Intermediate

Google keeps a list of everyone’s search history

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you think that Google is useful? How often do you use the internet? Vocabulary: website – a place on the internet where information can be found Our school has its own website. recommend – to suggest something He recommended a better restaurant. advertisement – an announcement to promote a product or service There are a lot of advertisements inside the mall. information – facts about something This book has a lot of information. relate – to be connected Science is related to technology. Google keeps a record of everything that people search for. It collects information on people’s search history. People can find all the information they…
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Cinnamon believed to have medical benefits

Health - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: What spices do you put on your food? What food do you eat when you are sick? Have you used cinnamon as medicine? Vocabulary: essential – extremely important or necessary Education is essential for a better future. cupboard – a part of a room used to store things; shelf I placed a box of cookie in the cupboard. perfume – to make something smell good The flowers perfumed my mother’s garden. extract – to remove or take out something I was able to extract some juice from the fruit. further – more; extra or additional The new medicine still needs further study. Cinnamon is one of the most…
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Trump tells Japan it can protect itself with US weapons

World News - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: What are your thoughts on the relationship between the US and Japan? Do you think President Trump’s visit to Japan is important? Discuss.   Vocabulary: boost – to help something to increase or improve or become more successful They want the government to take action to boost the economy. dismay – a feeling of shock and unhappiness Lucy discovered to her dismay that she was pregnant. shoot down – to cause to fall by shooting The airliner was shot down by mistake. furthermore – also and more importantly She always arrives on time. Furthermore, her work is always excellent.   Japan was one of the five countries that US…
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China’s influence concerns other nations

World News - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: What do you think are the most important qualities of a leader? In your opinion, what do all of the most developed countries have in common?   Vocabulary: stance – an attitude or view about an issue that you state clearly Many citizens agree with the governor’s stance on tax reform. diplomacy – the conduct of the relations of one state with another by peaceful means Diplomacy is almost always better than public threats. acquisition – the process of buying something or obtaining something The young woman’s acquisition of paintings is from her deceased uncle. colonialism – a situation in which one country rules another Colonialism gave bigger…
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Netflix’s charge increases

technology

Pre-reading questions: Are you familiar with Netflix? Are there other popular apps in your country similar to Netflix? What is your favorite movie/TV show? Why is it your favorite movie/TV show?   Vocabulary: existing users – current customers The company takes good care of its existing users. exclusive – only available to a specific group I was invited to join an exclusive club for soccer players. invest – to use money for profit gain I want to invest in a new house. prime – a subscription plan higher than the standard A prime membership in the country club has a lot of benefits.   Netflix has decided to increase its…
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A world free from tobacco

Health - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: How does tobacco affect the environment? Are there strict regulations on smoking in your country? Vocabulary: consumption – the use of something by drinking, eating, etc This city has a high alcohol consumption rate. claim – cause the loss of someone’s life The typhoon last month claimed a lot of lives. arise – happen; emerge A lot of problems may arise from not taking proper care of your health. dispose of – to get rid of by throwing away or giving or selling to someone else If you don’t dispose of your garbage properly, the government will give you a fine. action plan – a proposed strategy I…
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Unilever develops technology to prevent billions of plastic sachets from entering into oceans

Business - I

Pre-reading questions: Why is recycling important? Does recycling help the environment? Vocabulary: cosmetics– products that enhance beauty such as make-up Women love to go shop for cosmetics. packaging– material used to pack something Most companies use plastic packaging for their products. pollute– contaminate Materials such as plastic can pollute our surroundings. pilot– first I missed the pilot episode of my favorite show. effectivity– producing a desired effect My team has to test the effectivity of the product before releasing it to the market. Most products today such as food and cosmetics are packed in plastic so people tend to throw the packaging away upon consuming the product. Eventually, plastic packages…
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Festival generates ethnic separation in Paris

World News - Intermediate

  Pre-reading questions: What do you feel when you are being surrounded by different people from different races? Please explain your answer. Would you consider hanging out with them despite your differences? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: 1. prosecute – [verb] to officially accuse someone of committing an illegal act and bring it to court of law She has the right to prosecute the organizers of their wrong doing. 2. discrimination – [noun] unfair treatment of a person or group There is a discrimination between males and females in this company. 3. jurisdiction – [noun] the official authority to make legal decisions and judgement This area is under the mayor’s…
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MSDF ship joins U.S. vessel on escort mission

Japan - Intermediate

  Pre-reading questions: What do you know about MSDF? Do you think it’s important for every country to have peace? What can you say about Japan’s military bond with United States? Vocabulary: destroyer – (military terms) warship Japan has a long list of military destroyers. Peninsula – an area of land almost completely surrounded by water except the narrow strip of land connecting it with the mainland. Boso Peninsula can be found in Chiba Prefecture. defense – protection against attack Japan’s current Defense Minister is Tomomi Inada. escort – a group of persons,or a single person accompanying another or others for protection Japan and US are on an escort mission….
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The Dalai Lama in Tawang

World News - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: If you could visit any place in the world for free, where will you go? Why? Which country do you think is the safest? Vocabulary: refugee – a person who leaves his or her home or country to find safety The increasing number of refugees due to terrorism is very alarming. human rights – the basic rights to fair and moral treatment that every person is believed to have I’m a big supporter of human rights. political asylum – the protection given by a government to foreign people who have left their own country because they disagree with their own government Anyone can seek political asylum in my…
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