Intermediate

What to expect from Apple’s first iOS 12 beta

2018年8月22日

What to expect from Apple's first iOS 12 beta

Pre-Reading Questions: How often do you use your smartphone? What apps do you have on your smartphone? Vocabulary: operating system /OP-uh-rey-ting SIS-tuhm/ [noun] software that makes other programs and applications usable The virus has damaged the operating system of his computer. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] an important characteristic, part, or trait of something An interesting feature of this city is its old market. application /ap-li-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] a program designed for a particular purpose You should delete any applications you don’t use anymore. enhancement /en-HANS-ment/ [noun] a change that improves something The image had some enhancements to show more detail. customized /KUHS-tuh-mahyzd/ [adjective] made or changed according to the user’s needs My…
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Intermediate

UNRWA endures aid reduction

2018年8月15日

UNRWA endures aid reduction

Pre-reading questions: What is your opinion on giving donations? Do you budget your money? Why or why not? Vocabulary: budget /BUHJ-it/ [noun] the amount of money a person or organization has available to spend My family is on a very tight budget after my father was sent to the hospital. contribution /kon-truh-BYOO-shuhn/ [noun] an amount of money that is given to help pay for something Mary gave a generous contribution to the animal shelter. annual /AN-yoo-uhl/ [adjective] measured over a period of one year They harvest the flowers annually. expense /ik-SPENSE/ [noun] the money that you spend on something It was a struggle to pay for my college expenses. penniless…
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Intermediate

Free education for British students in 11 countries

2018年8月8日

Free education for British students in 11 countries

Pre-reading questions: What country or countries have you been to? If none, where would you like to go? Do you want to study abroad? Why or why not? Vocabulary: mere /meer/ [adjective] not more than nor better than The pair of pants I bought online costs a mere $30. require /ri-KWAHYUH-r/ [verb] to make something necessary or needed The students are required to submit their written report by Friday. annual /AN-yoo-uhl/ [adjective] happening once every year I never miss the annual sale at the department store near my house. opportunity /op-er-TOO-ni-tee/ [noun] a chance that makes something possible to happen His work provided him with a lot of opportunities to…
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Intermediate

Odd? It’s normal, at least for Sayaka Murata

2018年8月1日

Odd Its normal at least for Sayaka Murata

Photo by © Kentaro Takahashi via Kentaro Takahashi Pre-Reading Questions: How do you treat people who do odd things? Do you see yourself working in a convenience store? Vocabulary: eccentric /ik-SENT-trik/ [noun] someone who behaves in a weird way She’s an eccentric; that’s why she’s always been the center of attraction in the class. bizarre /bih-ZAHR/ [adjective] strange and unusual He was loved by his family and friends eventhough he’s bizarre. dead end /DED END/ [noun] a situation that has no hope of making progress Businessmen got stuck in a dead-end situation in their attempts to find a possible solution. engaging /en-GEY-jing/ [adjective] tending to please; attractive The advertisement is…
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Intermediate

Bob Marley film is currently in the making

2018年7月26日

bob marley

Pre-reading questions: Do you like listening to reggae? Why or why not? Who is your favorite musician? Please tell me something about him/her. Vocabulary: late /leyt/ [adjective] dead I got so scared when I thought I saw my late grandfather’s face in the mirror. popularize /POP-yuh-luh-rahyz/ [verb] to make something popular She popularized the old song again when she sang it in the concert. split /split/ [verb] to stop being a group The famous pop group split when their singer died in a car accident. hit /hit/ [noun] a thing or person that is very popular or successful The cookies I baked were a hit in last night’s party. solo…
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Intermediate

Google software can now identify ramen by shop

2018年7月24日

Google software can now identify ramen by shop

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite Japanese food? Why is it your favorite? In your opinion, what restaurant serves the best ramen? Please explain. Vocabulary: data scientist /DEY-tuh SAHY-uhn-tist/ [noun] a person whose job is to collect, analyze, and interpret large amounts of data My father is a data scientist for an international computer company. upload /UHP-lohd/ [verb] to copy information to a larger computer system or to the internet I already uploaded the photos from our trip to Hokkaido. classify /KLAS-uh-fahy/ [verb] to divide things into groups according to type Do you classify your tasks by subject? prediction /pri-DIK-shuhn/ [noun] to identify something based on knowledge or data We…
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Intermediate

Part-time jobs for teenagers

2018年7月19日

part-time job for teenagers

Pre-reading questions: Have you tried having a part-time job? Discuss. Do you think part-time jobs are important for students? Why or why not? Vocabulary: enhance /en-HANS/ [verb] to improve the quality of something Liza wants to enhance her speaking skills. significant /sig-NIF-I-kuhnt/ [adjective] very important He has made a significant decision. academics /ak-uh-DEM-ik/ [noun] the activities related to school subjects done in school Problems at home are affecting my academics. balance /BAL-uhns/ [verb] to give two things equal importance, attention, or weight You need to balance your time for sports and school. hinder /HIN-der/ [verb] to limit the development of something A poor diet can hinder physical growth. Esther McVey,…
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Intermediate

North & South Korea pledge peace

2018年7月17日

North & South Korea pledge peace and end of nuclear weapons

Pre-reading questions: What do you know about the South-North Korean war? Do you think world peace is possible? Why or why not? Vocabulary: put an end to (something) /poot an end too/ [phrasal verb] to make something stop happening We need to put an end to this madness. summit /SUHM-it/ [noun] an important formal meeting between leaders of governments from two or more countries Leaders from all over the world met during the summit. pledge /plej/ [verb] to make a serious or formal promise to give or do something The man pledged loyalty to his wife. tension /TEN-shuhn/ [noun] a feeling of fear or anger between two groups of people…
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Intermediate

Japan’s coming of age to be lowered to 18 years old

2018年7月12日

Japan's coming of age to be lowered to 18 years old

Pre-reading questions: What is the general election like in your country? Have you ever participated in a general election? Discuss. Vocabulary: authorize /AW-thuh-rahyz/ [verb] to give official permission for something to happen The government authorized the use of the new drug. adulthood /uh-DUHLT-hood/ [noun] the state of being an adult Paying bills is my least favorite part of adulthood. equalize /EE-kwuh-lahyz/ [verb] a situation means to give everyone the same rights or opportunities Let’s equalize the duties among all employees in this office. prohibit /proh-HIB-it/ [verb] to formally forbid someone from doing something The congress pass a bill that prohibits hunting in national parks. exploit /ik-SPLOIT/ [verb] make use of…
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Intermediate

Too much ice cream may lead to a heart attack

2018年7月10日

Pre-reading questions: Do you like eating sweets? Please explain your answer. What is your favorite dessert? Vocabulary: indulge /in-DUHLJ/ [verb] to have something enjoyable Jam and Yuki indulged in a shopping spree. gain /geyn/ [verb] achieve or get something The store gained more customers. fatty /FA-tee/ [adjective] containing too much fat Aly tries to avoid fatty food to stay healthy. vessel /VES-uhl/ [noun] a tube that carries blood through the body About 15 percent of strokes are the result of blood vessels bursting within the brain. moderate /MOD-er-it/ [adjective] average in amount She baked cookies in a moderately hot oven. According to a study in Israel, eating too much ice…
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Intermediate