Intermediate

Declining invitations the less painful way

2021年11月1日

envelope

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of invitation have you declined recently? What reasons do you usually give when rejecting invitations? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. show up /shoh uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to arrive for a gathering or event 300 people showed up in the seminar. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to refuse I’m sorry, but I have to decline the party invitation. assume /uh-SOOM/ [verb] – to accept something to be true without question or proof Let’s assume that it might rain tomorrow. acceptable /ak-SEP-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – satisfactory; good enough The proposal is…
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Intermediate

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How can I lower my carbon footprint in the face of climate change?

2021年10月31日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you buy plastic products? What things at home do you reuse? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. warm /wawrm / [verb] – to (cause to) become warm (= less cold) With this electric heater, we can quickly warm up the room. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] – a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person The anti-smoking campaign has and continues to have a significant impact on young people. carbon footprint /KAHR-buhn FOOT-print/ [noun] – someone’s carbon footprint is a measurement of the amount of…
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Intermediate

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No more super high-rise buildings, China says

2021年10月30日

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©Getty Images via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a fear of heights? Have you been to Shanghai, China? 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 The construction of the new mall will begin next week. practicality /prak-ti-KAL-i-tee / [noun] – the quality of being able to provide effective solutions to problems We are not sure about the practicality of his plan. ban /ban/ [noun] – an official order that prevents something from happening There was a ban on…
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Intermediate

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People are now taking on extra, secret jobs to keep them out of the eyes of their bosses

2021年10月29日

desktop-g0649f1e30_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do some prefer two jobs at the same time? Do you think having one job is enough? Please elaborate on your answer. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective] – far away in distance Australia is huge and remote from the world’s major population centers. era /EER-uh/ [noun] – a period of time of which particular events or stages of development are typical We live in an era of instant communication. layoff /LEY-awf/ [noun] – an occasion when a company stops employing someone, sometimes temporarily, because the company…
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Intermediate

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You can now design your own Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

2021年10月28日

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©Samsung via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What factors do you consider when buying a phone? Is the color of a product important to you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reflect /ri-FLEKT/ [verb] – to show, express, or be a sign of something Lena’s choice of clothing reflects her personality. taste /teyst/ [noun] – a person’s approval of and liking for particular things My friend Tim has great taste in food. combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the mixture you get when two or more things are combined I would like the perfect color combination for…
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Intermediate

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Winter heating bills set to soar in the US as energy prices jump

2021年10月27日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you looking forward to winter? Why or why not? How often do you reheat food? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. household /HOUS-hold/ [noun] – a group of people, often a family, who live together Our whole household is always up early on the weekend. economic /ek-uh-NOM-ik/ [adjective] – relating to trade, industry, and money Business leaders shared their opinions during the economic discussions. supply /suh-PLAHY/ [noun] – an amount of something available Our farm provides us with an endless supply of lemons. contribute to /kuhn-TRIB-yoot to / [phrasal verb]…
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Intermediate

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BTS announces four shows at SoFi Stadium

2021年10月26日

BTS announces four concerts at SoFi Stadium(1)

©Live Nation Entertainment Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like K-pop music? Why or why not? What BTS song/s have you been hearing recently? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tour /toor/ [noun] – an organized trip that people such as musicians, politicians, or theatre companies go on to several different places, stopping to meet people or perform My favorite band will go on a tour to perform in Southeast Asia. chart-topper /chahrt-top-er/ [adjective] – used to describe a recording that is bought more than any other recording during a particular time Taylor Swift is…
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Intermediate

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Apple reveals new MacBook Pro and AirPods 3

2021年10月25日

macbook

©Apple via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What electronic device can you not live without? Do you buy high-quality products even if they are expensive? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. virtual /VUR-choo-uhl/ [adjective] – created by computer technology and appearing to exist but not existing in the physical world Please make sure your internet connection is stable before the virtual meeting. high-end /HAHY-END/ [adjective] – of very good quality and usually expensive The company is renowned for its high-end products like shirts that cost $500. embed /em-BED/ [verb] – to…
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Intermediate

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LinkedIn is terminating its site in China

2021年10月24日

LinkedIn is terminating its site in China

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you used an online recruitment portal to search for a job vacancy? Please tell me more about it. What online recruitment channel is the most widely used in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way The corporation plans to expand in other countries. departure /dih-PAHR-cher/ [noun] – the act of leaving a place, job, etc., or an occasion when this happens The band’s departure left several fans devastated. outdo /out-DOO/…
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Intermediate

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Say goodbye to the term “late bloomer”

2021年10月23日

late bloomer

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you define “success”? What do you consider your biggest success? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bloom /bloom/ [verb] – to grow or develop successfully Mike’s and his band bloomed into successful musicians. expectation /ek-spek-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling of expecting something to happen He has high expectations of passing the exams. youthful /YOOTH-fuhl/ [adjective] – characteristic of young people, or relating to the period of life when you are young Despite her age, Olivia has maintained her youthful appearance. brand /brand/ [verb] – to say that you think…
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Intermediate

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