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

African migrants to leave the Jewish state

2018年6月14日

African migrants to leave the Jewish state

Pre-reading questions: Why do you think people leave their home countries? Would you consider working in another country for a long time? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: deport /dih-PAWRT/ [verb] to send away from a country The country deported the illegal immigrants. slavery /SLEY-vuh-ree/ [noun] the condition of being a slave The natives experienced slavery under the king’s rule. imprisonment /im-PRIZ-uhnment/ [noun] the act of putting someone in prison He was given 5 years of imprisonment for his crime. statement /STEYT-muhnt/ [noun] something someone says officially The company released a statement on why the president resigned. endanger /en-DEYN-jer/ [verb] to put someone or something at risk or in danger of…
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Intermediate

More and more people are downloading self-care apps

2018年6月12日

More and more people are downloading self-care apps

Pre-reading questions: What are the important things to do in order to stay healthy? What kind of apps do you usually use? Vocabulary: altogether /awl-tuh-GETH-er/ [verb] in total There were 2,500 guests altogether at the party. consistent /kuhn-SIS-tuhnt/ [adjective] agreeing, not contradicting She got good marks for her thesis because her data is consistent. reckon /REK-uhn/ [verb] to think that something is probably true I reckon she’ll do well in the exam. self-absorbed /SELF-ab-SAWRBD/ [adjective] caring only about yourself Nobody likes him because he’s rude and self-absorbed. optimist /OP-tuh-mist/ [noun] positive thinker Though he’s having problems at home, Mojo is still an optimist. Self-care apps are gaining popularity in the…
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Intermediate

Elderly smokers turn to e-cigarettes

2018年6月8日

Elderly smokers turn to e-cigarettes

Pre-reading questions: In your opinion, why do people smoke cigarettes? What do you think about people who smoke in public? Vocabulary: prevention /pri-VEN-shuhn/ [noun] the act of stopping something from happening They say prevention is better than cure. conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] to organize and direct a particular activity The scientists conducted a new experiment. approximately /uh-PROK-suh-mit-lee/ [adverb] close to a particular number although not exactly that number There were approximately a hundred thousand visitors in the late pop star’s funeral. substitute /SUHB-sti-toot/ [noun] to use someone or something instead of another person or thing I worked as a substitute for the teacher who got sick. tar /tar/ [noun] a harmful…
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Intermediate

Ginmaku Cafe’s unique way of fighting dementia

2018年6月5日

Ginmaku Cafes unique way to fight dementia

Pre-reading questions: What is the last movie you saw? Do you have a favorite cafe? Please tell me something about it. Vocabulary: patron /PEY-truhn/ [noun] a customer The patrons of this restaurant usually order the house special. prevent /pri-VENT/ [verb] to stop something from happening Wear masks if you want to prevent getting the flu. intellect /IN-tl-ekt/ [noun] the ability to learn and understand something, and to form ideas, judgments, and opinions It requires great intellect to understand his books. shorten /SHAWR-tn/ [verb] to make something shorter Your pants are touching the ground; you need to have them shortened. release /ri-LEES/ [adjective] to make a record or film available for…
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Intermediate

Arizona teachers walk out of their classrooms

2018年5月25日

Arizona teachers walk out of their classroom

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite subject in school? Please explain your answer. Do you like joining school club activities? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: protest /PROH-test/ [noun] a strong complaint expressing disagreement There was a protest against the newly-passed law. crisis /KHRAY-sis/ [noun] a difficult situation The country has been experiencing an economic crisis for the past years. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] a period of ten years I worked as a nurse for 2 decades. pursue /per-SOO/ [verb] to try to achieve She wants to pursue a teaching career. uncertified /un-SUR-tuh-fahyd/ [adjective] not officially recognized as having a certain status or meeting certain standards Two days after the election, the…
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Intermediate

Beyond Infinity: What To Expect After Avengers: Infinity War

2018年5月21日

Beyond Infinity What to Expect After Avengers Infinity War

Pre-reading questions: Are you interested in superhero movies? Please explain your answer. Do you like to watch movies in the movie theater? Why or why not? Vocabulary: hyped /hahypt/ [adjective] something that is made to seem very interesting, exciting, or important I found the most hyped movie of the year a bit disappointing. appalled /uh-PAWLD/ [verb] to make someone extremely shocked or upset I was appalled by the hurtful words that he said to me. spoiler /SPOI-ler/ [noun] information that tells you what happens in a TV show or movie Janis hates hearing spoilers before watching a movie. cliffhanger /KLIF-hang-er/ [noun] a story whose ending or result is uncertain Some…
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Intermediate

Washington passes net neutrality law

2018年5月16日

Washington passes net neutrality law

Pre-reading questions: How did the Internet change your life? Do you think the Internet has become a necessity? Vocabulary: net neutrality /net nyoo-TRAL-i-tee/ [noun] idea that internet companies cannot speed up, slow down, or block content on the Internet I support net neutrality rules because the Internet should be free. prohibit /proh-HIB-it/ [verb] to officially not allow something Smoking in this area is strictly prohibited. restrict /ri-STRIKT/ [verb] to limit something The government restricted the people’s freedom. penalize /PEEN-l-ahyz/ [verb] to punish someone for breaking a law or a rule Those who break the law shall be penalized. get rid /get rid/ [phrasal verb] to remove something Please get rid…
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Intermediate