Intermediate

Five tips to make your mental health better this 2020

2020年2月21日

meditate

Pre-Reading Questions: Are you a positive thinker? Why or why not? How do you handle challenges in life? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: entwined /en-TWAHYNd/ [adjective] closely connected or unable to be separated You and I will always be together for our souls are entwined with each other. technique /tek-NEEK/ [noun] a way of doing something that needs skill or thought We should think of new techniques to improve our sales this month. anxiety /ang-ZAHY-i-tee/ [noun] an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening or might happen in the future Every time I need to present in class, my anxiety attacks. exist /ig-ZIST/ [verb] to live…
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Intermediate

Take your pick: Lucky charms to start your new year

2020年2月14日

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you usually depend on luck? Why or why not? What are your goals this year? Vocabulary: take (one’s) pick /teyk (whuns) pik/ [phrase] if you are told to take your pick, you can choose any one that you like from a group of things The shirt is available in all colors. Just take your pick on which you want to buy. engrave /en-GREYV/ [verb] to cut a picture or design, or letters into the surface of a hard substance such as metal, wood, or stone Mysterious patterns are engraved on the 2000-year-old stone that was recently discovered in China. memento /muh-MEN-toh/ [noun] an object that you keep…
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Intermediate

World’s oldest person Kane Tanaka turns 117

2020年2月7日

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Pre-reading questions: What Guinness World Record interests you the most and why? How do you celebrate your birthday? Vocabulary: rest home /RES-t hohm/ [noun] a place where old people live and are cared for The number of elderly people living in a resting home has increased. previous /PREE-vee-uhs/ [adjective] happening or existing before the one mentioned The previous owner of a famous coffee shop is an actress. retire /ri-TAHYUHR/ [verb] to leave your job or stop working because of having reached a particular age He is planning to retire at the age of 50. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] o increase something in size, number, or importance The very well-known cosmetic company…
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Intermediate

Researchers discover new Pterosaurs species

2020年1月31日

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Pre-reading questions: Are you fond of watching dinosaur movies? Please explain your answer. Do you like reading about ancient animal discoveries? Why or why not? Vocabulary: creature /KREE-cher/ [noun] used to refer to a life form that is unusual or imaginary This book has mentioned many mythical creatures. skill /skil/ [noun] a special ability to do something She has improved her cooking skills recently. justify /JUHS-tuh-fahy/ [verb] to show that something is reasonable, right, or true There’s nothing he can say to justify his actions. diverse /DAHY-vurs/ [adjective] varied or different Brazilian cuisine is extremely diverse, owing to the culturally mixed history of the country. ancient /EYN-shuhnt/ [noun] of or…
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Intermediate

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China implements face scans for phone users

2020年1月24日

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Pre-reading questions: Do you always use your mobile phone? What do you think is the purpose of using mobile phones? Vocabulary: tighten /TAHYT-n/ [verb] to make a rule, system, or law stronger and more difficult to ignore Philippine Airlines tightened its security after the incident that happened last month. create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to make something new, or invent something The artist decided to create a unique hat for farmers made out of fruit gourd. implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] to start using a plan or system The school had been slow to implement the new set of rules and regulations. advise /ad-VAYZ/ [verb] to give someone useful information, or to tell them…
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Intermediate

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Japan and China to increase the number of flights this year

2020年1月17日

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Pre-reading questions: Is it better to travel by plane or by car? Please explain your answer. Do you have plans to travel to other countries? If yes, where? If no, why not? Vocabulary: increase /in-KREES/ [verb] to become or make something larger or greater They increased the price of rice by $5 in every sack. progress /PROG-res/ [noun] movement toward an improved or more developed state, or to a forward position Mechanical progress has been very quick over the past few months. facility /fuh-SIL-i-tee/ [noun] something such as a place, building, or equipment used for a particular purpose or activity The medical facilities in the Philippines were supervised by the…
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Intermediate

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How dangerous is the consumption of red meat?

2019年12月13日

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like eating red meat? Do you think it is healthy to eat processed foods? Vocabulary: unsure /uhn-SHOOR/ [adjective] not certain or having doubts I’m unsure if my answers for this examination are correct. extent /ik-STENT/ [noun] the degree to which something happens or is likely to happen I was amazed at the extent of his knowledge. evidence /EV-i-duhns/ [noun] anything that helps to prove that something is or not true The detective scanned every bit of evidence. determine /dih-TUR-min/ [verb] to discover the facts or truth about something Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. credible /KRED-uh-buhl/ [adjective] able to be believed…
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Intermediate

Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony fascinates foreigners

2019年12月6日

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Pre-reading questions: What kind of tea do you enjoy drinking and why? What is your favorite Japanese festival and why? Vocabulary: custom /KUHS-tuhm/ [noun] a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time One of the Filipino customs is Media Noche where families, relatives, and friends gather for a lavish midnight feast. conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] to organize and direct a particular activity The new television program will conduct an audition for their lead actor next month ceremony /SER-uh-moh-nee/ [noun] a set of acts, often traditional or religious, performed at a formal occasion The couple’s wedding ceremony will be held near the beach. arrangement /uh-REYNJ-muhnt/…
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Intermediate

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NASA’s InSight mission records astonishing sounds on the red planet

2019年11月18日

redplanet

Pre-reading questions: Do you know anything about Mars? Elaborate your answer. Do you consider it as the second Earth? Why or why not? Vocabulary: bizarre /bih-ZAHR/ [adjective] very strange and unusual Everyone stared at the student who wore a bizarre outfit to school. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something Drivers must observe the traffic rules. intention /in-TEN-shuhn/ [noun] something that you want and plan to do Tom had no intention of helping Jessica. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] the outer or top part or layer of something Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is water. landscape /LAND-skeyp/ [noun] a large area of countryside,…
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Intermediate

Four healthy lifestyles that could boost mental health

2019年11月8日

mental

Pre-Reading Questions: What do you usually do when you feel sad? Do you have a healthy lifestyle? Why or why not? Vocabulary: abstain /ab-STEYN/ [verb] to not do something, especially something enjoyable that you think might be bad He made a promise that starting next month, he will abstain from alcohol and smoking. keen /keen/ [adjective] very interested, eager, or wanting (to do) something very much She was keen to know the process of getting a national ID. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious I did not go to work yesterday due to a severe headache. distress /dih-STRES/ [noun] a feeling of extreme…
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Intermediate

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