Intermediate

Cherry blossoms attract more foreign tourists

2019年5月22日

cherry blossom

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite season and why? Where do you usually watch cherry blossoms bloom? Vocabulary: cherished /CHER-ishd/ [adjective] bringing the pleasure of love or caring about someone or something that is important to you The love letters in the old box are her most cherished possessions. attract /uh-TRAKT/ [verb] to pull or draw someone or something towards them, by the qualities they have, especially good ones The idols’ concerts attract a lot of female fans and audiences. management /MAN-ij-muhnt/ [noun] the group of people who control a company or organization The mall’s management allows its customers to bring their pets inside the stores. feature /FEE-cher/ [verb] to…
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Intermediate

The misconception about dietary supplements

2019年5月20日

supppp

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you take multivitamins? Why or why not? What is your daily meal plan? Tell me more about it. Vocabulary: preference /PREF-er-uhns/ [noun] the fact of liking or wanting one thing more than another The manager has his own preference in choosing employees. well-balanced /WEL-BAL-uhnst/ [adjective] a well-balanced group of foods together provide a good range of the things you need to stay healthy Parents should always prepare well-balanced meals for their kids. sufficient /suh-FISH-uhnt/ [adjective] enough for a particular purpose The evidence is not sufficient to convict him. longevity /lon-JEV-i-tee/ [noun] a long life He always makes sure to eat healthy food and have a regular exercise…
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Intermediate

Arata Isozaki wins 2019 Pritzker Prize

2019年5月17日

Arata Isozaki

Photo by © Getty Images via CNN Style Pre-reading questions: What do you want to be in the future? Please elaborate. Is it important to have ambitions? Why or why not? Vocabulary: accomplishment /uh-KOM-plish-muhnt/ [noun] something that is successful, or that is achieved after a lot of work or effort His accomplishments in his 5-year stay in the company are outstanding. major /MEY-jer/ [adjective] very large, important, or powerful They launched a series of major economic programs. facility /fuh-SIL-i-tee/ [noun] a place, especially including buildings, where a particular activity happens The theme park is the region’s most popular tourist facility. host /hohst/ [verb] to provide the space and other things…
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Intermediate

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Japanese company produces high-tech wheelchairs

2019年5月15日

wheelchairs

Photo by © AFP via The Straits Times Pre-reading questions: Do you like sports? Why or why not? Are you interested to watch a Paralympic game? Why or Why not? Vocabulary: create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to make something new I have created a recipe that you will surely like. achieve /UH-cheev/ [verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim A lot of my friends achieved a degree in Computer science. leading /LEE-ding/ [adjective] first or most important Uniliver is still the leading brand in the Philippines. perfectly /PUR-fikt-lee/ [adverb] in a satisfying or entirely no mistakes way My sister’s room was perfectly organized. unknown /uhn-NOHN/ [adjective] not familiar Some…
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Intermediate

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Nagano attempts to keep traditional insect dishes

2019年5月8日

nagano

Photo by © Kyodo via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite food? Why? What unusual food do you want to eat? Why? Vocabulary: order /AWR-der/ [noun] with the aim of achieving something She studies every night in order to pass the entrance examination. tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions The art exhibit we attended yesterday reminded me how important our tradition is. preserve /pri-ZURV/ [verb] to keep something from decaying, destroyed or dying I truly believe that we should preserve our natural resources. culture /KUHL-cher/ [noun] the way of life of a particular group of people at a particular time She was…
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Intermediate

A box of delight: Shiba Inu marshmallows

2019年5月6日

shiba inu

Photo by © Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 via Japan Today Pre-Reading Questions: What is your favorite snack? Please tell me more. Do you like eating desserts? Why or why not? Vocabulary: complement /kom-pluh-mehnt/ [verb] to make something else better when combining it with another Her red scarf complements her outfit. identical /ahy-den-ti-kuhl/ [adjective] exactly the same, or very similar William’s coat looks identical to mine. mixture /miks-cher/ [noun] a combination of different things The mixture of drinks made my brother ill. goods /guds/ [noun] items for sale The new shop sells goods at cheap prices. contain /kuhn-teyn/ [verb] to have something inside The victim’s suitcase contains only his clothes and wallet….
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Intermediate

Survey shows Japanese youth spend three hours online each day

2019年5月1日

online

Pre-reading questions: Do you use the Internet for fun or learning? Explain your answer. How often do you use the internet? Vocabulary: study /stuhd-ee/ [noun] the activity of examining a subject in detail to discover new information The previous study showed how people choose to spend their free time. spend /spend/ [verb] to use time doing something or being somewhere She spent a lot of time finishing her homework. search /surch/ [verb] to look for information on the internet Searching the internet helps students do their homework. government /guhv-ern-muhnt/ [noun] the group of people who officially control a country The government is planning to help the needy. data /dey-tuh/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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China to launch new generation of driverless maglev trains in 2020

2019年4月29日

maglev

Pre-reading questions: What is the most convenient public transportation system for you? Why? Do you like to travel by train? Why or why not? Vocabulary: generation /jen-uh-rey-shuhn/ [noun] a group of products or machines that are all at the same stage of development The company is working on developing the new generation of sports cars. driverless /drahy-ver-lis/ [adjective] (of a vehicle) not having a person as a driver His dream is to invent a reliable driverless car. commercial /kuh-mur-shuhl/ [adjective] used to describe a product or service that can be bought by the public This airport handles almost 20,000 commercial flights a month. entirely /en-tahyuhr-lee/ [adverb] completely The new product…
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Intermediate

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Rising tennis star Naomi Osaka bags more sponsors

2019年4月24日

naomii

Photo by © The Mainichi via The Mainichi Business Pre-reading questions: What is the most interesting sport for you? Please explain your answer. What is your opinion about extreme sports? Vocabulary: compete /kuhm-peet/ [verb] to do an activity with others and try to do better than they do Rina competes with Pete in an essay writing activity. ambassador /am-BAS-uh-DAWR/ [noun] a person who represents, speaks or advertises a particular organization, group of people, activity, or brand The new Ambassador to the United States was appointed by the President. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] a strong effect or influence on a situation or person The new advertisement has made quite an impact on…
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Intermediate

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Let it Be: The new Beatles documentary

2019年4月22日

the-beatles-509069_960_720

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like listening to music? If yes, what kind of music do you like? If no, why not? Do you like watching films? If yes, what kind of films do you like? If no, can you tell why? Vocabulary: director /DIH-rek-ter/ [noun] a person who tells actors in a film or play how to play their parts The latest movie of the most famous director was a total flop. footage /FOOT-ij/ [noun] film or videotape that shows a single event or place Detectives were studying the security footage of the house near the crime scene. joyous /JOI-uhs/ [adjective] full of joy Our recent trip to Bali was…
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Intermediate