Intermediate

The United States: The only country without a paid parental leave program

2021年7月23日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of policy do you know about? Please tell me more about it. What types of leaves are included in your leave policy at work? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wealthy /WEL-thee/ [adjective] – rich Although she was wealthy, she lived in a small house. nationwide /ney-shuhn-WAHYD/ [adjective] – existing or happening in all parts of a particular country A nationwide campaign against pollution began in the summer. policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] – a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that have been…
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Intermediate

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Sky pods, the solution to traffic congestion?

2021年7月22日

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©uSky Transport Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which city in your country has the worst traffic? What public transportation do you use daily? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious The car suffered severe damage from the accident. phase /feyz/ [noun] – any stage in a series of events or in a process of development The college student is in a difficult phase of his life. interior /in-TEER-er-er/ [noun] – the inside part of something I was surprised by the colorful interior of…
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Intermediate

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Who is “Annette”?

2021年7月21日

annette

©CINE DOPE Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you enjoy watching musicals? Why or why not? What musicals are famous in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. complex /KOM-pleks/ [adjective] – not easy to deal with or understand The siblings have had a complex relationship. trope /trohp/ [noun] – something such as an idea, phrase, or image that is often used in a particular artist’s work, in a particular type of art, etc. Robots are a trope in science-fiction movies or novels. vast /vahst/ [adjective] – extremely big Alma was the sole heir of…
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Intermediate

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Energy corporation asks $15 billion from Biden administration for pipeline project revocation

2021年7月20日

Energy corporation asks $15 billion from Biden administration for pipeline project revocation

©Sue Ogrocki via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do industries need to become cleaner and greener? Why or why not? How does your country limit the effects of climate crisis? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. corporation /kawr-puh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – a large company or group of companies that is controlled together as a single organization My dad works as an engineer for a German corporation. recover /ri-KUHV-er/ [verb] – to get back something lost or spent The restaurant is trying to recover the amount of its loss from the recent pandemic. violate /VAHY-uh-leyt/ [verb] –…
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Intermediate

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Scientists test giant laser to control lightning

2021年7月19日

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©University of Geneva via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do lightning strikes often happen in your area? Please share some instances. When is the rainy season in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. position /puh-ZISH-uhn/ [verb] – to put something or someone in a particular place They positioned themselves by the window to see the sunset better. zone /zohn/ [noun] – an area, especially one that is different from the areas around it because it has different characteristics or is used for different purposes Is this a no-parking zone? harm /hahrm/ [verb] –…
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Intermediate

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More than 10 million Australians under lockdown as part of the fight against the Delta strain

2021年7月16日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What Covid-19 virus variants do you know? Which country in the world had quickly recovered its economy in spite of the pandemic? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lockdown /LOK-doun/ [noun] – an emergency situation in which people are not allowed to freely enter, leave, or move around in a building or area because of danger The campus was placed on lockdown shortly after the shootings were reported, and Monday’s classes were canceled. territory /TER-i-tawr-ee/ [noun] – (an area of) land, or sometimes ocean, that is considered as belonging to or…
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Intermediate

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Japan and the Philippines to hold first ever joint air drills

2021年7月15日

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©Kimimasa Mayama / Reuters / Alamy Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you watch the news? How much information do you get about other countries from watching the news? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gather /GATH-er/ [verb] – when people or animals gather, they come together in a group The employees will gather for the meeting at 9:00 a.m. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] – important or noticeable Graduation is a significant event in every student’s life. disaster /dih-ZAS-ter/ [noun] – (an event that results in) great harm, damage, or death, or serious difficulty California…
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Intermediate

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China’s newest mega-airport opens its doors

2021年7月14日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What mega-airports around the world are you familiar with? Do you have a mega-airport in your country? Could you tell me about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sanctuary /SANGK-choo-er-ee/ [noun] – a place where birds or animals can live and be protected, especially from being hunted or dangerous conditions The wildlife sanctuaries are made to protect endangered species. corporation /kawr-puh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – a large company or group of companies that are controlled together as a single organization They have ties with an American corporation. phase /feyz/ [noun] – any…
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Intermediate

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Avril Lavigne debuts on TikTok with real-life ‘Sk8er boi’ Tony Hawk

2021年7月13日

Avril Lavigne debuts on TikTok with real-life 'Sk8er boi' Tony Hawk

©Avril Lavigne via TikTok @avrillavigne Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a TikTok account? What do you know about Avril Lavigne? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. channel /CHAN-l/ [verb] – to behave like or copy another person, so that you almost seem to be that other person My sister likes to channel Ariana Grande’s high notes. getup /GET-uhp/ [noun] – the particular clothing, esp. when strange or unusual, that someone is wearing Everyone’s eyes are on his because of his weird getup. remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] – unusual or special and therefore surprising and…
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Intermediate

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Wildfires hit western Canada

2021年7月12日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What natural calamities usually hit your country? Are wildfires common in your area? Please tell me more about it. 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 Everyone has safely evacuated from the affected areas. belongings /bi-LAANG-ingz/ [noun] – the things that a person owns, especially those that can be carried Always keep an eye on your belongings. roughly /RUH-flee/ [adverb] – approximately I think the temperature is roughly 23 degrees Celcius. frequency /FREE-kwuhn-see/ [noun] – the number of…
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Intermediate

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