Intermediate

Experts urge caution as tick bites increase across the Northeast

tick

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some insects or animals you usually see outside? What do you usually do to stay safe when spending time in nature? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. professional /pruh-FESH-uh-nl/ [noun] – a person who does a job that needs special education or training Medical professionals recommend regular checkups to catch early signs of disease. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a condition in which bacteria or viruses that cause disease have entered the body The hospital has strict rules to prevent infections from spreading. mouthpart /MOUTH-pahrt/ [noun] – a single structure…
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Carbon capture projects face criticism over costs and effectiveness

carbon capture

©(AP Photo/LM Otero) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could invent a machine to help the Earth, what would it do? Have you seen pollution in your city or town? How did it make you feel? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. compress /kuhm-PRES/ [verb] – to press something into a smaller space or make it more compact The factory compresses leftover food waste into small blocks for disposal. underground /UHN-der-GROUND/ [adverb] – beneath the surface of the Earth The subway runs underground to avoid city traffic. seam /seem/ [noun] – a layer of material…
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Casa Pedro in Madrid challenges Guinness title for oldest restaurant

Casa Pedro

©(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What makes a restaurant special to you? What would your dream restaurant look like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. claim /kleym/ [verb] – to say that something is true, often without proof The company claims its new phone lasts three days without charging. cellar /SEL-er/ [noun] – a room below a building, usually used for storing things like wine or food The family kept homemade cheese in the cellar to stay cool. evidence /EV-i-duhns/ [noun] – information or facts that show something is true or exists There…
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London’s hidden wartime tunnels set to open in 2028 as historic attraction

London Tunnel

©(AP Photo/Joanna Chan) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think it feels like to walk inside a dark tunnel deep underground? If you could explore a secret place from the past, what kind of place would it be? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. network /NET-wurk/ [noun] – a group or system of connected people, things, or organizations The city built a network of bike lanes to help people travel safely. underground /UHN-der-GROUND/ [adverb] – below the surface of the earth; below ground The workers went underground to fix the broken pipe. intelligence…
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Robotaxi competition grows as Waymo launches service in Atlanta

Waymo

©(AP Photo/Terry Chea, File) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually use to get around your city? What do you think is important for a car to be safe? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/ [noun] – a relationship between people or groups who work together to reach a goal The company formed a partnership with a software firm to improve its online service. driverless /DRAHY-ver-lis/ [adjective] – able to move or work without a human driver The airport is testing driverless buses to move people between terminals. expansion /ik-SPAN-shuhn/ [noun] –…
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GPS pet trackers gain popularity in urban areas amid rising concerns over lost animals

GPS

©(AP Photo/Kelvin Chan) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever lost something important? What did you do to find it? What do you think would be the hardest part about losing a pet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. signal /SIG-nl/ [noun] – a message or information sent using sound, light, radio waves, or other methods The TV stopped working because the satellite signal was too weak. widely /WAHYD-lee/ [adverb] – to a large degree or in many places The internet is widely used for education and work. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [verb] – to work or…
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Scientists confirm 4.16-billion-year-old rocks in Quebec

Brix-News (32)

©Jonathan O’Neil via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever read or watched something about very old rocks? If so, what did you learn? If not, would you like to know more? Do you know any places in the world where scientists study old rocks? If so, which places? If not, where do you think they study them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [verb] – to affect or change how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks A teacher can influence students by being kind and helpful. respect /ri-SPEKT/ [noun] –…
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Brad Pitt’s F1 movie debuts with authentic racing action and unprecedented Hollywood–Formula One collaboration

Brix-News (31)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever watched a movie about racing? If so, what was the most exciting part? If not, what do you imagine it is like? Do you know any famous actors who played drivers in movies? If so, which actor do you remember best? If not, which actor would be good for that role? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intense /in-TENS/ [adjective] – extreme or strong The competition was intense, with every team fighting hard to win. competitive /kuhm-PET-i-tiv/ [adjective] – wanting to be more successful than others He is…
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Music program brings comfort to shelter animals in U.S. cities

animalsheltermusic

©(AP Photo/Thomas Peipert) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel when you listen to calm or soft music? If you could help animals in a shelter, what kind of activity would you choose? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. volunteer /vol-uhn-TEER/ [noun] – a person who offers to do something without getting paid Many volunteers helped clean the beach after the storm. volume /VOL-yoom/ [noun] – the level or loudness of sound Please turn down the volume of the TV; it’s too loud. breed /breed/ [noun] – a specific type or group of…
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Extreme heat increases health risks during outdoor exercise

outdoor exercise

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you think of a time when the weather made it hard to enjoy an activity? If you could design a fun game or activity to enjoy during hot weather, what would it be? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. risk /risk/ [noun] – the possibility of something bad or harmful happening There are health risks when people eat too much junk food every day. sweat /swet/ [noun] – the liquid that comes out of the body through the skin when it is hot or after physical activity After running for…
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