Intermediate

How dangerous is the consumption of red meat?

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like eating red meat? Do you think it is healthy to eat processed foods? Vocabulary: unsure /uhn-SHOOR/ [adjective] not certain or having doubts I’m unsure if my answers for this examination are correct. extent /ik-STENT/ [noun] the degree to which something happens or is likely to happen I was amazed at the extent of his knowledge. evidence /EV-i-duhns/ [noun] anything that helps to prove that something is or not true The detective scanned every bit of evidence. determine /dih-TUR-min/ [verb] to discover the facts or truth about something Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. credible /KRED-uh-buhl/ [adjective] able to be believed…
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Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony fascinates foreigners

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Pre-reading questions: What kind of tea do you enjoy drinking and why? What is your favorite Japanese festival and why? Vocabulary: custom /KUHS-tuhm/ [noun] a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time One of the Filipino customs is Media Noche where families, relatives, and friends gather for a lavish midnight feast. conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] to organize and direct a particular activity The new television program will conduct an audition for their lead actor next month ceremony /SER-uh-moh-nee/ [noun] a set of acts, often traditional or religious, performed at a formal occasion The couple’s wedding ceremony will be held near the beach. arrangement /uh-REYNJ-muhnt/…
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NASA’s InSight mission records astonishing sounds on the red planet

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Pre-reading questions: Do you know anything about Mars? Elaborate your answer. Do you consider it as the second Earth? Why or why not? Vocabulary: bizarre /bih-ZAHR/ [adjective] very strange and unusual Everyone stared at the student who wore a bizarre outfit to school. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something Drivers must observe the traffic rules. intention /in-TEN-shuhn/ [noun] something that you want and plan to do Tom had no intention of helping Jessica. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] the outer or top part or layer of something Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is water. landscape /LAND-skeyp/ [noun] a large area of countryside,…
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Four healthy lifestyles that could boost mental health

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Pre-Reading Questions: What do you usually do when you feel sad? Do you have a healthy lifestyle? Why or why not? Vocabulary: abstain /ab-STEYN/ [verb] to not do something, especially something enjoyable that you think might be bad He made a promise that starting next month, he will abstain from alcohol and smoking. keen /keen/ [adjective] very interested, eager, or wanting (to do) something very much She was keen to know the process of getting a national ID. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious I did not go to work yesterday due to a severe headache. distress /dih-STRES/ [noun] a feeling of extreme…
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Five ways to regain your health from flu

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like taking medicines? Why or why not? What kinds of food do you usually eat? Vocabulary: symptom /SIMP-tuhm/ [noun] any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a disease Rashes, vomiting, and fever are some of the symptoms of dengue. shot /shot/ [noun] the amount of a drug that is put into the body by a single injection She got a shot of antibiotics from the hospital. period /PEER-ee-uhd/ [noun] a length of time He promised to solve the problems in the company in a period of six months. subside /suhb-SAHYD/ [verb] to become less strong After taking different medicines, her…
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Flying taxi is ready for take-off

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© Photo by Forbes / AeroMobil via Forbes Pre-Reading Questions: Do you ride a taxi when you travel? Why or why not? What public transportation do you like the most? Why? Vocabulary: launch /lawnch/ [verb] to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product The new clothing line will launch a fashion show for the latest European trends. chassis /CHAS-ee/ [noun] the frame of a vehicle, usually including the wheels and engine, onto which the metal covering is fixed The students presented a sample chassis of their solar car invention to the university’s student government. capable /KEY-puh-buhl/ [adjective] able to do things effectively and…
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Kyoto city monitors tourists’ behavior via smartphone

Pre-reading questions: Do you enjoy traveling? Why or why not? Have you been to a different country? If yes, please tell me more. If no, where would you like to go? Vocabulary: initial /ih-NISH-uhl/ [adjective] of or at the beginning The project’s initial preparation is taking too much time. manner /MAN-er/ [noun] the usual way in which you behave towards other people or the way you behave on a particular occasion One must practice proper manners while eating. misconduct /mis-KON-duhkt/ [noun] unacceptable or illegal behavior by a person or group in a position of authority His misconduct at work caused his termination from the company. assess /uh-SES/ [verb] to make…
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Kanazawa as the ice cream capital

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Pre-Reading Questions: What is your comfort food? What local dessert is popular in your city? What is it made of? Vocabulary: peak /peek/ [noun] the highest, strongest, or best point, value, or level of skill Rates are different after the peak of the summer season. feature /FEE-cher/ [verb] to include someone or something as an important part The new iPhone 11 features mobile tech development. luxury /LUHK-shuh-ree/ [noun] the pleasure and comfort you get from expensive and beautiful things Towers and temples are the luxuries of a princess. convenient /kuhn-VEEN-yuhnt/ [adjective] suitable for your purposes and needs and causing the least difficulty Which is more convenient, to go by bus…
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“Weathering with You” to be Japan’s entry for International Film award

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© Photo by GKIDS , INC- © 2019 TOHO CO.,LTD / CoMix Wave Films Inc./ via IMDb Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching movies? If yes, what kind of movies do you like? If no, why not? What do you usually look for when critiquing a movie? Explain. Vocabulary: entry /EN-tree/ [noun] a person or thing that is part of a competition The entries for this year’s film festival are all directed by women. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] relating to a person’s own country We consumers must buy more domestic products. name /neym/ [verb] to give a name to someone or something His brother suggested to name the poodle “Holly”. appreciation…
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Talking to yourself in third person can help you succeed

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Pre-Reading Questions: How do you usually plan long-term goals? Which do you prefer, sudden decisions or planned decisions? Why? Vocabulary: fundamental /fuhn-duh-MEN-tl/ [adjective] more important than anything else We need to start promoting fundamental changes for the society. thyself /thahy-SELF/ [pronoun] yourself To know thyself means knowing your true self and your significance. defective /dih-FEK-tiv/ [adjective] having a defect or flaw; faulty; imperfect Don’t use that machine, it’s been defective since last week. monologue /MON-uh-lawg/ [noun] a long speech by one person Her monologue was so good that leaves everyone speechless. weigh up /wey uhp/ [phrasal verb] to think carefully about the advantages or disadvantages of a situation before making…
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