that all attendees are at the venue by 7:00 p.m. provide /pruh-VAYD/ [verb] – to give someone something that they need Our company’s goal is to provide useful products for everyone. fair /fair/ [adjective] – If something is fair, it is reasonable and is what you expect or deserve The athletes would like a…
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Intermediate

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England to prohibit sewage from being discharged into rivers and the sea

2022年4月22日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Does your country treat water waste? Could you tell me something about it? What is the main goal of sewage treatment plants? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. outline /OUT-lahyn/ [verb] – to describe something, for example, a new plan or idea, in a general way without giving too many details The government has outlined the number of environmental targets by 2020. corporation /kawr-puh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – a large company or group of companies that are controlled together as a single organization She didn’t want to work for a large corporation. illegal…
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Intermediate

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Google plans to spend $9.5 billion to expand offices

2022年4月21日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you find Google useful? Why or why not? Aside from Google, what are other popular search engines in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage He invested $1.5 million in a milk tea franchise. campus /KAM-puhs/ [noun] – the buildings of a college or university, or of a large organization, and the land that surrounds them Anna visited several college campuses today. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee/ [noun] – the people living…
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Intermediate

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Seven different fungi to be tested in reducing air pollution in Northern India

2022年4月20日

pollution

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What type of pollution does your country have? How do you think pollution affects the environment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fungus /FUHNG-guhs/ [noun] – any of various types of organisms that get their food from decaying material or other living things The lawn has been covered in fungi. decompose /dee-kuhm-POHZ/ [verb] – to decay, or to cause something to decay Bacterial activity decomposes organic waste. (rice) paddy /PAD-ee/ [noun] – a field planted with rice growing in water Water buffaloes pulled plows in the (rice) paddies. harvesting /HAAR-vuh-stuhng/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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Baskin-Robbins undergoes major rebrand

2022年4月19日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat ice cream? What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. update /UHP-deyt/ [noun] – a more recent, and usually improved, form of something, especially something that is regularly changed I’m still getting used to Microsoft’s new update. attached /uh-TACHD/ [adjective] – feeling close to emotionally Bob is still attached to his old piano. childhood /CHAHYLD-hood/ [noun] – the time when someone is a child Sheena spent her childhood in Italy. relevant /REL-uh-vuhnt/ [adjective] – connected with what is happening or…
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Intermediate

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