Intermediate

Japan faces severe rice shortage amid extreme weather and rising demand

2024年9月2日

Emihokoro

©REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What factors can lead to a shortage of essential goods in a country? Why is it important for researchers to develop new varieties of crops or products? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. endure /en-DOOR/ [verb] – to withstand or tolerate something difficult or unpleasant over a period of time She had to endure a long wait at the airport due to the flight delay. sharply /SHAR-plee/ [adverb] – in a sudden, severe, or intense manner. The temperature dropped sharply overnight, causing frost to form on the windows. stock…
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Intermediate

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Tomatina festival paints Bunol red with tomato fun and global cheers

2024年9月1日

Tomatina

©REUTERS/Eva Manez Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What types of festivals do you know about from different cultures or countries? How do people in your country prepare for and celebrate festivals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spirited /SPIR-i-tid/ [adjective] – full of energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness The team gave a spirited performance at the championship game. manner /MAN-er/ [noun] – a way of doing something; the style or method She spoke in a calm and respectful manner during the meeting. firecracker /FAHYUHR-krak-er/ [noun] – a small explosive device that makes a loud noise and sometimes…
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Intermediate

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116-year-old Japanese woman officially named world’s oldest living person by Guinness

2024年8月31日

Oldest woman

©(City of Ashiya via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some things people might admire in someone who is very old? What are some challenges that a person might face when they live to be very old? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. currently /KUR-uhnt-lee/ [adverb] – at the present time She is currently working on a new project. prefecture /PREE-fek-cher/ [noun] – a political region or local government area in some countries, for example Japan, France, and Italy The prefecture is responsible for local government services. strength /strengkth/ [noun] – the ability to…
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Intermediate

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Paris Paralympic opening ceremony set to challenge views on disabilities

2024年8月30日

racket-7282577_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about the Paralympic Games? Can you name any sports that are included in the Paralympic Games? Have you ever watched a Paralympic event on TV or online? If yes, which athletes or sports impressed you the most, and why? If not, what might you enjoy watching? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. exciting /ik-SAHY-ting/ [adjective] – causing great enthusiasm and eagerness The roller coaster ride was very exciting for the children. show /shoh/ [noun] – a performance or presentation, such as a play or concert We went…
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Intermediate

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Amphibious car parade ends in Amsterdam due to new emission rules

2024年8月29日

amphibious car

©REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How important is it to preserve traditional events? What are some ways you personally try to reduce your environmental impact in daily life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. parade /puh-REYD/ [noun] – a public procession or celebration, often with people walking or in vehicles, typically held to mark a special event The children watched the colorful parade pass by their school. standard /STAN-derd/ [noun] – a level of quality The new standards for safety were implemented across all factories. turnout /TURN-out/ [noun] – the number of people attending an…
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Intermediate

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California launches $250 million initiative to support journalism and advance AI research

2024年8月28日

daily-paper-464015_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the role of journalism in society? What are some common tools or technologies used by journalists today? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. struggle /STRUHG-uhl/ [verb] – to make a great effort to achieve something, or to try very hard She had to struggle to lift the heavy box. democratic /dem-uh-KRAT-ik / [adjective] – relating to a system of government where the people choose their leaders by voting The country has a democratic system of government where people vote for their leaders. oppose /uh-POHZ/ [verb] – to be against…
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Intermediate

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Hong Kong welcomes birth of giant panda twins from oldest first-time mother

2024年8月27日

panda-3555554_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some reasons why people might find giant pandas special or important? How might the care and feeding of newborn animals differ from caring for adult animals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. give birth /giv burth/ [phrasal verb] – to produce offspring or deliver a baby The mother cat gave birth to a healthy kitten early in the morning. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – a sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else The heart symbol is often used to represent love. newborn /NOO-BAWRN/ [adjective] – recently…
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Intermediate

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Shiveluch Volcano erupts after major quake

2024年8月26日

ashes-1867440_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What causes a volcano to erupt? How might the eruption of a volcano affect nearby areas? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intensity /in-TEN-si-tee/ [noun] – the quality of being intense, or the degree to which something is strong or severe The storm’s intensity made it hard to see outside. Richter scale /RIK-tr-SKAYL/ [noun] – a scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes The earthquake was measured on the Richter scale as a 6.5. seismic activity /SAHYZ-mik ak-TIV-i-tee/ [noun phrase] – the occurrence and movement of events related to the…
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Intermediate

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Spanish laboratory fights dengue with mosquito sterilization initiative

2024年8月25日

mosquito-3860900_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What problems can climate change cause for health? Why do some places have more mosquito-borne diseases than others? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spread /spred/ [noun] – the development or growth of something so that it covers a larger area or affects a larger number of people The rapid spread of the virus led to a significant increase in the number of cases across the region. regional /REE-juh-nl/ [adjective] – relating to a specific area or region The regional conference will bring together experts from various fields. large-scale /LAHRJ-SKEYL/ [adjective]…
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Intermediate

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Stonehenge’s altar stone traveled over 460 miles from Scotland, reveals new research

2024年8月24日

stonehenge-2326750_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some famous ancient monuments or structures in your country? What makes those ancient monuments or structures famous? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. puzzle /PUHZ-uhl/ [verb] – to cause someone to feel confused and slightly worried because they cannot understand something The complicated instructions on the new device puzzled him. elsewhere /ELS-hwair/ [adverb] – in or to another place or location I couldn’t find the book here, so I’ll look elsewhere. distant /DIS-tuhnt/ [adjective] – far away Despite their distant locations, the two companies managed to collaborate effectively. sophisticated…
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Intermediate

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