Intermediate

Modernization of camel dairy sector boosts Somalia’s market growth

camels-3714257_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some ways to keep food clean and safe before it is sold? What kind of jobs do you think a large farm can give to people? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dairy /DAIR-ee/ [noun] – a business or place where milk and milk products are produced or sold The local dairy expanded its product line to include butter and cream for nearby towns. veterinary /VET-er-uh-ner-ee/ [adjective] – relating to the medical care and treatment of animals The zoo hired more veterinary experts to monitor the health of its…
Read more

Streaming platforms respond to rise in AI-generated music

AI

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think makes music special or meaningful? Do you think it is important to know who created the music you listen to? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. role /rohl/ [noun] – the part someone or something plays in a situation or activity The article talks about the role of social media in spreading news. prompt /prompt/ [noun] – a short text or phrase given to a computer to help it create something (like music, writing, or images) Many AI art programs create pictures based…
Read more

Fireflies illuminate U.S. northeastern skies amid environmental concerns

Fireflies

©(Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP, File) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you like or dislike about being outside at night? Why? Why do you think some people enjoy watching insects or animals in nature? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mature /muh-TYOOR/ [verb] – to become fully grown or developed It takes several months for baby turtles to mature enough to live on their own. flash /flash/ [noun] – a quick burst of light The lighthouse sent out flashes of light to guide ships at night. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to become…
Read more

Starbucks aims to boost U.S. sales with new strategies and products

Starbucks

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually look for when you go to a coffee shop or cafe? What kind of drink or food would you like to see in a coffee shop? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a plan or method used to achieve a goal The company developed marketing strategies to reach more young people. operate /OP-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to work or function in a particular way The restaurant will operate with fewer staff during the holiday. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/ [noun] – a business relationship where two…
Read more

Composting offers a sustainable solution to organic waste in landfills

composting

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually do with leftover food at home? What do you think happens to trash after it is taken away from your house? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. landfill /LAND-fil/ [noun] – a place where waste is buried under the ground Many old electronic devices end up in landfills, harming the environment. leftover /LEFT-oh-ver/ [adjective] – remaining food that was not eaten She made soup using leftover vegetables from dinner. release /ri-LEES/ [verb] – to let something go or set something free Factories release smoke into the air,…
Read more

Chinese researchers reveal mollusks living in deep ocean trench

creature

©(Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you imagine the bottom of the ocean looks like? Why do you think people explore places that are hard to reach? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. presence /PREZ-uhns/ [noun] – the state of being in a particular place The doctor confirmed the presence of bacteria in the water sample. trench /trench/ [noun] – a long, narrow, and deep cut in the ground or ocean floor Researchers studied the trenches formed by tectonic activity on land. survive…
Read more

Healthy lifestyle shown to ameliorate memory loss in older adults, U.S. study finds

Brix-News (42)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have older people in your family talked about memory problems? If so, what did they say? If not, what do they usually talk about? Have you ever joined a workout or exercise program? If so, what kind? If not, what physical activity do you like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. regular /REG-yuh-ler/ [adjective] – happening often or at the same time each day, week, etc. She takes regular walks every morning. include /in-KLOOD/ [verb] – to have something or someone as part of something My lunch includes rice, meat, and…
Read more

Morocco’s argan forests face ecological and economic pressure

argan tree

©(AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think happens when many people want the same natural product? If you could help protect nature in your town, what would you do first? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making or creating something The production of electric cars is increasing every year. industry /IN-duh-stree/ [noun] – a group of businesses that produce a certain product or service The fashion industry creates many jobs around the world. rural /ROOR-uhl/ [adjective] – related to the countryside, not the city…
Read more

Archaeologists uncover 100,000-year-old burial site in Israel

Archeo

©(AP Photo by Ariel Schalit) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you think of a time when you saw or heard about a ceremony to remember someone? If archaeologists dig in your town 1,000 years from now, what objects do you think they might find? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. skeleton /SKEL-i-tn/ [noun] – the structure of bones that supports a human or animal body Scientists found dinosaur skeletons deep underground in the desert. sense /sens/ [noun] – a feeling or understanding about something, often not based on facts The students had a strong sense…
Read more

U.N. court says countries may be legally responsible for climate inaction

Make polluters pay

©(AP Photo/Peter Dejong) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think the world will look like in the future if the weather gets hotter? What do you think people can do to make the air and water cleaner? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. legal /LEE-guhl/ [adjective] – related to the law or rules made by a government The company gave legal advice to workers about their rights. inaction /in-AK-shuhn/ [noun] – the state of doing nothing or not taking action, especially when action is needed The manager’s inaction caused the project to be delayed….
Read more