Intermediate

Farmers, firemen, and airline employees for Covid-19 vaccine priority

2020年12月30日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Is your country engaged in creating Covid-19 vaccine? In your country, who are going to receive the initial doses of Covid-19 vaccines? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. initial /ih-NISH-uhl/ [adjective] – of or at the beginning Initial reports say that seven people have been injured, though this has not yet been confirmed. challenging /CHAL-in-jing/ [adjective] – difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination This has been a challenging time for us all. depend /dih-PEND/ [verb] – to be decided by or to change according to the stated…
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Intermediate

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Kamakura’s secret haven of retro Japanese toys and games

2020年12月28日

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©GaijinPot Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your earliest memory? What temples and/or shrines have you visited? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. seaside /SEE-sahyd/ [noun] – a place near the ocean or sea We go to the seaside every summer. simultaneously /sahy-muhl-TEY-nee-uhs-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is happening or being done at exactly the same time The program will be aired on TV and the radio simultaneously. classic /KLAS-ik/ [noun] – a thing which is memorable and a very good example of its kind My brother enjoys playing the classics of video…
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Intermediate

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The hidden strength behind “weak-tie” friendships

2020年12月23日

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you enjoy doing with your friends? What qualities do you think are important in a friend? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. quantity /KWON-ti-tee/ [noun] – the amount or number of something, or a particular amount or number Prices depend on the quantity ordered. circle /SUR-kuhl/ [noun] – a group of people with family, work, or social connections Emma isn’t one of my close friends circle of friends. coincidence /koh-IN-si-duhns/ [noun] – chance or luck By coincidence, she and I went to the same elementary school. run out /RUHN-out/…
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Intermediate

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Apple’s AirPods Max are remarkable, but they are a bit pricey

2020年12月21日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When do you usually use headphones? What kind of headphones do you prefer to use? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. attempt /uh-TEMPT/ [verb] – to try to do something, especially something difficult He attempted a joke, but no one laughed. device /dih-VAHYS/ [noun] – an object or machine that has been invented for a particular purpose The people used a special device for finding people trapped in collapsed buildings. power /POU-er/ [verb] – to provide a machine with energy and the ability to operate Buses and trucks are usually powered…
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Intermediate

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Gitanjali Rao, Time Magazine’s first ever “Kid of the Year”

2020年12月18日

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© Time Magazine Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is the most successful person you know? What is your biggest goal in life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. select /si-LEKT/ [verb] – to choose a small number of things, or to choose by making careful decisions Click ‘File’, then select ‘Make a copy’ from the pull-down menu. nominee /nom-uh-NEE/ [noun] – a person who someone has suggested should be considered to do a particular job, take part in an election, receive an honour, etc. I’ve heard that he is a nominee for best director this…
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Intermediate

New synthetic skin can sense actual pain

2020年12月16日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do to relieve physical pain? What was the latest invention you know? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reaction /ree-AK-shuhn/ [noun] – behavior, a feeling or an action that is a direct result of something else I love to watch people’s reactions when they watch their favorite movies. equal /ee-kwuhl/ [adjective] – to be the same in value or amount as something else One box may look bigger than the other, but in fact they are equal in volume. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] – a typical quality or an…
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Intermediate

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Amazon to market Panorama boxes to companies

2020年12月14日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are your thoughts about security cameras in the workplace? What do you think can companies do to secure their employees’ safety? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. adhere /ad-HEER/ [verb] – if you adhere to a rule or agreement, you act in the way that it says you should The staff are advised to adhere to the new safety measures in the office. quality control /KWOL-i-tee kuhn-TROHL/ [noun] – the process of looking at goods when they are being produced to make certain that all the goods are of the…
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Intermediate

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‘Pandemic’ declared as 2020’s word of the year by Dictionary.com

2020年12月11日

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© Dictionary.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about the coronavirus? What was your reaction when the global pandemic was announced? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. frequent /FREE-kwuhnt/ [adjective] – happening often Mrs. Johnson is a frequent visitor to the ocean park. declare /dih-KLAIR/ [verb] – to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or officially Other local government units declared their support for the proposal related / ri-LEY-tid/ [adjective] – connected Unemployment and related issues were discussed in the meeting. context /KON-tekst/ [noun] – the situation within which something exists or happens, and…
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Intermediate

A British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company experiments a four-day workweek in New Zealand

2020年12月9日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What famous brands do you know? How many days do you go to work a week? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] – to start a plan or a system Your job is to implement the new protocol. brand /brand/ [noun] – a type of product made by a particular company This isn’t my usual brand of shampoo. schedule /SKEJ-ool/ [noun] – a list of planned activities or things to be done showing the times or dates when they are intended to happen or be done The class…
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Intermediate

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Archeologists discover “frozen archive” from Norway’s melted ice patch

2020年12月7日

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©CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you hear the word “artifact”? Is it important for us to discover more artifacts? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. artifact /AHR-tuh-fakt/ [noun] – an object, such as a tool, that was made in the past My family and I will go to the local museum to see some artifacts. medieval /mee-dee-EE-vuhl/ [adjective] – related to the Middle Ages (= the period in European history from about AD 600 to AD 1500) Alfred has taken a liking to studying medieval culture….
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Intermediate

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