Intermediate

What factors influence a child’s decision to have a best friend?

2021年12月26日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What qualities do you look for in a friend? Could you tell me about your best friend? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tend /tend/ [verb] – to be likely to behave in a particular way or have a particular characteristic In this section of the country, we tend to have cold winters and hot, dry summers. intimacy /IN-tuh-muh-see/ [noun] – close familiarity or friendship; closeness The opposite of loneliness is intimacy, not togetherness. evolutionary /ev-uh-LOO-shuh-ner-ee/ [adjective] – relating to the way in which living things develop over millions of years…
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Intermediate

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UK spy agency releases Christmas puzzle for kids

2021年12月25日

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©CNN via HANDOUT/PA/AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you enjoy watching spy movies? What do you do to improve your problem-solving skills? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. traditionally /truh-DI-shuh-nuh-lee/ [adverb] – according to tradition; in a traditional way The number thirteen is traditionally considered unlucky in some countries. tackle /TAK-uhl/ [verb] – to try to deal with something or someone Our CEO tackled the main issues of our delivery system. complex /kuhm-PLEKS/ [adjective] – involving a lot of different but related parts This puzzle is too complex for me. crucial /KROO-shuhl/ [adjective] – extremely…
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Intermediate

Spotify experiments a vertical video feature similar to TikTok

2021年12月24日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why did Tiktok become popular? What songs/kinds of music do you usually listen to? Could you tell me more about them? 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 Several new features have been added to our most recent cell phone model. viewer /VYOO-er/ [noun] – a person who watches something Millions of viewers watched the Superbowl video online. statement /STEYtT-muhnt/ [noun] – something that someone says or writes officially, or an action done to express an opinion The government…
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Intermediate

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Spam sales hit record high for the seventh consecutive year

2021年12月23日

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©BBC via GETTY IMAGES Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some trusted food brands in your country? Have you tried different Spam flavors? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. generate /JEN-uh-reyt / [verb] – to cause something to exist The mayor’s latest project generated 2,000 jobs. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way Rin would like to expand her restaurant business in New York. range /reynj/ [noun] – a set of similar things The boutique offers a range of jewelry from Europe. transform…
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Intermediate

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3 must-watch Christmas films on Netflix

2021年12月22日

3 must-watch Christmas films on Netflix

©Ringer Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How did you celebrate Christmas last year? What is the best Christmas present you have ever gotten? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. delightful /dih-LAHYT-fuhl/ [adjective] – very pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable We went to a delightful party last night. setting /SET-ing/ [noun] – the time and the place in which the action of a book, film, play, etc. happens The film has its setting in France. -oriented /AWR-ee-uhn-tid/ [suffix] – showing the direction in which something is aimed The supervisor reminded the employees to be more results-oriented when doing…
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Intermediate

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Unwrapping your Spotify Wrapped this year

2021年12月21日

Unwrapping your Spotify Wrapped this year

©Spotify Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What new music have you bought or listened to recently? Do you use Spotify to listen to music and/or podcasts? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. present /PREZ-uhnt/ [verb] – to give, provide, or make something known The company’s sales for this year will be presented at the meeting. launch /lawnch/ [verb] – to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product Our new skincare product will be launched next month. worldwide /WURLD-WAHYD/ [adjective] – existing or happening in all…
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Intermediate

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Amazon faces criticisms over safety protocols at tornado-hit warehouse

2021年12月20日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the most recent natural disaster you have seen on the news? What do you think is the worst natural disaster? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. Illinois /il-uh-NOI/ [noun] – a state in the central US, whose capital city is Springfield and whose largest city is Chicago My parents got married in Illinois. tornado /tawr-NEY-doh/ [noun] – a dangerous storm which is a spinning cone of wind that destroys anything in its path as it moves across the ground Hundreds of buildings and homes were destroyed by the tornado…
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Intermediate

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Have a very eco-friendly Christmas

2021年12月19日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What holidays do you look forward to? What holiday food do you like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. prioritize /prahy-AWR-i-tahyz/ [verb] – to designate or treat (something) as more important than other things For now, prioritize your health over your work. independent /in-di-PEN-duhnt/ [adjective] – a shop, small business, etc. that is not part of a large company My family owns an independent bento shop. pre-loved /pree-LUHVD/ [adjective] – not new, but having been used before, used especially when selling something to avoid using the word “second-hand” We’re planning to…
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Intermediate

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Honey is a superfood for insects

2021年12月18日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you put honey in your tea? Why or why not? What are the health benefits of honey? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. functional /FUHNGK-shuh-nl/ [adjective] – designed to be practical and useful rather than attractive Our furniture isn’t very expensive, but it is functional. boost /boost/ [verb] – to improve or increase something Eating healthy food boosts the immune system. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a condition in which bacteria or viruses that cause disease have entered the body To limit the danger of infection, wrap the wound in a…
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Intermediate

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Samsung to generate 2,000 jobs in Texas with a $17 billion chip manufacturing facility

2021年12月17日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why is generating jobs important? Where can we use computer chips? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shortage /SHAWR-tij / [noun] – a situation in which there is not enough of something There’s a shortage of food in the refugee camps. capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/ [noun] – the total amount that can be contained or produced The concert arena has a seating capacity of 50,000. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to give something, especially money, in order to provide or achieve something together with other people My family has contributed…
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Intermediate

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