Intermediate

Traditional Japanese preserved dish continues in historic Tokyo district

tsukudani

©(AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you imagine when you hear the words “traditional cooking”? What kind of food reminds you of home? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. preserved /pri-ZURVD/ [adjective] – kept in good condition or protected from spoiling or damage The old recipe uses preserved vegetables that can be stored for many months. clam /klam/ [noun] – a type of shellfish with a soft body and a hard shell, often used in cooking She made pasta with fresh clams and white sauce for dinner. salty /SAWL-tee/ [adjective] –…
Read more

India accelerates shift to renewable energy amid growing power demand and climate concerns

Brix-News (40)

©AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you learned about renewable energy before? If so, which kind did you learn about? If not, where can you learn about it? Do you know what kind of energy India used most in the past? If so, when did you learn about it? If not, what do you think it was? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. preserve /pri-ZURV/ [verb] – to keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed We plant trees to preserve clean…
Read more

Lovebugs swarm South Korea in July

Brix-News (39)

©Im Soon-shuck/Yonhap via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a large group of insects outside? If so, what kind of insects were they? If not, where might you see them? Do you know any insects that are helpful to flowers or plants? If so, how do they help? If not, which animals might help flowers grow? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. capital /KAP-i-tl/ [noun] – a city that is the center of government of a country or smaller political area Tokyo is the capital of Japan. investigate /in-ves-ti-geyt/ [verb] – to…
Read more

Renowned acrobat Red Panda fractures wrist during WNBA halftime performance in Minneapolis

Brix-News (38)

©AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever watched an acrobat perform in person or on TV? If so, what did the acrobat do? If not, would you like to? Have you ever seen someone fall while doing a performance or sport? If so, what happened next? If not, what do you think might happen? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. well-known /WEL-nohn/ [adjective] – known or recognized by many people The Eiffel Tower is a well-known building in France. appreciate /uh-PREE-shee-eyt/ [verb] – to understand how good something or someone is…
Read more

Mobile phone inventor predicts health-tracking features in future devices

Brix-News (36)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have mobile phones been used by people in your family for a long time? If so, who was the first to use one? If not, when did they start using one? Have mobile phones ever been used by you to do more than just call? If so, what was it for? If not, what else do you think phones can do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – a sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else The heart is a symbol of love. advanced…
Read more

Rare Przewalski’s foal receives life-saving surrogate care at Minnesota Zoo

Brix-News (35)

©AP Photo/Mark Vancleave Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever visited a zoo before? If so, what animals did you see? If not, would you like to go someday? Do you know any animals that are born with health problems? If so, what happened to them? If not, what do you think they need? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. response /ri-SPONS/ [noun] – an answer or reaction  The dog’s quick response saved its owner. delicate /DEL-i-kit/ [adjective] – needing careful treatment, especially because easily damaged This flower has very delicate petals. ensure /en-SHOOR/ [verb]…
Read more

Jurassic World Rebirth opens with new dinosaur story and surprises

Brix-News (34)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What makes a movie exciting or fun for you to watch? What kind of movie do you enjoy more: action, adventure, or science fiction? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. consequence /KON-si-kwens/ [noun] – a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient He forgot his homework, and the consequence was a lower grade. T-rex /TEE-REKS/ [noun] – a large, strong dinosaur with sharp teeth, short arms, and a big head The T-Rex had very strong legs and sharp teeth. director /dih-REK-ter/ [noun]…
Read more

China’s unprecedented visa-free policy draws surge of foreign tourists

Brix-News (41)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever traveled to another country before? If so, which country did you visit? If not, where do you want to go? Do you know what a visa is used for when traveling? If so, who helped you get your visa? If not, where can you learn about visas? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] – a set of ideas or a plan used as a basis for making decisions The school has a new policy about using phones. cooperation /koh-op-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of working…
Read more

New direct flight connects U.S. and Greenland, aims to boost tourism

Greenland

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could show visitors something special about your country, what would it be? What activities do you enjoy when you travel or go on vacation? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/ [adjective] – related to buying, selling, or business activities The city is planning to open a commercial district filled with shops and restaurants. puffin /PUHF-in/ [noun] – a small seabird with black and white feathers and a colorful beak, usually found in cold coastal areas Tourists visited the cliffs to take photos of the puffins flying over…
Read more

Record heat grips southern Europe as alerts are issued amid wildfire threats

Brix-News (33)

©AP Photo/Michel Euler Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever experienced very hot weather in your city? If so, what did you do to stay safe? If not, what would you do? Do you know any countries in Europe that get very hot in summer? If so, which ones? If not, which country do you think is the hottest? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disruption /dis-RUHP-shuhn/ [noun] – when something stops working or happening in the normal way The storm caused a big disruption in bus service. considerable /kuhn-SID-er-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – large or important…
Read more