Intermediate

Ohtani secures second consecutive American League MVP award unanimously

2024年2月2日

Ohtani Shohei

©Nikkei Asia Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Is baseball the most popular sport in your country? Why or why not? Who are your favorite athletes, and what makes them your favorites? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aspect /AS-pekt/ [noun] – one part of a situation, problem, subject, etc. The cultural aspect of the city’s diversity is evident in its various festivals and celebrations throughout the year. compare /kuhm-PAIR/ [verb] – to examine the similarities and differences between two or more things The teacher asked the students to compare and contrast the themes of two classic…
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Intermediate

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Mount Fuji struggles with overtourism

2024年2月1日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you already know or associate with Mount Fuji, both in terms of its physical characteristics and its cultural significance? What role does Mount Fuji play in Japanese culture or history? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strain /streyn/ [noun] – a force or influence that stretches, pulls, or puts pressure on something, sometimes causing damage The bridge showed signs of strain after the heavy storm, prompting engineers to assess its structural integrity. descend /dih-SEND/ [verb] – to go or come down The hikers carefully descended the steep mountain trail,…
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Intermediate

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Japan’s teamLab is set to launch an updated digital museum in Tokyo’s mega complex

2024年1月31日

Japan's teamLab

©Reuters/KIM KYUNG-HOON Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you hear the term “digital museum”? How do you imagine it might be different from a traditional museum? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. beneath /bih-NEETH/ [preposition] – in or to a lower position than someone or something, under someone or something The treasure was hidden beneath the old oak tree. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. The construction of the new bridge is progressing ahead of schedule. medical /MED-i-kuhl / [adjective] – related to…
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Intermediate

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Survivors grappling with desperation in wake of Moroccan earthquake in Atlas Mountains

2024年1月30日

earthquake-1665886_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is meant by the word ‘earthquake’? Can you think of any real-life situations or locations where earthquakes might be more likely to occur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. beneath /bih-NEETH/ [preposition] – in or to a lower position than someone or something, under someone or something The hidden treasure was buried beneath a large oak tree in the forest. collapse /kuh-LAPS/ [verb] – to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support The old, deteriorating bridge finally collapsed under the weight of the heavy truck…
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Intermediate

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Fossil in New Mexico suggests a new kind of Tyrannosaurus rex

2024年1月30日

Screenshot 2024-01-18 134403

©U.S. Sergei Krasinski/Handout via Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What images or ideas come to your mind when you hear the term Tyrannosaurus rex? What do you expect to discover about this dinosaur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. evolution /ev-uh-LOO-shuhn / [noun] – the way in which living things change and develop over millions of years The evolution of smartphones has transformed communication in the modern era. selection /si-LEK-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of choosing someone or something The selection of a candidate for the job involved a thorough interview process. debate /dih-BEYT/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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Tokyo remembers earthquake from 100 years ago, urges preparedness

2024年1月29日

japan-217882_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you think of ‘earthquake’? What are the potential consequences of a major earthquake? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tragedy /TRAJ-i-dee/ [noun] – a very sad event or situation, especially one involving death or suffering The earthquake was a great tragedy, resulting in the loss of many lives and widespread destruction. claim /kleym/ [verb] – to cause the death of or take the lives of a significant number of people The deadly virus claimed the lives of thousands across the country. beneath /bih-NEETH/ [preposition] – in…
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Intermediate

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Paleontologists uncover evidence of meat-eating dinosaurs

2024年1月28日

landscape-3969074_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you think of examples of animals that are considered predators? What about prey? Can you provide examples of adaptations that predators and prey might have developed over time? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. survival /ser-VAHY-vuhl/ [noun] – the act or fact of surviving, especially under adverse or unusual circumstances The cheetah’s speed is crucial for its survival in the wild. massive /MAS-iv / [adjective] – very large in scale, amount, or degree The elephant’s massive size is a key feature that helps it intimidate potential predators. contrary /KON-trer-ee/ [adjective]…
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Intermediate

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Nepal implements a TikTok ban due to social concerns

2024年1月27日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which smartphone applications do people in your country typically use? How concerned are you about cybersecurity and privacy issues related to using social media platforms or applications? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] – important or noticeable The discovery of antibiotics was a significant advancement in the field of medicine. harmony /HAHR-muh-nee/ [noun] – a situation in which people are peaceful and agree with each other, or when things seem right or suitable together The concert was a beautiful display of musical harmony, as each instrument blended seamlessly…
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Intermediate

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John Oliver’s beloved avian icon seizes glory as New Zealand’s ‘Bird of the Century’

2024年1月26日

BIRD

©Peter Foulds/Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When you hear the term ‘Bird of the Century,’ what ideas or images come to mind? What qualities do you think a bird must possess to be given such a title? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. comedian /kuh-MEE-dee-uhn / [noun] – a person whose job is to make people laugh by telling jokes and funny stories or by copying the behavior or speech of famous people The comedian had everyone in stitches with his jokes and funny stories at the comedy…
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Intermediate

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Unprecedented heatwave ravages Brazil

2024年1月25日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a “heatwave,” and how does it differ from regular warm weather? Can you recall any personal experiences or news stories related to heatwaves? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. scorching /SKAWR-ching/ [adjective] – hot or burning The scorching sun made the pavement too hot to walk on barefoot. highlight /HAHY-lahyt/ [verb] – to emphasize or draw attention to something The speaker used graphs and charts to highlight the key points of the presentation. extensive /ik-STEN-siv/ [adjective] – covering a large area; having great extent The national park had an…
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Intermediate

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