Intermediate

Japan way back 10,000 years ago

2020年8月3日

Japan

Pre-Reading Questions: When do you usually wear a kimono? Are you fond of Japanese cuisine? Vocabulary: magnificent /mag-NIF-uh-suhnt/ [adjective] – causing admiration esp. because of an unusual quality such as great size or beauty Shirley’s house has a magnificent view from her bedroom. technique /tek-NEEK/ [noun] –a way of doing an activity that needs skill He learned a new technique to easily pass an exam. abundance /uh-BUHN-duhns/ [noun] –the situation in which there is more than enough of something Armenia’s abundance of grapes creates the largest winery in the world. stronghold /STRAWNG-hohld/ [noun] –a building or position that is strongly defended The structure’s foundation has the best stronghold for earthquakes….
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Intermediate

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Pittsburgh International Airport tests UV robot cleaners to fight COVID-19

2020年7月31日

UV robots

© Photo: Pittsburgh International Airport Pre-reading questions: What electronic devices do you use to clean your house or room? Do you believe that robots were made for a better life? Why or why not? Vocabulary: robot /ROH-buht/ [noun] a machine controlled by a computer that is used to perform jobs automatically Kris said that it was his first time to see a robot, and it was scary. protection /pruh-TEK-shuhn/ [noun] the act of protecting or state of being protected The government agencies will offer better security and protection to keep all the important files safe. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [adjective] the possibility of something developing or happening in a particular way A…
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Intermediate

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An antigen to rapidly detect the novel coronavirus ready to use in Japan

2020年7月27日

antigen

Pre-reading questions: Are you comfortable working/studying at home? Please explain your answer. What do you miss about the normal days? Vocabulary: instantly /IN-stuhnt-lee/ [adverb] – immediately The email was instantly sent after she received the report. conference /KON-fer-uhns/ [noun] – a private and formal meeting between a small number of people She called a conference to give a special announcement. reaction /ree-AK-shuhn/ [noun] – an occasion when two or more substances react with and change each other The heat brings about a chemical reaction, and oxygen is liberated. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a disease in a part of your body that is caused by bacteria or a virus Rosa is…
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Intermediate

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Endangered African black rhinos gradually increase in number

2020年7月24日

rhino

Pre-reading questions: What endangered animals do you know? How can people save animals from extinction? Vocabulary: population /pop-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – all the people or animals of a particular type or group who live in one country, area, or place The population in Metro Manila has increased rapidly in the last 20 years. endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/ [adjective] – animals or plants that may soon not exist because there are very few now alive Conservationists attempt to save endangered animal species. conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings Wildlife conservation is important to prevent species from going extinct. decline /dih-KLAYHN/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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Is the two-meter rule enough for social distancing?

2020年7月20日

2 meter

Pre-Reading Questions: What images come to your mind when you hear the word “virus”? Has your daily routine changed because of COVID19? Vocabulary: whether /HWETH-er/ [conjunction] – (used to refer to one or more possibilities or to express uncertainty) if Jin is still unsure whether to pursue his acting career or not. proven /PROOV-en/ [adjective] – shown to be true The claims are not yet scientifically proven. necessary /NES-uh-ser-ee/ [adjective] – needed in order to achieve a particular result It took us a month to gather all the necessary materials. order /AWR-der/ [verb] – if a person in authority orders someone to do something, or orders something to be done,…
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Intermediate

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Three healthy ways to keep an active lifestyle

2020年7月17日

lifestyle

Pre-Reading Questions: How do you keep yourself healthy? What healthy food do you usually eat? Vocabulary: phase /feyz/ [noun] – any stage in a series of events or in a process of development Joey improves a lot when it comes to decision making after he got married and started a new phase in his life. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to gradually become less, worse, or lower The company’s profit continues to decline because of the outbreak that has been happening for months. maintain /meyn-TEYN/ [verb] – to continue to have; to keep in existence, or not allow to become less Mary exercises everyday to maintain her good health. ensure /en-SHOOR/…
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Intermediate

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Global tourism’s reopening plan

2020年7月13日

tourism

Pre-reading questions: Why do you think people like traveling? What do you like about your country’s tourist destinations? Vocabulary: recover /ri-KUHV-er/ [verb] – to become normal again from being damaged or having problems The economy is at last beginning to recover. worldwide /WURLD-WAHYD/ [adverb] – extending or spread throughout the world The story has attracted attention worldwide. assist /us-SIST/ [verb] – to help The family decided to assist me with my chores. lay-off /ley awf/ [verb] – to stop employing someone, usually because there is no work for them to do The workforce has been laid off due to the pandemic. optimistic /op-tuh-MIS-tik/ [adjective] – hoping or believing that good…
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Intermediate

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Black hole: A celestial body near us

2020年7月10日

black hole

Pre-Reading Questions: Are you interested in learning space explorations? Why or why not? What do you think are black holes? Vocabulary: astonishing /uh-STON-i-shing/ [adjective] very surprising It was the beginning of an astonishing 12-year friendship. creation /kree-EY-shuhn/ [noun] the act of creating something, or the thing that is created She had been with the company since its creation in 1990. identify /ahy-DEN-tuh-fahy/ [verb] to recognize someone or something and say or prove who or what that person or thing is Police will have the pictures enlarged in an attempt to identify the thief. movement /MOOV-muhnt/ [noun]a change of position There will be no movement of cars on the road this…
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Intermediate

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Are you feeling groggy from this lockdown? Find out why!

2020年7月6日

groggy

Pre-Reading Questions: What time do you usually sleep at night? What are the things that make you sleepy? Vocabulary: rapidly /RAP-idly/ [adverb] in a fast or sudden way Her proficiency in English rapidly improved. circumstance /SUR-kuhm-stans/ [noun] an event or condition connected with what is happening or has happened We must adapt our plan to these new circumstances. routine /roo-TEEN/ [noun] a usual or fixed way of doing things Routine exercise is great for your health. adequate /AD-i-kwit/ [adjective] enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose This paper should be adequate for your project. ensure /en-SHOOR/ [verb] to make something certain to happen This medicine will ensure you a good…
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Intermediate

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The Irish return the favor to Native Americans through donations

2020年7月3日

donatitons1

Pre-reading questions: Do you donate to charities? Why or why not? How often do you return favors? Vocabulary: fundraiser /FUHND-rey-zer/ [noun] – a person or event involved in collecting money for a particular purpose, especially a charity Miyuki started a fundraiser for her little brother’s medication. organizer /AWR-guh-nahy-zer/ [noun] – the person or group who plans and arranges an event or activity The event organizer handled the birthday party quite well. estimated /ES-tuh-mey-ted/ [adjective] – roughly calculated or approximate According to the report, it’ll take an estimated period of five months before we finish the project. favor /FEY-ver/ [noun] – a kind action that you do for someone No need…
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Intermediate

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