Intermediate

America’s wages are going up—but so is inflation

2022年2月6日

America's wages are going up, but so is inflation

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What images spring to your mind when you hear the country USA? What prices do you care about most and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wage /weyj/ [noun] – a fixed regular payment earned for work or services, typically paid on a daily or weekly basis She works long hours to take home huge wages. industry /IN-duh-stree/ [noun] – the companies and activities involved in the process of producing goods for sale, especially in a factory or special area The electricity industry consumes large amounts of fossil fuels. expense…
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Intermediate

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The unproductiveness of time management

2022年2月5日

Group of business workers working together. Partners stressing one of them at the office

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you make a detailed schedule of your activities every day? Why or why not? Please share something about the most time-consuming activity in your routine. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. timetable /TAHYM-tey-buhl/ [noun] – a detailed plan showing when events or activities will happen I’ve sent the updated timetable to your email. precision /pri-SIZH-uhn/ [noun] – the quality of being exact Mizuki accomplishes his tasks with precision. excessively /ik-SES-iv-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is too much She excessively spends money on beauty products. concept /KON-sept/ [noun] –…
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Intermediate

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5 must-try soups from around the world

2022年2月3日

goulash-ga45432d39_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some soup recipes that you know? What are some popular international restaurants in your city? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ancient /EYN-shuhnt / [adjective] – of or from a long time ago, having lasted for a very long time They found ancient treasures in the abandoned hall. gently /JENT-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is soft and light, not strong She gently added the flour to the cake mix. traditionally /truh-DISH-uh-nl/ [adverb] – according to tradition; in a traditional way Traditionally, they exchange letters on Valentine’s Day….
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Intermediate

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Scientists discover a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo in China

2022年2月2日

embryo pic

©BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What things do you know about dinosaurs? Please tell me more about it. Could you describe your favorite dinosaur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. embryo /EM-bree-oh/ [noun] – an animal that is developing either in its mother’s womb or in an egg, or a plant that is developing in a seed Once an egg is fertilized by the sperm, it becomes an embryo. discovery /dih-SKUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – the process of finding information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time, or the thing that is found…
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Intermediate

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What you need to know about the Lunar New Year

2022年2月1日

What you need to know about the Lunar New Year

©Jeff Mitchell/Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What part of your culture are you most proud of? What do you know about China’s history or culture? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. festivity /fe-STIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the parties, meals, and other social activities with which people celebrate a special occasion During the holidays, I usually go to special festivities or on a vacation with my family or friends. like two peas in a pod /lahyk-too-pees-in-uh-pod/ [idiom] – very similar The siblings Mavy and Aira are like two peas in a pod. latter /LAT-er/ [noun] –…
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Intermediate

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Tonga reveals damage caused by tsunami

2022年1月31日

tonga

© Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do tsunamis hit your country? What do you think causes a tsunami? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. volcanic ash /vol-KAN-ik ash/ [noun] – loose fragmented solid material ejected from a volcano in the form of powder The town is filled with volcanic ash after the eruption. isolate /AHY-suh-leyt/ [verb] – to separate something from other things, or to keep something separate The country is currently isolated due to its high radiation. degree /dih-GREE/ [noun] – (an) amount or level of something…
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Intermediate

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Power blackout hits Central Asia

2022年1月30日

power-towers-gc5c9ff342_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the major electric companies in your country? Do you use a heater during the winter season? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nation /NEY-shuhn / [noun] – a country, especially when thought of as a large group of people living in one area with their own government, language, traditions, etc The entire nation is celebrating the Olympic wins. link /lingk/ [noun] – to connect two objects or places physically Turkey is linked to many Asian continents. enable /en-EY-buhl/ [verb] – to make someone able to do something, or to…
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Intermediate

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Netflix raises its monthly rates in US and Canada

2022年1月29日

Netflix raises its monthly subscription prices in US and Canada

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of your favorite TV shows? What online video services do you use? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rate /reyt/ [noun] – an amount or level of payment We sell these high-quality products at reasonable rates. standard /STAN-derd/ [adjective] – usual rather than special, especially when thought of as being correct or acceptable Let’s just avail of the standard room package for our hotel stay to save money. utilize /YOOT-l-ahyz/ [verb] – to use something in an effective way The team utilized an effective marketing strategy to improve…
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Intermediate

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Wales carries out digital deposit return scheme to fulfill zero-waste goals

2022年1月28日

plastic-waste-gae4211f4a_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How does recycling benefit the environment? Why is it important to only put items that can be recycled in the recycling bin? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. scheme /skeem / [noun] – an officially organized plan or system In our town, there is a new recycling scheme for plastic bottles. reveal /ri-VEEL/ [verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret He refused to reveal the location of her chocolate eggs. cooperation /koh-op-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of working together with someone or…
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Intermediate

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Why are Mauritius’ seashells disappearing?

2022年1月27日

seashell-g6ae087216_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do people love to go to the beach? What can seashells be used for? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. consequence /KON-si-kwens/ [noun] – a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient Many believe that poverty is a consequence of overpopulation. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt / [adjective] – noticeable In recent years, there has been significant growth in the number of female students. cyclone /SAHY-klohn/ [noun] – a violent tropical storm The cyclone struck the village late last night. coastal /KOHS-tl/ [adjective] – positioned…
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Intermediate

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