Intermediate

Steven Tyler opens Janie’s House

2017年12月28日

entertainment

Pre-reading questions: How do you feel about the violence happening around the world? What do you think is the best way to help victims of violence?   Vocabulary: sanctuary – a safe and comfortable place All she wants is the sanctuary her house offers her after a day’s work. downtrodden – treated badly or unfairly This organization aims to help downtrodden women and children. iconic – very famous and well-known His songs are very iconic. movement – a group of people with a particular set of aims The citizens started a movement to change the government. grasp – to understand something He was finding it difficult to grasp what happened…
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Intermediate

China warns borrowers to pay up or be shamed

2017年12月13日

World News - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: What do you think about lending money to your friends or family members? Please explain your answer. What do you think about borrowing money from the bank? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: platform – an opportunity to make your ideas or beliefs known publicly Facebook is a social media platform widely used across the world. screen – to investigate an individual to make sure that he/she is unlikely to cause problems The Human Resource Department screens all applicants thoroughly. credibility – the quality of being believed or trusted The jury had doubts about the credibility of some of the witnesses. debtor – a person, organization, or country that…
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Intermediate

Google keeps a list of everyone’s search history

2017年12月12日

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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Intermediate

Cinnamon believed to have medical benefits

2017年12月12日

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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Intermediate

Trump tells Japan it can protect itself with US weapons

2017年12月12日

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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Intermediate

China’s influence concerns other nations

2017年11月24日

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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Intermediate

Netflix’s charge increases

2017年11月16日

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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Intermediate

A world free from tobacco

2017年10月26日

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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Intermediate

Unilever develops technology to prevent billions of plastic sachets from entering into oceans

2017年8月18日

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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Intermediate

Festival generates ethnic separation in Paris

2017年8月15日

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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Intermediate