Intermediate

Overseas spectators not allowed in Tokyo Olympics 2021

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© Kyodo News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who are the famous Olympic athletes in your country? Are you excited about the 2021 Olympic games? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spectator /SPEK-tey-ter/ [noun] – a person who watches an activity, especially a sports event, without taking part The spectators cheered loudly as the opening ceremony started. overseas /oh-ver-SEEZ/ [adjective] – in, from, or to other countries The overseas fans have been waiting for the concert. permit /per-MIT/ [verb] – to allow something Smoking is not permitted inside the building. venue /VEN-yoo/…
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Photos of glow-in-the-dark shark captured by scientists for the first time

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©Dr. Jérôme Mallefet via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you have seen a live sea animal? Are you willing to dive into the sea to discover other sea creatures? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. capture /KAP-cher/ [verb] – to record or take a picture of something using a camera The incident was captured by a passer-by. researcher /ree-SUR-cher/ [noun] – someone who studies a subject, especially in order to discover new information or reach a new understanding The researcher is having a hard time to…
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Experts give their opinions on when people can go on holiday again

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the Covid-19 vaccination program in your country? Where would you like to travel this year? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] –to gradually become less, worse, or lower His interest in computers declined after he lost his job. leisure /lee-zher/ [noun] – the time when you are not working or doing other duties Some people only have a limited amount of leisure. control /kuhn-TROHL/ [noun] – the act of controlling something or someone, or the power to do this You need to stay in control…
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Japanese billionaire seeks 8 volunteers to join him on Moon voyage

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© Yusaku Maezawa Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite space movie or TV show? What is interesting about outer space? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. accompany /uh-KUHM-puh-nee/ [verb] – to go with someone or to be provided or exist at the same time as something Would you like me to accompany you to your room? reveal /ri-VEEL/ [verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret The new movie was revealed in yesterday’s comic convention. benefit /BEN-uh-fit/ [verb] – to be helped by something or…
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Russia launches Arktika-M to oversee climate in the Arctic

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© ROSCOSMOS PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What environmental problem does your country face? Is recycling important to help save our environment? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. satellite /SAT-l-ahyt/ [noun] – a device sent up into space to travel around the earth, used for collecting information or communicating by radio, television, etc. The latest reports will be broadcasted via satellite. orbit /AWR-bit/ [noun] – the curved path through which objects in space move around a planet or star The latest space shuttle launched is now in…
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Months back, India was in crisis. Why have their Covid cases dropped?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about India? Would you like to go to India someday? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. confusion /pronunciation/ [noun] – a situation in which people do not understand what is happening, what they should do or who someone or something is The country was in confusion due to the number of Covid-19 cases. seriously /pronunciation/ [adverb] – badly or severely He wasn’t seriously hurt, just had a lot of cuts and bruises. exhaustion /ig-ZAWA-chuhn/ [noun] – the state of being extremely tired She felt sick from exhaustion….
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Chinese budget electric vehicle outsells Tesla in China

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© Shunsuke Tabeta via Nikkei Asia Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of energy sources do you know? Are there many electric vehicles in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. automaker /AW-toh-mey-ker/ [noun] – a big company that makes car The country’s leading automaker set an all-time monthly sales record this month. outsell /out-SEL/ [verb] – (of a product) to be sold in greater numbers than another product MP3s soon began to outsell CDs. compare /kuhm-PAIR/ [verb] – to examine or look for the difference between two or more things This store’s prices…
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How convenient are Singapore’s vending machines?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What was the last thing you bought from a vending machine? Where are vending machines usually found in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. worn-out /WOHRN-out/ [adjective] – worn or used beyond repair We visited our old elementary school and it’s already worn-out. limited /LIM-i-tid/ [adjective] – kept within a particular size, range, time, or group The employees have a limited budget for the business trip. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way Plans to expand the…
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Children during the pandemic go without dental treatment

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When did you last have your dental checkup? How often do you have your dental checkup? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dental /DEN-tl/ [adjective] – relating to the teeth Have you already made a dental check-up appointment? survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] – an examination of opinions, behavior, etc., made by asking people questions A new survey found that 58% of individuals didn’t know where their heart was. nationwide /NEY-shuhn-WAHYD/ [adjective] – existing or happening in all parts of a particular country A nationwide survey was announced yesterday. fear /feer/ [noun] –…
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Climate change is worsening pollen season across the U.S.

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever had a pollen allergy before? What do you know about allergies? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. finding /FAHYN-ding/ [noun] – a piece of information that is discovered during an official examination of a problem, situation, or object These findings are inconsistent with those of previous studies. last /lahst/ [verb] – to continue to exist The documentary lasted almost two hours. annual /AN-yoo-uhl/ [adjective] – happening once every year The school festival is an annual event. extend /ik-STEND/ [verb] – to add to something in order to make…
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