Intermediate

Study reveals alarming decline in African elephant populations

2024年11月20日

Elephant

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals in your country are endangered? Why do you think some animals are hunted more than others? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shrink /shringk/ [verb] – to become smaller, or to make something smaller As the climate changes, the habitats of many animals continue to shrink. loss /laws/ [noun] – the fact of losing something or someone Many animals are facing the loss of their natural habitats because of urbanization. vanish /VAN-ish/ [verb] – to disappear or stop being present or existing, especially in a sudden, surprising way All…
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Intermediate

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Researchers raise ultra-clean pigs for life-saving organ donations

2024年11月19日

Pig (2)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever heard of organ transplants? If yes, what types of organs do you think are commonly used? What are some unusual medical research or treatments you have heard of? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rapidly /RAP-id-lee/ [adverb] – in a fast or sudden way The technology is developing rapidly, changing the way we live and work. measure /MEZH-er/ [noun] – a way of achieving something, or a method for dealing with a situation The company has implemented new measures to improve safety. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a condition…
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Intermediate

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Chickens and ducks assist in Romanian middle schools

2024年11月18日

chickenducks

©Photos/George Calin via REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of activities do you enjoy the most at school? How can students work together to make their school a better place? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. county /KOUN-tee/ [noun] – a geographical region or administrative division within a country She moved to a small county to escape the busy city life. interact /in-ter-AKT/ [verb] – to communicate or engage with someone or react to something The teacher encouraged the students to interact with each other during the group project. disability /dis-uh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – an…
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Intermediate

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British author Samantha Harvey wins Booker Prize for “Orbital,” a novel exploring Earth’s fragility and climate change

2024年11月17日

BRIX IIMG (18)

©AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What does a novelist do? What makes a novel different from other types of books? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. novel /NOV-uhl/ [noun] – a long written story about imaginary events and people She finished reading a new novel by her favorite author. aboard /uh-BAWRD/ [preposition] – on or inside a ship, plane, or other vehicle The astronauts were aboard the International Space Station. commend /kuh-MEND/ [verb] – to praise someone or something publicly The teacher commended the student for completing the project early. panel /PAN-l/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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The red-cockaded woodpecker downlisted to “threatened” after major recovery efforts

2024年11月16日

BRIX IIMG (17)

©AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What happens when a species’ status is changed from “endangered” to “threatened”? What actions can help endangered species recover? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. recovery /ri-KUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – the process of becoming successful or normal again after being damaged or weakened The country is working hard on economic recovery after the crisis. status /STEY-tuhs/ [noun] – the official classification given to a species, such as “endangered” or “threatened,” based on its risk of extinction Scientists are working to improve the turtle’s status from “threatened” to…
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Intermediate

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Greek runner, 88, defies age by completing 41st Athens marathon

2024年11月15日

Marathon

©REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do people prepare for a marathon? What are some of the benefits of running or participating in marathons? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. barrier /BAR-ee-er/ [noun] – an obstacle or limit that prevents movement or progress. He broke down the barriers that were stopping him from succeeding. messenger /MES-uhn-jer/ [noun] – someone who takes a message or documents from one person to another She became a messenger for the group, spreading news across the city. victory /VIK-tuh-ree/ [noun] – an occasion when you win a game, competition,…
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Intermediate

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The giant salmon carp, once feared extinct, has reappeared in the Mekong River amid conservation efforts

2024年11月14日

BRIX IIMG (16)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is an extinct animal? What happens to the environment when an animal goes extinct? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reappear /ree-uh-PEER/ [verb] – to appear again after being gone or hidden for a period of time The bird was thought to be gone, but it suddenly reappeared in the forest. specimen /SPES-uh-muhn/ [noun] – a single example or sample of something, especially for scientific study The scientist carefully examined the plant specimen under a microscope. overfishing /ow-vr-FI-shuhng/ [noun] – the practice of catching too many fish, causing a decline…
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Intermediate

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“Squid Game” season 2 returns with new challenges and a quest for justice

2024年11月13日

Squid Game

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What’s a movie or series you could watch over and over again? What makes it so special to you? If you could change the ending of any movie or series, which one would it be, and how would you change it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hint /hint/ [verb] – to suggest or imply something indirectly She hinted that she might be moving to a new city next year. fame /feym/ [noun] – the state of being known or recognized by many people because of your achievements, skills, etc. The…
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Intermediate

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Mexico City’s floating gardens face threats from urban growth

2024年11月12日

Chinampas

©(AP Photo/Felix Marquez) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is urbanization? What challenges do farmers face in maintaining their livelihoods today? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mud /muhd/ [noun] – soft, wet earth or soil, often found on the ground after rain After the rain, the trail was covered in thick mud, making it hard to walk. profitable /PROF-i-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – earning or likely to earn money or gain Investing in renewable energy projects can be very profitable. ecologist /ih-KOL-uh-jist/ [noun] – a person who studies the natural relationships between the air, land, water, animals,…
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Intermediate

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Archaeologists unearth twelve sandstone statues at Angkor Thom in Cambodia

2024年11月11日

BRIX IIMG (15)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about archaeology? What tools or methods do archaeologists typically use in their work? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sculpture /SKULP-cher/ [noun] – the art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood The museum displayed an ancient sculpture carved from stone. dedicated /DED-i-key-tid/ [adjective] – believing that an activity or idea is important and giving a lot of energy and time to it She is dedicated to preserving the local history of her town. restoration /reh-str-AY-shn/ [noun] – the…
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Intermediate

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