Intermediate

NASA discovers new heavy metal planet

2019年9月9日

earth-1388003_960_720

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

shinkansen-2504783_960_720

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

Healthy living reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s

2019年9月4日

Healthy Living reduces the risk of alzheimer's22222

Pre-reading questions: Is your lifestyle healthy? Why or why not? Do you think a healthy lifestyle can prevent diseases? Why or why not? Vocabulary: risk /risk/ [noun] the possibility of something bad happening Unusual toddler’s mannerisms should be considered as a risk in brain development. variation /vair-ee-EY-shuhn/ [noun] a change in amount or level The theater play won a technical award because it had the best variations of lights and sounds. capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/ [noun] the ability to do a particular thing One of the grounds in adapting is the capacity of a foster parent to provide good education. involve /in-VOLV/ [verb] to include someone or something in an activity The…
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Intermediate

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How dirty is your phone? New studies reveal shocking results!

2019年8月30日

news

Pre-Reading Questions: How often do you clean your personal things and why? Do you think it’s necessary to replace things when it gets dirty? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: vast /vahst/ [adjective] extremely big I restored a vast amount of data in an application I installed last night. humidity /HYOO-mid-i-tee/ [noun] the state or quality of being humid Staying in a cool place decreases the humidity you feel in summer. necessary /NES-uh-ser-ee/ [adjective] needed in order to achieve something The approval of the president is necessary to pass the bill. contaminated /kuhn-TAM-uh-ney-ted/ [adjective] made impure by exposure to polluting substance The milk we have is already contaminated, so I bought…
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Intermediate

Behavioral therapy: An alternative way to get rid of Internet addiction

2019年8月27日

internet gaming

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you always use the Internet? Why or why not? Which do you prefer, playing online games or surfing? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: addiction /uh-DIK-shuhn/ [noun] an inability to stop doing or using something Many people died in the war against drug addiction. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [noun] the power to have an effect on people or things, or a person or thing that is able to do this You’re a good influence on me. therapy /THER-uh-pee/ [noun] a treatment that helps someone feel better, grow stronger, etc., especially after an illness I’ve been in physical therapy since I was twenty years old. education /ej-oo-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] the process of…
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Intermediate

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Counting steps makes people healthier, study says

2019年8月22日

steppp

Pre-reading questions: Do you keep a record of your steps? Why or why not? Do you use applications that encourage you to be healthy? Why or why not? Vocabulary: analyst /AN-l-ist/ [noun] someone whose job is to study or examine something in detail Most political analysts attended law school. record /REK-erd/ [verb] to use a device to measure an amount, rate of speed, etc Taishi records their class’ attendance. obtain /uhb-TEYN/ [verb] to get something In the third experiment, they obtained a very good result. encourage /en-KUR-ij/ [verb] to talk or behave in a way that gives someone confidence to do something My parents always encourage me to be the…
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Intermediate

Japan to use facial recognition technology for foreign visitors

2019年8月19日

face

Photo by © ANN via The Star Pre-reading questions: In your own opinion, what is the most useful technology? Have you ever tried face scanning device before? How was the experience? Vocabulary: fiscal /FIS-kuhl/ [adjective] the financial year 2010, etc The government employees will have a meeting on July 18th about the fiscal year. microchip /MAHY-kroh-chip/ [noun] a chip There are built-in microchips inserted to some animals for study purposes. departure /dih-PAHR-cher/ [noun] the act of leaving a place, or a flight, train, etc. He had to wait for few hours before his departure for Japan. guarantee /gar-uhn-TEE/ [verb] to promise that something will happen or exist She guaranteed her…
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Intermediate

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Misato Michisita to join the 2020 Paralympics

2019年8月15日

misato

Photo by © REUTERS via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching Paralympics? Why or why not? What is your favorite sport? Why? Vocabulary: victory /VIK-tuh-ree/ [noun] the act or an example of winning a competition The victory in Gettysburg proved to be the turning point of the civil war. achieve /uh-CHEEV/ [verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim He is always making sure to achieve his goals in the future. league /leeg/ [noun] a group of teams or players in a sport who take part in competitions against each other He is one of the top players in the baseball league. athletic /ath-LET-ik/ [adjective]…
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Intermediate

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Sugary drinks may lead to cancer, study says

2019年8月13日

sugary

Pre-reading questions: Do you like drinking sweet drinks? Why or why not? Which do you prefer, sodas or fruit juices? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: survey /ser-VEY/ [noun] an examination of opinions and behavior made by asking people questions A survey shows that many businessmen skip lunch everyday. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] to watch carefully the way something happens The doctor continued to observe the patient’s behavior. period /PEER-ee-uhd/ [noun] a length of time The World War II was a difficult period in Japanese history. state /steyt/ [verb] to say or write something The witness just stated the facts about the ongoing case. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] to become or to make…
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Intermediate

Japan’s major hub for sports equipment

2019年8月7日

Japan's major hub for sports

Pre-Reading Questions: What sports do you enjoy playing? What do you usually do during winter season? Vocabulary: district /DIS-trikt/ [noun] an area of a country or town that has fixed borders that has a particular feature that makes it different from surrounding areas Ueno is a district known for its large park, museums, and zoo. vast /vahst/ [adjective] extremely big There was a vast selection of colors to choose from in the market. emerge /ih-MURJ/ [verb] to appear or become known After the rain in our city, the sun emerged from the clouds. hit /hit/ [noun] someone or something that is very popular or successful My friend’s YouTube videos suddenly…
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Intermediate