Intermediate

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” earns $345 million worldwide in opening weekend

Brix-News (67)

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite movie? Do you like science-fiction films? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. moderate /MOD-er-it/ [adjective] – not very high or low Ticket sales showed moderate growth. mixed /MIKST/ [adjective] – having different opinions The film received mixed reactions. reliable /ri-LY-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be trusted The franchise is reliable at the box office. consistent /kuhn-SIS-tuhnt/ [adjective] – staying the same over time Attendance remained consistent. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – very important Holiday sales are essential for success. Article Reading: Please read the…
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Invasive fish species threaten fishing communities in the Mediterranean

invasive fish

©(AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of fish do people usually eat in your country? What problems could fishermen face if local fish become harder to catch? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expansion /ik-SPAN-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of becoming larger or wider The expansion of the city caused changes in nearby farmland. pressure /PRE-shur/ [noun] – force or stress that causes difficulty or strain Rising costs put pressure on small local businesses. native /NEY-tiv/ [adjective] – originally belonging to a place Native plants grow better in local soil conditions. sharp…
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Finland uses early education to strengthen media literacy against fake news

Finland

©(AP Photo/James Brooks) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of information do you see most often online every day? If you could learn one skill about news at school, what would you like to learn? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. literacy /LIT-er-uh-see/ [noun] – the ability to read, understand, and use information Digital literacy is important for students who use the internet for learning. curriculum /kuh-RIK-yuh-luhm/ [noun] – the subjects and skills taught in a school program The school added computer skills to the curriculum last year. disinformation /dis-in-fer-MEY-shuhn/ [noun] – false information shared…
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Instacart ends experimental variable pricing program after fairness concerns emerge

Brix-News (66)

©AP Photo/Richard Drew, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do online stores always show the same price to everyone? Why might prices change online? Why is price clarity important for customers? How does unclear pricing affect trust? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. difference /DIF-er-uhns-iz/ [noun] – ways things are not the same Customers noticed differences in online prices. dynamic /dahy-NAM-ik/ [adjective] – changing based on conditions Dynamic pricing can change when demand is high. decision /noun/ [dih-SIZH-uhn] – a choice made after thinking The company made a decision to stop the test. trust /truhst/ [noun]…
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Department stores invest in beauty technology as AI and social media reshape shopping

Cris-News (60)

©AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do people learn about beauty products today? How does this affect shopping choices? Why do holidays matter to retailers? What products sell more during this time? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. authority /uh-THAWR-i-tee/ [noun] – power to influence decisions Social media reduced the authority of store advisers. intense /in-TENS/ [adjective] – very strong or serious Competition became intense in the beauty market. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] – important or meaningful The holiday season is significant for sales. engaging /engaging /en-GAY-jing// [adjective] – interesting and holding attention Stores…
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Rapid warming changes ice and wildlife on the Antarctic Peninsula

Penguin

©(AP Photo/Mark Baker) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When you hear the word “Antarctica,” what images or feelings come to mind? How do you think animals survive in places with very cold weather? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rapid /RAP-id/ [adjective] – happening very quickly The city experienced rapid population growth after new factories opened. glacier /GLEY-sher/ [noun] – a large, slow-moving mass of ice The glacier moved slowly down the mountain over many years. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] – a strong effect or influence The new law had a major impact on public transportation. reduction…
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Criticism of Mexican bread leads to widespread online backlash

bread

©(AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of bread are common in your daily life? How would you feel if someone criticized a food that is popular in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. backlash /BAK-lash/ [noun] – a strong negative reaction from people The decision led to backlash on social media after the announcement. podcast /POD-kast/ [noun] – a recorded audio program shared online The scientist explained the study in a podcast about health. remark /rih-MARK/ [noun] – a spoken comment or statement The official’s remark caused concern during the…
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The memoir Nobody’s Girl reaches one million copies worldwide

Cris-News (59)

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do nonfiction books often influence public opinion? If so, how? If not, why? Have you seen books create discussion in society? If so, where? If not, why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. indicator /IN-di-key-ter/ [noun] – a sign that shows a condition Sales numbers are an indicator of interest. revive /ri-VIVE/ [verb] – to bring back interest The article revived public debate. awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/ [noun] – knowledge or understanding The campaign raised awareness. strengthen /STRENGK-thuhn/ [verb] – to make stronger Education can strengthen understanding. response /ri-SPONTS/ [verb] – a reaction…
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Haruki Murakami honored in New York with major literary awards for global cultural impact

Brix-News (65)

©AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What awards are given to famous writers? Why are these awards important? What kinds of cultural events happen in large cities? Which events attract international audiences? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. connection /connection /kuh-NEK-shuhn// [noun ] – a relationship between people or ideas The novel shows a strong connection to music. recognition /rek-ig-NISH-uhn/ [noun] – public praise or acknowledgment The author received recognition for his work. engagement /en-GAYJ-muhnt/ [noun] – active interest or involvement The program increased audience engagement. contribution /kon-truh-BYOO-shuhn/ [noun] – something given to…
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Kenyan elephant sanctuary gains global attention for indigenous-led conservation and community development

Brix-News (64)

©John Dowling via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you seen animals at a zoo or sanctuary? If so, what animals did you see? If not, where can you see animals? Do people help animals in the community? If so, how do they help? If not, how can people help animals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. distinctive /di-STINGK-tiv/ [adjective] – clearly different from others Reteti has a distinctive management structure. practical /PRAK-ti-kuhl/ [adjective] – useful in real situations Goat’s milk was a practical choice for feeding. connected /kuh-NEK-tid/ [adjective] – joined or related Tourism…
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