Intermediate

More than 10 million Australians under lockdown as part of the fight against the Delta strain

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What Covid-19 virus variants do you know? Which country in the world had quickly recovered its economy in spite of the pandemic? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lockdown /LOK-doun/ [noun] – an emergency situation in which people are not allowed to freely enter, leave, or move around in a building or area because of danger The campus was placed on lockdown shortly after the shootings were reported, and Monday’s classes were canceled. territory /TER-i-tawr-ee/ [noun] – (an area of) land, or sometimes ocean, that is considered as belonging to or…
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Japan and the Philippines to hold first ever joint air drills

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©Kimimasa Mayama / Reuters / Alamy Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you watch the news? How much information do you get about other countries from watching the news? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gather /GATH-er/ [verb] – when people or animals gather, they come together in a group The employees will gather for the meeting at 9:00 a.m. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] – important or noticeable Graduation is a significant event in every student’s life. disaster /dih-ZAS-ter/ [noun] – (an event that results in) great harm, damage, or death, or serious difficulty California…
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China’s newest mega-airport opens its doors

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What mega-airports around the world are you familiar with? Do you have a mega-airport in your country? Could you tell me about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sanctuary /SANGK-choo-er-ee/ [noun] – a place where birds or animals can live and be protected, especially from being hunted or dangerous conditions The wildlife sanctuaries are made to protect endangered species. corporation /kawr-puh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – a large company or group of companies that are controlled together as a single organization They have ties with an American corporation. phase /feyz/ [noun] – any…
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Avril Lavigne debuts on TikTok with real-life ‘Sk8er boi’ Tony Hawk

Avril Lavigne debuts on TikTok with real-life 'Sk8er boi' Tony Hawk

©Avril Lavigne via TikTok @avrillavigne Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a TikTok account? What do you know about Avril Lavigne? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. channel /CHAN-l/ [verb] – to behave like or copy another person, so that you almost seem to be that other person My sister likes to channel Ariana Grande’s high notes. getup /GET-uhp/ [noun] – the particular clothing, esp. when strange or unusual, that someone is wearing Everyone’s eyes are on his because of his weird getup. remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] – unusual or special and therefore surprising and…
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Wildfires hit western Canada

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What natural calamities usually hit your country? Are wildfires common in your area? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. evacuate /ih-VAK-yoo-eyt/ [verb] – to move people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe Everyone has safely evacuated from the affected areas. belongings /bi-LAANG-ingz/ [noun] – the things that a person owns, especially those that can be carried Always keep an eye on your belongings. roughly /RUH-flee/ [adverb] – approximately I think the temperature is roughly 23 degrees Celcius. frequency /FREE-kwuhn-see/ [noun] – the number of…
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Airbnb CEO says business travel will never be the same as it was before the outbreak

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you book a hotel? What was the last place that you went to? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. state /steyt/ [verb] – to say or write something, especially clearly and carefully Please state why you wish to apply for this scholarship. lack /lak/ [noun] – the fact that something is not available or that there is not enough of it Lack of sleep made her more exhausted. procedure /pruh-SEE-jer/ [noun] – a set of actions that is the official or accepted way of doing something The procedure is…
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Mindfulness matters: 5 ways to begin your mindfulness journey

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What makes you stressed? Have you tried doing yoga? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. curiosity /kyoor-ee-OS-i-tee / [noun] – an eager wish to know or learn about something Curiosity is important when making art. concentrate /KON-suhn-treyt/ [verb] – to direct your attention or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject, or problem You have to concentrate on your studies. vehicle /VEE-i-kuhl/ [noun] – a machine, usually with wheels and an engine, used for transporting people or goods, especially on land There was a broken vehicle on the road. effective /ih-FEK-tiv/…
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‘Hotels on Rails’: New European sleeper trains are coming

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©Midnight Trains Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you go to work/school? Do you enjoy staying in hotels? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. route /root/ [noun] – a particular way or direction between places I need to find the fastest route from Tokyo to Nagano. network /NET-wurk/ [noun] – a large system consisting of many similar parts that are connected together to allow movement between the parts and a control center Japan Railways operates about 70 percent of Japan’s railway network. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [noun] – An alternative plan or method is one that you…
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Floating breakfasts are becoming a trend, here’s why

Floating breakfasts are becoming a trend, here's why

©Joel Centano via virtuoso.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do you usually spend your vacation? What food do you usually eat during breakfast? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. trend /trend/ [noun] – a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving Creating a fashion trend is one of my goals as a designer. fancy /FAN-see/ [adjective] – decorative or complicated We had a date at a fancy restaurant. tropical /TROP-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – extremely hot The Philippines is a tropical country. picturesque /pik-chuh-RESK/ [adjective] – attractive in appearance,…
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What is “digital body language”?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you prefer having meetings or discussing things via email? Why? How do you express your emotions or intentions through text? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cue /kyoo/ [noun] – a signal for someone to do something Their failure became their cue to do better next time. remotely /ri-MOHT-lee/ [adverb] – employees who work remotely work mainly from home and communicate with the company by email and telephone ABC Company allows its employees to work remotely. patch /pach/ [verb] – to treat someone’s injuries or repair the damage to something,…
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