Intermediate

Ocado seeks to remove the human element from grocery shopping

210504142717-02b-ocado-supermarket-robot-warehouse-spc-intl-exlarge-169

©CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the biggest robotic company in Japan? Tell me more about it. Do you like the idea of using robots at home? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. objective /uhb-JEK-tiv/ [noun] – something that you plan to do or achieve Our main objective is to improve the company’s productivity. initially /ih-NISH-uh-lee/ [adverb] – at the beginning His illness was initially diagnosed as food poisoning. beneath /bih-NEETH/ [preposition] – in or to a lower position than someone or something, under someone or something The dog was beneath the table….
Read more

The capital of Turkmenistan is the world’s most expensive city for expats

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your city known for? Is food expensive in your city? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] – an examination of opinions, behavior, etc., made by asking people questions The waiter asked us to take a survey of our experience at the restaurant. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company offering a professional service, for example, a company of lawyers He is going to work at a law firm this summer. expense /ik-SPENS/ [noun] – the use of money, time, or effort We need to save up because…
Read more

Spielberg’s production teams up with Netflix for multiple films a year

Spielberg’s production teams up with Netflix for multiple films a year

©Chris Burns via slashgear.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are your favorite movies? Do you watch movies and/or other shows on Netflix? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. team up /TEEM-uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to join another person, or form a group with other people, in order to do something together Famous sports apparrel brand Adidas teamed up with American rapper Kanye West. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/ [noun] – an agreement between organizations, people, etc. to work together Taco Bell announced its partnership with American snack brand Doritos. producer /pruh-DOO-ser/ [noun] – a person who makes the…
Read more

US devotes $3.2 billion for COVID-19 treatments, other viruses

US devotes $3.2B for COVID-19 treatments, other viruses

©Jim Lo Scalzo via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you in favor of vaccines? Why or why not? Why is research and development important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reserve /ri-ZURV/ [verb] – to keep something for a particular purpose or time The university has reserved a generous budget for scholars. briefing /BREE-fing/ [noun] – information that is given to someone just before they do something, or a meeting where this happens The department held a task briefing for its new prroject. expedite /EK-spi-dahyt/ [verb] – to make something happen more quickly The…
Read more

COVID-19 vaccination financial support in Japan to be extended

vaccine (2)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the progress of vaccination programs in your country? Are you already vaccinated? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. financial /fahy-NAN-shuhl/ [adjective] – relating to money The organization offers financial assistance to students. benefit /BEN-uh-fit/ [verb] – to be helped by something How can we benefit from doing yoga? municipality /myoo-nis-uh-PAL-i-tee/ [noun] – a city or town with its own local government, or the local government itself The municipality has banned smoking since last year. set up /SET-uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to place or…
Read more

Being a morning lark protects you from depression, study says

break-4491221_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How many hours did you sleep last night? What time do you usually sleep at night? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. exhausted /ig-ZAWS-tid/ [adjective] – extremely tired The troops were exhausted after months of war. cycle /SAHY-kuhl/ [noun] – a group of events that happen in a particular order, one following the other, and are often repeated To complete the cycle, this element is necessary. pattern /PAT-ern/ [noun] – a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens The pattern of family life has been changing over…
Read more

How to fight cave syndrome

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you went outside of your house? What is your favorite outdoor activity? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. terrified /TER-uh-fahyd/ [adjective] – very frightened She is terrified of heights. visualize /VIZH-oo-uh-lahyz/ [verb] – to form a picture of someone or something in your mind, in order to imagine or remember it If you are feeling sad, just visualize happy memories. anxiety /ang-ZAHY-i-tee / [noun] – an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening or might happen in the future I have an…
Read more

Hiding ‘Like’ counts on your Facebook and Instagram posts is now within reach

Hiding 'Like' counts on your Facebook and Instagram posts is now within reach

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which between Facebook and Instagram do you use more often? How many friends/followers do you have on Facebook/Instagram? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. feed /feed/ [noun] – a web page, screen, etc. that updates often to show the latest information I deleted some of my old posts on my Instagram feed. crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] – an extremely dangerous or difficult situation The country is experiencing an economic crisis due to the virus. escalate /ES-kuh-leyt/ [verb] – to become or make something become greater or more serious The conflict escalated more…
Read more

Global online shutdowns hit major businesses

online

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What transactions do you do online? How often do you use online services? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company or business We submitted the contract to an engineering firm. timing /TAHY-ming/ [noun] – the time when something happens The stormy weather has such bad timing. We were supposed to go on a picnic today. external /ik-STUR-nl/ [adjective] – of, on, for, or coming from the outside External factors such as noises can make anyone lose focus on their work. connectivity /kon-ek-TIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability…
Read more

Can “wellness days” help de-stress workers?

relaxation

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How many day offs do you have in a week? What is your opinion about employees who work on rest days? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. medical /MED-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – of or relating to medicine, or for the treatment of disease or injury Shiela is planning to go to medical school in college. conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] – to organize and perform a particular activity When must we conduct the survey? quarterly /KWAWR-ter-lee/ [adjective] – (happening) four times a year We have quarterly meetings with the top management. unreasonable /uhn-REE-zuh-nuh-buhl/ [adjective]…
Read more