Intermediate

Japan and China to increase the number of flights this year

2020年1月17日

image (4)

Pre-reading questions: Is it better to travel by plane or by car? Please explain your answer. Do you have plans to travel to other countries? If yes, where? If no, why not? Vocabulary: increase /in-KREES/ [verb] to become or make something larger or greater They increased the price of rice by $5 in every sack. progress /PROG-res/ [noun] movement toward an improved or more developed state, or to a forward position Mechanical progress has been very quick over the past few months. facility /fuh-SIL-i-tee/ [noun] something such as a place, building, or equipment used for a particular purpose or activity The medical facilities in the Philippines were supervised by the…
Read more

Intermediate

,

How dangerous is the consumption of red meat?

2019年12月13日

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like eating red meat? Do you think it is healthy to eat processed foods? Vocabulary: unsure /uhn-SHOOR/ [adjective] not certain or having doubts I’m unsure if my answers for this examination are correct. extent /ik-STENT/ [noun] the degree to which something happens or is likely to happen I was amazed at the extent of his knowledge. evidence /EV-i-duhns/ [noun] anything that helps to prove that something is or not true The detective scanned every bit of evidence. determine /dih-TUR-min/ [verb] to discover the facts or truth about something Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. credible /KRED-uh-buhl/ [adjective] able to be believed…
Read more

Intermediate

Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony fascinates foreigners

2019年12月6日

green-tea-1918638__340

Pre-reading questions: What kind of tea do you enjoy drinking and why? What is your favorite Japanese festival and why? Vocabulary: custom /KUHS-tuhm/ [noun] a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time One of the Filipino customs is Media Noche where families, relatives, and friends gather for a lavish midnight feast. conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] to organize and direct a particular activity The new television program will conduct an audition for their lead actor next month ceremony /SER-uh-moh-nee/ [noun] a set of acts, often traditional or religious, performed at a formal occasion The couple’s wedding ceremony will be held near the beach. arrangement /uh-REYNJ-muhnt/…
Read more

Intermediate

,

NASA’s InSight mission records astonishing sounds on the red planet

2019年11月18日

redplanet

Pre-reading questions: Do you know anything about Mars? Elaborate your answer. Do you consider it as the second Earth? Why or why not? Vocabulary: bizarre /bih-ZAHR/ [adjective] very strange and unusual Everyone stared at the student who wore a bizarre outfit to school. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something Drivers must observe the traffic rules. intention /in-TEN-shuhn/ [noun] something that you want and plan to do Tom had no intention of helping Jessica. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] the outer or top part or layer of something Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is water. landscape /LAND-skeyp/ [noun] a large area of countryside,…
Read more

Intermediate

Four healthy lifestyles that could boost mental health

2019年11月8日

mental

Pre-Reading Questions: What do you usually do when you feel sad? Do you have a healthy lifestyle? Why or why not? Vocabulary: abstain /ab-STEYN/ [verb] to not do something, especially something enjoyable that you think might be bad He made a promise that starting next month, he will abstain from alcohol and smoking. keen /keen/ [adjective] very interested, eager, or wanting (to do) something very much She was keen to know the process of getting a national ID. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious I did not go to work yesterday due to a severe headache. distress /dih-STRES/ [noun] a feeling of extreme…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Five ways to regain your health from flu

2019年11月6日

woman resting

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like taking medicines? Why or why not? What kinds of food do you usually eat? Vocabulary: symptom /SIMP-tuhm/ [noun] any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a disease Rashes, vomiting, and fever are some of the symptoms of dengue. shot /shot/ [noun] the amount of a drug that is put into the body by a single injection She got a shot of antibiotics from the hospital. period /PEER-ee-uhd/ [noun] a length of time He promised to solve the problems in the company in a period of six months. subside /suhb-SAHYD/ [verb] to become less strong After taking different medicines, her…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Flying taxi is ready for take-off

2019年11月4日

https___blogs-images.forbes.com_ceciliarodriguez_files_2017_04_Screen-Shot-2017-04-23-at-19.00.41

© Photo by Forbes / AeroMobil via Forbes Pre-Reading Questions: Do you ride a taxi when you travel? Why or why not? What public transportation do you like the most? Why? Vocabulary: launch /lawnch/ [verb] to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product The new clothing line will launch a fashion show for the latest European trends. chassis /CHAS-ee/ [noun] the frame of a vehicle, usually including the wheels and engine, onto which the metal covering is fixed The students presented a sample chassis of their solar car invention to the university’s student government. capable /KEY-puh-buhl/ [adjective] able to do things effectively and…
Read more

Intermediate

Kyoto city monitors tourists’ behavior via smartphone

2019年10月31日

Pre-reading questions: Do you enjoy traveling? Why or why not? Have you been to a different country? If yes, please tell me more. If no, where would you like to go? Vocabulary: initial /ih-NISH-uhl/ [adjective] of or at the beginning The project’s initial preparation is taking too much time. manner /MAN-er/ [noun] the usual way in which you behave towards other people or the way you behave on a particular occasion One must practice proper manners while eating. misconduct /mis-KON-duhkt/ [noun] unacceptable or illegal behavior by a person or group in a position of authority His misconduct at work caused his termination from the company. assess /uh-SES/ [verb] to make…
Read more

Intermediate

Kanazawa as the ice cream capital

2019年10月29日

ice-2367072_960_720

Pre-Reading Questions: What is your comfort food? What local dessert is popular in your city? What is it made of? Vocabulary: peak /peek/ [noun] the highest, strongest, or best point, value, or level of skill Rates are different after the peak of the summer season. feature /FEE-cher/ [verb] to include someone or something as an important part The new iPhone 11 features mobile tech development. luxury /LUHK-shuh-ree/ [noun] the pleasure and comfort you get from expensive and beautiful things Towers and temples are the luxuries of a princess. convenient /kuhn-VEEN-yuhnt/ [adjective] suitable for your purposes and needs and causing the least difficulty Which is more convenient, to go by bus…
Read more

Intermediate

“Weathering with You” to be Japan’s entry for International Film award

2019年10月18日

MV5BMGI4Y2JjMzktZmYzNi00MWM1LTlmNzQtYjQ0ZDZmYmM3YjA4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzE5ODMwNzI@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,684,1000_AL_

© Photo by GKIDS , INC- © 2019 TOHO CO.,LTD / CoMix Wave Films Inc./ via IMDb Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching movies? If yes, what kind of movies do you like? If no, why not? What do you usually look for when critiquing a movie? Explain. Vocabulary: entry /EN-tree/ [noun] a person or thing that is part of a competition The entries for this year’s film festival are all directed by women. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] relating to a person’s own country We consumers must buy more domestic products. name /neym/ [verb] to give a name to someone or something His brother suggested to name the poodle “Holly”. appreciation…
Read more

Intermediate