Intermediate

Fire engulfs Miniland at Legoland Denmark, causing extensive damage to famous Lego replicas

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some common causes of fire incidents that you are aware of? Do you think theme parks should have regular inspections of their electrical equipment? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. footage /FOOT-ij / [noun] – recorded film or video The security team reviewed the surveillance footage to identify the cause of the fire. consequently /KON-si-kwent-lee/ [adverb] – as a result; therefore The electric car caught fire; consequently, several replica buildings were damaged. annually /AN-yoo-uh-lee/ [adverb] – happening once a year Legoland attracts millions of visitors…
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Cities tackle methane emissions from organic waste

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©REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you familiar with any cities in the Global South? If so, which ones, and what do you know about them? If not, would you like to learn more about the cities in this region? Why or why not? What initiatives or practices in waste management have you come across in our country, and what insights can you share about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. worldwide /WURLD-WAHYD/ [adverb] – existing or happening in all parts of the world The company’s products are distributed worldwide, reaching customers on…
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Individuals embrace No-Buy Challenge

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your understanding of the term “no-buy challenge”? Have you ever attempted a similar challenge yourself? If so, what motivated you to do it? If not, what do you think would be the biggest challenge if you were to try it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. popularity /pop-yuh-LAR-i-tee / [noun] – the state or condition of being liked, admired, or supported by many people The band’s new album gained immense popularity within days of its release, topping the charts worldwide. purchase /PUR-chuhs / [noun] – something that you buy…
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New rules for hiking Mount Fuji to protect environment and ensure safety

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think makes Mount Fuji an important place in Japan? What are some challenges you think hikers might face when climbing Mount Fuji? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. overcrowding /oh-ver-KROW-ding/ [noun] – when too many people are in one place, making it uncomfortable or unsafe The concert was canceled because of overcrowding. walk-in /WAWK-in/ [noun] – a person who arrives without an appointment The restaurant was so popular that even walk-ins had to wait for a table. financially /fi-NAN-shuh-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that relates to money…
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Majority of 2013-2022 films fail to acknowledge climate change

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a movie or read a book that talked about climate change? If so, what was it about and how did it address climate change? If not, what do you think a story about climate change might include? What do you know about the ways Hollywood movies influence people’s views on real-world issues? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/ [verb] – to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth The police will investigate the incident to find out what happened. marketing…
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Australia trials gene-edited wheat, aiming for higher yields

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of the challenges you think agriculture faces today? What do you understand by the term “gene editing”? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wheat /weet/ [noun] – a plant whose yellowish-brown grain is used for making flour, or the grain itself Wheat is a staple food in many countries, often ground into flour for bread. unlike /uhn-LAHYK/ [preposition] – different from; not similar to Unlike her siblings, Sarah prefers quiet evenings at home over crowded parties. variation /vair-ee-EY-shuhn/ [noun] – different forms or versions of something The garden…
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Toyota advances electric innovation with Hilux BEV testing in Thailand

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©REUTERS/Artorn Pookasook/File Photo Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What types of vehicles do you think are most popular in different regions of the world, and why do you think that is? How do you think environmental concerns are shaping the development of new technologies in various industries? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim The company’s strategy involves expanding into new markets to increase its global presence. satisfy /SAT-is-fahy/ [verb] – to meet the needs, expectations, or desires of someone or…
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Controversy surrounds barrier blocking Mt. Fuji view amid tourist influx

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©REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think popular tourist destinations can affect the local communities and environments where they are located? In what ways do you think a surge in tourism could benefit a country’s economy? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. obscure /uhb-SKYOOR/ [verb] – to hide or conceal from view The thick fog obscured the view of the mountains, making it difficult for hikers to see the trail ahead. nuisance /NOO-suhns/ [noun] – something or someone that annoys you or causes trouble for you Loud neighbors can be a significant…
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Rare hoodwinker sunfish found stranded on Southern California beach, sparks international scientific collaboration

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©Thomas Turner, UC Santa Barbara via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever heard of sea creatures washing ashore on beaches? What do you think causes this to happen? Why is it important for scientists to study rare species of animals and fish? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. identify /ahy-DEN-tuh-fahy/ [verb] – to recognize or be able to name someone or something, or to prove who or what someone or something is The teacher helped the students identify different types of plants in the garden. species /SPEE-sheez/ [noun] – a set of animals…
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Forecasters predict quieter hurricane season for Hawaii amidst El Nino to La Nina shift

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a hurricane, and how is it formed? Can you describe its main characteristics and the regions where it typically occurs? Can you think of any recent or historical hurricanes that have made headlines? What do you remember about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. climate /KLAHY-mit/ [noun] – the typical weather conditions in a particular region over a long period The climate in tropical areas is usually hot and humid throughout the year. disaster /di-ZAS-ter/ [noun] – an event causing great damage, destruction, or distress, such as a…
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