Intermediate

Study links thousands of wildfire smoke deaths to climate change

wildfire

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do when the weather is very hot and dry? Can you imagine what it’s like to live near a wildfire? What would you do first? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pattern /PAT-ern/ [noun] – a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens Scientists studied rainfall patterns to understand how the weather affects farming. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to make a guess or judgment about the size, amount, or value of something Engineers had to estimate the cost of building the new bridge. impact…
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New seal rescue center in Netherlands opens near Wadden Sea

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do rescue centers usually do for animals? Why might some sea animals get hurt in the ocean? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. swollen /SWOH-luhn/ [adjective] – larger or rounder than normal, usually because of injury or illness His knee was swollen after the fall. injure /IN-jer/ [verb] – to hurt a person or animal She injured her leg while running. separate /SEP-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to make people or things not be together The teacher separated the noisy group of students. awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/ [noun] – knowing that something exists or…
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Self-experiment leads to breakthrough in snakebite treatment research

snake

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What would you do if you found a snake in your backyard or neighborhood? If you could help scientists solve a big problem, what kind of problem would you want to work on? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. deliberately /dih-LIB-er-it-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is planned or intended He deliberately chose a remote village for his vacation to avoid crowds. curiosity /kyoor-ee-OS-i-tee/ [noun] – a strong desire to learn or know something His curiosity about outer space led him to study astronomy. reaction /ree-AK-shuhn/ [noun] – a response…
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Asparagus becomes a long-term choice for home gardeners

asparagus

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think gardening is easy or hard? Why? What kind of plants or vegetables would you like to grow at home? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. harvest /HAHR-vist/ [noun] – the process of gathering crops The rice harvest in the village takes place every October. shoot /shoot/ [noun] – new growth from a plant, usually a stem or sprout Bamboo shoots grow very quickly during the rainy season. speed up /SPEED-uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to make something happen faster Drinking warm tea sometimes speeds up recovery from a…
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Young colossal squid seen alive for the first time in deep ocean near South Sandwich Islands

Brix-News

©ROV SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a sea creature in real life? If so, where did you see it? If not, where would you like to see one? Do you know any animals that live deep in the ocean? If yes, which ones? If not, would you like to learn about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expedition /ek-spi-DISH-uhn/ [noun] – a journey made for a particular purpose, especially for exploration The team went on an expedition to study sea animals. according to /uh-KOR-duhng/ [preposition] –…
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Massive blackout hits Spain and Portugal, exposing infrastructure vulnerabilities

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a blackout? Have you seen news about blackouts in other countries? If so, what country was it about? If not, what problems do you think happen during blackouts? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. blackout /BLAK -out/ [noun] – a period when there is no light or power because of an electrical failure The blackout made the whole street very dark at night. disruption /dis-RUHP-shuhn/ [noun] – an interruption that makes something not work or continue as usual The heavy rain caused a disruption in train service. evacuate /ih-VAK-yoo-eyt/…
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Genetic research project in Senegal aims to improve rare disease treatment in West Africa

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever read or watched something about a science research project? If so, what was it about? If not, what would you like to learn more? Have you seen or read news about health problems in other countries? If so, what was the problem? If not, what kind of problems do you think they might have? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. project /PROJ-ekt/ [noun] – a planned piece of work with a goal The class started a new project about animals. treatment /TREET-muhnt/ [noun] – medical care for an…
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USDA withdraws proposed salmonella rule for poultry producers

chicken

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually think of when you hear the word “bacteria”? If you could create a rule to help people stay healthy, what kind of rule would you make? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lower /LOH-er/ [verb] – to make something less in amount, degree, or level The company wants to lower energy usage by switching to LED lights. annually /AN-yoo-uh-lee/ [adverb] – once every year The event is held annually to celebrate the town’s history. contaminated /kuhn-TA-muh-nay-tuhd/ [adjective] – containing harmful or dirty substances People were warned not…
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Female bonobos form coalitions to resist male aggression, 30-year study reveals

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever heard of an animal called a bonobo? If so, what do you know about it? If not, what do you think it might look like? Do you know any animals that live in groups or families? If yes, what kind of animals are they? If no, what animals do you think might live in groups? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aggressive /uh-GRES-iv/ [adjective] – behaving in an angry and violent way towards another person The dog became aggressive when it saw another dog. relative /REL-uh-tiv/ [noun] –…
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Researchers observe rare whale shark behavior at St. Helena, Hinting at breeding site

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about whale sharks? Have you ever seen a picture or video of a whale shark? If so, where did you see it? If not, would you like to see one someday? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. marine /muh-REEN/ [adjective] – related to the sea or ocean The marine animals live deep in the ocean. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] – to watch carefully The students observed birds in the park. technology /tek-NOL-uh-jee/ [noun] – the use of science to make new tools or machines…
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