Intermediate

How to beat burnout: Start from within

burnout

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think causes burnout? Do you feel too busy sometimes? In what way? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. burnout /BURN-out/ [noun] – the state of having no energy or enthusiasm because of working too hard, or someone who shows the effects of this state Burnout is quite common among teachers. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to be one of the reasons why something happens Working straight for hours contributes to burnout and stress. overcome /oh-ver-KUHM/ [verb] – to defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something Overcome our…
Read more

NASA and Nokia to put a 4G network on the moon’s surface

moon-walk-60616_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What latest do you know about the moon? What is your idea of 4G network? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. annoying /uh-NOI-ing/ [adjective] – making you feel annoyed It’s annoying when we can’t travel on a rainy day. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company or business Romeo has worked in a law firm for 3 years. construct /kuhn-STRUHKT/ [verb] – to build something or put together different parts to form something whole The businessmen will help each other to construct a flood defense operate /OP-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to (cause to)…
Read more

Diet drinks linked to same heart diseases as the full sugar versions, study suggests

sugar-485055_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat sweet foods? Do you drink diet soda? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. risk /risk/ [noun] – the possibility of something bad happening Smoking increases the risk of getting many diseases. participate /pahr-TIS-uh-peyt/ [verb] – to take part in or become involved in an activity Teachers encouraged the students to participate in school activities. intake /IN-teyk/ [part of speech] – the amount of a particular substance that is eaten or drunk during a particular time She is very cautious of her calorie…
Read more

12 year-old boy discovers 69-million-year old dinosaur fossil

_114917159_nathananddionhrushkin

© Nature Conservancy of Canada via CNN.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What dinosaur species do you know? What images come to your mind when you hear the word dinosaur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. partly /PAHRT-lee/ [adverb] – to some degree, but not completely What the boy said was partly right. unearth /uhn-URTH/ [verb] – to find something by digging in the ground Ancient tools that are more than 500 years old have been unearthed at the site. institute /IN-sti-toot/ [noun] – an organization where people do a particular type of scientific, educational, or…
Read more

Two new studies recommend that people with blood type O may have a lower chance of Coronavirus infection other critical illnesses

doctor-2346235_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your blood type? Do you believe that a person’s blood type protects him/her from any other infection? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. recommend /rek-uh-MEND/ [verb] – to suggest that someone or something would be good or suitable for a particular job or purpose, or to suggest that a particular action should be done Our family doctor recommended cycling as the best all-round exercise. slightly /slahyt-li/ [adverb] – a little My brother is slightly taller than me. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a disease in a part of your…
Read more

Microsoft turns to using cleaner jet fuel to cut down air pollution

plane-841441_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you travel by plane? When travelling domestically, do you prefer travelling by plane or by shinkansen? Please tell me more. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aviation /ey-vee-EY-shuhn/ [noun] – the activity of flying aircraft, or of designing, producing, and keeping them in good condition My father is one of the managers of an aviation company. headquarters /HED-kwawr-terz/ [noun] – the main offices of an organization such as an army, the police, or a business company Please call the main headquarters in Paris immediately. lesser /LES-er/ [adjective] –…
Read more

From strangers to travel buddies: A lockdown travel story

travel

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you travel? Do you like traveling domestically or internationally? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. thwart /thwawrt/ [verb] – to stop something from happening or someone from doing something The government is doing their best to thwart the spread of the virus. chance upon /chans uh-PON/ [phrasal verb] – to find something or meet someone by chance If you chance upon a Japanese dictionary, please let me know. converse /kuhn-VURS/ [verb] – to have a conversation with someone Mark enjoyed the chance to briefly converse with his…
Read more

It was just an attempt. Today the World Food Programme gives food to countless people each year

WFP

© CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever had a chance to help victims of a tragedy? Please tell me more. What organization are you a part of? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. organization /awr-guh-nuh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a group of people who work together in an organized way for a shared purpose I was a part of an organization when I was in highschool. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen The police are investigating how a crime like this could have occurred. earthquake /URTH-kweyk/ [noun] –…
Read more

Dubai begins preparations for Expo 2020 one year ahead its opening

expo 2020

© CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever been in an international event? If yes, how was it? If not, what event would you like to attend and why? Do you think attending international events is interesting? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. We cannot visit our old school right now. It’s under construction. theme /theem/ [noun] – the main subject of a talk, book, film, etc. Since it’s October, we should pick a Halloween…
Read more

Superhabitable planets could sustain life better than Earth

universe-4609408_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How well do you know about other planets? Why do you think it is important to study about other planets? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. compare /kuhm-PAIR/ [verb] – to examine or look for the difference between two or more things Children seem to learn English faster compared to when we were at school. suitable /SOO-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – acceptable or right for someone or something I didn’t wear a t-shirt with print because it’s not suitable for this occasion. declare /dih-KLAIR/ [verb] – to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or…
Read more