Intermediate

China resumes domestic travel as COVID-19 spread is contained

2020年10月9日

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© Liu Zhongjun via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What countries have you already been to? Are you anxious about the spread of COVID-19? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. government /GUHV-ern-muhnt/ [noun] –the group of people who officially control a country The government planned to build the first nuclear power plant in the country. honor /ON-er/ [verb] – in order to celebrate or show great respect for someone or something We have to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors. initial /ih-NISH-uhl/ [adjective] – of or at the beginning The HR staff announced that I…
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Intermediate

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Facebook rolls out newest functionality with Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp

2020年10月7日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What social media applications do you usually use? How often do you use the internet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. press /pres/ [noun] – newspapers and magazines, and those parts of television and radio that broadcast news, or reporters and photographers who work for them The press people were quick to get the latest scoop about the superstar’s new dating scandal. fuse /fyooz/ [verb] – (of ideas, cultures, musical styles, etc.) to combine or be combined together The band’s newest song fuses jazz, hip-hop, and electronic styles. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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Plastic-eating mealworm might help reduce plastic pollution

2020年10月5日

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© CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of things do you recycle? How often do you use products made from plastic? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. capable /KEY-puh-buhl/ [adjective] –able to do things effectively and skilfully, and to achieve results Our parents are strong, capable individuals who inspired me and my brother. break down /BREYK-doun/ [phrasal verb] – to separate, or to separate something, into smaller parts They broke down the huge task into smaller and more manageable chunks. triple /trip-uhl/ [verb] – to increase three times in size or amount, or to…
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Intermediate

Canada launches new COVID-19 gargle test in British Columbia

2020年10月2日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you immediately go see a doctor if you have symptoms of a certain disease? Why or why not? What is the importance of getting oneself tested for a disease? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gargle /GAHR-guhl/ [noun] – the action of rinsing one’s mouth and throat with a medicated solution Use this gargle twice a day to cleanse your mouth and throat. accurate /AK-yer-it/ [adjective] – correct, exact, and without any mistakes How can we be sure if the test result is accurate? conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] – to organize…
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Intermediate

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Common routines you’re mistakenly disinfecting your groceries

2020年9月28日

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Pre-Reading Questions: How do you disinfect your groceries? Is cleaning one of your daily routines? Please tell me more. Vocabulary: procedure /pruh-SEE-jer/ [noun] — an order or method of doing something Due to restrictions, people should take safety procedures before entering the city. maintain /meyn-TEYN/ [verb] — to make something continue in the same way or at the same level She maintained her youthful glow. constantly /KON-stuhntli/ [adverb] — all the time or often She constantly adjusts her travel time to make sure she won’t be late. condiment /KON-duh-muhnt/ [noun] — a substance such as a spice that you add to food to improve its taste All of the condiments…
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Intermediate

Benefits of taking notes the old-fashioned way: Pen and paper

2020年9月25日

handwriting

Pre-reading questions: Do you save all your notes on your computer? Why or why not? When do you usually take notes on paper? Vocabulary: spot /spot/ [verb] – to see or notice someone or something Claire was able to easily spot the error in the material. external /ik-STUR-nl/ [adjective] – of, on, for, or coming from the outside You should buy an external hard drive for your computer. paraphrasing /par-uh-FREYZ-ing/ [noun] – using a person’s own words to express someone else’s messages or ideas Paraphrasing is a must when rewriting articles to avoid copying. visual /VIZH-oo-uhl/ [adjective] – relating to seeing Visual learners process information they can see better than…
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Intermediate

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No vaccines to be distributed unless proven safe and effective, UN says

2020年9月23日

vaccine

Pre-reading questions: Have you been vaccinated? If so, for what disease? If not, would you try it? What do you do to stay healthy? Vocabulary: press conference /pres KON-fer-uhns/ [noun] – a meeting at which a person or organization makes a public statement and reporters can ask questions The prime minister will hold a press conference this Monday. distribute /dih-STRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to give something out to several people, or to spread or supply something Kindly distribute the test papers to your classmates. authorization /aw-ther-uh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the action of giving someone official permission for something We were given authorization to use the meeting room this afternoon. otherwise /UHTH-er-wahyz/ [conjunction]…
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Intermediate

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Experts discover the cleanest air on Earth

2020年9月21日

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Pre-reading questions: What kind of weather do you like the most? Do you want to visit Antarctica? Why or why not? Vocabulary: identify /ahy-DEN-tuh-fahy/ [verb] — to recognize someone or something and say or prove who or what that person or thing is Police will have the pictures enlarged in an attempt to identify the thief crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] — a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering The rise and fall of prices caused a financial crisis. investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/ [verb] — to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth I heard a noise and went downstairs to investigate. origin /AWR-i-jin/ [noun] — the beginning…
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Intermediate

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Postcards to save Beirut’s fragile beauties

2020年9月18日

beirut

© Joseph Khoury Pre-Reading Questions: What do you usually take pictures of? Do you still use postcards? Why or why not? Vocabulary: neighborhood /NEY-ber-hood/ [noun] – the area of a town that surrounds someone’s home, or the people who live in this area I recommend you to visit the two famous supermarkets in this neighborhood. highlight /HAHY-lahyt/ [verb] – to attract attention or to emphasize something important The entire program highlights the importance of the English language. raw /raw/ [adjective] – in a natural state From here, you can see the raw structure of the building. demolish /dih-MOL-ish/ [verb] – to completely destroy buildings or other structures The old buildings…
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Intermediate

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Rare breed of singing dogs, found again in the wild after 50 years

2020年9月16日

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© New Guinea Highland Wild dog foundation via: CNN Pre-reading questions: How often do you go to zoos? If you were to choose what kind of animal you would be, what is it and why? Vocabulary: expedition /ek-spi-DISH-uhn/ [noun] ⁠— an organized journey for a particular purpose The team prepared themselves for the expedition ancestor /AN-ses-ter/ [noun] ⁠— a plant, animal, or object that is related to one existing at a later point in time These species share a common ancestor. highland /HAHY-luhnd/ [noun] ⁠— in or relating to an area with mountains or hills Their grandparents were born and raised in the highlands. unique /yoo-NEEK/ [adjective] ⁠— being the…
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Intermediate

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