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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Wasao becomes the new stationmaster

2019年6月21日

wasao

Photo by © KYODO via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: Do you think dogs are the best pet? Please explain your answer. Do you have any pets? Why or why not? Vocabulary: in charge /in chahrj/ [idiom] responsible for something or someone He is in charge of doing the laundry. ceremony /SER-uh-moh-nee/ [verb] a formal occasion especially to recognize an important event Their wedding ceremony will take place on March 25th this year. partner /PAHRT-ner/ [noun] the person you are married to or living with as if married to them His partner will give birth next month. representative /rep-ri-ZEN-tuh-tiv/ [noun] a person who represents another person or a group a…
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Intermediate

Possible cure found for box jellyfish sting

2019年6月19日

Possible cure found for box jellyfish sting

Pre-reading questions: Do you like animals? Why or why not? What is your favorite marine animal and why? Vocabulary: poisonous /POI-zuh-nuhs/ [adjective] very harmful and able to cause illness or death Inland Taipan is a poisonous snake found in Australia. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] to make something less in price, size, amount, etc. The shoe factory will reduce production because of its low demand. damaging /DAM-i-jing/ [adjective] causing harm She writes a damaging article about the celebrity she secretly hates. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] to the greatest degree She is very thin now after she went on an extreme diet. failure /FEYL-yer/ [noun] the fact of something not working as it should…
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Intermediate

Facebook chief wants more government regulation of internet

2019年6月14日

markz

Photo by © Getty via Evoke.ie Pre-reading questions: How can the internet help you learn English? Explain your answer. What do you think is the best thing about the internet? Why? Vocabulary: protection /pruh-TEK-shuhn/ [noun] the act of keeping someone or something safe from injury, damage, or loss Our country needs protection from the terrorists. adopt /uh-DOPT/ [verb] to accept or start to use something new We need to adopt more strategic ways to improve the economy from other countries. harmful /HAHRM-fuhl/ [adjective] causing harm Early use of mobile phones is harmful to children. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] important, large, or great, especially in leading to a different result or to…
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Intermediate

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Living alone increases the risk of mental health disorders

2019年6月10日

living alone

Pre-reading questions: Which do you prefer, living alone or living with your family? Why? Do you like attending social gatherings? Why or why not? Vocabulary: substantiate /suhb-STAN-shee-eyt/ [verb] to show something to be true, or to support a claim with facts The local government has a lot of evidence to substantiate the allegations of election fraud. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] to be one of the reasons why something happens Immigrants contribute to the increasing population of the country. psychological /sahy-kuh-LOJ-i-kuhl/ [adjective] relating to the human mind and feelings The managers are also after the physical and psychological well-being of their employees. weaken /WEE-kuhn/ [verb] to (cause to) become less strong, powerful,…
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Intermediate

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