Intermediate

Seeking modernization enhances life at work, according to a Japanese company president

2019年10月11日

Pre-reading questions: In your opinion, what is the important quality that a company should possess? How do you keep yourself motivated at work? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] to encourage or support something The new campaign launched last week promotes safe driving. mention /MEN-shuhn/ [verb] to speak about someone or something You always mention your boss whenever we converse. willingness /WIL-ing-ness/ [noun] the quality of being happy to do something She shows willingness to learn in everything she does. impede /im-PEED/ [verb] to make it more difficult for something to happen Struggles are impeding her to achieve her dreams. administer /ad-MIN-uh-ster/ [verb] to manage or control the…
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Intermediate

Astonishing 2D Cafe in Tokyo attracts customers

2019年10月9日

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like visiting cafes and restaurants? Why or why not? Do you think anime themed cafes and restaurants are famous in Japan? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: transport /trans-PAWRT/ [verb] the act of taking you to a different time or place, making you feel as if you were in it The film transports you back to how New York City was back in the 1950s. reality /ree-AL-i-tee/ [noun] the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be He could not believe it when his dream became a reality. vast /vahst/ [adjective] extremely large A vast majority of musicians played together for…
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Intermediate

WeChat puts restriction on face-swapping app Zao

2019年10月2日

faceswap

Pre-reading questions: Do you use SNS? Why or why not? What smartphone apps do you usually use? 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, a business organization, etc. Everyone must follow the immigration policy. generate /JEN-uh-reyt/ [verb] to cause something to exist The windmills generate electricity for the whole community. prohibit /proh-HIB-it/ [verb] to officially refuse to allow something My supervisor prohibits us from using our phones during office hours. leading /LEE-ding/ [adjective] best, most important, or most successful She became the leading candidate for this term’s election….
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Intermediate

Tokyo tops the world’s safest cities for the third time

2019年9月25日

tokyo

Pre-reading questions: What city would you like to visit and why? What do you like about Tokyo City? Explain your answer. Vocabulary: top /top/ [verb] to be in the highest position in a list or rank Ariana Grande tops as the most followed celebrity on Instagram. infrastructure /IN-fruh-struhk-cher/ [noun] the basic systems and services, such as transport and power supplies, that a country or organization uses in order to work effectively Some of the infrastructures in rural areas are improving. rebound /ri-BOUND/ [verb] to return to an earlier and better condition Let’s save more money to rebound from our loss last month. anticipate /an-TIS-uh-peyt/ [verb] to imagine or expect that…
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Intermediate

Robot dogs help people with dementia

2019年9月23日

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Pre-reading questions: Why do you think many people like dogs as a pet? Please explain your answer. What is your favorite animal? Why? Vocabulary: resident /REZ-i-duhnt/ [noun] a person who lives or has their home in a place The residents are happy for the grand opening of their neighbors’ business. lifelike /LAHYF-lahyk/ [adjective] used to describe something that appears real or very similar to what is real His lifelike paintings are known all over the world. aid /eyd/ [noun] to help or support The medics came to aid the wounded man from a car crash. contrast /kon-trast/ [noun] an obvious difference between two or more things I love the contrast…
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Intermediate

Five approaches to make yourself closer to nature while living in the city

2019年9月18日

green

Pre-reading questions: Do you like taking a walk in the park? Why or why not? What do you like to do when you go out of your house? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: boost /boost/ [verb] to improve or increase something Giving him praises will help him boost his confidence. stimulate /STIM-yuh-leyt/ [verb] to encourage something to grow, develop, or become active Looking at trees stimulates calmness. captivate /KAP-tuh-veyt/ [verb] to hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive Her kindness captivated his heart. recreation /rek-ree-EY-shuhn/ [noun] something done for pleasure or to relax, or such activities generally Maria’s favorite recreation is walking in the…
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Intermediate

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NASA gives SpaceX $50 million contract to launch new satellite

2019年9月16日

NASA gives SpaceX $50 million contract to launch new satellite

Pre-reading questions: Do you want to ride a spaceship? Why or why not? Please explain your answer. If you will be given a chance to explore one planet, what would it be? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: contract /KON-trakt/ [noun] a legal document that states and explains a formal agreement between two different people or groups, or the agreement itself Steffan and I made a contract for the upcoming project of our company. advantageous /ad-vuh n-TEY-juhs/ [adjective] something that is advantageous helps you or is useful to you It would be advantageous for our agency if that famous dance group will endorse us. compose /kuhm-POHZ/ [verb] to be the parts that…
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Intermediate

The non-coffee energy boosters

2019年9月11日

Non coffee booster

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like to drink coffee? Why or why not? Do you drink coffee every day? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: benefit /ben-UH-fit/ [noun] a helpful or good effect, or something intended to help One of the benefits of studying English is learning how to communicate. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [noun] something that is different, esp. from what is usual; a choice There must be an alternative to people drinking coffee. boost /boost/ [verb] to improve something Exercising every day can boost our immune system. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] extremely important or necessary A passport is essential for foreign travel. convert /kuhn-VURT/ [verb] to cause something to change in form or…
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Intermediate

NASA discovers new heavy metal planet

2019年9月9日

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Pre-reading questions: What do you find interesting about the universe? Please explain your answer. What do you think is the most mysterious planet? Why? Vocabulary: stream /streem/ [verb] to move continuously The morning light came streaming through the windows. element /EL-uh-muhnt/ [noun] a simple substance that cannot be reduced to smaller chemical parts Oxygen is one of the basic elements of substance. beaming /BEE-ming/ [adjective] radiant; bright Out of the darkness, she saw a beaming flashlight from afar. vanish /VAN-ish/ [verb] to disappear or stop existing Energy seems to vanish and re-emerge in dramatic swings. drag /drag/ [verb] to move something by pulling it along a surface Pick the chair…
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Intermediate

The Genbi: The art museum shinkansen you do not want to miss

2019年9月6日

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like traveling? Why or why not? Do you think it’s more convenient to ride the shinkansen than to ride an ordinary train? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: extraordinary /ik-STRAWR-dn-er-ee/ [adjective] very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange She has an extraordinary voice. signature /SIG-nuh-cher/ [adjective] used to refer to the special thing for which a person or place is particularly known My family always admired my favorite restaurant’s signature dish. captivating /KAP-tuh-vey-ting/ [adjective] capable of attracting and holding interest; charming The design of my neighbor’s house is captivating. course /kawrs/ [noun] a direction or route taken or to be taken Be extra careful not to veer off…
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Intermediate