Intermediate

Zora: A robot with a heart

2019年2月20日

Zora a robot with a heart

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you want to have a caregiver when you get old? Why or why not? Which do you like, a talking robot or a flying robot? Vocabulary: companion /kuhm-PAN-yuhn/ [noun] a person you spend a lot of time with Her high school best friend has been her companion whenever she travels abroad. affection /uh-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] a feeling of liking for a person or place John didn’t feel any affection when he saw his biological father for the first time. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] important or noticeable There are significant changes in the new management after the replacement of the president. encourage /en-KUR-ij/ [verb] to make someone more likely to…
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Intermediate

Hyogo holds exhibition in honor of Osamu Tezuka

2019年2月18日

Hyogo holds enhibitionin honor of Osamu Tezuka

Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching animated movies? Why or why not? Which do you like more, reading manga or watching anime? Why? Vocabulary: hit /hit/ [noun] something or someone that is popular or famous Musicals are a bit hit in my country. aforementioned /uh-FAWR-men-shuhnd/ [adjective] mentioned earlier The aforementioned general secretary is in a room now for a press conference. distinguished /dih-STING-gwisht/ [adjective] someone who is admired and respected Mr. Lee is a distinguished leader and a politician. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [verb] to affect how someone or something develops My grandfather had a strong influence on my childhood. evolution /ev-uh-LOO-shuhn/ [noun] a step-by-step process or development My father has seen…
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Intermediate

Japan redefines hospitality by investing in service industry

2019年2月13日

Japan redefines hospitality by investing in service industry

Pre-reading questions: What is your dream job? Why? Where do you usually go with your family? Tell me more about it. Vocabulary: service industry /SUR-vis in-duh-stree/ [noun] an industry that provides a service for people but does not result in the production of goods Most of the businesses in this city are in the service industry like hotels and restaurants. automated /AW-tuh-meyt-uhd/ [adjective] made to operate by machines or computers in order to reduce the work done by humans Human labor decreases because of automated machines. define /dih-fahyn/ [verb] to describe the meaning of something Please help me define these difficult words for my report next week. shortage /SHAWR-tij/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

Japan’s ministry plans to use a speech translation application

2019年2月11日

Japan's ministry plans to use a speech translation application

Pre-reading questions: What are the languages that you know? Do you want to learn a foreign language? Why or why not? Vocabulary: application /ap-li-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] a computer program that is designed for a particular purpose Anyone can download applications on their phone. database /DEY-tuh-beys/ [noun] a large amount of information stored in a computer system They put a password to ensure the security of the database. provide /pruh-VAHYD/ [verb] to give someone something that they need The people provided relief goods for the people. translate /trans-LEYT/ [verb] to change words into a different language They used internet to translate all the words in English. quality /KWOL-i-tee/ [noun] a characteristic of…
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Intermediate

Japan’s celebration for the new emperor

2019年2月6日

Japan's celebration for the new emperor

Pre-reading questions: Do you like attending ceremonies? Why or why not? What kind of ceremonies have you attended? If none, what kind of ceremony would you like to attend? Vocabulary: enthrone /en-THROHN/ [verb] to put a king, queen, etc. on a throne to mark the beginning of their rule The king was enthroned when he was 55 years old. sovereignty /SOV-rin-tee/ [noun] the power or authority to rule He said that the contract would be a violation of American sovereignty. dignitary /DIG-ni-ter-ee/ [noun] a person in an important position in a society Candance was nervous with her meetings with the dignitaries. meanwhile /MEEN-wahyl/ [adverb] at the same time with something…
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Intermediate

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama

2019年1月30日

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama (2)

Pre-reading questions: Do you watch morning dramas? Please explain your answer. What do you usually look for in a story? Vocabulary: airing /AIR/ [noun] a radio or television broadcast A new drama starring my favorite actor will air this season. twisted /TWIST-ed/ [adjective] mentally or emotionally disturbed The story is about a twisted character who does bad things to his neighbors. struggle /STRUGH-uhl/ [verb] to work hard to do something Mako has been struggling with her entrance exams. model /MOD-/ [verb] to create something by basing its form or appearance on something else The novel is modeled after the author’s personal experiences. founder /FOUN-der/ [noun] someone who establishes an organization…
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Intermediate

Discover a new tropical destination in Kenya

2019年1月23日

Discover a new tropical destination in Kenya

Pre-reading questions: Which do you like better, traveling domestically or abroad? Why? Where would you like to go if you can travel abroad? Vocabulary: tropical /TROP-i-kuhl/ [adjective] from or in the hottest parts of the world Jose Rizal is from a tropical country. safari /suh-FAHR-ee/ [noun] a trip to watch, photograph, or hunt wild animals in their natural environment My niece likes to go on safari in Africa. attraction /uh-TRAK-shuhn/ [noun] something that makes people come to a place or do something Japan has many tourist attractions. various /VAIR-ee-uhs/ [adjective] several and different My brother and sister have various types of music. shade /sheyd/ [noun] a type or a degree…
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Intermediate

Ebola virus could spread to Uganda

2019年1月16日

Ebola virus could spread to Uganda 01162019

Pre-reading questions: If you will be staying in Africa for two weeks, what places will you visit? What kind of diseases are you most afraid of? Why? Vocabulary: refuse /ri-FYOOZ/ [verb] to say that you will not do or accept something She refused the offer to work abroad as a full-time chef. diffuse /dih-FYOOZ/ [verb] to spread or cause something to spread in many directions The information diffuses around the city which causes unpleasant rumors. malignant /muh-LIG-nuhnt/ [adjective] leading to death The family is in pain after the doctor said that his disease is malignant. decreased /dih-kreesd/ [adjective] having become less The decreased budget of the committee is unacceptable according…
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Intermediate

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The largest underwater restaurant in the world is opening soon

2019年1月9日

The largest underwater restaurant in the world is opening soon

Photo from © snohetta.com via snohetta.com Pre-reading questions: Do you like traveling? Why or why not? Do you like the view of the sea? Please discuss your answer. Vocabulary: underwater /UHN-der-WAW-ter/ [adjective] under the surface of the water, especially under the surface of the sea An underwater camera is in demand during summer. architectural /ahr-ki-TEK-cher-uhl/ [adjective] relating to the design of buildings Beautiful buildings are made by famous architectural firms. submerge /suhb-MURJ/ [verb] to go below the surface of an area of water A marine biologist submerges into the sea to see the shark. cope /kohp/ [verb] to deal successfully with a difficult situation Having a positive attitude can help…
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Intermediate

Google Maps adds a new feature for daily passengers

2019年1月2日

Google Maps adds new feature for daily passengers

Pre-reading questions: Do you like using Google Maps? Why or why not? Which do you ride more often, buses or trains? Why? Vocabulary: convenient /kuhn-VEEN-yuhn/ [adjective] something that causes less difficulty Going to the library on foot would be more convenient than waiting for the bus. commute /kuh-MYOOT/ [noun] a travel between work and home The commute to my work takes at least an hour and a half. predict /pri-DIKT/ [verb] to say that something will happen in the future We cannot predict what will happen next week so let’s be prepared. enable /en-EY-buhl/ [verb] to make something possible The software update will enable us to see who viewed our…
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Intermediate