Intermediate

BTS announces four shows at SoFi Stadium

BTS announces four concerts at SoFi Stadium(1)

©Live Nation Entertainment Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like K-pop music? Why or why not? What BTS song/s have you been hearing recently? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tour /toor/ [noun] – an organized trip that people such as musicians, politicians, or theatre companies go on to several different places, stopping to meet people or perform My favorite band will go on a tour to perform in Southeast Asia. chart-topper /chahrt-top-er/ [adjective] – used to describe a recording that is bought more than any other recording during a particular time Taylor Swift is…
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Apple reveals new MacBook Pro and AirPods 3

macbook

©Apple via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What electronic device can you not live without? Do you buy high-quality products even if they are expensive? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. virtual /VUR-choo-uhl/ [adjective] – created by computer technology and appearing to exist but not existing in the physical world Please make sure your internet connection is stable before the virtual meeting. high-end /HAHY-END/ [adjective] – of very good quality and usually expensive The company is renowned for its high-end products like shirts that cost $500. embed /em-BED/ [verb] – to…
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LinkedIn is terminating its site in China

LinkedIn is terminating its site in China

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you used an online recruitment portal to search for a job vacancy? Please tell me more about it. What online recruitment channel is the most widely used in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way The corporation plans to expand in other countries. departure /dih-PAHR-cher/ [noun] – the act of leaving a place, job, etc., or an occasion when this happens The band’s departure left several fans devastated. outdo /out-DOO/…
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Say goodbye to the term “late bloomer”

late bloomer

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you define “success”? What do you consider your biggest success? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bloom /bloom/ [verb] – to grow or develop successfully Mike’s and his band bloomed into successful musicians. expectation /ek-spek-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling of expecting something to happen He has high expectations of passing the exams. youthful /YOOTH-fuhl/ [adjective] – characteristic of young people, or relating to the period of life when you are young Despite her age, Olivia has maintained her youthful appearance. brand /brand/ [verb] – to say that you think…
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The race is on to replace harmful chemicals in our homes

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of chemicals do you use at home? How do you get rid of harmful chemicals at home? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. leak /leek/ [verb] – (of a liquid or gas) to escape from a hole or crack in a pipe or container; (of a container) to allow liquid or gas to escape The pipe was leaking with water. investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/ [verb] – to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth Police are investigating allegations of senior executives being corrupted. substance /SUHB-stuhns/ [noun]…
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UK port delays cause a shortage of Harry Potter toys

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What toys did you play with as a child? What are some popular toy brands in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. affect /uh-FEKT/ [verb] – to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something We already expected that the weather would affect our flight. stock /stok/ [noun] – the total amount of goods or the amount of a particular type of goods available in a shop New stock of books will arrive next Tuesday. chain /cheyn/ [noun] – a set…
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Fortnite banned from App Store as legal battle continues

Fortnite banned from App Store as legal battle continues

©Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite online video game? On which device do you like playing video games: Android or Apple? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ban /ban/ [verb] – to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especially officially Smoking is banned at gasoline stations. legal /LEE-guhl/ [adjective] – connected with the law Mika will take legal action after the scandalous incident. demonstrate /DEM-uhn-streyt/ [verb] – to show or make something clear These problems demonstrate the effects of lack of communication between team members. sidestep /SAHYD-step/ [verb] – to…
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Super Mario animated film to be released next year

Super Mario animated film to be released next year

©Rex/Shutterstock/Reuters/Nintendo Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite video game? Who is your favorite video game character? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the activity of organizing the practical and financial matters relating to the preparation of a film, play, or television or radio program The production staff held a meeting for the network’s upcoming TV show. express /ik-SPRES/ [verb] – to show a feeling, opinion, or fact Marla expressed her gratitude to her parents by taking them to their favorite travel destination. caption /KAP-shuhn/ [noun] – a short piece…
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“Squid Game” takes Netflix top spot

squid game

©Netflix Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What types of TV shows do you usually watch? What non-Japanese shows do you watch? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. draw /draw/ [verb] – to attract attention or interest Her unique artworks often draw large crowds. enthusiast /en-THOO-zee-ast/ [noun] – a person who is very interested in and involved with a particular subject or activity My father and brother are soccer enthusiasts. They never miss any of the games on TV. stand out /STAND out/ [phrasal verb] – to be much better than other similar things or people This…
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Fumio Kishida wins race to become Japan’s next prime minister

Kishida

©BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is your favorite leader? Why? Could you give some good qualities of a good leader? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. popularity /pop-yuh-LAR-i-tee/ [noun] – the fact that something or someone is liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people Since her return from exile two years ago, her popularity has decreased. host /hohst / [verb] – to provide the space and other things necessary for a special event Which country will host the Olympic Games in the future? widely /WAHYD-lee/ [adverb] – including a lot of different places,…
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