Intermediate

Say goodbye to the term “late bloomer”

2021年10月23日

late bloomer

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you define “success”? What do you consider your biggest success? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bloom /bloom/ [verb] – to grow or develop successfully Mike’s and his band bloomed into successful musicians. expectation /ek-spek-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling of expecting something to happen He has high expectations of passing the exams. youthful /YOOTH-fuhl/ [adjective] – characteristic of young people, or relating to the period of life when you are young Despite her age, Olivia has maintained her youthful appearance. brand /brand/ [verb] – to say that you think…
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Intermediate

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The race is on to replace harmful chemicals in our homes

2021年10月22日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of chemicals do you use at home? How do you get rid of harmful chemicals at home? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. leak /leek/ [verb] – (of a liquid or gas) to escape from a hole or crack in a pipe or container; (of a container) to allow liquid or gas to escape The pipe was leaking with water. investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/ [verb] – to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth Police are investigating allegations of senior executives being corrupted. substance /SUHB-stuhns/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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UK port delays cause a shortage of Harry Potter toys

2021年10月21日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What toys did you play with as a child? What are some popular toy brands in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. affect /uh-FEKT/ [verb] – to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something We already expected that the weather would affect our flight. stock /stok/ [noun] – the total amount of goods or the amount of a particular type of goods available in a shop New stock of books will arrive next Tuesday. chain /cheyn/ [noun] – a set…
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Intermediate

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Fortnite banned from App Store as legal battle continues

2021年10月20日

Fortnite banned from App Store as legal battle continues

©Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite online video game? On which device do you like playing video games: Android or Apple? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ban /ban/ [verb] – to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especially officially Smoking is banned at gasoline stations. legal /LEE-guhl/ [adjective] – connected with the law Mika will take legal action after the scandalous incident. demonstrate /DEM-uhn-streyt/ [verb] – to show or make something clear These problems demonstrate the effects of lack of communication between team members. sidestep /SAHYD-step/ [verb] – to…
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Intermediate

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Super Mario animated film to be released next year

2021年10月19日

Super Mario animated film to be released next year

©Rex/Shutterstock/Reuters/Nintendo Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite video game? Who is your favorite video game character? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the activity of organizing the practical and financial matters relating to the preparation of a film, play, or television or radio program The production staff held a meeting for the network’s upcoming TV show. express /ik-SPRES/ [verb] – to show a feeling, opinion, or fact Marla expressed her gratitude to her parents by taking them to their favorite travel destination. caption /KAP-shuhn/ [noun] – a short piece…
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Intermediate

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“Squid Game” takes Netflix top spot

2021年10月18日

squid game

©Netflix Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What types of TV shows do you usually watch? What non-Japanese shows do you watch? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. draw /draw/ [verb] – to attract attention or interest Her unique artworks often draw large crowds. enthusiast /en-THOO-zee-ast/ [noun] – a person who is very interested in and involved with a particular subject or activity My father and brother are soccer enthusiasts. They never miss any of the games on TV. stand out /STAND out/ [phrasal verb] – to be much better than other similar things or people This…
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Intermediate

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Fumio Kishida wins race to become Japan’s next prime minister

2021年10月17日

Kishida

©BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is your favorite leader? Why? Could you give some good qualities of a good leader? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. popularity /pop-yuh-LAR-i-tee/ [noun] – the fact that something or someone is liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people Since her return from exile two years ago, her popularity has decreased. host /hohst / [verb] – to provide the space and other things necessary for a special event Which country will host the Olympic Games in the future? widely /WAHYD-lee/ [adverb] – including a lot of different places,…
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Intermediate

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Sweden’s Saturday sweets tradition

2021年10月16日

candies

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the most popular candy brand in your country? Which do you usually eat after meals, desserts or candies? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. treat /treet/ [noun] – a type of food that is eaten in addition to your usual meals, usually something sweet Have you already given treats to the children? concept /KON-sept/ [noun] – a principle or idea The concept of this presentation is quite easy to understand. values /VAL-yooz/ [noun] – the principles that help you to decide what is right and wrong and how to…
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Intermediate

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Air pollution is even worse than previously assumed, according to the World Health Organization

2021年10月15日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you support WHO’s iniative to take action on climate change? Why? What places would you find a lot of air pollution? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. concentration /kon-suhn-TREY-shuhn/ [noun] – the exact amount of one particular substance that is found in another substance The contaminated areas had high concentrations of toxic materials. regulation /reg-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – an official rule or the act of controlling something New safety regulations have been implemented. harmful /HAHRM-fuhl/ [adjective] – causing harm People with asthma are known to be harmful to this group of…
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Intermediate

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The New York Public Library puts an end to overdue fees

2021年10月14日

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©Getty Images via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do libraries in your country charge fees for overdue books? What books from a library would you like to borrow? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. abolish /uh-BOL-ish/ [verb] – to end an activity or custom officially The young mayor wants to abolish private schools. 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, a business organization, a government, or a political party The clothing store has…
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Intermediate

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