Intermediate

Facebook to sell Android-based smartwatch next year

smartwatch-828786_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a smartwatch? If yes, please tell me more about it. If no, would you like to have one and why? What devices do you have? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intend /in-TEND/ [verb] – to have as a plan or purpose Our family intends to go to Australia next year. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] – a typical quality or an important part of something The latest software update has new interesting features. run /ruhn/ [verb] – to (cause something to) operate Old trains used to be run by…
Read more

Tourists who take selfies could spread Covid-19 to gorillas

gorilla-3606721_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals do you like? Have you already seen a gorilla? What can you say about it/ Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. traveler /TRAV-uh-ler/ [noun] – someone who travels The modern traveler can go where he likes. research /ri-SURCH/ [noun] – a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding: His research in the area of disease prevention has provided surprising results. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] – a single person or thing, especially when compared to the group or set to which…
Read more

Smallest reptile in the world discovered in Madagascar

_116835335_095703a2-0424-4430-b425-edfc86012c87 (1)

© via bbc.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you have visited a zoo? Would you like to keep an exotic pet? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. diet /DAHY-it / [noun] – the food and drink usually eaten or drunk by a person or group Diet varies between different countries in the world. spectacular /spek-TAK-yuh-ler/ [adjective] – especially great The company had a spectacular success with the product. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] – very large in amount or degree The people in this area live in extreme poverty….
Read more

A piece of Himalayan glacier bursts open a dam in India

dam-929406_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are common natural disasters in your country? What do you do to help save the environment? 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 People in the building were urged to evacuate the area immediately. avalanche /AV-uh-lanch/ [noun] – a large amount of ice, snow, dirt, or rock falling suddenly and quickly down the side of a mountain They were able to escape the avalanche in the ski resort yesterday afternoon. incident /IN-si-duhnt/ [noun] – an event that…
Read more

Europeans pay 20% more for their holidays than they did before the pandemic

beach-1853939_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the time you traveled? Do you have any plans traveling this year? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. particularly /per-TIK-yuh-ler-lee/ [adverb] – especially, or more than usual We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who speak two or more European languages. scheduled /SKEJ-oold/ [adjective] – planned to happen at a particular time He usually attended regularly scheduled meetings with the technicians. doubt /dout/ [noun] – (a feeling of) not being certain about something, especially about how good or true it is I’m having doubts about his ability to…
Read more

AstraZeneca vaccines in France to be given to people under 65 years

_116775234_mediaitem116775232

© EPA via bbc.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the Covid-19 vaccines that you know of? How has Covid-19 change your life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. approve /uh-PROOV/ [verb] – to accept, allow, or officially agree to something The committee has approved the suggestion discussed in the meeting. decision /dih-SIZH-uhn/ [noun] – a choice that you make about something after thinking about several possibilities As the company’s president, he has to make tough decisions. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company offering a professional service, for example a company of lawyers She works…
Read more

New normal, new work structures: Will they be effective?

office-work-1149087_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What motivates you to work harder? How many days does it usually take you to finish your tasks? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. majority /muh-JAWR-i-tee/ [noun] – the larger number or part of something The majority of people surveyed prefer televisions to radios. preference /PREF-er-uhns/ [noun] – a choosing of or special liking for one person or thing rather than another or others His preference for clothes is rather unique. claim /kleym/ [verb] – to say that something is true or is a fact Susan claims that she lost her…
Read more

Vaccines to hopefully save the Tokyo Summer Olympics this 2021

stadium-2791693_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you watch Olympic games? What can you say about them? Who is your favorite Olympian? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. global /GLOH-buhl/ [adjective] – relating to the whole world A global research to map the impact of climate change has just been launched. committee /kuh-MIT-ee/ [noun] – a small group of people chosen to represent a larger organization and either make decisions or collect information for it A committee has just been formed by the local council to research recycling. enable /en-EY-buhl/ [verb] – to make someone able to…
Read more

Smart dog collar translates dogs’ barks into emotions

© Petpuls Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How many dog breeds can you name? What was your first pet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. start-up /STAHRT-uhp/ [noun] – a small business that has just been started From a small start-up, it now became one of the leading companies in the industry. recognition /rek-uhg-NISH-uhn/ [noun] – the fact of knowing who a person is or what a thing is because of having seen or experienced that person or thing before Smith has the greatest name recognition out of all the candidates. acts as sth /act as…
Read more

Wuhan returns to its normal life a year from lockdown, but is still affected by emotional scars

city-street-1246870_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What strict measures do you follow nowadays? Have you heard about the situation of Wuhan, China today? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shocked /shokt/ [adjective] – surprised or upset because something unexpected and usually unpleasant has happened There was a shocked silence following his announcement. cancel /KAN-suhl/ [verb] – to decide that an organized event will not happen, or to stop an order for goods or services that you no longer want Because of the bad weather, they had to postpone tomorrow’s game. block /blok/ [verb] – to prevent movement…
Read more