Intermediate

“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” leads box-office in the US

2019年7月24日

godzilla

Photo by © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP via France 24 Pre-reading questions: What kind of movies do you like watching and why? Which do you prefer, watching movies at home or in the cinema? Why? Vocabulary: lead /leed/ [verb] to be in front, be first, or be winning The kendo player leads its competitors only by a point. estimated /ES-tuh-meyt-uhd/ [adjective] roughly calculated or approximate The estimated cost of the building is $12 million dollars. opponent /uh-POH-nuhnt/ [noun] the person who someone is competing against The other team crushes its other opponents in the game of soccer. attention /uh-TEHN-shuhn/ [noun] notice, thought, or interest After a few months of courting,…
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Intermediate

Japan to charge plastic bags

2019年7月22日

ban plastics

Pre-reading questions: What do you usually bring when you go shopping and why? What are the common single-use plastics in Japan? Vocabulary: implement /im-pluh-muhnt/ [verb] to put a plan into action The company has implemented a new policy that would contribute to its employees’ benefits. ban /ban/ [verb] to forbid someone to do something or forbid an action The new law bans foreign fishermen to enter another country’s territory. afforestation /uh-FAWR-ist-tey-shuhn/ [noun] the action of planting trees on an area of land in order to make a forest The students join the afforestation held by their school admin. awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/ [noun] knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a situation…
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Intermediate

The resonating sound within Kobe tunnel

2019年7月18日

kobe

Photo by © The Japan News/ANN via China Daily Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like listening to music? Why or why not? Do you think music makes a person happy? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] unusual and surprising They did a research about the remarkable places on earth. venue /VEN-yoo/ [noun] the place where a public event or meeting happens Strangely, there were no people at the venue. redirect /ree-di-REKT/ [verb] to change the direction of something The flight was redirected to Singapore. view /vyoo/ [verb] to look at or consider something It was viewed that the castle in the city is still haunted up to this day….
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Intermediate

Liverpool wins its 6th European Cup

2019年7月15日

liverpool

Photo by © Carl Recine/Reuters via The New York Times Pre-reading questions: Are you a fan of baseball? Why or why not? If you are a fan of baseball, what is your favorite baseball team? If not, what sports do you like and why? Vocabulary: outplay /out-PLEY/ [verb] to play better than another person or team LA Lakers outplayed Golden State Warriors in the semi finals. league /leeg/ [noun] a group of teams playing a sport who take part in competitions between each other My brother’s baseball team is aspiring to join the major leagues in the next season. victory /VIK-tuh-ree/ [noun] the act or an example of winning a…
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Intermediate

Smartphone app detects ear infection in kids

2019年7月10日

ear app

Photo by © The Associated Press via CBC Pre-reading questions: Do you like using health apps in smartphones? Why or why not? What are the health apps that you use? If none, how do you check your health? Vocabulary: invent /in-VENT/ [verb] to design and/or create something that has never been made before The Wright brothers invented the first successful airplane. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] a disease in a part of your body that is caused by bacteria or a virus It was advisable that humans should take a bath at least once a day to avoid skin infections. analysis /uh-NAL-uh-sis/ [noun] the study of something in detail Researchers are doing…
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Intermediate

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New app helps smokers quit

2019年7月8日

smoke app

Photo by © CUREAPP INC. via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: Do you think smoking is good for the health? Why or why not What do you think is the impact of tobacco in the business industry? Explain your answer. Vocabulary: technology /tek-NOL-uh-jee/ [noun] the use of scientific knowledge or processes in business, industry, manufacturing, etc. The leading smartphone brand in Japan has one of the most advanced technologies around the world. frequent /free-KWUH -nt/ [adjective] happening or doing something often Their arguments are becoming more and more frequent. session /SESH-uhn/ [noun] a period of time or meeting arranged for a particular activity The meeting sessions should be finished by tomorrow….
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Intermediate

Japanese offices increase greenery to lessen stress

2019年7月5日

green

Photo by © Koji Fujii / Nacasa and Partners Inc. via Spoon & Tamago Pre-reading questions: What usually stresses you out? Explain your answer. How do you relieve stress? Vocabulary: promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something A good way to promote our business is through social media. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [adjective] possible when the necessary conditions exist I met another potential buyer for our old house. fatigue /fuh-TEEG/ [noun] the condition of being extremely tired Playing video games is James’ way to relieve fatigue. requirement /ri-KWAHYUHR-muhnt/ [noun] something that you must do, or something you need Could you tell me the actual requirements…
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Intermediate

Consistent sleep pattern benefits metabolic health

2019年7月3日

sleep

Pre-reading questions: Do you sleep early? Why or why not? How many hours do you sleep in a day and why? Vocabulary: stimulate /STIM-yuh-leyt/ [verb] to cause part of the body to operate His brother is taking vitamins that stimulate height growth. questionnaire /kwes-chuh-NAIR/ [noun] a set of written questions used to collect information from a number of people The students were asked to answer the questionnaire in an hour. acquire /uh-KWAHYUHR/ [verb] to obtain or begin to have something Due to her weak immune system, she can easily acquire infections. illness /IL-nis/ [noun] a disease of the body or mind Colds and cough are common illnesses when it is…
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Intermediate

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Robots affect human emotions according to studies

2019年6月28日

Robots affect human emotions according to studies

Pre-reading questions: Do you like robots? Why or why not? What can you say about technologies nowadays? Vocabulary: challenge /CHAL-inj/ [noun] something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully It has been a challenge for me to produce a new film. interruption /in-tuh-RUHP-shuhn/ [noun] an occasion when someone or something stops something from happening for a short period of time Sherra worked in the evening without interruptions. entertainment /en-ter-TEYM-muhnt/ [noun] activities that entertain people You can find a lot of entertainment in Makati. server /SUR-ver/ [noun] a central computer from which other computers get information Some servers are not working again. interact /in-ter-AKT/ [verb]…
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Intermediate

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Former Red Sox pitcher Koji Uehara retires

2019年6月26日

euh

Photo by © KYODO via The Mainichi Pre-reading questions: Do you like baseball? Why or why not? What kind of sport do you like the least and why? Vocabulary: professional /pruh-FESH-uh-nl/ [adjective] used to describe someone who does a job that people usually do as a hobby Kisenosato Yutaka was a professional sumo wrestler. pitch /pich/ [verb] in baseball, to throw a ball towards the player with the bat in order for them to try to hit it Shohei Otani pitched for Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for three years. outstanding /out-STAN-ding/ [adjective] clearly very much better than what is usual My best friend has always been an outstanding student since grade…
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Intermediate

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