Intermediate

Google opens its first facility for assistive technology in the UK

Smiling deaf african american girl with ear implant at doctor's office.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How has technology changed your life? What future technologies are you looking forward to? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disability /dis-uh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – an illness, injury, or condition that makes it difficult for someone to do some things that other people do, and that is usually permanent or lasts for a long time Yuka is confident despite having a physical disability. medical /MED-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – related to the treatment of illness and injuries Medical tests showed that she was negative for the virus. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [noun] – natural qualities or…
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How to get a good night’s sleep and enjoy being at home

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you get a good night’s sleep? Why? Do you enjoy being at home? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. interior design /in-TEER-ee-er dih-ZAHYN/ [noun] – the art of planning the decoration of the inside of a building such as a house or office She specialized in interior design. look into /look IN-too/ [phrasal verb] – to examine the facts about a problem or situation A working party has been set up to look into the problem. interact /in-ter-AKT/ [verb] – to communicate with or…
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How food choices affect the environment

young women looking menu at restaurant, selective focus on menu

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you often order at restaurants? How many calories do you think you consume in a day? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. calorie /KAL-uh-ree/ [noun] – a unit of energy, often used as a measurement of the amount of energy that food provides According to nutritionists, only 33% of our daily calorie intake should come from fat. diner /DAHY-ner/ [noun] – a small informal and inexpensive restaurant, often at the side of the road The greatest steak in town is served at this…
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The evolution of “non-verbal communication” in the digital age

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you smile when you give greetings? Why or why not? Why is a positive impression important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expression /ik-SPRESH-uhn/ [noun] – the act of saying what you think or showing how you feel using words or actions The expression on his face never changed. adjust /uh-JUHST/ [verb] – to change something slightly, especially to make it more correct, effective, or suitable Use this button to adjust the contrast. interpret /in-TUR-prit/ [verb] – to describe the meaning of something; examine in order to explain Poetry helps…
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Moonlighting: The controversial subject involving tech employees in India

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about your job? What do you think of moonlighting? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. specialist /SPESH-uh-list/ [noun] – someone who has a lot of experience, knowledge, or skill in a particular subject Is he the specialist who studies UFOs? log in /lawg-IN/ [phrasal verb] – to connect to a computer system by putting in a particular set of letters or numbers In order to log in, you have to type in a special password. work on /wurk on/ [phrasal verb] – to spend time repairing or…
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Cell-cultured chicken safe to eat, FDA says

Quinoa and vegetable salad with grilled chicken fillet, top view

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What type of food do you not like eating? Do you think you eat enough healthy food? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] – to organize and perform a particular activity Scientists in New York conducted the experiments. market /MAHR-kit/ [verb] – to offer products for sale to buyers If we can figure out the best way to market it, the product will be successful. clearance /KLEER-uhns/ [noun] – official permission for something or the state of having satisfied the official conditions…
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The best beef in the world: Wagyu beef

Sliced wagyu marbled beef for yakiniku on plate on black background, Premium Japanese meat, top view and copy space

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much does wagyu beef cost? What restaurants do you know sell wagyu beef? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. extremely /ik-STREEM-lee/ [adverb] – very Farmers are extremely busy during harvest. highlight /HAHY-lahyt/ [verb] – to attract attention to or emphasize something important The report highlights the principal issues that society now faces. cattle /KAT-l/ [noun] – a group of animals that includes cows, buffalo, and bison, that are often kept for their milk or meat Both dairy and beef cattle are kept on the farm. concept /KON-sept/ [noun] – a…
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Some who have stopped using social media say it is “very liberating”

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you enjoy using social media? Why or why not? When do you feel calm? Could you tell me about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. majority /muh-JAWR-i-tee/ [noun] – more than half of a total number or amount; the larger part of something The majority of the employees have university degrees. occupy /OK-yuh-pahy/ [verb ] – to fill, exist in, or use a place or period of time The bed seemed to occupy most of the room. content /KON-tent / [noun] – information, images, video, etc. that are included…
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Landowner appeals to court about chopping down trees

cut down tree

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the importance of trees to the environment? Do you believe there will be fewer trees in the future? Why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. landowner /LAND-oh-ner/ [noun] – someone who owns land, especially a large amount of land Liam is the wealthy landowner’s son. illegally /ih-LEE-guhl/ [adverb] – in a way that is illegal The video had been illegally copied and distributed. stump /stuhmp/ [noun] – the part of something such as a tree, tooth, arm, or leg that is left after most of it has been removed…
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Women who were obliged to “select” self-employment

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Is self-employment challenging? Why or why not? Why do women select self-employment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reality /ree-AL-i-tee/ [noun] – the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be TV is used as an escape from reality. endure /en-DOOR/ [verb] – to suffer something difficult, unpleasant, or painful They could endure much pain. consultant /kuhn-SUHL-tnt/ [noun] – someone who advises people on a particular subject She is now a hospital consultant. abandon /uh-ban-duhn/ [verb] – to leave a place, thing, or person, usually…
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