Intermediate

Counting steps makes people healthier, study says

2019年8月22日

steppp

Pre-reading questions: Do you keep a record of your steps? Why or why not? Do you use applications that encourage you to be healthy? Why or why not? Vocabulary: analyst /AN-l-ist/ [noun] someone whose job is to study or examine something in detail Most political analysts attended law school. record /REK-erd/ [verb] to use a device to measure an amount, rate of speed, etc Taishi records their class’ attendance. obtain /uhb-TEYN/ [verb] to get something In the third experiment, they obtained a very good result. encourage /en-KUR-ij/ [verb] to talk or behave in a way that gives someone confidence to do something My parents always encourage me to be the…
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Intermediate

Japan to use facial recognition technology for foreign visitors

2019年8月19日

face

Photo by © ANN via The Star Pre-reading questions: In your own opinion, what is the most useful technology? Have you ever tried face scanning device before? How was the experience? Vocabulary: fiscal /FIS-kuhl/ [adjective] the financial year 2010, etc The government employees will have a meeting on July 18th about the fiscal year. microchip /MAHY-kroh-chip/ [noun] a chip There are built-in microchips inserted to some animals for study purposes. departure /dih-PAHR-cher/ [noun] the act of leaving a place, or a flight, train, etc. He had to wait for few hours before his departure for Japan. guarantee /gar-uhn-TEE/ [verb] to promise that something will happen or exist She guaranteed her…
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Intermediate

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Misato Michisita to join the 2020 Paralympics

2019年8月15日

misato

Photo by © REUTERS via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching Paralympics? Why or why not? What is your favorite sport? Why? Vocabulary: victory /VIK-tuh-ree/ [noun] the act or an example of winning a competition The victory in Gettysburg proved to be the turning point of the civil war. achieve /uh-CHEEV/ [verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim He is always making sure to achieve his goals in the future. league /leeg/ [noun] a group of teams or players in a sport who take part in competitions against each other He is one of the top players in the baseball league. athletic /ath-LET-ik/ [adjective]…
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Intermediate

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Sugary drinks may lead to cancer, study says

2019年8月13日

sugary

Pre-reading questions: Do you like drinking sweet drinks? Why or why not? Which do you prefer, sodas or fruit juices? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: survey /ser-VEY/ [noun] an examination of opinions and behavior made by asking people questions A survey shows that many businessmen skip lunch everyday. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] to watch carefully the way something happens The doctor continued to observe the patient’s behavior. period /PEER-ee-uhd/ [noun] a length of time The World War II was a difficult period in Japanese history. state /steyt/ [verb] to say or write something The witness just stated the facts about the ongoing case. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] to become or to make…
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Intermediate

Japan’s major hub for sports equipment

2019年8月7日

Japan's major hub for sports

Pre-Reading Questions: What sports do you enjoy playing? What do you usually do during winter season? Vocabulary: district /DIS-trikt/ [noun] an area of a country or town that has fixed borders that has a particular feature that makes it different from surrounding areas Ueno is a district known for its large park, museums, and zoo. vast /vahst/ [adjective] extremely big There was a vast selection of colors to choose from in the market. emerge /ih-MURJ/ [verb] to appear or become known After the rain in our city, the sun emerged from the clouds. hit /hit/ [noun] someone or something that is very popular or successful My friend’s YouTube videos suddenly…
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Intermediate

Fighting climate change in Japan

2019年8月5日

climate

Photo by © CHIARA TERZUOLO via Savvy Tokyo Pre-Reading Questions: Are you experiencing climate change in your country now? Please explain your answer. What do you do to help fight climate change in your country? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: greenhouse gas /GREEN-hous gas/ [noun] a gas that causes the greenhouse effect, especially carbon dioxide Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause climate change. eco-friendly /EK-oh-FREND-lee/ [adjective] designed to have little or no damaging effect on the environment We should use eco-friendly products to help our world fight global warming. atmosphere /AT-muhs-feer/ [noun] the mixture of gases around the earth Hot temperature causes the atmosphere to get thinner. carbon dioxide /KAHR-buh n…
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Intermediate

Sushi restaurant in Japan to raise young fish

2019年7月31日

salmon

Pre-reading questions: Do you agree that sushi is the most famous food in Japan? Explain your answer. Do you like eating raw fish? Why or why not? Vocabulary: famed /feymd/ [adjective] famous or known to many people There are many famed restaurants around the city. decreasing /dih-KREE-sing/ [adjective] becoming less The decreasing number of employment in the country is alarming. develop /dih-VEL-uhp/ [verb] to grow A newly opened restaurant needs to develop new ways to gain customers. half-grown /haf-grohn/ [adjective] not yet fully grown The half-grown crops can be harvested after a month. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] to increase something in size, number, or importance The company’s goal is to expand…
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Intermediate

Green views may help lessen cravings

2019年7月29日

Green view may help lessen cravings

Pre-reading questions: What do you usually eat when you are hungry and why? Do you like the view of nature? Why or why not? Vocabulary: frequent /FREE-kwuhnt/ [adjective] happening often His frequent visits in the office bother me. unhealthy /uhn-HEL-thee/ [adjective] not good for your health You will get sick if you continue that unhealthy lifestyle. exclusive /ik-SKLOO-siv/ [adjective] expensive and only for people who are rich or of a high social class The president of the company owns an exclusive clubhouse. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] to make something less in price, size, amount, etc. My doctor advised me to reduce my coffee intake. publish /PUHB-lish/ [verb] to make available to…
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Intermediate

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“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” leads box-office in the US

2019年7月24日

godzilla

Photo by © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP via France 24 Pre-reading questions: What kind of movies do you like watching and why? Which do you prefer, watching movies at home or in the cinema? Why? Vocabulary: lead /leed/ [verb] to be in front, be first, or be winning The kendo player leads its competitors only by a point. estimated /ES-tuh-meyt-uhd/ [adjective] roughly calculated or approximate The estimated cost of the building is $12 million dollars. opponent /uh-POH-nuhnt/ [noun] the person who someone is competing against The other team crushes its other opponents in the game of soccer. attention /uh-TEHN-shuhn/ [noun] notice, thought, or interest After a few months of courting,…
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Intermediate

Japan to charge plastic bags

2019年7月22日

ban plastics

Pre-reading questions: What do you usually bring when you go shopping and why? What are the common single-use plastics in Japan? Vocabulary: implement /im-pluh-muhnt/ [verb] to put a plan into action The company has implemented a new policy that would contribute to its employees’ benefits. ban /ban/ [verb] to forbid someone to do something or forbid an action The new law bans foreign fishermen to enter another country’s territory. afforestation /uh-FAWR-ist-tey-shuhn/ [noun] the action of planting trees on an area of land in order to make a forest The students join the afforestation held by their school admin. awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/ [noun] knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a situation…
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Intermediate