Intermediate

USDA introduces policy to eliminate transaction fees for eligible students in school meal programs

2024年11月25日

Cris (3)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you heard about programs that provide free or reduced-price school meals? If so, what do you know about how these programs work? If not, why do you think these programs are important? What is your opinion about cashless payment systems? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ease /eez/ [verb] – to make something less difficult or more comfortable The teacher tried to ease the students’ nerves before the big test. financial /fi-NAN-shuhl/ [adjective] – relating to money or finance The company is facing financial problems due to poor sales. industry…
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Intermediate

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South Korea’s ‘morphing wheel’ revolutionizes mobility with adaptive design

2024年11月24日

morph

©Reuters TV/via REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How can robots help people in everyday life? If you could design a robot, what kind of tasks would you want it to do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bump /buhmp/ [noun] – a raised area on a surface The car hit a few bumps on the dirt road. wire /wahyuhr/ [noun] – (a piece of) thin metal thread with a layer of plastic around it, used for carrying electric current The electrician fixed the broken wires in the house. stiffness /STIF-nis/ [noun] – the quality of…
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Intermediate

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Japanese nail artist combines creativity with environmental action

2024年11月23日

manicurist

©REUTERS/Manami Yamada Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How important do you think it is to reduce plastic use and waste? Why are people hesitant to buy recycled products, even though they may help the environment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. salon /suh-LON/ [noun] – a place where professional services are offered, such as for beauty, hair, or nails She opened a new salon downtown, specializing in haircuts and styling. microplastic /MAHY-kroh-plas-tik/ [noun] – tiny plastic particles, typically smaller than 5 millimeters, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic waste Scientists are studying how microplastics affect…
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Intermediate

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Scientists find ways to protect bees from pesticides with new supplement

2024年11月22日

Bees

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do people use pesticides in farming? Is it possible to not use pesticides in farming? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pesticide /PES-tuh-sahyd/ [noun] – a chemical substance used to kill harmful insects, small animals, wild plants, and other unwanted organisms Farmers often use pesticides to protect their crops from insects. pollination /pol-uh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process in which pollen is taken from one plant or part of a plant to another so that new plant seeds can be produced Bees play a crucial role in…
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Intermediate

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Adventurer reaches Japan after epic 46,000-kilometer trek

2024年11月21日

fukuoka

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What country would you like to visit most? Why? What is your favorite way to travel long distances? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. barrier /BAR-ee-er/ [noun] – obstacles or challenges that prevent progress or movement The new law aims to remove barriers to education. unfamiliar /uhn-fuh-MIL-yer/ [adjective] – not known or recognized; strange She felt nervous walking through the unfamiliar streets of the city. budget /BUHJ-it/ [noun] – an amount of money available for a particular purpose The company is trying to cut costs and stay within the budget. saving…
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Intermediate

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Study reveals alarming decline in African elephant populations

2024年11月20日

Elephant

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals in your country are endangered? Why do you think some animals are hunted more than others? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shrink /shringk/ [verb] – to become smaller, or to make something smaller As the climate changes, the habitats of many animals continue to shrink. loss /laws/ [noun] – the fact of losing something or someone Many animals are facing the loss of their natural habitats because of urbanization. vanish /VAN-ish/ [verb] – to disappear or stop being present or existing, especially in a sudden, surprising way All…
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Intermediate

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Researchers raise ultra-clean pigs for life-saving organ donations

2024年11月19日

Pig (2)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever heard of organ transplants? If yes, what types of organs do you think are commonly used? What are some unusual medical research or treatments you have heard of? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rapidly /RAP-id-lee/ [adverb] – in a fast or sudden way The technology is developing rapidly, changing the way we live and work. measure /MEZH-er/ [noun] – a way of achieving something, or a method for dealing with a situation The company has implemented new measures to improve safety. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a condition…
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Intermediate

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Chickens and ducks assist in Romanian middle schools

2024年11月18日

chickenducks

©Photos/George Calin via REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of activities do you enjoy the most at school? How can students work together to make their school a better place? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. county /KOUN-tee/ [noun] – a geographical region or administrative division within a country She moved to a small county to escape the busy city life. interact /in-ter-AKT/ [verb] – to communicate or engage with someone or react to something The teacher encouraged the students to interact with each other during the group project. disability /dis-uh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – an…
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Intermediate

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British author Samantha Harvey wins Booker Prize for “Orbital,” a novel exploring Earth’s fragility and climate change

2024年11月17日

BRIX IIMG (18)

©AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What does a novelist do? What makes a novel different from other types of books? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. novel /NOV-uhl/ [noun] – a long written story about imaginary events and people She finished reading a new novel by her favorite author. aboard /uh-BAWRD/ [preposition] – on or inside a ship, plane, or other vehicle The astronauts were aboard the International Space Station. commend /kuh-MEND/ [verb] – to praise someone or something publicly The teacher commended the student for completing the project early. panel /PAN-l/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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The red-cockaded woodpecker downlisted to “threatened” after major recovery efforts

2024年11月16日

BRIX IIMG (17)

©AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What happens when a species’ status is changed from “endangered” to “threatened”? What actions can help endangered species recover? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. recovery /ri-KUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – the process of becoming successful or normal again after being damaged or weakened The country is working hard on economic recovery after the crisis. status /STEY-tuhs/ [noun] – the official classification given to a species, such as “endangered” or “threatened,” based on its risk of extinction Scientists are working to improve the turtle’s status from “threatened” to…
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Intermediate

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