Intermediate

Mindfulness matters: 5 ways to begin your mindfulness journey

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What makes you stressed? Have you tried doing yoga? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. curiosity /kyoor-ee-OS-i-tee / [noun] – an eager wish to know or learn about something Curiosity is important when making art. concentrate /KON-suhn-treyt/ [verb] – to direct your attention or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject, or problem You have to concentrate on your studies. vehicle /VEE-i-kuhl/ [noun] – a machine, usually with wheels and an engine, used for transporting people or goods, especially on land There was a broken vehicle on the road. effective /ih-FEK-tiv/…
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‘Hotels on Rails’: New European sleeper trains are coming

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©Midnight Trains Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you go to work/school? Do you enjoy staying in hotels? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. route /root/ [noun] – a particular way or direction between places I need to find the fastest route from Tokyo to Nagano. network /NET-wurk/ [noun] – a large system consisting of many similar parts that are connected together to allow movement between the parts and a control center Japan Railways operates about 70 percent of Japan’s railway network. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [noun] – An alternative plan or method is one that you…
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Floating breakfasts are becoming a trend, here’s why

Floating breakfasts are becoming a trend, here's why

©Joel Centano via virtuoso.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do you usually spend your vacation? What food do you usually eat during breakfast? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. trend /trend/ [noun] – a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving Creating a fashion trend is one of my goals as a designer. fancy /FAN-see/ [adjective] – decorative or complicated We had a date at a fancy restaurant. tropical /TROP-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – extremely hot The Philippines is a tropical country. picturesque /pik-chuh-RESK/ [adjective] – attractive in appearance,…
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What is “digital body language”?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you prefer having meetings or discussing things via email? Why? How do you express your emotions or intentions through text? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cue /kyoo/ [noun] – a signal for someone to do something Their failure became their cue to do better next time. remotely /ri-MOHT-lee/ [adverb] – employees who work remotely work mainly from home and communicate with the company by email and telephone ABC Company allows its employees to work remotely. patch /pach/ [verb] – to treat someone’s injuries or repair the damage to something,…
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Ocado seeks to remove the human element from grocery shopping

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©CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the biggest robotic company in Japan? Tell me more about it. Do you like the idea of using robots at home? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. objective /uhb-JEK-tiv/ [noun] – something that you plan to do or achieve Our main objective is to improve the company’s productivity. initially /ih-NISH-uh-lee/ [adverb] – at the beginning His illness was initially diagnosed as food poisoning. beneath /bih-NEETH/ [preposition] – in or to a lower position than someone or something, under someone or something The dog was beneath the table….
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The capital of Turkmenistan is the world’s most expensive city for expats

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your city known for? Is food expensive in your city? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] – an examination of opinions, behavior, etc., made by asking people questions The waiter asked us to take a survey of our experience at the restaurant. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company offering a professional service, for example, a company of lawyers He is going to work at a law firm this summer. expense /ik-SPENS/ [noun] – the use of money, time, or effort We need to save up because…
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Spielberg’s production teams up with Netflix for multiple films a year

Spielberg’s production teams up with Netflix for multiple films a year

©Chris Burns via slashgear.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are your favorite movies? Do you watch movies and/or other shows on Netflix? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. team up /TEEM-uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to join another person, or form a group with other people, in order to do something together Famous sports apparrel brand Adidas teamed up with American rapper Kanye West. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/ [noun] – an agreement between organizations, people, etc. to work together Taco Bell announced its partnership with American snack brand Doritos. producer /pruh-DOO-ser/ [noun] – a person who makes the…
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US devotes $3.2 billion for COVID-19 treatments, other viruses

US devotes $3.2B for COVID-19 treatments, other viruses

©Jim Lo Scalzo via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you in favor of vaccines? Why or why not? Why is research and development important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reserve /ri-ZURV/ [verb] – to keep something for a particular purpose or time The university has reserved a generous budget for scholars. briefing /BREE-fing/ [noun] – information that is given to someone just before they do something, or a meeting where this happens The department held a task briefing for its new prroject. expedite /EK-spi-dahyt/ [verb] – to make something happen more quickly The…
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COVID-19 vaccination financial support in Japan to be extended

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the progress of vaccination programs in your country? Are you already vaccinated? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. financial /fahy-NAN-shuhl/ [adjective] – relating to money The organization offers financial assistance to students. benefit /BEN-uh-fit/ [verb] – to be helped by something How can we benefit from doing yoga? municipality /myoo-nis-uh-PAL-i-tee/ [noun] – a city or town with its own local government, or the local government itself The municipality has banned smoking since last year. set up /SET-uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to place or…
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Being a morning lark protects you from depression, study says

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How many hours did you sleep last night? What time do you usually sleep at night? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. exhausted /ig-ZAWS-tid/ [adjective] – extremely tired The troops were exhausted after months of war. cycle /SAHY-kuhl/ [noun] – a group of events that happen in a particular order, one following the other, and are often repeated To complete the cycle, this element is necessary. pattern /PAT-ern/ [noun] – a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens The pattern of family life has been changing over…
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