Intermediate

Five ways to keep your sanity while working from home

2020年6月1日

draft 3

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you think being at home every day is lonely? Why or why not? What do you usually do when you’re at home? Vocabulary: trend /trend/ [noun] – a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving The new trend that influences teenagers is quite alarming. remotely /ri-MOHT lee/ [adverb] employees who work remotely work mainly from home and communicate with the company by email and telephone She has been working remotely for five years now since becoming a freelance writer. efficiency /ih-FISH-uh n-see/ [noun] – the good use of time and energy in a way that does not waste any His…
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Intermediate

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Ways on how to make stress beneficial for your well-being

2020年5月29日

urban

Pre-Reading Questions: What do you usually do during quarantine? What are your usual stress relievers? Vocabulary: boost /boost/ [verb] to improve or increase something Local farmers began using quality fertilizers to boost their crop yields. exposed /ik-SPOHZD/ [adjective] not covered; able to be seen Children are prone to the virus if they are exposed outside. income /IN-kuhm/ [noun] money that is earned from doing work or received from investments He has a lot of income because of his chain businesses. risky /RIS-kee/ [adjective] involving the possibility of something bad happening Entering a construction site without proper protection is too risky. anxiety /ang-ZAHY-i-tee/ [noun] an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry…
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Intermediate

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All you need to know about Japanese tea

2020年5月25日

SAM 1

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you think drinking tea is good for our bodies? When do you usually drink tea? Vocabulary: definitely /DEF-uh-nit-lee/ [adverb] without any doubt Mario will definitely come here before dinner. combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] the mixture you get when two or more things are combined Bread and milk are a good combination for breakfast. aroma /uh-ROH-muh/ [noun] a strong, usually pleasant smell Everyone wants to go to the flower garden because of its aroma. subtle /SUHT-l// [adjective] not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious The taste of this milk tea is very subtle. fine /fahyn/ [adjective] very thin or in very small pieces or drops This grain of rice is…
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Intermediate

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Innerwear company to give nylon masks to children

2020年5月22日

nylon mask

Pre-reading questions: Do you like helping others? Why or why not? How would we encourage other people to others too? Vocabulary: over /OH-ver/ [preposition] above or higher than something else The number of contestants for this year’s marathon is over 2,000. distribute /dih-STRIB-yoot/ [verb] to give something out to several people The charity will distribute toys to children in need. chairman /CHAIR-muhn/ [noun] a person in charge of a meeting or organization The chairman of the board called for a meeting this afternoon. firm /furm/ [noun] a company or business, especially a small one The firm where I work gave generous bonuses last Christmas. purchase /PUR-chuhs/ [verb] to buy something…
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Intermediate

LEGO Super Mario to hit markets this 2020

2020年5月18日

Lego

© Photo by Lego/Nintendo Pre-reading questions: What was your favorite toy when you were younger? Do you prefer playing with toys or reading books? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] a result of two or more things joining together She is a combination of sensitivity and fierceness. virtual /VUR-choo-uhl/ [adjective] can be done or seen using a computer without going anywhere or talking to anyone He sends her virtual hugs and kisses since they are far from each other. product /PROD-uhkt/ [noun] something that is made to be sold This product is 100% made of natural ingredients, and it is also 50% off today platform /PLAT-fawrm/ [noun] a…
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Intermediate

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Akita: A place of knowledge and beauty

2020年5月15日

img_4612 (1)

© Photo by Japan Inside Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like reading books? Why or why not? What is your ideal place to read books? Vocabulary: cozy /KOH-zee/ [adjective] comfortable, pleasant, and inviting, esp. (of a room or building) because of being small and warm My room is nice and cozy during winter. tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time Each country has different traditions. suburb /SUHB-urb/ [noun] an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live Ana grew…
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Intermediate

JR-EAST’s Joban Line reopens nine years after 2011 disaster

2020年5月11日

train

Pre-reading questions: Why do you think natural disasters happen? What is the best mode of transportation for you? Vocabulary: disaster /dih-ZAS-ter/ [noun] a sudden event that causes a lot of damage, such as a very bad fire, storm, or accident One of the most unpredictable natural disasters is earthquakes. provide /pruh-VAYHD/ [verb] to give something to a person, company, or organization, or to make it available for them to use The event coordinators provided free meals to the guests. transport /trans-POHRT/ [noun] something that takes things, esp. soldiers or military supplies, from one place to another The transport system in my country should be improved. enhance /en-HANS/ [verb] to improve…
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Intermediate

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Musicians hold free shows online to beat COVID-19

2020年5月8日

News din pic

Pre-reading questions: When do you usually listen to music? What type of music do you listen to? Vocabulary: prohibit /proh-HIB-it/ [verb] to prevent a particular activity The use of mobile phones is prohibited during class. get-together /GET-tuh-geth-er/ [noun] a gathering of people; one or more people meet The school batch ‘91 get-together will be held in the university auditorium. measure /MEZH-er/ [noun] a method for dealing with a situation The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested measures to keep people from getting sick. recital /ri-SAHYT-l/ [noun] a performance of music or poetry, usually given by one person or a small group of people Lisa is nervous for her violin recital. demonstrate…
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Intermediate

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Want to stay healthy? Then stop touching your face!

2020年5月8日

face

Pre-Reading Questions: When do you usually touch your face? Do you wash your hands regularly? Why or why not? Vocabulary: illness /IL-nis/ [noun] a disease of the body or mind Due to illness, my sister cannot go to work for 5 days. exposed /ik-SPOHZD/ [adjective] in a vulnerable position or situation Children are more likely exposed to illegal drugs. reach /reech/ [verb] to arrive at a place A virus can reach into your body if you always touch your face with dirty hands. pneumonia /nuh-MOW-nyuh/ [noun] a serious illness in which one or both lungs become red and swollen and filled with liquid The woman’s pneumonia diagnosis explained why she…
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Intermediate

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Terrific ways to enjoy spring besides sakura viewing

2020年5月1日

hanami

Pre-Reading Questions: Where do you usually go for sakura viewing? What do you usually do in spring? Vocabulary: tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time Mochi making is one of the most popular Japanese traditions during New Year. delightful /dih-LAHYT-fuhl/ [adjective] very pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable Hanami dango is well-known for its delightful taste and appearance. public /PUHB-lik/ [noun] all ordinary people The patient’s identity is announced to the public for security reasons. adventurous /ad-VEN-cher-uhs/ [adjective] willing to try new or difficult things My best friend is very adventurous, now she likes to try skydiving! necessary /NES-uh-ser-ee/ [adjective] needed…
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Intermediate

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