Intermediate

Spiral pattern in Oort Cloud discovered through planetarium project

Brix-News (24)

©American Museum of Natural History via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever been to a planetarium? If so, what did you enjoy most about it? If not, would you like to go? Why or why not? Do you know what people can see in a planetarium? If so, what have you learned from it? If not, what do you think you might learn? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. phenomenon /fi-NOM-uh-non/ [noun] – something that exists or happens, especially something unusual or interesting A rainbow is a natural phenomenon that appears after rain….
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Dehorning leads to significant drop in rhino poaching, study finds

rhinoceros

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could create a safe place for animals, what would it look like? What do you think animals need to live a safe and happy life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. illegal /ih-LEE-guhl/ [adjective] – not allowed by law The store was closed for selling illegal products. long-term /LAWNG-turm/ [adjective] – continuing or lasting for a long period of time Saving money is a long-term goal for many families. poacher /POH-cher/ [noun] – someone who catches and kills animals illegally The rangers arrested several poachers in the national park….
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Veterinarians offer ways to help pets with allergies

dogscats

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think animals can feel the same way people do when they are not feeling well? Why or why not? If you had to take care of a pet, what would you do every day to keep it healthy and happy? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. paw /paw/ [noun] – the foot of an animal that has claws or nails, such as a cat, dog, or bear The cat used its paw to gently touch the toy. constant /KON-stuhnt/ [adjective] – happening all the time or staying the same…
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Exercise program helps colon cancer patients live longer, study finds

exercise

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think is the best time of day to exercise? If a friend was feeling weak or sick, what kind of advice would you give them to help them feel better? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. session /SESH-uhn/ [noun] – a period of time set for a specific activity or purpose The training program includes weekly sessions on teamwork skills. trial /TRAHY-uhl/ [noun] – a test or study done to see how something works A new trial tested how well the vaccine works on young children. evidence /EV-i-duhns/…
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Mudslide hits Swiss village after glacier collapse

Brix-News (23)

©Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen pictures of a glacier? If so, what did it look like? If not, where can you see one? Do you know what happens when a lot of ice melts quickly? If so, what do you think causes it? If not, what do you think might happen? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. serious /SEE-ee-uhs/ [adjective] – bad or dangerous enough to cause worry The road is closed because of a serious car crash. immediate /ih-MEE-dee-it/ [adjective] – happening or done without waiting The…
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Experts predict more years of record heat and dangerous weather

Brix-News (22)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have hot summers made daily life hard in your town? If so, what problems did it cause? If not, why do you think it did not? Have you ever heard about climate change on the news or in school? If so, what did you learn? If not, would you like to learn more? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dangerous /DEYN-jer-uhs/ [adjective] – a dangerous person, animal, thing, or activity could harm someone Driving in heavy rain is very dangerous. critical /KRIT-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – very important for the way things will…
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Young elephant seal appears in South African town; rescuers return it to sea

elephant seal

©(AP Photo) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How would you feel if you had to help rescue a big animal? Do you think animals feel scared in new places? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ton /tuhn/ [noun] – a unit of weight; one ton is equal to 1,000 kilograms The truck carried five tons of apples from the farm. patrol /puh-TROHL/ [adjective] – used for guarding or watching an area The patrol cars drove around the neighborhood to check for problems. exhaustion /ig-ZAWS-chuhn/ [noun] – a state of being very tired,…
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Ancient DNA reveals unknown hunter-gatherer group in Colombia

Colombia

©(William Usaquen, Andrea Casas-Vargas via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think people traveled from one place to another a long time ago? If you could travel back in time, what question would you ask an ancient person? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. plateau /pla-TOH/ [noun] – a large flat area of land that is high above sea level The animals live on the high plateaus in the mountains. discovery /dih-SKUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – something that is found for the first time The discovery of a new plant was very exciting for the…
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Avocado demand grows despite farm challenges in California

Brix-News (21)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a wildfire on TV or in real life? If so, what did you feel when you saw it? If not, what do you think it looks like? Do you know what an avocado tree looks like or where avocados grow? If so, where did you learn about it? If not, would you like to see one? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. destroy /dih-STROI/ [verb] – to damage something so badly that it no longer exists or cannot be used The strong wind destroyed the small shop…
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Dermatologists recommend sunscreen for all skin types

skin

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually do to protect your skin on a sunny day? If something is done, what is it? If not, why not? Have you ever used sunscreen before going outside? If so, when and why? If not, what do you use instead? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sunscreen /SUHN-skreen/ [noun] – a substance that you put on your skin to protect it from the sun I use sunscreen when I go to the beach. detect /dih-TEKT/ [verb] – to notice something that is not easy to see, hear,…
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