Intermediate

Odd? It’s normal, at least for Sayaka Murata

2018年8月1日

Odd Its normal at least for Sayaka Murata

Photo by © Kentaro Takahashi via Kentaro Takahashi Pre-Reading Questions: How do you treat people who do odd things? Do you see yourself working in a convenience store? Vocabulary: eccentric /ik-SENT-trik/ [noun] someone who behaves in a weird way She’s an eccentric; that’s why she’s always been the center of attraction in the class. bizarre /bih-ZAHR/ [adjective] strange and unusual He was loved by his family and friends eventhough he’s bizarre. dead end /DED END/ [noun] a situation that has no hope of making progress Businessmen got stuck in a dead-end situation in their attempts to find a possible solution. engaging /en-GEY-jing/ [adjective] tending to please; attractive The advertisement is…
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Intermediate

Bob Marley film is currently in the making

2018年7月26日

bob marley

Pre-reading questions: Do you like listening to reggae? Why or why not? Who is your favorite musician? Please tell me something about him/her. Vocabulary: late /leyt/ [adjective] dead I got so scared when I thought I saw my late grandfather’s face in the mirror. popularize /POP-yuh-luh-rahyz/ [verb] to make something popular She popularized the old song again when she sang it in the concert. split /split/ [verb] to stop being a group The famous pop group split when their singer died in a car accident. hit /hit/ [noun] a thing or person that is very popular or successful The cookies I baked were a hit in last night’s party. solo…
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Intermediate

Google software can now identify ramen by shop

2018年7月24日

Google software can now identify ramen by shop

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite Japanese food? Why is it your favorite? In your opinion, what restaurant serves the best ramen? Please explain. Vocabulary: data scientist /DEY-tuh SAHY-uhn-tist/ [noun] a person whose job is to collect, analyze, and interpret large amounts of data My father is a data scientist for an international computer company. upload /UHP-lohd/ [verb] to copy information to a larger computer system or to the internet I already uploaded the photos from our trip to Hokkaido. classify /KLAS-uh-fahy/ [verb] to divide things into groups according to type Do you classify your tasks by subject? prediction /pri-DIK-shuhn/ [noun] to identify something based on knowledge or data We…
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Intermediate

Part-time jobs for teenagers

2018年7月19日

part-time job for teenagers

Pre-reading questions: Have you tried having a part-time job? Discuss. Do you think part-time jobs are important for students? Why or why not? Vocabulary: enhance /en-HANS/ [verb] to improve the quality of something Liza wants to enhance her speaking skills. significant /sig-NIF-I-kuhnt/ [adjective] very important He has made a significant decision. academics /ak-uh-DEM-ik/ [noun] the activities related to school subjects done in school Problems at home are affecting my academics. balance /BAL-uhns/ [verb] to give two things equal importance, attention, or weight You need to balance your time for sports and school. hinder /HIN-der/ [verb] to limit the development of something A poor diet can hinder physical growth. Esther McVey,…
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Intermediate

North & South Korea pledge peace

2018年7月17日

North & South Korea pledge peace and end of nuclear weapons

Pre-reading questions: What do you know about the South-North Korean war? Do you think world peace is possible? Why or why not? Vocabulary: put an end to (something) /poot an end too/ [phrasal verb] to make something stop happening We need to put an end to this madness. summit /SUHM-it/ [noun] an important formal meeting between leaders of governments from two or more countries Leaders from all over the world met during the summit. pledge /plej/ [verb] to make a serious or formal promise to give or do something The man pledged loyalty to his wife. tension /TEN-shuhn/ [noun] a feeling of fear or anger between two groups of people…
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Intermediate

Japan’s coming of age to be lowered to 18 years old

2018年7月12日

Japan's coming of age to be lowered to 18 years old

Pre-reading questions: What is the general election like in your country? Have you ever participated in a general election? Discuss. Vocabulary: authorize /AW-thuh-rahyz/ [verb] to give official permission for something to happen The government authorized the use of the new drug. adulthood /uh-DUHLT-hood/ [noun] the state of being an adult Paying bills is my least favorite part of adulthood. equalize /EE-kwuh-lahyz/ [verb] a situation means to give everyone the same rights or opportunities Let’s equalize the duties among all employees in this office. prohibit /proh-HIB-it/ [verb] to formally forbid someone from doing something The congress pass a bill that prohibits hunting in national parks. exploit /ik-SPLOIT/ [verb] make use of…
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Intermediate

Too much ice cream may lead to a heart attack

2018年7月10日

Pre-reading questions: Do you like eating sweets? Please explain your answer. What is your favorite dessert? Vocabulary: indulge /in-DUHLJ/ [verb] to have something enjoyable Jam and Yuki indulged in a shopping spree. gain /geyn/ [verb] achieve or get something The store gained more customers. fatty /FA-tee/ [adjective] containing too much fat Aly tries to avoid fatty food to stay healthy. vessel /VES-uhl/ [noun] a tube that carries blood through the body About 15 percent of strokes are the result of blood vessels bursting within the brain. moderate /MOD-er-it/ [adjective] average in amount She baked cookies in a moderately hot oven. According to a study in Israel, eating too much ice…
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Intermediate

Millennials look for online reviews when shopping

2018年7月5日

Millenials only buy products with online reviews

Pre-reading questions: What are the common things that you can buy online? Do you buy products that your friends recommend? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: preceding /pri-SEE-ding/ [adjective] existing or happening before someone or something This year’s party is way better than the preceding events. purchase /PUR-chuhs/ [noun] the act of buying something The purchase of unneeded materials made the accountant mad. respondent /ri-SPON-duhnt/ [noun] a person who answers a request for information The researchers did not use the respondent’s answers because she was lying. opt /opt/ [verb] to make a choice She opted for a fruit shake instead of a cola. factor /FAK-ter/ [noun] a fact or situation that…
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Intermediate

Where the hashtag FOMO came from

2018年6月26日

Where the hashtag FOMO comes from

Pre-reading questions: How often do you use social media apps? Do you think you are a competitive person? Why or why not? Vocabulary: slang /slang/ [noun] a form of casual or informal language “Chicken” is slang for someone who isn’t very brave. hashtag /HASH-tag/ [noun] used on social media for describing the general subject of posts You should use a hashtag when posting on Facebook. stand for /stand fer/ [phrasal verb] to represent words or phrases (in an abbreviation) UN stands for United Nations. instill /in-STIL/ [verb] to put a feeling, idea, or principle gradually into someone’s mind My parents instilled in me a love for reading. make up for…
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Intermediate

Aya Ueto stars in suspense drama

2018年6月21日

Photo by Shuichi Aizawa via Flickr Pre-reading questions: Who is your favorite actress? What do you usually watch on TV? Vocabulary: star /stahr/ [verb] to be included in a cast of actors Mandy starred in “Les Misérables” as Cosette. cover /KUHV-er/ [verb] to be responsible in reporting the details Gotaro and Yuri are the journalists responsible for covering the accident. pay attention /pey uh-TEN-shuhn/ [phrasal verb] to watch, listen to, or think about something carefully The teacher got angry because the students were not paying attention in class. naturally /NACH-er-uh-lee/ [adverb] in a normal way There’s no need to memorize the script; you can just act naturally. passionate /PASH-uh-nit/ [adjective]…
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Intermediate