Intermediate

Experts promote humane and sustainable pest control practices

pest

©(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals or insects do you often see near your home? What could happen if people and wild animals lived close to each other? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. trap /trap/ [noun] – a device used to catch and hold animals or things The farmer set traps to catch rabbits eating his vegetables. attic /AT-ik/ [noun] – a space or room just below the roof of a building Old clothes and books were stored in the attic for many years. vent /vent/ [noun] – an opening…
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Breakthrough study links bacteria to decade-long sea star decline

sunflower sea stars

©(Grant Callegari/Hakai Institute via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could explore the ocean, what animals or plants would you like to see? What do you think might happen to the ocean if one important animal suddenly disappeared? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. stretch /strech/ [verb] – to extend or reach over a certain distance or period of time The desert stretched from the northern border to the southern coastline. shellfish /SHEL-fish/ [noun] – small sea animals with shells, such as crabs, shrimp, oysters, or clams, that are eaten as food Many people…
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Modernization of camel dairy sector boosts Somalia’s market growth

camels-3714257_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some ways to keep food clean and safe before it is sold? What kind of jobs do you think a large farm can give to people? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dairy /DAIR-ee/ [noun] – a business or place where milk and milk products are produced or sold The local dairy expanded its product line to include butter and cream for nearby towns. veterinary /VET-er-uh-ner-ee/ [adjective] – relating to the medical care and treatment of animals The zoo hired more veterinary experts to monitor the health of its…
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Streaming platforms respond to rise in AI-generated music

AI

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think makes music special or meaningful? Do you think it is important to know who created the music you listen to? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. role /rohl/ [noun] – the part someone or something plays in a situation or activity The article talks about the role of social media in spreading news. prompt /prompt/ [noun] – a short text or phrase given to a computer to help it create something (like music, writing, or images) Many AI art programs create pictures based…
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Fireflies illuminate U.S. northeastern skies amid environmental concerns

Fireflies

©(Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP, File) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you like or dislike about being outside at night? Why? Why do you think some people enjoy watching insects or animals in nature? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mature /muh-TYOOR/ [verb] – to become fully grown or developed It takes several months for baby turtles to mature enough to live on their own. flash /flash/ [noun] – a quick burst of light The lighthouse sent out flashes of light to guide ships at night. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to become…
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Starbucks aims to boost U.S. sales with new strategies and products

Starbucks

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually look for when you go to a coffee shop or cafe? What kind of drink or food would you like to see in a coffee shop? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a plan or method used to achieve a goal The company developed marketing strategies to reach more young people. operate /OP-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to work or function in a particular way The restaurant will operate with fewer staff during the holiday. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/ [noun] – a business relationship where two…
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Composting offers a sustainable solution to organic waste in landfills

composting

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually do with leftover food at home? What do you think happens to trash after it is taken away from your house? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. landfill /LAND-fil/ [noun] – a place where waste is buried under the ground Many old electronic devices end up in landfills, harming the environment. leftover /LEFT-oh-ver/ [adjective] – remaining food that was not eaten She made soup using leftover vegetables from dinner. release /ri-LEES/ [verb] – to let something go or set something free Factories release smoke into the air,…
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Chinese researchers reveal mollusks living in deep ocean trench

creature

©(Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you imagine the bottom of the ocean looks like? Why do you think people explore places that are hard to reach? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. presence /PREZ-uhns/ [noun] – the state of being in a particular place The doctor confirmed the presence of bacteria in the water sample. trench /trench/ [noun] – a long, narrow, and deep cut in the ground or ocean floor Researchers studied the trenches formed by tectonic activity on land. survive…
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Healthy lifestyle shown to ameliorate memory loss in older adults, U.S. study finds

Brix-News (42)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have older people in your family talked about memory problems? If so, what did they say? If not, what do they usually talk about? Have you ever joined a workout or exercise program? If so, what kind? If not, what physical activity do you like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. regular /REG-yuh-ler/ [adjective] – happening often or at the same time each day, week, etc. She takes regular walks every morning. include /in-KLOOD/ [verb] – to have something or someone as part of something My lunch includes rice, meat, and…
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Morocco’s argan forests face ecological and economic pressure

argan tree

©(AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think happens when many people want the same natural product? If you could help protect nature in your town, what would you do first? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making or creating something The production of electric cars is increasing every year. industry /IN-duh-stree/ [noun] – a group of businesses that produce a certain product or service The fashion industry creates many jobs around the world. rural /ROOR-uhl/ [adjective] – related to the countryside, not the city…
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