Intermediate

Sumo grand champion Kisenosato retires

2019年4月1日

sumocry

Photo by © Nikkan Sports via The Japan Times Sports Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite sport and why? What kind of sports would you like to try in the future and why? Vocabulary: retire /ri-tahyuhr/ [verb] to stop taking part in a race or competition because of illness or injury Mr. Park decides to retire from archery because of his poor eyesight. tournament /toor-nuh-muhnt/ [noun] a competition involving many competitors in a single sport or game The father is very proud that his son is winning the tennis tournament. professional /pruh-fesh-uh-nl/ [adjective] having the type of job that is respected because it involves a high level of education and…
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Intermediate

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How much money do foreign visitors spend in Japan?

2019年3月27日

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like traveling? Why or why not? Do you like to spend your money on traveling? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: fortune /fawr-chuhn/ [noun] the set of good or bad events that happen to you and have an effect on your life She had a good fortune in Canada. growth /grohth/ [noun] the process of developing or of increasing in size There is a rapid growth in the company’s sales. explore /ik-splawr/ [verb] to travel to a new place to learn about it or become familiar with it I want to explore the world alone. lead /leed/ [noun] a winning position during a race or other situation…
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Intermediate

Barnard-b discovered to be a new potential home

2019年3月25日

bernard

Pre-reading questions: Do you think there are other habitable planets? Please explain your answer. Will there be a time in the future when humans can finally live in another planet? Why or why not? Vocabulary: potential /puh-ten-shuhl/ [adjective] possible but not yet achieved Mr. Clarins is one of the potential clients in our business. rotate /roh-teyt/ [verb] to turn around an axis or center point The Earth is rotating around the sun for 365.256 days. Celsius /sel-see-uh s/ [adjective] (°C) measurement of temperature in which water freezes at 0° and boils at 100° The normal temperature in the Philippines is 26.6 °C. barely /bair-lee/ [adverb] by the smallest amount The patient’s…
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Intermediate

Mud and plants on new Pacific island confuse scientists

2019年3月20日

Mud and plants on new pacific island confuse scientist

Pre-reading questions: Where is the farthest place you have traveled to? Tell me more about it. What will you do if you discover something new? Please explain your answer Vocabulary: unofficially /un-uh-fish-uhl-lee/ [adverb] not officially approved by a person in authority, the government, etc The secretary of justice was unofficially appointed as the new secretary of health. origin /awr-i-jin/ [noun] the beginning or cause of something The origin of some species is still unknown to scientists. eruption /ih-ruhp-shuhn/ [noun] an occasion when a volcano explodes We need to ensure the security now that there were recent volcanic eruptions reported in the city. dropping /drop-ing/ [noun] something dropped; such as dirt,…
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Intermediate

King of Malaysia leaves the throne

2019年3月13日

King of Malaysia leaves the throne

Pre-reading questions: Do you like a monarchical government? Why or why not? What do you think is the best government system in the world? Why? Vocabulary: step down /STEP-doun/ [phrasal verb] to give up a job or position He steps down from his position to prove that he is innocent. rumor /ROO-mer/ [verb] to tell or spread by rumor (an unofficial, interesting story or piece of news that might be true or invented) The young couple was rumored to tie the knot next year. maintain /meyn-TEYN/ [verb] to continue to have She tries to maintain her body figure because she wants to join Miss Universe next year. leader /lee-der// [noun]…
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Intermediate

Change your diet and save mother earth

2019年3月11日

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Pre-Reading Questions: What is the best way to diet? Why? Can you eat only vegetables for one day? Why or why not? Vocabulary: journal /JUR-nl/ [noun] a serious magazine or newspaper that is published regularly about a particular subject She has published a number of important papers in a leading medical journal. lead to /leed tuh/ [phrasal verb] if an action or event leads to something, it causes that thing to happen or exist A diet that is high in fat can lead to obesity. perilous /PER-uh-luhs/ [adjective] extremely dangerous You should avoid driving during the snowstorm because the icy roads are perilous. technique /tek-NEEK/ [noun] a way of doing…
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Intermediate

Heisei era gives new meaning of ‘Japanese’

2019年3月6日

Pre-Reading Questions: What do you like about your culture? Why? What do you think is special about your country? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: term /turm/ [noun] a word used in relation to a particular subject Studious is a term used for people who love studying. descent /dih-SENT/ [noun] the origin of people in your family background My neighbor is of American-Irish descent. survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] the information gathered by asking people the same questions The survey shows that many businessmen skip their meal. political /puh-LIT-i-kuhl/ [adjective] relating to politics and government Education is one of the major political issues these days. aspect /AS-pekt/ [noun] a particular feature of our…
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Intermediate

Volkswagen changes charging system for electric vehicles

2019年3月4日

Volkswagen new stategy for electric vehicles

Pre-reading questions: Do you own a car? If yes, kindly describe it. If no, what car brand do you want to buy? What car brand is famous in Japan? Vocabulary: strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] a detailed plan to achieve something or reach a goal The basketball team coach’s strategy won them the game. mobile /MOH-buhl/ [adjective] something that can be easily moved The old lady sits on a mobile chair every morning. exploit /EK-sploit/ [verb] to use something in a way to help someone or oneself People must exploit every opportunity to learn more and new things. accommodate /uh-KOM-uh-deyt/ [verb] to give what is needed to something or someone The new…
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Intermediate

Breath test to detect cancers begins trial in UK

2019年2月27日

Breath test to detect various cancers begins trial in UK

Pre-reading questions: How many kinds of cancers do you know? Elaborate your answer. Do you think cheap and effective cure for cancer will be invented? Why or why not? Vocabulary: presence /PREZ-uhns/ [noun] the fact that someone or something is in a place The tests showed the presence of toxin in the body. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] a single person or thing You are the kindest individual I have ever met. breathe /breeth/ [verb] to move air into and out of the lungs She cannot breathe due to lack of oxygen. express /ik-SPRES/ [verb] to show a feeling, opinion, or fact Johnny expressed interest in joining the soccer club. stage /steyj/…
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Intermediate

Esports event to be held in Tokyo, Japan

2019年2月26日

Esports event to be held in Tokyo, Japan

Pre-reading questions: Do you like playing any mobile games? Why or why not? Do you think playing computer games is fun? Why or why not? Vocabulary: intend /in-TEND/ [verb] to have as a plan or purpose She intends to use the money for her school supplies. affair /uh-FAIR/ [noun] an event She did not go to the social affair at her school because of her dress. promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something My friends promote eating healthy food everyday. popularity /pop-yuh-LAR-i-tee/ [noun] the fact that something or someone is liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people After the trending video about organic…
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Intermediate