Intermediate

A British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company experiments a four-day workweek in New Zealand

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What famous brands do you know? How many days do you go to work a week? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] – to start a plan or a system Your job is to implement the new protocol. brand /brand/ [noun] – a type of product made by a particular company This isn’t my usual brand of shampoo. schedule /SKEJ-ool/ [noun] – a list of planned activities or things to be done showing the times or dates when they are intended to happen or be done The class…
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Archeologists discover “frozen archive” from Norway’s melted ice patch

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©CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you hear the word “artifact”? Is it important for us to discover more artifacts? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. artifact /AHR-tuh-fakt/ [noun] – an object, such as a tool, that was made in the past My family and I will go to the local museum to see some artifacts. medieval /mee-dee-EE-vuhl/ [adjective] – related to the Middle Ages (= the period in European history from about AD 600 to AD 1500) Alfred has taken a liking to studying medieval culture….
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Blue whales have returned to South Georgia after 50 years

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the largest animal you have seen in person? Do you like going to zoos or safaris? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. severely /suh-VEER-lee/ [adverb] – very seriously The accident left the students severely traumatized. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to gradually become less, worse, or lower Danica’s interest in the project declined when she became busy with her part-time job. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to give something, especially money, in order to provide or achieve something together with other people Newton’s discoveries contributed a lot…
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El Rastro in Madrid reopens after more than 8 months due to COVID-19 threat

©Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do you usually buy cheap things? How often do you go shopping at open-space markets? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. security /si-KYOOR-i-tee/ [noun] – protection of a person, building, organization, or country against threats such as crime or attacks by foreign countries The building tightened its security after the robbery incident. throughout /throo-OUT/ [preposition] – in every part, or during the whole period of time James looked throughout the house, but still couldn’t find his wallet. stall /stawl/ [noun] – a large table or a small shop with…
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Americans still travel for Thanksgiving despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you traveled? How does your family celebrate a special day? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mark /mahrk/ [verb] – to show respect for or commemorate Tomorrow’s party will mark their 25th wedding anniversary. exhausted /ig-ZAWS-tid/ [adjective] – extremely tired By the time they reached the location they were already exhausted. leisure /LEE-zher/ [adjective] – relating to the the time when you are free from work or other duties and can relax Most people only have a little amount of leisure time. mount /mount/ [verb] –…
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Community noise may affect dementia risk

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do to remember things? What kind of things do you usually forget? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. neighborhood/NEY-ber-hood / [noun] – the area of a town that surrounds someone’s home, or the people who live in this area Luke’s family lived in a wealthy neighborhood in the north. risk /risk/ [noun] – the possibility of something bad happening Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of getting lung diseases. urban/UR-buhn/ [noun] – of or in a city or town Urban development projects are increasing. impact/IM-pakt/ [noun] – a…
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The pandemic is playing with our focus: How do we get rid of it?

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©Alamy via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you consider yourself focused on your tasks during this time of the pandemic? Why or why not? Do you prefer working/taking lessons at home or in the office/school? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hack /hak/ [verb] – to manage to deal successfully with something Is there any way to successfully hack stressful situations? theory /THEE-uh-ree/ [noun] – a formal statement of the rules or principles on which an activity or a subject of study is based Recent research seems to support this theory about improving…
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A Turkish-German power couple develops the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about Pfizer/BioNTech? What countries are developing vaccines for coronavirus at the moment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. efficient /ih-FISH-uhnt/ [adjective] – working or operating quickly and effectively in an organized way Our country needs someone really efficient who can organize and make the economy run smoothly. declare /dih-KLAIR/ [verb] – to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or officially They declared their support for the project. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a disease in a part of your body that is caused by bacteria or a virus The…
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People who regularly eat chili peppers have reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, study suggests

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What spices are popular in your country? What kind of food do you usually eat? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. consume /kuhn-SOOM/ [verb] to eat or drink, especially a lot of something Pandas consume 15,000 pounds of bamboo per year. examine /ig-ZAM-in/ [verb] to look at or consider a person or thing carefully and in detail in order to discover something about them The research examines the effects of prolonged gadget use in children. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] a single person or thing, especially when compared to the group or set…
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Pfizer announces its COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you received any vaccinations? If so, what are they? If not, would you like to have one? How often do you go to the hospital for a medical check-up? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. drugmaker /DRUHG-mey-ker/ [noun] – a drug company My father manages a drugmaker branch in our city. analysis /uh-NAL-uh-sis/ [noun] – the study of something in detail Leah provided an accurate analysis of the current situation. dose /dohs/ [noun] – a measured amount of something such as medicine Make sure to take your daily dose of…
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