Intermediate

Work and safety during the pandemic: What can offices do?

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Pre-Reading Questions: How often do you go inside buildings? Do you think technology can keep us safe? Why or why not? Vocabulary: policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people When will the new no-smoking policy be implemented? conform /kuhn-FAWRM/ [verb] to obey a rule or reach the necessary stated standard All employees are expected to conform to the company’s rules. arrangement /uh-REYNJ-muhnt/ [noun] a group of objects that have been put in a particular order or position The flower arrangement Hana gave me was beautiful. device /dih-VAHYS/ [noun] an…
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COE says, “Olympic athletes back into the competition… Only when it is safe”

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Pre-reading questions: Do you agree to cancel the Olympic Games? Explain your answer. What can you say about the Olympic Games being postponed? Vocabulary: concern /kuhn-SURN/ [verb] a worried or nervous feeling about something, or something that makes you feel worried The company postponed its monthly event for they are concerned about their employees status. manage /MAN-ij/ [verb] to succeed in doing something, esp. something difficult He was not able to manage the misunderstandings within his team. remedy /REM-i-dee/ [noun] a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty Sleeping is the best remedy for headaches. constantly /KAAN-stuhnt-lee/ [adverb] all the time or often They…
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Recovering from the coronavirus: How long does it take?

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Pre-Reading Questions: Have you ever gone to the hospital because of a serious health problem? What do you usually eat when you are sick? Vocabulary: heal /heel/ [verb] to make or become well again, especially after a cut or other injury His lip had begun to heal, but signs of a burn remained. symptom /SIMP-tuhm/ [noun] any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a particular disease No one could tell why the girl felt bad before her symptom of extreme morning pain was exposed. average /AV-er-ij/ [noun] a standard or level that is considered to be typical or usual I work an average of…
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Four significant factors to strengthen the immune system

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Pre-Reading Questions: Is everyday exercise important? Why or why not? What comes to your mind when you hear the word health? Vocabulary: strengthen /STRENGK-thuhn/ [verb] to make something stronger or more effective, or to become stronger or more effective Attending voice lessons strengthened her talent and allowed her to join the International Singing Contest. adequate /AD-i-kwit/ [adjective] enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose The donation of foods from other countries was adequate to support 2,000 families. risk /risk/ [noun] the possibility of something bad happening There’s a high risk of infection in the area near the university. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] necessary or needed The most essential thing to be…
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A plant-based diet may reduce stroke risk, Taiwan study shows

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Pre-reading questions: Do you eat fruits and vegetables everyday? Why or why not? What kind of diet do you follow to stay healthy? Vocabulary: analysis /uh-NAL-uh-sis/ [noun] – the process of studying or examining something in an organized way to learn more about it The detective’s analysis about the victim lacks very important details and some facts are uncertain. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee/ [noun] – the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or nationality The local community showed their full support to the newly elected president. dairy /DAIR-ee/ [adjectives] – used to refer to cows that are…
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Defying Age: 80-year old great grandma shares passion for ice hockey

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© Photo by ph.news.yahoo.com Pre-Reading Questions: Do you want to play sports even when you are old? Why or why not? Do you know an old person who still plays sports? Elaborate your answer. Vocabulary: passion /PASH-uhn/ [noun] something that you are strongly interested in and enjoy My cousin has always had a passion for singing. former /FAWRr-mer/ [adjective] used to describe someone who had a particular position or job in the past The former president went back to his hometown. expect /ik-SPEKT/ [verb] to think or believe something will happen I didn’t expect to see my old friend in my new neighborhood. senior /SEEN-yer/ [adjective] a person who is…
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How to sanitize your filthy phones

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you think your phone is dirty? Why or why not? How often do you use your smartphone? Vocabulary: effective /ih-FEK-tiv/ [adjective] successful or achieving the results that you want Exercising together with a balanced diet is an effective way to lose weight. defense /dih-FENS/ [noun] the ability to protect against attack or harm Eating fruits and vegetables can help strengthen our body’s defenses from being sick. carrier /KAR-ee-er/ [noun] someone or something that has the infection or genetic fault that causes it and can give the disease to someone else Basic hospital equipment like syringes can also be bacteria-carriers if not disposed properly. conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] to…
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Eleven essential apps when in Japan

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Pre-Reading Questions: What are the best places to visit in Japan? What country do you want to visit the most? Why? Vocabulary: delicious /dih-LISH-uhs/ [adjective] having a very pleasant taste I really love the delicious cakes they sell! It’s really worth the price. delight /dih-LAHYT/ [noun] great pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness I couldn’t help but express my delight with his great performance. accessibility /ak-SES-uh-buhl-i-tee/ [noun] the fact of being able to be reached or obtained easily The new city Mayor proposed a new project to increase accessibility to the hospitals. timetable /TAHYM-tey-buhl/ [noun] a list of the times when buses, trains, and planes leave and arrive I need to know…
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Five ways to keep your sanity while working from home

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you think being at home every day is lonely? Why or why not? What do you usually do when you’re at home? Vocabulary: trend /trend/ [noun] – a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving The new trend that influences teenagers is quite alarming. remotely /ri-MOHT lee/ [adverb] employees who work remotely work mainly from home and communicate with the company by email and telephone She has been working remotely for five years now since becoming a freelance writer. efficiency /ih-FISH-uh n-see/ [noun] – the good use of time and energy in a way that does not waste any His…
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Ways on how to make stress beneficial for your well-being

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Pre-Reading Questions: What do you usually do during quarantine? What are your usual stress relievers? Vocabulary: boost /boost/ [verb] to improve or increase something Local farmers began using quality fertilizers to boost their crop yields. exposed /ik-SPOHZD/ [adjective] not covered; able to be seen Children are prone to the virus if they are exposed outside. income /IN-kuhm/ [noun] money that is earned from doing work or received from investments He has a lot of income because of his chain businesses. risky /RIS-kee/ [adjective] involving the possibility of something bad happening Entering a construction site without proper protection is too risky. anxiety /ang-ZAHY-i-tee/ [noun] an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry…
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