Intermediate

Global tourism’s reopening plan

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Pre-reading questions: Why do you think people like traveling? What do you like about your country’s tourist destinations? Vocabulary: recover /ri-KUHV-er/ [verb] – to become normal again from being damaged or having problems The economy is at last beginning to recover. worldwide /WURLD-WAHYD/ [adverb] – extending or spread throughout the world The story has attracted attention worldwide. assist /us-SIST/ [verb] – to help The family decided to assist me with my chores. lay-off /ley awf/ [verb] – to stop employing someone, usually because there is no work for them to do The workforce has been laid off due to the pandemic. optimistic /op-tuh-MIS-tik/ [adjective] – hoping or believing that good…
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Black hole: A celestial body near us

black hole

Pre-Reading Questions: Are you interested in learning space explorations? Why or why not? What do you think are black holes? Vocabulary: astonishing /uh-STON-i-shing/ [adjective] very surprising It was the beginning of an astonishing 12-year friendship. creation /kree-EY-shuhn/ [noun] the act of creating something, or the thing that is created She had been with the company since its creation in 1990. 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. movement /MOOV-muhnt/ [noun]a change of position There will be no movement of cars on the road this…
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Are you feeling groggy from this lockdown? Find out why!

groggy

Pre-Reading Questions: What time do you usually sleep at night? What are the things that make you sleepy? Vocabulary: rapidly /RAP-idly/ [adverb] in a fast or sudden way Her proficiency in English rapidly improved. circumstance /SUR-kuhm-stans/ [noun] an event or condition connected with what is happening or has happened We must adapt our plan to these new circumstances. routine /roo-TEEN/ [noun] a usual or fixed way of doing things Routine exercise is great for your health. adequate /AD-i-kwit/ [adjective] enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose This paper should be adequate for your project. ensure /en-SHOOR/ [verb] to make something certain to happen This medicine will ensure you a good…
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The Irish return the favor to Native Americans through donations

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Pre-reading questions: Do you donate to charities? Why or why not? How often do you return favors? Vocabulary: fundraiser /FUHND-rey-zer/ [noun] – a person or event involved in collecting money for a particular purpose, especially a charity Miyuki started a fundraiser for her little brother’s medication. organizer /AWR-guh-nahy-zer/ [noun] – the person or group who plans and arranges an event or activity The event organizer handled the birthday party quite well. estimated /ES-tuh-mey-ted/ [adjective] – roughly calculated or approximate According to the report, it’ll take an estimated period of five months before we finish the project. favor /FEY-ver/ [noun] – a kind action that you do for someone No need…
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Work and safety during the pandemic: What can offices do?

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Pre-Reading Questions: How often do you go inside buildings? Do you think technology can keep us safe? Why or why not? Vocabulary: policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people When will the new no-smoking policy be implemented? conform /kuhn-FAWRM/ [verb] to obey a rule or reach the necessary stated standard All employees are expected to conform to the company’s rules. arrangement /uh-REYNJ-muhnt/ [noun] a group of objects that have been put in a particular order or position The flower arrangement Hana gave me was beautiful. device /dih-VAHYS/ [noun] an…
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COE says, “Olympic athletes back into the competition… Only when it is safe”

olympic

Pre-reading questions: Do you agree to cancel the Olympic Games? Explain your answer. What can you say about the Olympic Games being postponed? Vocabulary: concern /kuhn-SURN/ [verb] a worried or nervous feeling about something, or something that makes you feel worried The company postponed its monthly event for they are concerned about their employees status. manage /MAN-ij/ [verb] to succeed in doing something, esp. something difficult He was not able to manage the misunderstandings within his team. remedy /REM-i-dee/ [noun] a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty Sleeping is the best remedy for headaches. constantly /KAAN-stuhnt-lee/ [adverb] all the time or often They…
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Recovering from the coronavirus: How long does it take?

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Pre-Reading Questions: Have you ever gone to the hospital because of a serious health problem? What do you usually eat when you are sick? Vocabulary: heal /heel/ [verb] to make or become well again, especially after a cut or other injury His lip had begun to heal, but signs of a burn remained. symptom /SIMP-tuhm/ [noun] any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a particular disease No one could tell why the girl felt bad before her symptom of extreme morning pain was exposed. average /AV-er-ij/ [noun] a standard or level that is considered to be typical or usual I work an average of…
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Four significant factors to strengthen the immune system

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Pre-Reading Questions: Is everyday exercise important? Why or why not? What comes to your mind when you hear the word health? Vocabulary: strengthen /STRENGK-thuhn/ [verb] to make something stronger or more effective, or to become stronger or more effective Attending voice lessons strengthened her talent and allowed her to join the International Singing Contest. adequate /AD-i-kwit/ [adjective] enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose The donation of foods from other countries was adequate to support 2,000 families. risk /risk/ [noun] the possibility of something bad happening There’s a high risk of infection in the area near the university. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] necessary or needed The most essential thing to be…
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A plant-based diet may reduce stroke risk, Taiwan study shows

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Pre-reading questions: Do you eat fruits and vegetables everyday? Why or why not? What kind of diet do you follow to stay healthy? Vocabulary: analysis /uh-NAL-uh-sis/ [noun] – the process of studying or examining something in an organized way to learn more about it The detective’s analysis about the victim lacks very important details and some facts are uncertain. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee/ [noun] – the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or nationality The local community showed their full support to the newly elected president. dairy /DAIR-ee/ [adjectives] – used to refer to cows that are…
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Defying Age: 80-year old great grandma shares passion for ice hockey

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© Photo by ph.news.yahoo.com Pre-Reading Questions: Do you want to play sports even when you are old? Why or why not? Do you know an old person who still plays sports? Elaborate your answer. Vocabulary: passion /PASH-uhn/ [noun] something that you are strongly interested in and enjoy My cousin has always had a passion for singing. former /FAWRr-mer/ [adjective] used to describe someone who had a particular position or job in the past The former president went back to his hometown. expect /ik-SPEKT/ [verb] to think or believe something will happen I didn’t expect to see my old friend in my new neighborhood. senior /SEEN-yer/ [adjective] a person who is…
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