Intermediate

The non-coffee energy boosters

2019年9月11日

Non coffee booster

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like to drink coffee? Why or why not? Do you drink coffee every day? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: benefit /ben-UH-fit/ [noun] a helpful or good effect, or something intended to help One of the benefits of studying English is learning how to communicate. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [noun] something that is different, esp. from what is usual; a choice There must be an alternative to people drinking coffee. boost /boost/ [verb] to improve something Exercising every day can boost our immune system. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] extremely important or necessary A passport is essential for foreign travel. convert /kuhn-VURT/ [verb] to cause something to change in form or…
Read more

Intermediate

NASA discovers new heavy metal planet

2019年9月9日

earth-1388003_960_720

Pre-reading questions: What do you find interesting about the universe? Please explain your answer. What do you think is the most mysterious planet? Why? Vocabulary: stream /streem/ [verb] to move continuously The morning light came streaming through the windows. element /EL-uh-muhnt/ [noun] a simple substance that cannot be reduced to smaller chemical parts Oxygen is one of the basic elements of substance. beaming /BEE-ming/ [adjective] radiant; bright Out of the darkness, she saw a beaming flashlight from afar. vanish /VAN-ish/ [verb] to disappear or stop existing Energy seems to vanish and re-emerge in dramatic swings. drag /drag/ [verb] to move something by pulling it along a surface Pick the chair…
Read more

Intermediate

The Genbi: The art museum shinkansen you do not want to miss

2019年9月6日

shinkansen-2504783_960_720

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like traveling? Why or why not? Do you think it’s more convenient to ride the shinkansen than to ride an ordinary train? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: extraordinary /ik-STRAWR-dn-er-ee/ [adjective] very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange She has an extraordinary voice. signature /SIG-nuh-cher/ [adjective] used to refer to the special thing for which a person or place is particularly known My family always admired my favorite restaurant’s signature dish. captivating /KAP-tuh-vey-ting/ [adjective] capable of attracting and holding interest; charming The design of my neighbor’s house is captivating. course /kawrs/ [noun] a direction or route taken or to be taken Be extra careful not to veer off…
Read more

Intermediate

Healthy living reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s

2019年9月4日

Healthy Living reduces the risk of alzheimer's22222

Pre-reading questions: Is your lifestyle healthy? Why or why not? Do you think a healthy lifestyle can prevent diseases? Why or why not? Vocabulary: risk /risk/ [noun] the possibility of something bad happening Unusual toddler’s mannerisms should be considered as a risk in brain development. variation /vair-ee-EY-shuhn/ [noun] a change in amount or level The theater play won a technical award because it had the best variations of lights and sounds. capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/ [noun] the ability to do a particular thing One of the grounds in adapting is the capacity of a foster parent to provide good education. involve /in-VOLV/ [verb] to include someone or something in an activity The…
Read more

Intermediate

,

How dirty is your phone? New studies reveal shocking results!

2019年8月30日

news

Pre-Reading Questions: How often do you clean your personal things and why? Do you think it’s necessary to replace things when it gets dirty? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: vast /vahst/ [adjective] extremely big I restored a vast amount of data in an application I installed last night. humidity /HYOO-mid-i-tee/ [noun] the state or quality of being humid Staying in a cool place decreases the humidity you feel in summer. necessary /NES-uh-ser-ee/ [adjective] needed in order to achieve something The approval of the president is necessary to pass the bill. contaminated /kuhn-TAM-uh-ney-ted/ [adjective] made impure by exposure to polluting substance The milk we have is already contaminated, so I bought…
Read more

Intermediate

Behavioral therapy: An alternative way to get rid of Internet addiction

2019年8月27日

internet gaming

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you always use the Internet? Why or why not? Which do you prefer, playing online games or surfing? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: addiction /uh-DIK-shuhn/ [noun] an inability to stop doing or using something Many people died in the war against drug addiction. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [noun] the power to have an effect on people or things, or a person or thing that is able to do this You’re a good influence on me. therapy /THER-uh-pee/ [noun] a treatment that helps someone feel better, grow stronger, etc., especially after an illness I’ve been in physical therapy since I was twenty years old. education /ej-oo-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] the process of…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Counting steps makes people healthier, study says

2019年8月22日

steppp

Pre-reading questions: Do you keep a record of your steps? Why or why not? Do you use applications that encourage you to be healthy? Why or why not? Vocabulary: analyst /AN-l-ist/ [noun] someone whose job is to study or examine something in detail Most political analysts attended law school. record /REK-erd/ [verb] to use a device to measure an amount, rate of speed, etc Taishi records their class’ attendance. obtain /uhb-TEYN/ [verb] to get something In the third experiment, they obtained a very good result. encourage /en-KUR-ij/ [verb] to talk or behave in a way that gives someone confidence to do something My parents always encourage me to be the…
Read more

Intermediate

Japan to use facial recognition technology for foreign visitors

2019年8月19日

face

Photo by © ANN via The Star Pre-reading questions: In your own opinion, what is the most useful technology? Have you ever tried face scanning device before? How was the experience? Vocabulary: fiscal /FIS-kuhl/ [adjective] the financial year 2010, etc The government employees will have a meeting on July 18th about the fiscal year. microchip /MAHY-kroh-chip/ [noun] a chip There are built-in microchips inserted to some animals for study purposes. departure /dih-PAHR-cher/ [noun] the act of leaving a place, or a flight, train, etc. He had to wait for few hours before his departure for Japan. guarantee /gar-uhn-TEE/ [verb] to promise that something will happen or exist She guaranteed her…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Misato Michisita to join the 2020 Paralympics

2019年8月15日

misato

Photo by © REUTERS via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching Paralympics? Why or why not? What is your favorite sport? Why? Vocabulary: victory /VIK-tuh-ree/ [noun] the act or an example of winning a competition The victory in Gettysburg proved to be the turning point of the civil war. achieve /uh-CHEEV/ [verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim He is always making sure to achieve his goals in the future. league /leeg/ [noun] a group of teams or players in a sport who take part in competitions against each other He is one of the top players in the baseball league. athletic /ath-LET-ik/ [adjective]…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Sugary drinks may lead to cancer, study says

2019年8月13日

sugary

Pre-reading questions: Do you like drinking sweet drinks? Why or why not? Which do you prefer, sodas or fruit juices? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: survey /ser-VEY/ [noun] an examination of opinions and behavior made by asking people questions A survey shows that many businessmen skip lunch everyday. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] to watch carefully the way something happens The doctor continued to observe the patient’s behavior. period /PEER-ee-uhd/ [noun] a length of time The World War II was a difficult period in Japanese history. state /steyt/ [verb] to say or write something The witness just stated the facts about the ongoing case. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] to become or to make…
Read more

Intermediate