Intermediate

Man turns Boeing 727 into unconventional home

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What challenges do you think someone might face when dealing with a massive object like a retired airplane? Can you think of other ways to add convenience to unconventional living spaces? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. initially /ih-NISH-uh-lee / [adverb] – At the beginning; at first Initially, I wanted to be a scientist, but later I decided to pursue a career in art. massive /MAS-iv / [adjective] – extremely large and heavy The elephant had a massive presence, filling the entire room with its size. feature /FEE-cher / [noun] –…
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Doctor offers crucial tips for preventing food poisoning

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your initial understanding or knowledge about foodborne illnesses or food poisoning? What do you think are some common sources or factors that can lead to foodborne illnesses or food poisoning? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. crucial /KROO-shuhl/ [adjective] – extremely important or necessary Proper communication is crucial in any team project to ensure everyone is on the same page. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a condition in which bacteria or viruses that cause disease have entered the body The wound became red and swollen, indicating a possible infection. immediate…
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NASA’s Perseverance rover finds ancient lake bed on Mars

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©REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When imagining the future of space exploration, what aspects do you think researchers and scientists are most eager to uncover or explore further? What comes to mind when you think about the possibility of life beyond Earth, especially on other planets in our solar system? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] – the outer or top part or layer of something The explorer analyzed the surface of the ancient artifact, looking for clues about its origin and historical significance. current /KUR-uhnt/ [adjective] – of the present time…
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Japan aims for lunar success with the ‘Moon Sniper’ landing mission

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think might be some reasons why scientists and space agencies would embark on a mission to explore the moon? How do you imagine a mission to explore the moon could impact our understanding of space and our own planet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. target /TAHR-git / [noun] – a specific location or goal selected The explorer marked an ancient city ruin as the target for their archaeological expedition, eager to uncover hidden secrets and artifacts. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [noun] – the inherent capacity or possibility for growth,…
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Ancient people turns ancestor bones into tools, surprising study finds

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©J.C. Vera Rodríguez Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think life was like for ancient people who lived thousands of years ago in different parts of the world? What kind of challenges do you imagine they faced in their daily lives? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. discovery /dih-SKUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – the process of finding information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time, or the thing that is found The discovery of the ancient artifacts in the cave was a significant find for archaeologists. aspect /AS-pekt / [noun] – one part…
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Urging countries to curb factory farming for climate goals

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What environmental issues are you aware of that contribute to climate change? What strategies or methods is your country employing to reduce environmental problems? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cause /kawz/ [verb] – to make something happen, especially something bad Smoking can cause health problems like lung disease. tons /tuhnz/ [noun] – a unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms The cargo ship transported 5 metric tons of wheat to the port. proposal /pruh-poh-zuhl / [noun] – a suggestion, sometimes a written one The proposal was well-received by the committee….
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Amazon unveils the Trainium2 AI chip, intensifying competition with Microsoft in the cloud computing arena

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think the term “artificial intelligence” means? How might artificial intelligence impact our daily lives? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] – unusual or special, and therefore surprising and worth mentioning The student’s progress in math was remarkable, showing a significant improvement in just a few weeks. response /ri-SPONS/ [noun] – an answer or reaction The teacher’s response to the student’s question was informative and helped clarify the concept. forthcoming /FAWRTH-KUHM-ing/ [adjective] – happening soon The forthcoming weekend promises exciting adventures and new experiences for the…
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Thai kids go digital with ‘Krathongs’ for Eco-friendly Loy Krathong Festival

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©AFP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What cultural celebrations or festivals do you know of that involve water or rivers? What significance might water have in those traditions? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contemporary /kuhn-TEM-puh-rer-ee/ [adjective] – existing or happening now, and therefore seeming modern The art gallery featured a contemporary exhibition showcasing modern and unconventional artistic expressions. creation /kree-EY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of creating something, or the thing that is created The chef’s latest creation, a fusion of Eastern and Western flavors, became an instant hit among food enthusiasts. conventional /kuhn-VEN-shuh-nl / [adjective]…
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Japan finds dangerous bird flu at farm, plans to cull 40,000 birds

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©Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are your initial thoughts or concerns about the concept of a dangerous bird flu outbreak? How do you think the dangerous bird flu might affect both animals and humans? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. affected /uh-FEK-tid/ [adjective] – influenced or touched by an external factor The affected community struggled to recover after the devastating tornado. agriculture /AG-ri-kuhl-cher/ [noun] – the practice or work of farming Sustainable agriculture is crucial for ensuring food security and environmental conservation. cabinet /KAB-uh-nit/ [noun] – a small group of the most important people…
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GM’s Cruise initiates limited restart of driverless robotaxis

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©REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What companies or initiatives do you know of that are involved in working on self-driving technology? Would you consider buying a self-driving car? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. manual /MAN-yoo-uhl/ [adjective] – operated or controlled directly by a human, typically involving physical effort The company required manual labor for assembling the products. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way The company plans to expand its operations into new markets next year. measure…
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